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Google Express Delivery Service is Here: What to Know

Twin Cities Moms September 13, 2016 Good Deal Alert

Google Express

Alright Mamas….we know you got excited when Amazon Prime was made available in the Twin Cities and we KNOW their addition of Surdyk’s alcohol delivery really got you interested. So we were so excited to tell you about yet another delivery service that’s made it’s way to the Twin Cities!

Google Express has been working it’s magic in the Rochester area for a little while, but it’s finally HERE in the Twin Cities! Mamas, we’re always on the lookout for services that can make your life easier so we’re thrilled to tell you more about it and give it a try ourselves!

Here’s how it works: Much like another fave, Instacart, Google Express shops popular retailers for you and delivers your purchase for a $4.99 fee. It’s not available in all areas of the Twin Cities yet, so you’ll have to check the Google Express site and enter your zip code in the upper right corner to check for availability. We checked several suburbs’ zip codes and found that Burnsville, Woodbury, Blaine, Maple Grove, Maplewood, and others are covered so check yours to make sure.

Google Express

If you have a membership, delivery will be cheaper. In fact, if you sign up for a six-month trial membership your deliveries will be free for the entire six months. If you do not have a membership, the fee is $4.99 for each delivery.

What’s the catch?

Actually, there are a lot of catches.

Prices may be higher than in the stores. They’re really upfront about that, so just consider whether sending Google to Costco for you is going to be worth it when you consider you’ll be paying a delivery fee and slightly higher prices than if you went yourself.

There also are some spending requirements. For example, to get delivery for $4.99 from Costco, you need to spend at least $15, which considering that Costco has higher price point items, that shouldn’t be too difficult. If you’re ordering cold groceries in a 2 hour delivery window you need to spend at least $35. (Note: As of right now, cold grocery delivery is NOT available and deliveries of all products are only overnight and 2-day delivery. This gives Amazon Prime Now a tremendous advantage!)

Deliveries also aren’t instant. Depending on your order and the stores you select your items from, the delivery could be in 2 hours, the same day or the next day. As of now, same-day delivery is NOT available. So if you were expecting to buy groceries like milk and eggs this way, you can’t do that. At least not yet. Maybe that will change. So take that into consideration when ordering. Right now, Amazon Prime Now offers 2-hour delivery on it’s in-stock items. Of course, Coborns Delivers is also an option as well and they also take manufacturer’s grocery coupons.

What are the advantages?

Check your zip code and see if you have access to Google Express if you don’t already get access to Amazon Prime. This might be a decent option for you if you can wait until the next day or longer for your deliveries.

Free deliveries for six months with a membership is also fairly attractive, but just be sure to cancel at the end of the six months if the service isn’t working for you. Memberships cost either $95 for the year or $10 a month if you choose a monthly option.

For more info about Google Express and to see if your zip code is included, check them out here.

Are you following Twin Cities Moms on Facebook? (Over 32,000 other Twin Cities moms already are!) Facebook has changed the way it shows posts in your news feed. To never miss a post of ours on Facebook and to see everything we post, go to our Facebook page, click on the “Liked” button and then click on “See First”. Without doing this, you will likely only see a tiny fraction of what we post on Twin Cities Moms. Thank you!

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#TargetRunDay is a real thing this weekend! 10% off!

Twin Cities Moms August 25, 2016 Good Deal Alert

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You heard it here, Mamas! Target is offering a special discount day this weekend as a “one-day event” in stores and online! In an attempt to come back from some disappointing sales figures in recent months, the move is being used as a shot in the arm for the nationwide retailer in a season when spending should be higher than normal.

Here’s how it will work: There will be a coupon in Sunday’s Target ad or you can request that a coupon be sent to your mobile device by texting RUN to TARGET (827438). If you shop online on Sunday, the 10% discount will be automatically deducted from your total.

Yes, you can still use coupons, Cartwheel and your RedCard discount. No, you cannot buy gift cards and certain branded items. According to Target’s announcement, “*Offer valid at Target or Target.com. Excludes all gift cards, prepaid cards (airtime, entertainment, iTunes, and online gaming), Laneige, LEGO, Cards Against Humanity, Vitamix, Weber, Dyson, DSLR cameras and lenses, Google products, iRobot, Samsung TV, LG TV, Bose, Sonos, GoPro, alcohol, dairy milk, Simple Human, Traeger, Duluth Pack, Pulsar, and Pharmacy, Clinic, Target Optical, Portrait Studio and Target Mobile purchases.” (Source: https://corporate.target.com/article/2016/08/target-run-day)

So if you have last-minute school shopping or want to get a headstart on your holiday shopping, Sunday might be just the day for you!

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Noodles & Company Data Breach: Check Your Accounts!

Twin Cities Moms June 29, 2016 Around the Twin Cities

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The haven of picky eaters everywhere has experienced a data breach. Noodles & Company announced today that their systems were infected with malware that could have affected users’ credit card or debit card information. The company is asking customers who used their cards from late January 2016 to June 2, 2016 to check their statements and monitor their credit card information.

The issue has now been cleared and Noodles assures customers that it is again safe to use cards at Noodles locations. Questions about the breach can be directed to the Noodles & Company corporate office 888-849-1067 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Full details about the breach are available for review on Noodles’ site at http://www.noodles.com/security/

Minnesota locations affected include: (source: http://www.noodles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Noodles-Minnesota-Locations.pdf)

Wisconsin locations affected include: (source: http://www.noodles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Noodles-Wisconsin-Locations.pdf)

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Twin Cities Free Outdoor Movies 2016 | TwinCitiesMoms.com

Twin Cities Moms May 11, 2016 Around the Twin Cities

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Twin Cities Free Outdoor Movies Twin Cities Moms

The ultimate free entertainment in the Twin Cities each summer! Free outdoor movies!

There’s nothing better than bringing blankets and chairs to the neighborhood park, popping some popcorn, toting along a flashlight and some glow necklaces and having fun under the stars!

This guide will list EVERY free outdoor movie in the Twin Cities! Best of all, instead of just a list you have to scroll through, we created an ENTIRE CATEGORY in our Kids & Family Calendar so that they’ll pop up on your phone as they’re scheduled and show up in our regular list of Kid and Family events in the Twin Cities!

No lists to keep track of! No posts to bookmark! Just hop on our calendar and everything is listed by the day it’s showing including maps to the movies!

STAY CONNECTED ON THE GO

Have you added our Kids & Family Calendar to your phone’s home screen yet? Just make a shortcut (check the bookmarks setting in your phone’s browser for a “Home” option) and it works just like an app! You’ll always know when and where fun is happening in the Twin Cities this summer!

Here’s the link to make your shortcut: https://guide.twincitiesmoms.com/calendar

We’re adding more and more of these free outdoor movies every single day as cities and park departments announce them so keep checking our calendar!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for even more great summer info! Over 21,000 other Twin Cities Moms already are!

Some tips for free outdoor movies in the Twin Cities:

1. Bring bug spray! This is the Twin Cities after all!

2. Some locations sell concessions, but consider popping your own popcorn and packing your own drinks to save money and save trips to the concession stand.

3. Dress warm. You know the Twin Cities! It can be 80 and humid at 6pm and downright chilly by the time the sun sets! Bring a layer for the top and maybe a thin blanket for bare legs.

4. Get there early! Movies that start at dusk typically start seating at least an hour in advance. Save a great spot with a large blanket and explore the parks to pass the time. Bring some distractions if you have little ones….card games, a small board game or a ball.

5. As long as you’re there early, scope out the bathroom situation BEFORE the movie starts and before it gets dark! Bring a flashlight to make trips to the bathroom easier.

Enjoy! We only get a few months of really fantastic weather so make the most of them with a movie under the stars!

Be sure to also give us a follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest too! We’re @TwinCitiesMoms on all social media channels!

free, Free Outdoor Movies, Twin Cities

Teach Your Kids How to Grow Tomatoes the Easy Way! | TwinCitiesMoms.com

Twin Cities Moms April 1, 2016 Hacks

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If you’ve decided that this is the year you’ll take a stab at gardening or getting your kids involved in learning where their food comes from, this is really easy way to start! Growing tomatoes this way is easy, educational and can save money using tomatoes you may already have that are spoiling or over-ripe.

What we love about this method to grow tomatoes is that it’s an easy way to show your kids the life-cycle of a plant all the way from the original fruit, to it’s planting, it’s early growth and finally maturity. Take it a step further and use the tomatoes to make homemade pasta sauce, pizza sauce or salsa!

Do you garden? Come back to our post on Facebook and tell us what works for you in the garden!

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Fave Twin Cities Ice Cream Shop: Twin Cities Moms’ Faves of the Cities

Twin Cities Moms March 16, 2016 Faves of the Twin Cities

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Twin Cities Moms Faves of the Cities Favorite Twin Cities Ice Cream Shop

We’re moving on in our “Faves of the Cities” contest to a very tasty category: Fave Twin Cities Ice Cream Shop! Spring has (mostly) sprung here in the Twin Cities and there’s no better way to enjoy the warmer weather than to grab an ice cream cone as a family! With so many great Twin Cities ice cream shops, it can be hard to narrow down the choices!

We asked, YOU, our readers on Facebook, to nominate your absolute FAVE Twin Cities ice cream shop and the response was amazing! These five nominees received the most votes and are now eligible for the final vote for the 2016, “Faves of the Cities” award! Who will win? Only YOU can decide!

In no particular order, YOUR nominees are:

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faves, ice cream

Twin Cities Easter Events 2016 | TwinCitiesMoms.com

Twin Cities Moms February 15, 2016 Around the Twin Cities

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Last year, we posted a huge list of Easter events for families in the Twin Cities! This year, it’s going to be even bigger! We’re getting the Easter egg rolling a little early this time around because Easter is earlier this year and some of these events require (or suggest) registration in advance!

Check out these family Easter events in the Twin Cities that we pulled from the full version of the Twin Cities Moms Kids & Family Calendar!

Whether you’re looking for a photo opp with the Bunny himself, or an egg hunt for your kiddos, this list will have something for you! We will have compiled over 50 Twin Cities Easter events by the time we’re done! We’ve found what is claimed to be the biggest egg hunt in Minnesota, a brunch with the Easter bunny, and even an old-fashioned egg hunt on the lawn of a historic home! Let’s just hope the weather holds out for all of them!

Tip: Browse to the calendar on your phone and create a shortcut to it on your Home screen and our calendar works just like an app on your phone! It’s updated throughout the day and as events end, they fall off the list keeping you completely up-to-date on what’s going on in the Twin Cities!

Make your shortcut: https://guide.twincitiesmoms.com/calendar

Do you know of an Easter event not featured here? Let us know about it! Send us an email at editor@twincitiesmoms.com. Churches, youth groups, cities, counties, shops, photographers, schools and community ed programs are all welcome to add their events at NO CHARGE to our Kids & Family Calendar anytime!

Be sure to also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest! Sign up for our free newsletter below!

Also on TwinCitiesMoms.com:

– Join a Twin Cities Moms Due Date Club and connect with other expecting moms at the same stage!
– Over 40? Join our “Over 40 Club” on Twin Cities Moms!
– Young mom? Under 25? We have a Twin Cities Moms club just for you!

Easter, easter egg hunt, egg hunt, Twin Cities, Twin Cities Moms

Metro DentalCare Participating in Free Dental Care Event

Twin Cities Moms January 30, 2016 Around the Twin Cities

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Dentist Girl Twin Cities Moms

Metro DentalCare is offering free dental care to children in need next week on February 5th and 6th! There will be eight participating locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area! This is part of a statewide initiative to help up to 5000 children with free dental care as part of the Minnesota Dental Association’s 14th annual “Give Kids a Smile Event“. More than 150 Minnesota dental offices will be providing free dental services to children who would otherwise go without proper dental care.

What’s amazing about this program is not only that children will receive needed services but that 2,500 volunteers will spend those two days making sure children are receiving these services! True kindness and caring in our community once again!

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The Permission Slip: Store-Bought Valentines – TwinCitiesMoms.com

Twin Cities Moms January 25, 2016 Advice

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The Permission Slip Store Bought Valentines Twin Cities Moms

Who else feels like they need a dose of a “Pinterest Permission Slip” right about now? Are you overwhelmed with Pinterest Valentine crafts showing up all over social media? We love those crafts too! But in reality, when you’re up against a deadline at school do most moms have that kind of time, not to mention, crafting ability?

Did you finally give up and say, “Forget this, to Target I go!” instead?

Maybe you’re wishing you’d done something “special” or crafty for your child’s valentines. Maybe you feel like yours won’t “measure up” or that someone else will have put more time and effort into making the perfect valentines….stop! Don’t think for one second that your perfect little store-bought valentines aren’t enough!

They are more than enough.

Don’t worry about what the other moms will think! Who do we do these for anyway? For our kids or for other moms? For a lot of kids, picking out the valentines at Target is something they live for! It’s a chance for them to put their own stamp on who they are and what they like and to share that with their friends.

Somehow we’ve been convinced that doing “more”, spending “more” and showing off our “skills” are parts of being a good mom. When we were kids, our moms stood with us in the grocery store where we chose our boxed valentines all on our own. The REALLY ambitious moms of the 80’s and 90’s might have purchased some packaged candy that we taped, all by ourselves, to our scribbled out Sesame Street or Hello Kitty valentine. We dropped them in decorated paper bags or boxes, ate most of the candy on the school bus before we even got home and our parents never even LOOKED at the valentines, let alone scrutinized them. Kids drove the Valentine Train, not moms.

Does this mean that if you’re a crafty mom that you’re doing something wrong? Heck no! Moms should use the skills they have in the areas they have them and if helping your child make homemade valentines makes you happy (and most importantly, makes your KIDS happy) then by all means do it. But if you’re like the majority of moms who just don’t have those Pinterest chops or the time, lean in to those store-bought valentines proudly!

Consider this your “permission slip” to love those store-bought valentines! There’s so much pressure these days to look like more, be more, do more….it’s exhausting! If you happen to be good at crafting and your kids enjoy your homemade creations, we say, “That’s awesome! Show off those valentines!” (And give us a quick tutorial, because we’re lost on that sort of thing!)

But if you’re one of the moms who doesn’t craft, or who drives herself crazy trying to do things only to wish she’d just bought the dang things at Target, “That’s also awesome! Show off those valentines!”

Let yourself off the hook, Mama.

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Where to Walk Indoors for FREE in the Twin Cities

Twin Cities Moms January 18, 2016 Around the Twin Cities

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Free Places Moms Can Walk Indoors in the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities can be a brutal place to try to work out in the winter, especially if you love to walk or run. We’ve put together a list of over 20 places in the Twin Cities where moms can work out for FREE in the winter while staying warm and comfy!

Always check with each location before arriving to make sure the facility hasn’t been closed for a special event, a school break or maintenance. Some of these options are available year-round, including the summer!

Not listed here: Malls without specific walking programs or special hours, but those are always an option too!

Blaine

Northtown Mall
398 Northtown Drive, Blaine
763-786-9704
The mall is open for walkers on Mondays-Saturdays from 8am -8pm and Sundays from 9:30am-6pm.
Cost: Free

Bloomington

Mall of America
60 East Broadway, Bloomington
Mall Stars Phone: 612-866-0850
The Mall Stars Program is not free, but you do have the opportunity to receive discounts throughout the mall for showing your Mall Stars membership card. Free coffee and talks from speakers on health topics start the day before the walk. Cost is $15/person or $25/couple.
Cost: Moderate

Brooklyn Park

Community Activity Center
5600 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park
763-493-8333
Free and open to the public! Walk around the upper part of the ice arena every day with the exception of a occasional closures due to special events or hockey games. Call for details. Regular hours are generally Mon-Fri 8am-10:30pm and Sat/Sun 9am-10:30pm.
Cost: Free

Chaska

Chaska Community Center
1661 Park Ridge Drive, Chaska
952-448-5633
The indoor track is open to the public and free to use. Hours for track use are Sundays 8am-9pm and Mon-Sat 5am-10pm.
Cost: Free

Farmington

Boeckman Middle School
800 Denmark Ave, Farmington
651-460-1400
Open during the school year, Mon-Fri 6-7am and 2:45-9pm.
Cost: Free

Dodge Middle School
4200 208th St W, Farmington
651-460-1500
Open during the school year, Mon-Fri 3-9pm on days when school is in session. Also open on Saturdays and days when school is not in session from 8am-2pm. The building is always closed on holidays.
Cost: Free. Enter through the west entrance

Farmington High School
20655 Flagstaff Ave, Farmington
651-252-2520
Open during the school year (indoors and track) and open in the summer only (indoors). School year hours are daily from 3:15-9pm (indoors and walking track unless there’s a gym event. Summer hours are Mon-Fri 10am-4pm (indoors only).
Cost: Free

Burnsville

Burnsville Center Mall
1178 Burnsville Center, Burnsville
952-435-8182
Open Mon-Sat at 7am for early walking and Sun at 8am for early walking. Regular mall hours are Mon-Sat from 10am-9pm and Sun 11am-6pm. Holiday and store hours will vary. Four entrances will be open for walkers: Chuck e. Cheese, Sears & JC Penney, Macy’s and JC Penney and Applebee’s entrances. Available year-round
Cost: Free

Lakeville

Lakeville North High School
19600 Ipava Ave W, Lakeville
952-232-3600 (Community Ed is at 952-232-2150).
There are no specific formal walking hours, but the indoor track above the gym is available for walking Mon-Fri from 6pm-10pm on school days if there are no events in the gym. Call first to check availability. Available during the school year only.
Cost: Free

Lakeville South High School
21135 Jacquard Ave, Lakeville
952-232-3300 (Community Ed is at 952-232-2150)
There are no specific formal walking hours, but the indoor track above the gym is available for walking Mon-Fri from 6pm-10pm on school days if there are no events in the gym. Call first to check availability. Available during the school year only.
Cost: Free

Maple Grove

Maple Grove Sports Dome
9880 Fernbrook Lane N, Maple Grove
763-494-6480
Hours vary but a calendar is available here.

New Hope

New Hope Ice Arena
4949 Louisiana Avenue North
Phone: 763-531-5181
The indoor walking track is open Mon-Fri from 8am-3pm. Closed on holidays or when otherwise noted. Call to verify they are open on various holidays.
Cost: Free

Plymouth

Plymouth Fieldhouse – Plymouth Creek Center
14800 34th Ave, Plymouth
Hotline: 763-509-5292
Free indoor walking from Nov 1st until April. A full schedule is available here or you can call the hotline for hours/days. Stollers are permitted!
Cost: Free

Prior Lake

Prior Lake High School
7575 150th St W, Savage
Community Ed: (952) 226-0080
Prior Lake High school is open for walking and jogging/running from November through April. This is on the track above the gym only, not in the halls. Monday & Wednesday is Family Walking from 6pm-7:30pm. Strollers are welcome during this session. Tuesdays and Thursdays are adults only walking. No kids or strollers allowed. Monday through Thursday you may jog or run from 7:30-8pm.
Check this link for closure dates and to sign up for their notification list.
Cost: Free

Rosemount

Rosemount Community Center
13885 South Robert Trail, Rosemount
651-322-6000 Info line: 651-322-6020
Open tear round in the public. Hours are Mon-Fri from 8am-4:30pm. Closed major holidays. Evening events could cause times to vary.
Cost: Free

Roseville

Roseville Skating Center
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville
Main: (651) 792-7007
Free indoor walking in the indoor skating arena. Rubberized track goes around the ice area. Schedule is available at this link
Cost: Free

HarMar Mall
2100 Snelling Ave N, Roseville
Email: info@harmarmall.com
The mall opens daily at 7am for mall walkers.
Cost: Free

Savage

Savage Sports Center
13450 Dakota Ave., Savage
952-567-2095
Open for walking and jogging every day from November – April. Strollers are welcome! Hours are Mon, Wed, Fri from 6:30am-9:30am and Tues & Thurs from 12-3pm.
Cost: Free

Shakopee

Shakopee Community Center
1255 Fuller St. S., Shakopee
(952) 233-9500
The walking track is open to the public and free. It’s a three-lane track for walking and jogging. The community center is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Strollers are permitted to use the inside lane of the track from 10 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. daily.
Cost: Free

Stillwater

Stillwater Area High School
5701 Stillwater Blvd N, Oak Park Heights
Community Ed: 651-351-8300
Open for walking Mon-Thurs from 5:30pm – 8:30pm between January and April. No registration required. No walking on Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 21-24 or April 18-21 in 2016.
Cost: Free

Victoria

Victoria Recreation Center
8475 Kochia Lane, Victoria
952-443-4255
The walking track is available to the public for free. It’s located above the hockey rink and is heated. It closes during hockey games, so call before arriving. Kids 10+ can also use the track. There are closures listed on their site here.
Cost: Free

West St. Paul

Regional Athletics Center (R.A.C.)
1655 Livingston Ave, West St. Paul
651-552-4158
Open year-round to the public. Hours are Mon-Fri 7am-4:45pm. Hours are subject to change due to rentals of the facility. Call first. Free open walking and jogging. Please sign in at the front desk.
Cost: Free

Western Wisconsin

Trinity Lutheran Church
1250 Broadway Street, Hammond, WI
715-796-2281
Free indoor walking workouts are available at 4:30pm and 7:30pm at the church! Call for more info!
Cost: Free

The following options are not free, and usually require either a membership, punch card or daily access fee. Check each location for details, hours, cost…most are under $5 per usage or less.

East Ridge High School – Woodbury
Park High School – Cottage Grove
Hastings High School – Hastings
Vadnais Heights Sports Center – Vadnais Heights
Eagan Community Center – Eagan
Dakota Hills Middle School – Eagan
Valley Middle School – Apple Valley
Rosemount Middle School – Rosemount
Henry Sibley High School – Mendota Heights
Simley High School – Inver Grove Heights
Veteran’s Memorial Community Center – Inver Grove Heights
Andover Community Center – Andover
New Brighton Community Center – New Brighton
Maplewood Community Center – Maplewood
Anoka-Ramsey Community College – Coon Rapids

Did we miss one? Come over to our Facebook post and let us know and we’ll get it added!

Related:

– Follow Twin Cities Moms on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest
– Join a Due Date Club! Connect with other moms-to-be in the Twin Cities!
– Over 40? Join our “Over 40 Club” and connect with other moms in your age group!

Join our Fitbit group! See how your steps stack up against other Twin Cities Moms!

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Twin Cities Moms on Instagram

Google Express Delivery Service is Here: What to Know

#TargetRunDay is a real thing this weekend! 10% off!

Noodles & Company Data Breach: Check Your Accounts!

Twin Cities Free Outdoor Movies 2016 | TwinCitiesMoms.com

Teach Your Kids How to Grow Tomatoes the Easy Way! | TwinCitiesMoms.com

Fave Twin Cities Ice Cream Shop: Twin Cities Moms’ Faves of the Cities

Twin Cities Easter Events 2016 | TwinCitiesMoms.com

Metro DentalCare Participating in Free Dental Care Event

The Permission Slip: Store-Bought Valentines – TwinCitiesMoms.com

Where to Walk Indoors for FREE in the Twin Cities

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