Free Infant Formula Sample/Free Beechnut Baby Food

Member's Mark is offering free sample of infant formula. This is the generic brand from Sam's club. Click HERE for this offer.

Beechnut is a baby food brand I really enjoy. Foodmaxx tends to sell their baby food at discounted prices that makes it a bit more affordable. Right now, if you sign up for Beechnut's enewsletter they are offering a start-up kit including rice cereal and a couple baby food jars for free. Click HERE to sign up. Click HERE to see some other offers from Beechnut.

The SCARE free Haunted House

The SCARE is located at 1115 N Peach Ave between Alluvial and Nees. It includes mazes, a cemetery, scare rooms, dark rooms and candy at the end! Since this is a free event for kids, they ask that you respect the scare crew and the work they've done. Happy Halloween!

Halloween Activities

A couple more Halloween Activities worth mentioning.

The Sierra Vista Mall is providing a trick or treat experience with participating retailers and spooky music activities at the center court including free photo opportunities. It takes place Halloween. Free for children 3-12. Call 262-4271

The Fulton Mall downtown is having a free trick or treat and costume event tomorrow from 12pm-3pm with participating retailers. Prizes for the best costumes. 490-9966 for details.

Simonian Farm's Pumpkin Patch (for those who live near Sanger [Clovis Ave and Jensen]) offers Halloween harvest decorations with a free haunted caboose, corn maze and an after school hay ride. Open 8am-6:30pm until Oct. 31. Call 237-2294 for details.

American Baby Magazine/Babytalk-Free Subscriptions

American Baby is a magazine for new moms. It is a part of Parents, but specific to pregnancy and infants to one year old. This is absolutely free, no strings attached. It isn't very long, I usually read through it in one setting. One of my favorite features is an article written from a father's perspective every month. So click HERE to try out a free year's subscription.

Babytalk magazine is similar, but is a part of Parenting magazine (which is better quality in my opinion, recipes, children's crafts etc.) This is also completely free, you don't offer your credit card or anything, but they do ask for your due date, or child's age. So enjoy! Click HERE to subscribe.

Two chances to Win Tickets to The Nutcracker

Central California Ballet is performing The Nutcracker in three performances on December 19-20, 2009 at the William Saroyan Theater.
Central California Parent Magazine is giving away two family four-packs for the 7:30 Saturday performance. To qualify send a postcard with your name, address, and daytime number by December 1st to:

Central California Ballet's Nutcracker
Central California Parent Magazine
7638 N Ingram Ave. Suite 101
Fresno, CA. 93711

For tickets (in case you don't win) call Lively Arts Foundation 877-608-5883
Prices range from $20-$40 for adults, premium seats $50, and children(18 and under) half price.

The Valley Performing Arts Council is presenting The Nutcracker including 100 of Fresno Dance Theater's students performing with The Sacramento Ballet. Three performances will be held at the William Saroyan Theater November 28-29. Central Valley Parent Magazine is giving away four family four packs. To qualify send a postcard with name, address, and daytime number by November 17th to:

The Sacramento Ballet's The Nutcracker
Central California Parent Magazine
7638 N Ingram Ave. Suite 101
Fresno, CA. 93711

If you are not a lucky winner, for tickets you can order online HERE
Prices range from $25 to $65.

Vista Print

Vista Print is a website that offers business cards, mailing labels, and other products for business needs. Now they offer a line for home and family! They offer 250 business cards for free, but your choices are limited. Right now they are offering free holiday mailing labels among many other things. You do need to pay for shipping. This summer I bought cute business cards, with suns on them, to use for my swim lesson referrals.
One idea I got from a magazine would be to make "Mommy" cards. You could share your email and phone numbers at playdates or at the park easily with others with these cards. It also gives other parents a reference by writing who you are mommy of on your cards. Ex) Sarah, Mommy of Taylor (3) and Tarren (1). Then you won't be digging through your diaper bag trying to find a pen and paper amidst who knows what! (That is if your diaper bag is anything like mine.) Click HERE to check it out.

Kodak Gallery Million Thanks Giveaway.

So it took a couple days, but I finished a photo book (5 x 5.75 inches)of my youngest daughter's first year. In the end, it had 32 pages with 1-4 pictures per page and I chose a black background. Shipping was $1.99 and the cost of the book was $15.21, so with the $15 discount, I paid $2.20! The discount doesn't cover shipping, and it is up to $15. Sign up at Kodak Gallery HERE while supplies last!

Victoria's Secret and Pink

Victoria's Secret is a email list worth joining. They often offer shipping deals etc., but about twice a year they will give coupons for free panties black, white or pink with no purchase necessary. The Pink college line, if you join online, has similar deals, this summer I picked up a huge blue tote, and travel size lotion for free and just got a free panty yesterday. Not only do they have great quality products, but they reward their customers. I must say, it is hard to walk into that store and not walk out with anything. To join Victoria's Secret click HERE and add your email at the bottom. To join Pink click HERE and click on Join Pink Nation.

Free Haunted House- Halloween Night! Fresno

The Blood Skull Castle located in North Fresno is offering a free Haunted House on October 31, 2009. It opens from 6pm to 10pm with a party afterward. Donations of non-perishable goods are appreciated. They are giving a free Ipod touch for the 1000th guest. To see more details click HERE It looks as if it is not for little children.

2297 E Eclipse Ave
Fresno, CA 93720

So for the younger children you could attend:

The Great Pumpkin is Coming- a free event located in the Fig Garden area (the corner of Palm and Bullard)on Friday, October 30th from 4:30 to 6:30 The Great Pumpkin and McGruff the Crime Dog will share laughter and candy with all trick or treaters. The Pumpkin Emporium will have its exotic pumpkins, gourds, colored corn, and corn stalks on display and ponies will also be there, but you need to take your own pictures.

Boston Market $1 Meals

Boston Market is offering coupons for $1 meals. Click HERE to see their coupons. Someone gave Sammy a couple coupons today and I got two meals for $2. They offer a quarter piece of white chicken or three pieces of dark chicken, mash potatoes and gravy and corn bread. It's part of celebrating UNfried chicken and lasts the rest of the week. Click HERE to sign up and receive a coupon for $3 off your next purchase.

Shade Giveaway

Shade Clothing is offering Shade gift cards for its 5 biggest fans nation wide. I posted about a week ago about how much I enjoy their clothing. To enter you must send them evidence of your affection in your most creative way pictures, video, poems, etc. These contests often have limited entries so your odds are fairly decent 1/400 or so. Even if you've never bought their clothing, maybe just by browsing what they offer you could come up with something. It's worth a shot! View Shade's blog and store HERE. To enter email ali@shadeclothing.com by Friday October 30th, 2009.

Fulton Mall Farmer's Market.

The Sassy Saver took a trip to the Fulton Mall Farmer's Market. See her post and video about her findings!

Family Haunted House-Free Tonight

Family Haunted House located in Fresno at the Manchester Mall 1901 E. Shields is free tonight from 6-10pm,and $3 October 23-30 5-10pm and Halloween 4-10pm. There is one path with two options, the little ones called "Carry the Light" so they know not to scare them and others "Wander in the Dark." PG scary. Click HERE for details.

Craigslist

Craigslist is a website designed for locals to connect across the nation. You've probably heard about it, but never really tried it out. Craigslist has a for sale section (my favorite) that allows individuals to buy and trade from one another without any middle man (or fees). The site is free and can be used any way newspaper classifieds would be used. Craigslist is a fantastic source for garage sales, you can map out your Saturday morning before hand a maximize your time, focus on big group sales, estate sales, or sales with only baby items. If you wish to avoid all the driving, often people will let you call before hand if you are looking for something specific. Generally Craigslist is cheaper than anything you would find on ebay (because you aren't shipping anything), but more expensive than yard sales. To check out Fresno's Craiglist click HERE.

Longs Drugs/CVS on Shaw and First is moving!

Longs Drugs/CVS on Shaw and First is moving to Shaw and Fresno by October 25 and therefore they are liquidating their store. Most sales items are selling for about 2 bucks. The have all sorts of items, including holiday decorations etc. and they bring out new merchandise every day. It's worth a look in if you're nearby. I bought a Dryel self dry cleaning kit and extras for 2 bucks a piece, and some toys for Taylor for Christmas including Dora and Polly Pocket and some makeup for a dollar a piece. So "get'em while they last!"

Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is the best chocolate chip recipe. It's the one on the back of the bag! Easy to make just a half batch as well.

2 1/4 heaping cups flour
1 heaping tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups Semi-sweet Ghirardelli chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Stir flour, baking soda, salt in a small bowl.
in a large bowl mix cold/cool butter and sugars until creamed-can be a little lumpy. Add vanilla and eggs one at a time until incorporated. Gradually blend in dry mix. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop by tablespoon about an inch and a half apart on ungreased cookie sheet. The size of the cookie matters! It changes the texture and way it cooks if the cookie is too big.
Cook 9-11 minutes until golden brown on the edges, they will cook a little more once they are out of the oven.

100 Free Photo Prints

Fujifilm Seehere is giving away 100 free photo prints with registration. Like many photo sites they provide photo books and the like. Check it out! Shipping is not included.

I found this deal on For the Mommas, see her blog for more photo deals. You can search "photos" on her blog and see all the recent deals.

Halloween Activities

Cobb Ranch Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Going on now until October 31 includes 6 acre maze, farm animals, farm train, playground, bounce house, concessions and shaded picnic areas. Don't forget the pumpkins!
Monday-Friday 6pm-9pm
Saturday-Sunday 11am-9pm.
Cornfield Maze admission adults $10, children $8. Parking Free
EECU is giving out one free admission at Savemarts in Fresno, I believe it comes with the paid admission of one adult.

These are just a few of the events.


Heard a good review about The Patch on First and Nees in Fresno. Pumpkins 50 cents a pound, rides $1 a piece and some free!
Free Events:

Chowchilla Halloween Treat Street October 29 starts at 5pm Chowchilla
Downtown Sanger Halloween Party October 31 6:30-8pm Sanger
Farmer Hobb's Pumpkin Grove October 14-31 times vary. Sanger
Halloween in the Tower District October 31, 4-6pm Fresno
Halloween on Pollasky Avenue Clovis
Harvest Acres Pumpkin Patch Monday-Friday 10am-8pm Saturday-Sunday 3pm-8pm Kerman
Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch 10am-5pm Reedley

Require Admission:

Bippity Boppity Boo at Storyland October 25, 3-6pm : $6 Fresno
Halloween Party at ImagineU Interactive Children's Museum October 31, 4-8pm : $3 Visalia
Stomp N Chomp at Fresno Chaffee Zoo October 24, 9am-4pm:
Adults $7 Children and Seniors $3.50
ZooBoo at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo October 23-25, 5-8pm Adults $12 Children $8

See Central California Parent Magazine for details and more activities! Check the calendar!

Fresh Produce Availability Chart

My husband took a cooking class, it's a great hobby of his. One thing that we've learn is that buying produce in season is not only healthiest, but the most affordable. Focusing on buying locally grown food also helps to support local farms. Organic products are often locally grown by small farmers and you can meet them at farmer's markets. Oddly enough, the major supermarkets in Fresno don't carry local milk, but CVS does. I'm not sure about the other drugstores. So I wanted to help out by listing the produce in season for fall, and when farmers markets take place in Fresno. Please let me know if I miss any. Thanks! The California Certified Farmers' Market site has days and times for local markets just click on Find a Market.

Shade Clothing.

Just wanted to take a minute to post about a wonderful store for modest clothing that still is very attractive. Many of their shirts go well beyond the waistline and for working women and moms this is a huge bonus due to all the bending over we do. I have been a fan of Shade for about 3-4 years and they have great semi-annual sales, so if they aren't affordable at full price, just keep an eye on the sales list. They don't have any stores in Fresno, but hopefully someday!