Great Gear for Pretend Play

Education.com just posted a cool article titled Great Gear for Pretend Play.  It's full of ideas for household objects that promote pretend play.  They are divided into three areas:  cooking time, mail call, and dress to impress.  My kiddos will love these ideas!

It reminded me of our family trip to the Customs House Museum a few weeks ago.  They have so many great interactive exhibits for kids, but my children's favorite was the grocery store.  A brightly painted room with grocery carts, cash registers, shelves/bins/baskets with food, and a kitchen area.  My kids played in there for 45 minutes, and have been asking to go back!

Treasures I've Been Waiting to Share with You

I've been building a little treasury of posts to share with you. These women continually inspire me with their ideas!

20 Indoor Activities for Kids – besides TV from Simple Mom
Gift Ideas for Kids from Let's Explore
Chore Packs - Teaching Our Children to Work from Women Living Well Blog
Positively Speaking – Bullying from Pass The Torch
Deliciously Spiced Pumpkin Waffles from The Mother Load
Encouragement for Weary Mothers from Passionate Homemaking


For Middle Tennessee readers: Free fall fun from Ms. Cheap

I haven't abandoned the blogging world - I've just been blogging about positive child/youth development at www.TheAssetEdge.net and Twittering @TheAssetEdge. I'd love to chat with you on those sites too!

A New Nashville Treasure

Nashville has a new bookstore called Fairytales in east Nashville. Their tagline is "Where Stories Come Alive". I visited their store for the first time last week, and I was thrilled.

It's a bright and colorful store that inspires creativity and imagination - a love for discovery. They sell books for children, teens, and caregivers - and they'll special order anything they don't already have in stock. They sell interactive toys such as paints, costumes, puzzles, word magnets, and puppets. They also sell beautiful hand-crafted jewelry.

They also host tons of special events. They have storytimes after school each day, and a special Saturday storytime. They do special crafts and activities at every storytime, so you and your child will have a great time creating together. They also have jewelry making classes, book clubs, workshops, and mom's groups. They have a cozy little room in the back that they rent out for groups and classes.

So if you're in Nashville, stop by this magical little store on the east side of town.

Bike the Beautiful TN Countryside

Wanna ride this year's Jack & Back with me & my sweetheart? We'd love to have YOU on our team!!

I know 115 miles sounds like forever, but it's actually very doable over a two-day period, and it's such a fun date with your sweetie. And it's for a great cause!

If you're not in middle Tennessee, there might be a ride in your area - there are 16 similar rides across the country.

Here's more info from the MS website:

-----------------------------------------

October 4 & 5, 2008
Jack Daniel's "Bike to Jack and Back"
Bike MS 2008

The Jack Daniel's "Bike to Jack and Back" starts in Franklin, TN and
finishes in Lynchburg. This is a beautiful scenic ride through
Tennessee's countryside just on the brink of fall. Enjoy a tour of
the incredible Jack Daniel's Distillery; feast on all of the Jack
Daniel's fixin's that you can eat, as well as some Lynchburg Lemonade.
Get to know Jack!

The National MS Society and local sponsors will provide rest stops
with refreshments every 10-12 miles, supplies along the route, support
and gear vehicles, bike mechanics and medical staff throughout the
weekend to help you.

Registration fee May 1st - September 4th $35. Late registration
after September 4th $55.

Tour Minimum Pledge: $300

115 or 150 Miles of Open Road Ahead - You've always been up for a challenge.
And meeting this one can make a world of difference. Two days, 150
miles that will challenge you and reward you like no other cycling
event. Will power versus fatigue. Training versus excuses. It's time
to ride the MS Bike Ride.

Support - The MS Bike Ride is a fully supported event. You train and
fundraise and we'll take care of you on the event.

We can make a difference. This is why we Ride.

Find more info at the MS website. If you have questions about the event, feel free to leave them in the comment section & I'll try my best to answer them.

On the Cheap

I have learned so much about Nashville frugality by reading Ms. Cheap from the Tennessean. Here is a summary of the questions she is asked most frequently. If you live in middle Tennessee, you need to peruse this article! Here are some of my favorites from her list:

Where can you get low-cost haircuts, pedicures, manicures, facials and other services?
Where can you get a cheap massage?
Where can you get cheap mulch?
Where can you get lower-cost dental services?
Ms. Cheap do you have a list of all of the thrift stores in our area?

If you don't live in middle Tennessee, check with your local paper to see if there is a "Ms. Cheap" writer on their staff. You never know what you'll learn!

Consignment Shopping

Consignment stores and sales rock!! Combined with careful thrift shopping, this is the key to dressing multiple kiddos without breaking the bank.

Ask your mommy friends about great stores and sales in your area. Or if you're lucky, you have a local consignment magazine, like ours in middle Tennessee, that spotlights events and resources. The magazines may also have handy dandy articles for thrifty families that are looking for deals in shopping, entertainment, restaurants and outings.

Date Night on the Cheap

My DH's brother and his wife took my DH and I to a wonderful birthday dinner a few months ago. We went to a fancy Phoenix restaurant, but sat in the bar during happy hour. We had a wonderful gourmet meal on the cheap and enjoyed wonderful company. They inspired me to research middle TN restaurants that offer appetizers/meals as part of their Happy Hour. Here's what I've found so far. I'd LOVE to hear of other restaurants that offer specials like these!

-------------

Mortons Steakhouse 'Bar Bites, Monday - Friday 5 - 6:30pm and 9:30 - 11pm for only $4 per plate.

Sambuca: $2 bottled beer, $3 house wine, $4 martini, 1/2 price appetizers from 4:30 - 7 pm and complimentary wine tasting from 5 - 6 pm (tasting only on the 1st Thursday of each month)

Rhythm Kitchen: Social Exchange with drink specials and free hors d'oeuvres from 5 - 8 pm

Sportsman's Grille, Half Price Select Appetizers daily from 4PM - 7PM

Tayst - 4-6 p.m., six different small plates are just $4 each. The portion-controlled palate pleasers include tempura shrimp dogs; a mini-meatball sub; cheese, olives and toast points; wings and fries; smoked salmon rolls; and shaved lamb leg. Glasses of wine are reduced by $1.50, and all well drinks are $4.

Radius 10, http://www.radius10.com/, happy hour Mon-Fri from 5-7 in the bar, but also mention the ad in The Scene for 25% off the entire menu during the same time (entrees included). Their specialty is shrimp/scallops/grits . The bar menu,is $5-7, but during happy hour, everything on the bar menu is $2 off (Tuna tartare with tomato fennel jus and avocado sorbet is $5, and seared lamb skewers with chimichurri and tzatziki sauce are $4. b They also offer two-for-one domestic beers, well drinks and house wines.

Flyte, http://www.flytenashville.com/, happy hour 4:30 -- 6:30pm, tues-sat. 1/3 off appetizers

Tornado Benefit Concerts

Middle Tennessee was hit hard by tornadoes a couple of weeks ago. This weekend two churches will host benefit concerts to collect money and food for the victims. Can you imagine being a mom without a home? Be grateful for your home today, and ask God for ways you might help people in your community that need a little extra help.

Strong Tower Bible Church will host a benefit songwriter's night fortornado victims in Williamson, Macon, Trousdale and Sumner counties THIS SUNDAY at 6:00pm (see flyer attached). Host for the evening will beVince Gill. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Concert will take place inLiberty Hall at the Factory in Franklin.Admission to the event is a food box of donated non-perishable items ora gift card. Cash donations for the tornado victims will be receivedduring the concert.

Fellowship Bible Church (1210 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN 37027) willalso host a benefit concert THIS SUNDAY, March 2, at 7:00pm to benefitrecent tornado victims. Confirmed artists include: Brandon Heath, JasonIngram, Christy Nockels & Bebo Norman.

Nurturing Boys: Parenting Class
Led by David Thomas

I strongly recommend being a part of this class or reading David's practical & light-hearted parenting/marriage books. He is incredibly wise and compassionate, a father and a counselor. You will be stronger for knowing him in person or through his resources. Here's his promo on the Nurturing Boys Parenting classes in middle Tennessee:

Webster defines nurturing as the act of “training, upbringing, educating... to further the development of.” As people who care for boys, how do we train, educate and further them while they are in the midst of developmental challenges, relational struggle and a culture of conflict. The class is designed for parents, educators, coaches, mentors and anyone who wants to better understand a boy.

I. The Biology of Boys: Who They Are
II. The Heart of Boys: What They Need
III. The Mind of Boys: How They Learn
IV. The Mystery of Boys: What They Want

February 25, March 3 and 10, 2008 at West End Community Church
9:30 – 11:30am

April 2, 9, 16, 2008 at Fellowship Bible Church
6:30-8:30 pm

October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and November 5, 2008
6:30-7:30 pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church

Cost: $75.00 for individual/$125.00 for couple for three-week class
Please call the Daystar office to register at 298-5353.

Movie Invitation for Nashville Readers

Free Friday Night Family Fun

Come see the new VeggieTales movie

The Wonderful Wizard of Ha
It is a movie about the Prodigal Son on the big screen

Friday night - January 18th
6:30-8:00 pm in the gym at West End Community Church
Free hot dogs, chips and drinks!!

Lastly, bring pillows, sleeping bags, blankets or a comfortable chair.

Email Judy Dorris at judy@westendcc.org with reservations for food. Be sure and list how many adults and children for food.

Let me know if you're coming - I'd love to say hello!

For Nashville moms:

A playday to honor the founders of Fundom Kids

Saturday, October 6

10am-8pm

Fundom Kids will only be open for 3 more weeks, so MusicCityMoms has coordinated a playday to tell middle Tennessee families about a great place their families can play this month. It's also a great way to say thank you to the Gifford family for creating such an amazing play place for children, and to offer encouragement to them as they struggle with losing their dream.

WSMV news channel 4 will be there to cover the Fundom Kids story between 3pm and 4pm on Saturday, so your little ones might even make the evening news!

Find more information at http://www.fundomkids.com/ or http://www.fundomkids.blogspot.com/.

Kids and Eyeglasses

None of my children need eyeglasses (yet!), but a friend told me about a wonderful middle TN resource for families with children needing glasses. The Vanderbilt Optical Center carries a wide variety of children's glasses at prices that are covered by most insurance policies. Their packages include the frame, lightweight shatter-resistant lenses, scratch guard, 100% ultra violet protection and a 2 year warranty. The 2-year warranty is what I loved. My friend's daughter got her first pair of glasses at 14 months old. Even with careful supervision, she has gone through a dozen pairs of glasses in just over a year. Every single new pair was covered by the warranty!!!! If you know of a child in middle TN that needs glasses, this is a great resource to share!

For middle TN moms:

Once Around the Block
Back to School Consignment Sale
July 25-27 at West End Community Church

75/25 consignor split with perks for volunteers. If you've consigned with another sale, you can re-use your consignor tags! It's a full-service sale, which means you drop off your items, volunteers distribute them to the sales floor, volunteers pack up your unsold items, and you pick up your pre-packed box of unsold items. It's so easy!!

Register online to save your consigning spot, and mark your calendar for the big event.

Veggie Tales Moe and the Big Exit
Friday, July 13, 6:30 to 8 pm
West End Community Church in Nashville, TN

Bring your pillows, sleeping bags and a hungry tummy to watch the newest Veggie Tales movie on the big screen. We will provide hotdogs, chips and drinks for $10 per family. Don't miss this rootin' tootin' wild west adventure! For more information, call Teresa at 463-8497 x25.


If you live near Nashville, I'd love to meet up with you & your family to watch the movie!

Cheekwood's Special Summer Exhibit features Ten Classic Children’s Stories. There are hands-on activities at each storybook setting, where families can explore the home of The Three Bears, see a giant spider, plant a bean at Jack’s house and much more! All Children 17 and under admitted free on Saturdays through September 1.

Free Community Resources

You know how much I love to read Ms. Cheap each week in the Tennessean. She published a great article last week on resources offered by Agricultural Extension Service. She was writing about Tennessee, but I'm sure the services are similar around the country. Look at all these resources.

• Family Consumer Sciences programs: This includes classes and advice on what used to be known as "home ec,'' everything from homebuyer education to nutrition and food safety to radon and poisons.

• Soil testing: For $6 the Extension provides a box and instructions on how to take a soil sample from your yard and deliver it or send it to the central region office at Ellington Agricultural Center. In return you'll get a computer printout of your soil, along with lime and fertilizer recommendations.

• Analysis: If you have branches or leaves with mysterious disease or insect damage, or jars of sludge or bugs or just about anything else, your county extension office will analyze it at no charge. You also can take these things to the Central Region office lab at Ellington for analysis, but they charge $15.

• 4-H after-school programs and camps for children

• Horticulture program: Covers many facets, from general agriculture dealing with crops and livestock, to plant, insect and disease identification, to homeowner horticulture, to Master Gardener classes for all ages.

• Brochures: The service has hundreds of brochures that cover proper pruning to fighting childhood obesity, and many of them can be accessed at www.utextension.utk.edu. For mailed copies, call your county extension office.


**Excerpt from an article by Mary Hance, Ms. Cheap, in the Tennessean

Free Yoga Classes in Franklin!

There is a new YogaFit yoga program at the Factory in Franklin. They are offering a free trial period during the month of May. To sign up for the free promotion, just email sale-324122519@craigslist.org. Find out more about strengthening through yoga at www.yogafit.com.

May class schedule:
Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 am and 5:45 pm
Saturday at 8:00 am

BIG Summer Sale

I've been to a lot of consignment sales, but never one that was designed for the BIG stuff. If you're in middle TN and looking to buy or sell big stuff, this is a great place for you. The sellers say, "If you can sit in it or on it, sleep in it or on it, or climb in it or on it; you can consign it at the Big Summer Sale!"

Sale Date: Saturday May 19
Location: Fundom Kids - Just 15 minutes North of Downtown Nashville!

Consigner Info
Drop off: Friday May 18, 9am-1pm and 3pm-8pm
Pick up: Sunday May 20, 2pm-5pm


Swingsets, Sand Boxes, Play Houses, Go Carts, Bikes, Scooters, Wagons, Trampolines, Sports Equipment, Train Tables, Cribs, Strollers, High Chairs, Rocking Horses, Kitchen Sets, Summer Clothes, Maternity Clothes...

Free Nashville Playday!

Monday April 30, 10am-6pm

Fundom Kids is an indoor playground that encourages kids to laugh, create, and dream. We've been taking our kids every other week, and they LOVE it! Daniel loves to ride the motorcycle around the race track, Brendan loves to play with the water boats, and Anna Kate rolls around in the soft play area.

There are over 50 activity stations including dressing up, racing peddle cars, building magnetic towers, sliding down the 2-story castle, maneuvering mini waterboats, and running in the bounce-arounds. They even have a little cafe with lunch and dinner options.

You can see pictures of some of their stations at www.fundomkids.com

Nashville Happenings

Next weekend is a great weekend to live in Nashville. There are events for the environmentalist, the thrifty shopper, the musician, the gardener, and more. Look at all the happenings Mrs. Cheap listed in her column this morning! Nashville bloggers, if you don't already read Mrs. Cheap, she's an outstanding resource to add to your morning reading list.