Take me out to the ball game

"Dollar Days"
For just $1 on select days you can get a General Admission ticket to watch the Iowa Cubs!

The Dollar Days are:
Monday, April 12 - Iowa Cubs vs. Memphis Redbirds 6:35 p.m.
Monday, April 26 - Iowa Cubs vs. Round Rock Express 6:35 p.m.
Monday, May 24 - Iowa Cubs vs. Salt Lake Bees 6:35 p.m.
Monday, June 7 - Iowa Cubs vs. New Orleans Zephyrs 7:05 p.m.
Monday, July 19 - Iowa Cubs vs. Oklahoma City RedHawks 7:05 p.m.
Monday, August 23 - Iowa Cubs vs. Nashville Sounds 7:05 p.m.

On these select dates also enjoy these food and entertainment options for just $1
Small popcorn
Soft Pretzels
Small pop
Inflatable games in the concourse

Woody's Smoke Shack

Have you been here??

Well if you haven't, you must!! It is an AMAZING BBQ restaurant in Des Moines (close to DMU) that we can't get enough of!!

In case you don't believe me, here are a couple facts:

Woody's was awarded Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America

and were in the top four best BBQ Restaurants on Good Morning America- 

Every time we have gone (yes we go there a lot) we get our food within 5 min of ordering- pretty impressive. The workers are ALWAYS so nice and are very flexible with little kids.

Did I mention they have all you can eat corn bread?? I am not the biggest corn bread fan but find myself downing 4 pieces before my meal comes (yeah that would be under 5 min if you remember ) it's so so good. Prices are pretty reasonable as well!

It is located in Des Moines- get directions here

Trust me, you should check this place out... and if you do please call us- we would love to have an excuse to go there!!

here is a recipe I just found if you wanna try to make some ribs on your own!!

Des Moines Water Works

A little birdie (Jamie Mayo) let me know about this.

It sounds amazing and looks even more amazinger.

If you're into taking pictures of your kids in beautiful settings, you'll especially like this.

Click here for the website.

Water Works Park

Located on Fleur Drive directly across from Gray's lake, Water Works Park covers nearly 1,500 acres of open wooded areas. The park stretches from Fleur Drive west of 63rd Street, bounded by the Raccoon River on the north edge and George Flagg Parkway to the south.

Biking, jogging, picnicking, fishing, and hiking are a few of the activities that park patrons enjoy. Picnic areas, complete with tables and grills, are located in several areas of the park. Large, open areas are available for team sports such as softball, tag football, and soccer. For more information on bike trails go to www.ci.des-moines.ia.us/departments/PR/trails.htm

And while we're on the subject, Gray's Lake across from this park has paddle boats that they rent out for (I think) $5 an hour. Such a fun way to spend a Saturday (and get a good leg workout in - wow.)

Thanks Jamie!

Want $10?

This weekend only (Friday through Sunday) Aeropostale is giving away $10 for free.

You're welcome.

(Click here to print your own coupon.)


ALSO...
just when you thought it couldn't get any cooler, Pretzel Maker is giving away free pretzels on Monday, April 26th at the mall.
(No coupon necessary.)

Enjoy. :)

Who likes free stuff?

I do.
Unfortunately, this is not free.
But it's close.

31 CENT ice cream at Baskin Robins on Wednesday April 28th from 5 to 10pm.
It is located at 7666 Hickman Rd. in Windsor Heights.
See you there!

P.S. Friday and Saturday there is a huge multi-family garage sale on Wistful Vista (right next to mall).
If you're into this kind of thing, it might be worth checking it out...

We Saw This...

here

and it was awesome.
The little boy in the movie is the love of my life. I want to adopt him.
And Luke and I agree that we totally want a pet dragon someday.
If you've been wondering if you should see it, do it.
It was funny, it was sweet, it was touching, it was adorable.

Both kids sat through it with almost no problems and I loved it as much as they did.
(Kids under 2 are free, so it was $13.50 for our whole family. And if you go on Tuesday, you can get $1 popcorn and $1 drinks.)
Just thought you should know.

(*If your kids are scared of fire-breathing dragons, avoid at all costs.
Because believe it or not, "How to Train Your Dragon" has dragons in it!!
I know...)

Iowa Pet Foods and Aquatics

If you are like me... you may spend quite a bit of your time at Michaels craft store.In my case, even the shortest trip is pure torture for my husband and/or child. I was very happy when I found this little gem a few stores down in the strip mall- Iowa Pet Foods and Aquatics. May look a little ghetto on the outside but it is quite the pet store. They have everything you need to bribe reward your child for enduring a Michaels trip.

In the store you will find:

Tons of fish!! All sizes

A shark

Sting rays

Turtles

3 tropical birds which will talk to your kids

canaries

mice

bunnies

guinea pigs

gerbils

dogs

cats

and probably a couple more.. its seems like I see a new creature each time I go

all it's missing is a tiger and a few monkeys

We have really enjoyed going here, especially during the winter when the zoo wasn't an option!! So go check it out... or have your husband check it out with your kids while you enjoy Michaels in peace.

BREAKING NEWS!!

Alright girls, it's time.

Water park passes are now available!!
3 water parks, all summer, for next-to-nothing.
It saved my life last year.

So run (don't walk - they do run out!) to the Valley Junction Human Services Building and get yours!

They are open Mon., Tue., Wed. from 8 to 3.
You have to bring:
-Income proof for last 3 months
-Proof of address
-That is all. :)
(Call 515-222-3660 if you have questions)

The passes are accepted at the following water parks:
Valley View Aquatic Center

Holiday Aquatic Center

Clive Aquatic Center

Bring on the summer!

10 Ways to "Do the Mall"

During the winter, we spent a lot of time at the mall, and we learned some fun stuff you might want to know (or already do know, in which case - ignore this.)

1.) Barnes & Noble - there is a train set and a cool little seating area by the windows that my girls love. With so many awesome books to read, we could spend all day in there. Also, they have some fun "reading times" where they'll read stories to the children. Way fun.

2.) SCHEEL'S - They give out free fudge samples every day. Even if you have to walk from the farthest corner of the mall, it's worth it. (and it's tiny, but seriously - it's that good.) Oh, and while you're in there, take the kids to the bottom floor and show them all the stuffed animals. Funny stuff.

3.) Kid Creations - On the top floor of the mall directly above the kid's play place. It's a fun little toy store with tons of toys out that the kids can actually play with. We make the employees mad every time we go because we're so loud, but I don't really care.

4.) In the summer when it's warmer, take your kids for a walk down by the water behind P.F.Changs. Throw some rocks in the water. And bring your camera.

5.) The Children's Place - I was just in there yesterday and they have little girl's legging on sale. I've wanted to buy them for a while, but they were 2 for $18 which is a little more than I would like to spend on children's leggings, but they are on sale right now for $5 each. I think I might go back and get some more.

6.) Pottery Barn Kids - has some super cute kitchen and playhouse stuff for the kids to play with while you shop (if you have enough money to shop there - I certainly do not). Usually they have adorable play food out, but sometimes they don't.

7.) Charlie's Subs - gives out free samples every day at lunch time. They're small, but if you keep walking by, they'll just keep giving them to you and you won't have to buy lunch at all. Just kidding - but they are pretty delicious to munch on while you're standing in line at Wendy's. :)

8.) There are some coin operated ride-on toys just east of the play area. If your kids are little and into that kind of thing.

9.) Brookstone - Has some fun things you can try (and they'll entertain your kids too.) Massage chairs, exercise equipment, flying helicopters, the list goes on and on... Try it out - you'll like it. And so will your husband. And so will your kids.

10.) The candy store right by the play area also has some gems. They give out free kettle corn samples and they have ICEE'S!! That's my kind of store.
(Try the miniature jaw breakers. Yum.)

Kids Eat Free Tuesdays!

Brady, Mylee, and I can literally eat...A LOT... for $10.35 on Tuesdays at FUDDRUCKERS. (Of course, we always opt to make our burger a Swiss Melt and change our drink to a Cookies and Cream shake for an additional $3. Worth it.)

On Tuesdays from 5-9 you get a free kids meal with every meal you purchase. We get the 2/3 pd. hamburger meal to share and Mylee gets her choice of a hamburger, cheeseburger, hot dog, grilled cheese, mac & cheese, OR chicken strip kids meal, which also comes with fries, apple wedges, fruit cup, bbq beans, OR coleslaw, AND a drink, AND a cookie.

If you're not a big hamburger fan they also have chicken, fish, and salads.
They have a fresh produce bar that I love.
And an awesome bakery that tempts me every time we walk out. Who doesn't love fresh cookies and brownies?

It's a really relaxed atmosphere, it's great for families, and I'm always more than satisfied with our meal.

See you there next Tuesday!