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Arc’s Value Village Personal Shopper Review

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Michelle and me

The last time I went clothes shopping was a month ago at a department store and I had to take the kids with me. I browsed while trying to pay attention to my 2-year-old running around and hiding in the clothes racks, and repeatedly asking my 5-year-old to go get him and bring him back (I’m lucky that she is so helpful!).

Then I dragged them into the dressing room as I hurriedly tried on about 10 tops. As I tried them on, of course, I had to keep telling my 2-year-old to be quiet, and to stop peeking under the dressing room divider at whoever was next to us (I was in the room on the end – why do people always go right next to someone else? It’s just like in a movie theater.). Somehow I managed to find and buy 2 tops that I liked and got out of there as fast as I could.

But clothes shopping without my kids? I can’t remember the last time that happened, as least since they were born. Most of my clothes have been purchased in busy family outings to the thrift store. I’ve been happy with my purchases, but I’ve also gotten into a rut of always shopping for the same colors (shades of blue, which are my favorite) as well as generally the same business-casual kind of styles.

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So…since I first heard about Arc’s Value Village Personal Shopper service last year from several reviews including the Pioneer Press, I’ve been anxious to try it out. [Read more…]

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska

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This post has lots of pictures. LOTS of them.

That’s because my family and I went to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska recently for the first time. We went late on a Saturday afternoon when there were 4 weddings going on (!) and few regular visitors were left, so much of the time it kind of felt like we had the place to ourselves. It was pretty hot and muggy, but we enjoyed ourselves and took LOTS of pictures. You could spend all day here taking pictures and somehow you wouldn’t have enough. There’s just that much to see. It’s HUGE, and it’s beautiful.

When you pull in there’s a little shack where an employee directs you if you’re an event guest, or takes your payment if you’re just coming to visit. We had a Living Social deal for 2 for 1 admission and we just had to give that to them. (Admission is $12 for ages 13 and up, and FREE for children 12 & under.)

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Then we pulled in and parked by the visitor center. We went in hoping to eat in the restaurant, but it closed early due to all the weddings and catering setup, so we went to the gift shop and got some candies to hold us over (the kids got cute lollipops). [Read more…]

Minnesota Children’s Museum

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Recently we visited the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul. I had purchased an online 2-for-1 deal this spring (offered by Star Tribune’s “Steals”). It’s the second time we did so and the kids had a blast! We went in June when crowds are lighter and the air conditioning feels soooo good.

We spent about 3 hours at the museum and saw pretty much everything. We started in the limited “Run! Jump! Fly!” exhibit, where both Heidi and Thor tried all kinds of cool machines and activities. Heidi surfed on the surf/snow board in front of a huge screen that changes scenes from waves to snowy hills.

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Rosebrook Wading Pool in Roseville

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The days have been getting warmer so yesterday we headed to Rosebrook Park in Roseville where I heard there’s a popular wading pool for families with little kids. The park is right behind Rosedale Mall in a quiet neighborhood south of County Road C.

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We went in the evening and found a few other families with little kids cooling off in the very blue, chlorinated and refreshing water. The water depth is only 1 foot 3 inches throughout, so it’s ideal for little ones just learning how to swim. [Read more…]

My Experiences as a New Member of the YMCA – Part 1

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So, for years I had been thinking about joining the YMCA. I live close to one and drive past another on my way to work, so I can always see their current promotions: “Join for only $10 through _____” Join for $29 through ________” “Join for $0!” Plus my kids always would get excited when they saw the fun splash deck in action outside.

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I hadn’t joined yet because of the frugal mom in me. I have dozens of workout DVDs and have worked out at home for years. However, it’s always been a bit challenging (see my post “Ten Reasons I Haven’t Yet Lost Those Extra 10 Pregnancy Pounds!!!”).

Well, in late May, the joining fee was $0 and they offered summer memberships, so I signed up our family for a free 5-day trial membership. We enjoyed the Y for free over Memorial Day weekend – and had a blast! [Read more…]

Pump It Up Inflatable Play Places for Kids

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Yesterday I took my kids to Pump It Up during Pop-In Playtime hours. I bought a Groupon deal recently for 4 admissions for the price of 2 for kids during open play times (these deals have been offered a few times a year), and because I know my kids love play places, I knew it would be a hit. (See my review of the Monkey Place in White Bear Lake for another fun inflatable play place!)

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There are several Pump It Up locations around the Twin Cities area. We went to the Pump It Up location in Ham Lake. Like the other Pump It Up locations, they offer several pop-in playtimes during the week. We went Monday morning from 10:00am-Noon. I like that this time is only for kids ages 6 and under. There were several little toddlers including Thor, my 2-year-old, so it’s much less overwhelming for them during this time. There are also special events offered depending on the time of year. They even have “parents night out” events so that parents can drop off their (potty-trained) kids in the evening for 2 hours and spend some time alone! [Read more…]

Adventure Peak at Edinborough Park in Edina

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We recently attended a birthday party that my 5-year-old daughter Heidi was invited to at an indoor play park called Adventure Peak in Edina. It was our first time there and wow, there was quite a lot of fun for kids. The energy was crazy with multiple birthday parties going on at the same time and kids running everywhere (literally). We were there on a Saturday, so I’d recommend going on a weekday if you want a quieter escape for your kids!

Adventure Peak in Edina

Edinborough Park is a huge indoor park with fitness facilities and the Adventure Peak indoor playground, all  surrounded by lush, green, and dense landscaping. From the outside it looks like a business or hotel facility, but is gorgeous when you go inside, and even includes a café for meals and snacks. [Read more…]

Monkey House in White Bear Lake

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Yesterday my husband and I took the kids to the new Monkey House in Maplewood, a “party and play center” near Maplewood Mall. I heard it had just opened up a few months ago and we were curious. Plus, we wanted a place for them to burn off their energy other than at home!

Heidi at Monkey House

The Monkey House is located at 1815 Buerkle Road in White Bear Lake, just north of 694 and the Maplewood Mall area. It’s kind of hidden among a bunch of exciting warehouse-type businesses like carpeting and medical supplies stores (ok…not THAT exciting!). But it’s exactly what we expected otherwise – 5000 square feet of indoor fun!

Monkey House

[Read more…]

Book Review: Pocket Your Dollars by Carrie Rocha

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I recently finished reading Carrie Rocha’s new book, Pocket Your Dollars: 5 attitude changes that will help you pay down debt, avoid financial stress, & keep more of what you make.

Carrie Rocha is the founder and owner of Pocket Your Dollars.com, a popular money site on the web based right here in the Twin Cities. I’ve been following her site for several years now (she and I started our blogs at about the same time), and have saved money by using her grocery lists (she lists deals store by store by combining sales with coupons available) and other helpful posts.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for myself. It was a quick read – it took me about 2 weeks to get through it, which is pretty good for a busy, working mom like myself (I’ve only read one other book cover to cover in the past year!)

Pocket Your Dollars was hard to put down! I kept identifying with Carrie throughout the book and many of the challenges she and her family faced while paying off almost $60,000 in debt. I enjoyed her many stories and anecdotes that engage and connect with the reader. [Read more…]

Free Story Times at Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store in St. Paul

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Attention! Anyone with little train lovers! Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store in St. Paul offers a FREE Story Time for kids several times a month. It’s led by Engineer Paul who’s on the locally produced show for kids called “The Choo Choo Bob Show.” The show airs on Saturday mornings at 9am on channel 45. I just heard about it and started watching it with the kids recently – It’s really a neat show for kids, with fun characters, engaging stories and special effects!

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I took my kids, Heidi and Thor, to a story time at Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store (2050 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul) on Thor’s 2nd birthday a few weeks ago. I thought it would be a fun way to start out his special day! We got there right at 10am when story time began and it was packed! There were a lot of parents, grandparents and kids there – the seats were all taken so my kids and I sat on the floor by the door. [Read more…]