Joke for the kids

My family was sitting around the house this past weekend and my son, who was reading out of his Captain Underpants book, came across this joke you can tell your kids. Oh yeah, and you may chuckle, too. I did.

Knock, Knock.

Who's there?

I'm a pile-up.

I'm a pile-up-who.

Say it out loud and it will make more sense.

Did you laugh yet?

Hey, nobody said I was mature all the time.

Have a great day

Movie on the Cheap : Movie suggestions

Movie on the Cheap : Are you ready for all the big summer movie releases (and paying an arm and a leg at the box office)? "Shrek 3" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" have already attracted big crowds to the theaters (and lots of cash). Yep, it can be pretty expensive to take the kids to the big screen but a friend of mine found a deal I want to pass along. If you go to Willow Knolls 14 before 6:00 pm, movies only cost $4. That's for everyone. So hit a matinee and save some cash.

Movie suggestions:
I love to watch movies but don't get to the theater very often. I try to rent a few here and there and actually had some time over the weekend to sit down and check a few out. Here are my suggestions if you're looking for a couple good ones.

DreamGirls (Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx). This came out ages ago but I just got to watch it this weekend. Loved the music. Loved the story. Loved the stars.

The Lake House (Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves) is for pure romantics. A little confusing (for me) in the beginning but it worked out just fine.

Have a great day.

Information Overload: Mom Moment

Okay, I had a "Mom Moment" this week. That's what I'm calling it, anyway. No, I didn't yell at my kids in public (that happens too) nor did I lock myself in my bedroom (yep, occasionally). Here's the story; like many households we're currently juggling too many activities and my brain went into information overload. My son and daughter are both in soccer, which means we're at Detweiler Park four days a week. Baseball also started and we're there three days a week. I teach fitness classes three days a week. YADA, YADA, YADA. Like I do every week, I drove up to the 24-teller to get some cash and punched in my ID code. DENIED. It said I had the wrong pin number. WHAT! I do this every week. So I sit there a moment and think, think, think. Still nothing. Then I call my husband at work. He doesn't answer. I end up having to drive away from the ATM with no cash. My brain simply shut down and frankly, even today I still can't remember my pin number. Mom Moment? Or Losing My Mind? Sometimes it's one and the same, isn't it? Have a great weekend. Slow down. And enjoy time with the kids. I hope to.

Great place to eat!

Looking for a nice place with great food and fantastic service? Word is The River Station in downtown Peoria is all that and more. It's been gone for a while but recently re-opened. A friend of mine visited the restaurant and said is was fabulous. I guess I'll have to plan a date night with my hubby.

Eat well!

Nancy

The Safest Vehicles for 2007

My husband and I are on the fence about buying a new minivan. The Ford Windstar we've been driving since 2001 is showing it's age. Problems are starting to arise, almost on a regular basis. We've got an oil leak, the brake light recently came on and rust is developing on the door. Oh yeah, last month, we spent hundreds of dollars to fix .. well .. I can't specifically remember what it was but, if I trust the man at the car dealership it apparently needed to be done. In all reality, we could probably get at least two more years out of this van. The kids have trashed the back so I won't have to constantly worry about messing up a new van. Plus, we've been without a car payment for about three years. Boy, that's been nice. So as much as we'd like to drive around in a spiffy, new van, I think we're going to hold off a bit longer. With that said, if you're looking for a new 2007, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just released its picks for the 13 safest vehicles of the 2007 model year. Safe driving.

Large Cars

* Audi A6 (Manufactured in December 2006 and later)

Midsize Cars

* Audi A4
* Saab 9-3
* Subaru Legacy

Minivans

* Hyundai Entourage
* Kia Sedona

Luxury SUV's

* Mercedes-Benz M-Class
* Volvo XC90

Midsize SUV's

* Acura RDX
* Honda Pilot
* Subaru B9 (Tribeca)

Small SUV's

* Honda CR-V
* Subaru Forester


To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. - Anatole France

Kids Eat Free

"What's for dinner?"

For as long as I can remember, it's been a favorite question of mine. I ask Riley every day. If my mom calls, I question her about the day's menu. My friend's parents even used to get annoyed with me because I would ask. Weird, I know, but I love food. Well, now my children have picked up on my habit and ask me early in the day what we're having for dinner. At least one of the three has a loud, dramatic response. Something like "Ugh, I don't want ............ ! It doesn't matter what I've planned, at least one of them won't like it. Secretly, I think what they're waiting for me to say is "We're going out to dinner." With three children, going out to eat can get pretty expensive so we don't do it often. But now, I've come across a great concept. The "KIDS EAT FREE" plan. Many restaurants in the Peoria area have weekly specials for kids to eat free or at very discounted prices. I've done a little research and here's the list. Bon Appetit!

KIDS EAT FREE (or nearly)
Please call first for details

SUNDAY
Alexander's Steakhouse (Peoria)
No holidays
688-0404

Carlo's O'Kelly's (Peoria)
All day
682-0606

MONDAY

Flat Top Grill (Peoria)
693-9966

Godfather's Pizza (Pekin)
347-3135

Old Chicago (Both Peoria locations)
4-9 pm
691-1885

TUESDAY

Bennigan's (Peoria)
All Day
674-2571

Bernardi's Restaurant (Washington)
1/2 price kids meal includes drink and ice cream
745-5505

Denny's (Peoria)
4 pm
282-1772

Fazoli's (Peoria)
$.99 kid's meals 4-8 pm
691-7671

Golden Corral (Washington)
$.99 meals for kids 4-8
$1.99 meals for kids 9-12
Starts at 4 pm
444-2349

Joe's Crabshack (Peoria)
$.99 kid's meals all day
671-2223

Lonestar Steakhouse (Peoria)
All Day
688-0400

WEDNESDAY

Buffalo Wild Wings (Peoria and East Peoria)
$.99 kid's meals
691-9453

THURSDAY
No offers

FRIDAY
No offers

SATURDAY

Lonestar Steakhouse (Peoria)
11-4 pm
688-0400

Palanza's Family Dining (Washington)
Noon - 4

"Get Off Your Duff, Flagg!"

Okay ... okay ... I suspected it was coming.

"Get off your duff, Flagg. And start blogging." That's what I heard from the boss today (although he was much nicer about it. ) It's not that I'm lazy or that I don't want to blog. I've just been searching and searching for the best consumer news to bring to you. So, I'll change my initial goal of writing specifically about news you can use. Sometimes I'll give you consumer information while other times I'll just .... well .... I don't know. We'll see what comes up. Stories about family life, working with Riley (boy, do I have lots of those). Who knows. I'm going to blog so much you're going to be sick of me (Joking, of course.).

Have a great day!

Quote of the Day
"Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits. " -- Thomas A. Edison