Mommy Has to Work

Free Donuts on National Donut Day, June 3rd

June 2, 2016 By Marijean

Article was copied from Time.com

The wait is almost over. Every year, the first Friday in June is celebrated as National Donut Day—though lots of people refer to it by a different name: “Free Donut Day.” The holiday was first celebrated during the Great Depression, as a way for the Salvation Army to raise money and awareness for its social services, which among other things provided donuts and coffee to American soldiers during World War I.

Nowadays National Donut Day is mostly celebrated for freebie promotions at participating donut seller locations all over the country. (Several of the giveaways also collect donations for the Salvation Army and other causes.) Here are the donut freebies we know of so far, starting with the offers that require no purchase or other hoops to jump through in order to secure your free donut. We’ll add to the list as more free donut deals surface.

Krispy Kreme: Every customer gets a choice of any free donut on Friday, June 3, no purchase necessary.

Shipley Do-Nuts: Visit a participating location from 5 a.m. to noon on National Donut Day for a free donut.

Entenmann’s: A total of more than 150,000 donuts will be given away in more than a dozen cities around the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Louisville, New Haven, New York City, and San Diego, plus Entenmann’s is hosting a sweepstakes on Facebook with 10 lucky winners getting free donuts for a year.

Randy’s Donuts: Customers get free donut holes at this famous Los Angeles donut shop from 6 a.m. to noon on National Donut Day.

Lamar’s Donuts: Follow this Facebook link to get a “golden ticket” for a free donut on Friday, plus a free 16-ounce Lamar’s cup with any purchase.

Duck Donuts: Go to the Facebook page of Duck Donuts—a chain with dozens of East Coast locations stretching from the Jersey Shore to North Carolina—for a coupon valid for a free sugar donut on National Donut Day.

Dunkin Donuts: Get one free donut with the purchase of any beverage.

Cumberland Farms: Purchase any coffee or fountain drink between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Friday and take your pick of a free donut.

Honey Dew Donuts: Purchase any medium-size beverage and you’ll get a free (Up)Beat Cancer Donut, which is chocolate frosted, has blue and red sprinkles, and was created to raise cancer awareness.

Giant Eagle: Every Friday, including National Donut Day this Friday, Giant Eagle supermarket locations offer a half-dozen donuts for free when you purchase a half-dozen.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Summer Movies at CinaMark Theaters

May 31, 2016 By Anne

Summer movies are a favorite at our house. We love to grab a friend and some snacks and head out to the movies. CinaMark has some good movies planned this summer for only $1!

Sandlot is on the list. A favorite in our house when my stepsons and son were little. I hope Savannah likes it this summer.

In the Jacksonville area the movies are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30am

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Real Kids Shades-Sunglass For Children Review and Giveaway @RealKidsShades

May 31, 2016 By Mariella

After moving to sunny Florida about a year ago, the first thing my husband and I did was purchase polarized sunglasses for ourselves. The sun here is especially bright and therefore, polarization is a must. But what about the kids? I gave up when they’d quickly break the glasses I purchased from the clothing store. Would these children’s glasses truly protect their eyes or would they only somewhat shade sun? Then I was contacted by Real Shades and I was excited to review their glasses.

Real Shades were kind enough to send me three pairs of sunglasses to for all three of my children. The first pair and the pair I was most excited about were the Explorer Baby – P2 Polarized Lens. These were perfect for my 8 month old. Sunglasses for baby can be tricky, however, Real Shades thought of everything when constructing the Explorer Baby.

The Explorer Baby P2 Polarized Lens is very flexible and soft to conform to baby gentle head. It has a removable strap to keep the glasses from falling off. The fact that they’re removable means they can grow with baby. Best of all, they’re polarized! Baby’s eyes are protected 100% from UV rays and they’re not blinded by the sunlight. Also, these lenses are unbreakable!

The Bolt Kid P2 Polarized Lens was a favorite amongst my 5 year old while my 7 year old enjoyed the Storm Youth. Just like the Explorer Baby, these lenses are flexible and unbreakable. Because kids are active they have a grip on the earpiece which makes it difficult for the glasses to fall off.

The thoughtfulness and ingenuity behind Real Shades makes for a perfect lens for rugged and active kids.

All Real Shades come in a variety of styles and colors. They also come in an easy for kids to open pouch with key chain to keep the lenses safe.

Great news for grown ups! Real shades just announced their adult line. If you order now, shipping is free for orders over $25. You can order your Real Shades at http://www.realkidshades.com.

Connect with Real Shades: Facebook Twitter Pinterest

GIVEAWAY

RealShades is giving 1 lucky reader a pair of sunglasses! Enter below for your chance to win. Giveaway ends 6/15. US Only.

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***I was given a product in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on my experience with the product. I am not affiliated with the company and everything in this review is my opinion.

Mariella

I'm a stay at home mom of three beautiful boys. I'm a former teacher and a recent Florida transplant. I enjoy reading, traveling, and living the salt life.

Hummingbird Bird Cake Recipe

May 31, 2016 By Lauren Daly

Well, I obviously love to bake and I enjoy it when I get to make something I’ve never made and to figure out what I would like to do different. I made this cake for my brother in law’s birthday by special request! It was quick, easy, and rather tasty! I started the cake (with both kids awake in the middle of making lunches/naps/ and whatever kids are always asking and needing mommy for which seemed to make baking almost impossible!) But I did it! ☺ I started the cake around 2pm and finished it (icing it and all) with dishes in between within 2 hours! It was that easy! And it was a real winner in the house! I will definitely be making it again! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Happy Baking!

Humming Bird Cake Recipe

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 large eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained

4 ripe bananas mashed

1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Cream Cheese Frosting

2 sticks butter softened at room temperature

6 cups powdered sugar

1 ½ tbsp. vanilla extract

16 oz chilled cream cheese cut in 1 oz cubes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.

Next add the eggs and vegetable oil until the mixture is nice and moist. Add vanilla extract, bananas, and pineapple.

(I toasted my pecan in the pan right before I added them to the batter) Add crushed pecans. Mix well.

Coat your 9inch baking pans pour batter into the pans evenly and bake for 20-25 minutes or longer.

Once done, cool completely. I took out butter for the icing while the cake was cooling down.

I made the frosting right before I iced the cake.

Take your softened butter and add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and blend completely. After you have added all 6 cups of sugar, add your vanilla. Next ad your 1oz chilled cream cheese one block at a time! (Yes it will blend just fine! I was amazed myself!)

Lauren Daly

My name is Lauren, I am married and have two beautiful children. My husband and I love to do Triathlons and are always looking for ways to challenge ourselves. I'm a stay at home mom that loves organizing and baking. I find baking as my stress reliever and when I have the down time I love to whip something up for my kiddo's and neighbors!

Why Detroit Could Be A Great Choice For Your Next Family Vacation

May 31, 2016 By Anne

If you’re a lover of city breaks and you’re eager to show your kids the sights, why not make Detroit your next port of call? Cities may not seem like an ideal family vacation choice. But short breaks provide an incredibly opportunity to try new things and soak up some culture.

Image from https://www.flickr.com/photos/knightfoundation/12120378224

Why Detroit?

Michigan’s largest city has plenty to offer visitors of all ages. If you’re worried about keeping the kids entertained, don’t be. There’s so much going on that you’ll struggle to pack it all in. If you’re traveling with friends, grandparents or siblings, there’s something to keep everyone busy.

When you’re planning your trip, look out for family-friendly events and festivals. Highlights include the Stars and Stripes Festival and the Ford Fireworks. If you’re a sports fan, why not book your trip to coincide with the Belle Isle Grand Prix? You could also catch the Detroit Tigers in action or watch a game of American football at Ford Field. Once you’ve watched the pros in action, get involved in your own sporting challenge. Get your eye in at Garden Bowl and see who comes out on top. This is one of America’s oldest and best-loved interactive bowling venues.

Detroit Zoo is well worth a visit. The complex is comprised of three venues, including Belle Isle Aquarium. A cruise on the Detroit River is a perfect way to spend a sunny day and see the sights. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, head to Comerica Park for a lively family day out. There’s a range of activities and games on offer.

Image from https://www.flickr.com/photos/cabeel/2197902511

Getting around

If you’re traveling to Detroit, there are various options available. You can fly or drive. Alternatively, if you’re traveling in a group, take a look at companies like GOGOCharters.com in Detroit. Booking transport in advance for a group will save time and money.

When to visit

Detroit is a fascinating, fun-packed place to visit at any time of the year. During the summer months, the temperatures are warmer, and you’re more likely to get sunny days for river cruises and trips to the zoo. If you’re looking for a treat for the holidays, Detroit goes all-out during the festive season. Visit Greenfield Village for the annual Holiday Nights Festival and look out for incredible lights all over the city. Greenfield Village is also a beautiful place to visit during the spring and fall. Take a horse and carriage ride for the ultimate sightseeing experience.

When you’re thinking about family holidays, city breaks may not be the obvious option. But if you’re looking for something other than sun, sea, and sand, they can be an excellent choice. There’s plenty going on in Detroit, and it’s an excellent base for traveling with kids or enjoying a break with your extended family. Before you go, have a think about what you want to do and plan a rough itinerary. Read some guidebooks and look out for visitor tips online. Have a look at festivals and events that are taking place during your visit. If you need tickets, try and book in advance to avoid disappointment.