That’s right! With the outrageously rising prices of gas, people are choosing not to travel but rather stay closer to home for their “Staycations”. I think it’s a great idea!

The more local theme parks here are slashing their prices in hopes to lure guests. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California is now offering everyone who buys general admission tickets at the gate $10 off, making their regular price of $49.99 only $39.99. For those who plan ahead and wish to purchase their tickets online, can save almost $20 off the regular general admission price! Ticket prices online are only $29.99, and you pay a $3 fee per ticket for the convenience of Print-N-Go, making your online ticket price $32.99 not including any taxes, saving you $17! Not a bad deal! The savings for one ticket will pay for that online parking pass of $15!

California’s (formerly Paramount’s) Great America in Santa Clara, California is currently offering $7 off their regular priced ticket ($51.99) for a single day admission, making it $44.99. Other offers are Single day admission in the form of a 3 day Advanced Purchase online takes $12 off their regular price, making a single ticket $39.99, and a Pay Once, Visit Twice ticket that can be used any TWO public operating days during the 2008 season for $59.99. That’s a savings of $43.99! They’re also advertising that if you purchase a Season Pass, you will receive Free Parking for the entire 2008 season as well… All of these ticket prices are available online only. 

From the research I did today, it looks like the Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles is doing the same online price of $29.99 as their Northern California sister park. I couldn’t find any information about a discount at the gate though… I’d highly recommend buying online!

I’ve been to all three of these parks at one time or another, and I love them all. They each have their special rides… Have a great time!!!!

Daddy and the girls surprised me with an appointment for my first ever, Hot Stone Massage! It was my Mommy’s Day present from them, and it was absolutely AMAZING! Daddy kept telling me not to make any plans for Saturday afternoon, but he wouldn’t tell me why, until Thursday. He had made me an appointment at a spa called Images, in the Land Park area of Sacramento. I had never heard of it, and was very excited to try a new place. I’m so used to going to the spa at my gym, so a change was pretty cool.
I left my house around 215pm, and got there around 230pm, so the drive was pretty fast. I wasn’t exactly sure where Images was, since I hadn’t been down that way except to go to the Zoo, or Fairy Tale Town. It ended up being right next door to an ice cream parlor that my little sister and I used to go to as kids. Talk about memories!
I finally found a parking spot, and went inside. It was very nice, and the staff were very welcoming. Since this place is a salon and spa, I was directed to the left where the spa lounge was. My masseuse, Erin came to greet me, and had me fill out a short questionnaire.. She came back just a short time later and read through it, just making sure I didn’t have any medical conditions that would prevent her from being able to do the massage.
She directed me to one of the massage rooms and explained that the massage included some very hot stones, but that she used them in her hands, so they wouldn’t be burning hot. She also explained that she dips them in cold water, so if the temperature was too hot, she could cool them off even more for me. The stones were pretty hot, but they were so relaxing. The heat really penetrated into my muscles and they were almost immediately less tense. Erin was really awesome. I know most people close their eyes, and just enjoy the moment, but I couldn’t help but talk to her. She’s a mommy of two children, and so we were able to really relate on a few levels. We had a good laugh about our kids, and told some really good stories, and shared some advice.
The massage was scheduled for 90 minutes, and when those 90 minutes were up, I was wishing it was longer. I was truly relaxed.
I highly recommend Images Salon & Spa, and especially Erin for anyone who is looking to try a Hot Stone Massage. The 90 minute massage will run you $115, but it is so worth it.

They also offer several other services, including Waxing, Facials, Hair Services, Microdermabrasion, Permanent Cosmetics, Spa Treatments, Manicures & Pedicures, and Special Occasion services.

Some of you may have heard of Sk*rt, a sort of digg.com .. but for girls WOMEN! Sk*rt launched in February of 2007, and grew quickly! The 3 brilliant minds behind Sk*rt had no idea that it was going to take off the way it did. In any case, they were recently threatened with a lawsuit by Skirt Magazine (not linking to them on purpose). They accused Sk*rt of trying to take traffic away from them. Well shoot, it’s not Sk*rt’s fault Skirt Magazine didn’t buy their domain early enough… In any case, rather than battle it out in court wasting precious time and money, they decided to hold a contest for a new name!

Thousands have offered new names, and even more voted… and the Winner is… Kirtsy!!! Keep a look out for that cute little chartreuse * and know that you’ve got some of the coolest stories around. Click on those asterisks! You’ll love where they take you!

I went to Walmart the other day looking for some random crafting ideas for the girls, and came across the Crayola 3D sidewalk chalk. I had seen the commercials on tv, and was very skeptical. I didn’t think it would be nearly as “cool” and 3D as the creative computer ad designer people make it look. I was wrong. 

We were stuck at home waiting for a refrigerator repair man to arrive, and I figured it would be a good time to take the girls out in the back yard to try this 3D chalk. As I unpackaged the chalk and glasses, they started jumping up and down with excitement. We drew a couple of things in the shade where we typically draw, and we weren’t getting much 3D action. I took a couple of pieces of chalk, and drew in the sunny part of the patio and tried looking through the glasses. WOW! My drawing literally looked like it was floating above the concrete. The girls looked at everything through the glasses and they had fun chasing each other while trying to step on the various scribbles and drawings on the ground. I’d say it was a good purchase!

I paid $4.99 each pack… 

Of course, being a Mommy of twins, I LOVE when I can get some good deals on taking them out to eat! I saw Save with Dave the other day, and Dave gave us 3 places for our list… I thought that was awesome, and decided to do a little more research and expand the list!

Here’s a list of places in the Sacramento and Surrounding areas that offer free meals for kids!!! Researching this made me super hungry.. I think I may try talking Daddy into a few trips out to restaurants in the next few weeks.. After all, I do have to try these places… Right?!?!

I did call around and verify these deals, but, as always, I recommend calling them before you go, just in case…

At Chick-fil-a, Thursday is free kid’s dinner night from 5pm to 9pm. The kids also get free Arts & Crafts to keep them busy and a free Ice Cream!!! Who doesn’t like a free Ice Cream!?!?! You must purchase an Adult Combo in order to receive this deal! On Fridays, however, they offer any kid’s menu breakfast free, with NO additional purchase necessary!

At Denny’s locations kids age 10 and under eat free every Tuesday night, and in some locations, they eat free on Saturday nights too! From 4pm to 10pm! You can get up to two kid’s entrees from the kid’s menu free per every one regularly priced adult entree purchase.

At El Torito Mexican Restaurant in Sacramento kids eat free on their Birthday! To join their Birthday Club, you can fill out a form on the kid’s menu on any of your visits, and you will receive a certificate, and Birthday Club pack in the mail you can bring with you on your birthday to get your free meal!

At all Fresh Choice locations, kids age 2 & under eat free with the purchase of any adult meal. They also have a great discount rate for children ages 3-5… $1.99 with the purchase of an adult meal. Can’t beat that! Fresh, healthy, and affordable!

Goodfella’s Express Italian located in the awesome city of Folsom, Ca has a great program as well! Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays from 5-8pm. Anything off the kid’s meal (regularly $2.99) is free… Although it is not required, they do encourage the purchase of an Adult Meal… Hey.. the whole family can enjoy some great food. With a menu like theirs, who wouldn’t want to try it out!?! I think I see another day trip to the outlets and dinner coming on!

I checked out Hacienda del Rio’s website and sure enough, right there at the top of their website they advertise that kids eat free every Tuesday Night from 4:30-8:30pm. They are also located in Folsom! Here is a link to their menu as well.

At all IHOP locations in Sacramento, and surrounding, I’ve found that kids, 12 and under, eat free every Tuesday from 4pm to 2am! You can choose anything from their kid’s menu, and purchase of an adult entree is required!

At Il Fornaio in down town Sacramento, if you take your kids in on a Sunday evening, you can exchange the kids’ doodling on the back of their menu for their famous Il Fornaio Cookies!!! Your aspiring artist will love the treat for their art work, and you’ll love that they’re keeping busy while you peruse their awesome menu!

At Strings Italian Cafe locations in the area, kids eat free on Sunday and Monday! One kid per adult entree purchased, at anytime during their open hours! Daddy and I have been here several times, since we have one super close to our house. The food is always DEEE-LISH, and the service is always awesome!

At Texas West Bar-B-Que on Mondays and Tuesdays kids eat free all day! For every adult entree purchased, you may choose one entree from the kid’s menu for your kid age 10 and under.

At Riverside Clubhouse, on Mondays and Tuesdays kids eat free w/purchase of adult entree!

I hope you are able to find some great places to try out on this list! I’ve been to quite a few of them, and loved them! If you find any other locations in the Sacramento, and surrounding areas that need to be on this list, please tell me so that I may share the wisdom with others! After all, who wouldn’t like to save a little bit of change here and there! Bon Appetite!