Coupons for FREE Pillsbury Cookie Dough

Matt brought home about 30 coupons for free packages of refrigerated cookie dough today.  The only catch is that they expire this FRIDAY.  If you are interested in any, email or call me and I can leave them out on my porch for you to pick up if I'm not home.  I would love to share the love, so please take advantage if you are interested! I'm going to buy several packages tomorrow.

Camie

Another Halloween Deal 20% off PLUS free 2-day Shipping

Diapers.com has a limited time deal (my e-mail was sent just this afternoon) for 20% off Halloween costumes plus FREE 2-day shipping.
There are a ton of costumes, the adorable (yet sometimes pricey) baby bubble costumes by Carters starting at  $19.99 , Toy Story Characters starting at $22.99, and every other animal or character you can think of.
Here is the Link use promo code SPOOKYSALE at checkout.
Happy Shopping!

9/27 Groupon Halloween Costumes!

If you aren't a subscriber to Groupon, today's deal is perfect if you haven't purchased costumes yet.  Spend $15 and get $30 to use on CostumeHub.com.  They have a large selection of infant, kids, and adult costumes. They also have a clearance section so be sure to check it out!

Groupon

Plymouth on Parade 9/25 Tomorrow!

The City of Plymouth is having a family friendly parade and and afternoon of  family activities. The event is free and it looks like their will probably be some local vendors their as well.

Starts at 11:30 on Plymouth Blvd and 34th Ave. It runs to Plymouth Blvd and 37th Ave .
Post Parade activities start at 1:00 pm.

I plan on going tomorrow!

Plymouth on Parade

-Cecia

Plum District Deal - $10 for $30 worth of Agoo Apparel

If your not familiar with Plum District it's kind of like Groupon or Living Social. They have a daily deal and I'm noticing that many of them are targeted towards families and kids. I recommend subscribing if your a deal junkie like myself.
Today's deal seems pretty good considering Agoo is suppose to be a really good brand of outerwear for rain and cold weather (aka Minnesota). Agoo is a little pricey but this deal gives the opportunity to try out their products without spending full price. Check out the $10 Baby Leggings for inexpensive options.
 The Certificate can be used towards tax and shipping.

Plum District

-Cecia

Southwest Flights on Sale

Just thought I'd share that Southwest is having a sale on flights to Utah (and many other places).  We were able to find tickets during the holidays for around $260 including tax.  As an added bonus Southwest allows you two FREE checked bags per person.

-Darci

Excelsior--experience it for yourself!

This week I took a little field trip to downtown Excelsior, MN and I had to share it with all of you.  It is gorgeous--right on Lake Minnetonka, and not very far away (Co. Rd. 7 exit off of 494).  The main road is called Water Street, and it is filled with awesome boutiques with clothing, home decor etc.  They had the cutest things!  The best part about it is that it's not too fancy (or expensive) for any of us to be able to shop at!  I highly recommend taking a trip there sometime--I promise you will be glad you did!

--CAMIE

Twin Cities Harvest Festival & Maze

From the website: 
After years of farming, Bert Bouwman and family set out to have a corn maze of their own. To kick-off the inaugural year, Bert partnered with the Minnesota Twins to have a Twins-themed corn maze.  Already an experienced corn maze developer, Bert came up with the Twins idea, sketched his design out on a piece of grid paper and he and his team got to work cutting and planting. They plan to have a new theme every year on the 15.1 acres of land dedicated to the Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze.

Location:
On the SE corner of 109th Ave and Highway 169 in Brooklyn Park.
Enter on 109th Ave
Directions

Attractions:
-Twins themed Corn Maze
-Kid Sized Maze
-Pumpkin Slinging
-Corn Pit
-Straw Bale Maze
-Food Vendors
-Climbing Wall
-Live Music
-Gunny Sack Slide
-Petting Zoo

Hours & Prices:
Saturdays & Sundays - September 18th to October 31st
10am - 6pm
$8 per person / Children under 36" free
*They donate a portion of every ticket sold to the Minnesota Twins Community Fund
*Early Bird Discount - $1 off ticket price from 10am to 12 noon
*Groups of 20 or more get $1 off each ticket - look in the "Contact Us" Section for more info

Twin Cities Maze 

We plan on going with my parents next weekend!
-Erin

Free Night of Theater 2010 (Yup, Another one!)

Mark your Calendars Ladies! Here is an opportunity for a FREE, that's right FREE night at the Theater! I am not familiar with all of the shows listed but their are a TON, and an option to view details about the shows plot. You can start reserving as of Sept. 29 and it sounds like these shows fill up rather quickly as you can imagine. Many of these shows are downtown and there are even some family shows by the Children's Theater Company. My advice would be look through them now and make a top 5 list so you are ready to request a reservation the day they become available.

Free Night of Theater

-Cecia

Target Free Family Concerts at the Minnesota Orchestra

Last year we took my girls to see "Hansel and Gretel" for FREE at the Minnesota Orchestra.  It was so much fun and  geared towards kids, probably ages 4 and up (younger could attend as well if they are able to sit for a while).   The performance we went to was shortened to be about an hour long and the audience was full of families.  Follow the link below if you'd like to register and get your name in the drawing for free tickets this season.

http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/target/enter.cfm

-Adrienne

Favorite Fall Recipes

For me, the arrival of fall means that I can start making a few of my favorite apple and pumpkin recipes! I wanted to share a few here, so you can enjoy some delicious fall food too!!

I'll start with some of my favorite breakfast recipes.  I'm a huge breakfast fan, and these are awesome!  Treat yourself to one of these this weekend!  You'll be glad you did!

Pumpkin Waffles

2 c. flour

2 T. baking powder

1 T. cinnamon

1 T. sugar

½ t. coriander

½ t. nutmeg

¼ t. salt

4 eggs-separated

1 ½ c. milk

1 c. pumpkin puree

¾ c. margarine-melted

1 T. vanilla

Preheat waffle iron.  Combine dry ingredients (I don’t usually have coriander, so I just leave it out).  Beat egg yolk slightly.  Beat in remaining ingredients except egg whites.  Add to dry ingredients.  Beat egg whites to stiff peaks; fold into mixture.  Bake in waffle iron until done.

Puffy Apple Pancake

**an easy breakfast-for-dinner treat at our house!** 

4 eggs

3/4 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. milk

1/2 t. salt

1/4 c. butter or margarine

2 medium apples thinly sliced

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 t. cinnamon

 Heat oven to 400.  Put a 9x13 pan in the oven with the 1/4 cup butter in it to melt.  Beat eggs, flour, milk and salt at medium speed.  Once butter is melted, arrange sliced apples in pan then sprinkle cinnamon/sugar mixture over top.  Then pour batter over.  Bake until puffy and golden brown--about 20-25 minutes.

FAVORITE PUMPKIN BREAD

**this makes 3 large loaves of bread**

INGREDIENTS
3 cups canned pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 cups white sugar
6 eggs
4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

Mini chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9x5 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, oil, sugar, and eggs. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; stir into the pumpkin mixture until well blended. Mix in mini chocolate chips. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The top of the loaf should spring back when lightly pressed.

--CAMIE

Minnesota Children's Museum Family Pass $64 for 1 year

Savy Savings has a great deal on the Passport Deluxe Membership to the Minnesota Children's Museum.
Here are the details

The Details

• Enjoy the uniquely designed, hands-on, stimulating environment for children six months to ten years old
• Unlimited admission for one year for the two adults named on the membership and all children under age 18 residing in a single household; one complimentary guest per visit and $2 off admission for up to six guests per visit
• Invitations to exhibit openings, special member events, exclusive Passport Deluxe member events, and discounts on programs, seasonal events and museum birthday parties
• Receive the Discoveries bi–monthly calendar and newsletter and access to the Member Bonus Benefits website featuring special member offers at local businesses and attractions
• Reciprocal admission to more than 165 children’s museums nationwide

The Fine Print

Offer is available to only the first 500 buyers. Membership expires one year from date of redemption. A coupon cannot be combined with any other gift certificates, third party certificates, coupons or promotions, unless otherwise specified by merchant. The coupon is of no cash value, is non-transferable and cannot be purchased as a gift.

Click here to purchase 


-Cecia

DIY Wall Art for under $6 (4 pieces)

I'll just direct you to my blog for the details, I didn't want to repost it all :)


DIY Wall Art Under $6

$1 Jimmy Johns!

Just a heads up...

Tomorrow, Spetember 16, participating Jimmy John's locations are having a Customer Appreciation Day and selling their sandwiches for $1 fom 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. 

It sounds like most places are doing it...I know I am going to go check out the Maple Grove one tomorrow! 

~Wendy

Gleason Gymnastic School

Gleason Gymnastic's School has a great deal this week through Living Social. Spend $50 and get $100 to spend towards tuition. It looks like they have classes starting at age 2. Gleason Gymnasatics is located in Maple Grove.

Check out this link for more information on how to purchase. This deal expires in 5 days 9/19

* I will be calling this afternoon to find out how much the toddler class are, and post them here if anyone else is interested.


-Cecia

Junk Bonanza!!!

I saw this on the news this afternoon: Junk Bonanza I won't be able to go - my husband would kill me if I bought stuff for the new house before we even moved in!!! I can only imagine the cute things they will have there :) Here is more info from the website:


So, what is Junk Bonanza?
The Bonanza hosts more than one hundred juried "junk" vendors of vintage finds, beautiful antiques, one-of-a-kind and artisan-repurposed pieces. There's also a farm market with local harvest goods and gourmet treats, plus plenty of other activities and displays to explore.

General Info:
Thursday, September 16th: 10 am to 5 pm
Friday, September 17th: 9 am to 5 pm
Saturday, September 18th: 9 am to 5 pm

Canterbury Park
1100 Canterbury Rd S
Shakopee, MN 55379
www.canterburypark.com
phone: 952-445-7223

Price is $8 per day

Let me know if anyone goes - I'd love to hear about it and see what you bought!

Erin :)

I'll go first....Clear Waters Outfitting Company

I ran across this deal yesterday, it's a Canoe Day Trip for Two in Clearwater, MN. $22 (reg price $45, that's a 51% savings!) expires 9/2011 and you can schedule it any day of your choosing, the deal is not specific to weekday use only. My idea with this one is when my in-laws come to town my father-in-law is an outdoorsy kind of guy, so this is perfect if he comes and visits us next summer! Send the boys off to have a fun day without breaking the budget!

See this link for info on how to purchase

How it works...

This blog has been established as an open forum. I will e-mail everyone info on how to access this blog as an administrator allowing you to post. We can all contribute to this blog in the following ways...

1. You hear about a local event like a family friendly activity in the twin cities such as a parade, festival, concert, great park etc.

2. You find a great deal on the web and can't help but share it with the rest of us. This can be anything from grocery deals, retail store deals, Groupon, BabySteals, KidSteals, ANYTHING you think someone else might be interested in as well.

3. You find a fun project (decor craft, kids project etc)

4. You have a book recommendation

5. You discover an easy household fix

6. You have a great recipe you want to share

7. You find the perfect solution to a mommy dilemma ( I'm keeping my eyes peeled for this one!)

... You get the idea!! Anything you want to share is welcome!

The only request I have is that since those who will have access are part of our playgroup I ask that we keep specifics on dates and locations of playgroups to e-mail only for our safety. Also, when you post please use your first name only. This will be a public blog so we are all able to view it on google reader, and keep up to date, but we need to make sure to be responsible and not share anything too personal to ensure our safety.

Please feel free to contribute, I come across a lot great deals/activities on the web, or from word of mouth and want to share with others but don't want to necessarily send out an e-mail to the whole ward. This is a great way to get that info out! I know that we all come across things we want to share, so let me reiterate, this is not my blog this is OUR blog, so everyone is encouraged to contribute!

-Cecia