Happy Birthday To Me!

I thought I would share some of the free stuff you can get on your birthday! Most of this list was compiled by someone with the screen name hulagirlT. I added a few of my own. I am not sure how accurate all of these are, some are confirmed and some might be outdated! Let me know about any other birthday deals–or if any of these are incorrect! I am off to treat myself to a pedicure for my birthday!

My favorite birthday freebies are:
1. Free rental at Hollywood Video
2. Free meal at Tucano’s (Utah and New Mexico) during your birthday month-both my kids eat free since they are under 7, so the whole family eats a Brazilian buffet for the price of my husband’s one meal! We of course always tip as if we were paying full price for all meals
3. Free Chocolate fondue for two at The Melting Pot with purchase of full course dinner
4. Free scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins
5. Free car wash on your birthday at Firehouse Car Wash (American Fork, Utah)

And here is the long list:
FOOD:
ALFY’S PIZZA – free mini pizza
ALL-AMERICAN CAFÉ – free dessert
APPLEBEES – free dessert
AUSTIN GRILL – free meal (register first)
BAKERS SQUARE – free pie
BANDIDO’S [IN] – free entrée
BANJARA INDIAN CUISINE [SUNNYVALE, CA] – free meal
BASKIN ROBBINS – free ice cream treat and a coupon for $3 off an ice cream cake
BEACHES RESTAURANT – free meal
BENNIGANS – free dessert + song
BERN’S [TAMPA, FL] – free meal
BILL KNAPP’S [MI & OH] – gives adults a % discount equal to age; plus a free bday cake (w/purchase of a meal) during the week of your B-day
BLACK BRISKEE [BURLINGTON, MA] – free meal
BOB’S BIG BOY – free hot fudge ice cream
BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BW3) – free dozen hot wings
BURGER KING – free kids meal to all kids club members
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN – free kids meal during the month of their birthday (register first)
CAPTAIN DIZZY’S CAR WASH – free car wash
CARROWS – free cake
CATTLEMEN’S – free dessert and cowboy hat
CHARLIE BROWNS RESTAURANTS [NJ] – free meal for “Handshake Club” members
CHARLIE’S SEAFOOD [NE] – free meal
CHEVY’S – free dessert and sombrero
CHILI’S – free song
CHIPS N GIGGLES – free meal
CLAIM JUMPER – Free Dessert
CRAZY BUFFET [WESTPALM & TAMPA, FL] – free meal
DENNY’S – free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now)
DESPARADOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT [GARLAND, TX] – free meal
DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT [MALDEN & SAUGUS, MA] – free meal
DUKE’S CHOWDER HOUSE [SEATTLE, WA] – b1g1 coupons (register first)
EINSTEIN’S – free meal
EL CHICOS – free dessert
ERNIE’S STEAKHOUSE – free meal
FAMOUS DAVE’S BARBEQUE – free meal (w/advance signup)
FUDDRUCKERS – free burger
GOLDEN CORRAL – free meal to Birthday Club members (not just kids!) during month of birthday
GRILLFISH – free meal
HANA JAPAN [DUBLIN, CA] – free meal
HARD ROCK CAFÉ – free dessert
HOMETOWN BUFFET – free birthday cake
HOSS’S STEAK HOUSE AND RESTAURANT [GETTYSBURG, PA] – free cake + song
IHOP- free meal
JOE’S CRAB SHACK – free cake
JT WHEATFIELDS [BUFFALO, NY] – free coupon in phone book
KING BUFFET [CLINTON, NJ] – free meal
KRISPY KREME – free dozen donuts + travel mug of coffee (register first)
LADONNA [MANSFIELD, MA] – free meal
LOMBARDI’S IN BALLARD [SEATTLE, WA] – free meal w/another during month of birthday (register first)
LOTUS – free meal
LUTHERS BBQ – free stuff (varies) for “Great Rewards” members
MACARONI GRILL – free dessert + OPERA-style “Happy Birthday” song
MAGGIANOS – $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance)
MARIE CALENDERS – free dessert
MAX AND ERMA [OH] – free $5 dessert
MEXICAN VILLAGE – free meal
MOONIES DINER – free meal
MUCKLESHOOT CASINO [SEATTLE, WA] – free sushi dinner + player’s club points
NEWICK’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS [SO. NH / SO. ME] – free entrée
NITTY GRITTY [MADISON, WI] – free drink + souvenir glass
OKAYAMA RESTAURANT (in Japan Town) [SAN JOSE, CA] – free meal
OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE – free meal
OLIVE GARDEN – cake (some say free, most say $$)
ONAMI [WEST COVINA, CA] – free dinner WITH 3 other people paying
OUTBACK – free dessert + song
PANCAKE HOUSE [WINNIPEG, CAN] – free entrée Reported DEAD
PAPPA’S RESTAURANTS (PAPPADEAUX, PAPPASITO’S, ETC) – free dessert
PARADISO’S – free meal

PERKIN’S – free stack of pancakes
PF CHANGS – free cake or cheesecake
PIZZA EXPRESS [EUROPE] – free meal
PONCHO’S – free meal, dessert & picture
PROVINO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT – free $10.99 meal and ice cream
Radisson (on Portage Ave at Smith St) [WINNIPEG, CAN] – free entree in their 12th floor restaurant
REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY [ANN ARBOR] – free meal and dessert
RED LOBSTER – free slice of cake + song

Red Robin, if you sign up in advance, you get a B1G1 Free Burger coupon 1 week before your BDay that is good for 14 days. Also, a few days after signing up, you get a $3 off coupon.

RICE & COMPANY [PITTSBURGH, PA] – free meal for Robinson Rewards Club members
ROCK BOTTOM – free appetizer for Mug Club members
ROUND TABLE – free personal pizza
RUBIO’S MEXICAN – (many say invalid)
SCALINI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT [ATLANTA, GA] – up to 10.95 off pasta specialties
SHEPARD’S BUFFET [CLEARWATER BEACH, FL] – free dinner buffet w/3 other paid customers
STEAK AND ALE – free mini choco cake
STEAK-N-SHAKE – free dinner for “birthday club” kids
TACO BELL – free combo meal of your choice
TGI FRIDAYS – Free Birthday Dessert
THE 99 [BOSTON, MA] – free meal
THE BARNSIDER’S/DEPOT RESTAURANTS [BOSTON / N.SHORE / PROVIDENCE, RI / ALBANY, NY] – 1/2 off meal + cake & song
THE LOFT [FL] – free meal
THE PALM – 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first)
THE PARADISO [GRAND FORKS, ND] – free entrée + sombrero & song
THE VINE TAVERN – free meal
TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET – Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit
TONY ROMA’S – free dessert
Tucano’s Brazillian Grill-free meal during your birthday month
UP THE CREEK [MARYVILLE, TN] – free meal and dessert
VACCARO’S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP [MD/DC AREA] – free dessert and drink
WENDY’S – free kids meal to all kids club members
Z’ TEJAS – $15 coupon for the month of your birthday (register first)

ZIO’S – free dessert
ARIZONA SNOW BOWL [FLAGSTAFF, AZ] – free skiing/riding (if they are open)
Auto Zone – Free oil change
BEAR MOUNTAIN OR SNOW SUMMIT – free skiing/riding
BELLEAYRE MOUNTAIN – free skiing/riding
COTTONWOOD GOLF COURSE [SAN DIEGO, CA] – free round of golf
DAVE AND BUSTERS – $5 game card credit
FOOD PAVILION GROCERY STORE – free movie rental
Hallmark – 20% off coupon for one item
HARKINS – free movie
HOLLYWOOD VIDEO – free video rental
SAFEWAY GROCERY STORE – free movie rental
SCRUB-A-DUB – free car wash
VARIOUS TANNING SALONS – free tan
WHITEHALL JEWELERS – free $50 gift certificate

Deal–Kelloggs Cereal at Target

When I started this blog I promised to post some hot deals to save YOU money. I haven’t posted too many but I do have a good one for this week.

Target and Super Target have most Kellogg’s cereals (Rice Krispy, Froot Loops, Raisin Bran, Frosted Flakes, etc) on sale 5 boxes for $11, this makes them $2.20 each, an okay price for cereal, but when you buy 5 boxes you also get a $5 gift card to be used on future purchases. You can get multiple gift cards in the same transaction. (Be sure you select cereal that is part of the 5 for 11 and also part of the gift card promotion-there will be signs up. It does say quantities limited, and no rain checks.) If you purchase the correct cereals/sizes and quantity the cashier is automatically prompted to make you a gift card.

A secret to buying in bulk…check the expiration dates on the box, pull from the back of the store shelf so you get one with a distant exp date. This way you can rotate your cereal over the next year! Don’t forget to get a few boxes for Rice Krispy Treats too!

This deal is valid until June 28th–and my Target had plenty of stock on the shelves–good luck!

P.S. The free Thomas the Train coupon from Toys R Us that has been going around is no longer valid! It was valid and working for a bit but as deal lingo says, “It’s dead.”

Holy Cuteness! Summer Haircuts

Read and Win–Free State Fair Ticket

Encourage your child to to read (something they should be doing anyway) and get a free ticket to the Utah State Fair!

Winning is very simple:
* Open to children who are between the ages of 6-12 as of September 1, 2008
* Children read ten books and fill out the Reading Record Form
* Reading is verified by a teacher, parent, guardian, or librarian
* Children mail their completed forms to the Fair- Entries must be postmarked on or before Friday, July 25, 2008- No late entries will be accepted

All children who return their completed forms will receive:
* Gate entry pass to the 2008 Utah State Fair, this individual ticket can be used any one day of the Fair. The Fair runs September 4-14th
* Ribbon Bookmark from the International Association of Fairs & Expositions
* Coupon from Skyline Concessions for a free Regular Drink redeemable at the Fair
* Coupon for one free ride redeemable at the Fair (limited number available, get your entry in early)

For more details and an entry form, go here.

See you at the Fair!

(If you don’t have kids this age, help a niece/nephew, grandchild or other child in your life read this summer and take them to the fair in the fall as a reward!)

Midsommar

We celebrated Midsommar (Midsummer) with the Swedish Heritage Society of Utah at the International Peace Garden. The garden has areas that represent different countries, Sweden’s area even has a stuga (or traditional summer cottage.) The maypole was decorated with foliage and natural flowers, then dancing and singing to raise the maypole. Jason helped raise the pole! We brought daisies to make Savannah’s head wreath. When we lived in Sweden the countryside was covered in daisies and foliage–everyone just picked flowers and leaves and sat down in meadows or parks and made head wreaths (see photo at the end of this post.)

Daddy helping Savannah with her wreath.

Jackson in front of a replica summer cottage.

Flowers at the International Peace Garden

Additional Info from Wikipedia

In modern Sweden, Midsummer’s Eve and Midsummer’s Day (Midsommarafton and Midsommardagen) are celebrated from the eve of the Friday between June 19 – 25. It is arguably the most important holiday of the year, and one of the most uniquely Swedish in the way it is celebrated, even if it has been influenced by other countries long ago. The main celebrations take place on the Friday, and the traditional events include raising and dancing around a huge maypole. One typical dance is the frog dance. Before the maypole is raised, greens and flowers are collected and used to cover the entire pole.

Raising and dancing around a maypole (majstång or midsommarstång) is an activity that attracts families and many others. People dancing around the pole listen to traditional music and many wear traditional folk costumes. The year’s first potatoes, pickled herring, sour cream, and possibly the first strawberries of the season are on the menu. Drinking songs are also important at this feast, and many drink heavily.

Because Midsummer was thought to be one of the times of the year when magic was strongest, it was considered a good night to perform rituals to look into the future. Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of seven or nine different flowers and put them under their pillow in the hope of dreaming about their future spouse. In the past it was believed that herbs picked at Midsummer were highly potent, and water from springs could bring good health. (In Sweden the streams are so clean that you can get a drink from them anytime you are out for a walk in the countryside.)

Me in Stockholm for Midsommar in 2000! Notice all the wildflowers!

Midsommardans by Anders Zor, 1987

Character

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion;
It is easy in solitude to live after our own;
But the great man is he who, in the midst of the crowd,
Keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of his character.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

My New Favorite Thing

One stop shopping to make a great salad in about two minutes!

1. Earthbound Farm Pre-Washed Organic Spring Mix

2. Add some Kirkland Signature Fruit & Nut Medley

3. Toss with a generous amount of Litehouse Ultra Premium Big Bleu
Chunky Bleu Cheese Dressing

Voilà!
Fresh, Feel-Good Lunch

All three items can be purchased at Costco.
Give it a try and come back and tell me what you thought!

Wordless Wednesday Fotofest Theme: Vintage

My first time to participate in Rachel’s fotofest. The theme: Vintage
I took all these photos this evening!

Check out the other participants’ photos here.
Scroll to the bottom of the post and you’ll see the links.

Wildcats In the House; My Baby Boy

Today we took a private tour at East High School in Salt Lake City where they are currently filming Disney’s High School Musical 3! The cast was not there as they were not currently filming a scene however we were able to see some of the key sets in the movie, like the above famous lunchroom where Sharpay starts singing and comes down the stairs and then Gabriella spills her lunch on Sharpay.

My mother-in-law graduated from East High and one of her former classmates is a teacher their now-and he gave us the tour, he pointed out what was part of the school and what the film studio added. In this photo you can tell the film studio added this–because the real East High Mascot is a leopard, not a wildcat. Not to mention what school posts their daily lunch on a marquis? The other photo is Savannah in front of Sharpay’s locker which is no longer decorated. Our tour guide, the teacher, plans to paint it pink again.

Here is the fountain out front, it’s fake, completely hollow as are the planters. In fact when you get close to the planters you notice they didn’t even plant them–it just has the plants arranged still in their plastic nursery pots. And I snapped a photo of the clock at the top of school which reminds me of the song and huge dance scene ‘What Time Is it?” I had to take a picture of the great lunch tables with red seats. I know my school lunchrooms weren’t this nice, we didn’t have two levels with matching lunch tables! We did have the drama!

We had a great time on the tour, I saw one set from the upcoming movie, but I’ll keep it a secret! I tried to take photos but some tear down crew yelled “You can’t take pictures.” at me! I did snap one but it was horrible, but at least I had a peak–all I can say is purple tablecloths and a big tree with lanterns in it!

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Today is one month since I delivered our baby boy. It’s been emotional the past few days for me. Friday would have been our ultrasound appointment that I already had scheduled, and May 14-16 were the first days we learned he no longer had a heartbeat, then being induced, 10 hours of labor and his delivery on the morning of the 16th. I have been reading a few books that I picked up at the library and came upon one paragraph that expresses exactly my thoughts-I would like to share it with all of you:

Each life comes into this world with a mission. Sometimes this mission or purpose is clear; sometimes it is vague and shrouded in misunderstandings. In time, we will see what the baby’s mission was on earth. Could it have been to add a little flicker of love that otherwise may never have been lit? Was it to soften our hearts so that we may in turn comfort others? Could it have been to bring us closer to God and each other?

Babies lost in pregnancy are wanted, are missed, are loved as is my tiny angel.

Meet My Swap Partner!

I signed up for a favorite things swap at according to kelly. Kelly matched up over 300 people with partners to swap their three favorite things! I received my swap partner’s information today. I am so excited to put her package together. Check out the adventures of an american mum and e-mail me ideas for her package. This is going to be so fun! When I receive my package I’ll post photos!