attractions for families at balboa state park

Top 10 attractions for families at Balboa Park in San Diego (she: Allison)

Byallison l.

It’s Allison again, and I’m here to share with you my family’s love of Balboa Park. It’s one of my family’s favorite destinations in San Diego. It is located near downtown San Diego and is the largest urban cultural park in the United States. It is home to 15 museums as well as performing arts venues, gardens, playgrounds and the San Diego Zoo.

If you’re planning a trip to San Diego, I recommend spending one full day at the zoo and another full day enjoying other attractions in Balboa Park. Here are my top 10 attractions for families at Balboa Park.

easiest way to display photos
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The Easiest Way to Display Photos Anywhere (she: Amy)

ByAmy Lee

Hello again! It’s Amy from The Connection We Share. Thanks for letting me join you for another month on OSSS.

Like many of you, I have thousands of photos sitting on my phone and my computer.

I’m a firm believer we need to surround ourselves with photos of the people we love.

In our home, we have large collections of photos of our family together and I also make photo books with pictures of the kids. (You could see my Blurb photo books examples here). It warms my heart to see happy pictures of my kids and helps me remember what is most important =)

Being a busy mother, it takes a lot of time and energy to put together a collection of photos to display in my home. From deciding which photos to print and in what size, to framing and hanging, the whole process takes me a good week! Yes, this can be a daunting endeavor even just thinking about it and I do this for a living as a professional photographer!

Cookie Cutter Sugar Cookies www.orsoshesays.com
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Mom’s Cookie Cutter Sugar Cookies

ByMariel

Just the other day, I was thinking that sugar cookies may just be one of my biggest weaknesses. I consider myself a pretty strong-willed person, who will accomplish goals, be responsible, and not give into temptation. But, put a plate of sugar cookies in front of me, and all my mental strength goes out the window.

This recipe comes from my hot mama who has made these ever since I was little. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and I love them.

Homemade Strawberry Syrup {for} Strawberry Soda ~ this simple-to-make syrup is also good on ice cream, pound cake, waffles, and more! | FiveHeartHome.com for OneSheTwoShe.com
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Homemade Strawberry Syrup for Strawberry Soda (she: Samantha)

BySamantha

Happy (almost) spring, everyone! It’s Samantha from Five Heart Home, and I’m happy to be back at Or So She Says today sharing a refreshing beverage that’s perfect for welcoming warmer weather, whether it’s already arrived or will be on its way eventually, depending on your neck of the woods. 😉
Refreshing and bubbly, Homemade Strawberry Soda is flavored with a quick and easy syrup boasting just three simple ingredients. This homemade strawberry syrup is also delightful over ice cream, pound cake, waffles, and more!
We don’t really keep soft drinks stocked in the refrigerator at my house, but sometimes it’s nice to have a little something to drink that’s sweet, refreshing, and bubbly. On those occasions, I like to grab a bag of frozen strawberries out of the freezer and whip up a batch of strawberry syrup. With just strawberries, water, and sugar, it’s a snap to make, and mixed with chilled seltzer, it tastes like summer in a glass. Homemade Strawberry Soda is yummy with or without ice, and I even like adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice to mine for an extra layer of flavor.

10 Workout Routines ~ No Equipment Needed! www.orsoshesays.com
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No Equipment Needed Post-Baby Workouts ~ From My Personal Trainer!

ByMariel

I don’t know if it was baby #6 or just being older, but I never had as hard of a time losing the baby weight and getting back into shape. I did my usual low-carb diet and moderate exercise, no luck. I switched to low carb/low calorie, no luck. The weight seemed to be going nowhere. All my old tricks weren’t working! Now, I don’t have to have the perfect body or anything, but gosh darn-it… I sure would like to fit back into my pants! I had my thyroid checked. Normal. I was at a loss and my yoga pants were getting pretty shabby. So, I enlisted the help of a pro. We’ve been working out together for several months now and I’ve convinced her to share some of her knowledge and workouts with you! Come check it out and find out how to get a free hour of training with her.

pear and pecan spring salad
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Pear and Pecan Spring Salad (she: Jana)

ByJana

Hello everyone! It’s Jana from Double the Deliciousness here to bring you another fabulous recipe!
When it starts warming up and the days start getting longer I only want to eat sandwiches and salads (much to the dismay of my meat & potatoes kind of family). And this, my friends, is one of my favorite go-to salads. My friend told me about this wonderful pear and pecan spring salad. She proceeded to tell me all the ingredients in it and I wasn’t too excited about it, but then she made it…and I tried it… and I was hooked! The sweet and savory of this salad blends perfectly with poppyseed and vinaigrette dressings! Even my kids enjoy it, and that’s saying a lot for a salad! (although 2 of them do pick out the cranberries.:))

So, do me a solid and try this one…don’t judge it before you know it or you’ll be missing out!

Win TWO KitchenAids! One for you, one for a friend! www.orsoshesays.com

Win TWO KitchenAids Giveaway~ One for You, One for a Friend!!

ByMariel

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.  WINNER IS ALDANA GALE, WHO HAS BEEN CONTACTED.  THANKS FOR PLAYING! Hey, hey, hey!!  I’ve got something super fun for you this week.  And, you will be pleased to know it doesn’t involve a million other blogs.  Just little ole me and two fantastic prizes. A prize for you AND a…

$1 picture frame makeover
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$1 Picture Frame Makeover (she: Carmella)

ByCarmella

Hey there! I’m Creative Carmella, and it’s great to be back here with another crafty project!

Today I am sharing a simple stamping technique that will give this $1 frame a whole new life… and guess what I am using for my stamp??
Yes… that’s a toilet paper roll! I love how easy it is to get this perfect circle pattern!

For this $1 picture frame makeover you will need just a few things : Small wooden frame, {you can find these at any craft store for $1}, two colors of acrylic craft paint, and an empty toilet paper roll.

taking your baby to disneyland
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Tips for Taking Your Baby to Disneyland (she: Kim)

ByKimberly w/Get Away Today

We are what you might call a “Disney family.” We have been to Disneyland too many times to count, but this last time was a little different for us – it was our first Disneyland trip with a baby! We had our son, Liam, last May and as crazy as it may sound, we couldn’t wait to take him to Disneyland! At just nine months old, we loved watching him experience so many things for the first time. It was an adventure and tons of fun to see how he would react and interact with the attractions, shows, characters, scenery and people. Since we were traveling with a baby, I was very aware of all of the other babies on vacation – and there were MANY – some as young as a few weeks old. Although I’d been to the Disneyland Resort so many times before, this trip was quite different. Because we’re seasoned Disney travelers, we were pretty well prepared and had an idea of what to expect, but still had a few surprises. I have compiled my best tips and tricks that made our baby’s first Disneyland vacation a stress-free and fun-filled one. Hopefully it’ll make taking your baby to Disneyland a whole lot easier, too!

st. patrick's day tic-tac-toe
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Printable St. Patrick’s Day Tic-Tac-Toe (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

How is it already the middle of March? I love this time of year! But I feel that way about every new season. I love the anticipation of what’s to come. The warmer weather, the spring flowers, the green grass, and blossoms on the trees. Such a beautiful, refreshing time of year! And, of course, I love the holidays associated with each season as well.
Along with leprechaun traps, we always love a good St. Patrick’s Day game. Last year I shared our Roll-A-Leprechaun game (still a family favorite) here at Or So She Says, and this year I have a printable St. Patrick’s Day tic-tac-toe game for you. I have a valentine tic-tac-toe game that we use at our house, and my four-year-old loves it! So, I thought I’d make a St. Paddy’s Day version in honor of this Irish-inspired holiday.

Patchwork Easter Eggs Craft www.orsoshesays.com
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Patchwork Easter Egg Craft ~ Sooooo Easy & Cute!!

ByMariel

This may come as a surprise to you, as I’m usually not the one sharing craft posts, but I actually love to craft. I especially love making holiday decorations. I used to craft a lot more than I do now… now that I am a mother of many. But, every now and then, I’ll throw something together. But, it has to be quick and easy. Oh, and cute.

With that said, I needed something for my ‘pastel’ post and remembered these super easy modge-podged balls that I made way-back-when to fill a metal basket, as a Fourth of July decoration. It would be just as quick and easy to do the same thing on styrofoam eggs. And it was, my friends. So quick. So easy.

Banana Split Mini Bundts | Baking a Moment
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Banana Split Mini Bundt Cakes (she: Allie)

ByAllie

Banana Split Mini Bundt Cakes are such a Fun Treat! Moist Banana Cake is Filled with Pineapple, and Topped with Strawberry Buttercream, Chocolate Sauce, Peanuts, and a Cherry on Top. Perfect for your next Party!

When I think of Spring, I think of birthday parties. Both my boys were Spring babies, and I love that! When they were first born, I loved that just when we were ready to venture out of our little cocoon, gorgeous warm breezes were beckoning us to go on long stroller walks. And now that they’re bigger, I love that presents, parties, and games are there for them, just when their house-bound stir-craziness is at a fever pitch.

Since baking’s my favorite, I always try to come up with something super-special and fun for them on their birthdays. I think these Banana Split Mini Bundt Cakes definitely fit the bill!