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You are here: Home / Archives for summer

Down on the Farm

July 10, 2014 by Tracy

Down on the Farm

Down on the FarmEarlier this week, my children and I went down on the farm with a group from our church. A family in our church purchased property and has begun raising chickens, pigs, and turkeys along with their cats and dog.

During our time at the farm, the day was beautiful with a gentle breeze. The children participated in wheelbarrow races, gunny sack hops, bobbing for apples, getting a hay ride, playing tug of war, and watching a group of older kids chase the pigs.

Delivering our lunch, the Chick-fil-A cow visited with the children. We enjoyed our lunch, the sweet watermelon, and the pie tasting contest. Though I chose the blueberry pie, the chocolate ended up winning.

Our time down on the farm was eventful. Miss 4 enjoyed seeing the bee hive, feeding the chickens her remaining watermelon, and watching the turkey. We hung out while Mr. 9 and Miss 6 were playing the games with their friends.

Down on the Farm  Down on the Farm

Spending time down on the farm ended with favorite memories of the pigs, the kitten, and stories of falling out of the wheelbarrows.

In following up with our visit, the printable packs from Katie at Gift of Curiosity reinforce our time down on the farm. Both her watermelon pack and farm themed package offer hours of fun while reviewing the memories made during our summer.

Down on the Farm    Down on the Farm

Photograph Credit: Gift of Curiosity

Usually our family limits visiting a farm to the fall season, but after this visit, we might need to return each season.

In using time wisely, we are enjoying different outings this summer which has kept my children on their toes. It’s fun trying to get them to figure out where we are going next. Happy summer fun!

Question: What new experience have you tried this summer?

Filed Under: Going Out, Summer, Family Activities Tagged With: summer

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

July 9, 2014 by Tracy

027 with blurWith all the events we attend, sometimes the event promotion is better than the event itself. But other times, the event far exceeds our expectations. One such outstanding event occurred when our family went to a baseball game.

We are privileged to live near a minor league baseball franchise. Though we don’t go often, we do get to a couple of games each season.

When a package deal of 4 baseball tickets, 4 zoo tickets, 4 children’s museum passes, and 4 waterpark passes was sold for $40, we snagged the deal.

With friends purchasing the same deal and unable to attend the game, they graciously gave us their 4 unused tickets, so we did not need to purchase a 5th ticket. Woo hoo!

As I received the 4 tickets from my friend, I discovered that the tickets were only for lawn seats, which means one brings a blanket to sit in the grassy area. In preparing for the game, we decided to take two blankets.

Finding Parking

On the day of the game, we headed out to the ballpark early. This choice landed us a fantastic parking space at the front entrance with FREE parking. I was ecstatic that we did not have to pay $5 for parking, nor did we need to walk a great distance to the game.

Picking up our Tickets

Our night continued as I walked up to the will call desk to retrieve my $40 package. I was wearing a team shirt that we received for FREE at a game last year. As I gave my name to the attendant, I was asked if I wanted to upgrade from the lawn to seats.

I could not get “of course” out of my mouth fast enough. On top of exchanging my tickets, the attendant also exchanged my other 4 tickets for seats in the same section.

We had not even entered the ballpark, and I was excited. We had found FREE parking and received FREE upgraded seats. I thought the night was perfect before we even got started.

Finding our Seats

As we entered the ballpark with our tickets, we found that our upgraded seats were behind home plate. We were out of the sun, had the row to ourselves, and a great view of the game. We settled in and saw many friends who also had purchased the $40 deal.

Seeing a couple we knew who were standing in the upper levels, I approached them and offered them our other tickets which they readily accepted. They were thrilled with finding a FREE parking spot and then getting these upgraded tickets.

Watching with Professionals

Getting ready for the game, we visited with friends and then watched as a few gentlemen camped out behind us. They had a radar gun, stat sheets, and clipboards. Thinking they were scouts, we listened to them. Mr. 9 came down to sit next me as we tried to figure out who they were.

Finding a break in their conversation, I asked and found out that two of the gentlemen were pitchers for the home team just charting the game. Another gentleman further down the row was a Braves’ scout. Well, my husband and son were wearing their Braves’ hats.

The scout kindly gave Mr. 9 a baseball. Not knowing who the scout was, we asked the pitchers to sign it which they did between innings. They were so nice.

Later, when I made it down the row, I spoke with the Braves’ scout and learned he was Lloyd Merritt. Not knowing who he was, I just thanked him for his gift to my son.

During the game, we were able to purchase drinks and cotton candy with a gift card. By the end of the night, we had spent less than $10 for a great family outing.

After watching a high-scoring game where the away team beat the home team, we headed home. It had been a great night at the ballpark, but we were ready for some rest.

Researching at Home

Once the kids were settled down, I hopped on the Internet to look up Mr. Merritt. From a Swag Bucks search, I discovered that Mr. Merritt is a retired St. Louis pitcher and current Braves’ scout. (This article is a bit out of date since Mr. Merritt is currently a Braves’ scout. It’s nice to know a bit more than the experts. 🙂 ) Grateful for his gift, Paul and I both messaged Mr. Merritt on his Facebook page to express in writing our appreciation.

When we purchased the $40 deal, I thought we were getting a great deal. After only using the first 4 tickets, we might have purchased the amazing experience.

I’m not sure we can match that game, but we are definitely up for the challenge.  With my children meeting their summer reading goals, I know we will be headed back this summer and ready for more action along with hearing the invitation to take me out to the ballgame. Happy summer!

Question: Have you had a highlight this summer? 

Filed Under: Going Out, Summer, Family Activities Tagged With: summer

National Boating and Fishing Week – June 1-8, 2014

May 29, 2014 by Tracy

National Boating and Fishing Week – June 1-8, 2014
National Boating and Fishing Week – June 1-8, 2014

Photograph Credit: Take Me Fishing

Every year during the first week of June, national boating and fishing week commences.

Many states offer FREE fishing days where no licenses are required.

These days are great for testing how likely you would return to see if a fishing license is worth the cost for your family.

If you are interested, check with your local parks or lakes to see if any community events are planned for this week.

May you enjoy the great outdoors during this upcoming week. Happy exploring!

Happy National Boating and Fishing Week

Filed Under: Going Out, Free Outings, Summer, Family Activities Tagged With: summer, fishing

Planning: Intentional Summer Fun

May 28, 2014 by Tracy

Planning: Intentional Summer Fun
Planning: Intentional Summer Fun

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Summer brings longer days, a slower pace of life, and extended family weekends.

As the summer begins, we have lots of ideas and plans for visiting the waterparks, meeting up with friends, taking a vacation, and getting caught up on life.

Though we have great visions of how summer will flow, I will not experience those events unless we plan for intentional summer fun.

Now, the planning does not need to be day by day or hour by hour, but we do plan our weekend activities before our 3-day family time passes by this summer.

There are many ways to plan for intentional summer fun. But to get the creativity rolling, check out these intentional planning resources:

  • Creating a summer bucket list with a FREE printable blank bucket list by contributing author Kristin at I’m an Organizing Junkie
  • 60 Days of summer fun with FREE printable cards by Pam at Over the Big Moon
  • Summer activity calendars at Motherhood on a Dime (To download, you must either become a Facebook fan or sign up for her e-mail newsletter.)
  • 50 Fun and Free Summer Activities for Kids e-book by MaryEllen at Imperfect Homemaker (You must sign up for her newsletter to download the e-book.)

In using time wisely and making sure that all those great suggestions find a place on your calendar, use these resources to plan for intentional summer fun. Happy planning!

Question: What is one item on your bucket list this summer?

Filed Under: Seasons, Summer, Event Planning Tagged With: summer

2014: Summer Bowling – Kids Bowl Free

May 20, 2014 by Tracy

2014: Summer Bowling – Kids Bowl Free

Photograph Credit: Kids Bowl Free

Keeping children active and engaged takes creativity.

If left to themselves, then my children would watch movies, play video and computer games, and sit most of the day.

Though I don’t mind them playing or watching, they also need to be up, moving, and active.

To reach this goal, I look for FREE or inexpensive activities and then schedule a couple outings each week throughout the summer. If you are gathering options for this summer, then Kids Bowl Free is a FREE national program.

Kids Bowl Free gives every registered child 2 FREE bowling games each day, every day, all summer long. The age limit, promotion dates, and available bowling times are determined by the individual bowling alleys that participate.

Child’s Registration

To get the FREE games, find a participating location (available in the United States and Canada) by clicking your state or province on the map. Once directed to your local alley, register each of your children. You will need to re-register each summer as the program resets, and the information from last year does not transfer.

There is a limit of 6 children and one bowling location per e-mail address. So, if you have 4 children and two available bowling alleys nearby, then you will need two e-mail accounts. Use one to sign up each of your 4 children at one location, and then use the other e-mail account to sign up all 4 children at the second location.

Using two e-mail addresses also works if you have more than 6 children. Just sign up half of them under one e-mail account, and the rest of your children on the second e-mail account for the same bowling location.

Once registered, you will receive a weekly e-mail each Sunday with a coupon for each person for each day. Before you go to the bowling alley, you will need to print your vouchers for your FREE games of bowling. Shoe rental is not included with this offer, so plan to spend around $3 per person for shoe rental.

Adult Registration

If you want to bowl with your children, then consider purchasing the Kids Bowl Free Family Pass. New this year, you can purchase one of four options which allow each named family member to bowl 2 free games each day all summer long. Again, shoe rental is not included, but you can choose the option that best fits your needs:

    • 1-person Family Pass: $19.95
    • 2-person Family Pass: $24.95
    • 3-person Family Pass: $29.95
    • 4-person Family Pass: $34.95

If you purchase the Family Pass, then you will get an e-mail confirmation to use immediately. Then on Sundays, you will get the coupons for each person for each day to print. You can register at anytime for the Family Pass by logging into your account, so wait until you are ready to go to the bowling alley before ordering.

In using time wisely and looking forward to summer plans, register your children for Kids Bowl Free. Though this activity is not FREE due to the shoe rental, bowling is a great way to keep your family cool and active this summer. Happy summer planning!

Question: Did you find a participating Kids Bowl Free alley in your area?

Filed Under: Going Out, Summer, Family Activities Tagged With: bowling, summer

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