When  I attended summer camps as a child, they were both educational and fun. My mother chose programs that would keep me physically, mentally and socially active. Most of the summer camps I attended were located right in the city and were free, but you wouldn’t know it. I took part in activities that made me feel like I was an astronaut or a vet in the zoo. The counselors enjoyed what their jobs and it showed. The programs were imaginative and had me using what I learned in school and new things also.

I chose educational and fun summer camps for my children too. I kept in mind what I enjoyed but added the safety factor. I learned how the camps did background checks for all of their employees and volunteers. When I was satisfied with that and the programs offered, I’d register my daughters. To be satisfied, I wanted creative programs that offered them opportunities to learn more about things they were already interested in, programs that challenged them and somethings that were brand new to them. As they grew older, they helped me to choose what programs to sign up for.

I’ve known about KinderCare Summer Camp through my family whose children attended. Unfortunately there isn’t a KinderCare near us. I’d sign up Sammi in a heart beat if there were. KinderCare uses programs that are created by teachers. They are accredited by 3 agencies which means they

undergo in-depth self-assessments, independent observation, and approval by professional experts. In general, accreditation evaluates the center’s staff qualifications, parent communication, interactions, curriculum, health and safety, and administration. It can take from 1-2 years to become fully accredited.

They chose their programs for this summer based on input from children. Sammi would enjoy the Science Adventure Camp, and the Art Expo. I’m sure there other weekly themes that she’d love too.  In fact there are 12 weeks with different themes. I know she’d be taking part in a fun and educational summer camp for sure.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of KinderCare and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Are you wondering what a cheap date challenge is? When you use Blockbuster Express you’ll see that renting a movie for $1 gives you a head start to saving money so you can spend it on other things for your date. My challenge was to spend $25 on a date with my husband (well it could have been anyone, but I’m monogamous).

Poor Shawn is sick so we had to have our date at home. No problem, it’s lots of fun to curl up on the couch together and have dinner while we’re watching a movie. I’m good at being frugal and I think that’s one of the reasons that Shawn loves me so much. Just one reason.

So here goes:

• I had a code for a free movie from Blockbuster Express. = no charge
• Frozen Pizza for Shawn = $6.49
• Frozen Spring Rolls for me = $2.99
• Gallon Sweet Tea = $2.99
• (Leftover) Small Order Pork Fried Rice for me = $3.25
• (Leftover) Small Order Won Ton Soup for me = $1.50

TOTAL —— $17.22

I went to our local Publix that has a Blockbuster Express kiosk and got our movie plus the other items for dinner. Came home and heated it all up in the toaster oven, microwave and oven. Set it up on trays for us to eat while we watched the movie, Valkyrie with Tom Cruise.

After we finished eating, we curled up together and enjoyed the movie. I have to admit that I was tweeting a bit during it, but it was while Shawn was getting up to fill up our cups, use the bathroom or get a snack. Oh yes, we had some ice-cream from our freezer. I didn’t have to buy it. All in all it was a nice night. And as Shawn teasingly calls me, I was a cheap date again.

Would you like to take the cheap date challenge? Here’s a BOGO code for you – just rent two movies from a Blockbuster Express kiosk and get one movie for free. This is good until March 31st, only at Blockbuster Express. That’s only $1 for 2 movies for one night! Use this code at the kiosk or online – 5G13B2

Have a cheap date on me and Blockbuster Express!

I was provided with a gift card from Collective Bias.

I know it’s St. Patrick’s Day and I should have had a photo with a green theme or maybe a Leprechaun but instead I give you this…a guess what it is. I’ll even give you the name – a Dyson Airblade. Let me know what you think in the comments. Winner gets a pinch

Our local reading festival was held today. Sammi couldn’t wait to go even though none of her friends were attending. She’s 11, so I thought the peer pressure would get to her, but thank goodness she kept her head about her. When it comes to books, meeting authors and getting to see her favorite meteorologist, Brain McClure of Bay News 9, there’s no stopping her.

We got to the reading festival early so that we’d get one of the free gift bags. Then we headed to see Brian McClure. Sammi brought one of her favorite weather books with her to get his autograph. She was shy when she saw him, but brightened up when he opened the book and began to talk weather with her. We learned some exciting news, but Sammi said that I shouldn’t blog about it because it’s private. There goes my breaking news story.

Next it was on to play Boggle with the winner getting a free book. Sammi played against another girl, but I couldn’t help myself and played too. Of course I didn’t add my words to her score. Both girls had 0 at the end, so they both got a book. Then we bought two used books. The proceeds help the Library. We met Jesse A. Wilson, the author of Mr. Flea’s Not So Small Adventure who told us about his book and gave Sammi a bookmark. Off Sammi went to play a game to win another book.

Reading festival – 4 books, 1 autograph. 1 author meet up, lots of smiles = priceless!