During the 2010 Winter Olympics I enjoyed writing (one on the 2010 Winter Olympics and one on 2010 Olympics resources for parents, teachers, and kids). With the one year Open Weekend countdown starting in London this weekend, July 22-24, 2011, I thought this was the perfect time to start blogging for the summer Olympics!

When: July 27 through August 12 | 2012

Following the Torch

On May 18, 2012, the Olympic Torch will start the 70 day journey from Greece to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. During the trip, it will be handed off by 8,000 different people, each with their own inspirational story!

• Review each hand off location of the journey here
• December 2011, the Olympic Torchbearers committee will let the nominees if they’ve been selected as one of the 8,000
• Learn about the winning 2012 torch design here (designed by east Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerb who won the design contest)
• FAQs here

Olympic Social Media Stars

Olympic Social Media Stars	Twitter	Facebook
London 2012 Olympics	@london2012	Become a Fan
London 2012 Festival The world’s leading artists in the UK’s biggest ever festival	@london2012fest	Become a Fan
Wenlock Official mascot of the London 2012 Olympic Games	@iamwenlock	Become a Fan
Mandeville Official mascot of the London 2012 Paralympic Olympic Games	@iammandeville	Become a Fan
Olympic Official account of the Olympic committee.	@olympics	Become a Fan
Seb Coe Chair of the London 2012 Organizing Committee and Olympic gold medalist.	@sebcoe	See how he convinced the Olympic selection committee to choose London for the 2012 Summer Olympics here! Decision awarded July 6, 2005!
London 2012 Torch Relay 8,000 inspirational people across the UK will be chosen to carry the Olympic Flame during the Torch Relay.	Email Updates	Become a Fan
London 2012 Games Maker Learn how to become one of the 70,000 volunteers and help make the games happen!	The journey to becoming a London 2012 Games Maker is a long one, so please be patient. Log in to the Games Maker zone regularly for news and updates to the status of your application, and get to know the thousands of other London 2012 Games Maker fans here on Facebook along the way.	Become a Fan

Olympic Park

Since winning the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, a previously lower end, industrial and contaminated section of London has been transformed into the perfect athletic setting for the summer games. Below are some pictures courtesy of the London Olympics press:

Designs showing how the Olympic Village will look when complete. The Athletes’ Village will accommodate athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

An artist’s impression of how the Aquatics Centre will look inside during the Games.

A CGI rendering of the 80,000 seat Olympic stadium is unveiled, on November 7, 2007 in London, England.  Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell noted the focus of the project is based around legacy for the area, which is currently one of the poorest in London.

Summer Games Feature 26 Sports

The London 2012 Olympic Games will feature 26 sports.

Sporting Events Schedule:
http://www.london2012.com/olympic-schedule

• Archery
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Beach Volleyball
• Boxing
• Canoe Slalom
• Canoe Sprint
• Cycling – BMX
• Cycling – Mountain Bike
• Cycling – Road
• Cycling – Track
• Diving
• Equestrian – Dressage
• Equestrian – Eventing
• Equestrian – Jumping
• Fencing
• Football
• Gymnastics – Artistic
• Gymnastics – Rhythmic
• Gymnastics – Trampoline
• Handball
• Hockey
• Judo
• Modern Pentathlon
• Rowing
• Sailing
• Shooting
• Swimming
• Synchronised Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Taekwondo
• Tennis
• Triathlon
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling

Free stuff for reading? Yes please! Check out this list of retailers and local libraries offering incentives for kids to read with their families or on their own this summer! Beat the heat and reap the rewards, literally! In no particular order here are a bunch of great programs!

Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading program encourages kids to read by asking them to download a journal, read 8 books, and then pick a FREE book at the nearest store near you. Now through 9/6/2011!

Downloads:

• Kid’s Journal
• Teacher’s Resources & Activities
• Parent Resources

Borders book store is offering you a free book after the 10^th book read! Now through 9/5/2011! Download the reading form here. You get to pick which 10 and Borders is offering a great selection of freebies to choose from (see complete list of freebies here!)

Even Chuck E Cheese is getting in the spirit by offering this reading calendar in exchange for tokens!! Print our calendar here.

From now until 10/1/2011, you can join the HEB Summer Reading Club and after reading 10 books you’ll get a cool prize!

After printing out the form (download here), mail it in to this address:

H•E•Buddy® 2011 Summer Reading Program,

10530 Sentinel, San Antonio, Texas 78217

Download your summer reading log from Half Price Books here and spend your summer keeping track of all the great books you read! Start turning in completed logs between July 25^th through August 7^th and receive $5 Back to School Bucks reading rewards cards!

Scholastic if also offering freebies in their summer reading program here. Log your minutes to win rewards! This is by far the most modern and technologically filled summer reading program. Your child will sign up for an account where they log the hours they read each day. Meet the reading challenge each week and win FREE downloads and other prizes.

Find out how to keep your children entertained for FREE this summer! This blog post contains tons of places that are offering FREE events for your kids to participate in this summer. Don’t forget to check out my post on how you can get free stuff, just for reading to your kid here!

National Park Service

Don’t forget to check for “Free Entrance Days” where you and your family can enjoy nature, for FREE! Also check out offers by local parks who offer visitors other incentives! Check out all their events here for details, by state/date about fun, free activities!

Don’t forget to follow them on Twitter – @NatlParkService. Kids can also sign up to become “Web Rangers” and become part of a community with their own Ranger Station!

AMF Bowling

Join the AMF eClub will get your 10 FREE games, exclusive monthly offers, birthday offers, and news of upcoming events and promotions!

Kids Bowl Free

Find a local bowling alley that’s participating in the “Kids Bowl Free” summer program that offers 2 FREE games of bowling, all summer long! Specific details of the program are listed here. Simply register at your local bowling alley to take advantage of this incredible offer!

“This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.”

Brunswick Bowling

Kids can bowl FREE every day this summer! Use the Student Ball pass for FREE bowling, all summer long! (We did this last summer and brought a lot of different friends each time!) Sign up for great coupons for yourself too!

Regal Cinemas

Now playing – FREE family movies! Starting at 10am every Tuesday AND Wednesday, enjoy FREE tickets for the entire family. Showing movies like “Doogal”, “Wallace and Gromit” (one of my favorites!!), “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”, and many more, shows vary by movie theater!

Cinemark Movies

Although not free, it’s pretty close! Each movie ticket is $1 OR you can purchase all 10 movie tickets in advanced for $5!! Check out for your local theater’s listings.

There are tons of FREE and discounted things for your kids to do this summer! Take advantage and don’t pay retail! This blog post consists of all the fun activities we do during the week and on the weekends! Most of the programs we participated in last year. Also make sure to check out my blog post about 2010 Summer Reading Programs for Kids (to learn how to get free books, t-shirts, and gift certificates to reward your children for reading over the summer!) Some of the activities were mentioned in my blog post, 6 Kid Activities for the 6^th Day of the Week!

Bass Pro Shop

I hope you have one nearby, they offer great activities over the summer (and throughout the year!) They will be offering FREE/Fun activities and make your own crafts! EVERYTHING is FREE! Activities include crafts, shooting galleries, casting ponds, family workshops, making s’mores, photo opportunities (FUN!!), shooting range, merit badge workshops, and more!

When: June 5 – July 11

Time/Day of the Week(s): Tues/Thur (at noon) OR Sat/Sun (at noon) { Schedule }

Cost: FREE

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics

Make sure you check out my recent blog post about these quality activities that occur every other week! Your child will enjoy getting the free Lowe’s apron, goggles, and hammering away at the wood craft of the week!

When: Indefinitely, not just for the summer!

Time/Day of the Week(s): Every other Saturday, next event is 6/12/2010, after that is 6/26/2010 – starts at 10am and supplies go FAST! { Schedule }

Cost: FREE!!

Home Depot’s Kids Workshops

Another fun, FREE activity, Home Depot activities are very similar to Lowe’s. Really quality crafts! Have made a wooden airplane, treasure box, pirate ship, and more!

When: Indefinitely, not just a summer thing!

Time/Day of the Week(s): First Saturday of EVERY month, starts at 9am – get there EARLY! { Schedule }

Cost: FREE!!

Lakeshore Learning Store

Another really quality craft activity, this one is fun and can kill a couple hours! After making the craft, walk around the store and play with all the displays set out on Saturday for kids to experiment with. A fully stocked kitchen, put on a puppet show, go fish, and much more!

Also, on special holidays they sometimes offer multiple crafts! Great gifts for grandparents! They also encourage parents to participate if you’re feeling particularly crafty.

When: Indefinitely, not just summer!

Time/Day of the Week(s): Every Saturday from 11-3pm…try to not just show up at 2:45pm when they’re trying to clean up. The San Antonio location brings out supplies as long as there are kids which I’ve always appreciated. { Schedule }

Cost: FREE!!

Target Arts + Cultures

Target is supporting the Arts by offering over 2,200 FREE and reduced-price events sponsored by Target! Click on the link to find events near you!

Pottery Barn Kids Book Club

When: Indefinitely, not just for the summer

Time/Day of the Week(s): Tuesdays at 11am-1130am { Schedule }

Cost: FREE, after 5 visits get a FREE gift!

This summer when your kids start to get bored, remind them that they can make money and get lots of fun free stuff, simply by reading a couple minutes each day!  We participated in a lot of these programs last year and had an incredible time!

Across the nation, Half Price Books is offering their “Feed Your Brain” summer reading program from June 1,
2010 through July 31, 2010! This is a GREAT deal! If your child reads 15 minutes each day a week, you can pick up a $3 gift card! We made this a Saturday tradition, turning in our reading log and picking out a new book or two (from the children’s clearance section!)

• Information for parents/teachers here
• Feed Your Brain reading log (printed copies also available in-store!)
• Official flyer to help spread the word at work!

Scholastic Summer Challenge

• Official website
• Word Girl is the Ambassador of Summer Reading

Barnes and Noble is also offering a FREE book for every 8 books you read this summer!

• Download their passport and choose from a list of books for each reading level!
• Here is a list of all the books your child can choose from
• Educators download this reading kit
• Parents can get additional information from this parent kit

Children can return their completed kits from May 25 through September 7^th!

Borders Summer Reading program double-dog dares you to read 10 books, record the names, and bring the printed form to any Borders store for a FREE book!

*For kids 12 and under, starts 5/4/2010 and lasts through 8/26/2010!

Pottery Barn Kids Book Club is every Tuesday from 1100am to 1130am. Visit 5 times and your children will receive a free gift!

Bookworm Wednesdays from National Amusements is offering FREE admission to select children’s film after presenting a book report to participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas, or Cinema De Lux box offices! Checkout their locations. Print this form to complete the book report with your child.

HEB Buddy is also offering a summer reading program! Read 10 books and return this form by October 1^st for cool prizes from HEB Buddy!

San Antonio Public Library wants you to join the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club! From June 15^th through August 31^st, you’ll get a certificate and FREE book for every 15 books you read!

Website:  http://www.seaworldfansearch.com

SeaWorld San Antonio wants your pictures!  You could instantly become a “local celebrity” if your fan photo is featured on a digital billboard!

Starting this Friday, May 28, 2010 through the remainder of the year, you’ll be able to take fun, happy pictures at SeaWorld San Antonio, upload them to the Fan Search website, vote on your favorites, and enter to win, multiple times!

Based on the number of votes, SeaWorld is looking for pictures that embody having a GREAT time at their park!  Come with film (SD cards) and a huge smile!

Twitter:  @SeaWorldTexas

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SeaWorldSanAntonio

Flickr:  SeaWorld San Antonio group

Website of the Week (WoW): https://www.google.com/voice

Quick Bit: Imagine being able to pick your own number (mine ends in “BLOG”) that forwards to all of your personal, business, and cell phones. Depending on who calls determines which prerecorded voicemail they’ll hear. Unknown numbers will get a standard response, employees will get announcements for the day, family will get yet another.

Let’s say someone leaves you a voicemail and you’re in a meeting? Imagine that the service then transcribes the voicemail and sends it to you in a txt or email. The information is important for your husband’s travelling plans and without having to interrupt your meeting, you forward the email version to him. Too good to be true? Not for Google!

Although it’s invitation only right now, sign up to make this mobile fantasy a reality! (I have one account for my blog and one for my personal use and each took about a week to receive the activation link.)

Google Voice (an enhanced version of the original GrandStation site) offers a generous array of incredibly cool features! Although some are highlighted below, view the complete list here. Answer the call on your computer, switch midway to your cell phone.

The transcript service is not perfect but I’ve used it several times with very accurate messages. I like how you can setup multiple voicemails, groups, forwards, and email conversations immediately, I also like how it keeps track of the different call logs. I think it’s incredibly functional, especially for small businesses that would like to route calls in the best way possible. Even allowing particular numbers to reach a specific “message of the day” would be beneficial to many groups.

Google Supports the Troops: http://www.google.com/militaryinvite (loved ones overseas can now communicate for free to US numbers – call from computer to cells phones and send text messages.)

$$$-Saver(s):

• Conference in multiple callers
• Free calls to US & Canada phone numbers
• Send/Receive/Store texts
• FREE mobile apps – call for free from cell phone instead of using minutes

*One thing I would’ve liked for it to allow was registering for SMS texts from websites…5 digit numbers you text to subscribe to receive coupons from does NOT work right now. I’ve commented on their blog and customer support forums, you should too!

Time-Saver(s):

• Listen to voicemails as they’re being left, pick up midway through voicemail!
• Automatically transcribes voicemails – read past voicemails, forward to a business partner in email
• Listen to voicemail online or via normal phone
• Personalize voicemails – greeting based on caller groups
• Forward to multiple phones
• Record entire conversations or start halfway through

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ (view search results nothing official looking…)

Twitter: www.twitter.com/GoogleVoice

Blog:
http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/

At University Bowl, take advantage of the free student bowling program.  Students bowl their first game free, Monday through Friday, 9am-12pm.  Make sure you print out the consent form first.  Shoes are required but available for a discounted rate – $2.25 per pass holder.

Also make sure you join them on Aug. 5^th for Customer Appreciation Day!  From 5pm-7pm, bowl for FREE!  First come, first served, limit to 2 games per person!  Shoe rentals for only $1.79!

Want to hear about all the specials in the future?  Become a fan on FB and join their mailing lists.

The Magik Theater located in downtown San Antonio only produces plays based on children books.  I know they visited my daughter’s public elementary school to preform “School House Rock” and they also visited her private summer school program to give another theatrical performance.

Seating 600 parents and children, the list of performances are rich and fun.  They recently announced the return of the production, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”, which we were wait listed for when we waltzed up, expecting to get a ticket to the show on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  They did find us a seat but suggested in the future either purchasing the tickets online or coming on a slower day (weekday or night).  Times normally range from Mon/Tue-Friday from 9:45 and 11:30, with additional showings on Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 2pm.  Plenty of options for everyone.

Up-coming shows include “The Kid who Ran for President” and “The Nutcracker: A Holiday Comedy.”  After the show, kids have a chance to buy souvenirs and get their programs signed by the enthusiastic cast members.  We normally buy the shirt from the show to support the theater and then ask the cast members to sign it.  (They’ve always had sharpie markers – bring a camera though, GREAT Kodak moment.)

They also have a small snack bar and you can eat during the performance.  There’s a balcony but don’t sit up there if your kid is the kind to want to jump…

Especially if you’re looking for a place to entertain the kiddos, out of the heat, head to the Magik Theater while its showing from July 29 – August 15!

There’s also a very nice park, right outside the theater, covered with a lot of trees.  It has swings, slides, and many forts, a very clean, large, and comfortable downtown playground and picnic area.

Follow on FB and Twitter to get the most up to date news, their mailing list also includes summer camp information!  Look for the “Buy one, get one FREE” coupon in your Entertainment book (buy 2009′s for ONLY $7.99, normally $25!!!), every school’s favorite fundraiser!

***Final note:  Is your child’s birthday coming up and you’ve already done the Chuck E. Cheese thing?  Create a magical time and bring the party to the theater!  With 3 options, your child will enjoy the play with their friends and have everything set up with the supplies you bring when the show concludes.  Pay a little extra and even get costumed cast mates to make cameos!

My favorite coupon for Chuck E. Cheese, find it here.  Best deal – $10 for 100 tokens (normally would cost $25) and a meal deal – Large Pizza, 4 Drinks, 40 Tokens for only $18.99!