Month: April 2023

Book It: Enrollment is Open for the 2023-24 School Year!

Abby H.

It’s that time of year!

Book It is still alive and well! Enrollment is now open for the 2023-24 BOOK IT! Program year. Parents can now enroll their homeschool children!

PreK students (age 4 by Sept. 1st, 2023) are now eligible for BOOK IT! Be sure to include those students in your enrollment!

Another awesome feature of the 2023-2024 school year is that your entire school doesn’t have to participate, teachers can sign up for their individual classes!

Please share this post with the parents and teachers in your life! More info about Book It and FAQ can be found here.

 

4/9/2023 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

We finished up our first week of spring break! Next week we’re hitting up the zoo or Safari Park, maybe a few museums at Balboa Park, and if it stays warm, we may go swimming at our community pool.

The 2023 Birthday Freebie post is here! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

There are some pretty sweet freebies this week- Let’s Dive In!

Freebies:

Free Hershey’s Kisses at Select Stores
Free Flock Chicken Skin Crisps After Rebate
Free His Only Son Movie Ticket
Free Braille Book Every Month
Free Enjoy Life Breakfast Ovals
Free Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Temporary Tattoo
Free Pack of Once Again Cracker Sandwiches
Free Halfday Tea After Rebate
Free 8×10 Photo Print at CVS
Free Albanese Gummi Bears Sample at Sam’s
Free Gamer Supps GG Energy Sample Pack
Free La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen Sample
Free Bottle of Pedialyte at Walmart
Free Minute Maid Aguas Frescas Chatterbox
Free Sample of AERIN Amber Musk Eau de Parfum
Hidden Valley Ranchology Rewards – Free Samples, Tote Bag & More
Free Mexican Fruit Fly Temporary Tattoo
Free 6 oz. Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste at Big Lots
Free Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum Sample

 

Deals:

Shea Moisture Recovery Masque ONLY $1.46 (Reg $3.29)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 ONLY $169 (Reg $349.99)
Today ONLY: $10 Women’s and Girls Shorts at Old Navy
Nexxus Travel Shampoo ONLY $1.99 (Reg $4.99)
Titan Deep Freeze 8qt Roll Top Cooler ONLY $14.99 (Reg $24.99)
Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop ONLY $69 (Reg $100)
Kate Spade Harlow Crossbody ONLY $59 (Reg $279)

San Diego Area Upcoming Clothing Swaps

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).

There are a few upcoming swaps that I recommend. Both are for adult clothes and accessories.

 

April 8, 2023 Porchlight Community Services, Inc. 8888 Clairemont Mesa Blvd From their site “We invite you to be part of our SWAP PARTY! Bring clothing, accessories, personal hygiene, or toiletries.

There is a $5 fee, however, it goes to offset the cost of their programs, which are incredible.

The Second event is my personal favorite: Spring Swap for extended sizes 14 and up on May 7, 2023.

I always find cute clothes at this swap, and I love it because it’s all plus-size clothes. I always fill my Ikea Bag with clothes, accessories (and usually shoes too).

And if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

Does Your Child Have an IEP? Upcoming Event in San Diego- IEP Conference

Abby H.

The Involved Exceptional Parents Day Planning Committee is sponsoring a 1-Day Conference & Expo for parents and caregivers of children with special needs and disabilities, educators, and service providers on May 13, 2023 at Town and Country Hotel Mission Valley 500 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA 92108.

I’ve never been, but I’m looking forward to going. There will be all sorts of Empowerment Workshops and Inspirational Ideas. Plus a free lunch and free parking.

And probably the most important part of this post: SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE

If you would like to apply for a scholarship from Exceptional Family Resource Center, contact Lisa Fisher at llfisher@sdsu.edu or call (619) 594-7416. You will be prompted to enter a code at checkout.

San Diego Regional Center also has scholarships available. Please contact Sonia Griffin at Sonia.Griffin@sdrc.org or call (619) 336-6691 to request Authorization. The conference vendor number is PY2843. Once approved, they will provide you with a code to enter at registration checkout.

For more information, check out their Eventbrite page here.

Cents of Style- My Favorite Shirt on Sale!

Abby H.

Favorite Tops ** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I am so excited. These are seriously my favorite shirts. I wore the one I tie-dyed yesterday.

There are three styles on sale through 4/9/2023: Jagger (in NEW colors), Danielle, and Wyatt, all  Starting Under $12 w/code: BEBOLD

These shirts come in sizes S-3X and tons of colors.  I already ordered a couple in my favorite colors.

Free Arts & Crafts Classes at Michaels

Abby H.

I love Michaels! Not only do they have great sales and coupons, but they also have free Arts and Crafts classes at many locations. Our local location has three free classes coming up in April- I’ve signed up for all three. I love learning new craft techniques.

Did you also know that Michaels has a rewards club? Sign up for Michaels Rewards today and earn $5 in Rewards when you spend $25 or more!

 

Dream Dinners: Lower Minimum Order, Lots of Tasty Options!

Abby H.

Dream Dinners is one of my favorite ways to save time and get tasty, healthy meals on the table in 45 minutes or less!

If you haven’t tried Dream Dinners yet, now is the perfect time! They have lowered their minimum orders to three meals. And April has some of my favorite meals:

  • Chicken with Honey, Garlic, and Orange with Oven Roasted Broccoli
  • Chateau Chicken with Almond Butter Sauce
  • Sonoma Grilled Steak
  • Tuscan Chicken Bake
  • Classic French Dip and Au Jus

I am picking up my Dream Dinners order tomorrow afternoon, and it is definitely coming in the clutch over spring break. We’ll be able to have our usual fun adventures and I’ll be able to get dinner on the table.

If you want to learn more, find your local Dream Dinner location, or place an order, click here.

Weekly Round-up of Research Studies from PRC!

Abby H.

PRC aka iOpinion is a nationwide research study company. They are always running studies and looking for more respondents. They send me an email once a week with online studies they are looking to fill. Here are just a few:

Topic: Video Game Consoles
Incentive: $150
Who: Adults, 18+ years old, who currently own a video game console
Location: Online via webcam
Duration: 60 minutes
Date(s): April 14-17, 2023
*Proof of ownership is required.
Take Survey >> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8RD7NZN

Topic: Gaming
Incentive: $150 digital incentive
Who: San Diego, CA residents
Location: In-person location
Duration: 60-minute individual interviews
Date: April 2023
Take Survey >> https://forms.gle/skuTy2eALe8CXQ2B7

Topic: Stroke Study
Incentive:  $125-$200 Digital Incentive
Who: Nationwide Residents
Location: Online webcam interview
Duration: 60-minute
Date: April 2023
*Physician Proof of condition will be mandatory!
Take Survey >> https://forms.gle/DXgUmPDG4mcrPvRg9

Topic: Sleep Apnea
Incentive: $150
Who: Males and Females; 35+ years of age
Location: Online webcam interviews; from the comfort of your home or office
Duration: 45-minute
Date: April 2023
Take Survey >> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRCSleep

Free Covid-19 Tests Delivered to Your Door!

Abby H.

I don’t know about you, but we’re still using Covid-19 tests on the regular. After visits to busy places, after traveling, and when the kids’ and I have someone in their class test positive.

Running out to the drugstore at the last minute- No Thanks!

With this offer, Request your COVID-19 Tests NOW, and don’t pay last-minute prices at the Store. They verify your insurance, and you receive Covid-19 Test Kits automatically each month at NO COST to you!

I did it this morning, and the test kits are on their way!

To get started, click here.

Weekly Meal Plan: Spring Break Edition!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis past weekend was PACKED. I finally sat down to write up my meal plan yesterday. This week and next are spring break for the kiddos and me. We are also having out-of-town guests, so I needed to plan out snacks and meals.

Thankfully our Yasukochi Family Farms  CSA box is delivered on Mondays, and that is a huge help when it comes to meal planning.

I prepped a bunch of veggies last night and this morning, including chopping veggies to roast, making a kale salad, and making a fruit salad.

I’ll be making some soups for the freezer this week as well, and I’ve got a new recipe to share.

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101-style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. With Spring Break and lots of adventures out of the house, I’ll be packing snacks to take with us on the road. We’re definitely going to the free museum Tuesday at Balboa Park.

Dinner: I’m making sure to start our meals with lots of veggies. Now that I’m back in the gym and the kids are both in Martial Arts, we need to fuel our bodies properly.

  • Sunday: Soup and Salad
  • Monday: Mac and cheese, fruit, toast

  • Tuesday:  Salad with grilled chicken, roasted asparagus

  • Wednesday: Moosie’s Pot Roast, Roasted Veggies

  • Thursday: Fritatta, Corn Muffins, Fruit Salad

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftovers