Our Summer Bucket List (Have you made yours yet?)

Summer is lurking… Can you feel it? I got a sunburn over the weekend, so I can definitely feel it.

The kids and I have already started our bucket list- stuff we gotta do while we’re running wild this summer.

So far Henry has requested:

• Checking out the soon to be open re-done Kids slash ground and pool at the Santee YMCA.
• And the splash area at the Tierrasanta Pool.
• Hunt for shells at Silver Strand State Beach.
• Swim everyday (he has said this at least once a day for a week).
• Free Museums at Balboa Park on Tuesdays
• Using our Zoo and Living Coast Discovery Center passes.
• Play with friends at the park and have “Free Picnics” (aka free lunch for kids-As soon the websites are updated, I will post them).
• Lots of crafts- And I’ve got tons for him to do, including shrinky dinks and faux stained glass projects.
• Go to the La Brea Tar Pits.
• Go to Legoland solely to go to the waterpark.
• Family Movie night with the “puffy bed”- Set up the air mattress in the living room and snuggle and watch movies.
• Special events at our local library- They always have fun stuff for kids during the summer.
• Ride the coaster and have lunch.
• Ride the trolley with friends to Seaport Village. Ride the carousel and have ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s.
• Go to the “Kids Movies”- Regal Cinemas has discount second run kids movies all summer a few times a week. They are just $1.00!

I’d love to hear about your summer bucket list and plans!

9 Fun, Frugal things to do this Spring Break in San Diego!

Spring break is just a few weeks away for most of us. We get two weeks, and I know some schools get three (you have my condolences).  If you are looking for some fun, frugal stuff to do to pass the time, here are a few adventures we’ll be having:

Santee Lakes Splash Pad should be open. They are re-surfacing the ground there right now!

Shell Hunting at the beach: Low tide is the best time to go. Check the tide charts here.

Balboa Park offers Free Tuesdays at various museums in the park.

Hiking and a picnic at Old Mission Dam

Gillespie Field Duck Pond: Located on Billie Mitchell Drive in El Cajon, it’s a great place to stop, check out ducks and turtles and explore a little nature in the big city. Plus afterwards, you can stop by the Aerospace Museum Hangar on Kenney Road. It where the Aerospace museum keeps their place that are off exhibit or are being restored. It’s donation suggested, but you can pop by for free. The guys who work there are excited to have kids stop by. If you are feeling peckish, stop by the Gillespie Cafe and have a bite on the patio and watch the planes take off and land.

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve: Lots of fun trails and paths, and if you’ve got it in you, there is a trail that leads down to some cool, hidden waterfalls! Don’t forget water and a snack!

The playground and Waterfront Park downtown are always fun. However, the water park area will be closed for maintenance for most of March. However the playground is RAD!!

Looking to enjoy a little bit of history? The Missions in San Diego are fun and educational. There are three in San Diego County: San Diego de Alcala (in Mission Valley), San Luis Rey (in Oceanside), and the Santa Ysabel Asistencia (in Santa Ysabel). If you go up to Santa Ysabel, stop for pie and bread at Dudley’s!

It’s wild Flower season out in Borrego Springs! Head down and check out the flowers, the fun(and free) museum, and don’t forget to check out Galleta Meadows! The awesome metal sculptures in the Borrego Springs area by artist Ricardo Breceda. Check out a printable map here, and here is a video about the awesome sculptures. This is one of Henry’s favorite things to do!

If you are looking for other fun stuff, here is an article I wrote last summer about summer fun!