Family Vacation Travel Discounts Savings Deals at National Parks for National Park Week, April 16 - 24



National Parks

My family at Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park, 1966
That's me next to my mom in this vintage photo taken by my Dad

Everyone in my family is a huge fan of U.S. National Parks.  As a baby boomer myself, I grew up going on road trips to many of America's greatest natural jewels.  

Now, that I'm a mom with kids of my own I'm making sure that my children have the same opportunity to experience as many National Parks as possible as I did.

They didn't have these kinds of savings back when I was a kid.  But, the good news is that starting this Saturday through Easter Sunday, there will be dozens of discounts, offers and deals valid during National Park Week (Apr. 16 – 24) for everyone to take advantage of thanks to  the National Parks Promotion Council

Old Faithful is but one of 100s of geysers at Yellowstone National Park
Pictured:  Three of my kids in foreground with me in back row
1998 vintage photo by MommyBlogExpert's Hubbie

Just a few of the deals from National Park businesses you'll find
  • Angler's Inn, Jackson, Wyoming, $45 Dollars Per Night (Grand Teton)
  • Buy one adult ticket for West Rim Sunset Tour at full price, get another seat on the same tour for FREE (Grand Canyon)
  • Save 20% discount on Grizzly Bear Wolf Safaris, Day Hiking, Snowshoeing, Day Tours, and other activities (Yellowstone)
  • Stay at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Kanab, UT for 3 or more nights and they'll buy your National Parks Pass, an $80 value (Zion)
  • Plus many more deals at other National Parks

The offers above – made by park businesses and organizations – are in addition to free admission to all national parks provided by the National Park Service (NPS) on Fee-Free Days in 2011. 

NPS Fee-Free Days in 2011 include
  • National Park Week in April 
  • The first day of summer, June 21
  • Public Lands Day, Sept. 24
  • Veteran’s Day weekend, Nov. 11 – 13
What parks did you visit as a kid and which ones have you taken your own children to?  Leave a comment and share your favorite family vacation memories.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation related to this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

FREE Premium Ice Cream Cones TODAY & May 10th - Ben & Jerry's and Haagen-Dazs



Ice Cream Giveaways

Photo from Dreamstime.com

I scream, you scream.  As a matter of fact, all kids and adults scream for ice cream!  Don't they? 

I know my kids and I love just about any flavor and Ben & Jerry's and Haagen-Dazs are two of our all-time fave brands.  So, when I heard about these two freebies, I wanted to pass them on to MommyBlogExpert's faithful readers.

It's actually free cone day today.  This means that all Ben & Jerry's shops are passing out FREE ice cream cones April 12, from noon to 8 p.m., from coast to coast.  

Miss today's Ben & Jerry's giveaway?  Not to worry because Haagen-Dazs shops will be giving away their ice cream cones on May 10th.  Visit their site to sign up for their Ice Cream Club also follow Haagen Dazs on Facebook to stay in the loop.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation related to this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Jewish Holidays: What Would Moses Do for Passover Pesach in the Internet Age?



Celebrations

A decidedly modern twist on what the exodus from Egypt and the first Passover might have been like had Moses been alive today and communicating about Pesach with the world via cyberspace with Google, Twitter, Facebook and all the other hi tech ways news spreads these days.

Who doesn't need a little break from their Passover spring cleaning?  I know I sure do! Hopefully you'll enjoy this 2 minute YouTube, that appears to be going viral, as much as I did.






Leave a comment below once you've watched and tell  what you think about this clip.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation related to this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

6 Ways to BIG Family Savings - Extreme Couponing Like The Pro Shoppers on the TLC Show



As you can tell from the photo above, my own coupon habits are atrocious
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

So, I think with the start of TLC's latest Extreme Couponing season this week, it's as good a time as any for me to review some basic tricks that these coupon pros use to save some pretty incredible amounts of cash.  If you'd like some great ideas on managing your own blizzard of coupons around the house, you'll definitely like this post.

Consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch shares six really simple ways to save like an extreme couponer that I'd like to pass on to all my frugal and thrifty readers.  Andrea, BTW, has been featured on NBC's Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ABC News NOW and many more.

#1  Start Small
Don't go extreme all at once. Take it step by step, rather than show up at a checkout with 50 coupons and little idea what you're doing.

#2  Never Pay For Coupons
Paying someone to clip or organize your coupons defeats the purpose of living frugally.  Instead, surf Sunday newspaper ad supplements for coupon savings and ask your neighbors for their unwanted papers.  Maybe dive inside a recycled dumpster or two.  Don't forget to check the many free online coupon sites like CouponSherpa.com that give consumers access to a multitude of coupon codes and printable coupons for lots of merchants.

#3  Get Organized
Create a shopping list and have your coupons and shopping strategy organized before you enter the store.  Use an expandable coupon binder to sort coupon inserts by date, categories and expiration dates -- whatever makes sense to your shopping style.  Before going on a specific trip, transfer to a small couponizer only those you'll need for that shopping venture.

#4   Location, Location, Location
Where you shop is key in making the best use of your time and coupons.  Only shop at locations that allow coupon stacking and combining coupons with in-store offers.  Don't be shy about calling and asking about policies before showing up.

#5  Loyalty Rewards
Always take advantage of club membership rewards.  These programs are usually free and have many savings perks, like rewards points, cash back programs, and double points for every certain amount you spend.

#6  Don't Be Greedy
This is often where extreme couponers cross over into hoarding.  Only shop for items you actually need, products you can stock up on that aren't perishable, and those you can donate.  A bargain is only a bargain if you can actually use the purchase. 

Are you as bad about coupons as me?  Have some advice on other ways to manage the coupon deluge? What's the most money you've ever saved on a single shopping trip by using coupons? Leave a comment.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation related to this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Little Tikes Toddler Flower Cart Wheelbarrow Toy Review

Toys

Little Tikes was founded in 1970. Today, it is owned and operated by MGA Entertainment which still markets some of company's original classic toys, as well as rolling out new and innovative products that engage kids each season.



This post contains affiliate links meaning I receive a small commission if you make a purchase without any additional cost to you.



My daughter with Little Tikes Barn


The brand certainly has multi-generational appeal and longevity.  I still can picture in my mind the bright red-orange and yellow Little Tikes Coupe Classic that's still available.  In fact, this iconic product celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2004 and to date has sold more than 6 million units and counting. Check out the current Little Tikes toy collection to see lots more.



2 of my Triplets  with Little Tikes Beauty Bar


I also recall my nephews and friends' kids playing with various Little Tikes toys in the 1980s.  For sure, I can't even remember all the Little Tikes products my own children owned, loved and played with during the last decade because there were so many.




Daddy, Son with Little Tikes Gym

Today,  Little Tikes is still delivering some of the most imaginative, colorful and sturdy toys for young children from birth to 4+ years-old.   

Just in time for spring and summer Little Tikes asked me to review the 2-in-1 Garden Cart and Wheelbarrow, which had already sold old. This particular product, is one of the newest and most popular additions to the Little Tikes pretend play line. 

Similar kids products currently available on Amazon



Toddler Barrow Tester


Since my own children are now teens, my two 13 year-old girls and I brought the flower cart to a friend's house in the box.  Initially, I had thought it would be fun to have our budding product tester (a friend's two year-old) "help" and watch his mom and I put this new toy together for him to try out. 



Little Tikes 2-in-1 Flower Cart

In retrospect we both realized that wasn't such a good idea.  That's because the little guy was insistent on using the real screwdriver and hammer from his daddy's tool box that is required to assemble this and obviously these tools are meant only for adults to handle.  

To be fair, I doubt many toddlers his age would have the attention span to wait while their moms spend about a half hour reading the directions and putting this together, either.  So, for parents buying this product, I'd definitely suggest that you put it together and surprise your child with it ready to play with, instead.

After spending about 30 minutes assembling this under the watchful eyes of our toddler supervisor, my friend and I watched as her son started exploring this new toy.  It was great fun to just sit back and watch him try everything out.

This is definitely a good toy for spring and summer not only because this product's theme ties in directly with warmer weather.  It's also two toys in one, not to mention that it includes a cute spray bottle for kids to fill with real H2O to "water" the flowers.  For sure, it was a real hit with this active toddler who loves to get wet.  Really, what kid wouldn't enjoy this on a hot summer day?


Fun with included water spray bottle


Little Tikes stuff just keeps getting cuter and more interactive, in a non high tech kind of way, doesn't it?  I absolutely love this brand's new addition to the line and I'm sure it will provide many hours of enjoyment for just about any two to five year-old child this spring and summer.


Little Tikes
2-in-1 Garden Cart & Wheel Barrow
Giveaway Contest 

MommyBlogExpert is hosting a wonderful giveaway contest of the product pictured, provided by Little Tikes.   One prize will be awarded.


The adorable and durable Little Tikes Garden Cart & Wheel Barrow features a traditional style garden cart push toy with removable fabric shade canopy that actually rolls on real wheels.

It includes a working water sprinkler and removable tray for flower pots and converts easily into a flower cart or wheelbarrow, either that your child can push.  This comes with several child-size gardening accessories: 2 garden hand tools, 2 flower pots, 2 plastic flowers, 2 plastic soil discs, and a portable water sprinkler.
 

HOW TO ENTER
Leave one or more comments below this post. Contest ends May 4, 2011 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only.

For the Required (Mandatory) Entry
Simply leave a comment below this blogpost with your email address, Facebook or Twitter contact info so we may contact the winner.   In the event that you are the lucky one, MommyBlogExpert will contact you for your shipping address.

For Additional Chances to Win
Get extra entries for following MommyBlogExpert and/or Little Tikes on Twitter and/or Facebook and for subscribing to this blog.  Remember: Be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert to leave an additional comment after each individual action you do to confirm them so we can record all your extra chances to win.

Follow MommyBlogExpert (1 or 2 extra entries)
@mommyblogexpert in Twitter
@mommyblogexpert Facebook

Little Tikes (1 or 2 extra entries)
@LittleTikes on Twitter
@LittleTikes on Facebook

In ADDITION to doing any or all of the extra entries above, you can earn one extra entry each time you Tweet the message exactly in the paragraph immediately below (limit 3 separate tweets for 3 extra entries per day). Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link to right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for all your RTs.

Little Tikes Garden Cart Wheelbarrow #GIVEAWAY http://tinyurl.com/3jusfel #kids #toddler #contest #spring #summer #toys RT 2 #WIN


FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I received the featured Little Tikes product to facilitate this product review. In addition, Little Tikes is providing a second product for the giveaway. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.