Kid Craft: Baby Owls

How cute are these little big-eyed babies?! I love them!

This simple Baby Owl Craft is an easy way to add a touch of autumn to your home.

Here’s a list of supplies you’ll need,

most of which are probably in your house right now!

– cardboard tubes (empty toilet paper rolls to be exact)

– cupcake liners (just 2 per owl). Wilton has some fresh and unique designs!

– scrap paper (not much; just enough for the eyes and beak)

– scissors (again for the eyes and beak)

– a hot glue gun (good old Elmer’s glue works too, just not as quickly)

1- Start by folding in the top of the tube.

2- Add a drop of glue to one side to keep your fold in place.

3- Fold 1 cupcake liner in half.

4- Glue it to the back of the tube to create the wings.

5- For outstretched wings, cut a cupcake liner in half.

6- Glue each half on the back of the tube at a slight angle.

7- Cut another cupcake liner into thirds. Trim off the flat base so only the ruffles remain.

8- Glue each ruffle, starting at the bottom of the tube, to cover the tube with “feathers”.  Add eyes and a beak and Viola!

Happy Fall, y’all!

This was originally posted on East Valley Mom Guide.

 

5 Ways to Save with the AZ Pogo Pass this Summer

My family had a blast this past year with POGO Pass! Here are some great ways you can play:

1 -Sunsplash! We all need a way to cool down this summer and Sunsplash is the perfect way to do it! Every Pogo Pass holder receives one FREE admission to Sunsplash Water Park which is a $30 value for adults and $20 for kids. Go to Sunsplash and one other Pogo Pass venue, and the pass has already paid for itself ($40 with discount) making everything else FREE!

2 - Indoor Fun! Check out all the indoor venues that will keep you and your kids having fun and out of the sweltering heat. Go skating at Skateland for free every month, or do some laser tag, climb the rock wall at the Play Factory, or create crafts at the IDEA Museum. You won’t run out of air conditioned venues this summer with your Pogo Pass. 

3 - Date Nights! The kids shouldn’t be the only ones having fun this summer! Get out of the house with your spouse and have some FREE fun with the Pogo Pass. Skip the usual movie and go rock climbing for FREE at the Phoenix Rock Gym, enjoy some fun competition with a game of paintball, or have a blast riding rides at Castles N’ Coasters.  

4 - Birthdays! Do you have any summer birthdays? Want to treat your kids and visit a fun place on their special day? Use the Pogo Pass and get in free at Makutu’s Island or Enchanted Island.  Maybe they’d like to do bowling or glow golf for their birthday activity. There are so many options that are sure to please any child.

5 - 12 Months of Fun! Even when the summer has ended, your Pogo Pass is good for 12 months from purchase, and can be used to have fun all year! You can look forward to Diamondbacks Games, trips to the Phoenix Zoo and much more, and it’s all FREE with your Pogo Pass! Each pass has over $1000 value and you can get yours for only $40 with promo code AZBLOSSOM

PogoPass Quick Facts

*One Pogo Pass per person and is not transferable (each is personalized with name)

*Pogo Passes are good for 12 months from purchase date

*Passes are recommended for ages 2 and older as that is when most venues begin charging admission.

*Once purchased online, your Pogo Pass is available to use immediately.

*To use your pass, just log into your account and bring up your pass on smart phone or print off pass and show at venue and they will scan it. Some venues require pre-registration.

* All admissions are FREE, not discounted, FREE!

The AZ Pogo Pass currently offers:

Castles N’ Coasters- 1 visit

Diamondbacks- 2 games

AZ Rattlers- 3 games

Air Time Jump Centers- 2 visits

Idea Museum- 2 visits

Makutu’s Island- 2 visits

Skateland- 2 visits/month

Stratum Laser Tag- 2 visits

Enchanted Island- 4 visits

Sunsplash- 1 visit

Fat Cats- 1 Game Glow Golf/week, 1 Game Bowling/month  

Phoenix Zoo- 2 visits

The Play Factory- 3 visits

Phoenix Rock Gym- 2 visits

Tempe Paintball- 1 visit/month

Phoenix Mercury- 3 games

Sun Devil Athletics- Multiple Sports

Each Pogo Pass is valued at over $1000!

Get yours for ONLY $40 with promo code AZBLOSSOM. 

Out West Balloon Fest GIVEAWAY

***** GIVEAWAY CLOSED *****

The West Valley is the place to be this weekend for

The 2nd Annual Out West Balloon Fest!

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday you and your family can enjoy an up close experience with these beautiful hot air balloons. My family went last year and loved it!

The weather is perfect to watch a Morning Launch or

take in an evening filled with the soft lights of the Balloon Glow.

There's food and fun for the whole family and YOU can join the fun FOR FREE!

Enter to win

a Family Four Pack

of tickets to the event of your choice

(see schedule of events HERE)! 

THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO ENTER:

1 - Follow me on Instagram and comment about this giveaway.

2 - Like my Facebook page and comment about this giveaway.

(If you already like/follow, just leave a comment to let me know.=)

  

There will be 2 winners so tell your friends!

LET'S PLAY at THE OUT WEST BALLOON FEST!

2nd Annual Out West Balloon Fest

Out West Balloon Fest and Fun Run

Takes Flight March 4, 5 & 6

 

50 hot air balloons will decorate the sky at the 2nd annual Out West Balloon Fest and Fun Run, Featuring the G1GABLAST Fun Run benefiting Cox Charities at the University of Phoenix in Glendale, Ariz. on March, 4, 5 and 6 2016.

 

This event will be the largest balloon race in Arizona where pilots will be competing for the Arizona State Champion title.

 

Spectators will witness the launch and landing of the most beautiful vehicles in the sky and partake in a weekend full of special activities to keep the whole family entertained.

 

“It not only generates a competitive edge for our balloon pilots, but it’s a magnificent site to see by spectators,” said Vanessa Clifton, owner of Aerial Solutions, LLC, event operators for the Out West Balloon Fest.

 

This year, the stadium will not only allow spectators to watch balloons launch each morning, but will also be able to watch them fly toward the spectator field and watch them glow on Friday and Saturday evenings.

 

After each morning mass ascension, the Prescott Regulators and their Shady Ladies will be putting on one of the best gunfighter shows in the Southwest. Other activities include tethered balloon rides, a kids zone, a 5k Fun Run (Saturday morning only), live music and much more.

 

Fun Run

 

The G1GABLAST Fun Run benefiting Cox Charities is happening Saturday, March 5. Runners will be following a course that will wrap around University of Phoenix Stadium. As they run they will have the unique opportunity to watch balloons launch into the sky and cheer them on from above. Each runner will have a chance to race across the one and only hot air balloon finish line in Arizona.

 

The day of the event, race packet pick up will be from 6 – 6:45 a.m. The run will start promptly at 7 a.m. and the balloons will launch shortly after.

 

Runners can register at outwestballoonfest.com. Registration is $30 and includes a t-shirt, racing bib, a medal and admission to the Out West Balloon Fest Glow on Saturday night, March 5.

 

All proceeds from the Fun Run will benefit Cox Charities. Cox Charities will also be raffling off an iPad Pro to a lucky runner. Winner does not need to be present to win.

 

Balloon Glows

 

On Friday and Saturday evening, bring the family out and enjoy special activities including live entertainment, music, a special kids zone and of course more than 30 balloons on the ground lighting up the night.

 

Bring your appetite because on the ground attendees will find dozens of food and novelty vendors, wine and craft beer tastings and opportunities to mingle with the balloon pilots.

 

Event Times

 

Friday                                      Saturday                                 Sunday

Morning:                                 Morning:                                 Morning:

5:30 a.m.: Gates Open         5:30 a.m.: Gates open                     5:30 a.m.: Gates open

6 a.m.: Dawn Patrol launch            6 a.m.: Dawn Patrol Launch            6 a.m.: Dawn Patrol launch

                                                Runner Packet Pick-up starts

7 a.m.: National Anthem    7a.m.: National Anthem     7 a.m.: National Anthem

Mass Ascension                   G1GABLAST Fun Run start   Mass Ascension

                                                7:10 a.m.: Mass Ascension

8 a.m.:Music, Kidszone       8 a.m. Music, Kidszone       8 a.m.: Music, Kidszone

Food, vendors                                   Food, Vendors                                  Food, Vendors

9 a.m.: Prescott Regulators            9 a.m.: Prescott Regulators            9 a.m.: Prescott Regulators

And their Shady Ladies       and their Shady Ladies       and their Shady Ladies

11 a.m.: Gates Close                        11 a.m.: Gates Close                        10 a.m.: Pilot Award

                                                                                                Ceremony, Arizona

                                                                                                State Champion named

                                                                                                11 a.m.: Gates Close

Evening:                                  Evening:

4 p.m.: Gates Open              4 p.m.: Gates Open

Live music, Kidszone, Food            Live music, Kidszone, Food

Vendor Market                     Vendor Market

5 p.m.: Tethered Balloon    5 p.m.: Tethered Balloon

Rides                                      Rides

6:30 p.m.: Balloon Glow      6:30 p.m.: Balloon Glow

9 p.m.: Gates Close              9 p.m.: Gates Close

           

Gate Tickets

 

Morning: $10 adult, Kids 12 and under free

Evening: $15 adult, $7 child, kids 2 and under are free

 

If you purchase your tickets online before the event:

Morning: $7 adults, kids 12 and under free

Evening: $11 adult, $4 child.

 

Combo tickets for both the morning and evening event can be purchase for $15, adult and $4, child.

 

More information can be found at www.outwestballoonfest.com

 

*Events subject to change based on weather.

 

***Some activities require an additional fee. Please visit the website at www.outwestballoonfest.com for more information.

STAY TUNED FOR A FUN GIVEAWAY!!

BRENiac Science: Buzzy Straws

Welcome back to BRENiac Science!

 

Today's project is

BUZZY STRAWS!

All you need for this project are some plain 'ole plastic straws and a pair of scissors.

 

Let's watch the fun! 

Remember to tag #BRENiacScience when you post your results on social media

so we can share in the fun!

See you next time on

Breniac Science!

 

BRENiac Science: Light 'em Up!

Welcome back to BRENiac Science!

 

Today's experiment is called

LIGHT 'EM UP!

 All you need for this experiment is some matches, a candle and

something to hold the candle up (a piece of bread works perfectly!).

Let's see what happens! 

Tag #BRENiacScience when you post your results on social media so we can share in the fun!

See you next time on

Breniac Science!

  

BRENiac Science: Color Expolsion . . . . in a plate

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

Introducing my little dude, Brennan, and his

science experiments for kids!

 

I GIVE YOU:

 

We're so excited to bring you this video series!

We're hoping to post one every week for you and your kids.

 

Today's experiment is COLOR EXPLOSION

 . . . . in a plate. =)

Let's watch!

 

Tag #BRENiacScience when you post your results on social media so we can share in the fun!

 

Octopus Hideout at SEA*LIFE Aquarium

My boys and I loved every minute of our latest adventure at SEA*LIFE Aquarium!

We visited the new Octopus Hideout.

 Only 2 of my boys were able to come since my Middle Man had an appointment but

my Big Guy and my Little Dude had a blast!

 We were greeted by smiling faces and given scuba masks and passports for stamps.

^^^ I LOVE this new addition! ^^^

 

 The animals are amazing!

I love that my kids and I can experience seeing

(and sometimes touching!)

creatures we never even knew existed. 

 Everywhere we turned there was something beautiful or wondrous or new.

 I always find it so peaceful there.

 

The passports were so fun for my boys!

Numbered stamp stations are located throughout the aquarium like a treasure hunt.

The boys were rewarded for filling out their "passport" with a SEA*LIFE medal!

 

The highlight of our visit was the new Octopus Hideout.

Loki, the Giant Pacific Octopus, has a beautiful new home.

 I LOVE HER!!

She's graceful and mysterious and beautiful;

I would totally take her home!

 We watched her for a long time!

 

 She's always been one of my favorites.

 She was a little overwhelmed with the crowd and

changed colors form her brilliant red to near white and hid in a corner.

She's amazing!

 

 My boys always love going to the SEA*LIFE Aquarium!

 

 There's a little something for everyone, no matter the age.

 

Now it's your turn!

SEA*LIFE is offering Sugar Blossoms readers a discount on tickets.

The Octopus Hideout is a traveling exhibit and

will be on display at SEA*LIFE Arizona through the rest of 2015.

 

 Say 'hi' to Loki for us!

New Octopus Exhibit at Sea Life Aquarium

Some of the ocean’s brainiest creatures will be invading SEA LIFE Arizona this month! The aquarium’s newest exhibit, Octopus Hideout, will open to the public March 20. 

 

Octopus Hideout features five tanks of cephalopods (meaning “head foot” because their heads are attached to their feet). The Giant Pacific Octopus will reside in one of the largest tanks in the exhibit, but that does not belittle the other fascinating creatures in the exhibit. The Common Cuttlefish and Dwarf Cuttlefish are strangely adorable, with eight arms and two tentacles used for eating. The deep-dwelling Chambered Nautilus looks like something from a sci-fi movie with its 90 tentacles, hard shell and primitive eyes. Last but not least the Peacock Mantis Shrimp rounds out the exhibit. A common predator of cephalopods, the Mantis Shrimp can “punch” its claws fast enough to break glass- don’t worry; this creature will have a tank of her own!  

 

 

Octopus Hideout opens to the public March 20, 2015. It is a traveling exhibit and will be on display at SEA LIFE Arizona through the rest of 2015. For more information and updates on the exhibit, please check the website at www.visitsealife.com/Arizona. 

 

Family Friendly Festivals @ EVMG

My post for East Valley Mom's Guide shows you 5 family friendly festivals you can attend this spring in the Valley.

Check it out here!