Archives for February 2013

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to compile a list of area mom’s groups, parenting groups, and playgroups. I know these can be such an important way to get out and meet people, especially when you’re new to the area, or new to parenting! But, the idea of doing a whole list had me feeling a little, well, pooped.

Finally, one of my genius blogging pals suggested I let you all do the work. Hey, why didn’t I think of that?

So, here’s the deal: If you’re part of a great group open to new members, I want to know about it!

Just go here and answer some quick questions. Do make sure that you’re allowed to do this-If your group has somebody in charge of publicity, or rules about inviting new folks, check first!

I’m just going to cut and paste all your info. into one handy pull down list.

Thanks in advance for your help with this, and for passing this along! I think this guide will be a great addition to Sounds Fun Mom! I hope you do, too!

Speaking of fun groups for moms, don’t forget about the big sale coming up from the Tacoma Area Mothers of Multiples. Woot!

 

Congratulations to our winners-Lory and Marybell, whose comments were selected by the random number generator!

 Many thanks to everyone who entered. If you didn’t win, the show runs through the end of this month, and  there are still tickets available. I’ve heard from readers who have already gone that it’s adorable!

I do have more great giveaways coming soon, and your interest in these contests really does help me bring them to you, so thanks!

Marybell and Lory, I’ve sent you each an email. I do need to hear back from you within 24 hrs.

If someone at your house loves tea parties and dress-up, have I got the show for you. It’s the world premiere of Tea For Ruby from our friends at Evergreen City Ballet. Adapted from the book by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, with illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser of Fancy Nancy fame, this ballet is totally kid friendly and cuter than a crumpet.  Costumed dancers come in the lobby after each performance, so don’t forget your camera! There are shows in Bellevue (Robin Preiss Glasser will be signing books at these performances),  Renton, and Auburn, beginning March 2nd and running through the 30th. Here’s a bit more about the show from our ECB friends.

Before there was Fancy Nancy, there was Ruby!

Ruby gets a princess-worthy lesson on manners in this charming world-premiere ballet adapted from the picture book from #1 New York Times best-selling, Fancy Nancy illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser and author Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York.

Ruby does her best to have good manners – yet no matter her efforts, she just can’t seem to succeed.  But when Ruby receives a mysterious surprise invitation to tea with the Queen, she is especially determined to polish her poise.  Will she ever manage to be proper in time for tea at the palace?

You can get more information and print at home tickets for the show of your choice right here.

But, wait….I mentioned a giveaway!

Hold on to the china, because I’ve got TWO sets of FOUR tickets to Tea For Ruby in Auburn, Saturday March 30th at 1:30 or 5PM (the winners even get to pick their show time)!

Here’s how to enter:  UPDATE: Contest has ended. Please don’t enter, but do check back for future great giveaways!

• For a first required entry, visit the Evergreen City Ballet page or their Facebook page. Come back here and leave a comment letting us know what you saw that looked exciting for your family. Remember: Facebook likes or comments don’t count as entries. Only comments left here, on this post, will count.
• For a second, optional entry, subscribe to my emails, and leave a comment letting me know you did so. If you already get them, you can just tell me that! Note: You will get an email after you sign up, asking you to confirm that you want ’em. You won’t be a subscriber until you take this additional step. My emails are one digest of the day’s posts. I don’t use your email for any other purpose.

We’re going to draw the winner March 11th, so you have plenty of time to tell your friends, but don’t put off entering. I just know this is going to be a darling show! Get commenting and Good Luck!

Disclosure: Evergreen City Ballet donated the tickets for this giveaway. I was not compensated otherwise, and the opinions are my own. Facebook is not associated, nor responsible for, this contest. You knew that, right?

Need kids’ activities in Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, or your neck of the woods?

Affordable fun for your South Sound family, or just a dry place to play?

You’ve come to the right place! Here’s my list of fun and affordable things to do with the kids in and around the South Sound this week!

Ongoing: Story time is back at  all area libraries! Every day this week, there are multiple events for all ages. Here is the link for Pierce County (change the date in the calendar on the left). Here is the link for the Tacoma Public Library (change the date in the calendar on the left). If you’re one of my Thurston County readers, here is the link to Timberland regional library. Use the calendar to the left to look for kids’ story times. Here is the link for my Kitsap readers, and here is the link to the King County Library System (You can search by individual library).

Indoor Play Options See My Lists of

•  bounce house places,
• indoor playgrounds
•  malls with soft play sections
• Don’t forget right now, you can get half-off at Odyssey One!

Other Weekday Events and Fun

Monday

Food for Fines continues at Tacoma Public Libraries. Pay down your fines with canned food donations.

Tuesday

Indoor Toddler Play Park in Fife  Special Valentine’s Treat today See this my indoor playground list for more options.

Block Play at the Fife Library at 10AM  Also at Sumner at 4  Free, drop in programs for kiddos 3-7 promote important pre literacy skills

Weekly Car Seat Inspections at Mary Bridge  Link has info. on other dates/times

It’s 1.00 day at the Starplex in Federal Way! Tickets are just 2.00 other days. Small upcharge for 3D Choices include Wreck it Ralph and Hotel Transylvania

Happy Birthday, Amelia Bedelia at the South Hill Library 3-5 PM  Free, no registration required. Crafts and activities celebrate the beloved, wacky Amelia Bedelia

Read to a Dog at the Summit  Library at  4PM Kids can practice their reading skills with a patient, canine listener

Creatures of the Deep  Local diver and photographer presents a free slide show at the LOTT Wet Science Center in Olympia 7PM  You’re asked to register

Wednesday

Tot Time at Learning Sprout Toys in Tacoma  Always a good idea to confirm first

Discounted Admission continues at Fort Nisqually Last two days for this

Musical Story Time at the Olympia Library  Call to check on space availability 10:30  Special event for babies through 3 year olds with Olympia Family Theater

It’s Free Day at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn(Admission is just 2.00/1.00 other days). Small, but kid friendly

Lego Madness at the South Hill Library 2-4pm Or Hit Lego Builders’ Club at the Lakewood Library from 1-3  free, drop in events. Parents are asked to assist very young children

Thursday

Indoor Toddler Play Park in Fife  See this my indoor playground list for more options.

Free Day at the Point Defiance Zoo for Tacoma City Rsidents Proof of residence and photo i.d. required. Thanks, Kayla, for the reiminder!

Lego Madness at the Orting Library

Read with a Dog at the Puyallup Public Library 3:30

Chess Club at the Gig Harbor Library 6PM

Late Play Date at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn 6-8PM FREE  Evening of activities and crafts perfect for kids 3-12

Friday

Free Friday Night at the Hands-on Children’s Museum 

Espresso Drama Youth Theater and the Orting Opportunity Center, present: Law and Order: Nursery Rhymes Unit at the UMC stage. A humorous, children’s production 7PM

As always, I’ll have plenty more fun coming your way in your weekend list!

I also have another Very special giveaway coming, so do check back for that.

New here? I’m so glad you found Sounds Fun Mom!  You might consider subscribing to my emails, joining us on Facebook, or following me on Twitter!  You’re also always welcome to drop me a line if you know something great I missed, or just want to give me a tip.

Looking for something to do today? How about bagging a bargain on some books, taking a short nature hike, or seeing a performance from the Ugandan Children’s Choir?

Here’s all the scoop:

South Sound Sunday Fun

Bonney Lake Library Used Book Sale ends today Bag Sale all day! 2.00 per bag of books!

Family Walk at Adrianna Hess Park in University Place  Free monthly walk with Audubon volunteers 4PM

 Ugandan Orphans Choir performs at Olympia area churches  See link for times and locations

Know something great I missed? Just let me know!  And, don’t leave before you see who won the tickets to Yo! Gabba Gabba! Live! at the Paramount

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 emails!  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!

I’ll have more ideas up for the rest of your week later today!

Looking for family fun in Tacoma, Puyallup,  Gig Harbor, Olympia, or another South Sound spot? Need something frugal and fun for the kids Today?   You’ve come to the right place for a whole list of affordable South Sound fun for kids and families this weekend.

If you’re one of my weekend only readers (You’re missing some good stuff!), do take a minute to enter to win tickets to Yo! Gabba Gabbba! Live! at the Paramount!

If you’re headed north or south, you’ll want to check out the fantastic list over at ThriftyNWmom compiled by the newest member of their frugal finding team, Annaliese of Grays Harbor Deals!  I don’t see this up yet, but I’m sure she’s rounding up some good stuff for you.

Indoor Play Options See My Lists of

•  bounce house places,
• indoor playgrounds
•  malls with soft play sections

Ongoing

Where to Play in the Snow  Note: Snow is forecast for the passes. Check road conditions before you head out, and be prepared.

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse; Special performances for ages 4 and up based on the beloved book. Runs through the 24th Tickets are 12.00-17.00; ask about group performances

Discounted admission to Fort Nisqually continues through February

There are still a few remaining father/daughter Valentines events in the area. If If you’re interested in a  daddy/daughter dance, check my list. Many of these are sold out already, but you may have luck in a neighboring town.

Saturday

All Over

Kids’ Club at Michaels  2.00 per child  kids craft while you shop. Looks like a heart bookmark? Sessions on the half hour from 10-11:30AM

Lowes Build and Grow It’s the Monster Truck, Gravedigger!  Advance registration required for these popular, free programs. Note from SFM: All the locations near me are full, but check yours. I do see very limited spots at some locations for the next event  on March 9th. I’m going to start giving you a heads up on these as soon as the registration opens. They’ve just gotten soooooo popular!

South King County

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 Big Kid From Canada  International children’s performer appears at the Library Connection at Southcenter

If you’re headed up to Seattle, you might be interested in reading about free kids’ admission to the Pacific Science Center

Tacoma/Greater Pierce County

Party Expo at Ben Franklin Crafts in Bonney Lake   Free bounce house fun for the kids, and photo ops with the Point Defiance Pirates! 10AM-5PM Bouncer on site 11-4; pirates 12-4

Bonney Lake Library Used Book Sale continues today

Free Nature walk at McKinley Park 10AM Tacoma Nature Staff leads free, family walks. Free, but space is limited, so sign up is required. Not suitable for kiddos under 3 or strollers

Family Story Time at the Wheelock Library    10:30   Don’t forget to bring canned food donations if you have some fines to pay down.

Lego My Library at the Puyallup Public Library 11AM Hear a story; build with Legos. We’ve done this; it’s basically Legos at the library instead of your house. Didn’t seem like much to me, but Henry LOVED it.

Read With a Dog at the Puyallup Public Library 2PM  Drop in and spend a few minutes practicing your reading with a patient, canine listener. Dogs are all trained therapy animals.

90 Second Newberry Film Festival at the Main Branch of the TPL  Don’t forget to bring canned food donations if you have fines to pay down!

Pier Peer at the Foss Waterway Seaport  A special chance to see sea critters drawn to the dock lights at night. For kids 8 and up. Registration and fees

Lacey/Olympia

Last Weekend for  dental health month at the Hands-on Children’s Museum in Olympia.  Bring your child in for a free screening with a dentist and receive free admission. Notes from SFM: If you haven’t already read it, be sure to check out our reader review of the new museum for some great tips!

Visit the LOTT Wet science center in Olympia It’s watery story telling today.  12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

Eat Pie for the Food Bank!  Oly Baker’s Guild presents Pie Fest 2013  Slices are 3.00 OR 3 cans of food. Donations to the Thurston County Food Bank

Paper Airplane Flight School at the Olympic Museum of Flight 1-3PM 7.00 for participants/5.00 observers  cost includes materials, construction and a light snack

Olympia School District Players Production: Is There Life After High School?   Performers are school district employees. Musical is a humorous look at high school with Barry Manilow songs. Proceeds benefit the foundation.  Performances at 2 and 7; should be appropriate for all ages, but probably not of interest for young children; I’ll let you decide.

Gig Harbor

Got a dinosaur digger or fossil fan at your house? Check out the new exhibit at the Harbor History Museum

Curious by Nature School invites the public to join them on monthly nature walks at Adam Tallman Park. Call 24 hrs. in advance to let them know you’re coming.

Author event at the Kitsap Mall Barnes and Noble with Elsa Watson, author of Love Dog  2pM

Kitsap area readers will enjoy the newsletter from the Macaroni Kid Kitsap

Sunday

Bonney Lake Library Used Book Sale ends today Bag Sale all day! 2.00 per bag of books!

Family Walk at Adrianna Hess Park in University Place  Free monthly walk with Audubon volunteers 4PM

 Ugandan Orphans Choir performs at Olympia area churches  See link for times and locations

Know something great I missed? Just let me know!  And, don’t leave before you enter to win tickets to Yo! Gabba Gabbba! Live! at the Paramount!

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 emails!  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 another bit of fun out of my usual territory, but definitely worth knowing about.

Why? Well, because Science Center deals are just so hard to come by! In fact, we actually ended up using some of the Christmas money from the grandparents to buy a membership. We’ll probably only make it a few times, but it should still pay for itself, and it saved us quite a bit when Tut was in town.

If you’d rather just go for FREE, you can head there this weekend. It’s a Pajama Party with Sleep Country USA. Wear your pajamas and bring some to donate, and the kids get in free (one free kiddo per donated pair of jammies).

You can read all the details here.

Or, donate jammies at Sleep Country stores through February and get a voucher for bogo admission.

Either deal is a great savings off the regular rate, and the Science Center is really so much fun.   Thanks to our friends at ParentMap for the scoop on this offer. If you like, “Big City,” fun, their weekly newsletter is fantastic.

Now, I do think it’s likely to be super crowded, but hey-sometimes it’s worth having, “Company,” to do something memorable.

On the other hand, I do also have tons of free and affordable South Sound fun coming in my list tomorrow, so if you’d rather stick around here, don’t sweat it!

There are also occasional free Mondays at the Science Center. You can read about those from the bargain finders at ThriftyNorthwestMom.

Wowza! If you’re not part of the Gabba Gang, I apologize, because you’re probably tired of these posts!

But I wanted those of you with superfans to to know that there is yet another option for saving on tickets to the March 1st or 2nd Yo! Gabba Gabba! Live! Show at the Paramount in Seattle.

 

The new one is for Discounted Tickets to Yo! Gabba! Gabba! Live! through Living Social They start at 13.00 and go up to 39.00, depending on the day and level.

But, Wait…..it gets better! Living Social is also currently offering an additional discount on all their deals under 100.00 this month. Just put MYFEB in the box where it says, “Redeem Promo Code,” and save 20% off the cost of the voucher. Note that it will say that the code has been applied, but you won’t see the discount until checkout.

Now, do be sure to choose the date and show time you want. You can only use your voucher for that specific show, and the cost varies considerably depending on what seats you want.

The other option is to buy your tickets through  discounter Goldstar, where you can get them for almost half-offl 

Goldstar does tack on some fees, so my best suggestion is to look at both Living Social and Goldstar  after you decide what seats you want. If you already scored some through Goldstar, I think you still got a great deal.

If your kiddos are just too old for this one (though my 40-something, “Kid,” is the superfan at our house!), don’t worry. I’ll keep bringing you plenty of South Sound fun for all ages.

It’s toothy Thursday, and today, Dr.Sakai of Just for Kids Dentistry, answers a reader question. If you’ve got one, send it in, or contact his friendly team for a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Are the stains on my child’s teeth cavities????

Stains on your child’s teeth can be caused by many different factors. Yes, they can be cavities.

Having a dental exam will allow us to inspect the stained surfaces and determine whether or not your child’s  teeth need to be treated. After the possibility of a cavity has been ruled out, we can then search for other causes of the staining problem, which can range from Trauma, Food/Drinks, Poor Hygiene, to Medicine. It’s also possible for the staining to be normal and not a cause for concern, but we won’t know without having a look.

Call our office at 253.200.2500 for an appointment and allow us to diagnose the possible cause of the stain or discoloration, to treat it, and to discuss with you ways of preventing similar problems in the future.

Don’t forget that Dr.Sakai and his team have special training in working with children, including first time patients and kiddos with special needs.

Their office also hosts field trips, if you have a group doing special activities for Children’s Dental Health Month. To schedule one, or to make an appointment with Dr.Sakai for your child, just head here.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Dr.Sakai and Just for Kids Dentistry are Awesome sponsors. If you’re in the process of choosing a dental provider, I hope you’ll consider checking out their office and thanking them for their support of Sounds Fun Mom!

Get out your calendars, bargain hunters!

It’s almost time for the consignment sale from the Tacoma Mothers of Multiples. This is always a fun one to shop, with lots of gently used gear and duds. I personally bought a stack of Carter’s jammies at this sale when my oldest was a baby, and they lasted through my two boys and their two cousins! All the details are below. Yes, I’ll remind you, but I thought it was one you might want to share with some pals ahead of time and plan on.

 

The MEGA MULTIPLES KIDS CONSIGNMENT SALE!
Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
At
Bates Technical College
Home and Family Life Building
2201 South 78th Street, Building E Auditorium
Tacoma, WA 98409

Where you can find gently used…
* Clothes (preemie to kids 7)
* Toys
* Books
* Strollers
* Car seats
* Swings
* Cribs
* Infant carriers
* Maternity and nursing items
* And SO MUCH MORE!!!

We accept cash or debit/credit cards! No holds. Please bring a laundry basket to help you shop!

Can’t wait to see you there!!!

Thanks to Jamie for sending this in. Photo Credit   Triplets not for sale.

UPDATE: The Contest is Now Over. The Random Number Generator Selected  a Comment Left by Flyingbird as our winner.

Congratulations-and remember to check your email! I do need to hear back from you asap.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered. Your interest helps me bring you more great giveaways.

If you’d still like to go, there are also still discounted tickets to Yo! Gabba Gabba! Live through Goldstar or Living Social.

If you’re just looking for something to do today, the weekend list has several Sunday options.

 

Ready to Get Your Sillies Out?

The  YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE! GET THE SILLIES OUT! Tour is coming to Seattle March 1st and 2nd, and I’ve got 4 tickets to the 6PM show on March 1st for one lucky reader!!

 The sillies are crazy little creatures that live inside of us and need to be shaken out! DJ Lance Rock and everyone’s favorite cast of colorful characters are calling all fans to get ready to jump, shake and shimmy them out at the new live tour Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out!.

Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! will have four performances at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle: Friday, March 1st at 3:00pm and 6:00pm and also Saturday, March 2nd at 2:00pm and 5:00pm. CLICK HERE for ticket information for the shows. Tickets start at $21.25. VIP Party packages are available as well, which include a ticket in the first 15 Rows, a pass to “Get the Sillies Out” in the private VIP room featuring a super fun party with the Gabba Gang (costumed characters) and more. Children under 1 year old do not require a paid ticket to sit on a parent’s lap.For a complete list of tour dates, cities and show times, and a preview of the show, visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com    SFM Reminder: See my Deal Page for discount tickets through reseller Goldstar.
Btw, I know some of you already snagged some. I’d go ahead and enter the contest any way. You can always take some friends. How fun would that be??

Ready to enter? Of course you are!

First, make sure you can attend the 6PM performance on March 1st. The contest is only for that show, and you won’t be able to know where your seats are until you arrive.

Also, please note that I will need to hear from the winner within 24 hours of the prize drawing. You may want to Like Sounds Fun Mom on Facebook or subscribe to my emails, so you don’t miss the announcement.

• For a first, required entry leave a comment on this post, telling  us your favorite Yo Gabba Gabba character or song.
• For a second, optional entry, subscribe to my emails and leave a comment letting me know you did. Already get ’em? Just tell me that!  Note: Once you subscribe, you’ll get an email asking you to confirm you want them. You won’t be a subscriber until you take this additional step. My emails are one, daily digest of the day’s posts.  I don’t use your email for any other purpose.  I’ll be choosing our winner Sunday, the 24th, bright and early, so you have time to tell your friends, but don’t put it off. And, be sure to check back for the announcement!

PS Last thing-Sometimes this site acts up if it gets a lot of comments at once. If this happens, just refresh the page or come back later and try again. Also, if it seems to work, but you don’t see your comment, it’s probably because I’ve stepped away and haven’t had time to approve it.  I promise I will! Thanks, and GOOD LUCK!

Disclosure: Our friends with the Gabba Gang supplied the tickets for this contest and provided most of the text for the post. Any opinions are my own, and I was not compensated. The Goldstar link is my affiliate, and your use of it supports the site. Thanks!