Mommy Octopus

Alliance Theatre is taking its family-friendly BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD LIVE! concert on tour around Atlanta this summer. Originally staged as part of the Under the Tent series, the tour includes a mix of free public performances and private shows at local schools and community organizations.  Public performances will take place in Midtown, Grant Park, and East Atlanta Village. 

“After a year without live performances for families, we want to offer a gift back to the Atlanta community — a way to spread joy and meet families in neighborhoods throughout our city,” says Chris Moses, Dan Reardon Director of Education & Associate Artistic Director. “And there is no better embodiment of joy than a live concert by the internationally known, internationally flown, and Atlanta’s own, Beautiful Blackbirds!”

BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD LIVE! ON TOUR is inspired by Ashley Bryan’s children’s book of the same name. The concert features original music composed by Eugune H. Russell IV performed by a five-person band.

PERFORMANCE DATES & LOCATIONS

• Thursday, June 3 at 10:30 AM
  Sifly Plaza, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Part of the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club Kick-Off

• Thursday, June 10 at 4:30 PM
  East Atlanta Village Farmers Market, 572 Stokeswood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

• Sunday, June 13 at 2:00 PM
  Sifly Plaza, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

• Thursday, June 17 at 6:30 PM
  Grant Park, corner of Sydney St SE and Cherokee Ave SE
  Part of the Grant Park Parents Network Music in the Meadow Concert Series

Tickets to BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD LIVE! ON TOUR are free to public. Reservations are encouraged but not required. Tickets can be reserved at www.alliancetheatre.org/blackbirdtour.   

TVStoreOnline.com is offering a great sale for Father’s Day. You can purchase one of their select tees and get TWO more for FREE! To get the deal, you simply need to use the coupon code Buy1Get2 at checkout.  This deal ends 6/20 or until supplies last.

I took a quick look and there are some really fun shirts available! I know my son would love this one:

With the Buy1Get2 sale, we could score 3 of these shirts for $19.99!

My kids eat so much during the summer and are constantly grabbing something out of the pantry before they run back outside to play with their friends again. We are blessed to have some great neighbors that they can play with during the summer. If you’re wanting to stock up on snacks, here’s a roundup fo the best summer snacking deals using Amazon’s subscribe and save.

• Lay’s Classic Potato Chips (pack of 40)
• Priced at $11.98
• Click the 15% off coupon
• Add to your cart using subscribe and save
• Final Cost: $9.58 shipped, just $.24 per bag!

• Nabisco Variety Pack – 30 Packs – $6.98
• Add to your cart using subscribe and save
• Final Cost: $6.63 shipped, just $.22 per bag!

• Black Forest Fruit Snacks -40 packs- $5.96
• Add to your cart using subscribe and save
• Final Cost: $5.66 shipped, just $.14 per pouch

Just a reminder if you live in Athens-Clarke County and have a child that makes good grades, they can receive swim passes this summer!

In order to be eligible, any student, Kindergarten through 12th grade, who resides in Athens-Clarke County must take a copy of his/her final report card or equivalent to the park office where a swimming pool is located.  

A report card with all A’s or all E’s guarantees a free summer pool pass. A report card with all A’s and B’s, or all E’s and M’s, is good for 10 free swims.

Find out more and about pool locations on the Athens Leisure Service website.

My kids LOVE reading and we always love joining in on the library’s summer reading programs. Sign up starts today online, or you can sign up in the library starting June 1st. Below is more information from the library website.

The Athens Regional Library System encourages patrons of all ages to read all summer long! Stop into your local library this summer and find out how you can participate.

• Browse for new books and materials
• Take home fun kits and crafts
• Enjoy online storytimes, virtual programs, and book clubs
• Keep track of your reading and earn cool prizes!

How to Participate:

• Beginning June 1st, visit your local library to pick up a welcome packet and discover what events, activities and prizes are offered for each age group.
• Sign up and track your reading in Beanstack, our online reading log, to earn fun digital badges and cool prizes. Each age group has its own set of benchmarks and challenges.
• Visit our regional calendar of summer reading events here.

Pre-registration begins May 14th, but you can register online all summer long using the Beanstack button. Beanstack is available as a website and as an app, downloadable from your mobile device’s app store. 

We love that Barnes & Noble has such a fantastic and fairly easy summer reading program.  For 2021, children in grades 1-6 can read any 8 books and score a free book!

You can find all the information and download the PDF file to print your reading log on the Barnes & Noble website.  The list of free books that you can select from are on the reading log.

Reading logs can only be redeemed between July 1 and August 31st, 2021.

Enjoy!

My husband’s work has a new “clear bag only” policy starting next month. I completely understand their reasonings for requiring this, but now we are in the market to find him something durable to carry his stuff to and from work. Even lunch bags must be clear. Here are a few options that we are considering from Amazon. Keep in mind that prices are good as of this posting, but Amazon prices can vary at anytime:

Clear Backpack with Reinforced Straps – This looks like a good option and has great reviews. Current price $12.99-$13.99 depending on trim color choice.

Clear Backpack with Reinforced Straps and Water Bottle Pocket – Another great choice with great reviews. I like that this has a pocket for drinks. As low as $16.99 depending on trim color.

Clear Sling Bag – Another good choice with good reviews. I love a good sling bag! This one also has a place for a water bottle. As low as $11.99 depending on trim color.

Clear Drawstring Stadium Bag – Simple and low priced, this option would be a great choice if you don’t have a lot to carry. Currently only $6.99!

Clear Stadium Should Bag – Another low budget, but highly rated item, this one is priced at just $6.99 right now.

Clear Tote Bag – This option is perfect for carrying a lot at once, but still maintaining the clear requirement. Great reviews, and currently $9.39.

Clear Lunch Tote – We save money by having him take in his own lunch rather than having something delivered. This highly rated lunch tote is priced at just $8.99!

Shop around and see what kind fits your style. Enjoy!

It’s been a while since I wrote out a meal plan, frankly because we’ve been crazy busy trying to wrap up our school year and getting my oldest finished! That’s right – I’m graduating my first homeschool student! It’s a weird feeling, her being done, but I know God has big plans for her future. She’s going to take a semester off and then go to college to be a teacher. I’m fine with the break since she’s only 17 and could use some downtime before more adulting starts.

This past week, we took a trip to Tennessee to have some family time with Grandma in Dollywood. We had a great time! I know I’ve said this before, but we are totally turning into Dollywood fans instead of the mouse. It’s closer to us, less expensive, and much less stressful. Plus I’m a huge fan of the mountains!

We are finishing up most of our school year this week and then planning on having a fun summer. Have a great week!

Monday: Lime Mojito Chicken, brown rice, veggies

Tuesday: Black bean burritos

Wednesday: Chili

Thursday: Tacos

Friday: Sandwiches

Saturday: Bratwurst, beans, chips

Sunday: Eggs, biscuits

My oldest is graduating from our homeschool this year and I’m going to send this deal to her. Can’t wait to share in her bounty 😉 Participating Krispy Kreme stores are offering a FREE 2021 Graduate Dozen to High School and College Grads on 5/13/21 by visiting a Krispy Kreme shop and wearing or bringing something from the list below:

• Cap and gown with 2021 tassel
• Class of 2021 apparel (t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc.)
• 2021 letterman jacket featuring senior status
• 2021 class ring
• Graduation announcement featuring name with matching ID
• Student photo ID featuring senior status
• Other Class of 2021 senior swag

The 2021 Graduate Dozen includes an assortment of classic varieties:  Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled, Strawberry Iced Kreme Filled, Cake Batter Filled, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles, Strawberry Iced with Sprinkles, and Yellow Iced, and Original Glazed® doughnuts.