Special Savings for Big Apple Circus in NYC

If you'll be in the NYC area with your kids over the holidays, you're probably looking for ways to keep the family busy. From now until January 9, 2011, the Big Apple Circus will be at Lincoln Center with its new show, Dance On! In its big top, under which all seats are no more than 50 feet from the ring, you'll see monocyclists, lasso twirlers, a chorus line of 12 miniature horses and more. When you book your tickets, be sure to use this special discount code for saving up to $25 off of each ticket! 

To purchase discounted tickets to the Big Apple Circus:

•  Online: http://bigapplecircus.org/mommy11LC.aspx and submit the code MOMMY11 in the Promotional Codes box in the lower left of the page

• By Phone: Call 888-541-3750 and mention code MOMMY11 
  

Story Time and Kids' Club From Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble offers two different story-time options. One, you can head to various Barnes & Noble locations for in-store story times. Many locations hold story time at 11 a.m. on both Tuesdays and Saturdays, but be sure to check your specific location for times. There will be a special Thanksgiving story time on Saturday (Nov. 20, 2010). Or, you can go to their website for a book read aloud by authors and celebrities. There's a new book read each month. This month, it's The Mitten by Jan Brett (who also reads it). Next month's story will be online on Dec. 7, 2010.


While you're on the site, check out the B&N Kids' Club. Some cool stuff you'll get:

•  30% off list price on any one kids' book or toy 
• $5 reward for every $100 you spend on kids’ stuff online and in stores 
• Free cupcake from the café for children's birthdays 
• Free digital book created by your child on Tikatok.com

Using TV (and TiVo) for Good

I often feel guilty when I let A watch TV while I work or clean. But sometimes you just need some help! I do only let her watch the educational options where at least her little brain can do some work. On these shows, there are often opportunities to reinforce things your kids are learning--whether that's while watching, that you have been teaching, or that they've learned in daycare or school. For instance, if the show is asking your child to tell the character to choose the correct path to go or the green ball from a group of objects, if you have TiVo or another DVR system, you can pause the show to give your child a bit longer to answer appropriately. You can also pause to ask your own questions. Maybe an animal pops up. You can pause and ask what the animal is and what sound it makes. If there are multiple of an item, have him count them. And don't forget, you can then rewind the show or segment to go over the lessons again.

FREE Christmas Song Downloads

Download Christmas songs for your kids to dance and sing to--for FREE! The VeggieTales' The Incredible Shrinking Christmas Tree is available for free download on Amazon. You can download the whole album or individual tracks--and don't forget, you can sample each song before downloading. Get it soon; I doubt it will be available for long. Could make for entertainment while you're trying to shop! The album includes 16 songs (both new and old favorites):

"O Christmas Tree"
"Puppy Love"
"The Friendly Beasts"
"Jingle Ka-Ching"
"Battling Kings"
"Silent Night"
"Christmas Sizzle Boy"
"Candy Cane Blues"
"Was He a Boy Like Me"
"What My Father Did on Christmas Eve"
"Caroling Melody"
"What Child Is This / The First Noel"
"Hark The Herald Angels Sing / Angels We Have Heard on High"
"Joy to the World""
"For Unto Us A Child Is Born"
"It’s About Love"

Thanks, Baby Good Buys!

Great Values on Toys

If you're looking for toys that will be worth your money (especially as the holidays approach), check out the lists this week on Baby Cheapskate. Angie posts the "most loved" toys for five age groups. Today's group is for babies 5-12 months. And if you find deals on any of these (or have a personal experience with any), post a comment so others can benefit too. For instance, A got the Playskool Busy Ball Popper for her first birthday. However, she didn't start enjoying it until about 18 months (all the noise was a bit too much). However, she got the LeapFrog Learn & Groove table for her first Christmas and the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Home for her first birthday and loved them both from day one (and still does).

Free Packs of Origami Paper

While most little kids can't do origami, you can still take advantage of origami paper and all its fun colors! Use it for other crafts or for an art project for their rooms. You can get a pack for FREE (AND free shipping) from Everything in Paper Crafting--50 sheets total in three different sizes. All they ask is that if you want more, you purchase from them. But no obligation or other sign ups necessary!

How will you use yours?

FREE Small Photo Book (Great Tool to Help Little Hands Learn!)

Through Wednesday (Oct. 6, 2010), you can get a FREE purse photo book from Walgreens (4.5"x6" with 20 pages). Use it to show off your beautiful monkies, or it could even make a great item for teaching your baby. Include photos of loved ones so she can learn their names--especially those she doesn't see often. Or include photos of items around your house to teach the words for each item, their colors, ABCs or numbers. For instance, take photos of common objects found around your house such as a chair, lamp, toy, and dog. To get the book free, use the code FOREVER at checkout ($2.99 shipping applies).