Free Chistmas activity this weekend: 12/4 - 12/6

Spirit of Christmas: Nativity Exhibits and Music Hosted by the Cincinnati North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints They have a schedule of the choirs that are performing on their blog:

http://annualnativitydisplay.blogspot.com/

Free Christmas activity

Here's one of my favorite Free Christmas activities - Ohio National’s Victorian Holiday Village. It's a nice Christmas walk with lights and kid sized houses decorated with holiday scenes. They also have free hot chocolate, cookies, balloon animals and a free 5x7 photos with Santa. There's also a little train that will take you from the parking garage to the village (a really short trip but we always have to do it).

They're only open 4 nights - this year, will be open the following evenings:
Friday, December 4 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 5 from 5-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 10 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Friday, December 11 from 6-8:30 p.m.

They do ask, that if you can, you to bring a nonperishable food item (no glass containers, please), which will be donated to the FreestoreFoodbank. No one's collecting them, there's just a bin to put them in so don't worry if you forget.Here's the website if you're interested:
https://www.ohionational.com/portal/site/client/menuitem.b9efdc8682ff31ad2ac7d2578f1011ca/

Ohio National is located right off I-71 at the Pfeiffer Rd. exit (Exit 15).

Gap Friends & Family sale

The Gap is having a friends & family sale 11/12 - 11/15 - you can get 30% off with the coupon. I found that they have a Facebook page, and when I became a FAN of the Gap, I was able to get a link to a coupon for the sale. It's good at Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and the GAP Outlet.

Farm Frenzy

Farm Frenzy participants will visit 10 educational stations on various agricultural subjects.
Ex: How chickens come from eggs, how a cow is milked, the uses of corn, sheep being sheared, etc.
This is designed for Boone County 2nd & 3rd graders but will be open (and FREE) to the public October 6 & 7, from 5 pm until 7 pm. Bring the family to see the animals and enjoy a hayride (also FREE)!

Boone County Cooperative
Extension service, 6028 Camp Ernst Road
(off KY 18 between Florence and Burlington)

For more info call 859-586-6101 or visit www.ca.uky.edu/boone

Some frugal living tips.

The Kenton County Cooperative Extension office is a great place for information and free/low cost classes. I took a 5-week beginning sewing class last fall and it was only $5. And in the next few weeks I’m taking a Jams and Jellies class for $10 and a Home Preservation and Canning class, also $10. Here’s the link to their website where you can view upcoming classes and even register. Each county has an Extension office, so don’t forget about the classes at Boone and Campbell counties, too!
http://ces.ca.uky.edu/Kenton/
http://ces.ca.uky.edu/boone/
http://ces.ca.uky.edu/campbell/

Here’s the website for the Village Discount Outlet (thrift store) in Newport. They have a big selection of clothes, shoes, purses, etc. and the prices are low. Plus, they have e-mail coupons and sales and each week a different colored tag is just $.50! Be aware that there’s no dressing room, so if you’re looking for clothes for yourself you’ll need to wear something you can try on top of or under.http://www.villagediscount.com/

Like Merchant Ships is a blog with a lot of great info on clothing, feeding and housing your family on limited expenses. Here are a few of my favorite posts, but it’s worth going through more.
How to Live Well on Less:
http://www.likemerchantships.org/2007/07/how-to-live-well-on-less.html
Live Well on Less: A Bibliography
http://www.likemerchantships.org/2007/07/live-well-on-less-bibliography.html

St. Vincent dePaul has stores in Erlanger, Newport, Dayton (KY) and Falmouth. A few upcoming sales (from their monthly flyer):
August 24th Buy 2 items of clothing and get 1 free;
August 26th Buy 1 pair jeans get 1 free;
August 28th Children’s clothes 1/2 off.
Each Saturday is “Manager’s Special” and it could be anything—we went last Saturday and women’s summer shirts, tanks, swimsuits were $.50.

Know of any other frugal tidbits? Pass them along! Misty

McCalls Patterns

McCalls patterns are on sale this week at Hobby Lobby for $0.99 each, limit 10. This really is a great deal. They hold this sale fairly often there, but I still like to go and get new patterns that I may use in the future. Since most patterns range in price from $10 to $15, this really is a good deal.

Steak-N-Shake - Free Mint Cookies n Cream Milkshake Until 08/12/09 Expired
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Steak n Shake is offering a coupon good for free mint cookies and cream milk shake.mmmmExpires August 12, 2009- Restaurant Locator- Printable Coupon

My favorite Picture Place

Portrait Innovations. I have to say I love this place. For $9.95 you get a fabulous package that includes:

(1) - 10 x 13
(2) - 8 x 10's
(4) - 5 x 7's
(4) - 3 x 5's
(32) wallets and
(6) personalized cards (choose from 40 designs)

And there's no sitting fee! They have real photographers, not a camera mounted on a stand. They actually move around, get down on the ground and do whatever they have to, to get good pictures. You get to choose which ever picture you want, and your pictures are ready in about 1 hour! The only down sides are that you're only allowed 1 $9.95 package during each promotion period (usually about every 3 months), and the pictures are mostly fabulous so you may have a hard time picking your favorite. You might want to do the family picture at one time and then go back at separate times for the kids. I find that taking someone with my (like my husband) helps me to keep to the - I'm only going to spend the $9.95! I usually tell them as soon as we sit down at the computer that I'm only going to get the package. They still show you all the $$$$$ options but I've never had a hard sell on them.

Free Mars Chocolate candy bar!

Free Chocolate? One of the posts on Cincinnati Cents is an offer for free chocolate - It's only available until 11:59 today but according to the post it will be available again next Friday:

Mars Candy is giving away 250,000 free chocolate candy bars between 9:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. ET every Friday through September. There is a limit of 4 coupons per household. Go here to snag your free candy bar. Coupons will arrive in approximately 4-6 weeks. ENJOY!

Check out Cincinnati Cents

Thanks to Misty from my old ward, here's a new good deals site to check out! The link has been added to the Links section also.

cincinnaticents.blogspot.com

Make sure you scroll down when visiting the site, there's lots of info including a free quart of Glidden paint, things to do this weekend and coupon info.

Jan

Produce at Crosset's

Ok Sister's - Here's what I found out from Anne about Crosset's:

10295 Toebben Dr
Independence, KY 41051
859-283-5830

Hours: Tue. & Thur. 6am - 10am , Fri. – 8am-10am

Things to know:

• If you want to go you really need to be there about 10 minutes before it opens.
• You are buying over runs or 2nds, so you may need to sort thru your food and discard the bad stuff, it should be used soon after it's bought.
• You are buying by the case load. No prices are listed, they will tell you how much you owe at the end.
• You go in the trailer take what you want from the pallet side and put it on the opposite side. DO NOT take anything from the non-pallet side!
• You may want to take whatever you think you might want you can always put it back.
• Tell Kevin when you’re ready to check out.
• Works best if you go with a group so you have help in picking out food and to possibly split the cases.
• You may want to go with someone who’s been there before .
• Go to the walk sales door (last half of the building)
• Has a some Organic foods
• No kids allowed.
• There is a 2nd place in Wilder, KY - Castellini’s they have better hours , but the selection is not as good. Prices are about the same. (Sorry that's all I know about it.)

Boone County Parks Free Family Fun Events for July

For the month of July, Boone County Parks and Rec. have come out with some fun events I wanted to post here.

Monday, July 6- Kickball 7-8pm England-Idlewild Park Ball Fields #4+5
Wednesday, July 8- Kickball 7-8pm England-Idlewild Park Ball Fields #4-5
Thursday, July 9- Scavenger Walk 7-8pm England Idlewild Shelter#3
Friday, July 10- Disc Golf 7-8pm Boone Woods Shelter #3
Movie Night- "Space Jam"- starts at dusk
Monday, July 13- Dodgeball 7-8pm Central park Tennis Courts
Tuesday, July 14- Scavenger Walk 7-8pm Central Park Shelter #2
Wednesday, July 15- Dodgeball 7-8pm Central Park Tennis Courts
Friday, July 17- Bocce Ball 7-8pm Boone Woods Bocce Courts
Movie Night "Never Ending Story" starts at dusk
Monday, July 20- Horseshoes 7-8pm Boone Woods Horseshoe Courts
Tuesday, July 21- Bocce Ball- 7-8pm Boone Woods Bocce Courts
Thursday, July 23- Bocce Ball 7-8pm Boone Woods Bocce Courts
Friday, July 24- Scavenger Walk 7-8pm Boone Woods Shelter #3
Movie Night "Tom Sawyer" starts at dusk
Monday, July 27- Disc Golf 7-8pm Boone Woods Shelter #3
Tuesday, July 28- Scavenger Walk 7-8pm Walton Park Shelter #1
Friday, July 31- Baggo 7-8pm Boone Woods Shelter #3
Movie Night "Back to the Future" starts at dusk
Friday, August 7- Movie Night "Open Season 2" starts at dusk
Friday, August 14- Movie Night "Kung Fu Panda" starts at dusk
Friday, August 21- Movie Night "The Adventures of Milo and Otis" starts at dusk
Friday, August 28- Movie Night "Madagascar 2" starts at dusk

Other Free Concerts at 7:30 at the stage at Boone Woods Park

June 26- Florence Community band
July 3- Army Band Concert

Free Play-
July 18th- Romeo and Juliet 7pm Boone Woods Park (bring chairs and/or blanket)

Bowling update

I'm not sure if this is just for the summer but Florence Bowl has some new days and hours for the $1 games:
Mondays Noon - 3pm & 6pm - Close
Tuesday 6pm - Close
Wednesday 6pm - Close
Thursday 6pm - Close

Online Book Club

If you are looking for a fun way to relax and catch up on some good reading... please check out my online book club. I just set this up and am very excited about sharing it with all of you. After all- we are always looking for fun and free things to do with the kids, but what about you, Mom? Once those youngsters are tucked in for the night, pick up a good book. You'll be glad you did. The online book club does not take the place of the Relief Society book club, but I am sure there are some of you out there that would love to come to book club but cannot due to babysitting circumstances. This book club would alleviate those worries. You can participate morning, noon, or night...even 3am!! Whenever you have the time, please check out the Following Fiction blog- an online book club.
http://followingfiction.blogspot.com

Make sure you sign up as a follower, even if you are on the fence. See you there!!

More FREE kid's movies

BOOKWORM WEDNESDAYS. Every Wednesday at 10:00 am beginning July 8th for six weeks. BOOKWORM WEDNESDAYS entitles kids to free admission to a select children's film when they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas or Cinema de Lux box office. Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report.

Showcase Cinema de Lux Florence on Mall Rd.
July 8- Madagascar 2- Rated PG
July 15- Everyone's Hero- Rated G
July 22- Kung Fu Panda- Rated PG
July 29- The Pirates that don't do anything (A Veggie Tales movie)- Rated G
August 5- Space Chimps- Rated G
August 12- The Tale of Despereaux- Rated G

There is a simple book report form for the kids to fill out. You can find it here:
http://www.nationalamusements.com/forms/BWEntryForm2009.pdf

Great Escape Wilder Theatre
Free admission to the following movies at 9:30am Seating is limited so it’s best to get there early the doors open at 9am.
June 9,10, 11 - Horton Hears A Who (G)
June 16, 17, 18 - Madagascar 2 (PG)
June 23, 24, 25 - Kun Fu Panda (PG)
June 30, July 1, 2 - Tales Of Desperaux (PG)
July 7, 8 9 - Surfs Up (PG)
July 14, 15, 16 - Hotel For Dogs (PG)
July 21, 22, 23 - Charolettes Web (G)
July 28, 29, 30 - Space Chimps (G)

Barnes & Noble have a summer reading program for kids -they read any eight (8) books (of their own choosing) and fill out a Reading Journal, then return it to a B & N store before 9/7/09, they'll get a coupon for a free book (limited to a list they provide and it must be in stock - so the earlier you return it the better). Last year we got some really neat books. See the links section.

Kenton County Wild Wednesdays
10th Anniversary Year for Wild Wednesdays! Our calendar includes all of the programs cheduled for Wild Wednesdays!, Kentucky Recreation & Parks Society’s Outstanding Program of 2005, which keeps getting better and better! Discover the fascinating world of wildlife! From May 6 to August 26, join us for our 10th season of Wild Wednesdays! presented by Toyota. Programs are held ~ rain or shine ~ at Middleton-Mills Park Shelterhouse 2, begin at 10:00 am, and last about an hour. Arrive early for best seating! Plan to arrive by 9:30 am! There is something “extra” happening BEFORE every scheduled Wild Wednesdays! program.

See the link in the Links section for a complete listing and details of the events.

Building with your kids

The Home Depot and Lowes both have fun and FREE building workshops that you can do with your kids.

The Home Depot does theirs on the First Saturday of every month from 9am to Noon. If you want to see what they're doing ahead of time got to Homedepot.com and search for "kids workshops". We've gotten there as late as 11:30 and still got to make something, but the later you go the more chance that they'll have run out of the original project, but they usually have older ones that you can do. They also give out an apron (you may have to ask for it) and pins (specific to the project) that the kids can collect and display on their aprons. No registration needed.

Lowes does theirs on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays - usually a slightly smaller project than Home Depots but always lots of fun. They only run from 10am until 11am. They too give out aprons, (and goggles - which they get to keep) and when they're done they get a patch (specific to the project) which can be sewn onto the apron. Go to www.lowesbuildandgrow.com to see what's coming up. You can register online but you don't need to but if you do they will send you a reminder a couple of days before the event.

Boone County Park’s Concert and Show Schedule

Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. The rain out number is: 859-334-2283.

Shakespeare in the Park performed by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company FREE Performances are held In Boone Woods Park.
July 18 Romeo & Juliet 7:00 PM

Family Movie Nights— Schedule FREE
Family Movie Nights are held on Friday evenings at dusk in Boone Woods Park. In case of rain, movies will start at 7:30 at Conner Middle School.

July 10 - Space Jam - PG; 88 minutes; 1996
July 17 - Never Ending Story - PG; 94 minutes; 1984
July 24 - Tom Sawyer (1973) - G; 99 minutes; 1973
July 31 - Back to the Future - PG;115 minutes; 1985
August 7 - Madagascar-Back to Africa - PG; 89 minutes; 2008
August 14 - Love Bug - G; 108 minutes; 1969
August 21 - Muppet Treasure Island - G; 99 minutes; 1996
August 28 - Bedknobs and Broomsticks - G; 118 minutes; 1971

Family Fun Night FREE Family Fun Night is held at 7:30 in Boone Woods Park.
June 20 Madcap Puppets – Aesop’s Classic Fables

Concert at Creekside— Schedule – FREE Concerts are held at 7:30 at the stage in Boone Woods Park.
June 12 Blue Chip City Big Band
June 19 Swingtime
June 26 Florence Community Band
July 3 Army Band Concert

Bowling

Florence Bowl has a special on Monday nights - just $1 a game per person. Shoes are $2, but since we have our own (even Amanda - I picked them up at Villiage Discounters for $3). We can have Family Home Evening at the Bowling alley for $6. You're allowed to bring in food, they want you to buy your drinks there, but they do have a pitcher with ice water on the counter. We bring sandwiches, so we have dinner and bowling for the 3 of us for $6. See the Deal links section for a link to their website where they have a coupon for buy 1 game get 1 free (not valid on Monday nights)

Free Fridays at the Cincinnati Museum Center

Ok, this is one of Amanda's favorite things for the summer - Free Friday's at the Museum Center. Free Fridays allows the public to visit all three museums at Cincinnati Museum Center from 4 to 8 p.m.—admission is complimentary. There is a charge for parking - $5 per vehicle, but after 4:30 p.m. it goes down to $3 per vehicle.

Free Fridays dates for 2009 are:
May 22
June 26
July 24
August 21
September 11

Things to note - it does get crowded especially as the night goes on but the one is May is usually not nearly as crowded as the rest. Also we've found that if you get there early (I try to be there exactly at 4:30 to save the $2 in parking) and do the Children's museum FIRST (that's the one that gets the most crowded), then when it starts getting crowded, we move on to either the Cincinnati History or Natural History Museums. They are never crowded, and there's lots of fun stuff to do in them too, even for the little kids. In the Cincinnati History Museum Amanda has always liked the trains, fun for adults too since it shows how Cincinnati looked in the past, there's also a Thomas the train set tucked in behind the trains. She also enjoys the trolly car, and the Riverboat. Then in the Natural History Museum, there's the sand pit and the caves.

The offer includes the Cincinnati History Museum, Children’s Museum and the Museum of Natural History & Science. It does not include special exhibits or OMNIMAX® films.