Menu Plan Monday - Week of November 14, 2011

I cannot believe it is mid-November already!  We had our first snowfall on the 11th and the boys were so excited.  Too bad it melted before noon!  This past weekend also kicked off our "birthday season" as I like to call it.  My family is "BIG" in winter birthdays.  We seem to be celebrating almost every weekend from now until mid-February! 

Don't forget to enter by Renuzit giveaway, it ends November 15th!  You can win some free coupons from Renuzit air fresheners just in time for the holiday season!

Monday - Easy Chicken Enchiladas
Tuesday - Breaded Pork Chops and Crunchy Potatoes
Wednesday -Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Thursday - Tomato Pasta Soup with Garlic Toast
Friday - Boys Help Themselves
Saturday - Eat Out
Sunday - Turkey Roast and Mashed Potatoes

This post is linked at MPM at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Taking 15 minutes to plan your weekly meals, makes dinnertime a whole lot smoother!

Sunday Funday - The Toledo Zoo

Welcome to another week of Sunday Funday! My family is out to find adventures every week at local places in our area. I will be featuring a trip we took each Sunday. We live in the Cleveland, Ohio area so most of the locations will be in this area, unless we get adventurous and travel further! If you ever visited the place that is highlighted, let me know you experience in the comments!

Location:
The Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way
Toledo, OH  43609

Admission:
$11 for Adults
$8.00 for Children (2 yrs - 11 yrs) and Seniors (60+)
FREE for Zoo Members and Children under 2 years.
*Admission and parking are free for all Toledo Zoo members.

There are group rates available on the website!

Accessibility:
Stroller and wheel chair rentals are available at the zoo.  The zoo is very accessible with access ramps into all buildings.

Hours of Operation:
The zoo is open every day of the year except
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Labor Day to Memorial Day: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Memorial Day to Labor Day: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

May & September:
Weekends – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Visitors have one hour after the gates close
to complete their visit.

Atmosphere:
Outside and indoor animal exhibits.  There are also food places and concession stands.

About:
With over 9,000 animals representing over 800 species, The Toledo Zoo is one of the world’s most complete zoos—it’s also the region’s top family destination! Let The Toledo Zoo take you from the Arctic tundra to the wilds of Africa, from the tropical rainforest to the Sonoran Desert and all points between—all in one great day.

Each year nearly one million people come to The Toledo Zoo to experience the wonders of the natural world, stroll our beautiful grounds and explore our historic WPA-era buildings. As you do, you'll encounter animals ranging from mammoth African elephants and majestic bald eagles to tiny toads and delicate moon jellies.

The Toledo Zoo is also proud to be at the forefront of many conservation efforts, working to preserve endangered and threatened species from butterflies and birds to toads and elephants. Fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), The Toledo Zoo is involved with breeding animals through the Species Survival Program that is helping to ensure a future for some truly amazing species.

My Kids’ Favorites:
1.  The Safari Railway that goes around the African Animal Exhibit - Normal price is $2, but it was only $1 on the day we went.
2.  Playing with the animal faces!

My Favorites:
1. The zoo is not too large and overwhelming, we did the entire zoo in about 4 hours!
2. Stroller/wagon accessibility
3. You are truly up close to a lot of animal, a lot better views then at other zoos!

Time Commitment:

We spent about 4 hours at the zoo.  We packed our lunches and ate while we were waiting for the train!

3 Free Cards at CVS - Last Day

If you haven't done this deal yet at CVS, I would highly recommend it!  You earn $3 in ECB's when you buy 3 American Greeting Cards.  Look for the section of the $0.99 cards!  This works, buy 3 of them for $0.99 each and get back $3 for your next trip!

Well worth it!

Bruegger's Free Coffee 11/9

This Wednesday, 11/9,  is Free Coffee Day!

As you know, the holiday season is upon us! So why not treat yourself – and the children of the community - with free coffee on November 9 – and throughout the year. Bruegger's is encouraging  guests to make a donation to the local children's hospital in their area. 

This week begins Bruegger’s second annual fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The bagel chain, with 300 locations in the US, hopes to raise $100,000 for Children’s Hospitals across America.  

My readers can get Free Coffee on November 9 – at all of Bruegger’s 300 locations – and donate to the local children’s hospital.

Even more, your readers can treat themselves (or a friend) to free coffee ALL YEAR, if they purchase a 2012 Bottomless Mug, for about $159, depending on location. Members of the “Mug  Club”  get refills of coffee, tea or soda all year and, for every Mug purchased, Bruegger’s will donate to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals!

Menu Plan Monday - Week of November 7, 2011

What a beautiful, fall weekend we had!  We even managed to sneak in an impromptu trip to a new zoo that the kids had never been before!  Since they came home exhausted, I put them to bed an hour early thanks to the time change!  Ha - one of those secret Mom tricks!  Be sure to enter my Renuzit giveaway before November 15th!

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Monday - Panera's Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Tuesday - Angie's Baked Cheddar Chicken with Sauce
Wednesday - Eat Out
Thursday - Crockpot Ravioli
Friday - Beef Tips and Noodles
Saturday- Celebrating Mimi's Birthday!
Sunday - Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

This post is linked at MPM at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Turn Your Clocks Back!

Thank goodness!  The kids were up late watching movies at their Mimi and Papa's while Mom and Dad bowled and ate dinner with adults.  At least we gain an hour!

Happy Halloween!

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween and your kids are fully recovered from their sugar high!  I ate too many Laffy Taffy's at work today, thanks to a co-worker bringing them in.  They are my weakness and I cannot resist, especially the banana ones!