Why I love….

purple crocusThis year, I wanted to add  a few new weekly posts in. I already have Meal Plan Monday, and I try and post freebies on Fridays.  This year, I’ll be adding in Why I Love… on Tuesdays. Each post will have a Talk Back question. I’d love to hear from you to help make my blog more about what you want to learn about and be a part of.

I’ll be sharing products, services, books, whatever I am into at the time. Starting off, I’ll be sharing my love of… The YMCA.

Screen Shot 2018-01-01 at 11.41.46 AM.pngWe joined our local YMCA two years ago when Bitty Bird was about 6 months old. What drew me to our local Y was all of the incredible options it held:

  • Child care for 2 hours a day while I exercised, took classes, swam, or just went and took a shower.  There is child watch for kids 5 and under, and kids club for bigger kids. Each area has toys, games, and books, as well as a staff that interacts and plays games with the kids. When the weather is nice, the bigger kids go outside to play field games. When it’s cold or wet outside (or crazy hot- come on, this is a desert), the kids get to go into the gymnasium and play games, do obstacle courses. Both kids love to go. I try to go at least 5 times a week.
  • Great fitness classes included in our membership fee.
  • A great pool with an area just for kids.
  • Our membership includes access to all of the YMCA locations in San Diego, and access to YMCA locations across the country if we go on vacation.
  • Guest passes to bring friends.
  • Free classes and events for kids and the family (Our local Y does a free movie night once a month or so).
  • Free local community days- Usually on holidays, our local Y offers the community free access. It’s a great way to bring friends and neighbors to see what the Y is all about.
  • Free guest passes- I can bring friends whenever I want!
  • Low cost personal training and speciality classes. They offer personal training, TRX, and other specialty classes for a low rate. It’s a great way to get a “boost” to my fitness goals and stay on budget. There are also classes for kids: Gymnastics, karate, tumbling, art-pretty much anything they could want!
  • Scholarships and discounts. If you have an EBT card, receive WIC, SSI, or other social services, or you are active duty or retired military, you can qualify for a scholarship (a discount on your monthly dues), or a military discount.

Screen Shot 2018-01-01 at 11.42.45 AM.pngRight now, most YMCA locations are offering deals for the new year.

Join the Y anytime in January and get up to $50 towards any program of your choice! From personal training & swim lessons to summer camps, at the YMCA, there is something for everyone!

For more information and details, contact your local YMCA.

And if you join a San Diego area YMCA, please give my name as a referral: Abby Hewes. I can earn discounts or a free month for referring new members (and once you are a member, you can too!).

I can’t wait to share more about what’s going on in our lives and what we are into.

Talk Back: If you are a member of the YMCA, what is your favorite part?

 

Holiday Fun and Deals at Legoland!

The Holidays at Legoland California are always so much fun! One of our favorite things is the Christmas tree! 30-feet tall and constructed out of more than 245,000 forest green DUPLO® bricks, the LEGO Christmas tree is adorned with more than 400 LEGO ornaments and 11,000 LED lights.

There is also a life-size LEGO Santa and his reindeer to pose with- Perfect for holiday cards or emails!LLCRPark-Holiday-Boy-And-Santa-HR-CMYK

All new this year, indulge in our Winter Holiday Market during extended Park hours on Saturday Dec. 9 and 16. Guests can enjoy authentic “German Christmas Market” inspired treats like traditional holiday breads, grilled sausages, giant Bavarian pretzel and more. LEGOLAND California is also offering exclusive retail deals for shoppers looking for the perfect LEGO holiday gift.

LLCRPark-Holiday-Family-And-Tree-HR-CMYKThe family festivities continue at SEA LIFE® aquarium and LEGOLAND® Hotel. SEA LIFE aquarium has a special holiday themed daily dive show and winter craft activities. LEGOLAND Hotel has also gotten in the holiday spirit with festive decorations, holiday entertainment and its own LEGO Christmas tree. Kids will also enjoy special holiday themed games and story time at the castle, plus building contests themed for the festivities.

Henry’s favorite is the grand finale of Holidays at LEGOLAND California Resort is when midnight comes early at our annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve party. This celebration begins with special musical performances on Fun Town Stage and Heartlake City. Then, the party moves to San Francisco in Miniland U.S.A. where, like the famous Times Square party, Kids’ New Year’s Eve features a countdown followed by a huge LEGO brick dropping 22 feet into 2018 and spectacular fireworks at 6 p.m. to end the night. It’s a great way to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the family and be home before it gets too late!

If you need to get a jump start on your holiday shopping, take note: Special early bird pricing for Holidays at LEGOLAND start at $75 beginning Nov. 1 through Dec. 11. For more Holidays information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).

The kids and I will be heading up to check out the holiday decor and shenanigans in the next few weeks. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up to date and see my photos from Legoland!

Living Social Deals for the Kids!

Screen Shot 2017-01-25 at 11.52.22 AM.pngI love Living Social– So many great deals right now!

One of the ways I like to save money is to pick up a few Living Social deals to use on Lil’ Man’s days off school, or for family date night. That way we can still stay on budget and enjoy some fun.

Here are a few of the deals I’m stoked about right now:

Screen Shot 2017-01-25 at 12.40.51 PM.pngUrban Jungle Fun Park– There are multiple options.

Urban Jungle is a great indoor play place that includes trampoline areas, a climbing wall, and even an area for littler friends!

Screen Shot 2017-01-25 at 12.46.06 PM.pngNeed a family night out? Check out this deal! Poway Fun Bowl
3 Hours of Cosmic Bowling for 4 People

 

 

 

Neither of those your bag? There are whale watching trips, painting events, outdoor trips to the desert. All kinds of fun ways to spend time with your kids, spouse, sweetheart, or heck, even go alone (I won’t tell!).

 

So, Go Check out the sweet deals at Living Social!

Have an awesome time at Medieval Times!

 

Ok, so a few weeks ago, I wrote about Medieval Times.  Right now, they have an incredible deal, CLICK HERE and use this exclusive promo code MT3629 through 2/17/17 and receive Adults for just $36.95 and children (12 and under) only $29.95.

That’s an incredible deal! Dinner at Medieval Times would make a great gift for the little knights or maiden on your gift giving list!

Lil’ Man and I headed up on Sunday with our friends, and we had a great time!

IMG_0694.jpgWhen you enter the King and his chancellor speak and knight the birthday kids, you can grab a drink at the bar (they have non-alcoholic drinks too!), and check out the horses while you wait for your show to start. Here we are sitting on the Royal thrones! Lil’ Man loves making goofy faces!

(BTW, yes, his shirt says Property of One Awesome Mom)

IMG_0703.jpgThe food was cool! You eat off metal plates and bowl with handle, no silverware (I snuck plastic spoons in- I didn’t want the kids to melt down because they couldn’t eat their soup).

We sat in the Red & Yellow Knight’s section, hence the weird orange tint to the photo of our dishes!

The show starts after you are seated (You are “sorted” into cheering sections as you enter the castle). The knights are introduced and food service begins.

The King’s feast includes garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potato, pastry of the Castle (Lemon pound cake for us!) and beverages. It was great! Our server was so cool.

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Overall, the show was great- so much excitement and drama. The kids were riveted for the entire show. They almost didn’t eat because of how much they enjoyed the show.

There were a lot of people celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events.

But really, no one ever needs a reason (or excuse) to visit the King’s Castle at Medieval Times!

If you don’t live in Southern CA, fret not! There are locations all over the country!

 

Jump into Fun at Rockin’ Jump San Diego!

With summer coming, I know moms and dads will be on the hunt for fun, frugal stuff to do with the kids. I was stoked to learn about Rockin’ Tots at Rockin’ Jump San Diego!

Henry LOVES trampolines! It’s a great way to burn off energy and get some wiggles out. Rockin’ Jump San Diego– is the Ultimate Trampoline Park! Fun for kids of all ages! Rockin Jump has a massive main trampoline jump arena and slam dunk zone. The trampoline dodgeball arena provides something for everyone along with more fun attractions! Rockin Jump also offers the perfect Birthday Party Venue and a healthy family activity!  I can’t wait to take him!

Right now there are some special Deals at Rockin’ Jump – Come jump, flip, bounce and climb at Rockin’ Jump, San Diego’s Ultimate Indoor Trampoline park. Not only do they have a huge trampoline arena, we have dodgeball, a stunt air-bag, Joisting, rock climbing, basketball slam-dunk, a tots-only arena, mini-golf and a cafe’.  There are discounts off the Ultimate Birthday Package, Jump Time and Jump and Mini-Golf combo’s! Find all the great deals here.

We’ll be visiting soon to check out all of the fun and the party package! I’ll be sure to report back with details and tons of pictures!

@usfg

Review: The BuluBox!

I posted a couple weeks ago about BuluBox, a monthly subscription box chock full of healthy samples and goodies.

Here is a photo I posted on Instagram when it arrived:

IMG_2064It contained seven samples. Most of the samples I gave away or put into the box of stuff to be added to blessing bags. The Hemp Protein Powder was great (I love that brand!), and the soap will make a great addition to my toiletry bag for travel.

Overall I don’t think I’d buy a subscription to BuluBox, it just doesn’t seem like a good value to me, however, if you think it’s something you’d like my readers get a special deal, thanks to our friends at Bulu Box and Us Family Guide! Get a 3 Month Subscription for just $15 (regularly $30)! at Bulu Box – Use code WOWZA at checkout!

 

Save Money on Gift Cards with Raise! ($15 free for you!!)

I love buying discount gift cards- It’ a great way to stretch our money further. Right now Raise (a company that sells gift cards at a discount) is offering $5 when you sign up here (make sure referral code ahewes shows up in the referral box to get your $5 free!).

When you use coupon code SAVE10 at checkout, you will save another $10!

I purchased a $25 Sears Gift Card (I chose a digital gift card, so I could use it online right away) and paid only $8.72 Out of Pocket! I paid with my paypal account, using money I earned doing surveys!

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Raise has tons of great stores: Kohl’s. Staples, Macy’s, Walmart, and tons more!

To get started, click here!