Family Friendly New Year's Eve Events: Monday, 12/31

There are three great events tonight perfect for families to celebrate the New Year.



Great Night! Family New Year's Eve Celebration
Irvine, Great Park
5-9:30pm

Free admission. $10 parking. Live music, dancing, food, rides, games, activities for kids. Alcohol- free. Pay only for the food!


New Year's Eve Party
Old Town Monrovia
7pm-12:30am

Free admission. Live music, kid area with games/activities, champagne toasts, New Year's ball, beer/wine garden.


New Year's Eve in Downtown Long Beach
5pm-2am


Rose Parade
Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Noon Monday - 10am Tuesday

Free. Pack up the sleeping bags, food, and make a night out of staking out a prime spot for the Rose Parade on Tuesday morning.



*New Year's Day*
Autry Museum, Griffith Park
10am-4pm

Free admission on 1/1/2013!

Ultimate Free Family Entertainment: The Rose Parade

The 124th Rose Parade

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

8-10am

Everyone living in the Los Angeles should experience watching the Rose Parade in person at least once in their life. To be among the crowd celebrating the New Year with the whole world is truly an amazing experience. To get the best viewing stake out a space by Monday at noon, and plan for the party. 

Read an article with tips from the Pasadena Police Department here.

My tips:

• Bring a thick yoga-type or sleeping mat if you plan to sleep on the street. The mat is a great barrier keeping the cold from the street away from your body. At the very least cardboard.
• Dress as warm as you can in layers. Thermal type shirt/pants, turtle neck, sweatshirt, scarf, gloves, jacket, sweatpants, two layers of socks. The key is to make yourself look like a marshmallow with lots of space for your body to trap air.
• The north side of Colorado Blvd will be sunny throughout the parade, it helps in warming up in the morning. Bring sun glasses and sunscreen though. Or find a spot on the south side that is free of buildings or trees blocking that could block the sun's warm rays.
• Bring toilet paper in case the porta-potties run out.
• If you are close enough, ride your bicycles and you don't have to worry about parking.
• Chairs helps maintain your family's space as the crowds start to grow in the morning.
• Noise cancelling headphones can aid in drowning out any noise from other campers if you plan to get any sleep.
• The parade starts at 8am and is 2 hours long. It can take well over an hour for the parade to reach the end of the route. If you stake out a spot near the end expect to wait. Check the route here.

Incredible Christmas Light Displays: Montebello 2011

This list is from 2011. The house on Gerhart is still up and the best I've seen in the Montebello area yet!

Golf Course neighborhood:

• 355 Gerhart, just north of Beverly Blvd: yard is covered, best overall: MUST SEE!
• 764 Findlay Avenue, just south of Beverly Blvd: nice music/lights
• 644 Leonard Street: best use of a penguin
• 708 Bradshawe Street
• 3549 Via San Delarro

Cantwell/Sacred Heart High School neighborhood:

• 400-700 S. Findlay Ave: several homes with nice displays
• 13032 Via Corona: A+ display
• 356 Via Miramonte
• 2440 Repetto
• 2451 Cleveland: A+ display
• 417 Concourse: Peanuts display
• 2401 Via Corona
• 416 Via Val Verde

Ashiya Park neighborhood:

• 501 Via Altamira, located on corner of Beverly & Altamira
• 481 1/2 Hay Street, upstairs apartment: best display for an apartment
• 2456 Via Nina: unique Noah's ark inflatable

Civic Center neighborhood:

• 513A 20th street, near McDonald's
• 617 & 624 Taylor Ave, making the best use of a balcony

Schurr High School Neighborhood:

• 904 Brighton: Biggest Santa ever!
• 1405 Westmoreland: Santa in an outhouse
• 808 Coffman
• 844 Taylor
• 1500 Aldea

Racquet Mountain Neighborhood:

• 845 Juarez
• 857 Juarez: Ferris Wheel
• 905- 945 Alfred: a few nice displays on this block
• 814 Yorktown: adorable

 

Free Holiday Movies & Fun: Downtown L.A., Saturday 12/22

4pm: Face painting and food trucks

5pm: Giveaway and Prizes

5:15: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, animated version

6pm: Ugly Sweater Contest

6:15: Home Alone, movie

For directions click here: http://grandpark.lacounty.gov/gettinghere.html

For more details visit: http://grandpark.lacounty.gov/events/2012/all/121412.html

Free Kid Haircuts at JCPenney Salons Every Sunday!!!

UPDATE:  JCPenney has discontinued this event as of 2/4/13. They will honor all free haircut appointments that have been made, but will not be making new appointments. : (

 

They JCPenney Salon is now taking appointments for FREE KID HAIRCUTS EVERY SUNDAY!

 

The haircut does not include shampoo or conditioner, spray bottle to get it wet only. $14 value.

 Available by appointment only! Call now to schedule!

The Montebello JCPenney Salon can be reached at 323-727-7833, at the message press 2.

Click here to find a JCPenney near you!

 

 

Lalaloopsy Soft Dolls: $15 on Amazon! Perfect for Cuddling!

I was asked to buy several Lalaloopsy dolls for a preschool girls. My 7 year old has a regular Lalaloopsy made of hard plastic, Cinder Slippers, it's fun to play with by it's not well suited to cuddle.

These Lalaloopsy Soft Dolls are perfect for younger girls or girls who want to cuddle with the doll at night.

 

My 4 year old received one of these soft dolls and I can say that they are constructed of high quality fabric, super soft, and are the perfect size for little girls. They are 10 inches tall and each comes with a friend. There is also a spot to write a name on her bottom, it's a heart shape and says, "Belongs To _____", super cute! For under $15, it's a perfect gift for any Lalaloopsy fan.

Misty Mysterious Soft Doll $14.99
(Free Shipping w/ $25 order)

  

Bea Spells a Lot Soft Doll, $14.99 

(Free Shipping w/ $25 order)

 

 Sahara Mirage Soft Doll, $14.99

(Free Shipping w/ $25 order)

 

 

 Mittens Fluff N Stuff, $13.58

 

If you are looking for the hard dolls or the small figurine toy sets, JCPenney at the Montebello Mall has them for $15 in the children's department.

 

  

Kids Eat Free + 50% Adult Entrees w/ Toy Donation: Zapiens' Sals Grill, Pico Rivera

 

The Mexican restaurant that has been named the Best in L.A. County by L.A.'S Hotlist,

Zapien's Salsa Grill is hosting a toy drive to benefit children at local churches.

 

Bring in any new unwrapped toy for donation and children 12 and under get a free meal, and adults get 50% off of their entrees.

 

This offer is good through December 20, 2012.

For more information, click here.

 

Zapiens' Salsa Grill

6702-04 Rosemead Blvd.

Located just north of Washington Blvd.
Pico Rivera, CA 90660

 

Stocking Stuffers for Guys, 2012 Edition

This is Mr. Montebello Mom guest writing today's post about stocking stuffers for guys.  These $10 and under items also make great gifts for co-workers, as well as emergency presents for relatives that drop by unannounced on Christmas Eve.  Sure, you can always go with a box of See's, but why not be original?



Flashlights are a must for any emergency kit, tool box and glove compartment.  This pair of LED flashlights goes for $9.88 at The Home Depot.  Let's face it, you can never have too many flashlights!







Like many guys, I have a nice tool set in the garage.  However, sometimes I need a screwdriver to replace the batteries on a kid's toy or to do a simple fix and don't want to spend 5 minutes rummaging through the garage for a 30 second job.  Many years ago, Montebello Mom asked for a multi-screwdriver for exactly this type of situation, and it was indeed a great idea.  This 6 in 1 screwdriver is $2.97 at Home Depot.





This awesome LED worklight includes a stand that folds flat on the unit, as well as 2 powerful magnets in the back and a hook on the top.  It is NOT a flashlight, it is a worklight with 24 LED's that light up any engine compartment or dark corner of the garage.  Pep Boys has it for under $10.









This 5 piece micro tool set is on sale at Costco for under $20, which comes to under $4 apiece.  The cardboard comes pre-perforated so that each unit can be gifted individually.  The tools are small enough to fit in a pocket, and most include a keyring.  People will think of you every time they use their micro tool to save the day!




Although a bit too large to fit in a stocking, this "Homer Box" makes for a great storage solution for tools, crafts, supplies and other stuff.  It's a great buy for $8.97 at The Home Depot.








This Craftsman bottle opener is the perfect addition to any man cave.  Just as with flashlights, you can never have too many bottle openers around.  At $14.99 it's a bit pricier than the other items here, but the cool factor is definitely worth it.









So there you have it, hopefully this list will help you give unique presents without breaking the bank.  Stay tuned for my list of top gifts for guys, coming up in a week or so.

Free admission to Magic Mountain with Toy Donation: 12/8-12/9

Bring a new unwrapped valued at $20 or more to Magic Mountain this weekend: Saturday, December 8 or Sunday, December 9 and get free admission to the park. The park is open from 10:30 - 6pm this weekend.

 

You can find a great deal on toys at JCPenney. A lot of their toys are on clearance and I have a link to a 20% off coupon here.

 

I can't find the information on Magic Mountain's website. I found the Toy Drive event in an email from Magic Mountain. For more information call the park at 661-255-4500.

JCPenney Coupon = Great Toy Bargains

Due to JCPenney's awesome Christmas button promotion I've been doing a lot of shopping at JCPenney lately.

 

They have a lot of toys for Christmas and many of them are on clearance. Earlier this week I picked up Melissa and Doug wooden play sets for under $10, a Hot Wheels track and car for $8, La La Loopsy magnet dolls for $5, and a Dora and Boots play set for $10. They have Minnie Mouse Bowtique, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Big Wheels, Fisher Price Infant Toys, Discovery play sets, and more!

 

All really good bargains, with this coupon for 20% off it's even better.

Kids Eat Free @ IHOP, Whittier with Toy Donation

Kids eat free at IHOP every night from 4pm until midnight. But now kids can eat free at one special IHOP anytime of day!

The IHOP by the Whitwood Mall in Whittier is giving kids free meals with a new toy donation.

There will be special apperances by Santa Claus every Saturday and Sunday at this location from from Noon-4pm.

 

IHOP

15344 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, CA 90603

562-947-0100

 

 

 

 

Winter Festivals: Pershing Square, Saturday 12/8 & Sunday, 12/9

Winter sledding in downtown LA! Yes, thanks to a truckload of tons of snow when Pershing Square is transformed into a winter wonderland on Saturday, December 8, from 11-7pm. Bundle up for the big chill at the FREE Winter Holiday Festival with outdoor activities like sledding, a visit with Santa Claus, a train ride, children’s crafts, community youth performances, concerts, memento photos, and more.

Celebrate the second night of Hanukkah with a Menorah Lighting Celebration on Sunday, December 9, at 5:30pm.

PERSHING SQUARE

532 South Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

213-847-4970 

www.laparks.org/pershingsquare