Unbelievable at how quickly summer vacation is drawing to an end for St Louis kiddos. Most area students will be returning to classrooms in just a couple of weeks leaving us parents the daunting task of reinforcing bedtimes and hectic school shopping. As we rearrange our focus from summer fun activities to school activities, here are a few helpful tid bits I use every year in making the transition back to school days:
1. Bedtime for my kids has always been 8:30, but during summer I waive that rule. Tonight began the first night of unwinding earlier with the hopes of 8:30 being the norm again in just a few days. Same goes for waking up! Starting earlier is better when it comes to a child's routine and making changes. Everyone will be happier on the first day of school!
2. Back to school shopping began a couple of weeks ago, but most of it will be completed during the Tax-Free holiday starting next week in most areas. This is a great time to stock up on uniforms, supplies, shoes, and perhaps even a couple of electronics that you have been holding off to get. Visit http://dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday/school/
for all the details and dates.
3. Organizing school items is done one week before school begins. Backpacks packed, uniforms put in their proper place, lunchboxes out and ready for use. I also try to ensure that the kiddos get a mini room makeover by sprucing up their desks with new accessories (whatever their newest interest may be) and reorganizing to eliminate some of the clutter they have accumulated over the summer months. This becomes an excellent opportunity to donate old clothes, unwanted books, and even toys. Organization plus doing a good deed = AWESOME!
4. We also make a summer memory book the weekend before school starts. Pictures, postcards (we buy postcards at every place we go to but never mail them lol), summer flowers, all get meshed together and it has become a great way to help the kiddos transition - they look over the completed book and eagerly begin discussing which of their friends they can't wait to tell about their great summer!
5. Refresher course: summer is such a carefree time, I often let a lot of things slide as well as my husband, and this is not always the best idea. The kids some how become tyrants over summer, dictating everything from bedtimes to what they are going to eat for breakfast! Reminding them of school day routines, school rules, and homework habits usually helps to lasso in their summer wildness.
What are some of your back to school preparation rituals? Leave a comment and let me know!
Events this week:
Birds in Concert August 4th 7pm-8:30pm
Description: "The Raptor Project" house band performs their hit children's songs while birds fly above your head!
Location: Wild Bird Sanctuary 125 Bald Eagle Rd Valley Park, MO 63088
Cost: FREE
website: www.worldbirdsanctuary.org
Free Family Fun Day August 6th 10am - 4pm
Description: Celebrate the grand reopening of the Delta Dental Theatre with several family fun events, characters like Dora and Spongebob, and more.
Location: Corner of First & Lucas streets (down the street from the theatre)
website: www.ddhtstl.org
Also, check out www.kidsinstl.com for great deals on 'kids eat free' locations, events, and tips!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Coupon & Sales Match Ups for July 31st - August 6th
Saturday: early edition paper was waiting for me when I returned from my morning shift at work, looking bulkier than it has all summer long, and to my surprise it was overloaded with COUPONS!! 4 inserts to be exact! The joy on my face was evident, the kiddos must know my "time to clip" gaze, they ran and hid instantly. Not because I ask for their assistance, but because the living room floor becomes coupon cutting central for the next hour or so, today make that two hours :)
Here are the deals I compiled for this weeks sale ads:
Office Max:
$0.01 twelve inch wooden rulers (limit 2)
$0.01 twenty-four pack of Schoolio Crayons (limit 2)
$0.50 Composition Books (limit 4)
$0.50 Glue sticks bonus packs (limit 3)
$0.10 Dixon 10 pack pencils (limit 2)
Expo dry erase markers B2G2
Walgreens:
$0.39 1 Subject notebooks/6 pack Papermate Highlighters
$0.59 Filler paper/12 pack colored pencils
$0.11 Wexford 2 pocket folders (limit 6)
Lipton tea bags 2/$5 WAGS SC + use $.40 MNFC = $4.60
Swiffer Wet Jet Starter Kit $18.99 + use $5 MNFC = $13.99 + FREE additional Wet Jet Cleaner Solution ($5.49 value)
Tide Stain Release $3.99 + use $0.50 MNFC = $3.49
Downy Liquid Fabric Softener $3.99 + $0.50 MNFC = $3.49
Pencil box $0.59 w/ SC
Fiskars Scissors $0.79 w/ SC
Penway or Wexford Pencil top erasers/2 pack pink erasers $0.29 w/ SC
Rubbermaid TagAlongs $1.99 buy 2 + use $1.00/2 MNFC = $2.98
Crayola Washable Markers $2 + $2 RR = FREE
Nivea Body wash $5.99 + $2 RR + $2 MNFC = $1.99
Oral B Advantage toothbrush & Glide Floss 2/$5 + use $0.75 MNFC Floss + $0.75 MNFC toothbrush = $3.50
Scope Mouthwash & Crest Complete w/ Scope toothpaste 2/$6 + $3 RR + $0.75 MNFC on mouthwash + $0.50 MNFC on toothpaste = $1.75
Tampax Pearl $6.99 + $2 RR + $1.00 MNFC = $3.99
Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash $3.99 + $1 RR + $2 MNFC = $0.99
Allegra Allergy $6.99 + $6.99 MIR (mail in rebate) = FREE
Cottonelle 12 rolls $5 + $1 instant in store coupon = $4
Goody Colour Snap Clip $2 + $2 RR = FREE
Walmart:
$0.20 1 Subject Notebooks
Listerine $3.97 + $1 MNFC = $2.97
Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief $4.47 + $1.50 MNFC = $2.97
Clean & Clear Cleanser $4.47 + $1 MNFC = $3.47
Target:
Tees & Tanks $5
6 pack Elmer's Glue Sticks $1
CVS:
Gillette Fusion ProGlide $9.99 + $5 EB + $4 MNFC = $0.99
Skinny Cow Single $0.99 + $0.99 EB + use MNFC B1G1 = 2 for FREE
Bounce Dryer Bar $3.99 + $0.50 MNFC = $3.49
Puffs $0.88 buy 3 + use $0.25/3 MNFC = $2.39
Dawn $0.99 + $.50 MNFC = $0.49
Vaseline $4.99 + $1.50 MNFC = $3.49
Dove Men Care $5 + $1 MNFC = $4 (good towards free gas deal)
Dove Visible Care Body Wash $6 + $1.25 MNFC = $4.75 (good towards free gas deal)
Oral B Action toothbrush $5.99 + $3 MNFC + $1 EB = $1.99
Gillette Body wash $3.49 + $2 MNFC = $1.49
Q-tips $1.99 + $0.30 MNFC = $1.69
Bic Soleil Razor Starter Kit $5.99 + $3 EB + $2 MNFC = $0.99
Super Cuts $5 Value Card (coupon) good towards any product or service
I am working on a new way to streamline all the codes and discount descriptions for each individual store and hope to have it in place by Tuesday when the grocery deals will be posted. Meanwhile, please feel free to comment if the "coupon code" is overwhelming and I will be happy to explain it in a more descriptive way. Also, Check my "Welcome to Thrifty StL Mummy" post, it contains tons of information to assist you in reading the weekly deals :)
More deals updated all week!
Here are the deals I compiled for this weeks sale ads:
Office Max:
$0.01 twelve inch wooden rulers (limit 2)
$0.01 twenty-four pack of Schoolio Crayons (limit 2)
$0.50 Composition Books (limit 4)
$0.50 Glue sticks bonus packs (limit 3)
$0.10 Dixon 10 pack pencils (limit 2)
Expo dry erase markers B2G2
Walgreens:
$0.39 1 Subject notebooks/6 pack Papermate Highlighters
$0.59 Filler paper/12 pack colored pencils
$0.11 Wexford 2 pocket folders (limit 6)
Lipton tea bags 2/$5 WAGS SC + use $.40 MNFC = $4.60
Swiffer Wet Jet Starter Kit $18.99 + use $5 MNFC = $13.99 + FREE additional Wet Jet Cleaner Solution ($5.49 value)
Tide Stain Release $3.99 + use $0.50 MNFC = $3.49
Downy Liquid Fabric Softener $3.99 + $0.50 MNFC = $3.49
Pencil box $0.59 w/ SC
Fiskars Scissors $0.79 w/ SC
Penway or Wexford Pencil top erasers/2 pack pink erasers $0.29 w/ SC
Rubbermaid TagAlongs $1.99 buy 2 + use $1.00/2 MNFC = $2.98
Crayola Washable Markers $2 + $2 RR = FREE
Nivea Body wash $5.99 + $2 RR + $2 MNFC = $1.99
Oral B Advantage toothbrush & Glide Floss 2/$5 + use $0.75 MNFC Floss + $0.75 MNFC toothbrush = $3.50
Scope Mouthwash & Crest Complete w/ Scope toothpaste 2/$6 + $3 RR + $0.75 MNFC on mouthwash + $0.50 MNFC on toothpaste = $1.75
Tampax Pearl $6.99 + $2 RR + $1.00 MNFC = $3.99
Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash $3.99 + $1 RR + $2 MNFC = $0.99
Allegra Allergy $6.99 + $6.99 MIR (mail in rebate) = FREE
Cottonelle 12 rolls $5 + $1 instant in store coupon = $4
Goody Colour Snap Clip $2 + $2 RR = FREE
Walmart:
$0.20 1 Subject Notebooks
Listerine $3.97 + $1 MNFC = $2.97
Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief $4.47 + $1.50 MNFC = $2.97
Clean & Clear Cleanser $4.47 + $1 MNFC = $3.47
Target:
Tees & Tanks $5
6 pack Elmer's Glue Sticks $1
CVS:
Gillette Fusion ProGlide $9.99 + $5 EB + $4 MNFC = $0.99
Skinny Cow Single $0.99 + $0.99 EB + use MNFC B1G1 = 2 for FREE
Bounce Dryer Bar $3.99 + $0.50 MNFC = $3.49
Puffs $0.88 buy 3 + use $0.25/3 MNFC = $2.39
Dawn $0.99 + $.50 MNFC = $0.49
Vaseline $4.99 + $1.50 MNFC = $3.49
Dove Men Care $5 + $1 MNFC = $4 (good towards free gas deal)
Dove Visible Care Body Wash $6 + $1.25 MNFC = $4.75 (good towards free gas deal)
Oral B Action toothbrush $5.99 + $3 MNFC + $1 EB = $1.99
Gillette Body wash $3.49 + $2 MNFC = $1.49
Q-tips $1.99 + $0.30 MNFC = $1.69
Bic Soleil Razor Starter Kit $5.99 + $3 EB + $2 MNFC = $0.99
Super Cuts $5 Value Card (coupon) good towards any product or service
I am working on a new way to streamline all the codes and discount descriptions for each individual store and hope to have it in place by Tuesday when the grocery deals will be posted. Meanwhile, please feel free to comment if the "coupon code" is overwhelming and I will be happy to explain it in a more descriptive way. Also, Check my "Welcome to Thrifty StL Mummy" post, it contains tons of information to assist you in reading the weekly deals :)
More deals updated all week!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Elvis at The Ivory!
Had to take a moment today and share this information about an upcoming event for any fellow Elvis lovers out there plus this guy is really good and totally worth a night out! I'll be there, will you?
| Live @ The Ivory presents Elvis Tribute Artist Tony Witt 2009 & 2010 Finalist Elvis Presley Enterprises' Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest For Two (2) Nights Only | August 5 & 6 Showtime is 7:00 pm General Admission Tickets - $22 per person in advance / $25 per person at the door. Special VIP (TCB) Package - $59 per person (Includes pre-concert reception, reserved seating in the Ivory Tower, and more). (Reception held in the Ivory Tower from 5:30 to 6:45pm both nights) |
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
This Weeks Grocery Deals and Which Coupons to Match with Sales!
Tuesday's grocery sales rundown:
Stores:
Aldi
Shop n Save
Dierbergs
Schnucks
Aldi's:
Cherries $1.99 lb
Red Grapes $1.99 2 lbs
Strawberries $0.99 lb
Baby Carrots $0.59
Dierbergs:
*Pick any 3 packages with "yellow dot" stickers for only $5 ea!
Perdue fresh ground turkey 3lbs
Tenderbird Chicken Breast 3 lbs
Perdue Fresh Whole Chicken
Perdue Jumbo pack Chicken Drumsticks
Boneless Pork Country Style Ribs
Lemon Pepper Tilapia
Whole Seedless Watermelon $3.98
Fiber One deal: 4/$10 - mix and match on Fiber One Cereal, Granola Bars, or Brownies + use $0.75 Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies MNFC + $0.40 Fiber One Chewy Bars MNFC + $0.50 Fiber One Cereal MNFC + $0.75 Fiber One 80 Calories Cereal (whew that was alot lol) = $7.60 + Dierbergs gives you a free box of the New Fiber One 80 Calories Cereal or the new Fiber One Brownies, 5 Fiber One products for $1.52 an item!
Special K cereal $2.49 + use $0.70 MNFC = $1.79
Schnucks:
Post Cereals 3/$6 + use $1/2 MNFC = 3/$5 and these boxes have free kids admission tickets to Six Flags inside, bonus!! :)
Hillshire Farm Smoked sausage $1.99
Birds Eye Steam Fresh Vegetables 4/$5
Eckert's Peaches $1.48 lb
Shop n Save:
Sweet Corn 3/$0.98
Watermelon (not seedless) $3.48
Land O Frost Shaved lunchmeat $3.50 + use $0.55 MNFC = $2.95 e
Oscar Mayer Bologna 2/$4
General Mills Deal: Save $4 instantly @ checkout when you buy any 4 participating GM products. Cheerios 2/$5 + use $1/2 MNFC = 2/$4 , Chex Mix 2/$4 + use $0.50 MNFC = 2/$3.50 for a total of $7.50 - $4 off @ checkout = $3.50!!
Great deals this week, happy shopping!
Stores:
Aldi
Shop n Save
Dierbergs
Schnucks
Aldi's:
Cherries $1.99 lb
Red Grapes $1.99 2 lbs
Strawberries $0.99 lb
Baby Carrots $0.59
Dierbergs:
*Pick any 3 packages with "yellow dot" stickers for only $5 ea!
Perdue fresh ground turkey 3lbs
Tenderbird Chicken Breast 3 lbs
Perdue Fresh Whole Chicken
Perdue Jumbo pack Chicken Drumsticks
Boneless Pork Country Style Ribs
Lemon Pepper Tilapia
Whole Seedless Watermelon $3.98
Fiber One deal: 4/$10 - mix and match on Fiber One Cereal, Granola Bars, or Brownies + use $0.75 Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies MNFC + $0.40 Fiber One Chewy Bars MNFC + $0.50 Fiber One Cereal MNFC + $0.75 Fiber One 80 Calories Cereal (whew that was alot lol) = $7.60 + Dierbergs gives you a free box of the New Fiber One 80 Calories Cereal or the new Fiber One Brownies, 5 Fiber One products for $1.52 an item!
Special K cereal $2.49 + use $0.70 MNFC = $1.79
Schnucks:
Post Cereals 3/$6 + use $1/2 MNFC = 3/$5 and these boxes have free kids admission tickets to Six Flags inside, bonus!! :)
Hillshire Farm Smoked sausage $1.99
Birds Eye Steam Fresh Vegetables 4/$5
Eckert's Peaches $1.48 lb
Shop n Save:
Sweet Corn 3/$0.98
Watermelon (not seedless) $3.48
Land O Frost Shaved lunchmeat $3.50 + use $0.55 MNFC = $2.95 e
Oscar Mayer Bologna 2/$4
General Mills Deal: Save $4 instantly @ checkout when you buy any 4 participating GM products. Cheerios 2/$5 + use $1/2 MNFC = 2/$4 , Chex Mix 2/$4 + use $0.50 MNFC = 2/$3.50 for a total of $7.50 - $4 off @ checkout = $3.50!!
Great deals this week, happy shopping!
Tuesday Contest Time! Help Spread the Word and Win a $25 Gift Card!
Happy Tuesday fellow mums! Today is the start of our weekly contest (yes every Tuesday we will host a new contest for you!) and is all about helping spread the word out about Thrifty Stl Mummy! The contest will slightly differ from our facebook page, in where your focus is to simply share our blog to attract new followers. Simply send me a message on how you shared our link (your fb page or your blog) and you will be entered to win a $25 gift card for either Walgreens, Target, or Walmart! You can praticpate in both contest for our facebook page and our blog, but remember to view the details on our facebook page about how to get credit for new "likes".
The contest starts today and ends Friday at 10 a.m. with a winner announced at noon! Thanks for helping and good look!
The contest starts today and ends Friday at 10 a.m. with a winner announced at noon! Thanks for helping and good look!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunday Reflections: Attack of the Heat Wave of 2011
Yikes it is HOT! For the past week temperatures have topped 100 degrees here in our wonderful city, but it looks like we will be blessed with a bit of relief today and Monday. Finding things to do during this heat wave have been harder than in previous years, mainly because most indoor activities at area venues now charge. Creating new ideas on ways to stay cool started with the same philosophy as what to do on rainy days - use your imagination and start at home.
On a rainy day, you might stay home and let the kids do crafts or play video games. On an extremely hot day you probably find yourself doing the same. But during prolonged periods such as the current one, staying home leads to boredom! You start running out of fascinating stories to tell, forts to build, crafts to make, and your sanity. So what are some of the great places you can go with the kiddos without breaking the bank?
The Art Museum and History Museum in Forest Park are both free venues great for a family day and they are air conditioned! Another great idea is to take advantage of the free Summer Movie Series at local theaters. Wehrenberg Movie Theatres offer family friendly movies for free. Also, public libraries are a great way to spend a hot afternoon. They offer tons of activities for children including story tellers and scavenger hunts. Here are links for each of these venues for further details:
www.slpl.org
www.wehrenberg.com
www.slam.org
www.mohistory.com
Always remember that heat waves too shall pass and summer doesn't last for ever so we better enjoy it while we can! St. Louis is famous for it's crazy weather, soon we will be complaining about digging out of a blizzard...
I also wanted to touch base on the safety issues that we sometimes overlook during extremes of summer. The American Red Cross offers great guidelines and tips are their website to ensure everyone has a great and safe summer: www.redcross.org
Just to point out a few; 1. Drink plenty of water! Stay away from sodas and other beverages that will actually make you more prone to dehydration. Water is the best! 2. Apply sunscreen even on days when the sun is not as prominent in the sky, especially when you are swimming. Water reflects the suns rays causing even more damage to exposed skin in a shorter amount of time, be sure to reapply sunscreen every thirty minutes as well. 3. Check on your neighbors, sometimes just asking them how they are handling the heat will get them to open up if they need help, especially the elderly. If you do know someone who needs assistance with either an air conditioner or transportation to a cooling center, contact the United Way or your local American Red Cross chapter. 4. Keep an emergency kit in your car. If you break down somewhere in this heat and have to stay with your vehicle even for a short time before help arrives it could be harmful to your health. Bottles of water, cooling packs, and sunscreen. It's also important to have an emergency kit prepared for your home in the event of power outages. Here are some great tips to help you prepare now prior to an event like this happening:
1. Make your own ice packs. Fill up a few large freezer bags with water and place them in the freezer.
2. If you take any medication that needs to remain cold such as insulin, make sure you have a small cooler available.
3. Have a back up way to charge cell phones or have a land line. Magic Jack is a great way to ensure you have a land line in times of emergencies as well and is inexpensive.
4. Have bottled water and light food (foods not high in protein) together. You want to stay well hydrated and eat lightly.
Again, the heat fades away with the seasons, so here's to enjoying the summer while it lasts, safely!
Deals:
Target Sales: good thru 7/31
Sterlite pencil boxes .50 ea
Licensed folders .80 ea
Cherokee Polo tees (think school uniforms) $7 ea
HP All in One Printer $29.99
CVS Pharamcy Deals:
Spend $30 on selected marked merchandise and earn $10 in Free Gas!
B1G1 Edy's Ice Cream 48 oz
Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal 2/$4 + use $1 MNFC = 2/$3
Papermate Grip Pens $1.99 + get $1.99 EB = FREE
Palmolive 10 oz .99 + .25 MNFC = .74
1 subject notebooks 4/.99
Kleenex on sale for .88 ea, buy 3 + use .50 MNFC = $2.14
Walgreens:
M&Ms 1.1oz - 2.17 oz on sale for .49 ea, buy 2 + .75 MNFC = .23
WAGS Brand pantyliners 2/$1
Yardleys bar soap .69 SC
Soft Soap Body wash $2.99 + .75 MNFC = $2.24
Skintimate or Edge shave gel $1.99 + .55 MNFC = $1.44
Speed Stick deodorant $1.99 w/ SC + .50 MNFC = $1.49
Loreal Eversleek, Everpure, or Everstrong hair care products $5.99 + $2 MNFC = $3.99
Irish Spring deodorant & body wash 2/$6 + $4 RR + $1 MNFC on deodorant + .55 MNFC on boy wash = .50!
Check out www.my-backtoschool.com for more great coupons!
Events:
7/24 - Missouri Botanical Garden
description: free admission to the garden and children's garden in honor of Henry Shaw's birthday.
cost: FREE
7/28 - St Louis Art Museum
description: Join us in the galleries for a lively and informative discussion with Janeen Turk, Senior Curatorial Assistant. Space is limited in smaller galleries; please arrive early. Talk meets at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday and then repeats at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Meet at the Information Center.
cost: FREE
7/29 - Laclede's Landing Summer Concert Series
description: Blues singer Kim Massie takes the stage from 4:30 - 8:30pm.
cost: FREE
www.lacledeslanding.com
7/29 - Sunflower Days
description: A Plein Air painting event in Historic Clarksville, MO. Come watch the artists paint our beautiful sunflowers, vote for your favorite, enjoy artisan shop specials and local eateries. See our Facebook page at Sunflower Days for more information.
cost: FREE for most everything besides shops and eateries
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=131949060216055
7/30 - Wings of Hope 2nd Annual "Hope Floats"
description: Handmade Viking ships, Italianesque gondolas and cardboard biplane boats - you won’t want to miss the 2nd Annual “Hope Floats” event to raise money for 2011 Nobel Peace Prize nominated Wings of Hope. The event is free to the public and proceeds from registered race participants and sponsors benefit the St. Louis Medical Relief and Air Transport Program, which Wings of Hope operates to transport critically ill children to essential health care provided in St. Louis. More than 100 participants will put their boating skills to the test and see if they can navigate their homemade vessels around Grand Basin.
cost: FREE
www.wingsofhope-boatrace.org
7/30 - St Louis Open Casting Call
description: NOWCASTING
Do you have what it takes to host your own show on Food Network?
Date: Saturday, July 30th
Time: 10am- 2pm
Location: Sheraton St. Louis City Center
400 S. 14th Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
WHAT TO BRING
NOWCASTING
Application
2 photos of yourself
Resume
Do you have what it takes to host your own show on Food Network?
If you can’t make it to an open call, please visit us at www.FoodNetworkStarCasting.com for details
on how to submit a home video! For questions please e-mail us at fns8StLouis@gmail.com.
For information about the show please go to www.FoodNetwork.com/Star.
Please read the Rules & Eligibility Requirements (found on the “Rules and Eligibility” page) before applying. Applicants must (a) be a US citizen or permanent
legal resident with the unrestricted ability to work in the U.S. and (b) be at least 21 years of age.
7/30 - Bye Bye Liver at Maggie O'Briens
description: Bye Bye Liver pulls from a grab bag of alcohol-infused sketches interspersed with participatory drinking games. The result is a comedic cocktail that has proven a hit with the palette of St. Louis’ partiers young and old.
Maggie O’Brien’s house band Bangers and Mash will provide post-show entertainment as actors mingle with friends and fans until the wee hours at their weekly cast party.
cost: $14
www.byebyeliver.com/st.louis
7/30 - Help Friends of Kids with Cancer
Description:
Friends of Kids with Cancer, an organization that provides recreational, educational, and emotional support to kids battling cancer and their families in St. Louis, has been chosen as a finalist in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good Program. Toyota is giving away a brand new vehicle to 100 charities, and Friends of Kids with Cancer needs your help! Our voting day is Sunday, July 24th, 2011. Please visit www.facebook.com/toyota to cast your vote! Friends plans to use the van to transport toys, games, and other gifts to the families in treatment centers.
Contest & Sweepstakes:
The Land Of Frost Marvel Superfan giveaway www.landofrost.com
100 Days of Sunny Moments giveaway www.feelthesoleil.com
On a rainy day, you might stay home and let the kids do crafts or play video games. On an extremely hot day you probably find yourself doing the same. But during prolonged periods such as the current one, staying home leads to boredom! You start running out of fascinating stories to tell, forts to build, crafts to make, and your sanity. So what are some of the great places you can go with the kiddos without breaking the bank?
The Art Museum and History Museum in Forest Park are both free venues great for a family day and they are air conditioned! Another great idea is to take advantage of the free Summer Movie Series at local theaters. Wehrenberg Movie Theatres offer family friendly movies for free. Also, public libraries are a great way to spend a hot afternoon. They offer tons of activities for children including story tellers and scavenger hunts. Here are links for each of these venues for further details:
www.slpl.org
www.wehrenberg.com
www.slam.org
www.mohistory.com
Always remember that heat waves too shall pass and summer doesn't last for ever so we better enjoy it while we can! St. Louis is famous for it's crazy weather, soon we will be complaining about digging out of a blizzard...
I also wanted to touch base on the safety issues that we sometimes overlook during extremes of summer. The American Red Cross offers great guidelines and tips are their website to ensure everyone has a great and safe summer: www.redcross.org
Just to point out a few; 1. Drink plenty of water! Stay away from sodas and other beverages that will actually make you more prone to dehydration. Water is the best! 2. Apply sunscreen even on days when the sun is not as prominent in the sky, especially when you are swimming. Water reflects the suns rays causing even more damage to exposed skin in a shorter amount of time, be sure to reapply sunscreen every thirty minutes as well. 3. Check on your neighbors, sometimes just asking them how they are handling the heat will get them to open up if they need help, especially the elderly. If you do know someone who needs assistance with either an air conditioner or transportation to a cooling center, contact the United Way or your local American Red Cross chapter. 4. Keep an emergency kit in your car. If you break down somewhere in this heat and have to stay with your vehicle even for a short time before help arrives it could be harmful to your health. Bottles of water, cooling packs, and sunscreen. It's also important to have an emergency kit prepared for your home in the event of power outages. Here are some great tips to help you prepare now prior to an event like this happening:
1. Make your own ice packs. Fill up a few large freezer bags with water and place them in the freezer.
2. If you take any medication that needs to remain cold such as insulin, make sure you have a small cooler available.
3. Have a back up way to charge cell phones or have a land line. Magic Jack is a great way to ensure you have a land line in times of emergencies as well and is inexpensive.
4. Have bottled water and light food (foods not high in protein) together. You want to stay well hydrated and eat lightly.
Again, the heat fades away with the seasons, so here's to enjoying the summer while it lasts, safely!
Deals:
Target Sales: good thru 7/31
Sterlite pencil boxes .50 ea
Licensed folders .80 ea
Cherokee Polo tees (think school uniforms) $7 ea
HP All in One Printer $29.99
CVS Pharamcy Deals:
Spend $30 on selected marked merchandise and earn $10 in Free Gas!
B1G1 Edy's Ice Cream 48 oz
Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal 2/$4 + use $1 MNFC = 2/$3
Papermate Grip Pens $1.99 + get $1.99 EB = FREE
Palmolive 10 oz .99 + .25 MNFC = .74
1 subject notebooks 4/.99
Kleenex on sale for .88 ea, buy 3 + use .50 MNFC = $2.14
Walgreens:
M&Ms 1.1oz - 2.17 oz on sale for .49 ea, buy 2 + .75 MNFC = .23
WAGS Brand pantyliners 2/$1
Yardleys bar soap .69 SC
Soft Soap Body wash $2.99 + .75 MNFC = $2.24
Skintimate or Edge shave gel $1.99 + .55 MNFC = $1.44
Speed Stick deodorant $1.99 w/ SC + .50 MNFC = $1.49
Loreal Eversleek, Everpure, or Everstrong hair care products $5.99 + $2 MNFC = $3.99
Irish Spring deodorant & body wash 2/$6 + $4 RR + $1 MNFC on deodorant + .55 MNFC on boy wash = .50!
Check out www.my-backtoschool.com for more great coupons!
Events:
7/24 - Missouri Botanical Garden
description: free admission to the garden and children's garden in honor of Henry Shaw's birthday.
cost: FREE
7/28 - St Louis Art Museum
description: Join us in the galleries for a lively and informative discussion with Janeen Turk, Senior Curatorial Assistant. Space is limited in smaller galleries; please arrive early. Talk meets at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday and then repeats at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Meet at the Information Center.
cost: FREE
7/29 - Laclede's Landing Summer Concert Series
description: Blues singer Kim Massie takes the stage from 4:30 - 8:30pm.
cost: FREE
www.lacledeslanding.com
7/29 - Sunflower Days
description: A Plein Air painting event in Historic Clarksville, MO. Come watch the artists paint our beautiful sunflowers, vote for your favorite, enjoy artisan shop specials and local eateries. See our Facebook page at Sunflower Days for more information.
cost: FREE for most everything besides shops and eateries
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=131949060216055
7/30 - Wings of Hope 2nd Annual "Hope Floats"
description: Handmade Viking ships, Italianesque gondolas and cardboard biplane boats - you won’t want to miss the 2nd Annual “Hope Floats” event to raise money for 2011 Nobel Peace Prize nominated Wings of Hope. The event is free to the public and proceeds from registered race participants and sponsors benefit the St. Louis Medical Relief and Air Transport Program, which Wings of Hope operates to transport critically ill children to essential health care provided in St. Louis. More than 100 participants will put their boating skills to the test and see if they can navigate their homemade vessels around Grand Basin.
cost: FREE
www.wingsofhope-boatrace.org
7/30 - St Louis Open Casting Call
description: NOWCASTING
Do you have what it takes to host your own show on Food Network?
Date: Saturday, July 30th
Time: 10am- 2pm
Location: Sheraton St. Louis City Center
400 S. 14th Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
WHAT TO BRING
NOWCASTING
Application
2 photos of yourself
Resume
Do you have what it takes to host your own show on Food Network?
If you can’t make it to an open call, please visit us at www.FoodNetworkStarCasting.com for details
on how to submit a home video! For questions please e-mail us at fns8StLouis@gmail.com.
For information about the show please go to www.FoodNetwork.com/Star.
Please read the Rules & Eligibility Requirements (found on the “Rules and Eligibility” page) before applying. Applicants must (a) be a US citizen or permanent
legal resident with the unrestricted ability to work in the U.S. and (b) be at least 21 years of age.
7/30 - Bye Bye Liver at Maggie O'Briens
description: Bye Bye Liver pulls from a grab bag of alcohol-infused sketches interspersed with participatory drinking games. The result is a comedic cocktail that has proven a hit with the palette of St. Louis’ partiers young and old.
Maggie O’Brien’s house band Bangers and Mash will provide post-show entertainment as actors mingle with friends and fans until the wee hours at their weekly cast party.
cost: $14
www.byebyeliver.com/st.louis
7/30 - Help Friends of Kids with Cancer
Description:
Friends of Kids with Cancer, an organization that provides recreational, educational, and emotional support to kids battling cancer and their families in St. Louis, has been chosen as a finalist in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good Program. Toyota is giving away a brand new vehicle to 100 charities, and Friends of Kids with Cancer needs your help! Our voting day is Sunday, July 24th, 2011. Please visit www.facebook.com/toyota to cast your vote! Friends plans to use the van to transport toys, games, and other gifts to the families in treatment centers.
Contest & Sweepstakes:
The Land Of Frost Marvel Superfan giveaway www.landofrost.com
100 Days of Sunny Moments giveaway www.feelthesoleil.com
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Are Dollar Stores Really Worth the Effort?
I received an email this evening asking what my thoughts are about dollar stores. Honestly, I think they are a great gimmick, if you don't know what the gimmick is!
Most "everything's a dollar" stores lure you in and offer their shoppers a wide range of goodies. Health and beauty supplies, check. Snacks and cleaning supplies, check. Toys and other gadgets, absolutely! But have you ever bought one of these dollar gadgets only for it to break shortly after using it the first time? So the real question should be, are dollar stores offering you real quality merchandise for your bucks? Sadly, no.
With that being said, I do have a few good points to bring up as well. One, they are great places to find craft supplies, party supplies, and paper products. Occasionally I even buy aspirin, toothpaste, and candle holders. These are all items we go through quickly in our home and if I can get them for a dollar or less, great!
Now back to the gimmick. The sound of it's only a dollar leads you to think you are getting a better deal when in fact you are getting a smaller quantity of the product and not as high quality of a product. Not to mention you have to check expiration dates on everything! Yes, you should do this anyway, but most of their stock are items that are close to or past the expiration date. In the end, most would say to completely avoid these types of stores. I say, go if you are needing poster board or glue sticks. Or if you need a birthday card or perhaps educational workbooks for the kids. Just remember - you get what you paid for!
Most "everything's a dollar" stores lure you in and offer their shoppers a wide range of goodies. Health and beauty supplies, check. Snacks and cleaning supplies, check. Toys and other gadgets, absolutely! But have you ever bought one of these dollar gadgets only for it to break shortly after using it the first time? So the real question should be, are dollar stores offering you real quality merchandise for your bucks? Sadly, no.
With that being said, I do have a few good points to bring up as well. One, they are great places to find craft supplies, party supplies, and paper products. Occasionally I even buy aspirin, toothpaste, and candle holders. These are all items we go through quickly in our home and if I can get them for a dollar or less, great!
Now back to the gimmick. The sound of it's only a dollar leads you to think you are getting a better deal when in fact you are getting a smaller quantity of the product and not as high quality of a product. Not to mention you have to check expiration dates on everything! Yes, you should do this anyway, but most of their stock are items that are close to or past the expiration date. In the end, most would say to completely avoid these types of stores. I say, go if you are needing poster board or glue sticks. Or if you need a birthday card or perhaps educational workbooks for the kids. Just remember - you get what you paid for!
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