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Instead of the Dishes » Frugal Fawn

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 24-30

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 24-30

This Week: Friday, January 24th – Cozy up with “Extra Yarn” @ The Library Center, Springfield, 2pm Grades K-5. Read the Caldecott Honor book “Extra Yarn” by Mac Barnett and try some traditional methods of crafting with wool. Materials provided. Registration begins January 11. Call 882-0714. Friday, January 24th – Beach Blanket Bingo @ Republic Branch Library, Republic, 4pm Grades K-5. Dress in your summer clothes, wear your sunglasses, sit on your favorite beach towel and play summer bingo. Friday, January 24th … Read entire article »

Filed under: 417 With Kids, Free Fun Events, Frugal Fawn, Spending Less

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 17-23

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 17-23

This Week: Friday, January 17th – Snowball Festival Storytime @ Midtown Carnegie Branch Library in Springfield, 10am Age 3-Grade 2. Hear chilly stories, sing songs, drink hot cocoa and have indoor snowball fun. Friday, January 17th – Winter Carnival @ Ozark Community Center, 5:30-8pm All Ages. The Missouri Child Identification Program will offer free child identification kits, including digital photographs, digital fingerprints, vital child info and emergency contacts, a dental bite impression, and saliva DNA sample. These kits take about 15 minutes to … Read entire article »

Filed under: 417 With Kids, Free Fun Events, Frugal Fawn, Spending Less

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 10-16

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 10-16

There are two main themes for this week’s events – get in to the library, or get out in nature!  Either way, it’s all free! This Week: Friday, January 10th – Owl Prowl @ Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 6pm-9pm All ages. Nesting season comes early for owls and they’re already hooting in anticipation. The trails will be open and patrolled, so bring a flashlight and a walking partner because you’re on your own. Dickerson Park Zoo docents will offer two … Read entire article »

Filed under: 417 With Kids, Free Fun Events, Frugal Fawn, Spending Less

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 3-9

Free Fun in 417 with Kids: January 3-9

This is the first of what I hope becomes a weekly series of posts featuring free events and activities available for families in Southwest Missouri. These first few may be a little skinny as I seek out sources of fun and because there is just not a ton going on this time of year.  If you know of any events or organizations that I need to know about to help build this list, please let … Read entire article »

Filed under: 417 With Kids, Free Fun Events, Frugal Fawn, Spending Less

Gifts that Feel Good #2: Gifts that Give Twice

Gifts that Feel Good #2: Gifts that Give Twice

In the first post in this Gifts that Feel Good series, I mentioned that I had the chance to go listen to the founder of TOMS Shoes speak. If you aren’t familiar with the TOMS Shoes story, founder Blake Mycoskie started the for-profit company on a simple premise: for each pair of shoes he sells, he gives a pair to a child in need. Now, there are many companies that are set up this way. … Read entire article »

Filed under: 417 With Kids, Around the Town, Frugal Fawn, Go Green, Shopping

Making Bad Things Good

Making Bad Things Good

As a mother, it’s my job to make bad things good for my kids.  Whether that’s pointing out the silver lining or life lesson in a tough situation, comforting them after a bad dream with some snuggles, fixing a broken toy, or healing up injuries and illness with some first aid or TLC. But, that’s not what this post is about.  It’s about sweet potatoes. And packing lunch. And chips. You see, my kids think that sweet … Read entire article »

Filed under: Frugal Fawn, Grocery Shopping, Homemaking, Mommyhood, Product Reviews