I am looking outside at this rainy day and feeling both sorry AND thankful for my husband. I wanted to go to Gleek Retreat, a blogging conference. Big Binder has been around for a few years, but I have only recently wanted to learn how to do a few cool and snazzy things I see on other blogs.  I also want to meet other bloggers, and then drive them crazy asking questions about how they do cool and snazzy things.

I bring you frugal kid stuff for a reason; I have to live frugally, or work full time.  I am not just trying to save a few bucks here or there; I don’t have the money to spend. So although Gleek Retreat was exactly what I wanted, we weren’t sure if we could afford it. Less than a week later, my husband sold one of his bikes (this brings him down to four…) and gave me the money so I could “go do that blog thing”.

I am so thankful.

In a cruel, ironic twist, I don’t have a lot to suggest for him to do with the kids this weekend while I’m gone. He could either head over to Grand Haven for the Great Lakes Kite Festival, or to Lowell for Trolls & Treats for Kids.  I was hoping that there would be a Whitecaps baseball game, but no such luck. We’ll have to wait and go as a family.

That’s fine, because as usual, I have found some less expensive ways to enjoy the game. 

• If you act quickly, you can get two free lawn seats when you donate a baseball glove.  Drop off sites at 5/3 Bank, other drop off sites, and more information is here.
•  Monday games are the JQ99 All Faiths Night, and you can get 1/2 off box or reserved seats when you show a church or community bulletin. 
• Tuesdays are Bob Evans Senior Night.  The games start at 4:45, so you have enough time for supper first. Just kidding…  The actual promotion is that people 50 years or over get half off box or reserved seats. 
• If you are not 50, but you eat Kraft Cheese Singles, you can bring the wrapper in for a buy one get one free ticket on Tuesdays.
• If you are a Priority Health member, show your card on Wednesday for $2 off reserved seats. 
• A fantastic opportunity to see the ‘Caps at a discounted rate is brought to you June 26 by the awesome Great Start Parent Coalition.  You get a ticket, plus a pop and hotdog for $4.50!!  You have to get your tickets through Great Start ahead of time.
• July 6 is Kids Day.  The tickets are all the same prices, but there will be extra kid-stuff going on.  Hopefully, there will be some beer specials that day too.

Here is some other information that may enhance your Whitecaps experience:

1. You have to have cash to pay for parking. The Parking Lot Guy With The Orange Vest is wrong. You don’t have to go into the park, use the ATM, then exit the park and walk all over the parking lot find PLGWTOV who has since moved, and give him the money.  You can just go to the Customer Service desk inside the stadium.  You’re welcome.
2. Those light-saber things are $5 and they work as an amazing discipline tool when you promise to buy one next time if your child earns enough money between now and then by doing chores.  My compost is taken out to the pile daily, and the returnable bottles and cans are bagged up, all for a very low rate.
3. If you go on a Saturday, stay for the fireworks.  They do not start “immediately after the game”  though. It’s a good 20 minutes, so just be prepared to Walk Like a Dinosaur. Boom boom, acka lacka lacka lacka boom.

There are a lot of promotions (bobbleheads and stuff) too, so check the Whitecaps Promo link to make sure you go on a day that something fun is being given away. There are several other discounts, but most of them are on food.  Sadly, none are for the 5/3 Burger which made national news last year due to it’s – disgustingness. 

Unfortunately, my husband is still determined to eat one.  And after his generosity and understanding about Gleek Retreat, I’ll be happy to let him.  I will just make sure to pack the Rolaids.

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