This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
Read any eight books this summer and record them in your Summer Reading Journal (English or Español). Tell us which part of the book is your favorite, and why.
Bring your completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between May 15th and September 3rd, 2018. Find a Store
Choose your FREE reading adventure from the book list featured on the back of the journal.
Just check out the books we got in a previous year:
Here are the books your kids can chose from with this reading program:
GRADES 1 & 2
The Absent Author (A to Z Mysteries Series #1) by Ron Roy
Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes (I Can Read! Series) by Jane O’Connor
Flat Stanley at Bat (I Can Read! Series) by Jeff Brown
Jorge el cu rioso construye una casa en un árbol (Curious George Builds a Tree House) by H. A. Rey
Pete the Cat : Pete’s Big Lunch (My First I Can Read! Series) by James Dean
Sunbeam’s Shine (Unicorn Princesses Series #1) by Emily Bliss
The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron
Weather (National Geographic Kids Series) by Kristin Baird Rattini
Where Is the A mazon? (Where Is? Series) by Sarah Fabiny
GRADES 3 &4
The 13-Story Treehouse (The Treehouse Books Series #1) by Andy Griffiths
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The Haunted Hous e Next Door (Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol #1) by Andres Miedoso
I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 (I Survived Series #15) by Lauren Tarshis
Judy Moody and the Bucket List (Judy Moody Series #13) by Megan McDonald
Judy Moody está de mal humor (Judy Moody Was in a Mood) (Judy Moody Series #1) by Megan McDonald
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien
The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White
GRADES 5 & 6
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Book Scavenger (The Book Scavenger Series #1) by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
The Fairy-Tale De tectives—10th Anniversary Edition (The Sisters Grimm Series #1) by Michael Buckley
Greenglass House by Kate Milford
Jack: The True Story of Jack & the Beanstalk by Liesl Shurtliff
One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
A Tale Dark & Grimm (Grimm Series #1) by Adam Gidwitz
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
For some parents, the hassle of getting to your vacation destination with kids in the car can cause the entire family to go stir crazy and add stress to everyone involved.
Here are some great tips to help ease travel with the kids:
Consider traveling at off-peak hours. Start your trip at 9 p.m. instead of 9 a.m. When you leave later in the day you avoid traffic and the kids will mostly likely sleep through the night. Increase the chances for sleep by an extended playground trip to burn off energy before you buckle them in the car seats.
While on vacation, sometimes you need to break the rules! Bedtime disruptions.... Children love staying up past bedtime during the family travel. It is a special treat they'll remember fondly, it is the little things that kids remember. Shrug off the raised eyebrows from strangers, you are making memories!
For some parents, the hassle of getting to your vacation destination with kids in the car can cause the entire family to go stir crazy and add stress to everyone involved.
Non - Electronic Game Ideas for the Kids
Need some road trip travel games to play in the car? Well I have a complied a list of games/activities to keep the kids from getting bored and asking "ARE WE THERE YET"?
Tunnel Game: See who can hold their breath the longest, while going thru a tunnel. Hubby loved this game as a child and has the kids do it every time we go thru a tunnel in PA.
Cookie sheet: A cookie sheet with magnets works great as a lap desk for the car or on a plane. The raised edge can help prevent crayons and cars from landing on the floor.
Slug Bug: When we played this as kids we would actually slug each other in the arm. Looking back, probably not the best parenting decision by our folks. LOL. Have the kids watch for Volkswagen Beetles, instead of smacking each other why not take a twist on the game and for each VW Beetle they see, they get a letter. Once one spells out SLUG BUG they are the winner!
I Spy: Do I need to explain this one? One person looks around and chooses an object that the others have to guess, with their only clue being these words: "I spy with my little eye something that begins with _____." Once it is guessed, the person who guessed correctly gets to a turn to Spy!
License Plate Game Version 1: Keep your eyes peeled and call out letters in alphabetical order; the first one to Z wins.
The Alphabet Game: Start with the letter "A" and find one on a sign, truck, building etc. Say the word and then move on to the next letter. You can do this as a competition or together as a family for the younger beginning readers. The first one to get to the letter "Z" is the winner!
Car travel games: Pick up some fun portable games like Trivial Pursuit, Auto Bingo and more to keep the kids entertained!
Electronic Options Consider relaxing any restrictions on daily screen time. Video games, iPads and laptops can be true lifesavers when dealing with kids facing hours in close proximity to their siblings. Sometimes a kid just needs to veg out on a road trip. Need the perfect movie idea...Why not get the digital version of The Wimpy Kid - The Long Haul
Here are some great options for electronics:
Portable DVD Player - Kids love being able to watch their own shows. Pick up a couple of DVD for cheap and you got a couple hours covered in the car! Make sure you have head phones to not disturb the siblings
Kindle - A great way to store books to read, games/apps to play and even watch movies
iPad - A great way to play games/apps and even watch movies
Also it is always best to pack your own food and snacks for the long haul
August 4, 2018
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
The Intex Classic Downy Airbed is perfect for both in-home use and camping. It is easy to clean, and compact for storage. The plush flocked top provides a luxurious sleeping surface, while keeping the sheets in place. In addition, it has extra wide valve openings for fast inflating and deflating.
Extra wide valve openings for fast inflating and deflating
Measures: 39"L x 75"W x 8.75"H
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
The 210 takes classic styling and combines it with the lightweight
midsole, providing superior lightweight shock absorption with street
style to match.
August 3, 2018
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
Watch as a newly divorced mother resets her life and navigates the world of college when “Life of the Party” arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital.
“Life of the Party” is directed by Ben Falcone (“Tammy,” “The Boss”). Alongside McCarthy, the film also stars Gillian Jacobs (“Don’t Think Twice,” TV’s “Love,” TV’s “Community”), Maya Rudolph (“Bridesmaids,” “Sisters”), Julie Bowen (TV’s “Modern Family”), Matt Walsh (TV’s “Veep,” “Ghostbusters”), Molly Gordon (“Love the Coopers,” TV’s “Animal Kingdom”), Stephen Root (“Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates”), Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook,” “Animal Kingdom”), Jessie Ennis (TV’s “Better Call Saul”), Adria Arjona (TV’s “True Detective,” TV’s “Emerald City”), Debby Ryan (TV’s “Jessie”) and Jimmy O. Yang (TV’s “Silicon Valley”).
Falcone’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Julio Macat (“The Boss,” “Horrible Bosses 2,” “Daddy’s Home”), production designer Rusty Smith (“The Boss”), editor Brian Olds (“Central Intelligence”), and costume designer Louise Mingenbach (the “The Hangover” franchise) with music by Fil Eisler (“How to Be Single,” TV’s “Empire”). A New Line Cinema production, “Life of the Party” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
McCarthy and Falcone co-wrote the screenplay and produced through their production company, On the Day Production. Chris Henchy is also producing the film, with David Siegel serving as executive producer.
We just watched Life of the Party this week and loved it. I have not laughed so much watching a movie in a while. Even my husband was dying laughing. Melissa McCarthy was hilarious and nailed it again! Not only was it a great story-line, but the comedy from all the cast was great. This might be one
of the best movies she has done in a while. I loved how they showed that it doesn't matter your age or where you are in life, anyone can go back to college. While we all may not go back Melissa McCarthy style, it is still an option. . It is PG-13, but not at all crass like some of her other films. I did let my 12 year old watch it and she enjoyed it as well!
SYNOPSIS
When her husband suddenly dumps her, longtime dedicated housewife Deanna (McCarthy) turns regret into reset by going back to college…landing in the same class and school as her daughter, who’s not entirely sold on the idea. Plunging headlong into the campus experience, the increasingly outspoken Deanna—now Dee Rock—embraces freedom, fun and frat boys on her own terms, finding her true self in a senior year no one ever expected.
BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS
“Life of the Party”Blu-ray Combo Pack contain the following special features:
·'80s Party
·Mom Sandwich
·Line-O-Rama
·Bill Hate-O-Rama
·Gag Reel
·Deleted Scenes
“Life of the Party”Standard Definition DVD contain the following special features:
·'80s Party
DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS
On July 24, “Life of the Party” will be available to own in high definition and standard definition from select digital retailers including Amazon, FandangoNow, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. On August 7, “Life of the Party” will be made available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.
About Movies Anywhere
Movies Anywhere is a digital movie platform that enables movie fans to discover, access, and watch their favorite digital movies in one place. Movies Anywhere brings together a library of nearly 7,500 digital movies from Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film, The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment) and Warner Bros., and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. By connecting participating digital retailers that include Amazon Prime Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu, movie fans can now bring together their digital movie collections (whether purchased or redeemed) in one place and enjoy them from the comfort of their living rooms, and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices and popular browsers. Movie fans can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere – your movies, together at last.
ABOUT DIGITAL
*Digital movies or TV episodes allow fans to watch a digital version of their movie or TV show anywhere, on their favorite devices. Digital movies or TV episodes are included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs. With digital, consumers are able to instantly stream and download movies and TV shows to TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones through retail services. For more information on compatible devices and services go to wb.com/digitalmoviefaq. Consult a digital retailer for details and requirements and for a list of digital-compatible devices.
The Credits
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
Hey readers! I have a secret $10 sale just for you. Here you can score some of Cents of Styles customer
favorite tops for ONLY $10.00! We are SO excited about this! For the next 24 hours have your readers use the CODE: FLASHTEN and NOTHING will be over $10.00! +FREE Shipping!
FLASH SALE
Nothing over $10.00!
The code is FLASHTEN and it takes $9.95 off the lowest marked price, making NOTHING over $10.00! Don't forget the FREE Shipping!
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
I have seen previews for this movie and it looks adorable! Let alone all the cute pooches! From acclaimed production company LD Entertainment (The Zookeeper's Wife, Jackie, and Megan Leavey) and Director Ken Marino comes Dog Days. Dog Days is a hilarious and heartfelt ensemble comedy that follows the lives of multiple dog owners and their beloved fluffy pals around sunny Los Angeles. When these human and canine's paths start to intertwine, their lives begin changing in ways they never expected.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the above mention for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Full Disclosure Policy
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
We frequently take the kids to the drive-ins in the summer. I remember going to drive-ins as a child in Michigan and love sharing these memories with my children!
When my daughter was an infant, we went to the drive in and folded down the back seats of the van and placed a pack and play back there, this way she could sleep comfortably while we were watching the movie! Now the kids are older, we just fold down the seats of the SUV or Van and they watch the first movie, then we put sleeping bags in the back end and they sleep during the 2nd. It is quiet comfortable! The kids have a blast! They ended up sleeping until it was time to leave! Plus mommy and daddy get to see some movies they have been wanting too!
I did some searching to help the rest of you find a drive-in! Going rates are $5-$10 an adult for 2 movies. Kid rates seemed to be $1-$5 for ages 6-12! Instead of going out to dinner and then dropping $10 a ticket at a regular theater to see one move, we had a fun cheap night. Here are some ways to make it fun and frugal:
Take a cooler with your sodas and water bottles
Pick up a $5 Little Caesars pizza or head to CiCi's pizza and get 3 carry-out pizzas for $9.99!
Pick up some Dollar Store candy!
Pop your own popcorn and place it in a brown paper bag and bring with you
Please note some drive-ins have policies on bringing outside food and may charge you $4-5 for a food permit.
Totally frugal and memory lasting!!! Don't forget the glow-necklaces! Another fun and frugal item for the kids and if you are sitting outside, makes them easy to spot!
Drive-ins.com This lists all the drive-ins by state! Who knew there were so many!!
Just remember BUG SPRAY and BLANKETS! It can get quiet chilly at night and the bugs come out!
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
Dominate the trail in our FuelCore NITREL men's trail running shoes. This rugged, but lightweight shoe is off-road ready with an improved AT Tread outsole to help keep you grounded as you explore new paths. The gusseted tongue helps keep out debris, while Toe Protect reinforces the toe tip to help protect the toes. With a combination of speed, traction and performance, these men's trail running shoes are ready for your next rugged run.
Weight: 274 grams (9.7 oz)
Innovative REVlite midsole provides premium responsiveness and durability at a 30% lighter weight than other foams with comparable performance
8 mm drop: due to variances created during the development and manufacturing processes, all references to 8 mm drop are approximate
Injection molded EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate)
NB Response 2.0 performance insert
No-sew material application
Synthetic/mesh upper
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
Check out these cute tops! These are the perfect option if you are looking for something that is casual yet still chic. These pieces are understated and classic and you can never go wrong with the simplicity of a lightweight stripe weave blouse to wear with your favorite jeans or shorts.
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
In celebration of the film's release on digital (now available) and Blu-ray on August 14th,
check out the all-new Avengers: Infinity War custom Facebook AR Mask
that allows fans to turn themselves “into dust” with this new Facebook
camera effect.
How it works:
Log in into your Facebook app from a mobile device
Open your mouth, and the fade away effect will begin
Hold down the record button to save your video
Post your video onto Facebook and share with the caption: THANOS IS HERE! @Avengers #InfinityWar
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
Moviegoers of all ages can catch a movie for only $1 during the 14 week Summer Movie Express at select Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres. They will offer selected G or PG rated movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00am for just a buck! See site for participating locations and movie schedule. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Will Rogers Institute
Week 1
Hop
Max
Week 2
The Iron Giant
Curious George
Week 3
Despicable Me
Ice Age: Collision Course
Week 4
Storks
Mr. Peabody & Sherman
Week 5
Despicable Me 2
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Week 6
The Lego Movie
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Week 7
Sing
The Peanuts Movie
Week 8
The LEGO Ninjago Movie
Ferdinand
Week 9
The Secret Life of Pets
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Week 10
The Lego Batman Movie
Trolls
Week 11
Minions
The Boss Baby
Week 12
Paddington 2
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
Week 13
Despicable Me 3
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Week 14
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
Kung Fu Panda 3
August 1, 2018
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
Amazon Prime Members can request a free book each from Amazon First Reads! Get early access to editors' picks. Choose one FREE Kindle book each month and shop hardcovers for $9.99 or less. This month there are six choices each valued at $4.99 and all books are available in advance of their official September 1st release date.
These are the Free books to chose from for Prime Members ($1.99 for non-Primers):
The Storyteller's Secret
I will never leave you
Happy Doomsday
Hotel Sacher
Eraser
Stray: A memoir of a runaway
Kindle First Reads is a program that offers customers early access to new Kindle books across popular genres from Amazon Publishing.
Every month customers may choose one of the books selected by our editors for $1.99. Joining is free with no purchase obligation. By joining, you receive a monthly e-mail announcing new Amazon First Reads picks. You can unsubscribe from the monthly e-mail at any time by visiting Amazon Local and Amazon Delivers E-mail Subscriptions in Your Account
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
The Summer Movie Clubhouse is a ten-week program of recently released G and PG films for kids. Day, times and weeks of the series are determined by the local theater. A full list of participating theaters is listed at Cinemark.com.
The cost is $1 per person per movie at the door the morning of the program. A ten-week series punch card is available at the theater box office or online at Cinemark.com for $5, while supplies last.
Check your local theater to see what movies are playing and what times/weeks they are. My Cinemark is running movies starting May 21, 2018 to August 9, 2018! These are the titles at my local theater:
The Boss Baby
Smurfs: The Lost Village
The LEGO Ninjago Movie
Storks
Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature
My Little Pony: The Movie
Ferdinand
Paddington 2
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
The Emoji Movie
Not all Cinemarks offer this deal.
This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Affiliate links means if you click on my link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy.
Post Shredded Wheat Zucchini Fritters with Dill Dipping Sauce
Now that summer is here, that means the garden is over flowing with vegetables. If yours is like mine you may have an abundance of zucchini. You can only make so many muffins, so why not take a classic breakfast cereal and mix it with your veggies. This is the perfect recipe for summer!
Zucchini Fritters
3 medium zucchini (about 1 pound) grated and patted dry with paper towels
3/4 cup Post Shredded Wheat Big Biscuit cereal, finely crushed (approximately 2 Big Biscuits)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I mixed grated and shredded)
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 whole egg or 3 egg whites beaten
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Olive oil cooking spray
Dill Dipping Sauce:
1/3 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Garnish:
Fresh dill sprigs
Crumbled Shredded Wheat cereal
Directions
In a large bowl, combine zucchini, Post Shredded Wheat cereal, Parmesan, garlic and egg; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray. Using a 1/3 cup measure, scoop batter for each fritter, flattening into a circle, and cook until the underside is nicely golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side, about 3 minutes longer. (Continue to spray skillet as needed until all the fritters are cooked.)
In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt and dill. Serve with zucchini fritters. Garnish with a sprig of fresh dill and a light sprinkle of crumbled Post Shredded Wheat cereal.
