Summer Fun! Kids Bowl Free at AMF Bowling

Bowling is on our Summer List!  This is a great program allowing kids to bowl free this summer!

KIDS BOWL FREE ALL SUMMER! Summer fun is just around the corner, and so are we. Sign-up for Summer Unplugged and Summer Pass now! Free bowling for kids all summer long! Kids registered in the Summer Unplugged program can bowl two games per day, every day, all summer long! Sign up today! https://freebowling.amf.com/?source=USFAMILY



***Disclaimer: Us Family Guide, AMF Bowling and LLandLoL partnered to bring this info to my readers.  If you have more questions regarding this please check out: http://www.lovinglifeandlivingonless.com/p/disclosure-and-policies.html

Butterfly Wonderland

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you got to see me posting some photos a couple weeks ago from a media event held at the newly opened Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale, Arizona.  This new attraction is unique because it is the largest butterfly pavilion in America!

You can start this attraction with a 3D movie which is actually an IMAX movie called 'Flight of the Butterfly' that's been shortened to under 15 minutes.  It was a beautiful movie that was educational and informative, I recommend starting your adventure here.  However, I don't know if my young ones would sit for the whole movie, it's possible it would grab their attention but I'd be surprised if they'd sit for a full fifteen minutes!  Definitely attempt it though, just sit near the exit just in case. 

Next up is the Butterfly Emergence room where you see the many chrysalids and you might even be lucky enough to see a butterfly emerge!  The chrysalids are beautiful and it's amazing to see the different colors and sizes.  I learned that the color and look of the chrysalid is directly related to where the butterfly forms it.

Once you are ready you can head into the atrium.  There are thousands of butterflies living here.  I went in the evening (after the venue is closed) when the butterflies are beginning to calm down and sleep and I still saw so much action, I can't wait to see this attraction during the day while the butterflies are most active.  I was extra lucky and had two butterflies land on me on separate occasions!  I thought the butterflies would be sleeping so I failed to bring my nice big camera but my cell phone did the job alright and I captured some pretty good shots.

I could spent hours in the atrium.  It was beautiful.  Humid to remain a rain forest like temperature, but beautiful.  When you exit the atrium you head into the café.  The Vermont Sandwich Company supplies items in the café.  I got a chance to sample some items from this restaurant and it was delicious!!  Side note: the fruit the butterflies snack on comes straight from the café- if the fruit doesn't sell it goes to the butterflies.  I love that!  No waste!

Next up is the Live Ant Colony and Honey Bee exhibit.  This area was small but very interesting.  Moving on I realized there was a small aquarium- it just keeps getting better.  The aquarium area was little but there is a stingray touch tank!  The stingray wasn't there during my visit but I know the kids will get a kick out of that when we visit as a family!  You exit out into the fairly large gift shop.  Lots of goodies for adults and kids. 

My new friend at Songs Kate Sang snapped these amazing photos of my excited surprise with my new butterfly friend!

Butterfly Wonderland is offering a great deal right now.  A lifetime membership at almost 90% off!  Until 6/15/13 the single lifetime membership is only $99 and a family of four is only $249.  You can visit Butterfly Wonderland for LIFE!  Very cool.  There's a whole entertainment complex slated to go up in the near future "Odyssey in the Desert" and I'm extremely excited to see what's in store.

Check out Butterfly Wonderland on Facebook and online! This is a great indoor option for the summer and a truly unique experience!

Side note: my step mom informed me that her mom says if a butterfly lands on you, you get a new dress.  I thought it was adorable (and means I get two new dresses, right?!).  Do you have any fun superstitions or traditions when it comes to butterflies?  Let me know below!


***Disclaimer: I was invited to a special media event to check out and share this new attraction with my readers.  My opinions are, as always, my own. If you have more questions regarding this please check out: http://www.lovinglifeandlivingonless.com/p/disclosure-and-policies.html

3 Tips for Stroller Shopping

With so many options on the market it's hard to decide which is best for your kids and your needs.  Here's a few tips and guidelines to help you choose the perfect stroller.

1.  Safety.  First and foremost, you should look at safety features.  You'll need to decide if a 3 point harness is sufficient or if you'd prefer a 5 point-harness.  Checking the stroller for pinch points or sharp areas.  You'll also need to consider stability- if you plan to hang your bag over the handles check to see if the stroller is stable enough to handle your bag!  It's s small thing that's sometimes overlooked but really makes a difference when you're out living your life!  I got an umbrella stroller without thinking about the weight of the bag...it won't stay upright without a child in it.

2.  Stroller size.  I drive a Prius and the trunk space isn't huge.  Take this in to consideration when you are looking for a stroller.  You might find the perfect stroller but if it doesn't fit into your trunk it won't work.

3. Handles and Wheels.  Test the stroller out.  You want to make sure the handles are at a comfortable height and the wheels will work for what you need.  Do you need three wheels or four?  Jogging strollers traditionally have 3 wheels to ensure the ability to control the stroller in rougher terrains.

***Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by Jané Strollers.  The opinions and thoughts are, as always, my own. If you have more questions regarding this please check out: http://www.lovinglifeandlivingonless.com/p/disclosure-and-policies.html

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Built To Amaze!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents BUILT TO AMAZE is coming to the US Airways Center June 26 – July 1, 2013. You can see the full schedule and check if they are coming to a city near you here!

 

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Built To Amaze!, an extraordinarily engineered circus experience custom-built for family fun where Children Of All Ages® find out what it takes to construct The Greatest Show On Earth®. The visionary blueprints have been assembled with a contemporary toolbox of unparalleled imagination that will be unleashed from shipping crates right before the audience’s eyes for the all-new circus spectacular Built To Amaze!

 

 

DISCOUNT!!!

$5 off tickets in the $20 price levels.

$5 Off with code MOMSAVE

· Valid on $20 & $25 tickets only

· No double discounts

Valid on all show days and times EXCEPT Opening Night (Opening Night tickets are 50% off, excluding front row and VIP seating)

Tickets can be found at www.Ticketmaster.com. 

 

The circus in on our 'Things to do this Summer' list! With the coupon codes (and especially the 50% off opening night offer) this is a great way to share something amazing with the family and save some money!

***Disclaimer: I received tickets for opening night in exchange for sharing this info with all of you! If you have more questions regarding this please check out: http://www.lovinglifeandlivingonless.com/p/disclosure-and-policies.html

Starlooks Starbox May

When my box came for May I was super excited.  I mean, this is the kind of mail I should be getting! Not bills and junk mail! I've been pleased with my Starbox each month since I started subscribing and this month is no different. The subscription costs $15/month plus shipping. 

The box is adorable!  I love it!  The theme this month was Tribal.  The box was about accessorizing with makeup. 

 

Creating A Stylish Bathroom on a Budget

 

If you have a family, or even if you just live by yourself, keeping a bathroom looking stylish or even tidy and up to date can feel like a chore. Just keeping it clean with everything put away can seem like a full time job, and on top of that, many household’s bathrooms tend to be outdated or left uncared for. In reality though, it can be pretty easy to create a bathroom that looks stylish on a budget and still covers everything you need.

Being one of the most used rooms in the house aside from the kitchen, so you’ll really need to consider everything that goes into your bathroom carefully. Make sure first that you are able to compromise and be flexible on what you’re willing to have in your bathroom.

If the bathroom is a small room, you’ll need to make the most of the space you have. There’s really no point trying to squeeze in a bath or a double sink because these will just take away your storage options and make the bathroom appear cluttered. Instead make sure that you have as much built in storage as you can, and use mirrors and lighting effectively to open up the space. Pale coloured tiling will also make the room appear slightly bigger.

If your problem with keeping your bathroom looking great is keeping it clean, here are a few simple tips. Try not to let the clutter or job of cleaning the room get over your head. Make sure that every time you or a family member uses the bathroom, they pick something up and put it away, or give the sink or mirror a quick wipe down. You can make this easier by having fittings that are easier to keep clean in the long run, such as pieces from the stylish Vitra Designer collection. For surfaces that only need a quick wipe down everyday rather than a deep clean, mix vinegar and water equally in a spray bottle with a few drops of an essential oil of your choice – this will keep things clean and give them an amazing shine.

Give your bathroom a bit more of a spa feel to create a relaxing environment by keeping the décor all under a simple colour scheme or theme. If you’re going for nautical, purchase towels in shades of blue; perhaps do a bit of DIY and wrap some thick roping around your mirror frame; or place ornaments like model ships on a windowsill. If the bathroom is small, try to keep your theme minimalistic, perhaps in monochromatic shades of black and white. It will really stand out and impress your guests.

***This is a Sponsored Guest Post. If you have question regarding this please check out my Disclosure and Policies

 

Kid Safe DIY Homemade Paint

My two year old still randomly decides to taste things.  His older brother rarely (if ever) put stuff in his mouth.  And Baby G doesn't do it often but when he does it's always things that freak me out.  Like Easter egg dye, crayons and paint. 

Our summer list included painting and I changed that to painting with homemade paint.  I figured it'd be an activity within an activity.  I wanted to let them mix the colors in and then paint with the color creations they'd made!

Here's how we made Homemade Edible (but not yummy, but you know, just in case!) DIY Paint! 

Warning: Do not tell your kids you are starting this process.  There is wait time to let the mixture cool and well, if your kids are like mine...waiting isn't a strong suit!

You will need:
2 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 tbs white sugar
1 tsp salt

On low to medium heat mix ingredients in a saucepan and let warm up, stirring occasionally.  It took a good 15 minutes for my mixture to thicken.  I was able to walk away and tend to other things, coming back in to check and stir.  Perhaps if I turned the heat up it would've been quicker, but I wasn't chancing it. 

If you are planning to reuse the paint you'll want something airtight to keep them in (baby food jars would be good).  I didn't plan to save the paints so I used a shaped ice cub tray (and a baby plate with four separate areas since the ice cube trays only came in a two pack and I have three kiddos :)).  Let the mixture cool...I told you there was waiting involved!

Once the mixture has cooled let the kids use food coloring to make custom colors for their works of art.  We used small paint brushes and toothpicks to stir.  Us can use this paint on regular paper or something thicker (or even a driveway and when they are done you can just spray it away?!).