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Archives for May 2011

Summer Reading Programs at Your Library

May 31, 2011 by Maegen Blue

Yes! There are Tacoma and South Sound area summer reading programs for 2020, including programs at the Pierce County Library System and the Puyallup Public Library.

All programs have gone online, but still offer lots of great free and fun learning and the chance for kids to earn prizes. Summer reading is a great way to keep your kids’ minds active and their skills strong!

Here are quick links to all the area programs. Note that many libraries are in the process of opening their physical book drops and arranging curbside pick up of physical materials.

South Sound Summer Reading Program

 

Tacoma Public Library

Pierce County Library System

King County Library System

Puyallup Public Library

Kitsap County Library

Timberland Regional Library 

What are you reading this summer? If you’ve got a great recommendation, hop over to one of the social channels and let us know!

Free Preschool Jump Next Monday at the Supermall

May 31, 2011 by Maegen Blue

If your kiddos love to get their bounce on, you’ll want to register for next week’s Momtopia event at the Supermall on Monday, June 6th. These popular free events are designed just for the 6 and under set.  This month’s is a, “take over,” of Super Jump Party Zone-the bounce house in the the soft play area.

There will be two different shifts available beginning at 10:00, but you do need to register to hold your spot. To register call 253-833-9500 and press o to speak with guest services. You can join Momtopia here or by picking up a form at the kiosk in front of Nordstroms. Do note that for this event only, you’ll also need to sign a waiver and wear socks.

If this sounds like it has the potential to become a jiggly mosh pit, you might want to check my bounce house list in the menu bar and visit another time.

What Sounds Fun This Week!

May 30, 2011 by Maegen Blue

Here are my picks for South Sound weekday fun for the week of May 30th Know something great I missed? Want my help finding something else?  Let me know!

Ongoing Events

Open playtimes at area Bounce House facilities ; Playtime at area gyms;art exploration at The Children’s Museum of Tacoma . Open playtime at Discovery Village (new Spring hours)!

For my South King County readers, Westfield/Southcenter has a variety of special deals/activities every day. For some reason, they put them on this kind of hard to see calendar! Click on it-it gets bigger!

Story times at Pierce County Libraries. Every library has multiple story time events this week. Select the date you want on the calendar and find a story session at a library near you!  There are also story times at Tacoma Public Libraries. I don’t list these separately due to space issues. If you’re one of my Thurston County readers, here is the link toTimberland regional library. Use the calendar to the left to look for kids’ story times. Here is the link for my Kitsap readers (this is a large-ish pdf file-scroll down for the storytimes).

All Week

The Pt.Defiance Zoo is back on its regular schedule and open every day. New this week: The zoo’s new, “Scoop on Poop,” exhibit. You know your kids will love it!

Tuesday

The 6th avenue Farmer’s Market has opened for the season. Get your fresh on every Tuesday!

Car seat safety checks Free weekly check at Mary Bridge in Tacoma. Link has contact info. for fire stations and other sites for seat inspections.

It’s 1.00 day at the Starplex in Federal Way (tickets are just 2.00 other days). Current kid flicks include Wimpy Kid II, Gnomeo and Juliet and Yogi.  I saw the Wimpy kid one with my 8 year old. Lots of potty/underwear humor, but o.k. otherwise

Mom and baby class at Good Samaritan Two class times for moms and babies 0-12 months 3.00

Airships From Dirigibles to Blimps at the South Hill library Program from Museum of Flight staff for kids in K-5th grade. Just drop in.  3:30-5:00

Providence Parenting University This evening’s topic is toddler behavior. Free classes taught by area physicians at the Governor Hotel and childcare provided at the Hands On Museum in Olympia. You do need to register

Wednesday

Stories and Strings at the Muckleshoot Library at 11 AM  Stories, songs, and silliness for all ages

Mommy and Me Fitness Class at Elev8te Fitness in Tacoma  I haven’t been here or tried this, but reader Corey sent in a note that she takes her whole crew weekly and has a blast.

Art After School at the Steilacoom Library at 4PM  For kids ages 6 and up  Free; supplies provided

Juice and Jammies Wednesday at Barnes and Noble in Olympia 7PM Also at the Kitsap Barnes and Noble

Thursday

Get the season’s best every Thursday at the Broadway Farmer’s Market. The Olympia Farmer’s Market is also now open Thursdays-Sundays!

Free Market Play Day at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma Enjoy free admission every Thursday in June, July, and August

Luna Moms Playgroup in Puyallup Organized by Codi of Stroller Strides but open to any mom with a little one.  Want to list your group? Just give me a holler!

Read with a dog at the Puyallup Public Library 3:30-4:30  Drop in and practice your reading with a patient canine listener.

Marshall Middle School in Olympia presents Aladdin Jr. also Friday and Saturday  7PM  5.00 Kids under 4 are free

Friday

Free first Friday at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma

Free night at the Hands on Children’s Museum in Olympia

Family Fun Time at the Harbor History Museum 10:30-12  Story, play, and craft; Today’s topic is water safety Regular admission + 1.00; free for members

Read with a dog at the Puyallup Public Library 3:30-4:30  Drop in and practice your reading with a patient canine listener

As always, I’ll have lots of other events for Friday and your weekend in my big weekend list!

We also share quick ideas and tips over at the Sounds Fun Mom Facebook page . Come on over and join a growing community of fun loving South Sound families. If you’re new here, you might also consider subscribing to my feed or reader with the handy buttons in the top right.

Photo: Anissa Thompson

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars

May 30, 2011 by Maegen Blue

Need a little something to take to to a barbecue today? I found this recipe in Quick Cooking from Taste of Home about a thousand years ago. It’s basically just store bought cookie dough (or make your own), with a two-step cream cheese filling. They taste Amazing, and they look like much more trouble then they are. If you want to be festive, you could add some candies in appropriate colors to the cookie dough. There are also variations of this recipe online that add coconut to the filling. I’ve never tried that, but I’m sure it would be great.

Here’s the recipe over at the Taste of Home site.

Note: There is nothing healthy about this. If you want to be healthy, bring a salad.

Your Weekend Wrap-up: South Sound Events for May 27-30

May 27, 2011 by Maegen Blue

Here’s your weekend list! If you’re headed north or south, you’ll want to  check out the list over at ThriftyNWmom compiled by super bargain sleuth Sia of Centsible in Seattle. If you’d rather stay around the South Puget Sound, I’ve got a whole list of events right here. If you’re new to the site, I write about affordable fun for kids and families in the South Sound. I have new ideas every day, and weekend activities lists like this one, every Friday.

South Puget Sound Memorial Day Events

Memorial Day Jump! for kids at Pump it Up Tacoma I know Jump! Gig Harbor is open today; I’m not sure about other locations.

Kitsap Harbor Festival Tons of fun on the waterfront in both Port Orchard and Bremerton   Sea gull calling; food vendors and lots more. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

Special Memorial Day activities included with admission at the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia.  Military families get Free admission Monday with i.d.   For information on the Blue Star program that gives military families free admission to 50 Oregon and Washington museums all Summer, visit NW travel site,Cascadia Kids.

Last day for Norman Rockwell at the Tacoma Art Museum Enjoy hot dogs, beer, and family art making activities. I’m not sure whether you can use a library pass on this day, and I’m also not sure whether the food, drink, and activities have an extra charge. I’m working on all that for you. Free admission for military families beginning today. See above.

Free barbecue and old-time photos while supplies last at the Old Cannery in Sumner

Kids eat for .71 tonight at the Ram in celebration of the restaurants’s birthday. You must mention the offer.

South Puget Sound Memorial Day Observances

This is a selection of area Memorial Day Observances. For others, check with your city or area cemetery, or see this list at the News Tribune.

Bremerton-USS Turner Joy-see Sunday schedule at the Kitsap Harbor Festival for details

Federal Way-Catholic Cemeteries Memorial Day Service 10:30 Gethsemane Cemegtery 37600 Pacific Highway S

Lakewood-Pierce County Veterans Council service with bagpipers and the JBLM band  2PM Mountain View Memorial Park  4100 Steilacoom Blvd

Puyallup-1PM Pioneer Park Pavillion

Spanaway-10:30 AMBethany Cemetery 26418 Mountain Highway E

Sumner-10AM Sumner City Cemetery

Tacoma-Dedication of WWI memorial Mounument 11 AM Tacoma WAr Memorial Park, 6th Avenue and MacArthur St.

If you love my weekend lists, why not take a second to share it with a friend? Depending on what the weather does, I’ll either be adding some of my favorite hikes with kids, or some ideas for easy Memorial Day crafting.

As always, if you know something great I missed, I hope you’ll drop me a line! You might also consider subscribing via one of those handy buttons in the top right, or joining a growing group of fun parents and caregivers over at our Facebook page.

Photo Credit CathyK at Stock.xchng

Got Crafty Campers? Kids’ Classes at Jo-Anns and a Possible Deal

May 26, 2011 by Maegen Blue

Did you know Jo-Ann Fabrics offers Summer classes for kids? It’s true! As you might expect, the topics are things like sewing pillow cases and decorating with fabric paint. I see several that my oldest would enjoy.

Most of the classes are 30.00-45.00, and you do have to purchase your own materials, so we’re not talking the bargain of the century here, But If you go in and register on certain open house dates, you can get half off the price of the classes. The next one is June 11th. Now, if you look on their home page, it says you can get half off your class fees this weekend, but the girl I talked to didn’t know a thing about that and tried to tell me that their website is owned by some other company. Huh? Anyway, if you have a kiddo who would enjoy these classes, I’d suggest you do the following:  First,  locate the store near you and check their kids’ kamp schedule. *Then, give your store a call to see if you can get the half-off registration this weekend. If you can’t, mark your calendar to score it on the 11th. That isn’t too complicated, is it?

If you’ve got a favorite craft you’d like to share with my readers, or a tip on a summer activity that keeps your gang busy, just drop me a line!

*Yes, I know that isn’t how to spell camp. I don’t know why people do that either.

Anyone else?

May 26, 2011 by Maegen Blue

This is on sale for 20.00 from Zulily today. I’m just sharing it because it made me laugh out loud. They have loads of other cute ones if you feel like redecorating, but seriously, I just wanted to make you smile. Do mothers of girls say this as much as mothers of boys?

Free Krispy Kremes June 3rd

May 26, 2011 by Maegen Blue

Mark your calendars for Friday, June 3rd.

It’s Free donut day at Krispy Kreme. Just stop on in and get one free donut per customer. You can pick your favorite!  The info is a bit tricky to locate on their site, but I did find it under press releases. I know my store did this last year, but it’s never a bad idea to call and check with yours before you head out. I’ll remind you.   Thanks, Slickdeals.

By the way, while there are very good reasons not to stuff your kids full of donuts, I do have to say that Krispy Kreme is great about working with you if you need to do a fundraiser or just want a different playdate. They’ll give a little talk and free hats to just about any group. Plus, it’s fun to watch them the donuts getting cooked through the window. Just try to keep your tongue off the glass-that’s just tacky.

Photo: stock.xchng

It’s a Party in a Bag! No, really…..Game Bag Rental From Pierce County Parks and Rec

May 24, 2011 by Maegen Blue

Are you in charge of organizing a picnic or party this year? Want some entertainment besides guessing when the burgers are going to be done?

Try renting a game bag from Pierce County Parks and Recreation. Bag rental is just 15.00, and comes with everything you need! You can choose from volleyball, piffleball,  kick ball, a picnic bag with a tug of war rope, flying discs, and  potato sacks, or-my personal favorite-the big parachute!

You don’t even have to be a resident of Pierce County. You just have to fill out the form and call the office. Now, just hope for sunshine and have everyone bring a dish to share, and you’ve just pulled of the best party ever! You will have to leave a 50.00 deposit when you check out the bag, but it’s fully refundable once you return all the equipment.

The bags are popular during the Summer months, so reserve one as soon as you know your date.

Photo credit: KevinKLuu at stock.xchng

When the Going Gets Tough….

May 24, 2011 by Maegen Blue

I had a whole outing planned today, but quite frankly, my senior assistant just wasn’t feeling it.

As you can see, he wanted to build a pillow fort. So, while I thought about dragging him out and pretending to you that it’s nonstop, on the go fun here at the SFM house, I decided to just let him build the fort.

We like the pillow method, which involves shoving some piece of furniture close enough to your wall that you can make a roof with your couch cushions or pillows. You can also try the blanket over the table method, or the blankets across chairs technique. The key here is having something to keep the blankets temporarily together. Ready for the secret? Chip clips. You know-those big ‘ol thingies you use to close the chip bag. I read this somewhere, so don’t credit me, but it’s genius-if you can call a blanket fort building tip genius. I think I just did.

Once you’re done, forts are the ideal place for reading books by flashlight, and you’ll want to bring some blankets and stuffed pals, if you’ve got them.

I promise to be back with a, “real,” post later, but first, I’m off to traffic court. Yep, I wish I could go in the pillow fort instead. Some days are like that.

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