Save $1 - $10 on Crayola, Hot Wheels, Kid Flicks, & Hasbro Games

Here are a few coupons you may want to take with you or may want to slip Santa the next time you see him.  Crayola has some pretty cool new products out, and of course you can never have too many Hot Wheels.








*Post contains affiliate links.



























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O.M. Ghirardelli!

I purchased my first bag of Ghirardelli chocolate on a whim a few years ago while picking up toothpaste at CVS Pharmacy just minutes from my home.  I was immediately in love.  The rich, smooth texture of this delectable chocolate mirrors none that I have come across in my life.  None.  I can appreciate a good piece of chocolate, and just like Michael Jackson's Tour planned before his untimely death, "THIS IS IT!"

Over the summer, Valley Stream Dad and I took a short trip to Chicago where we ran into a Ghirardelli ice cream shop.  Yes, I immediately started salivating and put it on my "To Do" list before heading back to NY.  I am such a huge fan of Ghirardelli that I can't pass up a taste whenever I see those perfect-sized chocolate squares or an ice cream shop.


Peppermint Bark
Ghirardelli sent me a small box of its newest holiday flavors in exchange for an honest review.  I have to admit that I am not a fan of anything peppermint, but let I honestly enjoyed eating the Peppermint Bark.  One side is white chocolate sprinkled with red peppermint flakes and the bottom of the square is milk chocolate. The mint is not overwhelming and the balance of the white, chocolate and peppermint are perfect for any chocolate lover.


Peppermint Bark with Dark Chocolate
For those of you who like dark chocolate, you're in luck.  Ghirardelli also has a dark chocolate version of its holiday Peppermint Bark.  I still love the smooth texture of the chocolate as any Ghirardelli lover would, but I am not nor will ever be a fan of dark chocolate.  I will let you decide this one.


Pumpkin Spice
Other than the out of business Twinky, I am not a lover of cream filled treats.  However, after biting into the Pumpkin Spice Caramel filled square, I have since changed my mind.  The caramel filling does not impose upon your tongue and the pumpkin is very minimal. 

Eggnog
There's something about white and chocolate that concern me.  I think it won't taste anything like chocolate.  As I brought the Eggnog square to my mouth, I was a bit overwhelmed by the aroma of the square.  I've never had Eggnog so I really don't know if the taste is true or not.  I nibbled it like a bird and found it to be very sweet.  The taste on my tounge was quite refreshing, but I don't think this flavor will be my first pick of the four.

Current Ghirardelli Promotions

Shop Ghirardelli's Holiday Gifts with Free Shipping on $75 w/code: FS75
Ghirardelli Chocolate Sale Items for up to 35% Off
Try Ghirardelli's Newest Chocolate Flavors
Ghirardelli Chocolate Thank You Gifts


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10 FREE Custom Holiday Cards + 40% Off Order

I love receiving holiday cards, but the personalized ones are even more special.  Ink Garden has a great offer for you this holiday season.  Don't delay. This offer could disappear at anytime.  

10 Free Holiday Cards + 40% Off Rest Of Order - New Customers Only

USE Code: CARDS40 

Shipping Rates: $3.99 

This offer is only available to new Ink Garden customers

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Join Zulily FREE for Super Cute Clothing

I can't take it.  The emails and outfits I receive daily from Zulily are absolutely adorable!

Zulily is fabulous! It's a new online store offering daily sales events on top-quality apparel, gear and other goodies for moms, babies and kids. They carry the best brands at the lowest prices. Members enjoy savings of up to 70% off retail prices. Zulily loves to find deals on favorite styles, and they love introducing our members to exciting new brands, too.

Zulily is not a traditional online store. Instead, they feature new items every day. They find great buys from lots of brands and work with them to ship you the goods. Zulily events last 72 hours . . . then they're gone! New brands move in and get their three days on the site.

Each weekday, they offer at least five limited-time shopping events. Membership is free.

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Let Your Little Artist Design Your Note Cards!

Put your little artist in the limelight and save 50% at Vistaprint. Your child will be so excited when they see their artwork professionally printed on note cards! Take your favorite masterpieces from the fridge and put them in the hands of friends and family.

Upload and order in minutes:

* Have your child create a piece of artwork
* Let your child add their signature for authenticity
* Take a photo of the artwork or scan it to your computer
* Upload it onto a Vistaprint note card and order

If you have a small picture or photo you’d like to feature, there is also a variety of templates you can choose from that are designed for your images. Too much artwork to display? Create a photo book, too!

*Post contains affiliate links

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Harlem Globetrotters: What A Deal!

I have to admit that I have never seen the Harlem Globetrotters.  Never.  It has always been a dream of mine to see them perform those cool acts that they're known for world-wide.  Our chance has finally come and it will happen in the new Brooklyn Barclay's Center!  I'm kind of excited to see the new stadium being that prior to moving to Valley Stream almost 5 years ago, we lived literally one block away.  We quickly got outta dodge once we learned of the new stadium.  The area was already crowded and changing before our very eyes.  Being from the Midwest I needed more space and a parking space.  Good thing we live right off of a main LIRR stop here in Valley Stream, NY and it takes us directly to the new stadium in Brooklyn.

Interested in going?  Click the photo or the link below for an amazing deal you just can't pass.

Groupon: $20 for $40 worth of Clothing, Decor and Gifts from RedEnvelope.com

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Nearby Halloween Happenings & Beyond

Offer ends 10/312012

Valley Stream

Valley Stream Haunted Firehouse
Weekends in October
Time: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday/Saturday, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sundays
100 Brooklyn Avenue
For info:  (516) 561-1777


Inc. Village of Valley Stream Pumpkin Painting Contest
Saturday, October 20th (Rain date October 27th)
Location: Hendrickson Park @ The Mini-Golf Course
Pumpkin Painting Contest
Ages 5 - 8 @ 10:30 a.m.
Ages 9 - 12 @ 11:30 a.m.
Call for reservation: (516) 872-6003 or 256-0468

Inc. Village of Valley Stream Costume Contest
Saturday, October 20th (Rain date October 27th)
Location: Hendrickson Park @ The Mini-Golf Tent
Ages 3 & Under - 1:30 p.m. 
Ages 4 - 6 - 2:00 p.m.
Ages 7+ - 2:30 p.m.
Categories of competition: Storybook, Most Original, and Funniest

Valley Stream Junior/Senior North High School Halloween Happening
Friday, October 26th
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
730 Herman Avenue - Franklin Square (Cafeteria)
Free Admission - Games/Activities/Refreshments
Students 12 years and younger must come with an adult
Come in costume!

Mall-O-Ween @ Green Acres Mall
October 27th
Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Costume Contest

Registration 11am-12pm

Judging 12pm-1:30 pm

Prizes Awarded 1:45pm

DJ, Dancing and Games, Pumpkin Decorating Contest, Face Painting, Temporary Tattoos, Balloon Artist, Pretzel Making and more.

Jack O'Lanterns Ablaze
Saturday, October 27th
Jack O'Lanterns Ablaze begins at 7 p.m.
Hendrickson Park Gazebo (adjacent to Community Center)
Bring your carved pumpkin for display
Judging categories: scariest, funniest, Most original

Valley Stream Historical Society
Date: Sunday, October 28th
Pagan-Fletcher Restoration
143 Hendrickson Avenue
Kids costume contest 
Time: 3 p.m.
Donations accepted
For info:  (516) 825-7157

Village of Valley Stream Halloween Fun
Wednesday, October 31st
Time: 4:30 p.m. (30 minute intervals)
Hendrickson Park Community Center
Hayrides, children's activities and refreshments begin at 4:30 p.m.
To register: (516) 872-6003

Nearby Villages

Halloween Mural Painting Contest - Rockville Centre Rec 
October 20th
Time: 11 a.m.
Grades 4 - 8

Halloween Havoc - Lynbrook 
Atlantic Avenue
October 28th (Rain Date October 29th @ Greis Park)
Time: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: Free

Ragamuffin Parade & Party
Rockville Centre Recreation Centre
October 28th
Time: Parade @ 2 p.m., Party @ 3 p.m.
Cost: $8.00/family (party)
No parade if it rains


Spooky Fest @ Tanglewood Preserve - Rockville Centre
October 19 - 21 & 26 - 28
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $10/kid  $5/adult

Franklin Square Horror
Halloween Night Only (Super Scary!)
Time: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
1148 Norbay Street, Franklin Square

Queens County Farm
The Farm's Haunted House is open Friday - Sunday
Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
It's alot of scare for just $4/person

This page will be updated and available on the left side bar until 11/4.  If you would like to add an event, please email me at valleystreammom@gmail.com. 

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Discount Tickets to "Falling," A Family's Struggle with an Autistic Child

From Mustard Seed Theatre in St. Louis to Minetta Lane Theatre off-Broadway in New York comes the new family drama Falling. This powerful play follows the struggles of a family trying to hold on through the teenage years of the two children, a daughter and a severely autistic son. Eighteen-year-old Josh throws everything out of balance on a normal day. When a relative comes to visit, everyone loses equilibrium completely as they each try to do what's best for the family while still pursuing what's best for themselves.

Cost: Free - $34.75
October 2nd - 10th
Must register via GoldStar.com for discount

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$5 Off Hotel Transylvania Tickets From Fandango

I sooo want to see "Hotel Translyvania," but I'm getting resistance from Valley Stream Kids.  Hubby and I are thinking of going anyway and sitting waaaaay in the back so no one sees that we didn't bring any kids.

Have you gone to a children's movie sans kids?  Did anyone look at you like you were a creepy weirdo?

Get $5 off your order when you purchase 4 Hotel Transylvania tickets.

School's Out Today. Now What?

This week, we have two days off of school in observance of the Jewish New Year.  If you're not celebrating the New Year, what is there to do you ask?  I have a few suggestions to share.

Valley Stream Library is open but there are no events scheduled for the day.

There's always shopping

The Long Island Children's Museum is open again after it's short hiatus of Fall Cleanup.  Hours are daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  A few of this month's activities can be found here.

White Post Farms is a little bit of a drive, but you're guaranteed great fun from open to close.  My children especially love the playground?  Me? I especially love being out in the fall air.  Sometimes.  It's hard to manage both kids by myself because of the enormity of the play area, but the kids are fast asleep in the car during the ride home due to exhaustion. I do suggest that you take a "distraction" such as the NEW MobiGo 2 with you to keep their attention during the ride TO the farm.  My son has the first version and LOVES it.

Bounce U has open bounce Monday and Tuesday.  Monday from 11am - 12:30pm, and 1pm - 2:30pm.  Tuesday open bounce hours are 11am - 12:30pm, 1pm - 2:30pm, and 2:45pm - 4:15pm.

If you're into the sports thing, Sportime is offering a 2-day part-time/full-time day camp for kids.  Tennis or Multi-Sport camps include floor hockey, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, and more.  We've been attending this gym for three years now and my son is known as "The Mayor" of Sportime.  Really.

If you just don't want to spend any money, stop by one of the village's parks.  Take a walk along the path at Valley Stream's Hendrickson Park which is always refreshing.  If you want to venture into Manhattan, here's a list of "To Do's" going down in the city.

Happy New Year!

*Post contains affiliate links.

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