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.
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!!
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:
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!!
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)!!
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?!)
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.)
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...?
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!
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!
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.
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.
*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.
