Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for ONE (1) FREE Larabar or Larabar Fruit + Greens Single Serve Bar, any variety (1.2-1.8 oz. (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

Other Mothers Sale

Other Mothers, a children's consignment store, in Boise is having a 25¢ sale on March 30th, 31st and April 1st from 10 am to 7 pm. The sale will include baby, kids and maternity clothes. 

Other Mothers is located at 10422 W. Fairview Ave, Boise, ID 83704.

Tips for Cheap Traveling

Traveling can get expensive. I like to find things here and there to help make it cheaper for my family. Here are some of my tips:

1. Use Ebates:  I like to use Ebates when I am purchasing airline tickets online, hotel rooms and/or rental cars. Use Ebates to shop online to your favorite retailers and earn cash back. Before booking any of my travel I first go to Ebates, look for my desired airline/hotel/car rental, click to go to the site, and let Ebates track my purchases. Ebates will then provide a percentage of money back.  To sign-up to use Ebates, click here.

2. Stick with a Brand: When I travel I like to stick to 1-2 hotel brands, 1-2 airline brands and one car rental program. Next I sign up for the brands reward program. If you stick to fewer brands, you're more likely to rack up reward points.

3. Plan your Meals and Snacks: When we're on vacation, if we stay at a hotel we like to stay at one with a free breakfast. I've also learned that packing your lunch on vacation is easy and very cost effective. Most lunch meats, cheeses, fruits and veggies can be stored in a hotel fridge. Packing your lunch is also cheaper than buying a meal at a restaurant. I also like to pack snacks when possible too...easy snacks for on the go like pre-sliced veggies, fruits and crackers. Dinner could also be sandwiches or barbecuing hot dogs at a park.

4. Plan Activities: I like to plan a couple of fun activities. Most areas have free, fun activities for kids and adults like small museums, parks, beaches, fish hatcheries, etc. Fun activities don't need to be expensive. You can also find lower cost activities to do on vacation on Groupon (Ebates offers 6% back on purchases from Groupon). I also like to research deals on activities beforehand to see if there are any coupons available online. For example, you can save an additional $5 off admission to the Kennedy Space Center online, if you sign up for the Passport Program and get 10% off of retail purchases.

5. Don't Check Luggage: If we're flying, we put all of our clothing in a carry-on. If we need clean clothes, we wash them at a hotel or relative's house. The cost of doing laundry is often cheaper than checking luggage.

6. Bring a Water Bottle: Bring a water bottle that can easily be refilled at any activities that you're doing. If you have a water bottle with you then you don't have to worry about purchasing expensive drinks at an airport or tourist location.

7. Plan a Travel Budget: If you plan out your spending limits then you won't have to worry about overspending.

8. Don't Travel During the Peak of the Season: Try not to go to a vacation spot during the peak of the season. The cost of hotel rooms, food, souvenirs and some activities goes up during a peak season, try to plan a vacation during the off season or near the very beginning or end of tourist season for an area.

What tips do you have?


Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Vote for your Treasure Valley Favorites

The Idaho Statesman is doing their annual Best of Treasure Valley. This is a great way to show your appreciation for your favorite professional services, shopping stores, arts & entertainment, restaurants and more. To start voting, click here.

Other Mothers Sale

Other Mothers, a children's consignment store, in Boise is having a huge Junior/Adult clothing sale:

• $1 for items (Monday March 27)
• .50 for items (Tuesday March 28)
• .25 for items (Wednesday March 29)

What a great sale!

Other Mothers is located at 10422 W. Fairview Ave, Boise, ID 83704.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for 1 FREE Tostitos® Salsa (15.5 oz., any variety) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

.25 Sale at Other Mothers

Other Mothers, a children's consignment store, in Boise is having a 25¢ sale on March 23rd, 24th and 25th from 10 am to 3 pm. The sale will include baby, kids and maternity clothes. 

Other Mothers is located at 10422 W. Fairview Ave, Boise, ID 83704.

Color Scavenger Hunt

Most days we have a "learning time" for my preschooler and toddler. One day I decided it would be fun to do a "Color Scavenger Hunt." I added a star shape in a word document and printed it out in different colors. I asked my kids to find one object around the house that matched the color on the paper. They had fun finding different objects and matching it to the color. We're probably going to play this again sometime and I might ask them to find a certain number of objects per color.

What fun things do you like to do with your kids to help them learn colors?

Dairy Queen Free Ice Cream Day

Today March 20, 2017, Dairy Queen is offering a free vanilla ice cream cone to customers to help bring in summer early. This offer is at all Dairy Queen locations (except mall locations). To find out more, click here.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for 1 FREE Nissin Cup Noodles (2.25 oz., any variety (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

St. Patrick's Day Book Recommendations for Children

I love getting holiday books for my kids to read. It helps them to understand the holiday and get them in the holiday spirit. Here are some of my recommendations for St. Patrick's Day:

St. Patrick's Day in the Morning shares the story of a boy, Jaime, who wants to be apart of the parade, but he's been told its too far to walk. He gets up early in the morning and does the whole parade route himself.

Curious George Discovers the Rainbow (Science Storybook) is one of my kids' favorite books.  We read it quite often. George happens to notice a leprechaun in Betsy's book. He's curious and wants to find one. When he sees a rainbow, George and Betsy take off to find the end of the rainbow leaving Steve lost in the woods. Bill finds Steve and they set off to find the man with the yellow hat to help them find George and Betsy. Will George and Betsy find a leprechaun and their way back home?



Ten Lucky Leprechauns is a leprechaun counting book from 1 to 10. It's a fun story that my kids enjoyed reading.

What are some of your favorite St. Patrick's Day Children's books?


Please note that this post contains affiliate links. 

St. Patricks Day Kids Craft

My kids wanted something fun and creative to do. We decided to make rainbows and clouds in honor of St. Patrick's Day. I cut out arches in different colors of construction paper and traced their hands in white paper. They had fun gluing on the arches and their hand prints.

What's a fun craft you like to do in honor of St. Patrick's Day?

A Fine Gentleman Review

Sarah Eden's A Fine Gentleman shares the story of Jason Jounquil, a barrister. Jason's known for his patience, exemplary barrister skills and as a refined and dignified gentleman. When he meets Mariposa Thornton he finds himself losing his dignity and professionalism as she continually ruffles his feathers. Her legal matter seems simple enough at first, but as it expands and unravels Jason finds himself trying to protect and help her at all costs.

I am a huge fan of Sarah Eden's books. I own a couple of my absolute favorites and I reread them multiple times a year:

• The Kiss of a Stranger 
• Seeking Persephone 
• Friends and Foes

My mother and mother-in-law also like Eden's books so I usually buy a book for Mother's Day or Christmas. I also usually highly recommend the books to my friends. When Sarah Eden mentioned on her Facebook Page that she was re-publishing A Fine Gentleman, I was so excited that I pre-ordered it on Amazon. I hardly ever pre-order anything. The previous publishing of A Fine Gentleman (Jounquil Book 5) has been sold out for a long time.  I was glad that I pre-ordered it. It's one of her books that I will probably reread again. I enjoyed the characters especially Jason and Mariposa. Mariposa and Jason's interactions at first reminded me of Gracie and George Burns. Mariposa delivered some humorous lines causing Jason to lose his calm. I loved how the story progressed and how the characters gradually changed and evolved. As the story progressed, the plot deepened and you find out more about who Mariposa is and why she acts the way she does. The story also shared some of the devastating effects of war - losing a home, family, and fearing for your life. If you haven't read Sarah Eden's books before, I suggest that you read them in order starting with The Kiss of a Stranger (Jounquil Book 1). Her books mention previous events and characters and it's better to know the references. To learn more about, A Fine Gentleman, click here.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Other Mothers Closing

After 23 years, Other Mothers in Boise is closing. Starting today, Monday March 13th, Other Mothers will be offering 40% off their inventory. This is a great way to save on maternity, kids clothing, baby equipment, toys, books and more. If you have any credit use it now! They will no longer be taking any trade-ins.

40% beginning 3/13
50% beginning 3/20
60% beginning 3/27
70% beginning 4/3

Other Mothers Boise
10422 W Fairview Ave
Boise, ID 83704

40% beginning 3/13

50% beginning 3/20

60% beginning 3/27

70% beginning 4/3

40% beginning 3/13

50% beginning 3/20

60% beginning 3/27

70% beginning 4/3

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for 1 FREE V8+Energy Single (12 fl. oz., any variety) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

5 Tips for Traveling with Young Children

As the weather becomes warmer, most families start making travel and vacation plans. Vacationing with young children can be challenging - they're bored, tired and don't like the mode of transportation to the vacation spot whether its a car, bus, train or plane. Here are some tips that have helped our family:

1. For long car rides, we pick up young kid friendly books on tape. I don't have to worry about my kids having too much screen time, it entertains them and helps with their listening skills. Some of our favorite books on tape have been:

• Marc Brown's Arthur Chapter Books 
• The Mercy Watson Books 
• Ramona Books

2. Whether you are traveling in a car, bus, train or airplane, it's always helpful to have snacks and water on hand for kids. It's hard to travel when you're thirsty and hungry. I like things that don't get too messy traveling like:

• Applesauce Pouches
• Goldfish Crackers
• Bananas
• Grapes (if your kids are old enough to eat them or preslice them) 
• Pre-sliced and peeled Cucumbers 
• Pre-sliced Peppers

It's also great to have empty water bottles that you can refill easily as needed.


3. We also like to have travel friendly toys like:

• Magnetic drawing board
• Mr. Potato head
• Dinosaurs
• Melissa and Doug "On-the-Go" Activities

I love the Melissa and Doug "On the Go" Activities. My son loves them too. He enjoys doing them even when we're not traveling. They are also fairly inexpensive. Our favorite Melissa and Doug "On the Go" product is the Water Wow! books that aren't messy and are easy to use anywhere. He has three of them and we use them a lot. You can keep the "water pens" empty while you're going through security at the airport and fill them up again at a water fountain. They don't seem to leak and the pad dries quickly. We also like their color reveal books.

4. We also like to bring thin-paperback books for kids. The paperback books are easier to pack than board books. My kids like to listen to the stories on an airplane or flip through the pictures when they're on a road trip. We usually have a few Curious George books and some other fun books to read.

5. When our kids are restless traveling in the car, we sometimes sing fun kids songs. They like fun songs with actions: "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," "Old MacDonald had a Farm" and "The Wheels on the Bus."

What are some of your fun tips?


Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Free Organic Balance

How would you like to try a FREE Organic Balance?  If you go here and fill out a survey, you can

submit your information to get a coupon for a free Organic Balance mailed to your home.

Things to Do in Boise for March

It's not quite Spring in Boise, but there are still plenty of things to do. Are you looking for things to do in Boise? Here's a listing of some of the events happening in Boise for March:

• March 8, 2017 - Spring Easy Stargazing from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Library! Hilcrest. Click here for more information.  
• March 10, 2017 - Julian Sands in a Celebration of Harold Pinter: doors open starting at 6:45 at the Morrison Center. FREE. Click here for more information.
• March 11, 2017 - The 12 Steps of Fiction Writers Anonymous from 12 -1 pm at the Library at Cole & Ustick.Click here for more information.
• March 12, 2017 - FREE SKATE with CenturyLink and Steelheads from 1-3 pm at the CenturyLink Arena. Steelhead coaches and players will skate on the ice with fans and sign autographs. Fans who bring in a canned food item to donate will receive tickets to the Steelhead's March 15th Home Game. Please click here for more information.
• March 15, 2017 - A Midsummer Night's Dream from 6:30 – 7:30pm at the Main Library. Click here for more information. 
• March 15, 2017 - Author Brandon Mull will sign copies of Dragonwatch:A Fablehaven Adventure at the Barnes Noble on 1315 N Milwaukee St. starting at 6 pm. Click here for more information.
• March 18, 2017 - St. Patrick's Day Fun Run at 9:30 am at the Julia Davis Park. Click here to register.
• March 23, 2017 - Author Visit: Kazu Kibuishi from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Main Library.
  Click here for more information.
• March 23, 2017 - Puppets: April Showers from 2 pm at the Main Library for ages 2-5. Click here for more information.
• March 25, 2017 - Deseret Windsong Flute Choir Concert from 1-2 pm at the Cole & Ustick Library. Click here for more information.

If you have a family-friendly activity in the Boise area that you would like posted, please feel free to contact me.

IHOP National Pancake Day

On March 7th IHOP from 7am to 7pm (select locations will go until 10 pm), will offer a FREE short stack of pancakes to customers. In return, they ask that a donation be made to one of their charitable partners to help raise money for children battling critical illnesses. To find out more, click here.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for 1 FREE Chips Ahoy! Thins (7 oz., any variety) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

March Giveaways to Enter (low to moderate entry)

I like entering low to moderate entry giveaways and I share each month some of the blog giveaways I've entered and found online. Check back often to see if I have posted more giveaways. I try and post them as I find them.

If you are hosting a family-friendly giveaway on your blog and would like to see it listed here, please contact me. If you have a won a giveaway that I posted, please leave a comment and share that you won.


Chuck E Cheese Gift Card (ends March 2, 2017)
Pfzier Prize Pack (ends March 2, 2017) 
$25 Applebees Gift Card (ends March 5, 2017)
Wonderful Halos Gift Basket (ends March 6, 2017) 
$25 Applebees Gift Card (ends March 7, 2017) 
$25 Dick Sporting Goods Gift Card (ends March 7, 2017)
$50 Diapers.com Gift Card (ends March 7, 2017)
3- Hello Fresh Meals (ends March 8, 2017)
2 Baby Lit Books (ends March 8, 2017)
Moana HD Digital Movie (ends March 9, 2017)
$100 Amazon Gift Card (ends March 10, 2017) 
$250 Whole Foods Gift Card (ends March 10, 2017)
$50 Diapers.com Gift Card (ends March 11, 2017)
Breakfast Hero 3-pack (ends March 14, 2017) 
Quinny Moodd Stroller (ends March 14, 2017)
Blaze and the Monster Machines DVD and Paw Patrol DVD and Book (ends March 14, 2017)
$50 Tea Collection Gift Card (ends March 14, 2017) 
4 Hush Products from SoCozy (ends March 16, 2017) 
1 16 oz Barleans Flax Oil and Forti-Flax (ends March 16, 2017)
Mickey and the Roadster Racers (ends March 17, 2017)
Freshly Picked Moccasins (ends March 17, 2017)
Stoneyfield Baby Prize (ends March 18, 2017) 
Timeless Romance: Annette Lyon Collection (ends March 18, 2017)
Moana Digital Copy (ends March 19, 2017)
New Mom Essentials (ends March 19, 2017)
Full House Necklace (ends March 20, 2017) 
$100 Petit Pehr Gift Card (ends March 21, 2017)
Sweet Basil Cookbook (ends March 22, 2017)
$200 to Sears (ends March 22, 2017)
$25 Applebees Gift Code (ends March 23, 2017)
Disney's Moana (ends March 23, 2017)
Pampers Coupons (ends March 24, 2017) 
Chalkola Markers (ends March 24, 2017)
Month's worth of Little Potato Creamer Potato Products (ends March 24, 2017) 
$50 Kroger Gift Card (ends March 28, 2017) 
$50 Starbucks Gift Card (ends March 30, 2017)
6-Month Hulu Subscription (ends March 31, 2017) 
Mickey and the Roadster Racers (ends March 31, 2017)