According to a news release, the fun will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, during which the company will present a $1,000 check to YWCA of Oklahoma City. And for all us techie parents, at 5 p.m., the store will unveil the new iPad 2. 

Festivities will continue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the store’s Kids’ Day, with FREE family activities, such as face-painting, a moon bounce, complimentary tacos from Big Truck Tacos (YUM!!) and prize giveaways.

“The focus is around family and getting the children involved,” said Michael Perry, Quail Springs store manager.  

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Photo provided by Cici's Pizza

Need a neat way to encourage your children to be polite?  How about free pizza? 

From now until Nov. 31, Cici’s Pizza restaurants will be stocked with “Thank you” trackers for parents to take home (see below). They can note each time their child says “thank you” without being prodded.  Once they get 10 thank yous, you can bring the card in for a FREE buffet for children age 10 and younger (with the purchase of an adult buffet). And what kid doesn’t like pizza buffets? 

Cici’s fans also can send their own thank you note on Cici’s Pizza’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/cicis and the recipient will receive a “Two can dine for $9.99″ deal, including buffet and drinks.  Recipients can be anyone – teachers, military personnel, friends, etc.

“At Cici’s, we believe an environment that fosters kindness and appreciation is as essential to our success as our hot, fresh buffet,” CEO Mike Shumsky said in a news release. “… it’s why we created the ‘Thank yous Count’ campaign.”

Some locations may even have giant thank you cards or posters for patrons to sign.  These cards will be delivered along with dinners to community groups throughout November.

And with your kids earning a free meal, you may just end up telling them ‘Thank you’ for being so polite.

 -Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

I’ve been following the site for about 4 days now, and already have seen great deals.  Free photo books, food samples, free Coke, and many other discounted and free offers.

If you use Facebook, just search for Freebies 4 Mom or go to http://www.facebook.com/Freebies4Mom.  You’ll see the deals updated in your news feed throughout the day.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

She is based in Oklahoma and her name is Sarah Roe, aka the “Money Saving Queen.”  And she deserves every bit of that royal title.

She is an expert on all things coupons, deals, freebies and how to get groceries at a fraction of their listed price.  Have you heard those stories about moms going to the grocery store and buying $400 worth of food for $30?  Those stories are true, and Sarah tells you how to do it.

There’s a definite method to the madness of couponing, price matching,  store deals and much more.   Here are just a few of the many tips she shared with the conference attendees:

1. Clip coupons - manufacturer’s coupons, store coupons, and get coupons off the Internet. Find coupons in Sunday’s Oklahoman, manufacturer’s websites, store websites and even eBay.  You can use manufacturer’s coupons in conjunction with store coupons for extra savings.

2. Keep track of prices. Take the 20 most expensive items you use regularly in your household.  Go to the one store you shop at most often and track their prices for 6-8 weeks.  You’ll notice a “sale cycle” when prices are at their highest and lowest and you’ll know when to stock up.  Use your coupons on the rock bottom price.  Stock up while you can, or wait until you can get it at that lowest price.

3.  Shop around.  Start planning your menus at home based on sale cycles and when stores are having the best weekly deals.

4. Know store policies.  Many big drug store chains offer rewards for simply shopping there. Same is true for grocery store chains.  Find out what they can offer you.  It may not be something they advertise, but chances are there’s something.

I get a “Daily Deals” e-mail from the Money Saving Queen.  And they really are filled with terrific discounts, free items and store sales.  She even has links to coupons you can print off and store circulars for your area. I highly recommend signing up for these free e-mails and also joining the website forums. It’s all free and well worth it. 

Go to www.moneysavingqueen.com and learn all you can on how to save the most you can at your next grocery store trip.  I know I will!

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Sonic has partnered with Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan to help celebrate these students’ successes on what better date than 5/29, of course!

To download the coupon, click here.

Just let them know you have the coupon when you’re ordering.

Now go out and celebrate your child’s great school year!

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

The free parenting seminar will be at the Edmond library on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. It’s perfect for parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 5. The experts from Child Guidance Services will answer questions and address concerns, and give out great information about issues related to eating.  Techniques and resources will be provided.

To register, call Child Guidance at 425-4412 to register.  For more information about this program and others, call 427-8651 or go to www.cchdoc.com.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

• Know what to look for — hives, rashes, wheezing, vomiting, diarrhea 
• Start with one tablespoon for first feeding
• Start with cereals, then veggies, then fruits
• Try only one new food per week
• Have Benadryl on hand

Let’s all take 20 to 30 minutes and go for a walk and clear our heads.

– Linda Lynn   

When my oldest child was 9 months old, he got really picky about what he ate. His hands played goalie to his mouth and only a limited variety of foods was allowed in. Except the day he ate a junebug off the floor as he crawled around. I got there just in time to hear the crunch. It was gross. I’ll spare you the details.

Now the New York Times is saying here that kind of behavior might be instinctual, that babies who put everything in their mouths as soon as they get mobile might be protecting their immune system more than the ultraclean environments some live in today.

“In studies of what is called the hygiene hypothesis, researchers are concluding that organisms like the millions of bacteria, viruses and especially worms that enter the body along with “dirt” spur the development of a healthy immune system,” writes Jane E. Brody in the New York Times. 

Experts she quoted speculate that the increase in the number of immune system disorders – like asthma, allergies or Type 1 diabetes – diagnosed each year may be related to the idea that we should keep our children from germs of any kind.

The lesson here is that while cleanliness is still a virtue, it’s OK to allow some dirt in your house, and your children don’t always have to wash their hands after touching it. And if they eat a junebug or a worm or some other disgusting thing they pick up off the floor, then they might actually be helping their immune systems. 

 ~ Lillie-Beth Brinkman (lbrinkman@opubco.com)

 

First up – picking a venue. I’ve been doing a bit of research on some neat places in the metro-area that parents can have great birthday parties for young kids.  Here are a few:

1.  The zoo.  The Oklahoma City Zoo has indoor and outdoor facilities that can be reserved for parties and other functions.  There are classrooms in the Education Center, an area in the Canopy Restaurant and outdoor picnic tables.  If your child has a birthday in a warmer weather month, this is a great place to go.  Kids can see the animals as a group and take rides on the train and tram. For more information go to www.okczoo.com and click on “Facility Rental.”

2. Indoor play gyms. We picked Gymboree last year and it was a blast. The staff basically does all the entertaining and toddlers have a great time participating in games and indoor gym equipment.  And the best part? No cleanup.  The kids get to eat their cake on the floor while sitting on a big parachute.  Another place that offers indoor climbing fun is The Little Gym and for inflatable fun, try Pump it Up or Bouncin’ Craze.

3.  The classic pizza-and-game spots.  Who could forget Chuck E. Cheese? I remember spending a few great birthday parties there.  And there are a few in the metro-area offering food, games and more.  Although I think these may be more suitable for kids age 5 and older, anyone can have fun here.  Another is Incredible Pizza on Northwest Expressway. They have a big buffet and different-themed eating rooms.  They also have bowling, miniature golf and go-karts in addition to the many arcade games.  Celebration Station  and Andy Alligator’s also have indoor/outdoor fun and games, for older toddlers/kids.

4. Trains.  Kids love trains.  Just ask my son.  There are a couple of really neat venues that offer real train rides as part of the party fun.  The Oklahoma Railway Museum is open for parties from April to October.  They have two packages – one with and one without a train ride (but really, what’s the fun without a ride?)  And for the party, they can either seat kids in the waiting room at the depot or in a 1921 caboose.  Also, just east of the metro-area, is  L.O.C.O.  which is a Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma. They operate miniature trains that kids can ride on at their park.  They also give free rides the first Sunday of every month from 1-4 p.m. if you want to check them out.

5. Parks. There are a number of metro-area parks that have picnic facilities and playground equipment. Some in the summer have splash pads so kids can wear their swimsuits and stay cool.  It’s an inexpensive fun alternative to other venues, and it keeps the mess out of your house.  For a list of city parks and their amenities, go to http://www.okc.gov/Parks/.  You’ll also find out about programs and other opportunities for fun they offer.

These are just a few suggestions to get you started.  As I come across more between now and April, I’ll be posting them on this blog.  And if you have any birthday party suggestions, please let me know!  I’d love to list them so other parents can have it as a resource.  Comment below or email me.

~Erica Smith

esmith@opubco.com