Friday, August 7, 2009

Pretend City Children’s Museum


29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: (949) 428-3900
Fax: (949) 428-3908
info@pretendcity.org

I wrote about this Children’s Museum that will be in Irvine while back.

Well, it looks like it will be opening on Sunday 8/30


They have after 4 PM pricing (50% off regular price) but the museum closes at 5PM!!!!


GENERAL ADMISSION:
10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M.
Infant to 12 months: $2
Children: $10
Adult: $10
Military and Family Members: $8

AFTER 4 P.M.
Infant to 12 months: $1
Children: $5
Adult: $5
Military and Family Members: $4

Project Playhouse

I love playhouses! Imagine looking at a whole village of playhouses that are fabulous!

Annual Project Playhouse is a HomeAid Orange County’s fund raising event. Builder teams build these dream-house like playhouses and auction them off.

Usually they are displayed at Fashion Islands but this year it is in Irvine Spectrum (near Ferris wheel). It will be $5 to look at the playhouses and I’m really excited!!

For six weeks the playhouses will be on display at Irvine Spectrum Center from 8/2 – 9/12 every WEEKEND from noon till 6:00 PM.

PROJECT PLAYHOUSE® VILLAGE TOURS
Every Weekend throughout event
Saturdays and Sundays
August 2 to September 12
Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $5.00 per person
(Children 3 and under FREE)

My tip

- Don’t forget the water fountain near the food court and target. Lots of kids play there with their swimsuit on!

Nutcracker

Yes, I know it’s only August. I’m not crazy. It’s just that these Nutcracker tickets sell out quickly! My thing is if you are still going to pay same amount of money, why not try to get the best seats available?

I went to see Nutcracker (ballet) few years back before I had Maddie. I saw so many little princesses all dressed up with their mommies and grandmas. Some of them were wearing matching outfits too. I promised myself that when I have a daughter, I’ll get her dressed up and go see Nutcracker.

Well, the Festival Ballet is performing at Irvine Barclay Theater. I got 2 tickets for Nutcracker for Children!! ($20 / person)
http://www.thebarclay.org/calendar.asp#dec2009

Also Pacific Symphony has a 45 minute musical family morning “Nutcracker for Kids.” This one is shorter and it will emphasize the “musical” side with the symphony. The tickets go on sale starting 8/24 and the price range will be $20 – 30.
http://www.pacificsymphony.org/show_details.php?shid=268

My Tips

- Please familiarize your child with Nutcracker storyline. If you don’t know the storyline Nutcracker might feel like a story that some kind of a nut wrote.

- The popular name of the girl is Clara but in some books her name is Marie and the doll’s name is Clara. For the ballet it is Clara but if you are getting a Nutcracker book, make sure that the girl’s name is Clara so there is less confusion for your child

- If you have not taken your kid to a performance, try taking them to free/short events at libraries and other community events. Get them used to sitting down and watching something for at least 30 minutes. If your kid is not ready, he/she is not ready.