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!

Travel Tips

I know many of you will be traveling over the holidays so I thought I would share some of my favorite traveling ideas.

10 Traveling Tips!

(we have done a lot of traveling in the car but most of these would be great on an airplane. Keep in mind my kids are 2 and 3, if you have a baby just pray they sleep.)

1. Red box- portable DVD players are a must when traveling long distances with kids, Red box allows you to watch new movies without purchasing them and then you can drop them off at any Red box you see along the way.

2. Crayola Color Wonders

Use a 40% off coupon at Michaels and they cost about 5.00. Totally worth the money.

 3. Button Candies. Great because they aren't messy and it takes kids a long time to eat them. 

 Try them and thank me later.

(You can get them at Johann's, you'll see them as you check out or I think sometimes Dahls.)

(sorry about photo)

3. Wear comfortable Gym Shoes!

Silly as it sounds, it's nice to be able to get out of the car during stops and run around with your kids.

4. Candy Necklaces

Any candy that isn't messy and takes awhile to eat is awesome!

5. Glow Sticks

I know you are all hoping that once it gets dark that the kids will quietly fall asleep. Well this may or may not happen so be prepared. Glow sticks are a great option for when it gets dark.

 (you can buy them at the dollar store.)

6. Check out The Idea Room for some great Traveling games.

My boys loved these, worth the 3.00.
(you will find games in The Idea Room Store)

7. Stickers! Who doesn't love stickers!

8. Tire Name Game- Write every ones name in white chalk on one of the car tires. When you stop to fill up with gas whomever name is on the bottom gets a prize or a dollar or a quarter.

9. Prize box. Take a box filled with little prizes from the dollar store. Every hour let kids pick out a prize from the prize box.

10. Have Fun! Traveling with kids is stressful but it can also be fun.

Expect the worst and you'll be pleasantly surprised!

What is your favorite traveling tip? Please tell.

MONKEY JOE'S

I was going through the WDM newspaper and found an add for 1$ off admission to a new bouncy place called Monkey Joe's. I kept reading and found out it just opened right across the street from Valley West Mall. Mitch and I decided to take advantage of his day off and take Hallie. It was a blast!!! The place is so nice and new, and wasn't even crowded (you can tell by my pics. There is only one person in any of my pics). I guess most people still don't know about it. It cost 5$ for kids 2 and under on the weekdays and parents are always free. For more info and pricing click here. The nice thing about this place vs. the other bouncy place nearby is that parents are allowed to go on the toys with their children and help them (I got to slide down several times ;). They also have a lounge area with nice recliners and a flat screen TV. Here are some pics I took while we were there.

The above and below picture are their 3 and under toy area.

The "parent's" area with free wi-fi, flat screen TV and a bunch of recliner chairs.

Their refreshment bar.

They have a huge pirate ship that you can kind of see. If anyone ends up going, give me a call we would love to go with some friends next time.

Thanksgiving Week

*FESTIVAL OF TREES AND LIGHTS*

November 24 - 28, 2010
Polk County Convention Complex
501 Grand Avenue, Downtown Des Moines

I have never been before but will probably go this year. Here is the info!

Hours
Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Thanksgiving Day: 1 to 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets
Tickets Purchased at Event: $5
Children 2 and younger: FREE

Here are a few pics that were online of years in the past....

Looks like Santa will even be there.

For more information on the festival of trees click here.

*Thanksgiving Dinner at DMU*

Thurs November 25th 12:30-2:30

It is actually really really good! And you get everything you would at a normal Thanksgiving Dinner! Best thing about it is that it is free to students and their families!! We went our second year here and plan on going this year!

*Black Friday*

Friday November 26th

For those that want to brave the crowds and save a few bucks. They have great sales and deals all around here. I have heard the mall is particularly crazy and fun.

Shop early and enjoy exclusive deals, live music, prizes, giveaways and free hot chocolate and coffee.

Jordan Creek Town Center opens at 12:01am on Friday, November 26.

Because I love you all so very much...

here are some fairly exciting deals.

*If you don't know about this one, you must not own a computer. (or look at any blogs.) But I thought I would post it in case either of the previous statements are true.
Go HERE to get $55 off an 8 x 10 canvas print. That makes it FREE! (You do pay s&h - don't you always?)

*While we're on the subject of pictures, Snapfish gives you 20 free prints with your first upload.

*Ever heard of Artscow? No amazing deals right now, but keep your eye on this site if you're thinking personalized photo presents are the way to go for gifts this year. They have some slammin' deals if you stay on top of it.

*Also, Shutterfly will give you $10 off an order of $30 (if you're ordering Christmas cards for every single person you know, have ever met, heard of once, or are distantly related to - this is the way to go.) At checkout, just enter this code: 6F8A-EH8X-OJDC-3E1FXD. This ends Nov. 10th.

*And one last piece of very exciting business:
Lowe's is officially amazing.
Did you know they have "BUILD AND GROW" activities on Saturdays?
I have been told they are very excitement-worthy. (And could be a super fun Daddy-daughter date... just sayin'.)
Along with making a sweet craft with real nails and a hammer - seriously, your kid will die! - each kid gets a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit. They're building periscopes on the 13th, and a wooden snowman on the 20th.
Oh, and did I mention it's FREE?!
Does it get any cooler?
I think no.
You do have to sign up, but don't worry - I made it easy.
All you must do is click HERE.

you. are. welcome.
:)

Heating Assistance!

Howdy y'all.

Just a reminder (in case you missed it earlier today in R.S.)

HEATING ASSISTANCE STARTS NOVEMBER 1ST!!!

Trust me. If you don't know what this is, you'll want to.

Call or come by my house if you need more info.
It's too much to write and I want to go to sleep.

Good night!

TRADER JOE'S

GRAND OPENING NOVEMBER 5TH!!

Mills Civic Parkway West Des Moines (shopping complex that TJ Maxx is in)

I am a fan of Trader Joes and have been to a few of them across the USA. I have been so excited for them to come to West Des Moines ever since they announced it a year ago. I know a lot of you have never been there and don't know what all the fuss is about in getting one. So I thought I would explain a little. If you want to go to their direct website click here. They have such fun foods that you can't get anywhere else. They are also super CHEAP!!!! I wasn't sure if they took EBT but I have heard they do, so there is no reason to not check it out. I recently did a poll on facebook to ask my friends what their favorite items are that they sell. Here are some of the items people suggested;

*Savory crackers

* white cheddar puffs

*honey wheat pretzel sticks

*sweet potato soup

*pomegranite or blueberry sorbet

*mandarin chicken jasmine rice

*lemon pepper pappardalle pasta

*cilantro salad dressing

and I can't leave my faves out,

the creamy garlic ranch dressing and the balsamic vinegarette.

They also have gorgeous fresh flowers that are very cheap and cheap greeting cards. I hope you guys all go and check it out! You will probably see me there ;)

Halloween Out the Wazoo

Ready or not, here comes Halloween.

And if there's one place in the world that knows how to do Halloween... well, you live in it.

Here's what's going on:

-Living History Farms
October 21-24 and 28-31 from 5:30 – 8:30pm
Horse-drawn wagon rides, marshmallow roast, storytellers, scarecrow and jack-o-lantern displays delight all during this non-scary family event. Children aged 12 and under trick or treat through town, and free pop and popcorn for all. Prices: $5/person, $4.50 LHF members and pre-sold groups of 10 or more.

-Night Eyes (formerly known as "Boo at the Zoo")
October 21 - 24 & 28 - 31, 2010
Thursdays & Fridays from 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Saturdays & Sundays from 1 pm to 8 pm

Presale tickets may be purchased at Dahl's locations, metro area Hy-Vee locations or click here. Tickets at the door will be $5 and $4 for Zoo Members. Children under one are free.

Trick-or-treaters should keep an eye out for some special entertainment, including Curious George and Clifford! Also attending Night Eyes will be jugglers, clowns, some princesses, Star Wars characters and even a few surprise guests! Be sure to check out the Fun Zone (ZooPlex) full of inflatables, play equipment from Rainbow Play Systems, a hay maze and pumpkin bowling!

If you really want a treat, check out:

-Mickey's Magic Show
at the Well's Fargo Arena on October 23rd at 3 pm and 6 pm. (Tickets range in price from $18 to $72 - but you can always try Craigslist!!)

-Pump It Up Halloween Fest

October 22nd and 29th from 7:45 - 9:15 pm.

$11 at the door, $10 if pre-purchased.
Inflatables, fun, costumes, and a treat bag and the end of the night.


-West Des Moines Library Halloween Party
Oct. 26-28 at 10:30, Oct. 28th at 6:45.
Put on your favorite costume and join us for not-too-spooky stories and Halloween fun at the library. For ages 2-6 plus an adult.
Free; registration required.


-Waukee Library Spook-tacular Movie & Costume Party
Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Come dressed in your Halloween Costume!
Have Halloween treats (popcorn, cupcakes, and candy corn!) and enjoy the movie "Monsters Inc."


-Kids Eat Free At Chili's
Oct. 30th & 31st
Bring the kids dressed in their costumes, and they eat free!
(With purchase of adult meal.)


-Haunting in the Heights
(This is JUST for adults!!
Unless you hate your children.)
$10 with food donation.
This is sooo not my thing, but if it's yours - well... enjoy yourself.


-DMU Halloween Carnival
If your husband is anything like mine, he will not tell you about this.
But it is definitely one to not miss!
Does anyone know when it is?
I'm thinking it's Friday the 29th - is that right?


-Winterset Merchant's Night
Again, not sure when this is - does anyone know?!
We went last year and it was a blast!!

-Trick or Treat at Valley West Mall

Tuesday, October 26th from 5:30 to 8pm!

Beggars Night and Family Night at Valley West Mall are Tuesday, October 26th! Bring the kids in costume and trick or treat from store to store from 5;30-8pm. Enjoy inflatable rides, crafts, balloons, temporary tattoos. All activities are located on the lower level and are free to Valley West Mall customers.

WOW!!

So much to do - let me know if there's any other exciting Halloween activities you know about!

Some Stuff You Should Know.

First:

Valley West Mall does Family Night on the last Tuesday of every month.
They have free inflatables, contests, crafts, balloons, and all kinds of fun.
And in October, they even have Trick-or-Treating from store to store.
You know this is going to be good.
Tuesday, October 26th
Trick-or-Treating from 6-8; Inflatables, etc. from 5:30-8.

Second:
Thrift stores.
Welcome to Medical School. Welcome to thrift stores.
Love them or hate them - they are everywhere out here.
Some thrift stores are sick.
Some are pretty awesome.
Here are some you might want to check out.

-Once Upon A Child
located (sort of) at the corner of University and 100th (Valley West Dr.)

-Kiddin' Around
right next to Kohl's shopping center on University.

-Not New Shop

1140 Pennsylvania Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515)266-7610

-The Bargain Basket
522 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515)246-8545

-Plato's Closet
in the Target shopping center on Mills Civic Pkwy.

-Fashion Junction
click here.

-Repeat Boutique
3913 Ingersoll Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515)225-9000

-Worn
click here.
They accept ONLY designer (like real designer) brands and are pretty reasonable.


Third:
If you are looking for kid's school/learning supply stores, try here:

The Learning Post

2761 - 100th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
United States

515.331.8008

This place is amazing.
Oh, and right next door is another quaint little kid's thrift store, that I totally can't remember the name of, but is so worth going into.

Last:
If you like interior design/decorating/vintage/eclectic/antiques/or just really unique finds, try these:

-West End Architectural Salvage
Such a cool store, but go with a friend. And without kids. Some really cool stuff, but when I was there alone I felt like I was on the set of a horror movie.

-Found Things
Amazing finds. But you have to dig...
And that is what makes shopping fun, right?!


Also, Design Sponge did THIS article on all the great stores/shops/restaurants/etc. around Des Moines.
Definitely worth checking out....


Any cool/unique/interesting stores you love?
PLEASE post them!!


Happy Thrifting.