Best Mother’s Day Ideas For Inland Empire Moms

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Mother’s Day is next Sunday, May 11, and locally there are some great ways to show your love and appreciation for hard-working Mom.   The Inland Empire is full of small businesses offering ways to shower her with love and appreciation.  Whether you go out or stay in, shower her with gifts or put all your love into something homemade, here are some ideas for Mother’s Day plans for any budget.
A gift from the heart
Commemorate her time as a mother by having all of the kids pitch in on a project. Have everyone hand-draw a card featuring their favorite memories. Trace everyone’s hands on top of another in different colors to freeze the moment in time, or bribe them with ice cream to get them to all smile at the came at the same time and put it in a lovely photo frame for her workstation.  Even better- let her put on a nice shirt and some lipstick and get her in the shot too!
Photo advice- pick a neutral background, dress them in similar colors and, if they refuse to sit still, incorporate favorite toys to frame them.

Photo advice- pick a neutral background, dress them in similar colors and, if they refuse to sit still, incorporate favorite toys to frame them.
Spa Day
Actually, mom would like to get covered in mud and lay out in the sun to dry. Give her the gift of an afternoon to Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona where she can coat herself in mud and enjoy several bubbling pools before relaxing under a shady tree.
Admission $46-64, spa treatments extra, GlenIvy.com
 Flowers are always nice
Skip ordering from the florist (unless you have a favorite shop- support local business!) and go to your local farmer’s market the day before. Find fresh local blooms at great prices- grab a couple bunches and make a one-of-a-kind bouquet for her to put in a favorite vase (or look for a pretty one at a local thrift store). Temecula Old Town Farmers Market 8 am-12:30  Facebook
Give her the night off
Give mom the night off and round up the kids for cooking dinner. Make a favorite or just do something easy – just be sure to clean up the kitchen and load the dishwasher while she is watches her favorite Netflix show.
mommycard
Sweets for the Sweet
Give her a treat to enjoy, by herself, in a comfortable spot (hopefully) far away from fighting kids and crying babies. Casey’s Cupcakes, which started by the Mission Inn in Riverside and was the 2011 Cupcake Wars winner, is featuring an almond-raspberry cupcake this month. The shop also has gluten-free and sugar-free versions available. From $3.50 CaseysCupcake.com
Fill the Air with Love
Treat mom to some scented candles. Is she a latte lover? Try a candle from Bennett Candle in Redlands. Does she love her morning coffee? Try one named after local favorite shop Augie’s Coffee. Or give her a four-piece sampler in a rustic box she can set out and enjoy even without the wicks lit! Prices vary from $9-$45. BennettCandle.com
 
Time Out
Let mom take a book and go to the local coffee shop to read a couple chapters or relax in the bath with the door locked (no knocking). Make sure that she comes back from her break to the house looking at least as nice as she left it – get the kids to chip in on a couple chores around the house so they don’t demolish the living room while’s she’s relaxing.
Any more ideas? What are your favorite ways to treat your mom on Mother’s Day?
Filed Under: California Moms, inland empire, inland moms, Motherhood, Things To Do

Things to do in Inland Empire – Visit Redlands

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Redlands has grown so much since I was young. Once having the nickname of “Deadlands” by young locals, it is now full of great restaurant, live music performances and other entertainments.   One of the oldest cities in California, it offers a lot of options for those interested in learning about the past or just looking for a fun night.  My family loves Redlands and hope you enjoy your stay when you visit our wonderful city!
 
Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m. downtown Redlands hosts a market night down State Street. Local stores run specials while food vendors, local farms and businesses sell wares. There are musicians and performances throughout the market and a children’s fun zone which includes a bounce house and pony rides.
The downtown stores that line the market, which closes State Street between Orange Street and Ninth Street, extend their usual hours and offer Thursday night deals.
The summer Bowl program is the oldest continually-running free concert series on the United States. Performances from Celtic groups, jazz bands, ballet companies and other genres entertain crowds in an open-air amphitheater twice a week. A yearly musical is also performed with several shows in a week. Come early and pack a picnic- but leave the wine at home.
Local theater
The free Shakespeare Summer Festival, held in the Redlands Bowl and the Redlands Theater Festival, held in Prospect Park both offer a series of plays in the warm evening air. Year round, the Redlands Footlighters and nonprofit Lifehouse Theatre offer performances locally in intimate settings.
Trails and walks
The Redlands Conservancy cares for several trails in the area, including some that go through the nearby San Timoteo Canyon area. The historical trails offer views of the local nature and history, including the zanja (locals say san-kee) built by the local Native American tribes for the settling ranchers.
Similar to bocce, lawn bowling (or bowls) is a game where balls are rolled on a smooth grass surface to get as close as possible to a smaller ball. The Redlands Lawn Bowling Club offers free lessons regularly and game play at the Sylvan Park location, located close to the 10 freeway.
Historic homes and museums
Redlands is one of the oldest cities in California and has several museums and historical homes to explore. Kimberly Crest was owned by the family who helped found Kimberly-Clark and has a mirror image twin architecture to the The Magic Castle.  The Lincoln Shrine is the only one dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War west of the Mississippi. It houses a large collection of artifacts, including weapons, and has a section devoted to the appearance of Lincoln in Star Trek.
Downtown Redlands
The downtown area stretches down Orange Street and up to Ninth Street, and from Redlands Boulevard to Citrus Avenue. The area is full of restaurants, bars, specialty shops and businesses. Try local beer, handmade ice cream, boutiques, coffee and other goods from businesses housed in historic buildings. My family’s favorite is A La Minute, a handmade ice cream shop, and The Frugal Frigate, a children’s bookstore.
The county museum hosts a large collection of preserved land and sea birds and their eggs, most of which are local to the area. Revolving galleries host local history and outside a train and mining equipment lead the way to the Exploration Station. In the basement, a downhill walk past the mineral collection there are a display of animals and reptiles that include a standing polar bear.
Filed Under: California Moms, Community, Entertainment, inland empire, inland moms, Things To Do, Travel

Things to Do In Inland Empire – San Bernardino with Kids

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San Bernardino is one of the oldest communities in California and holds a lot of history, including a spot along old Route 66. Surrounded by mountains, the city offers interests for families who want a day in the great outdoors, watching a national sport or indulging in friendly competition.

 

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Inland Empire 66ers baseball

The 66ers are San Bernardino’s minor league baseball team and current California League champions. The Angels affiliated team plays in San Manuel Stadium and is home to belly-bobbing mascot Bernie. The family-friendly venue offers not only weekly food and drink specials but theme nights, giveaways, contests and a chance to bring man’s best friend to the ball game. Season ticket packages are available.

National Orange Show

The National Orange Show festival takes place every year on Memorial Day weekend. The county-fair style event has everything from concerts to art shows, petting zoos, rides, and deep fried treats. The fair focuses on the local population and offers an educational focus on livestock and agriculture as well as affordable entertainment.

San Bernardino Raceway

Kids that are at least four feet tall and eight years old can take laps around an indoor race track on gas-powered go Karts that can go up to 40 mph. Kids under the limits can play air hockey and other arcade fun. The venue hosts birthday parties for kids and adults has cosmic racing on Saturday nights. Special offers and memberships are available.

Unofficial McDonald’s Museum

Fans of the ‘golden arches’ can take a trip to the museum in downtown San Bernardino, which is on the original location of the first McDonald’s restaurant. Happy meal boxes, playground equipment and other memorabilia fill the museum, which offers tours on the weekends. The location also houses a free Route 66 museum and is the cooperate offices of Juan Pollo Restaurants Inc.

Glen Helen Regional Park

San Manuel Amphitheater and Glen Helen Raceway share space with over 1,300 acres of recreational activities and areas to explore. Family picnics or reunions up to 300 people can be held at the park, which also has fishing, playgrounds, playing fields, campgrounds and a swimming area with water slides.  Entrance fees for the park, fishing permits and swimming area apply.

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Filed Under: California Moms, Community, inland empire, inland moms, Things To Do, Travel
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