Marion Mom

Purdue Extension Block Party - Marion Public Library 10/29 at 6pm

2014-10-27T14:15:00.000-04:00

My boys and I participated in one of these events a couple of months ago and my kids had a blast being creative & playing with each other and with me. If you haven't been, check it out this week!

The Block Party program offered by Purdue Extension provides events that include free play
with blocks of all types and sizes for families and their children ages 8 months to 8 years. Parents interact and play with their children while learning how to help them develop a variety of skills such as math, science, social, physical, new words, pre-reading, creative, and problem-solving skills.

Join us for the Party:
Marion Public Library
October 29, 6:00 p.m.
For more information about the Block Party program, visit:
www.purdue.edu/hhs/extension/blockparty

Food for thought

2014-09-23T22:00:00.002-04:00

Community Marketplace - September 17th from 3-6pm

2014-09-14T05:00:00.000-04:00

I've gone to this the last couple of years with my kids, and it is a lot of fun! Don't miss it!

Rock the Way Festival - Saturday, Sept 13th (Free family event!)

2014-09-11T13:09:00.003-04:00

HEALTHYBODS = HAPPY KIDS Google+ Hangout

2014-09-09T09:21:00.001-04:00

Riding Bikes With My Boys

2014-07-13T07:56:00.003-04:00

As life keeps me busy, there seems to be less and less time to post things on this blog! I'm feeling like I'm a bit of a blogger-failure these days. :( That said, I'd rather be with my kiddos outside in the summer than inside on the computer, so maybe that's not a bad thing! "Playing" with my kids doesn't come naturally for me, so I'm trying to be more purposeful about playing/interacting with them instead of busying myself with other things. I'm getting a little better, but I have a long way to go!

My boys and I have had a great summer, full of fun, but relaxing activities. I've tried to plan at least one thing a day, and my boys have apparently learned this, as Caleb asked me yesterday, "So what's the plan for the day?" I guess he is my son. :)

This summer I bought a bike for the first time in over a decade, and as I promised my husband (to justify the purchase), I really have been riding it! My oldest is 7, and can ride on his own, but my 5 year old isn't quite on his own yet so we purchased a "tag along" for behind my bike. I'd looked at this attachment last summer, but decided against it. This summer I bit the bullet, and I can't recommend it enough! I wish I'd done it sooner! Micah, my 5 year old, LOVES it, and it isn't difficult for me to maneuver. In case you're interested, I got it at Dunham's, but it's also available online. See Amazon link to the one I got (but check Dunham's first b/c I got mine on clearance!) My husband put it together, and said it wasn't difficult to do. It's also easy to remove. People see us on the street and everyone comments on it and asks me where I got it, so I don't think resale will be difficult.

I also purchased a helmet this summer - my boys have been on me the past couple of summers to get one, and I kept making excuses, but my ridiculous vanity isn't worth the example I'm setting for my kids. I read a few weeks ago on a GREEN LIVING website that if we all went one day a week without driving we would make a significant impact on the environment. I'm always looking for ways to make changes that can affect our environment and our health in a positive way, so I figure I should try it. My boys and I rode to the Farmer's Market yesterday, and the grocery store the day before. It gives us exercise, saves gas & pollution to the air, passes some of the time on some long summer days, and creates an experience I'm hoping they remember with me.

See us below rocking our helmets. :)

Father's Day Root Beer Tasting - 6/14

2014-06-11T10:14:00.000-04:00

Lots of fun summer events happening this weekend. One we're going to hit up is in Wabash, Indiana. If you've never been to Charlie Creek Inn, it is a very cool old restored hotel - worth checking out!

Library's Summer Reading Program for Kids (6/2 - 7/27)

2014-05-27T08:54:00.002-04:00

The children's Summer Reading Program at the Marion Public Library starts next week! Get in and get your kids signed up! My kids love this program - like their Dad, anything that is a competition gets them motivated, and it is a fun way to keep them in learning-mode over the summer. :)

Monday June 2 through Saturday, July 26 2014
Early Literacy Program: Infants - Pre-Kindergarten
Children's Program: Kindergarten - Eighth Grade

Program Guidelines
1. Children in the Early Literacy Program will read for 1 hour each week and the participants in the Children's Program will read for two hours per week. Cross off a symbol on your reading log for every 15 minutes you read. This is meant to be completed weekly, but you can work ahead.

2. You may read books, magazines, and listen to audio books or read-alongs, preferably from the Marion Public Library.

3. Each week bring in your reading log to receive a prize. A designated prize will be given each week.

4. To finish the program, you must complete all reading. The children who complete this program can enter into the Grand Prize drawings, and will be invited to a Completion Party.

5. Additional prizes from the treasure box can be earned by: All entries for Grand Prize drawings will be given out the week of July 21. Winners of the Grand Prize drawings will be notified and prizes given away at the Completion Party.

Completing Incentive Game (on the back of the reading log)
Read bonus time (ask for sheet)

6. All entries for Grand Prize drawings will be given out the week of July 21.

7. Winners of the Grand Prize drawings will be notified and prizes given away at the Completion Party.

I love this

2014-03-15T08:39:00.001-04:00

Daylight Savings Time - This WEEKEND!

2014-03-05T13:30:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to SPRING FORWARD! Daylight Savings Time is this weekend and you have to set your clocks ahead on Saturday night/Sunday morning (2am) on March 9, 2013. At least this means Spring is here? :)

Big Lots 20% off Weekend

2014-02-28T13:11:00.001-05:00

This weekend Big Lots is having their 20% off sale, Saturday afternoon (2pm-close) & all day Sunday. Sat you have to scan your Rewards Card to get discount (you can get one for free if you don't have one), but Sunday you need the coupon (below). Great chance to stock up on snacks, cereal & toiletries!

Free Lego Club Magazine Subscription

2014-02-22T06:13:00.001-05:00

Free subscription to Lego Club magazine, just for filling out a survey. My boys each get these, and they are a fun surprise when they come in the mail! Click HERE to sign up!

Home delivery of LEGO Club Magazine & much more!

When you sign up, you will receive:

The FREE LEGO® Club Magazine, full of comic adventures, games and puzzles, building challenges and Cool Creations built by LEGO fans!

- Exclusive content online at LEGO.com/club!!
- A monthly email newsletter with exclusive LEGO Club news, building steps and contests. You can unsubscribe at anytime.
- Club Codes to unlock cool stuff on the website

SwapaDVD.com - Out with the old, in with the new

2014-02-17T07:11:00.000-05:00

I'm taking my boys to see my Dad over their spring break. We'll be flying from Indy to Boise, via Denver, so we have multiple hours on the plane. Trying to think ahead about entertainment, I was reminded that all of the DVDs that used to keep my boys entertained mindlessly for hours on a plane (Dora, Backyardigans, etc.), no longer hold their interest. So, I revisited a site I haven't been on in a while.

Have you heard of SwapaDVD.com? It is a great site/program - easy to use. Basically, you list any DVDs you have for sale, others request them, you mail them directly to the person who requested it (with the help of easy mailing labels printed out from the SwapaDVD system), and then you have "credits" to shop their system with for any DVDs others have. I spent about 25 minutes loading in the list of DVDs my boys no longer watch, and within days I had requests to mail 5 DVDs, which got me 5 credits to get new movies for the flight for my boys to Boise!

I admit, I was a little sad about trading in Dora for Superheros cartoons, but my boys are still pretty stinkin' cute, so I'll be okay. :)

If you haven't tried the site/program before, I recommend it. I almost just took the DVDs down to the kids consignment store here, but am glad I spent a few minutes to enter them instead as 5 new super hero videos are worth a lot more to me than the $5 I would have gotten at the consignment shop.

Check it out! www.SwapaDVD.com

Lowes Build & Grown Clinic - Valentine Holder - Sat, Feb 8 at 10am

2014-02-07T14:21:00.004-05:00

Love Note Holder

Saturday, February 08 (10:00 AM)

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Bring your child to Lowe's and they can build this Love Note Holder!

Lowes Build & Grown kids clinics are FREE & a fun Saturday morning activity with your kiddos!

Click HERE to register.

LEGO Movie Free Building Event at Toys-r-us (Sat, Feb 8)

2014-02-07T14:11:00.000-05:00

National Wear Red Day - Today, Fri, Feb 7, 2014

2014-02-07T08:28:00.005-05:00

Did you know that heart disease kills more women than all kinds of cancer combined? Living a healthy lifestyle is about having a HEALTHY HEART.

Join The Heart Truth® on National Wear Red Day, TODAY, Friday, February 7, to show your support for women’s heart health.

On National Wear Red Day, Americans nationwide will wear red—honoring those affected by heart disease and expressing their your commitment to a heart healthy lifestyle. So, put on your favorite red dress, shirt, tie, or Red Dress pin on February 7 and help motivate Americans to protect their hearts.

Free Museums for Bank of America Customers Feb 1 & 2

2014-01-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

Are you a Bank of America customer? If so, you should be taking advantage of their free museum days the first weekend of each month! Their next dates are this weekend, Feb 1 & 2. See below for details and link to museum list. Unfortunately, there are none in Indiana, but other places have GREAT options (e.g. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Houston Zoo, MFA in Boston, etc.).

Museums on Us®

Through Museums on Us, we offer our cardholders free weekend access to some of America’s favorite museums and cultural institutions.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for Museums on Us, you must be a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch card customer. Simply present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain one free general admission to any participating institution. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission.

When is it available?

With qualifying identification, customers can enjoy free admission on the first full weekend of every month. Click here to view the 2014 calendar.

How does it work?

Designed to provide a benefit to our customers and increase access to the arts across the United States, Museums on Us offers free general admission to 150 museums nationwide.

The program brings new audiences and increased attention to participating organizations, which range from some of the nation’s most celebrated museums to regional gems and include art, science and history museums, as well as other cultural institutions. For a full list of participating museums, please visit the Museums on Us site.

Fox Appliance - Recommend!

2014-01-28T17:09:00.001-05:00

Since moving to Marion and buying our first home, my husband and I are always looking for different service people who we can rely on and who are reasonably priced! Recently, our dryer stopped working, so we called Fox Appliance. This is actually our 3rd time having them out for various projects (once our dishwasher stopped heating, once our fridge door was broken), and I can honestly say that the $59 service fee for coming out is worth it! They are quick, professional, knowledgable, and very friendly. We called Friday, they came out Saturday morning (as promised), called Saturday afternoon with the cost of the parts needed, and came back Monday afternoon (with ordered parts - I have no idea how they got there so quickly!) to install & fix. I'm doing laundry again! :)

Have something you need done? They service most brands of appliances.

Fox Appliance Repair And Service LLC

112 E Washington Street
Fairmount, IN 46928

Phone: (765) 948-5470

Do you have a service person or contractor, etc. you love? Let me know! Post it in the comments below.

YMCA Soccer & Volleyball Registrations

2014-01-26T08:13:00.001-05:00

Think SPRING!

YMCA soccer registrations have begun - they're taking them now through March 15th for U6 & U8. Fees are $25 for YMCA members and $40 for non-members. Games are at Ballard Field this year (on 18, right before you get to Marion as you're driving in from 69). Practices begin week of March 31 (spring break week) and games start April 12.

My oldest played soccer last year and had a great experience so we will be signing both our kiddos up this year! To register, stop by the YMCA in Marion to complete an application and pay your fees (by check or credit card).

Looking forward to being OUTSIDE again!

YMCA is also taking volleyball registrations through March 15. Same fees & dates as soccer - $25/members or $40/non-members, starting week of March 31. Volleyball is for 5/6 grade or 7/8 grade. Stop by YMCA in Marion to register.

Grant County YMCA:

123 Sutter Way, Marion, IN 46952

(765)664-0544

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday 6:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (MEMBERS ONLY)

Big Lots 20% Off - Saturday, Jan 25th

2014-01-24T10:30:00.003-05:00

I stock up at Big Lots when they have these 20% off days - toilet paper, shampoo & soaps, cereal, canned goods, juice boxes, snack foods like granola bars... you never know what you'll find there, but whatever I do find I always get good deals on! Prices are already cheaper than the grocery store, and with 20% it is a steal! Event is this Saturday!

Redbox Instant Streaming FREE Trial + 4 free DVD credits...think I'll try this!

2014-01-19T16:26:00.000-05:00

FREE One Month Trial of Redbox Instant + Four FREE DVD Credits

Get a 1-Month Free Trial to Redbox Instant by Verizon with a subscription (or “with sign up”). Receive access to a Streaming Library of Hits and 4 DVD Credits every month for rentals at your local Redbox kiosk. Once your free trial expires, membership costs $8 per month plus taxes. That matches Netflix’s Unlimited Streaming package.

RedBox Instant by Verizon

Sign up for the 1 month free trial
Instant, unlimited access to streaming movies
Enjoy 4 fabulous DVD credits at the Kiosk
Stream movies wherever you are

Posting thanks to Coupondiva.com

MLK Jr. Celebration Concert - Fri, Jan 17th at 6:30pm

2014-01-16T09:52:00.000-05:00

Event is on Indiana Wesleyan's campus. Tickets are still available! Call to get yours today!

Lowes Kids Clinic - Train Engine Dec 14 at 10am

2013-12-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

The next Lowes Build & Grow FREE kids clinic is this weekend, Saturday morning. You can register online HERE, or just show up and hope they still have a kit. I warn you that the last two Decembers the TRAIN kits have been very popular, and they do run out, so I suggest registering online AND getting there little before 10am to make sure you get one!

Train Engine

Saturday, December 14 (10:00 AM)

The holidays are right around the corner! Bring your child to Lowe's and they can build this festive Train Engine!

New 2U Christmas Toy Trade - Dec 14th from 10:30-1:30pm

2013-12-10T19:28:00.002-05:00

Ramie's Run: 5k fun run/walk to promote healthy children in Grant County (Nove 9th at 10am)

2013-11-06T06:33:00.001-05:00

This weekend is a 5k fun run/walk/dog walk at Matter Park in honor of Ramie Harris, who passed away two years ago in a plan crash. The proceeds from the run go toward promoting health in Grant County children through various means. It is not too late to sign up for the run - see info below.

Ramie Harris was a young woman who lived a healthy lifestyle. She loved fitness –soccer, running, and many other activities. It was her goal to run a marathon. Ramie was passionate to become a physician and encourage others to be physically and mentally healthy. Ramie also adored animals, including her dog Paisley.

In Ramie’s honor we are planning a 5 K run, fun run/walk and dog walk. “Ramie’s Run” will occur November 9th 2013 at 10 AM in Matter Park in Marion. The proceeds will promote health and wellness for children throughout Grant Count.

For more info: http://ramiesrun.wordpress.com/ or contact Meredith.potrzebowski@gmail.com (765-506-2259)