It’s that time of year when retailers are making way for aisles and aisles of freshly sharpened pencils…easily forgetting that there’s still plenty of hot summer days ahead of us (ugh.)  Now is definitely the time to stock up on summer essentials, like this too-cute Aqua Leisure water buggy.  I love that the ultra-functional shade on top actually has an aesthetic purpose, and not just a “my mom is a sun-scared loon” feel.  It’s originally $17 and now just $7.98 at Amazon- 53% off and eligible for free shipping on a $25 order!

Nothing says summer like MACHINE-WASHABLE.  And a nice, big, hands-free backpack that can lug sippy cups, sunscreen, wet wipes, band-aids and diapers around effortlessly.  And throw in a little style while you’re at it.  There, now you’ve got Vera Bradley’s “Large Backpack” with compartments galore and 19 different patterns to choose from.  I like “Bali Gold” because I feel like I’m packing to go to Key West (and not Target).  The regular price of this summer staple is $92, but for three days only it’s just $40- almost 60% off!  Free shipping on orders over $75 too!

You know ‘em, you love ‘em, and they certainly don’t need an introduction.  Plenty argue that these are the “safest” seats around, and while the jury’s still out on that one (and will always be!) you can’t argue with their stellar reviews.  Amazon has started their closeouts on a number of different Britax car seats, with some really excellent prices!  Check out the classic Roundabout 40 in Onyx for $143.99 (that’s the pic above), the Boulevard 65 in Onyx for $239.99, the Marathon 65 in Labyrinth (tan) for $199, or all the Britax here.  It’s a sweet ride!

Check out our special hidden Facebook bargain today!  It’s a doozy if you’re lookin’ for a stroller!

Oh, it’s been WAY too long!  Mama needs a new stroller!  And there’s some fancy new models out there!  I LOVE Amazon for browsing strollers and some of their reviewers are excellent.  And no tax and free shipping (and now free returns!) make for an uber-happy Mama.  What makes me even happier is their new promo code “SAVESSSS” that takes an additional 15% off most strollers- I still haven’t figured out how they decided which ones, but most of the strollers I was looking at worked with it, including some that are rarely on sale (UPPABaby, anyone??)  My vote goes to the new Wave stroller by The First Years (the one above).  It looks surprisingly chic with features you don’t usually see on a stroller under $500, like an easily reversible sitting direction (parent- or forward-facing), adjustable handle height, and a bassinet.  It’s usually $300, on sale already for $266, and with your code comes down to just $226- WOW!  I wish I had more restraint.

PS- Make sure you select the stroller sold by Amazon and not a third-party seller for this promo code to work!  It might be listed in the “more buying choices” section depending on the stroller.

PPS- If you’re in the market for a car seat too, use code “SAVECSSS” for an additional 15% off those!

It’s certainly not the most glamorous bargain, but it’s no dirty secret.  Or at least, it won’t be if you stock up!  Target.com is having a diaper “buy more, save more” sale that turns out to be a pretty good deal if you stack another coupon code with it!  Click the “see all diapers” link on this page, and find your favorite that says “buy more save more” in red in the description.  If you spend $75, you’ll get 15% off, spend $100 to get 20% off, and spend $125 to get 25% off.  For example, the 160-count box of Pampers Cruisers is normally $42- but if you buy 3 boxes, you’ll get each for $31.50 AND you can use coupon code MT9ZC7RW for another 10% off, making them about $28 a box, or 33% off- not bad for diapers!  They ship free too!

As one of the Amazon reviewers said, you won’t understand why someone would need this until YOU need it.  Like, say if your newborn refuses to sleep in the gorgeous bassinet you bought for him.  And only consents to closing his eyes if you’re nearby.  And you’ve had no more than 3 consecutive hours of sleep in the last month.  Yep, I can’t imagine what that would be like.  So this product is a great idea.  A cozy little nest that fits right between your two bed pillows.  If you think that sounds crowded, consider yourself extremely lucky.  The First Years Close and Secure Sleeper is originally $65, and now on sale at Amazon for just $33 with free shipping!

We happened to catch an episode of Sesame Street this morning, and even though I swear I’ve seen this particular sketch ten times, it was the eleventh viewing that really sunk in as being a great idea!  It’s a “my favorite things” photo book, and can be easily adapted to any age.  On Sesame Street, it was a 7 year old girl who arranged her favorite things (her dog, mom, brother, flowers, stuffed animals…) took photos of them, waited for them to be developed (yeah, it was circa 1985…), and put them in a photo album.  I think this would be a super idea for babies too- with Mama taking the pics of course!  You could put them in a super-cheap pocket album and even label the photos for some extra alphabet learning time.  And toddlers would certainly love taking the pictures with a little help!

And I have to share just one great bargain I came across today too!  Kohl’s is having a super sale on some great gear for tots, including the Fisher-Price Precious Planet booster that couldn’t be more adorable.  It’s originally $35, and now on sale for just $13.99!  You can even use promo code TWENTYMAY for another 20% off, making it just $11.19 with 99 cent shipping!  WOW!  There’s a few other bargains to be had at Kohl’s as well, check out the Laugh & Learn bouncer or the Happy Giraffe bouncer for 60% off too!

UPDATE (6/4): Grr, the booster is already sold out! Here’s the rest of the clearance section, there’s a few baby monitors in here too!

Whoopsies.  Forgot to publish Monday’s post!  We’ll say it was because of my lack of sleep after the Lost finale. (sigh!)  That makes today Read-one-bargain-get-another-free Tuesday!  First up is the V-Tech alphabet train, a truly great toy with a bunch of excellent reviews.  It’s originally $55, but now 32% off at Amazon and just $37.54 with free shipping.  It’d made a super first birthday gift!

AND a crazy Quinny stroller sale at Albee Baby- this Quinny Buzz 4 is originally $629, but now on sale for an unbelievable 52% off, just $299!  There’s plenty more colors and styles on sale, check them all out here!  Nothing like a fancy new stroller for summer!

Happy Free Fun Friday!  Today’s fun idea comes from ToddlerToddler, a super-cute resource for keeping the kiddies entertained!  And it couldn’t get any easier.  Get this: cell phone hide and seek.  I swear we play this game unofficially every day.  This time (on purpose) take turns hiding your phone, calling it (it helps to have a fun ring tone!), and honing in on it’s location.  It’s surprisingly entertaining, but at the very least will teach your tot a skill he’ll need later in life.  ;)

And I just can’t pass up passing along another bargain I stumbled upon- the Urban Toddler BundleMe, originally $60 and now $21.52- 64% off!

AND don’t forget to join us on Facebook for special Facebook-only bargains!!

Sneaking this bargain in a little late today- but better late than never!  This cute little diaper pack is actually insulated- so it can double as a bottle or snack holder too!  Originally $22 (and most of the other available colors are still!) this adorable pattern is on sale at Amazon for 70% off- just $6.59!  And it’s eligible for free super saver shipping on orders over $25, woo hoo!

It’s just a great little idea for not-s0-great little sleepers.  The TykeLight is battery-operated (lasting 100 hrs!) for super-portability and automatically shuts off after 15 minutes for earth-friendliness.  Perfect for late-night feedings, potty breaks, or monster checks!  You may have seen the TykeLight’s first appearance on our blog a few months ago, but now it’s even cheaper!  Amazon has the green and pink colors on sale for just $6.95 each (46% off!) and they’re eligible for free shipping on orders over $25.  (I think those Pipsqueaks are still on sale if you need help getting to $25!)