I can remember, as a kid how looooonnnnggggg summer seemed (or perhaps summer really is shorter now).  Now, as a parent trying to plan vacations and fit in all the fun stuff that I am finding is free – it is hard to fit it all into just two months that now make up summer.  My daughter is already bugging me for the perfect new backpack and my son is excited about his school supplies.  Go figure!  When school is in – they want out and now that they are out – they can’t wait to go back.

I guess I will have to go shopping for new school clothes so it is convenient that we can help a great organization, Reading is Fundamental at the same time that we get a deal on some new duds at Macy’s.  Also, if you are not aware of it, King Soopers has a really fantastic fundraising deal with their re-loadable gift cards.  Plus, I have discovered the EcoVessel water bottles – which I literally can’t pry from my kids hands (more on them next week).  But really, you should check out the website of this Colorado Company!!!!

Macy’s and Reading is Fundamental

It makes me smile to do good AND get a great deal!  Macy’s has partnered with Reading Is Fundamental, the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit for the Be Book Smart campaign. Now through July 31, visit any Macy’s store and give $3 to help provide a book for a child, and in return customers will get a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase. Macy’s will donate 100 percent of every $3 to RIF.

Qdoba’s Salsas

Love the salsa from Qdoba Mexican Grill? Now for a limited time, two of the restaurant’s most popular salsas are available for retail purchase at participating Denver Metro, Boulder, Colorado Springs and Dillon locations. Qdoba guests can take home a 16 oz. jar of Qdoba’s Salsa Verde or Salsa Roja for just $4.99 each. Qdoba will donate 10 cents of every retail salsa sale to Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Free Family Fun Run/Walk

It is always great to get the kids doing something healthy – especially when they discover that healthy is fun too!  Join the DaVita  free, fun, family-friendly 5K run|walk on August 6^th in City Park to raise awareness for kidney disease.   The event will feature a Kids Zone with games and prizes, music from the DaVita Blues All Stars, a health expo, refreshments, and kidney disease screening performed at no cost to all registered participants.   While the event is free with advance registration, all funds raised will benefit Bridge of Life – DaVita Medical Missions, a nonprofit organization helping open dialysis centers in developing countries and bringing hope, treatment and education to chronic kidney disease patients. Participants can register for free online at www.davitakidneyrock.org and learn more about DaVita at www.davita.com.

Starbucks Treat Receipt

I always love a Starbucks frozen treat in the afternoon on a hot summer day (and my daughter is loves the Strawberries and Creme).  I was super excited when I found out that Starbucks is bringing back the treat receipt promotion this summer. Now through September 5,  purchase a coffee in the morning and bring the receipt back that same day after 2 p.m., you’ll receive any Grande iced beverage for only $2.

Blockbuster’s CampWannaWatchaMovie

At Blockbuster’s “summer camp” – Camp WannaWatchaMovie – kids and parents don’t have to worry about putting on sun screen or getting bug bites. Instead, kids can watch unlimited kids and family movies for an entire month with the new Kids Summer Pass for $4.99 a month (one movie out at a time). Blockbuster will even throw in a themed tote that kids can carry their movies in.  The totes available while supplies last.   Have more than one kid? No problem! Parents can purchase a two-movie Kids Summer Pass for $9.98 or three-movie pass for $14.97.

CiCis Scratch off Funtacular

What is better than movies and pizza?  Plus now through August 28, as part of CiCi’s Family Funtacular, you will get a free scratch-off card with every guest check and large beverage purchase. Families will have two chances to win the grand prize (a trip to Universal Orlando Resort) – first with scratch cards distributed in restaurant and then in a second-chance sweepstakes by signing up for CiCi’s e-club, Pizza Perks, on its website. Additionally, families can also win movie tickets and family fun packs, as well as CiCi’s gift cards, free buffets, carry out pizzas and beverages.

Email me if you know of any great Denver deals!

Don’t want to miss any of Mile High Mamas’ contests and events? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter so you can forward these great deals to your friends.

You can also follow me on Twitter (GeeWhy93).  If I find a great deal during the week, I’ll tweet it out.