We also decided to do some late Spring cleaning. We decided to haul everything out the garage, re-organize everything, and then clean it all. We were so happy with how things were looking we decided to also tackle....that same day... yeah I know we are crazy.... our two story shed! We threw away, consigned, and donated lots of unused items. Though we still have some things to do....We need to power wash the big garage door (I don't think that's ever been done and it really needs something!), we also need to finish organizing the shed (it's about 70% done), and we need to replace the flooring in the bottom of the shed (that is a whole day of work all on it's own!). But for now I will stand back and admire that we got so much accomplished....even with colds. We did this with the help of a inflatable kiddie pool and the neighbor who watched after our kids!
If you read my last post you also know that our son turned one-year-old on the 18th. So I've been kept busy with the cleanup from all that. We still have a few presents we haven't taken out of the boxes yet, I need to purchase a new tote for all the train stuff to go in, and we still need to write the thank yous!
Let's see....what else is going on.... well there was Memorial Day....we hosted a get together with our extended family. So that took up another day of picking up around the house, preparing food, hosting, and then clean up. I wish I had pictures to share of our get together but I was so caught up in the hustle, bustle, and excitement of it all I forgot to take any pictures!
And we are planning a trip to Colorado this summer! I'm super excited. I plan to write a post (or posts) about traveling/road tripping with one-year-old and a three-year-old...so stay turned in for that in the next couple of months!
Well, all this leads me to my next blog post. It's about how to score freebie stuff for you kid (or your) birthday. I wish I'd thought to get on the ball sooner for my son's birthday but I got it done and now we are ready for next year....and the next family members birthday!
Here is a list of freebies you can sign up for....
Click on the links below to sign up to receive emails, texts, snail mail and/or promotional materials for free items for your birthday....do it...you won't be disappointed! Even if your birthday is months away go ahead and sign up sometimes it takes up to six weeks to get on their promotions list! Some of these places send out promotions/freebies just for signing up!
ACE Hardware: get a $5 off coupon on your birthday
Applebee's: get a free dessert with the purchase of an adult entree
Amgios/Kings Classic: coupons
Arby's: free 12 oz shake with any purchase
Auntie Anne's: pretzel BOGO free coupon
Backyard Burgers: free birthday burger
Barnes and Noble: kids get a free cupcake or cookie at the cafe.
We got the coupon for the free cupcake/cookie at Barnes and Noble for Hunter during the week of his birthday...it arrived via email. I printed it off and we took it to redeem at the Barnes and Noble cafe. It was super easy...no other purchases necessary so we just got the cupcake! Hunter got to pick between three different kinds of Cheesecake Factory cupcakes. He chose the double chocolate one (with a little help from daddy). We even got it to go so he could enjoy it at home later after dinner. It was really big...we cut it in half and big sister Audrey got to enjoy some too!
Before we left we let the kids play for about 20 minutes at the train table in the kids book area! Double score....a free big cupcake and free 20 minutes of entertainment for the kids!
Baskin Robbins: free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream or a swirl of soft serve
Boston Market: free individual dessert with a purchase of any create your plate meal
Bruegger's: free bagel with cream cheese with the purchase of a drink
Buffalo Wild Wings: free dessert
Burger King Kids Birthday Club: free birthday surprise!
Carlo's O' Kelly's: free birthday treat
Cherry on Top: birthday treat
Chili's: free dessert
Coldstone Creamery: BOGO free coupon Coldstone Creation
Culver's: free one-scoop sundae
Dairy Queen: BOGO free coupon for a blizzard
Dickey's Barbecue Pit: BOGO coupon for a free BBQ sandwich. Also remember free vanilla soft serve ice cream everyday when you dine in. And kid's eat free on Sundays (Note: 1 free kid's meal per paid adult meal of equal or greater value. Dine in Only)
Disney Rewards: a credit for a free Blu-Ray movie on your birthday
Famous Dave's Barbeque: free dessert with purchase of an entree
Fazoli's: free dessert. (Note: kids night is Tuesday night...includes: activities, 1 adult entree purchase = 2 kids meals at 99 cents each)
Fireworks!: has a loyalty card (one point equals one dollar)
Grandmother's: a Birthday Certificate for a special treat for you to use at Grandmother's on or around your next birthday
HoneyBaked Ham: free sandwich
Huhot Mongolian Grill: free grill meal
IHOP: free birthday meal of your choice!
Jersey Mike's: free sub and drink
Noodles & Company: free noodle bowl
Old Chicago: free birthday surprise
Olive Garden: free dessert
Orange Julius: free birthday drink
Panera Bread: a mystery offer loaded onto your loyalty card (must sign up for card in store)
Payless Shoes: Birthday coupon: 20% off
Perkins: free birthday surprise; free kid's birthday meal
Popeye's: The Popeyes Bonafide Krewe program rewards their most loyal followers with exclusive Popeyes deals!
Red Lobster: free birthday treat
Red Robin: sign up in sore for a Red Robin Loyalty card in store and you'll get a reward on your birthday...free birthday burger.
Romano's Macaroni Grill: free treat
Ruby Tuesday: free birthday surprise
Runza: notifies you of specials and coupons
Russ's Market: Free 6" round decorated birthday cake from their bakery for your child's 1st birthday. Pick up the coupon for this yummy treat from the bakery department or the customer service desk a month or two before the their birthday and place the order for their cake about 1-2 weeks before the date you want it. Below is the cake we got for my son's 1st birthday...completely free.... we got to pick out the kind of cake (chocolate, white, or marble), type of frosting (chocolate, white, or whipped) and the decoration (colors, writing, etc). The coupon for this free cake also comes with a $5 off coupon for a bigger cake if you wish to order that. We used this cake as his "smash" cake and for pictures with homemade cupcakes I made!
Schlotzsky's: free small sandwich or 8" pizza
Sonic: free wacky pack kid's meal; free birthday surprise
Starbucks: free birthday drink
Taco Bell: be the first to get news, offers, and promotional information
Taco John's:A birthday treat
TCBY: free frozen yogurt
Texas Roadhouse: free appetizer
Toy's R Us: free phone call from Geoffrey (must register online), birthday crown, balloon, and announcement in store. Check your mail....special birthday card and gift (until they are 10)!
Wendy's coupons during your birthday week
Note: BOGO = Buy one, get one
Did your favorite place make the list? If not, please share your favorite place(s) in the comments section!
