Slash Pads are OPEN!!

REPOSTED from last year....
It's starting to feel like summer, so it's about time I put up some info on ideas to stay cool!  And, since I am so nice, I thought I would make the search easy for you by linking each park to it's mapped location (this is what happens when you get to sit and nurse your baby a few hundred times a day & I apparently have an obsessive need to multi-task).
Hope this helps & don't forget your sunscreen!!!

Boulder City:
Veteran's Memorial Park - 1650 Buchanan Blvd (I hear this park is fantastic)

Henderson:
Acacia Park - 50 Casa Del Fuego, 89012
Esselmont Park - 2725 Anthem Highlands Drive, 89044
Hayley Hendricks Park - 811 Ithaca Ave, 89015
Mission Hills Park - 551 E Mission Drive, 89002
Paseo Vista Park - 2505 Paseo Verde Pkwy, 89074
Saguaro Park - 600 Pounds Way, 89015

Las Vegas:
All-American - 1551 S Buffalo Dr, 89117
Angel - 241 S Durango Dr, 89145
Bob Baskin - 2801 Oakey Blvd, 89102
Bruce Trent - 8851 Vegas Dr, 89128
Centennial Hills - 7101 N Buffalo Dr, 89131
Gilcrease Brothers - 10011 Gilcrease Ave, 89149
Justice Myron E Leavitt Family - 2100 E St Louis Ave, 89104
Polly Gonzalez Memorial - 5425 Corbett St, 89130
Rainbow Family - 7151 W Oakey Blvd, 89117
Red Ridge Family Park - 9135 W Maule Ave
Sunny Springs - 7620 Golden Talon Ave, 89131
Winding Trails - 7250 N Ft. Apache, 89149
Woofter Family - 1600 Rock Springs Dr, 89128

Clark County Parks:
Alexander Villas Park - 3620 Lincoln Road, 89115
Duck Creek Park - 8650 Pollock Dr, 89123 (not in the best shape now)
Meyer Park & Center - 4525 New Forest Dr, 89147
Molasky Family Park - 1065 E Twain, 89169
Mountain Crest Park & Center - 4701 N Durango, 89129
Nicholas E. Flores Jr. Park - 4133 Allen Lan, 89032
Joe Shoong Park - 1503 Wesley St, 89104
Somerset Hills Park - 10717 Valencia Hills, 89141
Spring Valley Park - 7600 W Flamingo, 89147
Winchester Park - 3130 S McLeod, 89121

(If you know of any others, leave a comment and I will add them - thanks)

Summer Investments

While I try to keep my summer activities relatively inexpensive (OK - let's face it, I'm totally cheap), but there are a few key things I will put some money into up front as kind of an "investment" in my summer plans.  Then I end up being able to use most of these throughout the year as well.  It works out to be a really great pay off in the end!!  Memberships to the following places are a life saver on days when you really don't have anything "planned" for the day. 

Lied Discovery Children's Museum

 $65 for 2 family members (1 adult and 1 child)

$70 for 3 family members

$75 for 4 family members

$80 for 5 family members

$85 for 6 family members

(they do offer a $10 discount for active military families too)

Natural History Museum

$65 Family Membership (2 adults and ALL children)

Springs Preserve

$60 Family Membership (2 adults and ALL children)

Henderson Rec Center Pools
60 punch card $36
for us that's almost 7 trips to the big activity pools

I can go to a fun pool and a museum each week for around $20 (if I am just calculating it for 12 weeks of summer)!  That's 2 days of activities taken care of ;-).  And like I said, with the exception of the pool punch cards, these are all ANNUAL memberships!  Get a few friends together who all have memberships and you can have some super fun playgroups planned for the year too!  

**Since I am such a nerd and I love to crunch numbers, just the first 3 memberships only costs me a little over $4 a week.  I usually do a few trips a month anyway so that is such a deal!**

TownSquare Movies

 

 Rave Motion Pictures still doing FREE movies this summer!!  Hooray!!  We love going to Town Square for movie days because after the movie, you can head over to the awesome playground complete with splash pad and cool off!!  Makes the drive home nice and cool.  That's a fun filled morning and the kids will be more than ready for naptime after all that (yipee).  Looks like we missed last week - sorry, but these are already playing.

All movie times are at 10am, but you will want to be there early as it is first come, first served seating.

Rave @ Town Square (click for map)

June 7 & 8

Megamind
June 14 & 15

Yogi Bear
June 21 & 22

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
June 28 & 29

Live Large (?)
July 5 & 6

Ramona and Beezus
July 12 & 13

The Lightning Thief
July 19 & 20

Narnia Voyage of the Dawn Treader
July 26 & 27 

Gulliver’s Travels 

Want a change of scene from the big movie theater?  Town Square also has Movies in the Square on those nice summer nights.  Every Thursday at sundown, Findlay Toyota is sponsoring FREE movie series!  Since movie start time is at "sundown" you might want to plan on going early to get a good seat on the grass as well as enjoy some live entertainment.  Add a sweet treat and that sounds like a magical night.  This series also has already begun, so here is the plan for movies for the rest of the summer.

June 16

Shrek Ever After

June 23

The Karate Kid

June 30

Megamind

July 7

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

July 14

Kung Fu Panda

July 21

Yogi Bear

July 28

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

August 4

Toy Story 3

August 11

Up

August 18

The Mighty Ducks

August 25

Tangled

ENJOY!!!

$1 Regal Movies

If you have followed this blog for a while, you will know that I am sucker for movies... especially free ones!  We have always enjoyed the Regal Colonnade since it is so close to our house, and in the past has been absolutely free.  Times are-a-changin' I guess, and we have to pay this year.  Bummer, I know... But, it's only $1!!  So right now, add to your weekly budget enough dollars to cover your family and pick a day to head to the movies.  There are some good ones playing this year and I am really looking forward to this. What I love about this is activity, is that it is a regular on our calendar, and thus provides some consistency for our summer.  Sounds weird, I know, but I just love Tuesdays and Wednesdays!!  

Here is the list of Regal Cinema movies at both the Colonnade and Village Square. Enjoy!

NOTE: All shows start at 10am, but I would get there at least 15 minutes early - those theaters fill up fast.

Colonnade 14 (Eastern and Pebble - click for map)

6/21-6/22

Chronicles of Narnia

Tale of Despereaux

6/28-6/29

Cats and Dogs

Megamind

7/5-7/6

Alpha and Omega

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

7/12-7/13

Charlotte's Web

Percy Jackson & The Olympians

7/19-7/20

Furry Vengeance

Shrek Forever After

7/26-7/27

Kitt Kittredge

Legend of the Guardians

8/2-8/3

Gulliver's Travels

How to Train Your Dragon

8/9-8/10

Marmaduke

Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

8/16-8/17

Despicable Me

Nanny McPhee Returns

Village Square 18 (9400 Sahara Ave - click for map)

6/21-6/22

Despicable Me

Nanny McPhee Returns

6/28-6/29

Chronicles of Narnia

Tale of Despereaux

7/5-7/6

Cats and Dogs

Megamind

7/12-7/13

Alpha and Omega

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

7/19-7/20

Charlotte's Web

Percy Jackson & The Olympians

7/26-7/27

Furry Vengeance

Shrek Forever After

8/2-8/3

Kitt Kittredge

Legend of the Guardians

8/9-8/10

Gulliver's Travels

How to Train Your Dragon

8/16-8/17

Marmaduke

Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

Parks and Recreation Links

I LOVE that we have such great parks and recreation departments here in the Las Vegas valley. These are quick links to the summer editions of the parks and rec brochures. Look closely as there are usually LOTS of FREE classes and/or events:

City of Henderson

City of Las Vegas 

City of North Las Vegas

Clark County 

  Boulder City

Summer Reading - CHART IT!

Those of you who know me, or have been to my class, you know how much I love a good spreadsheet!  My brain just works better when there is order.  So, lists... charts... anything to keep this mamma's crazy brain under control just makes me happy.  

I saw this gal's blog post highlighted on Sugardoodle.net today and just KNEW I needed to do this for my kiddies.  This will be a great motivation for my kids and will just be all around FUN to tie in all these reading programs that I just posted about here... here... and here...  

Erin at Chicken Babies, came up with this Ahhhhdorable way to chart all the books her kids read this summer.  I may have to make some adjustments since I have 2 great readers, 1 who is just starting with blending letter, 1 who thinks she can read and has quite a fine imagination when doing so, and 1 who just loves to sit on your lap and enjoy any picture of a doggie or ball.  I'm not sure how I will adapt, but the concept is great and I have plenty of empty wall space in my hallway upstairs.  So much fun!!  So check out her post and let me know what you come up with!

I hope your summer is filled with lots of good stories and memories with your kids!  I am working on updating the Family Fun calendar at the bottom of this blog, so if you know of any good activities (scheduled or not) that I can highlight for you or add to the calendar, please let me know!  

Happy READING!! 

Library Summer Reading Programs

And what I think will be the final installment of the summer reading program, the libraries!  If you haven't participated in these events with your children over the past few summers, you are really missing out.  We have loved everything they do at the Henderson libraries for the past several years.  Typically, when your child reads a certain number of books, they can earn prizes along the way.  Usually the big prize is free admittance to the Lied's Children's Museum, or a discount at The Shark Reef!  That just adds to extra fun things to do this summer on the cheap.  

So, here's the info you will need... 

Henderson Public Libraries

Summer Reading Kick-off Party

Saturday, June 11th 9am-1pm 

Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water Street. 

Free Activities; including bounce house, games, live entertainment, community booths, crafts and much more. Sign up to earn prizes as you read during the summer.

Click here for library locations

Clark County Public Libraries

   Their program starts June 10th.  Just go to any library and get your forms to fill out.  They also have a toddler reading program!  What a great way to get your little one to love books! 

Click here for library locations

Stay tuned for another great idea on how to keep your kids pumped about reading ALL summer!! 

More Summer Reading

I should have known to post the Borders summer reading program when I did the one about the Barnes & Noble.  (I will be posting about the libraries next).  I am so excited about these programs because I have a few kids who love to read and I am always looking for ways to encourage them without actually 'telling' them to do it.  We have a few hard heads over here - not sure where they get it from.  

Anyway, Borders rewards program is called "Double Dog Dare Challenge" (fun).  When your kids read 10 books, they get one for FREE!!  Fill out the form HERE and you are on your way! 

FREE Books!

Let the summer fun begin!!  I will be updating the Family Fun calendar in just a few days (as soon as I find a few extra hours in my day - sheesh).  But I thought I would share a few nuggets to get things rolling.  

This one's a freebie so it gets at the top of my list!  When your child reads 8 books, they can earn a FREE book from Barnes & Noble!!  It's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3... 

1 - Download the reading journal

2 - Find a store near you (click here for NV stores)

3 - Read, baby, read!  

Parents and teachers, you can download even more activities and ideas for the kiddies.  Check out the B&N Summer Reading site for more information, and HAPPY READING!!

Polar Bears...in Summer?

Not sure why it has taken me all summer to figure this one out, but my friend told me about this neat Polar Bear exhibit at the Galleria Mall.  She mentioned that they have even cheaper group rates.  With a group minimum of 12 people, you can get a discount for the polar bears and penguins exhibit/activities. It brings the price down to $2/person!

Located on the Upper Level of the mall, next to Kohl's

Ticket Prices:

Adults: $6

Children ages 5-17: $4

Seniors 62 and older: $4

Group rates available, call 267-2171

If I happen to get my act together I will schedule a day and time to go and you can join us for the group rate (we are half the group by ourselves now - sheesh) - stay tuned for that. 

UPDATE:  There is a mom's group meeting at the exhibit on Friday Aug 27 @ 10:30am.  They need more people to make a full group.  The J Crew will be there - how fun!!

FREE Slurpee Day!!

Don't forget to stop by your local 7-11 on 7/11/11 to get your FREE Slurpee!!

Make a fun afternoon of it - teach your big kids how to be a navigator, read a map, and plot out several 7-11 locations (if 1 free Slurpee is good...5 is even better). Here's our map for tomorrow's festivities!

Happy Seven-Eleven Day!!

Bass Pro Shops

My hubby has officially caught the "freebie summer bug".  He came home and told me he saw a billboard about Bass Pro Shops having some free workshops for the summer, and that I needed to put it on my blog!  He's so stinkin cute!  So, in honor of my sweet hubby.... here ya go! 

From June 5 - July 11 you can go to the Bass Pro Shop and take advantage of FREE workshops, FREE crafts, and loads of other FREE activities!!  Click each link to be taken to that page for more details.  The crafts are at specific times so those will be added to the Family Fun Calendar at the bottom of this blog. 

Summer Reading Programs

Here's another freebie for your kids this summer!  Thank you to Self Reliant Sisters for this list! 

Here are 5 summer reading programs that are great to participate in!

Barnes and Noble (grades 1-6 only)
1. Read any eight books this summer and record them in this Passport. Be sure to document the location you visit in each book.
2. Bring your completed Passport to a Barnes & Noble store between May 25 and September 7, 2010.
3. Choose your FREE reading adventure from the book list featured on the back of your Passport. Your name will be automatically entered in the autographed book sweepstakes. 

 

Borders (Kids 12 and under) - “Double-Dog Dare” - Kids 12 and under who read 10 books can fill out the form and bring it to a Borders or Waldenbooks store by 8/26/10 to get a FREE book! (select titles available)
 

Henderson Library (all ages - adults too!) - Sign up online or in the library. You get cool prizes for reading!

Las Vegas Library -Kids Reading Program (birth through grade 5) & Teen Reading Program (6th grade to Senior). Download your reading log online and earn cool prizes!
 

Chuck E. Cheese - Reading rewards calendar. Read every day for 2 weeks and get 10 free tokens!

FREE Movies

This HAS to be my favorite thing to do with my kids in the summer.  For one, its FREE!!  For another, couple this with lunch at the park and by early afternoon, you have some pretty tuckered out little munchkins (I'm so sly).   These movies are every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am.  It's first come first serve, so you will want to get there early to get seats. 

The Colonnade Stadium 14 

8880 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV

6/22 & 6/23

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (PG)

The Spy Next Door (PG)

6/29 & 6/30

Kung Fu Panda (PG)

Tooth Fairy (PG)

7/6 & 7/7

Wallace and Gromit (G)

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (PG)

7/13 & 7/14

Monsters vs Aliens (PG)

Night at the Museum II (PG)

7/20 & 7/21

Everyone's Hero (G)

Hotel for Dogs (PG)

7/27 & 7/28

Horton Hears a Who (G)

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)

8/3 & 8/4

Space Chimps (G)

Aliens in the Attic (PG)

8/10 & 8/11

Tale of Despereaux (G)

Coraline (PG)

8/17 & 8/18

Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G)

Astro Boy (PG)

This theater is listed here because it's closest to my house ;-).  This year, there are two other theaters participating in the family film festival:  Village Square Stadium and Rainbow Promenade.  Check out the Free Family Film Festival website for shows playing at these theaters (the dates and time are still the same).

Lied Discovery Children's Museum

If you haven't been to the Lied Discovery Children's Museum lately, you are missing out. The museum got a much needed face lift last year and it looks amazing! There are several new exhibits including games about food groups, a whole new town center that teaches the kids about being "green", and if the kids are not careful, they just may walk away learning something this summer (don't tell 'em).

I have found that this is one place I can take all my kids, ages 9-2months, and there is something for all of them! We purchased an annual membership which for us works out to be quite cheap - since we go several times during the year. Click HERE for prices and times.

Movies in the Square

More FREE movies!!

Town Square on Las Vegas Blvd has "Movies in the Square" on the first and third Thursdays of the month beginning at sundown. There is really no other information about where it is located, but here is the list of movies:

May 6 - Wall-E (PG)
May 20 - The Princess & the Frog (G)
June 3 - The Neverending Story (PG)
June 17 - Monsters vs Aliens (PG)
July 1 - Back to the Future (PG)
August 5 - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (PG)

August 19 - Bolt (PG)

Outdoor Picture Show

FREE movies!! I wanted to get this up quick because these start this week!

Every Friday & Saturday night at The District at Green Valley Ranch, you and your family can enjoy a movie under the stars with free popcorn. Bring your blankets and a snack and sit back and relax!

Here are the upcoming movies and times for you to get on your calendar.

Friday, 5/7/10 7:30pm - Up (PG)

Saturday, 5/8/10 7:30pm - Old Dogs (PG)

Friday, 5/14/10 8:00pm - Bolt (PG)

Saturday, 5/15/10 8:00pm - Sherlock Holmes (edited) (PG)

Friday, 5/21/10 8:00pm - Mulan (G)

Saturday, 5/22/10 8:00pm - Jonas Brothers Concert (PG)

Friday, 5/28/10 8:00pm - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (PG)

SUMMER is HERE!!

I feel like the last two months have been such a blur & my kids just informed me that there are only 4 more weeks of school!!  YIKES!!  That means I had better get cracking with planning fun things for the summer.  I don't know about you, but my life is so much easier when the kids have some activity to look forward to each day.  This may sound like a lot of work, but I am hoping to take some of that stress off for ya.  Last summer I put together a blog specifically geared for summer activities, but it quickly became about saving money in the summer so I am going to just add it to this fantastic Grocery Geek forum.  Bookmark this blog, and watch for posts on these fun activities.  Also, at the very, very, very bottom of this blog is a calendar marked Family Fun.  You will soon see it filling up with loads of fun things for you to do with your kids in this hot Vegas heat!!  ENJOY!!

Are you still looking for fireworks tonight?? Check out my Summer Blog for details on all the FREE shows tonight. Enjoy!!

Don't forget to stop by your local 7-11 on 7/11/09 to get your FREE Slurpee!!
Make a fun afternoon of it - teach your big kids how to be a navigator, read a map, and plot out several 7-11 locations (if 1 free slurpee is good 5 is even better right).

Here's a link to get you started.
Happy Seven-Eleven Day!!