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?!

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!

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)

Kettering is reopening several of their parks. Celebrate with them in May as several of their neighborhood parks reopen. Festivities include ribbon cutting, light refreshments and other fun activities. Now here is the part I'm REALLY EXCITED about... bring your swimsuit to J.F. Kennedy Park and get ready to see Kettering's FIRST sprayground! 

May 14
10am-12pm: Oak Park, 2055 Malcom Ave
1-3pm: Wenzler Park, 3535 Sharewood Ct

May 21
10am-12pm: J.F. Kennedy Park, 5073 Bigger Road
1-3pm: Van Buren Park, 1450 Scottsdale Ave

These parks will open late Fall 2011/ Winter 2012
Berwin Park
Glaser Park
Kantner Park
Southern Hills Park
Walther Park
Blackhawk Park
Irelan Park
Oak Creek Park
Tait Park

You can check out a full list of all the Kettering Parks and their locations.

CLOSED: This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to our winner Abby.
YOU CAN VIEW OUR LIST OF GIVEAWAY WINNERS HERE.

I know it's early but I'm already thinking about what I'm going to be doing for the boy's birthday. And with birthdays come friends and family, gifts and thank you cards. So when I got my set of custom designed thanks you cards from Paperreka I could not have been more excited! Now, I've bought and received my fair share of cards over the years, but I've never seen any that were as beautiful as these. Her slogan of "you need custom (+) I breathe design (=) together, we are paperific" is so fun too!

I had asked Paperreka to match the card to my website, and I cannot believe how incredibly close they are! Now, if I had been REALLY smart I would have made them match the theme of our birthday party, but I'm not THAT on top of it. First the box had all the card nestled inside a clear plastic case and tied sweetly with a ribbon. Then each card has the look and feel of wood, it's amazing! Her website and all of the products that are on it look just as breathtaking. I love how each product has a catchy spice or herb name too, and with fun names like Juniper Berry, Cocoa Nibs and Fenugreek it's hard to not want everything on the site! The site if full of beautiful products; and wouldn't you know it, their options not only beautiful, but are custom designed for your specific needs. The sophisticated Red Pepper monogrammed cards are classy and classic. So are the Vanilla baby birth announcement cards, which would be sweet for a thank you card from the baby.

Here is the super fun part! Not only can you admire the skill and creativity at Paperreka, but you also have a chance to win something too. We will select one lucky winner to win a custom created set of items or choose a set of item from their online products

How To Enter:

Main entry: Check out Paperreka and tell us what you like would want to win or what you wish they would make. (Be sure to leave your comment on this post so that it gets counted)

Additional Entries:

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.

- 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 Thursday, May 19, at midnight EST. We will use Random.org to pick our winner.

Disclosure: Paperreka provided me with two sets of custom designed thank you cards. But this post and opinions are my own and not paid for or influenced by the item provided.

Where would we be without Mothers in this world? There are women that are mothers by blood, those that we blessed with through marriage and call them mother, or even those amazing women that have taken someone under their wings and treated them as if they were their own. To all of you that are mothers, have been, or one day hope to be Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Thank you so much to each and every one of you that nominated and voted for all of the amazing women for our giveaway. I was so blessed to read about the wonderfully loving and caring women that are here in Dayton and hope that each and every one of you know how much you are loved today.

So here is the news you have all been waiting for:

Grand prize winner: Lora Brunner 

$50 Gift Certificate from Michael's Salon and Spa
Custom Designed Handbag from Jenna Claire Handbag Studio: Custom designed Brooklyn style bag
Dinner for two at The Melting Pot:Featuring Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue- Fontina and Butterkase cheeses, spinach, artichoke hearts and garlic AND Flaming Turtle Chocolate Fondue- Milk chocolate, caramel and pecans flambeed tableside

Two runner-ups: Sue Bell and Erin Hammerstrom.

$25 Gift Certificate from Joli Boutique.

Thank you again to all that nominated and voted and especially to our generous sponsors, we could not have done this without you!

I recently recevied a request from a reader:

Amy,

Hey! Just curious...which zoo pass/museum pass do you guys have? I'm trying to figure out the best one to get!- Melissa C

So, for any other readers out there wondering the same thing here is what I've found in my research of the "Best Museum Pass" topic.

First let me say that it really depends on your family. What worked for my family as the best deal might not be for you and your family. When deciding which museum we wanted to get a pass to I went through the reciprocal program lists and based it off of what museums we would visit the most. The Boonshoft is a great deal because it allows you to visit science centers, zoos and aquariums, and children's museums (if you get the Adventurer pass). Cincinnati Museum will allow card holders from Boonshoft free admission, but it is limited to the Museum of Natural History & Science. If you purchase the Adventurer pass ($100) you can also visit the Duke Energy Children's Museum wing at Cincinnati Museum. Our family really loves Cincinnati Museum and so we decided that it was worth the extra money to get a pass to Cincinnati Museum so that we could visit all three museums at Cincinnati. Plus the pass we got allows for a guest or caregiver to take our kids to the museum even.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery: Boonshoft is located on DeWeese Parkway in Dayton. There are daily events, special events, traveling exhibits and every day fun that includes hands-on science experiments, planetarium shows, visiting with live animals, story times and more. Membership to Boonshoft also entitles card holders to free unlimited admission to SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park, Fort Ancient, an Ohio Historical Society facility in Warren County, and Planetarium Shows and discounts on Laser Shows at the Boonshoft Museum. You can use your Membership card to gain free admission or reduced rates to over 300 science museums, zoos and aquariums worldwide through their reciprocal program.

Membership Levels:
Military- $69, Family- $79, Grandparent- $79: Reciprocal benefits: Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
Adventurer- $100, Explorer- $250, Discoverer- $500: Reciprocal benefits: Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)

Cincinnati Union Terminal: Cincy Museum is located on Western Avenue in Cincinnati in the old Union Terminal station. There is an Omnimax Theater, Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science and traveling exhibits. Each museum is in a separate wing of the museum and is a museum in itself. Membership to Cincinnati Museum entitles card holders to unlimited admission to all museums and discounts on traveling exhibits. You can use your membership card to gain free admission or reduced rates to over 300 science museums worldwide through their reciprocal program.

Membershop Levels:
Individual- $55, Dual- $95, Family- $130: Reciprocal benefits: Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and Time Travelers history network
Family Premium- $160, Concourse- $325, Whispering Foundation- $575: Reciprocal benefits: Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), Time Travelers history network and Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)

The reciprocal program doesn’t apply to centers within a 90-mile radius of home. But Cincinnati Museum and Boonshoft do accept card holders from each others museum for the reciprocal program. In addition, the free general admission does not include tickets to theaters, planetarium shows or simulators. Be sure you bring your membership card from your science center or museum to get free admission to any out-of-town science center or museum.

*Cincinnati Museum and Boonshoft participate in several reciprocal networks. Reciprocity is a mutual exchange of privileges between two institutions, allowing free or reduced admission to one science and technology center, zoo or children's museum to members of another science and technology center, zoo or children's museum. Member admission and discounts vary, so it is advised to contact the destination location before visiting for full details about their participation in the network. Reciprocal network participation can be subject to change without notice. 

It's Teacher Appreciation Week right now. I have lots of friends that are all amazing teachers and in honor of them and Teacher Appreciation week here are a few discounts just for all you special people! Some of these are just for this week and some are year round.

Ann Taylor Loft - sign up and get 15% off and special discounts for educators.

Banana Republic- offers a 15% discount on full price items to any teacher with a valid school ID.

Barnes and Noble- Save 20% off the publisher's list price on all purchases for classroom use. Get up to 25% off the publisher's list price during Educator Appreciation Days

Half Price Books- Offers educators a 10% discount off their entire purchase in-stores year-round, whether they’re buying something for the classroom or themselves

Hancock Fabric- Teachers & PEAH (Parents Educating at Home) receive a 10% discount when they present their Red Apple Card.

J.Crew - 15% off with employee ID, in-stores only and valid at J.Crew Outlet Stores too.

JoAnn- Sign up for their Teacher Rewards Discount Card. You’ll receive 15% off every purchase you make, both in stores and at Joann.com

New York & Company- “get 15% off every day in any of our stores with valid NEA Member or teacher ID

Office Depot- May 1-May7 get 10% off instantly on qualifying in-store purchases with your Star Teacher Member Card.

Office Max- ”The MaxPerks Rewards for Teachers program is specifically tailored for your classroom needs and budgeting concerns. As a member, you’ll earn a $10 reward in your MaxPerks account for every $75 you spend on qualified* purchases – up to $100 per calendar year.”

Panera Bread- May 2-6 teachers get a FREE freshly bakery item with the purchase of an entree and a drink.

The Limited- 15% off everything every day in-store. May not be combined with other coupons, offers, storewide promotions or events.

Do you know of any additional discounts for teachers? Please comment below and we will add them to our list.

(Thanks More with Less Today)

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.

I am so excited to announce our three Mother's Day Finalist! You can read a little excerpt about each of them from their nomination. Our grand prize winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Michaels Salon and Spa, a custom bag from Jenna Claire, and a dinner for two at the Melting Pot. Feel free to visit ONE time per day for the nominee of your choice, voting ends on Saturday, May 7 at 11:59pm. Even if you do not know any of the nominees please take a minute and cast your vote for a deserving mom! Our grand prize winner will be announced on May 8.

Sue Bell
She is more than a mother - she is a friend. It is hard to be a friend when you are a mother. Even harder is being a friend when you are a mother-in-law. However, my mother-in-law has accomplished this task. And she does so with grace, caring, and love. She gives great advice about being a woman, living a life of gratitude, and sharing your love with others. She will never make excuses or give up on you.

So why does she deserve this award? But, in all of her giving, she rarely receives. She brushes off offers of others to pay for dinner, take her shopping, or to simply help around the house. She refuses to take one day for herself. She babysits all of her six grandchildren for overnight visits single-handedly. She goes to everyone's soccer, volleyball, swimming, and cheerleading competitions and yells each child or grandchild on to victory. She sends anonymous cards of support when you are going through a rough spot. She prays for you at church every Sunday. She makes your lunch and dinner without asking for a return favor. She lets stress just wash off her back. And, again, she does this with unrelenting love. She is a great mother and unless I publicly tell her and force her to "take a day off", she will go back to her 24 hour daily grind without a complaint in the world.
-Nominated by Tricia Bell

Erin Hammerstrom
This mom is raising four children from age 11 years to 11 months. In 2009 she had to pick up and move away from Africa where the first three were born leaving almost all of her possessions behind. Her husband had trouble making money in this economy so she has had to scrape and scrap everything these children have and get them ready for the cold Ohio winter. Meanwhile she carried and gave birth to the baby, which she courageously did by VBAC so she could carry and care for the others and not have to recover from surgery. She is going through the hardship of trying to get the 11 year old adopted. She schools him while he isn't in school yet. She even had to let him go back to Africa for seven 1/2 months last year and may be facing that again soon. She pours out her life to her family every day. She teaches them, sings with them, disciplines them, trains them in the way they should go.

This very special mother has had to move into a new place to live (that needed a lot of work! And still does!). She manages to cook wonderful meals almost every night in a TINY kitchen, using new ingredients sometimes pulled randomly out of the ground. This woman is really something! She gets her hair done, rarely, on a budget, and does everything on a budget. If you met her on the street you'd think, “wow” “classy” “unbelievably polite” “strong” and this is what she manages under the circumstances. Honestly it will be tough for me to take over watching all the kids for her outings if she wins, but she is 100% worth it. I thank God, the Lord, for her each and every day.
-Nominated by Todd Hammerstrom

Lora Brunner
At the age of 49 in November 2010 she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Brain Cancer, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Since then she has had two brain surgeries and undergone both radiation and chemotherapy. I and everyone around her are amazed every single day how positive she is. Even when my sister, my dad, and I are crying she always is the one to make us feel better, and tell us that everything is going to be ok. She has never been one to do anything for herself, and always making sure that she does whatever she can for everyone else, before what she needs. I am thankful that God has blessed me with such a wonderful mom, and when a family goes through something like this you truly learn to cherish the person that means most in your life. I cannot think of anyone more deserving.
-Nominated by Shannon Kumar