Short List:: Spring Break 2009

It's Spring Break 'round these parts.

Who else had their little darlins' greet them with questions of just what exactly is on the agenda for this week off of school?

(pause for sound of crickets chirping....)

Fortunately, Houston is jam-packed with all kinds of things to do and see, both inside and outdoors.

I'll start with a few and will add and post an update later in the week.


Here's to a great Staycation 2009!

Ruckus Room
Kids' Town
Jumpin Jacks
Monkey Bizness
Pump It Up (open jump 9-5 this week, $5 per child)

Cypress Academy is having a Parent's Day Out this Thursday the 19th

Miracles Baseball Spring Break Camp

Lunar Mini Golf (glow-in-the-dark putt putt)
Putting Edge (same, just off I-10 and Antoine)
Shankz Golf - The Woodlands variety

Aviator's Grill -have lunch and watch the airplanes at Hooks Airport
Brenham Municipal Airport - same idea, just a bit further west

Incredible Pizza
Itz
Mountasia

Children's Museum (7 new exhibits!)
Houston Zoo (Who doesn't want to see Toby, the red panda?)

Transco Tower
Memorial Park
Collins Park
Meyer Park
heck...any old park will do! Pack a lunch and get out there. No rain until Sunday!

I'm just scratching the surface.

What big plans do YOU have this week?

***Thanks, Michele, for your supah star ideas!

Restaurants.com

Let me introduce you to your new Date Night BFF....Restaurant.com.

Or so I thought....

I heard about this site through The Bargain Shopper Lady. Sounded too good to be true!

It totally was.

After Googling 'Restaurant.com scam?", here is what I found. Seems lots of people have had problems....and recently. These aren't old complaints, but I did see some as far back as 2007.

I originally was going to delete the post all together, but thought it might help to get the word out about the company, in case you heard about it somewhere else.

The Consumer Watchdog that I am.

So, read the post below with caution. If you read the fine print, you might be able to still get some deals on local eateries.



Restaurant.com serves as the community matchmaker, introducing great restaurants to great people. From appetizers to dessert, from wine to dinner, Restaurant.com helps restaurant owners promote the new and unique aspects of their restaurants while providing diners with great value in a fun, new and cost effective way. Your favorite restaurant is in your neighborhood – maybe you just don't know it yet. Restaurant.com is there to help.

How does it work?

It’s so easy. Just use their search to find a restaurant. Doesn't just have to be local....venture out to an area away from your home for a night on the town. Many of the participating restaurants have different offers, so pick the place that suits you best. They provide handy descriptions and even menus to help you decide. Follow the instructions for purchasing a gift certificate and print it out.

In minutes you're all set for a night out for less!

But wait...there's MORE!

The Bargain Shopper Lady has a code that makes the purchase price 80% off! Use code MENU to get restaurant gift certificates or coupons for $2.

This offer expires March 15th.

Skeptical? EJ's Neighborhood Pizza is on there as well as Mama's Cajun Cuisine. And you just might want to give Bertani Ranch another try. I hear they've improved.

The Short List

Summer is a comin'......

I tell you this not to cause swimsuit-induced-panic, but to offer some suggestions on how enjoy the summer with your kiddos...in addition to the pool.

This is my first pass....definitely more to come!

*Vacation Bible Schools
Houston's First Baptist Church: June 8-12

John Wesley UMC: June 8-12

Champion Forest Baptist Church: June 16-20

Faith Bridge UMC: June 22-26

Lakewood Methodist UMC: June 29- July 2

Still hanging out there: Foundry, The Met, Cypress Bible and Christ the Reedeemer

*Champion Forest Baptist Sports Camps, brought to you by Triumph Sports (dates not posted yet). The absolute BOMB...we loved these last year. NOT just for boys!

*Lakewood Methodist UMC Sizzling Summer Fun 2008 dates and camps listed, to give you an idea of what is to come for 2009

*John Wesley UMC S.A.C.K. 2009 (Summer Adventure Camp)

*Longwood Golf Camp

*Blackhorse Ranch also offers a golf camp, but nothing mentioned on their site yet.

*Arts of Glaze Summer Camps

*Cypress Academy of Gymnastics offers Parent's Day Out each Thursday in June and July...and maybe August

*The Good 'Ol YMCA offers a multitude of summer programs for members and non-members. Stop by for a schedule. My boys enjoyed the Sports Camp last summer (indoor gymnastics-feel to it)

*Lone Star College. Registration is Saturday, April 18th...in person. Super Yikes. Those classes fill crazy fast.

*Houston Museum of Natural Science Summer Xplorations (2 locations, Main and Woodlands)

*AMC Summer Movie Camp

****I also have it on good authority that Wee Ones will be offering some summer activities.

Your turn. Help me fill in the blanks. I have to think that there is a Tennis Camp somewhere out there....and other art-style camps.

What summer activities do you know of and want to share?


***UPDATE*****

Said authority offered this info:

*Wee Wuns Summer Fun Days- summer camp that runs MWF for 2 weeks from July 13-24 and is available for ages 14 mos.- current 2nd graders. Contact the Wee Wuns office at Cypress United Methodist Church for more information.

*Another fun camp for 2yrs- completed 4th graders is Camp Cornerstone at Cornerstone United Methodist preschool. They have a week long camp in June, July, and Aug. Taught by the preschool teachers with super fun themes. Cornerstone is located in Copperfield. More information on their website at www.cornerstoneumc.org/pre_summerycamps.html

More than Words

My 100th post came and went last week.

Seriously? I've needed to share that much information?

Wow, thanks for sticking with me! Maybe I need to get a hobby....like gardening. :-)

What I did realize is sometimes it's nice to revisit the ones that really were helpful, not just rants about magazine covers being inappropriate. Tray couldn't believe I blogged about that. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

My desire has always been for this blog to be a place for you to learn something practical. I pray that has been the case.

Here are my favorites, so far.

1. Tips for a trip to Disney
2. Tips for a trip to Europe
3. Stain Removal
4. Gift Ideas
5. What to do with Photo Christmas cards, after December
6. Teaching your kids about Money
7. A Jump Start for Fitness
8. Online Discount Codes
9. A Special Father's Day Gift
10. Plans for reading through the Bible

And just for fun...3 more that still make me think, A LOT
1. Ends of the Earth
2. Playing Favorites
3. A Look Inside

*And just so we are all on the same page...when you see a color change in the text, those are links. Not just me being creative!

A Cry For Help

I am many things, but a gardener, I am not.

I love flowers. I love how they brighten up a home or can cheer up any dreary day.

But, alas, I cannot keep them alive.

I went a bit crazy with a shovel today and dug out quite a bit of landscaping that was either out of control or dead. I'm not sure I'll walk completely upright again any time soon....my back is screamin'.

Part of me loves how simple and clean it looks.

But the reality is now I have BIG holes.

Can you help a girl out?

What flowers should I plant that can withstand H'town's climate?

I love me some snapdragons...are those good choices?

I need serious gardening help. Will you please, come out of blogstalking and offer advice?

Don't make me beg. If I get a letter from the HomeOwner's Association, it's all on you.

So there.

Pretty please?

Money for 'Nothin

Sometimes it's nice to know college girls. They often know about cool stuff that someone, say in their mid 30's, would know nothing about.

I have 2 SIL's who are in their 20's and they bring the 'coolness' to me. I'm SO lucky.

Coolness like Swagbucks.

Sounds kinda piratey to me. Arrrrgggh

Swagbucks is a search engine powered by Google and Ask. When you use their search engine, you regularly receive points that can be redeemed for prizes like gift cards, clothing, video games, etc. for free.

If you already use Google or Ask as a search engine, it is a good idea to make Swagbucks your primary search engine because it is basically the same thing except that you receive points while you are using it. Swagbucks (Google and Ask) gives people points and prizes in an effort to keep them as a user of their search engine.

And here are Swagbucks Tips. Dandy!

Aren't you a bit curious....sure you are!

Then you'd better go here to register and get started. It seems a little MultiLevelMarketingish to me (I earn points when you search, but those you refer do too)...but harmless enough.

Nothing to lose and Gap, Amazon, Southwest Airlines and many other certificates to gain.

I don't pretend to be deep...I don't know much about SwagCodes, SwagPolls or how to earn extra SwagBucks by searching for hidden clues. That just might send me over the edge. Baby steps....Face book was overwhelming at first, too.

And you know I did a thorough internet search for safety and validity. Swagbucks is completely safe. It does not ask for any personal information such as your phone number or credit card number and there is no spam mail. It's all good.

And like all good things, I'm sure will come to an end someday. But how fun to earn money while you search for stuff you'd already be searching for anyway.

Note: you don't win swagbucks every single time....but like I said, you might win sometimes...and that's money for nothin'. Right?

Free Sing-Along

HIGHLAND VILLAGE
Houston, TX
Performers:
Thurs. 3/12 - Non-Toxic Band
Show Times:
10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

THE WOODLANDS MALL
The Woodlands, TX
Performers:
Fri. 3/13 - Non-Toxic Band
Show Times:
10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Need other locations outside of H-town? Go here. They also have a Book Club for kids on Tuesdays. Who knew?