8 Fun Things I Want to do This Summer

OK, so I like to think I am the kind of person who sets these wonderful goals for myself and strives to achieve them with great consistency. Who I am trying to kid though? I set goals all the time and the next day, life happens and they fizzle out about as quickly as they start. Hmmm.. maybe like starting a blog hoping to connect local moms and share kid-friendly events?? No, this one is going to stick :) My goal that I am setting now is to make a list of things I want to do this summer with my kids and to do every single one of them! Sounds simple enough, right. Let's see here, I figure I will say that "Summer" is June-September and that I can probably realistically manage two things a month. So that means I will make a list of 8 things that I will ABSOLUTELY do this summer (you like that math? I grad-gee-ated HS)

Here are my EIGHT THINGS I WANT TO DO THIS SUMMER!! (drum roll, please)

-Visit Powell Gardens Jurassic Exhibit

-Go to Schlitterbahn (I have never been!)

-Visit Crown Center's Rainforest Adventure

-Visit Kaleidescope

-Check out the Johnson County Museum Kidscape Exhibit

-Louisburg Cider Mill

-Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun (Yeah, been there, done that, but to me it never gets old)

-Visit Paradise Park in Lee's Summit

See, that wasn't so bad was it? It actually doesn't seem like very much, but if I am being realistic then I must limit myself. I am pretty excited about my list and you can be sure that I will share my experiences with you. I challenge you to make a list. Even if you choose only a couple things to do, I want to know what is on all the other mom's "Must Do List". Leave a comment and let me know :) Have a safe Memorial Day weekend.

Neighborhood Sale - Lakewood

If you have never experienced the neighborhood garage sale to end all
neighborhood garage sales, you better mark your calendars! The
Lakewood Garage Sale is next weekend and drive your larger vehicle. I
brought home some nice deals from this sale last year.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/gms/2406820721.html

WOF/OOF Girl Scout Campout Weekend June 4th-5th

Girl Scouts are invited to challenge thrill rides and camp overnight at the park. All Girl Scout attendees receive a discounted ticket and complimentary 2011 Worlds of Fun Scout Weekend patch! Worlds of Fun Girl Scout Weekend tickets are available to Girl Scout troops, group leaders and parents.

Youth Events Group Sales Admission - Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun

FREE SHIPPING CODE @ The Disney Store!

The Disney Store is having Memorial Day free shipping promotional code now through 5/28/11. Use coupon code MEMDAY at checkout to get your goodies shipped to you on the FREE!

The Disney Store

Mid-Continent Public Library Story-Time for Babies and Toddlers

Storytimes at Mid-Continent Libraries offer a variety of book related experiences for young children. They strive to be developmentally appropriate and can include picture book reading, storytelling, music, flannel board presentations, fingerplays, short videos and/or simple crafts. Use the information listed below to select the programs right for your children:

• Baby Storytime (9-18 months) -- registration required and limited
• Toddler Storytime (18-36 months) -- may require parental participation and registration
• Preschool Storytime (3-5 years)
• Family Storytime (all ages)
• Discovery Club (7-12 years) -- newsletter

Please call ahead if you are planning to bring a group. Many branches offer special group programs.

To see a list of events by location go to:

http://www.mymcpl.org/kids/storytimes-and-childrens-activities

I took my children one day that I had off from work to the Toddler Storytime and my oldest (18mo at the time) had a BLAST! She wasn't quite following along like the other kids but she was taking it all in! It's also a great way to network and meet other moms that have children your own age. Not to mention that this is a FREE activity! What better way to introduce your child to the wonderful world of literature and spark their imagination.

Powell Gardens : Road Trip For Your Soul

Powell Gardens : Road Trip For Your Soul

Powell Gardens is always an excellent choice for a fun family day out. This place holds a special place in my heart because that is where my husband proposed!! :) I love to go there on a sunny day and stroll around taking pictures of all the beautiful things. If your kiddos are into dinosaurs this is an especially great time to make a trip down to Powell Gardens! Even if you don't make it part of your Memorial Day plans, you will not miss out. These dino's will be available for your veiwing pleasure until August 14th. I myself will be taking my kiddos down so stay tuned for some pics and my thoughts on the exhibit.

Product Recall - Cribs

Dream On Me, Inc. Full-size and Portable drop side cribs are being recalled.

http://www.toysrusinc.com/safety/recalls/full-size-and-portable-drop-side-cribs/?csm=204494082&csc=1384898&csa=204497544&csu=1384982

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5K in Shawnee Mission for Avery Christiansen

One day while browsing through local photographer's blogs, I came across photos of the cutest little girl and her parents. I read a little about her story and followed the provided link to her parent's blog.

http://averyannechristiansen.blogspot.com/

If you have half a heart at all, it will be impossible to read through the blog without tearing up if not flat out crying your eyes out. She sounds like a real trooper and I guess having a daughter that is super close in age to her hit me hard. I am a little late on getting this info out there but if you don't have any plans on the 4th of June, there will be a 5K in Shawnee Mission to help the family of Avery and also celebrate her triumphs! Here is the link to the 5K's site:

http://www.walkforavery.com/

Even if you do not have the day available for the event, there are still ways to help this family. On the main blog's page there is a link to donate or purchase merchandise that helps to raise funds for all of the expenses this family has endured. It is a sad thing in this country that the cost of LIVING (and by living I mean being healthy and well) is outrageously expensive. People's lives and health is dictated by cost of health care. I will not get going on a health care rant because there is little to nothing I can do about it. As for this family though, we all can pull together and try to help. The best blessing you can receive sometimes is the opportunity to bless someone else.

Have I Mentioned That I Love Amazon?

My intentions for the blog are to mostly keep my entries about all things local and all things KC. However, this is just one of those things that I have to share. I tell pretty much every other mother that I encounter about my love for Amazon and not JUST Amazon but the Subscribe & Save program. If you children in diapers and you have not at least comparison shopped this deal, you are missing out!

Why I love Subscribe & Save (from here on referred to as "S&S"):

www.amazon.com/mom

• If you take the time and compare the prices on a few of the S&S items against what you pay at either WM or Target, I swear you will see that there is a savings

• If it is even just a few cents, look at it like this, you save the trip to the store to pick up that "one thing you need at WM" not to mention saving money on the 10 other things you leave with that you realized you needed as you pass them by on the way to check out!

• You get FREE TWO DAY SHIPPING on all of your S&S orders. Not to mention 3 months of free two day shipping on all Prime Eligible purchases. Let me tell you, THIS IS AWESOME! I buy TONS of stuff on Amazon. I buy toys for most of the birthday parties that we get invited to and you have a unique gift. There is a bigger selection on Amazon and it is likely that all of the other guests hit up the toy isles of Target and WM at the last minute and there are usually duplicate gifts. So, not only do I likely have a unique gift but I didn't have to make a last minute trip to the store nor did I have to pay to have it shipped. I also use that feature to send birthday gifts to friends. We are all busy now that we are grown-ups and we can't always get together to wish a happy birthday, but we can find something on Amazon, have it shipped directly to the recipient, and come off looking like the most AWESOME friend EVER! :)

• Signing up for AMAZON MOM is FREE

• Even if you set up a subscription to a product, you can cancel anytime. You DO NOT have to have a reoccurring debit come out of your account. Sometimes I just cancel the subscription as soon as I get my product. No big deal, no fee.

I really could go on and on about how much I love it but I strongly urge that you check it out for yourself. I am lazy and don't like getting out to the store and I am a huge fan of having what I need sent directly to me in a mere two days for free.

I also discovered another perk today. I was shopping on Wet Seal's website and when it was time to check out I had the option of checking out through my Amazon account as opposed to entering in my info on Wet Seal's site. So, since I get free shipping through Amazon Prime, the $5 shipping cost was taken off of my total! I was pretty excited about that! I also googled "Wet Seal Coupon Codes" and found one (OUTFIT0409) and it took $20 off my order! If you are not in the habit of searching for coupon codes when shopping online, you better get in the habit! Sometimes you find nothing but today I found $20! WINNING!

Today Only Redbox Code!

Snuggle up with your loved ones and catch a flick!

REDBOX: Start summer w/ a deal! Take $0.50 off any 1st nite rental
w/promo code MAY26. 1 use only. Expires 5/26/11 @ 11:59PM CDT.

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