2011
Last year at this time I had only been blogging for a few months and I went to this amazing Mom's Nite Out put on Tricia from Once A Month Mom and Jenny from Mommin' It Up. I couldn't believe how much fun it was! There were new people to talk to, other bloggers to met, yummy food and exciting giveaways. All great things in my book! There was even an Ultimate Mom's Night Out in July hosted by Tricia, Jenny and Kate. Although sadly I was out of town and didn't get to attend it. But you can read about it here if you want.
This year, Kate and I decided that just the two of us would try our hands at the reigns and throw an Ultimate Mom's Night Out again in July. We have tons of great local and national sponsors and we both get so excited every time we talk about it. We can hardly wait! The party will be on July 14 at 6:30pm at the Clubhouse at the Villas at the Point in Springboro (right near DLM in Springboro). That's in just a few weeks, but ticket sales start on June 28 at 9am. Our event is just for all your amazing MOMs, it's a chance to just get out and relax while meeting other local moms. If you are a mom, or are going to be a mom this event is for you!! We will have fun, food, giveaways and swag bags. Now, here are a few of our incredible sponsors so far:
Primary Sponsors:
Product Sponsors:
Books & Co
Cake, Hope and Love
Cindeloo
Five Rivers Metropark
Jenna Claire
Lia Sophia
Lulee's Lollies
Mabel's Labels
MacTown
Mary Kay
Meeno Babies
Pink, Pearls and Pigtails
Princess Tea Room
The Rusted Chain
Semilla
Smashburger
Stitched In Love
Teething Bling
Thirty1Stitches
Thirty One Gifts
Veggie Tales
Underdoodles
Here is the super EXCITING part for all my readers… Since you all live in the Dayton area we have some spots that are open just for you. That's right!! You can come and hang with Savvy Little Women and myself in the flesh for an evening, how exciting is that?! This is a perfect chance to leave your kiddos at home, nursing babies are welcome, and just relax with some other moms. If you want to come you can get your FREE ticket starting Tuesday June 28 at 9am. Be sure to hurry because when they are gone.. they are gone. I hope to see you there!
2011
So during my bi-monthly scan of iTunes for free kids stuff I found some new FREE episodes of some of our favorite kids shows. We downloaded them onto our iPad and iPhone for vacation this summer. Ok, when I say "we" I mean "me," and when I did it I MAY have used up a little too much memory, so my suggestion is to download them NOW while they are free and then only put a few on your device if you are short on space. Oh, and these are all full episodes, and I don't know how long they will be FREE.
Are We There Yet? World Adventure: Mexico
The Backyardigans: Polka Palace Party
Blues Clue: Blue Wants To Play a Song Game
Dinosaur Train: Armored Like an Ankylosaurus/ Campout!
Dora the Explorer: ABC Animals
Dora the Explorer: Dora Had A Little Lamb
The Fresh Beat Band: Band Together
Go Diego Go: Linda the Llama Saves Carnival
Pocoyo: Make Friends With Pocoyo
Team Umizoomi: The Butterfly Dance
Word World: Runaway O/ Happy Birthday
Want more like these? Be sure to check out our previous post about FREE Dora episodes. It looks like all these episodes are still free too.
2011
Books & Co is having a Summer Reading Program featuring the Junie B. Jones books. Children who read four of those books and present the booklet (which you can get in store) that has been signed by their parents will receive a free Junie B. Jones backpack. This seems like a Summer Reading Program more for older kids, but it still is a great way to get your kiddos reading this summer!
2011
At our home we seem to have the perpetual problem of unplayed with toys or unread books. But as soon as we go to a friend's home, all their toys are the newest and greatest things ever. Anyone else have this "problem"? Well, I decided to have a toy swap with some of my friends. Step2 generously donated a couple Little Helper Shopping Carts for the kids to collect their new toys in, everyone brought toys, books and games that were in good shape, with no pieces missing and for about 2 hours our kids swapped their toys away. Curious how we did it? Here are my tips on how to have a successful toy swap and what to do with all those leftover toys!
Send out your invites:
First decide how many people you want to invite. Do you want to just invite your friends or open it up to all the kids in your neighborhood. Just remember, the bigger it is, the more varitey of books and toys there will be to swap- plus the more you have to share/donate at the end.
Pick your place:
Small swaps can be easily done in a home. Or if you have a local church or community room to use they are great way to guarantee enough space for everyone and everything. I hosted our toy swap in our basement and cleared out any items we wanted to keep so that there was no confusion about what toys they kids were allowed to take and which ones were off limits.
Set some rules:
You can use a ticket system and give each child a ticket per toy. Although most parents are happy to get rid of old toys and not take as many back home. We didn't hand out tickets and with a dozen kids running around swapping toys we had no problems. Step2 sponsored our event with Little Helper Shopping Carts so the kids went around the room and put their favorite items their cart. The Little Helper shopping carts were pefect for the kids, they were able to grab stuff and keep looking without getting loaded down with whatever treasures they may have already found.
Snacks:
You don't have to supply snacks. But what kids doesn't like snacks? Food AND toys.. my boys are in heaven. Plus it apparently takes a lot of energy to look around a room and get new toys, because those kids made quick work of the snacks. We just had "Toy Swap" bottles of water, Twizzlers, cookies, gumballs and M&M's for everyone.
Donate:
With all the leftover toys, you can donate them to a local charity. We donated our toys to Hannah's Treasure Chest in Centerville. We were able to donate 2 boxes and 2 large trash bags of toys, books and games when our event was over. There are several great local charities in the Dayton area; Goodwill, Salvation Army, AmVets and several others, but I felt drawn to donate the items from our swap to Hannah's Treasure Chest. First, the items at the swap were all in good shape, no pieces missing and nothing broken. So I didn't feel bad donating our swap items to them. Hannah's Treasure Chest is a non-profit organization that exists to enrich the lives of children in need by providing clothing, books, infant/toddler equipment and toys. Their main warehouse is located at 124 Westpark Road in Centerville. They use their donated items to help children in poverty by supplying them with things that they need. Their list of clients include social service workers, family advocates, school counselors and church pastors. Whenever my boys outgrow an item I sometimes hate to just "get rid of it," I would rather give it to someone that I know can use it. The problem is that there isn't always a friend or family member in need of what we have when we are looking to give our stuff away. Hannah's Treasure Chest is the perfect way to donate stuff that you no longer need or use, but you want to go to someone that can really use it.
Our toy swap was so much fun. The kids had a great time getting new toys and all the parents had a good time just being able to hang out. Toy swaps are a great way to clean out your closets and empty out some toy baskets plus it is a great way to teach your children about sharing with others. We all have things that we no longer use and this is a great way to teach our children about helping others out by donating items they no longer play with to someone that will appreciate it more. So next time you feel like the books and toys are taking over your home maybe grab a few friends and have a toy swap.
Disclosure: Step2 provided me with the Little Helper Shopping Carts. But this post and opinions are my own and not paid for or influenced by the item provided.
2011
Need some help encouraging your kids to read? Or maybe you have a few bookworms in your house like me and would love to "reward" their love of reading. Seriously have you ever seen a cuter bookworm?! Well, now that summer is here there are several summer reading clubs/programs going on in the area. Here are a few of the ones that I know about that are currently going on. Be sure to sign up early so that your kids can take full advantage of the programs. Libraries want to encourage EVERYONE to read and have programs for teens and adults also.
Barnes and Noble
Dates: May 24- Sept 6
Summer Reading Club
Books & Co
Date: While supplies last
Junie B. Jones Backpack Summer Reading Club
Chuck E. Cheese
Dates: Year Round
Reading Rewards (Food purchase required)
Dayton Metro Libraries
Dates: June 1- Aug 1
Summer Reading Programs
Sign up at your local branch
Greene County Libraries
Dates: June 1- Aug 1
Kids Program- ages up to 12
Teens Program- ages 12-18
Adult Program
Sign up at your local branch
Half Price Bookstore
Dates: June 1- July 31
Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Club
Washington Centerville Libraries
Dates: June 6- Aug 1
Baby/Toddler Program- 0-24 months
Children's Program- Preschool- 5th Grade
Teen Program- 6-12 Grade
Adult Program- 18 yrs and up
Summer Reading Club
Sign up at your local branch
Did you know that one of the most important things that you can do to help your child's education is read to them daily? I'm kinda bummed that the Half Price Bookstore changed their Summer Reading Program, but it's still a fun deal. The Half Price Book Store is helping you get your kids to read this summer. We LOVE their summer reading "Feed Your Brain" program. Starting June 1 through July 31 kids ages 14 and under can earn a $5 Shopping card if they read at least 15 minutes per day all summer. Here's how it works:
Get a Feed Your Brain Reading Log PDF and set a goal to read each day for at least 15 minutes or more throughout June and July. Grown-ups may read aloud for kids who are still learning.
Join them for the Feed Your Brain kick off on Sunday, June 5 at 2pm for the Biggest Storytime of the Summer at your local Half Price Books.
Add up your minutes and have your parent or guardian initial at the end of each week.
If your child reads 600 minutes or more they can turn in the completed reading log at Half Price Books July 25 – August 7 to receive a $5 Back-to-School Bucks summer reading reward!
Does your kid think they’re a Top Reader this summer? They will award one top reader per age group with a TOP READER prize, a $20 HPB Gift Card!
Don't forget this doesn't start until June 1, 2010. I'm getting so excited for summer. Is it warm outside yet?!
2011
Here is a great chance for all you parents with children who like to bowl – in fact it's 2 free games of bowling everyday for your child all summer long!
There are several locations that are participating. Just register on the bowling center page. After you register, you will have the opportunity to purchase a family pass. The Family Pass is for adult members of the family to enjoy bowling throughout the summer as well. The family pass covers up to 4 adult family members.The program start and end dates are listed on the bowling center page that you register with. Once the program has begun, they will send you an email every Sunday morning that contains a link to your coupons and family passes for that week. Simply login to your account at anytime once the program has started to print your coupons and family passes. There are SO many great summer freebies!
2011
We’re working to compile a list of Vacation Bible School (VBS) Programs being offered in the Dayton area. We will be adding to the list as the information is released for each church. If you have information about a VBS Program at your church, please feel free to leave a comment on this post below and we’ll make sure to add it!
*Note: Programs are listed in date order. Click the name of each church to be linked to their website for more information.
Week of June 13-17
Apex Community Church
If you go to this one... you might see me... 😉
Location: Kettering
Ages: 4yrs through 4th grade
Dates: June 13-17 (6-9pm)
Program: Inside Out & Upside Down on Main Street
Cost: Free
Online Registration
Centerville Community Church
Location: Centerville
Ages: 5yrs through completing 5th grade
Dates: June 13-17 (9am- 12:30pm)
Program: Son Surf
Cost: Free
Online Registration
Dayton Living Word Church
Location: Vandalia
Ages: Kindergarten through 6th grade
Dates: June 13-17 (9am-12:30pm)
Program: PandaMania
Cost: Possibly free
Online Registration
Far Hills Community Church
Location: Centerville
Ages: 3yrs through 5th grade
Dates: June 13-17 (6:30-9pm)
Program: Time Travelers
Cost: $20 (use coupon code TTNAZ11 for $5 discount)
Online Registration - use coupon code TTNAZ11 for $5 discount
Miamisburg Christian Church
Location: Miamisburg
Ages: 4yr through 7th grade
Dates: June 13-17 (6-8pm)
Program: Kickin it Old School
Cost: Free
Online Registration
Patterson Park
Location: Kettering
Ages: 3yr through 5th grade
Dates: June 12-16 (6:15-8:55pm)
Program: Big Apple Adventure
Cost: Free
Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church
Location: Kettering
Ages: 4yrs through 5th grade
Dates: June 13-17
Program: Shake It Up Cafe
Cost: $7 per child
Washington Heights Baptist Church
Location: Kettering
Ages: 4yrs through 6th grade
Dates: June 13-17 (9-11:55am)
Program: Gold Rush
Cost: Free
Online Registration
Week of June 20-24
Fairmont Presbyterian Church
Location: Kettering
Ages: 4yrs through 6th grade
Dates: June 20-24 (9am-12pm)
Program: Joseph's Journey
Cost: $5 per child
Online Registration
Prince Of Peace Church of the Brethren
Location: Kettering
Ages: 4yrs through 6th grade
Dates: June 20-25 (5:45-8:45pm)
Program: Panda Mania
Cost: Free
Online Registration
South Park United Methodist Church
Location: Dayton
Ages: 3yrs through 4th grade
Dates: June 27-30 (1-4pm)
Program: Shake It Up Cafe
Cost: $10 per child if they come from 1pm-4pm and then if they come for lunch at noon, it is an additional $5
St Andrew United Methodist Church
Location: Beavercreek
Ages: 3yrs through 5th grade
Dates: June 20-24th (6-8:30pm)
Program: Shake It Up Cafe
Cost: Free
Online Registration
St Helen Parish
Location: Riverside
Ages: 4yrs through 5th grade
Dates: June 20-24
Program: PandaMania
Cost: $5 per person/ $20 family max
Online Registration
Zion Lutheran Church
Location: Dayton
Dates: June 20-24
Ages: Pre K-5th grade
Program: Creation
Cost: Free
Week of June 27- July 1
Christ United Methodist Church
Location: Kettering
Ages: 2 years through 5th grade
Dates: June 27 - 30 (9am- 12pm)
Program: In the Zone Sports Camp
Cost: Suggested donation $15/family
Online registration
Morning Star Baptist Church
Location: Centerville
Ages: K through 4th grade
Dates: June 27- July 1 (6-8:30pm)
Program: Gold Rush
Cost: Free
Online Registration
Week of July 11-15
Aley Church
Location: Beavercreek
Ages: 3yrs to entering 5th grade
Dates: July 11-15 (9am-12pm)
Program: Hometown Nazareth
Cost: $10 per child/ $25 family man
Online Registration
The Ridge Church
Location: Brookville
Ages: 3 yrs. through Adult
Dates:July 10-14 (5:30-8:30p.m.) Dinner included
Program: Big Apple Express
Cost: FREE
Online registration
Week of July 18-22
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Location: Kettering
Ages: Preschool through 5th grade
Dates: July 18-22 (9--11:45am)
Program: Hometown Nazareth/Where Jesus Was a Kid
Cost:Free
Online Registration
Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church
Location: Kettering
Ages: 3-12 years
Dates: July 17 - 21 (6- 8:30pm)
Program: Panda Mania
Cost: Free
Week of July 24-29
First Baptist Kettering
Location: Kettering
Ages: 4yrs through 5th grade
Dates: July 24-29
Program: Big Apple Adventure
Cost: Free
Online Registration
Week of July 31- August 5
Epiphany Lutheran Church
Location: Centerville
Ages: 3yrs through 5th grade
Dates: July 31- August 5 (6:30-8:30pm)
Program: Big Jungle Adventure
Cost: Free
Online Registration
Southwest Church
Location: Springboro (Coffman Family YMCA)
Ages: 3yrs (by August 1) to 4th Grade (grade completed)
Dates:August 1-5 (6:30 - 9:00 pm)
Program: Big Apple Adventure
Cost:
Online Registration
(Photo credit: Cumming Local)
2011
CLOSED: This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to our winners Su and Erin.
YOU CAN VIEW OUR LIST OF GIVEAWAY WINNERS HERE.
Have you been to Fazoli's lately and checked out their new menu? They just expanded their menu and Dayton was one of the first places to get the new menu. Their kids menu now has more options including; pepperoni breadsicks, pizza bowties, pasta and butter sauce and a few other items. For a more "grown-up" palette there are four new 400 calorie options- chicken mushroom alfredo, penne tuscano, pasta margherita, and three cheese baked ravioli. There are several other changes to the menu inluding the addition of coffee and various breadsticks and dippers.
I was flying solo with the boys last Tuesday so we decided to head to Fazoli's for Kid's Night. C had kid's pizza and B happily scarfed down all of his pizza bowtie dinner. They are getting fun little trays for their kids meals, but when we went they didn't have them yet. Every Tuesday starting at 5pm it's Kid's Night and kid's entrees are $1.49 with an adult entree purchase (kids' meals are typically $3.49). On Kid's Night there is usually an employee leading craft projects with the kids, C had fun coloring and making crafts while we waited for our food. Which was nice because it get me a little time to hang with just B, as he banged spoons on the table singing to himself. My boys ate all their dinner, we were all full when we left and I got a little break from cooking. And really when it comes to Fazoli's what kid doesn't love their all you can eat breadsticks?! (Looking for more kid's meal deals? Be sure to check out our list of Kids Eat Free/ Cheap list)
Now, just for my lovely readers we are giving away 2 (two) $25 gift cards so you can enjoy dinner there too.
Main entry: Tell us what you like about Fazoli's or what you would like to try if you haven't been yet. (Be sure to leave your comment on this post so that it gets counted)
Want more chances to win one of those $25 gift cards? Well, here are some more ways you can enter, just be sure to leave a additional comment for each additional entry requirement that you fulfill. Just think, the more effort that you put in the more chances you have of winning.
- Follow Deals For Dayton on Facebook, if you already do- tell us in your comment.
- Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, if you already do- tell us in your comment.
This contest ends Tuesday, May 10, at midnight EST. We will use Random.org to pick our winner.
Disclosure: Fazoli's provided me with a $25 gift card so we could try out their new menu. But this post and opinions are my own and not paid for or influenced by the item provided.
2011
Do you have a kiddo that likes Dora the Explorer? Well, today I found 3 FREE episodes of Dora on iTunes. They just release Season 5 on iTunes and are offering a few episodes for FREE. Be sure to download them soon before they are gone.
