For the Locals: Free Youth Soccer Instruction!

We have attended these in the past for football and baseball. I am sure soccer will be just as great! Here is the email that I received:

Greetings from Chevy Youth Soccer!

As part of the Chevy Youth Soccer Program, your Selected Chevy Dealers are hosting FREE youth soccer instructional clinics in your area for ages 6-14 with U.K. Elite! You are receiving this email because you signed up for a Chevrolet clinic in the past and I wanted to make sure you were aware of this upcoming opportunity as well! You have not been added to a distribution list and this is the only email you will receive unless you do in fact sign up for one of these events.

Please share the attached invitation with other members of your community as soon as possible! The invitations contain important information about the RSVP site www.chevyyouthsports.com/soccer, which participants will use to register. They will choose Nashville for market and enter kickit for the password!

Here are the details:

Saturday, September 8

Check-in 5:00-5:45pm

Clinic 6:00-9:00pm

Snack 9:00pm

E.S. Rose Park and Sports Complex

1000 Edgehill Avenue

Nashville, TN 37203

--OR--

Sunday, September 9

Check-in 12:00-12:45pm

Clinic 1:00-4:00pm

Snack 4:00pm

E.S. Rose Park and Sports Complex

1000 Edgehill Avenue

Nashville, TN 37203

More on our professional instructors from UK Elite:

UK Elite Soccer Trainers represent professionalism, integrity, act as role models to young athletes and have a wealth of soccer knowledge. All UK Elite Soccer Trainers hold coaching licenses from multiple countries are fully insured and have had a complete background check confirming their suitability to work with children. The UK Elite Curriculum is a blend of all the best known practices and coaching methods from around the globe!

U.K. Elite incorporates methods from England, USA, Brazil, Holland, France, Germany, Italy and emerging soccer countries such as Australia and African Nations. They have active associations with professional clubs, national and International Soccer associations, keeping their curriculum fresh and challenging for every level of player.

For more information on U.K. Elite, check out their blog at www.UKElite.com/blog.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions.

Best,
Jen

--

Jen Stoltz
GM Dealer Programs Senior Coordinator
1720 Windward Concourse | Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA | 30005

Desk: 770.407.8564 | Mobile: 678.313.2470 | Fax: 770.407.8566

Email: jstoltz@gmdealerprograms.com

Web: www.youthsportswired.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/youthsportswired

Twitter: www.twitter.com/youthsportswire

Link Love: JC Penney Providing Free Kid Haircuts in August!

Check out Common Sense with Money's post on JC Penney providing free haircuts for kids during August!

Link Love: Free Kids' Healthy Cooking Class at William Sonoma

Check out Healthy Life Deals' post on the free cooking class for kids at William Sonoma (March 25th)! If you teach your kids to cook, they will cook for you. Just sayin'.

How to Finger Knit

I was crocheting a scarf at the football field a few months ago. We spent a lot of time there for practices and waiting for games to start. I guess my idea caught on because another preteen girl started to bring some yarn with her to the games/practices. I noticed that she only used her fingers to create something so I googled finger knitting. I am so glad I did.

In the past I have tried to teach crochet to my kids, ages 6, 8, and 10, but it never seemed to connect. Finger knitting on the other hand, does work for this age group. So I watched a few videos on YouTube, made one myself, and then taught the kids. The first one or two were not so pretty but then they really caught on. They turned it into a business and sold some to their friends to give to their parents for Christmas! My eight year old son made one for me in less than an hour one morning while waiting at the pediatrician's office and was with me later in a store when the lady complimented me on it - he was super excited and she was very impressed that he made it. I suppose it is not often that an eight year old boy knows how to knit but all the kids love doing it. He has been begging me for three days to buy more yarn. Just a tip, if you are going to try it, make sure you buy really thick yarn and don't forget your Michael's coupon!

Oh, one more benefit, the kids are really still and quiet while they are doing it! It takes concentration.



For the Pom Poms at the end of the scarf:

Link Love: Snowman Soup!

Time2Save has a great post on making "Snowman Soup." I think this is a great idea for kids to make as gifts to friends and teachers.

Cub Scout Cake Decorating Contest!

I am a big believer in Cub Scouts for boys because it's fun, inexpensive and teaches them important skills. Last night was our cake decorating contest, and I thought you might enjoy seeing the cakes! This is what we spent our Sunday doing. They both placed first within their dens but did not place within their pack. They had a ball and came home stuffed with cake. I am giving you the links as well if you should like to get directions to make these yourself. There were some pretty amazing cakes. I really liked the Star Wars, Lego and Angry Birds cakes.

This is my 10 year old's cake:


The fries are browned slices of pound cake. The "ketchup" is white icing mixed with red and a little brown food coloring. The hot dog is a pound cake and twinkies and directions are found HERE and HERE.

This is my 8 year old's cake:

My younger son wanted a dog. HERE are the best directions that I could find. The results were not perfect but certainly fun and pretty easy to make! I suggest before you begin the process, you make a trip to the dollar store for supplies. It is far cheaper than Michael's or the grocery store. This cake was pretty cheap as it only requires one box cake and two cans of frosting. The expensive part was having to buy the frosting tip for the "hair". Michael's had a 50% off printable coupon so it was not too pricey (about $5). Don't forget the pan for display at the dollar store. Buy two for each cake for extra support in transportation.

Up to 75% off Melissa & Doug Toys: Deals from $5 + free shipping

Bloomingdale's cuts up to 75% off several Melissa & Doug toys. Plus, coupon code "HOLIDAY11" cuts 20% off. With free shipping via coupon code "FREESHIP11", and prices starting at $5.40, many items are at price lows. Sales tax is added where applicable.

A best bet: Search for "497829" to find the Melissa & Doug Band-in-a-Box (pictured) for $5.40 with free shipping via the above codes. It features a tambourine, cymbals, maracas, clacker, tone blocks, and triangle.

Thanks to dealnews.com for this great tip!

For the Locals: Predators Free Kids Hockey Clinic

My kids did this several years ago and loved it! The Nashville Predators, in association with Centennial Sportsplex, announce the next session of Get Out And Learn! (G.O.A.L!), a FREE beginner hockey program designed for boys and girls ages 4 to 8 with no prior skating experience. This free 4-week program includes all equipment making the program ideal for any child to get started!

Registration for the Monday night sessions - June 6-27 - at Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville begins May 24 at 9:00 a.m. SPACE IS LIMITED! Click here for more information.

For the Locals: Dulcimer Day at Two Rivers Mansion

For a day of free music and beautiful environment, check out the Thirteenth Annual Grand Old Dulcimer Day 2011! There will be performances and opportunities to try out the instruments.

A Celebration of the Mountain Dulcimer
Family Fun - Free Admission
Sunday, May 15
Noon Until Six
Two Rivers Mansion
3130 McGavock Pike,
Nashville, TN 37214

Main Stage Performers
Performers and times are subject to change
12-1 - Wanda O’Guin & Priscilla Rushing, Ray Hunley, Tradition Continues with Drew Benward
1-2 - Stephen Seifert, Lobar Band, Twangtown Dulcimers
2-3 - White House Dulcimer Players, Monday Night Players, G-Strings
3-4 - Adie Grey, Joni Bishop, Rob Pearcy & Donovan Carpenter
4-5 - VSA/Blair Dulcimer Choir, Linda Sack, Lee Rowe
5-6 - Grand Old Dulcimer Club

Junior Classic Books & Fairytales (DS) for $7.99

Junior Classic Books & Fairytales (featuring 130 stories including the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Jungle Book, Hansel & Gretel and more!)

At Buy.com

Designed for young readers 8 and up
Features selected classic books that stand the test of time
Makes reading fun and easy
Choose between two different font sizes
Was $29.95, on sale $7.99

FREE SHIPPING Tax in CA, MA, NY, TN

For the Locals: Lego Building Competition 3/18 & 3/19

My kids are crazy about Legos. If yours are too, here is the place to see all the creations or enter one yourself!

LEGO Building Competition

Friday March 18, 2011 - Saturday March 19, 2011

Nashville Public Library

615 Church St
Nashville, Tennessee 37219 Get Directions

Enter Nashville Public Library's LEGO Building competition. Use your own plastic bricks to make an original LEGO creation. First place prizes will be awarded in various age group categories, from preschoolers to adults. Submit your entry at the library in the 1st Floor Art Gallery on Friday, March 18th, 4:00 - 5:30 pm or Saturday, March 19th 9:00 - 11:00 am. The exhibition will be open for public viewing at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 19th, followed by an awards ceremony at 3:30 pm. For more information and a complete list of rules, please visit the library website at www.library.nashville.org or contact the Main Library Children's Division at 862-5785.

Website: http://www.library.nashville.org

For the Locals: Frist Family Free Day

Put this on your Calendar!

FREE Family Day
Enjoy free admission and special family activities all day
Sunday, March 27

Enjoy a fun-filled day of excitement with friends and family including special art-making activities, henna painting, collaborative art projects, and dance performances.

Check out some of the cool exhibits they have going on now like Vishnu and Young Tennessee Artists.

For the Locals: Art Classes for Young Children

If I were at home during the day, this is what I would so be doing. So I thought I would share!

Visual art program for young children at Carnton Plantation & Carter House

Beginning April 12, 10 - 11 am

Class details and online registration coming soon.
For more information: info@artscouncilwc.org or 615-428-3845

Mission: Exploring the cultural and visual arts with children in Williamson County

Exposing preschoolers to a wide variety of art increases imagination and creativity while building a solid foundation for future academic success. A 2005 report by the Rand Corporation about the visual arts argues that the intrinsic pleasures and stimulation of the art experience do more than sweeten an individual's life -- according to the report, they "can connect people more deeply to the world and open them to new ways of seeing," creating the foundation to forge social bonds and community cohesion. There are few opportunities for young children to engage in art activities in the area, this program fulfills that need.

Monthly 1 hour art workshops at Carter House and Carnton Plantation for 3-6 year olds. Holding the classes at the historic sites around Franklin, give students and parents an opportunity to explore the site in a completely unique way. It raises awareness of the significance of these sites in our community and giving students a different perspective of the community around them.

Fees: Each workshop will cost $10 per workshop including supplies.

Each workshop will begin with introductions and review of the site rules. For this younger age range, parents or caregivers stay with their child(ren).

Class Examples:

Silhouette Drawing
Supplies: Pencils, paper and mirrors

Portrait Drawing
Supplies: Colored pencils, and pads of papers

House Building and furniture design
Supplies: Glue, popsicle sticks and construction paper

Tie Dying
Supplies: T-shirts, buckets, gloves, water and tie dye colors

Still Life drawing
Supplies: Colored pencils, pads of paper, tables

Wallpaper design
Supplies: Colored pencils, construction paper, scissors, and glue

Musical instruments
Supplies: Paper towel roles, oatmeal boxes and other such things

Carpet Patterns
Supplies: Construction paper in geometric shapes, glue

When?

Mark your 2011 calendars:

10 - 11 am

April 12
Carter House

May 10
Carter House

June 14
Carter House

August 9
Carnton Plantation

September 13
Carnton Plantation

October 11
Carnton Plantation

November 8
Carnton Plantation

Cub Scout Derby Pictures

If you have elementary age boys, I highly recommend joining Cub Scouts. It's not expensive and gives your boys great opportunities to learn such things as building, cooking, selling and manners. The boys frequently do things such as tours of libraries, fire halls, police stations and outdoor activities. Recently both my sons competed in the Derby races and won second place each in their dens. In a time where every kid gets a trophy when they join any sports team, it's nice to have some real competition where they can actually win and lose. We also helped our daughter build a car. She got to compete with the boys after the official races. She's been to so many Scout meetings that she should be an honorary Scout! She's getting her revenge as they have to now attend her Daisy meetings.

To my Cub Scout mom follower and new friend - you are the first to connect me to this blog! You made my day. Thanks.

For the Locals: Free Hockey Lessons for Your Child

This is really cool. My sons did this a couple of years ago and loved it. I will probably sign my daughter up for this one if she shows an interest as she is now old enough.

The Nashville Predators have introduced Get Out And Learn! (G.O.A.L!), a FREE on-ice youth hockey program, in association with Centennial Sportsplex and A-Game Sportsplex as part of the Predators commitment to the development of youth hockey.

G.O.A.L! has been created to offer youngsters the opportunity to experience the excitement of hockey without the cost of purchasing equipment. Designed for boys and girls ages 4 to 8 years old with no prior hockey or skating experience, this free four-week ice hockey program will introduce the exciting sport of hockey to kids while teaching life experiences of teamwork, sportsmanship and self-confidence as a child develops through athletic participation.

Participants of G.O.A.L! will receive on-ice instruction by USA Hockey certified coaches, complimentary hockey equipment, stick and skates to check-out during the 4-week program, official G.O.A.L! hockey jersey to keep as a souvenir, graduation certificate signed by Predators Head Coach Barry Trotz, progression sheet from local rink and much more!

Registration will begin on December 29 at 9:00 a.m. (Registration form will be posted at the above link at 9:00 a.m. on December 29. Online is the only way to register). Dates for the lessons are Wednesdays, January 12, 19, 26 and February 2 from 5:40-6:30 p.m. The location is A-Game Sportsplex, 215 Gothic Court, Franklin, TN 37067.

Just fyi, this is the ice rink in Franklin. They keep changing the name but it is the only one there.

Cub Scout Cake Decorating Contest!

You know when something unexpectedly cool happens and it is such a pleasant surprise? Today is that day. After four years of Cub Scout cake decorating contests, my goal was merely to not be embarrassed. However, tonight both boys won first place in their dens! An entire Sunday of cake baking with the kids was worth it!

Pinewood Derby Cake

UFO Cake

Printable Kid Gift Certificates for Mom's Day

Go HERE to print cute kid gift certificates (hug, chore, etc.) to give to mom on Mother's Day. It also includes 20 free tokens to Chuck E Cheese.

For the Locals: Healthy Kids Day at the Nashville Zoo

Brought to you by the YMCA, visit the Nashville Zoo on Sat., April 17 from 10am-2pm for Healthy Kids Day! One child (2-12 years old) will be admitted free per paying adult.

• Enjoy healthy food samples, fun activities for kids of all ages, inflatable bouncy house and an inflatable obstacle course.

• Meet Nashville Mayor Karl Dean

• Kid's Zumba class with Tennessee State Health Commissioner Susan Cooper

All activities demonstrate the importance of healthy eating, being active and drinking water in an effort to address our state's growing child obesity issues in a fun way.

Sponsors include:
Smoothie King
Chick-Fil-A
Get Fit TN
New York Life
Bates Nursery
Southern Hills Medical Center
YMCA Pioneering Healthier Communities

For the Locals: Summer Camp in Williamson County

Do you live or work in Williamson County and need a summer camp for your kids? Do you cringe at some of the summer camp prices? Honestly, I would love to send my kids to a specialty camp but can't stomach the near mortgage size price tag or accommodate the shorter hours with work. Fortunately, Williamson County has a fantastic summer camp at a reasonable price and hours that cater to working parents. My kids have attended this camp for the last three years and have had a ball. They have theme days and many field trips (swimming, magicians, etc.). What more could a kid ask for? They have also made lasting friendships and look forward to seeing the kids each year.

There are multiple sites so you can find one closest to you. The price is $17 per day and better yet, you pay by the day not by the week. Registration is the first week in May (see the link for exact day) and it is at the Franklin Recreation Complex. There is a link for the forms so you can fill them out before you get there. Basically you stand in line, pay the registration fee ($25) and the first couple of days, hand in the forms and then you are done. It is truly one of the best deals around for summer camp!

Free Audio Download of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Blackstone Audio is offering a free download of the audio novel Alice's Adventure in Wonderland. This would be great to play in the car for anyone going on a spring break trip! Hurry though, the download will only be available until March 16, 2010.

The download is available in both MP3 and M4B formats. MP3s can be played on any computer as well as added to your iPod or other MP3 player. M4Bs are a new format, specifically for iPods, iTunes, and Quicktime, and allow bookmarking and skipping between chapters.

Thanks to dealigg.com for this information.