{Fall Present Party}

It's time for another present party!!!! It's a fun way to get a gift and chat with other girls. This party has been a tradition for at least 7 years now and is still going strong! Last year we had a great turnout of over 20 girls. So please come and join the fun again!!

When: Saturday October 8th @12:30pm
Where: Maple Grove Villas Lounge
Theme: Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving

Please bring a fall themed gift that is 10-15$ and be sure to wrap it. Some examples from previous years include: Fall decor, Halloween decor, Thanksgiving decor, purses, scarves, etc. It can be handmade or bought. Just make sure it is something you yourself would like to receive. We will then do a gift exchange and go home with something cute or fun.

Also please bring a small treat to share with everyone (doesn't have to be a dessert). Just remember NO kiddos, unless they are tiny babies. I hope everyone can come. I tried to send an email to everyone, but it is very likely I missed someone so If you know of anyone who didn't get this email let them know. The more people the better!! If you have any questions please feel free to email me (Danna Pettit) or Emily Crofts !! We hope to see you all there!

♥ Danna & Emily
danna_pettit@hotmail.com, emilyjmayo@yahoo.com

The Berry Patch

Girls. 
Remember back when we had Fun Friday every Friday and it was really, really fun?  Let's do it again.  Um, K? 
So...

FUN FRIDAY
will be this Friday, Aug. 19th
we will be heading to
THE BERRY PATCH
to pick us some berries!! 

They currently have: raspberries, blueberries, apples, elderberries (don't know - but they sound yummy), and tomatoes.
It is free to get in, you just have to pay for the food that you pick (and they accept EBT!!!)
The are open from 7 am - noon, so let's plan on meeting there around 10:00.  
It's about a 30 minute drive (map here) and there's a Dairy Queen nearby that we'll probably head to for lunch when we're all done picking (or you can bring your own and just come join us!).

If you can make it, please let me know.
Also, please let all the new girls and anyone not on this list know about it too!

Hope to see you there!

Thanks!!
Ashley
(208)705-4986

Library Time!!

In an attempt to stop my children's brains from turning to complete mush, we've been spending lots of time at the library.  

And then we got super bored of our (still pretty awesome - just getting a little boring) library.  

And we needed something new.  

Enter the Clive Library.

It's AWESOME!!  

They are currently doing a summer reading program that is way better than all the others (and the prizes are great - Zoo passes, water park passes, Iowa Cubs tickets, a free book, etc.)

And they have the BEST kids area.  I may or may not have fallen asleep on their huge couch-ish-y-thing.

Other awesome things: 

-They have birds

-They have shelves of toys for the kids to play with

-They have a 3 week check-out time for movies - and NO LIMIT on how many you can get

-They have 2 separate rooms for kids to play in

-They are located directly across the street from the Clive Aquatic Center (so you can make a day out of it!)

-They have lots of books.

-All you need to get a library card is 2 forms of ID. (We just used a driver's license and a debit card.)

Their kids reading program ends at the end of the month though, so hurry in!

SUMMERTIME!!

If you're one of the luckies that gets to stick around West Des Moines this summer, here's some stuff you should know about!!

#1: JUNE 6-10th - SPRING CLEANING!!! 

-All week starting at 6:00am

-Basically people put stuff they want to get rid of out on their front lawns, and it is free for the taking!! 

(Sounds "iffy," but last year, we came home with a BBQ, a boat-sand box, a carpet steam cleaner, a huge canvas to paint on, some childrens toys, and so much more stuff that we didn't even have room for!)  You should seriously consider driving around and taking a look...

-Here is a website if you don't believe me.

-Here is the map of what areas will be doing it on specific days. 

#2: THE WATER PARKS ARE OPEN!!  

-Yay!!!

#3: FARMER'S MARKETS! 

-The Valley Junction Farmer Markets are Thursday nights from 4-8pm.  This one is pretty small, but I heard they have home-made Amish ice-cream, and I think that would be worth it.

-The West Glen Farmers Market is every Saturday from 9am-1pm and located in West Glen (by Target).  P.S. They have fountains that kids can play in and it is pretty darn fun.

-The Des Moines Farmers Market is every Saturday from 7am - 1pm on Court Ave. in Downtown Des Moines.  This is a must-do.  

#4 ADVENTURE DAYS AT THE ZOO!

-June 11th from 10am - 5pm is Dinosaur Day!  Sure to be a blast.

- August 1-5th is Safari Splash!  We go every year and it is a party.

#5: JULY 19th - ALL CITY PLAY DAY!

-5:30pm on the WDM City Hall lawn

-FREE activities including canoeing, kayaking, races, delicious food, Jazz Concert, etc. 

#6: HERITAGE CAROUSEL!

-Did you know Des Moines has a 50 cent carousel (that is darling!).

-Go here for hours and info.

-There is also a splash pad at the park for free. 

-(Take your husband with you...)

#7: MOVIE TIME!!

-Jordan Creek Town Center is doing a special kid's movie summer program!
-The movies are 50 cents each (if purchased in advance) or $1 at the door.  They start at 10am and here are the movies/dates:
vJune 7 Charlotte’s Web (G)
June 14 Planet 51 (PG)
June 21 Despicable me (PG)
June 28 How to Train Your Dragon (PG)
July 5 Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (G)
July 12 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG)
July 19 Megamind (PG)
July 26 Tale of Despereaux (G)
August 2 Kung Fu Panda (PG)
August 9 Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG) 

#8: JUNE 28TH -FAMILY NIGHT AT THE VALLEY WEST MALL!!
-5:30 - 8:00. Inflatable rides  crafts, balloons, temporary tattoos, star 102.5 will broadcast live and have a coloring contest for a free prizes.  All activities are located on the lower level and are free to Valley West Mall customers. Each Family Night will feature a new and different theme and craft. They do this every month.  

#9: FREE STUFF!!!!

-This website has tons of FREE stuff to do and FREE places for kids to eat.  Check.it.out.

$14 Haircut!!

Hey ladies! I get my haircut at Salon Bliss! It's a great salon and super close! The gal (Jen Miller) who cuts my hair has an amazing deal going on. Normally haircuts there cost $36 dollars, but she is passing out referral cards for $20 off! So a haircut will only cost $14! Along with the haircut, you get:

• a neck and head massage
• an amazing shampoo and conditioner treatment
• hand massage
• an optional wax treatment for your hands (it makes them SO SOFT!)
• Free beverages
• coupons for a free eyebrow or facial wax
• 20% off any salon products
• Plus referral cards for you to pass out! Which means you can get consecutive $14 dollar haircuts! So you would be helping me out too by taking these referral cards! I only have 3 so e-mail me if you want one! Also, I would like to make sure whoever wants them will really use them! It's a very valuable coupon! First come, first serve! You won't regret it!

Amy Evans- amylwevans@gmail.com
Thanks girls!
P.S. Oh and I am leaving Thursday night for 2 weeks so if you need them before do it fast!!

It's located by the Kum and Go gas station across from the mall!
Salon Bliss
7450 Bridgewood Boulevard #235
West Des Moines, IA

{Sewing Machine}

Hey gals! I have a sewing machine I am giving away for free. If you are interested and would like more details click here. Thanks!

Tulip Time

Iowa is special.  

I think if you've lived here for more than a week, you have that figured out.  

This is one of those things that makes Iowa special.

The Pella Tulip Festival 

is May 5th,6th & 7th

If you've never been, you absolutely must.  

There's a festival with beautiful photo-ops, parades, stage performances, a Dutch market, and different shows.

It is so much awesomer than it sounds.

For times and directions, check the website.

See you there!!

Swimming Pool Pass!

Hey Ladies---

Just thought I'd sent out a quick note. Low income swimming passes are available now! I believe (I haven't purchased mine yet) they are $10 for the whole summer to a few aquatic places. Anyway, the information you need to bring to obtain one is the last 3 months proof of income and a letter/mail sent to your home with your name on it for proof of residency. You must also live in West Des Moines. . .

They are open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8am - 3 pm and the number to call for an address is 515-222-3660. They are located in the Historic Valley Junction area.

Happy Swimming!! (Whenever it starts to warm up again. . . )

It's Beginning to look a lot like...

EASTER!!

(And isn't it awesome!?)

Here's what you can do to celebrate Easter in the great West des Moines area.  

FIRST:

Go to the mall.  I know, I know.  You went to the mall every day all winter.  (Or was that just me...?)  But this time, the Easter Bunny will be there!

Valley West Mall has the Easter Bunny and the Easter train currently running all day from 10 to 5.  

The train costs $1 per child and parents can ride free with little ones.  This mall also has a little play area, Gymboree, Children's Place, and Baby Gap (right by the train area.)  And there is a toy store that you should stop by if your children like toys.  We spent 50 minutes there yesterday playing with plastic animals.

SECOND: 

Go to the school.  DMU will have the Easter bunny, arts and crafts, egg dying and an Egg hunt.  

Can I get a "heck yea?"  

Thursday from 4-5:30.  

Be there.

THIRD:

The 3rd Annual Maple Grove/Everyone Else Easter Egg Hunt is this Saturday at 11 am at Wildwood Park in Clive.  Bring 10 filled eggs for each child you have that will be participating in the Egg Hunt and come for a good time with friends!

Did I forget anything!? 

If you know of something fun that I missed, please post it!

Free

There are several things I am trying to get rid of before we move. If you are interested come and get them, everything posted below is free.

 I have two of these, the other is rectangle shaped. These work great for protecting your carpet under your table.

Never been used spice rack.

Size 6 1/2 women's boots, I wore them twice I think.

I am also selling some of my toys on craigslist (Parents choice Bristol Blocks, toy dinosaurs, Talking Buzz Lightyear, and a Car Mat) if you are interested in knowing how much they cost let me know or you can tell me how you can pay and that is great too.

Easter is Around the Corner!!!

Waukee Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, April 23rd Waukee Parks & Recreation Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held this year on Saturday, April 23 in Centennial Park at 10 a.m. Rain or shine. Age groups are as follows: under 4; 5-7; & 8-10.

United Methodist West Des Moines Easter Egg Hunt: Join us on Saturday, April 16th from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Valley United Methodist Church, 42nd and Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265 for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt with snacks and crafts to follow. Don't miss this! For all ages but especially toddlers through 4th grade! Outside on the church grounds if weather permitting/inside if inclement weather! Address: Valley United Methodist Church 4201 Ashworth RdWest Des Moines, IA 50265

Living History Farms: Family Easter PartySaturday, April 23, 9am – 1pmFun for the entire family including: toy hunts, preschool Bunnyland, live rabbit exhibits, barnyard animal walk, horse and wagon rides, traditional games and egg decorating. Townsfolk will open their doors for spring visitors in the town of Walnut Hill. Free pop and popcorn for all, free steak and egg wrap for the first 1,000 visitors.Price: $5.50/person, $5.00 LHF members and pre-sold groups of 10 or more.

West Des Moines Easter Egg Hunt: The Waveland Park Neighborhood Association is planning its Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. April 23, at the Hubbell Elementary School playground, 800 42nd St., and in the Roosevelt High School baseball field. The event is for children 10 and younger. Volunteers will direct kids to one of three areas based on their ages. Prizes will include candy and donations from local businesses and attractions. Participants will be limited to 10 eggs, and they should bring a bag or basket. The Easter Bunny also will be available to greet participants. Volunteers are needed for planning as well as during the hunt. There are probably even more, but we usually just go to the Waukee one. We've always had fun!!

Fun thins to do in Iowa!

So what's everyone doing for Spring Break next week?! If you don't have any ideas, or don't want to go to far, I came across an awesome website that has around 40 fun things to do all around the state of Iowa! My husband and I have decided we want to do as many of these off the list as we can so we really enjoy Iowa while we are here!!

Things like:

The Putnam Museum and Imax theatre-

It has all sorts of science and history exhibits, along with the Imax theatre! Right now they have a Titanic exhibit and a Native American exhibit along with all their other permanent ones like space, mammals, ancient Egypt and the ocean. Adults are $7 and kids are $5. It's located in Davenport, just a couple hours away!

Crystal Lake Cave---

Did you know there's a cool cave you can go tour only a couple hours away as well? This one is located outside of Dubuque. It doesn't open till May but you can be sure that we will be visiting this in the summer! Prices are listed on the website.

National Mississippi River and Aquarium---

This is the spot we are visiting this weekend. It is in Dubuque as well. It has a 3D as well as a 4D(!!) theater! 4D theaters are my favorite!! There's hands on activities where you can touch and feel different creatures in the water, as well and four big salt water aquariums with all sorts of living things! Adults are $15.00, children are $10.00 and the movies are $6.00. SO WORTH IT for a 4D experience!!

Insect Zoo---

This is located in Ames and I'm sure is a great place for kids who love bugs!! There is more info on their website!

Some other things that sound fun are National Farm Toy museum in Dyersville, Iowa Aviation museum in Greenfield, Railwest Railroad museum in Council Bluffs, Guthrie County Historical Village in Panora and Herbert Hoover Historic site in West Branch.

So many fun things to choose from! Here's the website:

http://www.familydaysoutusa.com/places-to-go/iowa/

Maybe pick a couple to start off with and see how many you can do! Have a great spring break everyone! I'll let you know how the Mississippi Aquarium is!!

St. Patrick's Day Parade!!

Hey ladies!  I sent out an email about this, but since I don't have everyone's emails, I figured I would post it on here too...

The St. Patrick's Day Parade is Thursday, March 17th at 12:00 noon starting on Locust Street and proceed east from 15th all the way to Embassy Suites Hotel. 

 I was thinking it would be fun to meet up in a big group so we can all be by each other, but there will be more details on this forthcoming.  If you would like to go, please let me know so I can make sure to fill you in on a meeting spot. 

Thanks!

(And just to echo last year's warning):

*Disclaimer: I CANNOT promise that this will not be an all-out drunken beer-fest! In fact, I can almost guarantee that there will be men in skirts and women who have no self-respect dressed in green beer bottles. Like I said, we've never been, so - Attend at your own risk (and don't hate me if it's horrible)!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Winter Workouts!

First of all...

THANK YOU 

to everyone who posts on here.  It is so cool to see all the fun things you've found in Des Moines, and I really appreciate it. (Cassie - I adore you.)

Secondly...

let's get serious for a second.  

Is it just me - or is it ridiculously difficult to get motivated in the winter?  

I'm a total bum lately. 

So...

to motivate myself (and you), I need help finding ACTIVE things to do in the winter.

Because if I have to watch one more cartoon, it WILL get ugly.  

#1: GO ICESKATING.

As soon as we get out of (almost) negative digits, you will find me here:

Brenton Plaza  making a complete fool of myself and having a grand ol' time.

#2: GO SLEDDING.

Unbeknown to me (until about 30 seconds ago), there are tons of places to go sledding around here!  Yay!!

This map shows more than 10 places to go right near us. 

#3: GO ROLLERSKATING.

Info here.

#4: PLAY VOLLEYBALL.

Thursday nights at the YMCA at 8:30 with some of the coolest girls you'll ever meet.  

#5: GO BOWLING.

There are several places.  

Here is one.

#6: MAKE A SNOWMAN. 

I did this the other day, and by the end of the excursion, I was panting.  

What a fun work-out!

#7: SWEAT IT OUT AT HOME.

The libraries (WDM and Waukee) have work-out videos available to check-out.  At WDM, they are located upstairs in the adult non-fiction section (amongst all the books - not quite sure why they're not with the movies...).  

#8: GO SNOWBOARDING.

 Ok, ok.  I know Iowa isn't Idaho, or Utah, but YES, you can snowboard here!!  (Who knew?!)  

Seven Oaks ski resort is only 50 minutes away.  

Plus, Wednesday evening lift tickets are only $10.  (And there's a FREE shuttle from Ames).  

If you would like to go snowboarding on a date, please call me.  We'll trade kids. :)

#9: GO FOR A WALK.

Believe it or not, you can power-walk somewhere other than the gym.  The Jordan Creek Mall lets moms with strollers into the mall early (before stores are even open) to walk around.  It opens at 8:00 am.

#10: TRY A NEW CLASS AT THE YMCA.

Try something you never thought you would do.  You might like it.

(Body Jam, Turbo Kick, and Body Pump are my favs.)

Schedule A. Schedule B.

 

#11: PLAY SNOW TAG.

Wait till it gets a little warmer, bundle the kiddies, and head out for a few minutes of snow tag, snowball fights, or snow-drift climbing.  It's amazing what a few minutes of outside fun can do for your day.
Trust me.  

Anyone else have any incredible Winter Work-out Ideas...?  

Please post! 

Remedy for Winter Blues

I don't know about the rest of you ladies but I for one am ready for some warmer weather. I need to get out of my apt. and more importantly so do my kids!! I did some investigating into what things are going on around town that would be fun to take the kiddos to. Here is what I came up with.

*Red Rock Wildlife Education Center

Apparently this is a new store located in the Merle Hay Mall. It doesn't have a ton of animals but would be fun to take kids to just to see some cool animals. Here is some more information.....Visit Red Rock Wildlife Education Center to see live animals, including 3 wolves and a cougar. Keona is an Artic Wolf, Lola & Bridger are North American Great Plains Timber wolves and Buddy the baby cougar. If the cougar or wolves are not available, a live skunk will be available to pet and red foxes will be on display. Click here and here for more info. They are open during mall hours and even have programs at certain times to learn more about these animals!

*Barnes and Noble Wednesday Morning Story Time

I have never been to one of these yet but think it might be fun to mix it up and go here instead of the library.

Children's Event
Every Wednesday 10:00 AM 2011Recurring At Jordan Creek Town Center 515-453-2980

* Kaleidoscope at the Hub

Also have never been to the downtown mall. Click "here" for the mall's website
Hop in the car and head to Kaleidoscope at the Hub, a downtown complex featuring more than 30 national and local shops. Let the little ones play in Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, check out the latest styles at JNK Wears, or support your favorite team with sporting apparel and memorabilia from The Stadium Store. When their tummies start to growl, you can get them some popcorn at AJ's popcorn or grab chinese food, pizza, sandwiches, and more at the food court.
Info: Free
Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm
555 Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 243-3228

*Kids EAT FREE places- Also if you are dying to get out and go somewhere for food and don't have a babysitter, here are some kid friendly restaurants around the metro.

Fuddruckers - One free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal on Tuesday evenings.
Granite City - Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday evenings
Spaghetti Works - Kids eat free Monday evenings
Hy-Vee (Jordan Creek Parkway and Ankeny) - Kids eat for $.99 with an adult on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m.
Perkins -Tuesdays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal all day.
Philly's Finest - Tuesdays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.
McDonalds - All metro locations offer reduced-price Happy Meals (From $1.69 to $2.00 depending on store) on Wednesdays
Shane's Rib Shack - Wednesday kids 10 & under eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal.
Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe - Saturday two kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal all day.

Hope these ideas help you fight the winter blues and gives you a fresh new outlook on the city we live in!