Archives for February 2012

I was excited to see Windmill Gardens in Sumner offering up another kids’ gardening class.

This one has a St.Patrick’s Day theme, and it sounds really cute. Kids get to plant a shamrock and decorate their planting with a rainbow and a pot of gold. The event is on Saturday, March 17th, but I’m mentioning it now because you do need to register and pay in advance. It’s 10.00 for kids 3-12, which I think is a reasonable price for having the whole mess done somewhere besides your house! When I spoke to Lesley yesterday, there were 30 spots open. She’ll be glad to answer any other questions you have.

On to the mud….The popular Titlow Trails Mud Run is now open for registration. It’s a two mile, chip timed event on the 18th for ages 4 and up. As you can tell from the name, it features mud-and lots of it. If you like to your exercise on the extra dirty side, here’s your chance. I heard from several readers last year who thought this was great fun. It’s 15.00, and there is NO day-of, registration, so again-plan ahead.

A quick note of welcome (and thanks) to any military readers finding the site today via RangerKen’s post at Northwestmilitary.com.  I write about events for families in the South Puget Sound. I hope you’ll explore the site a bit, and come back again! On to princess news……

Thanks to Steve James and the Daffodil Festival for sending along this year’s Read With A Princess schedule. These special storytimes are free, and it’s a wonderful chance for your little ones to meet our princesses, who are great models. You’re welcome to bring your camera, too! These events were a Smash hit last year, so expect to have plenty of company!

PS Thanks to CoreyAnn for reminding me about the upcoming Princess Teas. One of these is with stand-ins for Disney favs, and one of them is with the Daffodil Princesses. Neither is free, but the Daffodil tea has sold-out in previous years, so if you’re wanting to do it, don’t wait too long. It does look like they’ve added more seatings this year, so that should help.

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love Sounds Fun Mom on Facebook, too!

I forgot to include this fun event in my weekly list, so I thought I’d give it a little highlight here!

Pack the Gym is an annual event in Sumner featuring Special Olympians in an exciting evening of basketball.All the athletes are students in the district’s high school or transition programs.

Admission is free, with canned food donations encouraged. Competition tips-off at 6:30, Wednesday the 29th in the Bonney Lake High School Gym.

Last week, over at the Facebook page, many of you shared that you’d like to read a post on kindergarten readiness. Rather than just give you my two cents, I decided to talk to some of the area’s actual experts.

Cindy Johnson is an Early Learning Specialist in the Franklin Pierce School District. Laurie Sjolund is the Early Learning Coordinator in the Sumner School District. They were both very generous with their time, and gave me lots of great tips to share with you.

First, if you’re the parent of a 4 or 5 year old who has not yet started kindergarten, be on the lookout for information about Ready! for Kindergarten classes. Most every district offers some kind of kindergarten registration event, but Ready! for Kindergarten (look for the exclamation point) is a special program developed in Kennewick and now administered by the National Children’s Reading Foundation. If you participate in the class you’ll learn fun ways to work on early learning skills with your kiddos (flashcards not required), and you’ll walk away with free toys and educational materials you get to keep. Score!

If you aren’t able to take one of these classes, you can still make sure your preschooler is ready to learn. Both Sjolund and Johnson talked about how important it is for parents to be their children’s first teachers from birth on, but this doesn’t have to mean whipping out a stack of workbooks. Nightly story reading is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your child will be successful in school.  Sjolund suggests you also enrich your child’s play time with simple questions. For example, if your kiddo is building a block tower you might ask, “What would happen if we added one more?”

You’ll also want to think about social skills. While I know I spent a lot of time fretting about letters and numbers, Johnson told me kindergarten teachers often tell her that social behaviors are even more important. Kids who enter kindergarten able to follow a routine and focus on the teacher will quickly start mastering other concepts. Sjolund agreed, adding that it’s so important that children learn to use language to communicate their needs and solve their problems.

Want some more specifics? The Ready! for Kindergarten program has a list of learning targets for each age. Johnson also shared a few specific suggestions with me. I’m guessing most of you will find that your preschoolers have already mastered these. Yours is probably going to be just fine if she

• Knows her colors
• Knows the names of the letters in the alphabet and maybe half the sounds (try starting with the sounds in her name).
• Can hear beginning and ending sounds on words
• Enjoys being read to
• Can count to 20 and in quantities to 10.
• Can recognize her name
• Can concentrate on tasks
• Can sort objects into groups
• Can use comparing words

If you’re wondering what programs are available in your district, I have links for most every South Sound school district in the menu bar under, “Kindergarten registration.” If you can’t find the scoop you need, leave a comment, and I’ll do my best to help. If you see a question you can answer, feel free to chime in!

If you have a preschooler with a spring or summer birthday, you may be wondering whether to start him or wait a year. I got both of the educators I spoke with to weigh in on this, and I’ve got some thoughts for you, too. You can look for that post tomorrow!

Here are my favorite finds for the week ahead!

The bouncy house list and the indoor playground list are all updated. You can find both, plus South Sound malls with play areas, under Rainy Day Play. For library story times, see the list below.

Story time links:

• Pierce County.
• Tacoma Public Library
• Timberland regional library (Thurston County)
• Kitsap Regional Library
• King County Library System
• Puyallup Public Library

Ongoing

Science Classes for Home Schoolers and other children resume at the Nature Center at Snake Lake

New Going Places exhibit at the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor is open to the public

Monday

New class sessions begin at Discovery Village

Tuesday

Car seat checks at Mary Bridge Link has info on other dates and locations.

Get Loose With Dr. Seuss and the Harmonica Pocket   Children’s concert celebrating the birth of Theodore Geisel aka Dr Seuss Puyallup Public Library at 11AM

Mommy and Me Crafts at the Ben Franklin in Bonney Lake Moms and preschool age (and younger) children are invited for crafts and social time. 5.00

It’s 1.00 day at the Starplex in Federal Way (tickets are just 2.00 other days). My big kid saw Tin Tin here with his pal Friday. He liked it, though my friend reported it had more bang-bang, shoot ’em up than she was prepared for.

Read with a Dog at the Puyallup Public Library  Drop in and practice your reading skills with a patient canine listener. 3:30-4:30  It’s Pepper today.

Fetch Club at the Summit Library Science Club for 3rd-5th graders based on the popular PBS series. Registration required. 4PM

Wednesday

Dinosaurs Galore! with Nancy Stewart at the Dupont Library 11 AM Songs and entertainment for young children with the popular children’s performer.

It’s Leap Day! Let’s try to think of something fabulous, shall we? O.K….

Tot Time at Learning Sprout Toys in Tacoma call or check their fb page for details

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

Juice and Jammies Wednesday at Barnes and Noble in Olympia 7PM

Thursday

Creation Station at Learning Sprout Toys in Tacoma Call or check their fb page to confirm

Critter Club for 3 and 4 year olds at the Pt.Defiance Zoo 8.00 or 10.00 (non members). Two dollars extra without preregistration. Does not include zoo admission. Special story time, crafts, and surprise animal encounter at every session. I did some of these with the boys, and they were always excellent. Also on Friday. 11AM It’s Wild Wolves Today.

Chess Club is back at the Gig Harbor Library 6-7 PM for ages K-8

Friday

Critter Club for 3 and 4 year olds at the Pt.Defiance Zoo 8.00 or 10.00 (non members). Two dollars extra without preregistration. Does not include zoo admission. Special story time, crafts, and surprise animal encounter at every session. I did some of these with the boys, and they were always excellent. Also on Friday. 11AM It’s Wild Wolves Today.

All ages gaming at the Summit Libary 3:45-5:45  Wii, x-box, crafts, and more

I’ll have more Friday fun up in your weekend list.

As always, you’re welcome to let me know anything fun I missed. If you’re new here, I hope you’ll consider subscribing to my emails, joining us on Facebook, or following me on Twitter! You can use those handy, little buttons above to do all three!

Here it is….a great big list of weekend fun for kids in Puyallup, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Olympia, Sumner, Fife, and Your area of the South Puget Sound!

If you’re headed north or south, you’ll want to check out the fantastic list over at ThriftyNWmom compiled by super bargain sleuth Sia of Centsible in Seattle. If you’re one of my Kitsap area readers, you’ll enjoy the Kitsap Macaroni Kid. You can sign up for Diane’s newsletter to get the scoop on all kinds of events around you

Ongoing

Willy Wonka at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse; Special children’s theater edition. Runs through the 26th Tickets are 12.00-17.00

Saturday

Lowes Build and Grow It’s Jimmie Johnson’s race car. Advance registration required for these popular, free programs.

Story time at Target Reading of the Lorax and free goody bags! This has been all over the frugal blogosphere, so expect company. If you’re not after the goody bag, I’d just go to the library.

Help clean up Bradley Lake Park in Puyallup 9AM-12 Join other community volunteers in cleaning up remaining storm debris.

Daffodil Days at the South Hill Mall Meet the princesses and buy a special bracelet to support the festival. Bracelets are 5.00 and give you discounts at select mall merchants.  The girls will have simple crafts and posters for your kiddos, and there will be some story reading. Look for them at tables around the mall 10-4 Saturday and 12-5.

Mothers of Multiples big used clothes and gear sale at Bates Technical College Thanks, Fun on a Dime/Lynette

Wagon storytelling and mini stagecoach rides at the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor

Water Weekends with HCC Mast at Redondo Every Saturday visit the center for free and get up close with sea critters in their touch tanks.

The Frog Prince at Auburn Avenue Theater An Auburn Avenue Kids Production Tickets are 6.00

Craft event at Michael’s Make a Scene o Rama Thanks, ThriftyNWMom

Movies at TPL It’s Kung Fu Panda 2 1 at the Main Branch; 2 at Wheelock

Paper Airplane Flight School at the Olympic Museum of Flight You can read more in my post here

Olympia School District Employees perform Seussical the Musical Family friendly show based on the works of Dr. Seuss. Ticket sales benefit school programs.

Visit the LOTT Wet science center in Olympia

Mother/Son Adventure Night at the HOCM in Olympia. 35.00 per pair/25.00 additional child. Advance Registration Required. Includes art, activities, dinner and dessert. Boys should be 3 and up.

Sunday

Daffodil Days at the South Hill Mall Meet the princesses and buy a special bracelet to support the festival. Bracelets are 5.00 and give you discounts at select mall merchants.  The girls will have simple crafts and posters for your kiddos, and there will be some story reading. Look for them at tables around the mall 10-4 Saturday and 12-5.

Lego Building Club at the main branch of the Tacoma Public Library 1:30

Olympia School District Employees perform Seussical the Musical Family friendly show based on the works of Dr. Seuss. Ticket sales benefit school programs.

Know something great I missed? Just let me know!

New here? I’d love to have you use the buttons at the top to join us on the Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or get my posts in your feed or reader. I also Love to hear about readers sharing this page with their pals and mentioning it at the places they visit, so thank you So Much for all of that!

Here’s a quick heads-up about some exciting activities for animal lovers and junior scientists.

First, the Winter Volksmarch is back at NW Trek. This event was originally slated for February, but had to be rescheduled due to storm clean up. Participants in the Volksmarch (basically walking the nature trails) get free admission into the park and half-off tram tours.

I called to check, and the half-off tram tour part,means you’ll be charged half the regular admission rate, which is 17.00 for adults, 12.00 for kids, and 9.00 for 3 and 4 year olds. So, you’re getting a little exercise, and a pretty significant savings, though it’s definitely not free. You could also just do the Volksmarch and then walk around Trek without doing the tram ride (It really is the best part, though).

The Volksmarch is scheduled for Saturday, March 3rd and Sunday March 4th. If you have a teenager with an interest in working with animals, you might want to go on the 3rd. Why? The 3rd is Trek’s annual career day, a FREE event for high school and college students. For more detail, you can use my link to find the contact number. This is an event that requires registration, and it did fill last year, so don’t wait too long.

You can just show up to do the Volksmarch, but there are some rules to follow once you get there, so be sure to read up on those.

If the zoo is more your beat, Point Defiance has a whole slate of programming for all ages. Believe it or not, their summer day camps have already opened for registration! Our boys have done several of these, and they’ve all been excellent.

After my gig as a guest columnist for the TNT was up, a few of you were nice enough to let me know you’d enjoyed reading a bit about life here at the SFM house.

Well, I took that bit of encouragement and ran with it. If you were just being polite, this might be awkward. I guess we’ll find out….

What have I done? Well, I’ve added a little tab up at the top of the page called, “Sounds Funny,” where I’ll ever so often be writing little slice of life stories. Now, I totally get that there are already about 10 bazillion moms writing funny little stories about their families around the internet, and I also understand that you come here to read about area events and outings.

So…..that’s why it’s up there at the top! If you’re not interested, you don’t have to read it. I promise it won’t hurt my feelings. I also promise I’ll continue to have the regular SFM stuff here every day. I’m not changing the site-just trying out a new thing. If it’s a bust, well-it will probably fade away like some other things I’ve tried. No biggie.

I do have at least two other posts planned for today, so check back later for those. In the meantime, feel free to check out Sounds Funny and let me know what you think! Also, please take everything in it with a grain of salt. I promise we are not (totally) neglectful parents.

There are a couple free, family events coming up in Kent that you may want to mark on your calendars now.

The first is this Friday evening.

It’s called the You, Me, We, Festival and it features entertainment by area school groups and others, bouncy houses, arts and crafts, face painting and more. It’s my favorite price-free! You can purchase hot dogs and soda for 1.00 each. It’s 6:oo-9:30 PM this Friday at the Showare Center.

The second is on March 3rd. This one is called You Are Remarkable, and it’s an event organized by Valley Medical Center as a celebration of some of their new programs for young families. This event is also at the Showare. It runs from 10AM-2PM and features bouncy houses, a climbing wall, free refreshment and all kind of kids’ entertainment, including appearances by Blitz of the Seahawks and Cool Bird of the Thunderbirds. I mention this one now, because you are asked to register, although it looks like there are thousands of spots free. I suspect they’re just hoping to get a head count. Thanks to Kim of Valley Medical for sending this on. You can head here for more information, and of course, I’ll remind you about both of these in my weekend guides.

I used to live and teach in Kent, so I’m always excited to have fun happenings there to tell you about. Thanks to CoreyAnn and Barb for sending these in! Please don’t be shy about sharing your tips, too!

I’ve got something a little different for you this morning. It’s a  King Cake, made by my cyber friend Jennifer, of Pensacola, Florida’s favorite family blog, Pensacola for Kids. I’m part of a Facebook group with other local bloggers from around the country, and Jennifer asked what everyone was going to post for Mardi Gras. Naturally, I answered with, “Huh?”

Honestly, I just don’t think Mardi Gras is a West Coast thing. What do you say? I can’t remember ever doing anything to celebrate it. I do sort of know when it ends (that would be Tomorrow), but only because I go to church on Ash Wednesday. At any rate, I took one look at this cake and knew some of you would Love making it a new tradition at your house-or maybe just filling up some vacation time.

It’s supposed to resemble the glittery crown of a king. Wikipedia has an entry on king cake if you want to know more. Now, Family Fun Magazine came out with a version in their last issue, but I have to tell you, Jennifer’s is way easier because she used a clever shortcut. You can see her whole recipe and get directions at her site.

Many times a small trinket is hidden inside of the cake, and the finder gets special privileges for the day. Jennifer didn’t do this because she was concerned about chocking hazard potential. I’ll let  you decide if you can think of a way around that. If you really want to get festive ’round the table, haul out your craft scraps and make some masks! Here are some easy Mardi Gras crafts for kids, including mask templates.

If this just all sounds like too much work, no worries! I have several fun posts on area happenings planned for later today. You might also want to scroll down to the weekly list to find some quick inspiration.