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Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day – September 29, 2012

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Free Museum Day 2012

Photograph Credit: Smithsonian Magazine

The annual event is coming! Smithsonian Magazine presents Museum Day on Saturday, September 29, 2012. Participating museums across the country admit guests with a Museum Day ticket for free.

To get your free ticket, fill out this form. When your ticket arrives in your e-mail inbox, print it and redeem at your chosen location.

Each ticket will admit one person plus a guest. The tickets are limit one per e-mail address. If you need 4 tickets, then register with 2 e-mail addresses (e.g., personal and junk e-mail accounts).

Check with your chosen location for free admission for children. Some museums offer free admission for children ages 12 and under.

In preparing for a fun, inexpensive family outing, choose your museum, register, and wait for your ticket to arrive in your clutter-free inbox. 🙂

In using time wisely, plan ahead by ordering your ticket now and schedule time with your family on September 29, 2012 without breaking the bank. Remember your ticket is free. If your plans change, preventing you from attending, then no harm done because you did not prepay. 🙂 Happy planning!

Question: Which local museum is your family’s favorite?

Home Depot: Cork Bulletin Board

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The Home Depot Kids' Workshop for August 2012

Photograph Credit: The Home Depot

In preparation for the new school year, The Home Depot Kids’ Workshop tomorrow will give kids a free cork bulletin board project.

If your student could use a special place for notes, reminders, and favorite photos, then visit a participating Home Depot location.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Home Depot

Kids’ Workshop making a cork bulletin board

• Kids will learn to build their very own cork bulletin board while learning tool safety
• Have fun, make friends, and gain a sense of achievement and work ethic
• You can paint and add embellishments to your project while at the workshop

This free activity is recommended for ages 5-12, but younger children will enjoy them as well. Each child gets to keep his craft and receives a free Kids’ Workshop apron, commemorative pin, and certificate of achievement.

My children love taking out the project, counting the pieces, and working through the instructions step by step. As you plan your weekend, enjoy using time wisely with your family and friends.

For more family events, check Using Time Wisely’s Facebook page. The events tab is updated often to keep you posted on free or inexpensive events. While on Facebook, join our community by clicking “like” and sharing this journey of using time wisely. Happy weekend!

Question: What activity are you planning for the weekend?

What Do You Think?: Establishing a Designated Family Night

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What do you think? Establishing a designated family night

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Around the blogosphere, many bloggers share their perspective on life. As I contemplate these many ideas (and some are really out there), sometimes I’m not sure what I think.

During this week of What Do You Think?, I share a topic and give you my 2¢. Please share your opinion.

The topics chosen will follow the posting schedule. Thanks in advance for your contributions on this journey to Using Time Wisely!

What Do You Think about Establishing a Designated Family Night?

Tracy’s 2¢: Our family does not have a single night dedicated to family night. I know of a family that declines all invitations on Monday evening to honor their family night. This arrangement works for that family, and I applaud them for building their family unit.

If you have a designated family night, how do you determined what you will do together? My children would choose a movie or play a game. However, my choice would lend more to a theme.

For example, with the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics occurring tonight, I would choose an Olympic theme complete with games, like this long jump contest or online scavenger hunt, medal cookies, puzzles, and mazes.

At this time, our family incorporates weekly outings into our schedule, but the day, time, and activity changes from week to week. I often wonder if establishing a designated family night would help in planning and investing in our family relationships.

Though each family operates differently, I would love a designated family night. However, our schedule changes from week to week. What do you think?

McAlister’s Deli: Free Tea Day – July 26, 2012

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Free tea at McAlister's Deli on Thursday, July 26, 2012

Photograph Credit: McAlister’s Deli

As a tea drinker for over 30 years, I have my favorite ice tea establishments. Though my children are only 7, 5, and 2, they are extremely picky about their sweet tea. Of course, mom’s tea is always best, but I do expose them to other tea makers. Unfortunately, their taste buds are stuck on the tea brewed at home. 😉

Last year, I took my kiddos to McAlister’s Deli for a free refreshing sweet tea on Tea Day. Knowing how picky they are, I took the chance.

Though they were not ready for McAlister’s tea, I didn’t mind it. The tea was not my favorite brew. I would prefer Chick-fil-A or Wendy’s, but I liked McAlister’s tea.

If you enjoy sweet or unsweetened tea or just want to try it, then mark your calendar for Thursday, July 26 for a visit to McAlister’s Deli and enjoy your free tea.

Note: Our McAlister’s Deli had a separate line on Tea Day last year. Our family did not waste time standing in line. We were ushered right up to the counter and received our free tea.

Question: What is your favorite choice of beverage? 

Reminder: Today is Chick-fil-A’s Cow Appreciation Day 2012!

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Appreciating the CowsChick-fil-A’s Cow Appreciation Day is a great family activity to dress as a bovine and eat free chicken together. Click this link for more details.

2011 Cow Appreciation Day

Last year, I spent about 2-3 hours creating our cow costumes for Cow Appreciation Day. This year, we spent 10 minutes getting ready for Chick-fil-A’s Cow Appreciation Day. The bulk of this time was finding the “safe” place I put the hats. 🙂

In using time wisely last year to invest in preparations for 2011 and beyond, I saved money, energy, and time this year for our special family activity.

Eat More Chikin2012 Cow Appreciation Day

After dressing Eat, Mor, and Chikin, we ventured out together. While enjoying our free lunch, we visited with some of our friends. Our Chick-fil-A was full, but the staff worked hard and provided free games and prizes. My children each received a little rubber basketball and a coupon for a breakfast item.

Are you short on time and need some cow inspiration? How do you make a cow costume? Try this:

1. Get an old white tee-shirt, and cut holes in it.

2. Then wear a black shirt under it.

3. Use a black eye liner to darken your nose.

4. Place black socks on your ears.

5. Wear black or white shoes.

6. Go to your local Chick-fil-A.

7. Eat free chicken.

In using time wisely and investing in the lives of your family, enjoy dressing up in cow attire. With Cow Appreciation Day occurring once a year, you can survive. Think of it as Halloween in July. 😉 Happy Cow Appreciation Day!

Question: How are you appreciating the cows today?