Together with Lifestages and Dayton Mall, Kate from Savvy Little Women and I have put together some fantastic sponsors for a great night of encouragement, relaxing, pampering, tasty food, great conversation, and fabulous company!

So, reserve your spot now by "purchasing" a free ticket.

There is a TON of swag for everyone and TONS of prizes to giveaway. The Clubhouse at The Villas at the Pointe is just beautiful and a perfect place for an evening out to mix and mingle with your favorite ladies.

We hope that you are able to join us! This invitation is now OPEN to the general public. Come one and all until it is sold out!

We can't wait to see you and meet some of our amazing readers on July 14th!

Primary Sponsors:

Dayton Mall
Life Stages
Peeps

Seconday Sponsors:

Veggie Tales
Paper Coterie

Food Sponsors:

Submarine House

Product Sponsors:

Beaute Box
Boogie Wipes
Books & Co
Cake, Hope and Love
CJ's Craft Corner
Cindeloo
COSI
Five Rivers Metropark
Jenna Claire
Lia Sophia
Lulee's Lollies
Mabel's Labels
Mary Kay
Meeno Babies
Pink, Pearls and Pigtails
Princess Tea Room
Semilla
Smashburger
Stitched In Love
Teething Bling
Thirty1Stitches
Thirty One Gifts
Underdoodles
Winans

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?!

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)

Join Owlexander, the Park District mascot, for their grand opening on Saturday, April 16 from 10am-12pm at Grant Park on Normandy for their first Nature Literature Trail: Owlexander’s Hoot Route. Children ages 3 – 8 and their adult companions can hike along the storybook trail and learn about Owlexander’s animal and bird friends that live in Grant Park. Children can play active games, solve riddles, and more as they read the story. This is a permanent part of Grant Park. This Nature Literature Trail is a wheelchair and stroller accessible, crushed gravel/dirt path through the woods. Kids ages 3-8 with their adult companion can hike along the storybook trail and learn about the animals that live in the park.

This sounds like a GREAT way to get families more involved together on the trail and outdoors for educational fun. And plus how cute is that owl?! I just want to take Owlexander home with me!

The Centerville Farmers Market is returning again! The Market is every Thursday, May 27-October 28, from 1-6pm in the parking lot of Cross Point Vineyard Church in Centerville. You can find locally grown produce, organic meat, bakery items and much more! It's a great way to help local farmers and businesses in the Dayton area. They always have a great selection of food and other items. Have you ever been? What do you love to find at the Farmers Market?

Are you starting to look for your free summer fun events? You can always head to Regal Cinemas this summer for FREE movies with your kids. Every Tuesday and Wednesday they are playing a different G or PG movie starting at 10am. Tickets are first-come first-served, and limited to theater capacity. Just show up and get your ticket! Free summer fun!

Hollywood Stadium 20
2651 Fairfield Commons
Beavercreek ,OH 45431
937-431-9418

06/15/2010-06/16/2010
Alvin And The Chipmunks Squeakquel (PG)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)

06/22/2010-06/23/2010
Imagine That (PG)
Tooth Fairy (PG)

06/29/2010-06/30/2010
Aliens In The Attic (PG)
Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)

07/06/2010-07/07/2010
Polar Express (G)
Daddy Day Care (PG)

07/13/2010-07/14/2010
Tale of Despereaux (G)
Surf's Up (PG)

07/20/2010-07/21/2010
Doogal (G)
Bee Movie (PG)

07/27/2010-07/28/2010
March Of The Penguins (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)

08/03/2010-08/04/2010
Wallace and Gromit (G)
Open Season (PG)

08/10/2010-08/11/2010
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG)

Books and Co at The Greene is having story time at 10:30am on Tuesday. They actually have story time every Tuesday year round, or as long as the bookstore is open. We love going and Ms. Ann does a wonderful job with the kids helping them feel welcome and have fun! I'm bummed that we can't make it right now because of C being in school, but we can't wait until we can go back again.

If you've never heard of House Party you are missing out!

A House Party is thousands of parties across the country, hosted by people like you. Each event is sponsored by a leading brand and focuses on something cool that the sponsor wants its best fans to experience firsthand and share with their friends. It's completely free! You chose a party, fill out an application and hope they chose you! Hosting a House Party is a special opportunity, and with that opportunity come certain commitments. You do have to agree to follow their Party Pact.

Submit only one application per household (per party)
Answer all questions accurately
Plan and host the best party you can
Share your party package with your guests, as intended
Not attempt to obtain extra party packages

By applying for a host spot, you are agreeing to conduct yourself with the spirit of House Party – sharing a product with people, through a exciting, free and exclusive experience. Hosts who break this Party Pact and abuse this trust will lose their House Party privileges. There is more on their site about how it works. I have hosted several parties (Huggies Potty Party, Juicy Juice, Philly Cream Cheese, Hershey's Bliss Chocolate, Clorox Green Works) and have been impressed every time with the amount of stuff that they send to help spread the word.

Right now there are several parties that you can apply for. I'll try to keep this updates with all the new parties that they put out. And don't be discouraged if you don't get chosen right away sometimes it takes several applications before you get chosen. But it's totally worth trying every time.

I have a Huggies Potty Dance Party that I'm hosting in a week and I'm really excited to get my package of stuff- they typically have product samples and great coupons.