Filene Center, Credit to Robert Llewellyn

This August, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s famous musical, The King & I, will hit the stage at Wolf Trap.  The original run of The King & I was awarded 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Actress, and Best Actor and includes the classic songs “Getting to Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Happy Young Lovers,” and my favorite, “Shall We Dance.”  I’m sure the majority of you are familiar with the King & I’s heart-rending story line of a British schoolteacher who tames the heart of the unbendable King of Siam – but, its gorgeous music and dance makes it a classic that can never be seen too many times!

You can choose from the following performances: August 31st at 8:00 PM; September 1st at 2:00 PM or 8:00 PM; and September 2nd at 2:00 PM or 8:00 PM.  And, tickets range in price from $20 – $80, depending on the time and location of your seat.  For those of you on a budget, I highly recommend the Lawn Seats – many of our friends get there early (to insure a good seat) and take a picnic dinner to enjoy while they wait for the performance to begin. 

Or, for those of you who would rather not cook, Wolf Trap’s Ovations Restaurant offers a pre-event buffet or á la carte items from your favorite area restaurants, including J. Paul’s, Georgia Brown’s, Neyla, Paulo’s, and more.  Ovations opens 2 ½ hours prior to show time, and reservations are strongly recommended.  For a slightly cheaper option, let Capital Restaurant Concepts, Official Picnic Caterer of the Wolf Trap Foundation, prepare your picnic under the stars.

The King & I is just one of the many shows that will be held at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center this summer.  Be sure to check out their entire list of performances – you will find it difficult to just pick one!  Some of the events I’ve drooled over are Yanni, the Pirates of Penzance, ABBA, and the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long.

:: Giveaway Details ::
The best part?  We have a family four pack of tickets to the King & I (you can choose your show) to give to one of my lucky readers.  To enter, just let me know your favorite of Wolf Trap’s summer performances!  This contest is open to the US and will close at 11:59 PM on June 14, 2012.  I will draw the winner by Random.org, and they will have 48 hours to respond to the email notification that they won.  I will then put them in touch with my contact at Wolf Trap, and they will be able to coordinate ticket pick-up, show of choice, and date.

Thank you to LeapFrog for sponsoring my post about Leapfrog Summer Camp. To sign up for LeapFrog Summer Camp, please click here. #CleverLFCamp #spon

Did you know that studies have shown that children, who have a long summer vacation, forget about one month’s worth of learning during their break?  While our four-year old hasn’t had a formal education yet, we’ve tried to introduce her to numbers, alphabets, and other basics.  And, considering the hours it took to learn our ABC’s, I would cry if she forgot everything over the summer!  But, not wanting to be the nagging “Tiger Mom,” I’m always on the lookout for fun ways to trick further her education.  When I read about the LeapFrog Summer Camp, I was so excited to find the perfect way to fill a few hours every morning this summer!

LeapFrog Summer Camp is a free, awesome, 8-week program designed to keep learning FUN all summer long!  This “Camp” offers engaging weekly themes and exciting learning activities that explore geography, writing, science, and art, and is ideal for children, ages 4-7.   All you have to do is sign up for their bi-weekly emails (which begin on Sunday, June 3rd) to keep up-to-date with their weekly activities and printable worksheets; or, for those of you who don’t like to give out your email address, you can visit their website to download your camp activities.

I particularly love that most of their activities require common supplies such as crayons, scissors and glue.  Since I’m very uncreative, we don’t have fancy, hard-to-pronounce art products, just sitting in our school room.  In fact, when I finally psych myself up to do a craft project with “A,” we usually end up finger painting, since anything from my “101 Simple Projects To Do With Your Preschooler” book requires a hundred dollar investment in supplies.  So, fellow creatively-challenged moms, LeapFrog is making your summer arts and crafts time much easier!

Here are the weekly themes – it’s hard to pick a favorite, but I know my daughter will be especially thrilled with “Week 3 – Puzzle Time”!

Week 1: June 4-10 Out & About
Campers will learn about the people and places in our world on their way to becoming global citizens.
 
Week 2: June 11-17 Caring for Animals
This week of LeapFrog activities is designed to inspire new experiences with animals and to consider themes of responsibility and compassion.
 
Week 3: June 18-24 Puzzle Time
Play with puzzles while building logic & reasoning skills.
 
Week 4: June 25-July 1 Art & Music
Children’s creativity blossoms when they have the time and freedom to experiment with a range of media. This week’s activities include handmade instruments, crafts, and a home art gallery.
 
Week 5: July 2-7 Writing That’s Real
Kids who don’t easily “take” to reading can often be coaxed through nonfiction. This week you’ll explore high-interest nonfiction topics and investigative writing.
 
Week 6: July 9-14 Storytelling
This week, children will express themselves creatively through storytelling, music, art, drama and pretend play.
 
Week 7: July 16-21 Natural Science
This week, they will encourage you and your child to observe, ask questions, and draw conclusions as you explore and investigate the world around you.
 
Week 8: July 23-29 Friendship Week
Get ready for school and International Friendship Day by exploring the theme of friendship.

I hope those of you with preschoolers and kindergarteners will be able to take advantage of this awesome program!  We’re planning on joining LeapFrog’s Summer Camp, as soon as we return from visiting my parents – and, I’ll have some fun experiences to relate in a few weeks!

This post is sponsored by LeapFrog. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

I’m sure many of you are wondering whether I mysteriously disappeared down a black hole  – but, never fear, our family is visiting my parents who live 5,000 miles away!  We’re treasuring the time we have with them, so posts will be a little sparse over the next two weeks, but I have lots of fun giveaways for you to enjoy in my absence!

Spy School Courtesy of the Spy Museum

A few weeks ago, we suggested you add Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre in the Woods to your “Must-Visit” list this summer; and today, we will be highlighting the awesome International Spy Museum.  My husband and I visited the International Spy Museum when it first opened in 2002, and found it highly entertaining.  And, last year, after my intrigue-loving brother-in-law begged and pleaded, we took him for a visit.  We chuckled over the 1960′s version of “high-tech” spy gadgets and wondered how on earth we survived the Cold War with such hugely obvious listening devices!  The guys drooled over James Bond’s “spy car” and I enjoyed reading the interesting historical facts about the KGB.

For those of you who are not as familiar with the Spy Museum, it is the only public museum in the US dedicated to espionage and the only one in the world that provides a global perspective on the subject.  According to their website, it features the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display, many of which have never been released before.

I love that the Spy Museum lets you delve into the world of spooks, by allowing you to adopt a cover, break codes, and identify disguised spies.  If you’d like to bump up the intrigue, you can choose to become an “Operation Spy.”  For one intense hour, you will be on a mission to isolate a missing nuclear trigger.  Just crack a few safes, interrogate a suspected double agent, decode a few messages, and you will rival Jack Bauer…well, at least, for a blissful 60 minutes.

Parents, to make the experience even more rewarding for your child, take some time to look at all the Educator Resources that the Spy Museum offers.  Their guides offer questions for discussion, activity suggestions, and books and websites for further reference.  If you spend a few days leading up to your visit reading about the Cold War or the science behind the cool espionage gadgets, your child/family will have a better understanding of the history behind the Museum.  And, you’ll get in some summer time reading and learning without too much pain!

:: Admission Fees :: 
Adults & Children (ages 12+): $19.95
Seniors (65+) & Military/Intelligence Community: $14.95
Children (ages 5-11): $13.95
Operation Spy Only (ages 12+): $14.95

Don’t forget to pick up your Costco Coupon Booklet at the customer service desk, if you haven’t received it at your home.  (These prices are based on the Leesburg, VA store.)

Instant Savings – No Coupon Necessary

Food Should Taste Good Tortilla Chips, 24 oz – $5.19
$2.00 instant savings
Final Price: $3.19

San Pellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverage, 24/11.15 oz – $14.99
$3.25 instant savings
Final Price: $11.74

Starbucks Frappuccino, 12/9.5 oz – $14.59
$3.00 instant savings
Final Price: $11.59

Propel Zero, 24/16.9 oz – $11.99
$3.00 instant savings
Final Price: $8.99

Odwalla or Naked Variety Pack, 10-12 pk – $14.59
$4.00 instant savings
Final Price: $10.59

Sabatasso’s Pizza Singles Variety Pack – $10.99
$3.00 instant savings
Final Price: $7.99

Butcher’s Best Kabobs – $9.99
$2.50 instant savings
Final Price: $7.49

Birds Eye Garlic Chicken – $8.89
$2.00 instant savings
Final Price: $6.89

Crazy Cuizine Orange Chicken – $14.39
$3.50 instant savings
Final Price: $11.39

Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste – $6.99
$3.50 instant savings
Final Price: $3.49

Ziploc Freezer Gallon, Freezer Quart, and/or Storage Combo Bags – $11.99
$2.00 instant savings
Final Price: $9.99

Coupon Needed

Drinks
Deer Park Water – $4.99
Use $1.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $3.49

Lipton Diet Green Tea, 24/16.9 oz – $9.99
Use $2.00/1 coupon
Final Price: $7.99

Grocery
Quaker Chewy Granola Bar Variety Pack, 60 ct – $10.99
Use $3.00/1 coupon
Final Price: $7.99

Cinnamon Toast Crunch, 51.7 oz – $7.29
Use $2.25/1 coupon
Final Price: $5.04

Nature’s Path Pumpkin Flax Granola $7.65
Use $2.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $5.15

Cheez-It Crackers, 48 oz – $6.69
Use $2.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $4.19

Kraft American Singles, 4 lbs – $11.29
Use $3.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $7.79

Household Items
Clorox Wipes, 4/78 ct – $12.99
Use $2.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $10.49

Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Heavy Duty, 2/150 ft – $13.89
Use $3.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $10.39

Scotch-Brite Sponges, 21 ct – $13.39
Use $2.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $10.89

Kirkland Signature Fabric Softener Sheets, 2/250 ct – $8.69
Use $2.00/1 coupon
Final Price: $6.69

All Free Clear Laundry Detergent, 185 oz – $12.49
Use $2.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $9.99

Any Tide Powder – $19.99
Use $2.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $17.49

Dixie Ultra Plates – $14.69
Use $2.35/1 coupon
Final Price: $12.34

Vanity Fair Napkins – $7.45
Use $1.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $5.95

Any Bounty Roll Towels – $19.99
Use $2.00/1 coupon
Final Price: $17.99

Any Charmin Bath Tissue – $20.99
Use $2.00/1 coupon
Final Price: $18.99

Cascade Action Pacs, 90 ct – $14.99
Use $3.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $11.49

Swiffer Dusters – $15.79
Use $3.00/1 coupon
Final Price: $12.79

Dawn Advanced Power, 90 oz – $8.99
Use $2.00/1 coupon
Final Price: $6.99

Cascade Advanced Power Powder, 125 oz – $9.49
Use $2.00/1 coupon
Final Price: $7.49

Living Social is offering a lawn ticket to catch one of the final US performances of Riverdance on 6/15, 6/16, or 6/17 at the famed Wolf Trap (a $20 or $25 value, based on date) for just $10!  Celebrating its 14th season at Wolf Trap’s storied Filene Center, this choreographed masterpiece has been viewed by more than one billion people worldwide and is likely to leave you singing and stepping long afterward. In the mood for a love story?

Pay $10 to catch Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific (running May 31 to June 3), or the five-time Tony Award-winning production of The King and I (running August 31 to September 2) — a $20 or $25 value, depending on date. Warm nights, 130 acres of national parkland, and award-winning performances? Sounds phenomenal, indeed.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.  Thank you for supporting Capitally Frugal!

Don’t forget – this Sunday (5/13) is Mother’s Day!  As I was doing a little research for this post, I was surprised to learn that a West Virginia women’s group led by Anna Reeves Jarvis began to celebrate “Mother’s Friendship Day,” in order to re-unite families and neighbors that had been divided between the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War.  Moms are such an integral part of our lives, bringing peace to our homes and joy to our hearts,  that this second Sunday in May became a national holiday, set aside to thank those who make such a different in our lives and the world by extension.  For those of you who are blessed to have a mom in your life, be sure to take a moment to give your mom a call this Sunday!

Restaurant Deals

California Pizza Kitchen
“Like” California Pizza Kitchen on Facebook and head over to their “Free Spinach” App to print your coupon for a free Spinach and Artichoke Dip!  The coupon must be used by next Monday, May 14, 2012 – but, it is valid for dine-in AND take-out orders!

Caribou Coffee
On Sunday, May 13, 2012, Caribou Coffee is offering Buy One, Get One Free drinks with this coupon.  Free drink must be of equal or lesser value than purchased drink.

Chipotle
Buy $30 in gift cards for Chipotle between now and June 17th.  Bring in your receipt on or before June 30th and receive a free burrito, bowl, order of tacos or salad.

Firehouse Subs
Free Medium Sub for Moms, when you purchase a sub, chips, and medium drink on Mother’s Day.

IKEA
Join IKEA for a free breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and potatoes and a cup of coffee on Mother’s Day.  Good from opening until 11:00am on May 13, 2012. Limit one per family. Value $1.74.

McCormick and Schmick
Each mother will receive free truffles at McCormick and Schmick on Sunday, May 13, 2012.  They offer a special lunch and dinner menu for the day.  Also, Costco offers (2) $50 gift cards to McCormick and Schmick for $79.99.

Mimi’s Cafe
As part of Mimi’s Month of Mom, our extended Mom holiday, they are providing Facebook fans a $5 Off Family Meals To-Go coupon to give Mom a break in the kitchen!

Outback Steakhouse
For each $50 in gift cards purchased at Outback Steakhouse, you’ll receive a $10 bonus card, between April 1, 2012 and June 17, 2012.  Bonus card will be valid between May 14, 2012 – July 15, 2012, valid for single purchase in restaurant and online.

Pei Wei
If you’ve signed up for Pei Wei’s Email Club, be sure to check your email Inbox.  They just sent out a coupon for a FREE Diner Select valid on Saturday, May 12th or Sunday, May 13th.  No purchase necessary.

Ruby Tuesdays
Free Mother’s Day cookbook – bring Mom to dine at Ruby Tuesday’s and she will receive a voucher for a free Ruby Tuesday’s Simply Fresh cookbook, while supplies last.

Sprinkles Cupcakes
On Mother’s Day (5/13), Sprinkles Cupcakes in all ten locations will give out a free cupcake to each customer who comes in between the hours of 12 noon and 2 p.m. and says, “People Like Us.”

Starbucks
Head to a participating Starbucks store between May 4-13 between 3-5 p.m. and enjoy any Frappuccino® blended beverage for half price!

Travinia Italian Kitchen
Free dessert for moms for lunch or dinner on Sunday, May 13, 2012.

Zoe’s Kitchen
Free slice of Yaya’s Chocolate Cake at Zoe’s Kitchen on Mother’s Day.  Thanks for the tip, PWC Moms!

Retail Store Deals

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Use this printable coupon to get 20% off one item, valid through May 13, 2012.

Bath & Body Works
Valid through Sunday, May 13, 2012, Bath and Body Works is offering a printable coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase.  And, there is still time to purchase their VIP Mother’s Day Tote for $20 (with any $40 purchase).

CVS Photo
Buy One, Get One Free Mother’s Day photo cards at CVS.  It costs $1.99 for two 5×7 cards – free same day pickup.

Frilly Frocks (in the Leesburg Wegmans Shopping Center)
Receive $5 off a $40 purchase with this printable coupon, valid through the month of May!  They have adorable, high-end children’s clothing and ladies attire for consignment.

New York & Company
Valid today only (5/11), New York & Company is offering a printable coupon for $15 off a $50 purchase, $20 off a $75 purchase, $30 off a $100 purchase.

Party City
Party City just released a printable coupon for 20% off a $40 purchase, valid this weekend.

Redbox
Send a free movie rental to anyone who is a mom (or who has a mom) – you can even send one to yourself! 

Shoppers Food & Pharmacy
Tomorrow it’s all about Mom at Shoppers!  Bring in your kids on Saturday, May 12th from 10 am to 3 pm to ‘Create the perfect gift for Mom!’ Choose between decorating a vase or a mini cake for only $3.99!  Click here to find your neighborhood Shoppers!

Washington, DC Local Area Mother’s Day Activities

King Pinz
Mother’s Day is Sunday May 13. In honor of these special ladies, all Moms get free shoe rental all day long.

Wegmeyer Farms
To celebrate all the Moms on Mother’s Day and the first time they’ve ever had strawberries ready for picking on Mother’s Day, renowned photographer Sarah Huntington will be on location taking family portraits. They are open daily from 9 am to 6 pm (or until picked out).  Photographs will be taken in the strawberry field from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on May 13. Wegmeyer Farms will award a free portrait package to one lucky Mom selected randomly from all those who have their pictures taken, which will include one 8×10, two 5×7′s and four wallets.  Families can purchase photo packages (one 8×10, two 5×7′s and four wallets) for $35 or additional portraits on-site or from Sarah Huntington’s website.

Vintage 50 (Leesburg, VA)
Head to Costco to get (2) $50 Vintage 50 gift cards for just $70 (this deal will last through mid-June).

Z-Burger
Bring your mother to Z-Burger in Tenleytown or Southwest between 10:30 a.m. and 10 p.m on Mother’s Day and say “ThankZ Mom” to get a free meal (regular, cheese or veggie burger plus a side of fries and a drink) for her. The offer is only good at the Tenleytown (4321 Wisconsin Ave. NW) and Southwest (1101 4th Street SW) Z-Burger locations.

Image Courtesy of King's Dominion

Are you a homeschooler in the DC area?  This Friday, May 11, 2012, HEAV (Virginia’s Homeschool Organization) is sponsoring a day at King’s Dominion!  Rates are discounted for homeschoolers, and there is still time for you to buy tickets.  My husband can’t wait until our daughter is old enough to participate – then, he’ll have an excuse to go on the fun roller coaster rides.  Me?  I’ll be on the ground, thankyouverymuch.

KINGS DOMINION
An HEAV-Sponsored Event!
Location: Doswell, off I-95
Date: Friday, May 11, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost (special rates for homeschoolers; online only):

• Regular ONLY $31.99 per person (age 3–61 & at least 48″ tall)
• Junior/Senior ONLY $26.99 per person (age 3–61 & under 48″ tall or Age 62+)
• Children age 2 and under are FREE!

Registration: Place your credit card order online at www.kingsdominion.com/HEAV. Log into the site with the username and password provided. Place your credit card order then print out your ticket(s) and bring it with you to the park. There is a $5.00 processing fee per order.

Username: KDHEAV07

Password : KDHEAV07

Description: Make your plans now to join HEAV under the Eiffel Tower and enjoy a full day of fun and education at Virginia’s premier theme park! There are rides for everyone, from the daring to the meek. Check out the new 30-story high Windseeker ride that’s fun, thrilling, and relaxing at the same time, making it an attraction that families enjoy riding together!

We had a AAA membership for several years, and I loved knowing we had a “safety net” in case our car broke down while we were miles away from home!  I also thoroughly enjoyed the AAA hotel and store discounts (ladies, did you know that even New York & Company offers a AAA discount?!).  But, AAA membership, while it affords a ton of benefits, can still be cost-prohibitive for those of us on tight budgets.

Which is why I was thrilled to see that Groupon Washington, DC is offering 50% off a AAA membership today!  It’s a one-year basic membership that includes roadside assistance, complimentary trip-planning tools, and AAA exclusive discounts for one member. You must live in a region covered by AAA Mid-Atlantic to take advantage of this deal: Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC, or New Jersey.  To see the complete, detailed list, click here.

Fine Print:  This voucher expires Jul 11, 2012. Limit 1 per household, may buy multiple as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. New members only. Online activation required. Must activate by expiration date on your Groupon, membership expires 1 year from activation date.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.  Thank you for supporting Capitally Frugal!

“Like” California Pizza Kitchen on Facebook and head over to their “Free Spinach” App to print your coupon for a free Spinach and Artichoke Dip!  The coupon must be used by next Monday, May 14, 2012 – but, it is valid for dine-in AND take-out orders!

Fine Print: Limit one offer, per table, per visit.  No additional purchase is necessary.

Select AMF bowling centers are offering two free games of bowling per day, until 8 PM, for kids 15 and under. (Keep in mind that shoe rental is not included.)  This offer is valid, starting Monday, May 14 and lasts through Monday, September 3 (Labor Day).  Parents, just need to visit the AMF website to select a participating center (over 250 locations) and complete a simple registration form.  Then, free game coupons will be emailed to you every week, beginning May 14th.

For those of you who are 16 and over, you can purchase a $29.99 AMF Summer Pass.  It allows you and three other family members ages 16 and up to bowl two games per day all summer long! That’s less than $7.50 per person, for an entire summer worth of fun! You’ll be able to print your bowling passes any time from May 14 through September 3. (Shoe rental is not included.)

For those of you in the DC Metro area, here are a few participating AMF Bowling Centers:

AMF Centreville Lanes, Centreville, VA
AMF Annandale Lanes, Annandale, VA
AMF Alexandria Lanes, Alexandria, VA
AMF Dale City Lanes, Woodbridge, VA
AMF College Park Lanes, College Park, MD
AMF Capital Plaza Lanes, Hyattsville, MD
AMF Marlow Heights Lanes, Temple Hills, MD
AMF Laurel Lanes, Laurel, MD

Disclosure: I  participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing.  All opinions stated in the post are my own.