All Blog Posts (242)

Speaking to an auditorium of Des Moines women, famed anthropologist Jane Goodall described what it was like to wake into – rather than from – a dream.

It happened when she was 23. After arriving in Africa under cover of darkness and sleeping in the wilds under the stars, she woke to find that everything she had imagined for herself since the age of 11 was coming true that very morning. That “everything” was indeed to live in Africa and to study the animals living there –…

Rule #471:  You may not turn your baby brother’s exersaucer into an imitation of Disney’s Teacup ride.

~Meghann M.…

While no snow and 50 degrees means no one really has cabin fever, sometimes after the buzz of the holidays you just want to have something to look forward to that will be memorable and fun. For us this year that doesn't include a trip to Mexico, but it might include taking advantage of this great weekend deal at King's Pointe Waterpark & Resort in Storm Lake, Iowa, that I received via email this week. If this link doesn't work, just copy & paste in your browser bar. …

I don’t have a lot of childhood memories. Well, I do, but they take some coaxing to bring to the surface. It’s a good thing I’m still close with most of my elementary school friends (and that I married my high school crush) or I wouldn’t remember anything at all.

But one memory I do have is watching “Gorillas in the Mist” in school. For whatever reason, it really stuck with me. Probably because it had a strong…

Every mom I know is in the throws of holiday shopping. And most are just guessing at which toys are really going to be a hit come unwrapping time.

If you’re among the millions of moms playing the toy guessing game, this may be an opportunity for you to get a sneak-peek into the mind of your child.

A toy study, conducted by a market research firm in Des Moines, will begin scheduling participants on Friday, January 6. Local girls, ages 4 through 8, are being asked to take part in…

Hi Everyone, Hope it is okay to post this here:) If not please erase. Thanks!

In Home Preschool and Daycare has Openings for Two Years Old and older.

Join our Daycare Family

*Over 10 years Experience with Children. Pre-school teacher, social worker for Head Start and Healthy Futures(newborns). Also I taught Childhood Guidance and Curriculum for DMACC Childcare Center.

*State Registered with background checks

*Professional and looking for long term relationship…

They can be tough to buy for, huh? Well, I think I have just the thing...



You know I'm a fan of the SmartTalk Series, as I've blogged about it quite a bit in the past. The cruddy thing was that you could never get single tickets before. You had to shell out your hard-earned money for the whole kit and…

It's that time of year again... time to secure your booty a spot in the Civic Center Main Hall for the 2012 SmartTalk Series.

This year, Des Moines gals will be entertained and motivated through talks by five notoriously inspiring women: Dr. Jane Goodall, Arianna Huffington, Frances Mayes, Melissa Stockwell and Marie Osmond.

 …

http://wp.me/p1MvcI-4t     Check out my blog Iowa Couponing for ways to save on groceries, household items and more shopping in Des Moines Area stores!

Rule #458:  When I’m typing my PIN into the debit card machine at the grocery store, you may not announce the numbers to the entire store.

~Jenn C.

Rule #456:  When you see a woman missing a few teeth, it’s not okay to yell to me across the playground, “Wow, I sure hope the rest of her grownup teeth come in soon!”…

My Blog- Iowa Couponing!    Hi Everyone!  I LOVE couponing and saving money!  I am a stay at home mom and I have recently started teaching my talent of saving money!  I am teaching a couponing class in November with Grimes Park and Rec (but you don't have to be a resident of Grimes to take it) and you can find that info here  I also have a…

I never remembered moving when I was a child and now I understand why. It's painful to make a transition from one place to another; I dont mean physically I was in pain, I mean emotionally I was confused, irritated and powerless over the decision to move. 

When I moved in 2010 I was looking for a neighborhood with friendly outcomes, a solid school for my son and close to a grocery store.  My son was young enough where this was the only home he would grow to know and together we would…

... try Browns Woods, just off South 63rd St. We did it today, and it was perfect for our family of five (first-grader, preschooler and 16-month-old).

It's just under 2 miles total, but if you want something even shorter, you can opt to do the first "loop" only, which is about a half-mile.

It's smooth enough for a stroller (you'll hit lots of rocks and tree roots, but our umbrella…

On Sept. 16, our Facebook friends are in for a treat. We’ll be selecting one lucky friend to receive a free crafting kit from the Craft Kit Club.

New friends are eligible, as well, so if you’re a crafter who’d flip for one-month’s worth of crafting ideas and supplies, run out and…

I'm giving away two family 4-packs of tickets to attend Day out with Thomas in Boone, IA in September! 

You can enter the ticket giveaway here:

http://confessionsofafrugalmind.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-out-with-thomas-ticket-giveaway.html

Thanks!

Julia

Hey All!

I want to introduce you to Apex Athletics, a competitive and recreational cheer and tumbling gym in Johnston, Iowa. We have multiple classes for ages 18 months to 18 years. At Apex we teach a healthy lifestyle through the use of motor skills, coordination, and balance. This is a good opportunity for your child(ren) to learn independence and confidence through the use of fun exercise.

Apex is hosting a competition October 22nd to raise money for the cure for…

I am running these Family Dance Parties at the Des Moines Social Club. I'd love to see everyone come out and burn off some energy. Great music, bubble machines and lots of room to run and dance. I'll be leading some group movement activities throughout the morning. Can you say Freeze Dance!?! 

Come and get your groove on with the whole family! Dance tunes for everyone – a disco in the middle of the day! You’re coming downtown Saturday anyway, join us for a great…

Bringing your kids to the Iowa State Fair August 11-21 is a great way to start fun family traditions. Use these tips to save money, find kid-friendly entertainment and make your family’s trip to the Fair even easier than ever.



The Fair doesn’t have to be a big burden on your wallet. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free every day to the Fair. If your kids are a little older (ages 5 to 11), take advantage of the free child admission coupon that runs in the August 14 Des…

Looking for a day trip this weekend? Do you have a little (or a big) "rail fan" in the family?

Railroad Days is an Annual, two-day event in Omaha, Nebraska celebrating all things railroad that brings five railroad-oriented locations together - The Durham Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, RailsWest Railroad Museum, The Union Pacific Railroad Museum and the Historic…