To celebrate movie marathons, redbox is offering a Rent 2 Get 1 Free promotion for today and Thursday only! When you reserve two movies online you will get a third movie for FREE!  Click  HERE for more information.

Here is another great guest post this week about how to get the best pictured of your kids:

“Children and babies can be very unpredictable but there are a few tips and techniques to help you capture your child’s best look at the portrait studio.

1. If possible, schedule your appointment for the first one of the day. Not only will your child be his or her freshest, this will ensure that you won’t have to wait if the photographer falls behind schedule. Waiting makes kids (and parents) cranky- this does NOT make for a good picture.
2. If you can’t schedule your appointment for the first one of the day, try scheduling on a weekday when it’s not as busy or vice versa. Better yet, schedule your appointment for the first one of the day on a weekday!
3. Feed the kiddos right before leaving the house and bring a small non-messy snack in case you do have to wait. Hungry kids make cranky kids and this also does not make for a good picture!
4. Choose your child’s clothes wisely. While prints and patterns may look adorable, they distract from the focus on your child. Solids look best. As hard as it may be to believe, light colors look best on light backgrounds and dark colors look best on dark backgrounds. If you have a background preference, keep this in mind. Your photographer will suggest what will look the best based on what your child is wearing.
5. Your photographer may suggest bringing a change or two of clothing to capture different looks. Be aware that this will make it harder to choose a pose if the package you planned on buying only allows one pose. (look for a future post with my tips on how to save a bundle on portraits)
6. Be clear with your photographer on what you want or don’t want. I personally don’t care for themed backgrounds or props so I make sure to tell them that before our session begins so that no time is wasted.
7. Be prepared to encourage smiles from your children if your photographer isn’t having any luck. You know your kids best!

Our children grow up so fast and what better way to capture it than on film. I recommend having portraits taken at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months old and annually following the 12 month session.”

Thanks for the guest post from MommiesWithCents!

Check out this great list of ideas of FREE ways to keep your family entertained this weekend:

AC Moore – Saturday 1-3pm, FREE Make & Take Duck Tape Wands! They are also having Free Make & Take kids crafts on Wednesdays from 3-5pm all Summer long.

Babies R Us – Saturday Noon-3pm, Ready…Set…Baby: Learn about products for Mom-to-be’s Baby Registry, along with tips and ideas for planning a baby shower. Plus, enjoy great coupon savings and more!

Bass Pro Shop – Saturday & Sunday 2-5pm, Stamping Fun Animal Tracks & more.

Dave & Buster’s – FREE $10 Game Play through 7/10!

Disney Store – Saturday Session 1 – 10:30 am, Session 2 – 12:00 pm, Session 3 – 1:30 pm, Winnie the Pooh Storytime!
*Event limited per session based on store capacity. No lineups prior to 30 minutes before event begins.

Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores - Saturday 11am-1pm, Free Demo: Screen Printing with Yudu. Saturday 3-5pm, Free Demo: Fabric-Crafting with Wrights & Prym.

Lakeshore Learning – Saturday 11am-3pm, Mosaic Mirror: Kids create & decorate a flashy framed mirror.

Lowes Build and Grow – Saturday 10am-Noon, Kids build a Tow Truck that comes with stickers and a working tow hook! Be sure to sign up for this event here.

Michaels – Saturday 11am-2pm, Passport to Fun FREE Make-It Take-It Event India: Make a creative henna hand and craft elephant. See more events coming up next week here.

Target – select a city to find free or reduced-price admission to arts and cultural events in your area, sponsored by Target.

Walmart Event Finder – enter your zip code to see what is going on in your area.

Thanks KeepingCents!

Check out all these codes that are available for FREE rentals at Blockbuster kiosks!  There are 17 of them possible! 

Good through 7/8

74JBHS8
75RRAP9
44CMEA9
98MLBJ7
54ZGDB3
93EHJR8
92KBDJ5
24NCRP9
54VHAP6

Good through 7/11

63CMEA3
39MLBJ8
83MDEB2
73ZGDB7
43EHJR5
86KBDJ7
63NCRP2
92VHAP2

You can use each code once per credit card, your card will be charged $1 a night after the 1 day free so be sure to return the movie the next day. Don’t forget you can reserve your movie online at BlockbusterExpress.com.

Thanks EasternShoreMom!

If you are laying low this weekend, make sure to check out this great list of ideas of things you can do for FREE with your family.

AC Moore – Saturday 1-3pm, Buy a Painter’s Cap and Decorate it for FREE. You can use this 20% off coupon! They are also having Free Make & Take kids crafts on Wednesdays from 3-5pm all Summer long.

Bank of America – Saturday & Sunday, Free Museums On Us days for Bank of America cardholders! There are over 100 participating Museums, Zoos, Science Centers, and Botanical Gardens across the US.

Bass Pro Shop – Saturday & Sunday 2-5pm, Design your own Birdhouse & more.

Dave & Buster’s – FREE $10 Game Play through 7/10!

Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores - Saturday 11am-1pm, Crayola Uncle Sam Make it Take it! Saturday 1-3pm, Free Demo: Cricut Cake Machine. Saturday 3-5pm, Free Demo: Jewelry Making with Cousin.

Lakeshore Learning – Saturday 11am-3pm, Kids make a Patriotic Wreath.

Michaels – Saturday 11am-2pm, Passport to Fun FREE Make-It Take-It Event USA: Warrior Shield, Bead Flag Pin & Face Painting.

Target – select a city to find free or reduced-price admission to arts and cultural events in your area, sponsored by Target.

Home Depot – Saturday 9am-Noon, Free Kids Workshop: build a coaster set!

Walmart Event Finder – enter your zip code to see what is going on in your area. There are a lot of events in my area.

Heads up: LEGO Mini Build Lighthouse is Tuesday, July 5 at 5pm!

Thanks KeepingCents

Check out this cool deal for AMF Bowling Centers on Groupon!  AMF is offering two hours of bowling and shoe rental for two people (over a $30 value) for just $15. There are over 250 locations nation-wide and you can purchase 5 of these Groupons per person. This Groupon is valid at all AMF locations and is good any time.  This deal can be found in Hampton Roads, VA.

Thanks GrouponGirl!

Support Save At Home Mommy by purchasing your Groupons HERE for new Groupon users or HERE for those of you that love and use Groupon as much as I do!

Here are some great ideas for FREE and fun things to do with your family this weekend:

AC Moore – Saturday 1-3pm, Buy Flip Flops and Decorate them for FREE. If the Flip Flops are Regular Price, you can use this 50% off coupon! Sunday 1-3pm, Demonstration: Wilton Punch. Cut. Decorate. They are also having Free Make & Take kids crafts on Wednesdays from 3-5pm all Summer long.

Babies R Us – Saturday Noon-3pm, Special Summer Outings: Learn how Tommee tippee products can help keep snack & mealtime fun while out and about.

Bass Pro Shop – Saturday & Sunday 2-5pm, Paint a Wiggle Fish & More.

Disney Store – Saturday 11am-1:30pm, Secret Agent Escapade: fun events to celebrate the release of Cars 2. *Minimum age for participation is 3 years. Event limited per session based on store capacity. No lineups prior to 30 minutes before event begins.

Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores - Saturday 11am-3pm, Free Demo: Papercrafting with Cricut. Saturday 3-5pm, Free Demo: Fabric-Crafting with Rit Dyes.

Lakeshore Learning – Saturday 11am-3pm, Let’s Go Fishing: Kids create glittery, sparkly, wiggly-eyed fish and reel them in.

Lowes Build and Grow – Saturday 10am-Noon, FREE: Kids build a Waving Flag in honor of Independence Day! Be sure to sign up for this event here.

Michaels – Saturday 11am-2pm, Passport to Fun EGYPT Hieroglyphics & Mummy FREE Make-It Take-It: create your own stylish hieroglyphics and make your own mummy.

Target – select a city to find free or reduced-price admission to arts and cultural events in your area, sponsored by Target.

Toys R Us – Saturday Noon-3pm, Support Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting childhood cancer: Pledge to host an official Alex’s Lemonade Stand, decorate your own lemonade stand sign, and receive an Honest Kids Berry Berry Good Lemonade sample.

Walmart Event Finder – enter your zip code to see what is going on in your area.

Thanks KeepingCents!

Check out this great list of FREE things to do with your family this weekend!

AC Moore – Saturday 1-3pm, Hands-On Demonstration: My Friendship Bracelet Maker. They are also having Free Make & Take kids crafts on Wednesdays from 3-5pm all Summer long.

Bass Pro Shop – Saturday & Sunday 2-5pm Make your own Leather Keychain & More.

Borders – Saturday 2pm, Celebrate the release of the new movie Cars 2 with Disney fun, games, stories & more. Best for ages 3-8.

Disney Store – Saturday Race 1 at 10:30 am, Race 2 at 12:00 pm, Race 3 at 1:30 pm, Rev Up for Fun: City of Lights, City of Speed with fun events to celebrate the upcoming release of Cars 2 in theaters June 24. They will have fun events every Saturday in June.

*Minimum age for participation is 3 years. Event limited per session based on store capacity. No lineups prior to 30 minutes before event begins.

Home Depot – Saturday 9am-Noon, Free Kids Father’s Day Special Workshop: build a Lil Toolbox!

Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores - Saturday 11am-pm, Free Make It Take It for Dad. 1-3pm, Demo: Papercrafting with Xyron Machines. 3-5pm, Demo: Fabric crafting with Simply Spray.

Lakeshore Learning – Saturday 11am-3pm, Father’s Day Wallet: create a wallet for Dad.

Michaels – Friday 6-8pm, Father’s Day Card Event FREE Make-It Take-It.

Michaels – Saturday 10am-Noon, Father’s Day Key Chain Event FREE Make-It Take-It.

Pottery Barn Kids – Saturday, Father’s Day LEGO Duplo Jams: play with duplo blocks, listen to music and take home a special memento. Contact your local store for times.

Target – select a city to find free or reduced-price admission to arts and cultural events in your area, sponsored by Target.

Walmart Event Finder – enter your zip code to see what is going on in your area.

Heads up: National Park First Day of Summer on 6/21, get Free Entrance to over 100 National Parks that usually charge entrance fees!

Thanks KeepingCents!