Just in time for summer break, when your kids are so hungry all the time. Grocery Outlet is hooking us up with a $5 of $25+ purchase!
Check your email, and get your printer ready!
kids
Summer Grill Bundles from Dream Dinners!
As you are all aware, Dream Dinners is one of my favorite ways to save time and get tasty, healthy meals on the table in 45 minutes or less!
Just in time for summer, Dream Dinners is offering Grill Bundles. The perfect easy meal plan for camping, your next vacation, or a staycation. There are two Bundles, One available in June, and the second in July.
And it gets better- If you are new to Dream Dinners, order 3 or more dinners, and get a free medium Creamy Chicken Risotto as their gift to you. Use code SHARE at checkout.
If you don’t live near a Dream Dinners location, don’t fret! New Guests can receive free shipping on their first box of 4 medium dinners as a special offer just for you. Use the code FREESHIP at checkout.
2024 Summer Reading Programs!
Summer break from school means summer reading programs from the local library systems, plus a few other places.
Here are a few of our favorite summer reading programs. I’ve listed the prizes that I could find, but at the time this post was published, not all of the prizes were known.
Unless specifically stated, the programs start June 1st.
Book It has a summer program called Camp Book it, where kids can read, and earn free personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut! Book It is the FAVORITE reading program in my house. parents can enroll their kids for the summer!
The City of San Diego Library system program has published its prizes this year, and lemme tell you, it’s pretty amazing.
Children (Ages 0- 11)
- 1 Book
- Pass for 2 for The San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
- Pass for 2 for The San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- Pass for 2 for the San Diego Automotive Museum
- Pass for 4 for The San Diego New Children’s Museum
- Free 3 oz yogurt from Yogurtland
- Free kid’s meal from Mendocino Farms
- Free kid’s meal from Panda Express
Teens (Ages 12-17)
- 1 Book
- Pass for 2 for The San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
- Pass for 2 for The San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- Pass for 2 for the San Diego Automotive Museum
- Free 3 oz yogurt from Yogurtland
Adults (Ages 18+)
- Free book at participating Friends of the Library Book Sales and Used Bookstores
- Pass for 2 for The San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
- 1 reusable utensil kit
For more information or to sign up, click here.
The County of San Diego Library summer reading program started June 1st. They have all sorts of prizes for kids and adults.
If you want your family to experience a multicultural world through reading, I recommend PJ Library. PJ Library sends free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children from birth through 12 years old.
My kids love learning about faraway places and experiences different from their own. The PJ library books have opened their eyes to new holidays, customs, and ways of life.
Read Conmigo provides free books for kids by mail in Spanish and English to children ages preschool to fifth grade. They are only available to kids in CA, TX, and Florida. We used to receive the books, and they are ok, but my kids aren’t interested in learning Spanish. The books were super useful for me learning to read in Spanish (Beyond what Duolingo teaches).
Barnes and Noble have a summer reading program starting July 1st. More info here.
Dolly Parton has established the Imagination Library, it is available in select regions (sadly not available in San Diego California), and those who live in participating areas can receive one book for their kids every month via mail.
Weekly Freebies and Deals!
The 2024 Birthday Freebie post is here! Check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.
If you are looking for free food resources, my comprehensive list can be found here. It is focused on San Diego County, but there are additional resources outside my area.
Part of my kitchen is done, but the contractors are waiting on two cabinets. School is over in less than two weeks, and I am looking forward to my summer of fun with the kids.
Freebies:
Free Sample of L’Oreal Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Free Kokada Coconut Spread After Rebate
Free Grilling Cooking Classes at Williams Sonoma
Free Real Food From The Ground Up Snack Product After Rebate
Free Shark FlexBreeze Fan
Free Sample of Geaux Nuts White Chocolate Crunch
Free Museum Admission for Bank of America/Merril Lynch Cardholders – This Weekend
Free Prepare with Pedro: Disaster Preparedness Activity Book
Free Celsius Energy Drink at Select Stores
Domino’s is Giving Away $10 Million in Free Pizza
Free Nurishh Animal Free Cream Cheese at Select Retailers
Free Peace Out Limited-Edition Pride Acne Healing Dots
Free Screwdriver, Work Gloves, or Cable Ties at Harbor Freight
Free Tovolo Summer Freeze Party Pack
2 Free Bottles of Barcode Fitness Water After Rebate
Free Amazon Prime for Students for 6 Months
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Sample of NYX Marshmellow 10-In-1 Smoothing Primer
Free Safe Infant Sleep DVD
Free Fries Every Friday at Wendy’s
Free Good Culture Probiotic Milk
Free Grill Gift Card Box Workshop at Home Depot
Free 5-Piece Scotch Porter Beard Collection Sample Set
Free OREO Movie Night Party Kit
Deals:
Covergirl Perfect Blend Pencil ONLY $0.79 (Reg $5.79)
Jordan Sneakers up to 50% Off with Extra 25% Off Coupon Code
Michael Kors up to 60% Off + New 25% Off Coupon, Purses start at $67!
Scott Toilet Paper 12-Pk ONLY $3 (Reg. $5)
Bic Flex 3 Razor ONLY $0.99 (Reg. $4.99)
How to prepare when Mom needs surgery
I will be having surgery next month, for the first time since I’ve had kids, and that’s 13 years.
I am excited because I need the surgery, but I know it’s gonna come with some downtime. I’ve been doing some research and I thought I would share some ways that I’m getting everybody and our house ready, so it doesn’t fall apart when I am incapacitated after surgery.
The Month before:
1. Talk to your insurance carrier to confirm co-pays, and work out a payment plan or apply for financial aid if needed.
2. Post Op snacks. I will be doing some shopping over the next month and squirrel away good snacks I find on sale and putting them out the day before I head out for surgery. Snacks will be shelf stable, or things that require no preparation other than opening a package or putting it on a plate or bowl.
3. Make sure all of the bills are set up on auto-pay during the month I’ll be recovering.
4. Make some freezer meals, or set up a meal train (lean on your village if you have one). Not everyone has a village to lean on, and in that case, I suggest Dream Dinners. They have meals that need to go into the oven- perfect for post surgery dinners.
The Week Of:
5. Clean house! I don’t want to recuperate in a messy, dusty, cluttered house. In the month leading up to surgery, I am organizing the house, putting unneeded stuff away, or giving it away. The problem I’m running into is that our house is still in an active construction zone because of the water loss we sustained in January. As soon as our kitchen is done, I will have less of an issue with that.
5. Clean off the nightstand: Clean it off, declutter, and change the lightbulb in my bedside lamp- just in case.
6. Pick up your post-surgery medications if possible. If not, have them filled at the hospital pharmacy and pick them up before checking out of the hospital. Fill up your weekly medication pill boxes (if you use them). Ditto for any kiddo meds.
The Night Before:
7. Clean Bedding: In the days before, I will put clean sheets on the bed, wash the blankets, and fresh pillowcases.
8. Take an everything shower. Don’t forget any pre-op body wash that is prescribed.
9. Follow your doctor’s orders for eating and drinking.
10. Get a Good night’s rest. Aim for 8-10 hours.
The Morning of:
11. Take any pre-op shower with body wash that is prescribed.
12. Check into the hospital at the time requested- Don’t be late!
And finally- have comfy easy-on/easy-off clothes for after your surgery, that won’t aggravate any incisions or bruising.
California State Parks Passes- FOR FREE!
Did you know there are several ways to gain free access to California State parks?
If you are part of the CalWorks program, receive SSI, or are over 62, you can receive a free Golden Bear pass by learning more or signing up here.
Do you have a fourth grader in your family? If so, we invite you to add to your child’s school curriculum by visiting 19 select state park units for FREE via an Adventure Pass. Learn more here.
Are you a veteran? The Distinguished Veteran pass entitles the bearer to free vehicle day use, family camping, and boat use at over 100 California State Parks-operated units. Learn more here.
If you fit none of those criteria, check out your local California library to check out a free State Parks pass. More information can be found here.
With all of these ways to grab a free pass, which state park will you visit? We are looking forward to some free trips to Silver Strand State Beach!
5/11/2024 Weekend Freebies!
The 2024 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.
If you are looking for free food resources, my comprehensive list can be found here. It is focused on San Diego County, but there are additional resources outside my area as well.
I packed up my kitchen this week, and the flooring will be here next week! I am so happy that my house will be put back together soon!
Freebies:
Free Jovial Truffle Mac & Cheese After Rebate
Free 8×10 Photo Print at Walgreens
Free Pear Foods Gourmet Spice Blend
Free Made By Dentists Stickers
Free Pack of Pampers Wipes Free & Gentle Offer
Free Celsius Energy Drink at Select Stores
Free Lil’ Gourmets Pouch After Rebate
Free Acne Balm Recovery Cream + $45 eGift Card
Free Donuts, Coffee & More with Krispy Kreme Dozen Days of Deals
Free Fries Every Friday at Wendy’s
Free Monster Energy Drink at Pilot Flying J
Free Perrigo Store Brand Products – Includes Walmart Equate & Target Up&Up
Possible Free Ocean’s Halo Organic Seaweed Snack
Deals:
Kohl’s Mother’s Day Gifts as low as $10 + Free Store Pickup
Did You get The 40% Off Kohl’s Coupon?
Shaving Kit 50% Off Pay ONLY $4.50 + Free Shipping
Mother’s Day Jewelry Sale as low as $6 or Less at Kohl’s + Free Store Pickup
5/22/2024 Full Spectrum Soccer Clinic at Santee Sportsplex!
If you have a friend or family member with social, emotional, of physical special needs ages 5-20, this event looks like a great night out!
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 6-8pm at the Santee Sportsplex there is a Full Spectrum Soccer Clinic.
The event is free, however, the Sportsplex does have a $3 per 18+ entrance fee.
For more information, check out the graphic on this post. I found this information via email from my kids’ school. Googling the contact name and phone number didn’t give me any additional information or a website, so I’m unsure which organization sponsors this event.
Local Event: Boys & Girls Clubs of East County: Community Health Fair
The Grossmont Healthcare District is sponsoring a FREE Community Health Fair on May 2nd. We’ve gone to these events in the past and last time I won a free set of pots and pans.
These events have great information, resources, and freebies for the whole family.
Come to the Health Fair to learn about community health & wellness, and resources, and enjoy a meal! Don’t miss this FREE family event:
- Taco cart dinner
- Haircuts for children
- Eye screenings
- Self-care kit for children
- BGC STEM Activities
- Info from local health & wellness professionals…and more!
When: Thursday, May 2 | 5-7 PM
Where: Brady Family Clubhouse (7600 Junior High Drive, La Mesa, CA 91941)
Contact: Brandie Warren 619.440.1600 ext. 303 or brandie@bgcec.org
JCPenneys has a New Rewards Program!
Y’all know I love JCP.They have amazing sales and deals, their towels are my favorite. They have clothing for the entire family, even tall sizes. We’re a tall family, and JCP is a go to for pants for all of us.
They’ve revamped their rewards program, and it’s looking pretty sharp.
Check it out:
- The fastest way to earn points is to have a JCP or JCP Mastercard! Earn 1.5 points for every $1.00 spent at JCP or 1 point for every $5 spent at other merchants if you have a JCP Mastercard! If you use a different payment method, you will receive 1 CashPass Point for each $1 spent on a qualifying purchase up to the Point Maximum.
- 200 Points is a $10 CashPass Reward!
- $10 JCPenney CashPass Reward (200 points) will be added to your Rewards Program account on your Birthday (requires member provide Birthdate within their JCPenney Rewards account.)
- With each purchase at JCPenney stores, simply provide the phone number or email address linked to your JCPenney Rewards account at checkout to ensure earned CashPass points are assigned to your profile.
- When shopping online, sign in to your jcp.com account before checking out on jcp.com to earn CashPass points on your purchase.
More questions can be answered on the JCP FAQ page here.
If you are new to JCP Rewards, sign up here and score a $10 CashPass just for signing up!
Hewes Family Fun 