Another Summer Reading Program

I missed the Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge. They have a list of books to read to earn a free book. It runs now through August 26th. You can download the list from their website. The file includes one list for independent readers and one for parents to read to younger kids. You can also pick up a list in-store.

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/design-studio/articles/summer-reading-challenge.html

Summer Reading!

Now that summer is here, that means summer reading programs. In San Diego County, there are many reading programs your kids can participate in. Here are the ones I know about. have I missed any?

San Diego Public Library
The San Diego Public Library summer reading program runs June 15 through August 15 this year. Join at your local public library to find out about summer reading program events, entertainment and prizes. All ages can participate, from babies to adults (see the website for participating branches for adults). Reading to your child counts for non-readers. You can find reading logs online, too:

http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/kidsandteens/summerreading/prizerules.shtml

San Diego County Library
The San Diego County Library system has a summer reading club for all ages. Sign up between June 1 and August 10. Prizes are available after July 1. Check your local library for related events. For young children, 10 books is the goal. For older kids, hours spent reading are tracked, including books, magazines, or graphic novels. Even listening to audio books counts!

Sign up online:
http://host.evanced.info/sdcl/sr/homepage.asp?ProgramID=24

Escondido Library

The Escondido Public Library summer reading program runs June 17 - August 3. Register in the library or online through their website starting June 17. There are programs for all ages with weekly craft events for children, free events every Wednesday for teens, and other free events for adults. The children's program has rewards at 4, 8 and 12 hours of reading. At 12 hours, it is a free book! For teens, 10 hours ears a free book with other rewards at 5 hour increments beyond that. Adults who submit book reviews will be entered in a drawing for a night out at a local eatery.

Check their calendar for information on events.

Carlsbad Library
The Carlsbad Public Library also has a summer reading program covering babies through adults and runs June 17 – August 2. Sign up at any Carlsbad Library branch to get a Reading Log and find out more. Prizes include museum passes, coupons and a T-Shirt.

Barnes & Noble
You can pick up a Reading Journal at any Barnes & Noble.  Once your child reads 8 books, take the completed reading journal to any Barnes & Noble store to pick out a free book.  Selection is limited to the list of books printed in the journal.  The summer reading program ends September 3, 2013.

For more information, read the press release here:
http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/press_releases/5_22_13_summer_reading_release.html

Scholastic Summer Challenge 
Scholastic has a summer reading challenge where kids can log minutes read and enter summer sweepstakes. They can also take additional challenges for summer rewards. Schools can earn prizes for the most minutes logged by their students.

Reboot

I started this blog and calendar to help me find free activities for my kids last minute without having to check multiple resources. I would do the research on nights I had time and update the calendar to reference when I found myself with an unexpected day off or when we just HAD to get out of the house before I went nuts.

But two things happened last year that knocked me off track. I had my second daughter in May and my son started Kindergarten in August. I've spent much of the last year sleep deprived. But also since he got out late morning from 1/2 day Kinder, I wasn't able to attend most of the toddler age events since they conflicted with picking him up, so I slacked off on updating the calendar.

Now that he is out for the summer, I hope to get back on board, updating the calendar and posting any great free events or deals here on the blog. And when he goes back to school in the fall, it will be full-day 1st grade, so I will be able to take the girls out in the mornings again.

Model Train Museum Deal

Living Social is having a deal right now. 50% off admission for two adults. That's two adult tickets for only $8 and kids 14 and under get in free with an adult. The deal expires in 2 days, and the promotional price is good through August 10, 2013.

Here's the link to get your tickets:
https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/627100?ref=share-link-post&rpi=112612720&rui=16730115

Free Museum Admission for Kids in October

Three dozen museums in San Diego County are offering free admission during the month of October for children ages 12 and under.  For more information and a list of participating museums, visit the San Diego Museum Council's website.

Target Free Day at New Children's Museum

As I posted recently, Fleet members can get into the New Children's Museum (in downtown San Diego) for free until September 30th (and vice versa). But if you don't have a membership to either museum, you can still get into the New Children's Museum for free every second Sunday of the month thanks to Target's sponsorship.  The next free Sunday is October 14th.  Hours of operation on Target Free Sundays are 10am to 4pm.

Pirate Week is Coming!

Clint Perry and the Boo Hoo Crew celebrated the release of their latest album Shake Your Pirate Booty on Saturday on a Pirate Ship Adventures ship.  The new CD will be available starting this coming Monday when Clint kicks off Pirate Week at the Panera in Escondido.  It is just the first of 7 pirate events over six days.

Here's a list of all the pirate adventures you can enjoy starting on September 17th (most of which are free events, but not all are on the calendar):

9:30am Monday @ Panera at the Escondido Mall

10:30am Tuesday @ the Del Mar Library

10:30am Wednesday @ Playwerx in Carlsbad
(Note Playwerx admission on their website)

4:00pm Wednesday - Talk Like a Pirate Day @ the Encinitas Library

10:30am Thursday @ North University Library 

10:30am Friday @ Cardiff Library

2:00pm Saturday @ Gyminny Kids (This event will be celebrating Gyminny Kids' 25th Anniversary)

Pirate Brands, maker of Pirate's Booty, is giving away snack bags of Pirate's Booty to attendees of the various pirate events next week.

Clint performed at my daughter's 3rd birthday party yesterday and as a special birthday surprise, he gave her a copy of the new CD.  So we've had a sneak preview here at our house.  The CD has 7 pirate-themed songs, including everyone's favorite "Shake Your Pirate Booty" along with a few others we have heard live ("Pirate Holiday"), or seen on YouTube ("Everybody's Pirates") and some we hadn't heard before ("Landlubbers").  The songs range from the very upbeat "Shake Your Pirate Booty" to the more serious "Pirate King".  All are expertly produced and a great addition to our collection of children's music.

If you can't make it to any of the pirate events next week and want to get your hands on the new album, you can order it online.  Order by the 12th and you can have it the day it is officially released - September 17th.