Driver's Ed...wait, WHAT???

Driver's Ed. 

How in the heck did we get here? 

I will admit, the whole "getting a driver's permit" thing snuck up on me...but I would have been way out of the loop had it not been for my friend, who has older kids. She (THANKFULLY!) informed me of the crazy (and VERY strict) timeline that is the Colorado permit regimen. My kid would have been one extremely unhappy camper if I had botched up the required steps. And nooooo one wants to deal with a moody teenager.

Right about now, you might be saying that you are totally okay with your kid not getting his/her permit on time. But, think of it this way...you want your child to learn and practice under your guidance for as looooong as possible, right?? 

One of the MOST IMPORTANT steps is finding the right Driver's Education facility for your family...your kiddo is required to complete 30 hours of classes, either in the classroom or online, so they'll be spending quite a bit of time on this. You'll want to find a good one.

I lucked out with an AMAZING company called Western Slope Driving Institute. I met with Doreen (an AWESOME lady!) before signing up, and loved what she had to say. You could tell that the staff REALLY cared about the kids, and WANTED them to be safe and successful drivers. All of the instructors are former or active law enforcement officers, which I have found really makes an impact on the kids...they have first hand experience with the kinds of accidents we are all trying to prevent. And, they have access to the most current info for our teens.

Despite the fact that the kids spend 30 hours in class, my son looked forward to it. There are several class options - weekends and weekdays. This is where your planning will come in! Thanksgiving and Spring Break are great times to knock those classes out. There is also the online option, but I highly recommend the live class.

Most teenagers love to drive. The driving lessons that Western Slope offers are top notch. The instructors make everyone (including mom and dad!) feel comfortable putting your kiddo behind the wheel. One thing I LOVED was that they require 10 hours of driving with family members before they'll take your teen out on the road.

I'm really looking forward to my son taking part in the Precision Skills Track...he'll get first hand experience with hazards and driving patterns on a closed simulation course. He will love it. I will be grateful for the lessons learned, because you can never prepare your kid enough for the road. I'll update for you once he finishes!

First, check out the Drivers Permit requirements here:

www.dmv.org/Drivers-Permits

Then, I highly recommend you give Western Slope a call. Or sign up online. Either way. But don't wait! The 2016-2017 classes are out! Classes fill up quickly and as I said before, you DO NOT want a moody teenager at your house.

http://www.wsdrivinginstitute.com/

Good luck, Moms and Dads! You CAN do this! It can be a bit nervewracking at first, but it only takes a few times with your teen behind the wheel for the hyperventilating to cease. You got your teen to this point. It's a good thing. I promise. ;)

We're moving!!!!

I am super excited to announce that Go Go Family is moving to its own URL...one that I've been patiently waiting to become available!

www.gogofamily.com

We'll see you there in early 2017!

The Harlem Globetrotters are back!!!

Don't Miss The Harlem Globetrotters Coming to Denver on March 7th!

 Save $7 Off Select Tickets to any Harlem Globetrotter Game with promo code FAMGUIDE.

The iconic Harlem Globetrotters are coming to an arena near you with their unrivaled family show, featuring some of the greatest athletes on the planet. With incredible ball handling wizardry, amazing rim-rattling dunks and trick shots, side-splitting comedy and unequaled on-court fan interaction, this must-see event is guaranteed to entertain the whole family creating memories that will last a lifetime. The Globetrotters will face a great challenge this year against the Washington Generals who were the last team to beat the Globetrotters in 1971, and are now coached by a former member of that team. They are on a mission and will do whatever it takes to win, with a new strategy that is sure to give the Globetrotters a run for their money. 

Use promo code FAMGUIDE to get $7 off select tickets.

http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=11413&dealid=1786 @usfg

Walmart To Go Makes Thanksgiving EASY!!!

As a participant in the Walmart Grocery to Go program, I’ve received a personal invite and payment for my time and efforts in creating this post.


Everyone knows how crazy the stores get during the Thanksgiving season...who wants to deal with that?  NOT ME!

I have used the Walmart To Go program before, and I am a huge fan.  They have the process DOWN, and no other store has a more convenient and quick pick up or delivery.

I actually decided prep for T-Day from the comfort of my couch this year.  Scary?  Maybe, but why not give it a shot?  I'd find all of my fixins AT the store if I ventured out, right?  Why wouldn't I find them ordering online?  This year, my family is in charge of desserts and a few sides, so I didn't need a turkey, but I did check to see if I could buy one with the Walmart To Go program (I could!).  What I did get was everything I needed from the prep to the clean up!

I could not be more thrilled with Walmart To Go!  The truck was ON TIME, they brought my groceries TO THE DOOR, and EVERYTHING was there!  And I literally never left the couch.  What more could a mom want?

Click on my link below to place your order and get an instant $15 discount!

https://refer.walmart.com/friendshare?e=runtskin@att.net

Walmart Grocery To Go

Walmart Grocery To Go

We're Back in Bucks!

We're baaaaaaaack!

Back in Bucks County, that is.

And it's time for our (drumroll, please...) 2ND ANNUAL THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY IN THE BUCKS COUNTY AREA SERIES!!!!

(Wow, that's pretty long.  Remind me to come up with a shorter title.)

We are super excited to visit some new places in and around Bucks, as well as head back to some of our faves from last summer.  We are BIG fans of Bucks County and the surrounding counties.  There are some real hidden gems in these parts!

So, buckle up, buttercups!  Off we go!

Walmart Comes to MY House Now!!!

If you have kids, you know what a hassle grocery shopping can be if you have your brood with you.  And you know that it can go from a "hassle" to a complete disaster faster than you can scold them for licking the floor.  What is a Mom to do???

Well, you can shop in the middle of the night, when the monsters....I mean, kids...are sleeping.  BUT, there is a better solution!  Wanna know what it is?

INVITE WALMART TO YOUR HOUSE.

 

Ok, not really.  BUT, Walmart WILL bring your groceries to you with their new program, Walmart To Go!

I have used this service three times now, and I am not ashamed to say that I am ADDICTED.  AAAAA-DDICTED.

I got online and filled my cart (which was much faster and easier than you would expect, especially if you have a list).  The options include images, so there is no question about what you are clicking on.  The minimum order is $30 in my area, but as all of us know, groceries add up fast, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I was pretty sure that I would have to sell my first born to pay for the delivery, but was pleasantly surprised at the shipping options...$7 for a two hour delivery window, $5 for a 4 hour window and *FREE* pick up at the store.  Totally worth my sanity.

After I chose my delivery window and submitted my cart, I got to mess around on Facebook while some ELSE picked out my groceries...I even got to indicate whether or not substitutions were okay with me for each item on my list.

The delivery driver gave me a call each time when he was about 10 minutes away...he brought my groceries up to my door for me, and all I had to do was sign off on the order!  Everything was perfect...even the frozen/refrigerated items were cold.

My favorite part?  (I mean, my favorite part besides the fact that I do not have to set foot into a store with my kids, who turn into monkeys for some reason when they hit those automatic doors?)  I do not have to huff the darn groceries, especially the four gallons of milk, from my car to my house.  Back and forth, back and forth...it annoys me.  And they are heavy.  And the last thing I want to do after shopping for the stuff is lug it into my house!

Wanna try it out for yourself?  Click here:

Walmart To Go

And read what the news has to say about Walmart To Go:

http://kdvr.com/2014/03/12/what-is-the-best-grocery-home-delivery-service/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/barbarathau/2014/01/30/walmart-expands-to-go-test-as-competition-heats-up-for-online-grocery-sales/

As a participant in the Walmart to Go First program, I’ve received a personal invite and incentives for my time and efforts in creating this post.

#walmarttogo 
#sp

Are you a Pinball Wizard???

Calling all Denver Pinball Wizards!!!

What's the WORST thing about having a pinball addiction?  No doubt, it's the cost per game!  How many times have you put those three quarters in the machine, only to have that little silver ball go right down the chute without a single flipper contact?  Infuriating! 

If this is a problem for you, or if you just want to get together with all of the other Pinball Wizards in the Denver area, you NEED to get over to the Rocky Mtn. Pinball Showdown NOW!!!  Over 125 machines are set to free play all day, from now until Sunday at 5PM.  This is some serious game time...they are open until midnight tonight before they reopen tomorrow at 9am.

Obviously, there is some major pinball going on, but there are also contests, tournaments, swag opportunities, a car show, and chances to meet some famous Pinball Wizards.  My hubs and oldest are there now getting their pinball binge on!

This is the perfect opportunity to bond with your kids over a childhood pastime.  It is the perfect date, and the perfect guys' outing.  My hubs is beside himself with the prospect of REALLY introducing my almost 13yo to the world of REAL, LIVE pinball...not some video game simulation!

Admission is $25 one-day adult pass; $15 one-day kid pass (7-12 years); kids 6 and under free. The show is located at the Sheraton Hotel Denver Tech Center, 7007 South Clinton Street, Greenwood Village, CO 80112. Doors are open 11 a.m. to midnight Friday, April 11; 9 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, April 12; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 13.

http://www.pinballshowdown.com/index.html

DISCLAIMER:
Listen, I am no pinball expert.  I am, however, no stranger to the game...the hubs dragged me on pinball dates too many times to count when we were in HS and college!