Archives for August 2013

The sun is coming back, and I’ve got a great big list of ideas for your South Sound family-fun in Tacoma; runs in Gig Harbor; tugs in Olympia, and plenty of other ideas all over!

Headed elsewhere? For Seattle or Portland area fun 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!

Saturday

All Over

Cra-z-Loom Bracelet making event at Toys R Us  Free bracelet make and take event  Every Saturday August 24th-October 26th 10AM-12   Always a good idea to call your local store to confirm. There is a good chance your kiddos will want to buy this bracelet making thing-which looks pretty cool!

Farmer’s Markets are open everywhere!  Find one here

Every area sprayground, pool, and wading pool, is open, but the outdoor pools will be closing in just a couple of weeks. You might want to go soon! . Click on the graphic in the sidebar to your right for all of those!

South King County

Play with our sponsors at Trampoline Nation!

 Story Time at Southcenter Barnes and Noble  11AM  Every Saturday- perfect for 3-7 year olds

Touch tanks at HCC Mast at Redondo  Free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2  Kids can touch a variety of sea critters

Tacoma/Greater Pierce

The spraygrounds are On in Tacoma! Free, open 10AM-8PM

 Love/Talk/Play Party at the Bonney Lake Library 10AM special, free concert for children 0-4 and a caregiver with the beloved children’s entertainer. Special play time follows

Tent sale time at The Old Cannery   Free hot dogs and pop and furniture deals. If you buy a couch this is no longer a frugal activity. You knew that, right?

Tiffany’s Skate Inn in Puyallup is offering free skating for military and immediate families with id all weekend. Small charge for rentals

Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually   Artisans demonstrate different crafts from the 1800s each week. Included with fort admission.

Visit a Farmer’s Market!  Check here for one near you!

Stadium Faire  Craft market in the Stadium District; variety of handmade goods; children’s booth

 Love/Talk/Play Party at the Steilacoom  Library 1 PM special, free concert for children 0-4 and a caregiver with the beloved children’s entertainer. Special play time follows

Visit our sponsors at City Goat Farm and Zoo!  You can now ride a zebra or a camel!! plus loads of other cuteness!   More details in my post here

Campout at Owens Beach at Point Defiance  Metro Parks has opened up the beach to camping! Not cheap, but might be worth it if you’ve been promising to camp this summer. Snacks, activities, breakfast (and bathrooms!) included!  The registration deadline has passed, but I’m guessing you can still get a spot if you call.

Get Out of the Rut weekend at Northwest Trek   variety of special, themed activities and trailside encounters included with admission. Admission to Trek is pricey. If you’d go more than once this year, you may want to invest in a membership. You might be able to use kids get in free coupons you earned from the summer library reading program, but I’m not 100% sure on this. Also Sunday and Monday.

Roy Pioneer Rodeo  Also Sunday  variety of roping/riding events 10.00 adults/4.00 kids; cash only

Lacey/Olympia/

 Harbor Days in Olympia  entertainment, food, and lots of working and vintage tug boats to check out.  Also Sunday

Saturday storytime at the Olympia Barnes and Noble  1PM  Every Saturday

Gig Harbor/Kitsap

Recess Monkey Concert at the Gig Harbor Library Woot! Rock out with the popular kindie rock group at 10:30-crafts following!

Over the Narrows Run 30.00 charity fun run over the Narrows Bridge! 10K, 5K, and kids’ dash options.

The farmer’s market at Uptown is open! From 9-10 every Saturday there is free entertainment for kids-lessons, sing alongs, and more!

Maybe get some Menchies and then ride the trolley down to the waterfront…..just because!

Leapfrog Dinosaur Event at the Kitsap Barnes and Noble   11AM Reading, writing, and dinosaurs with the Leapster. There may be extra pressure to purchase at this one.

Play with our sponsors at Jump! Gig Harbor  

Up for a little drive? It’s Blackberry Festival time in Bremerton!

Kitsap area readers may also like to get the free newsletter from Macaroni Kid Kitsap

Sunday

 Harbor Days in Olympia  entertainment, food, and lots of working and vintage tug boats to check out

Taste of Port Orchard

Visit our sponsors at City Goat Farm and Zoo! They’ve got a zebra now, plus loads of other cuteness!

Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually   Artisans demonstrate different crafts from the 1800s each week. Included with fort admission.

Family Day at Emerald Downs  Sundays, beginning at 1PM  pony rides, face painting  free with admission; weather dependent

Get Out of the Rut weekend at Northwest Trek   variety of special, themed activities and trailside encounters included with admission. Admission to Trek is pricey. If you’d go more than once this year, you may want to invest in a membership. You might be able to use kids get in free coupons you earned from the summer library reading program, but I’m not 100% sure on this. Also  Monday.

Roy Pioneer Rodeo    variety of roping/riding events 10.00 adults/4.00 kids; cash only

 Monday/Labor Day!

Not going anywhere? Hey, me neither! I’m planning a special post with another day trip idea and a round up of the others we’ve done this year. If there is anything left on your summer bucket list, you should probably get to it! There is lots to explore in the menu bar and the archives, if you need inspiration. Give me a holler if I can help!

Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your family friendly business?  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 subscribe to my emails so you don’t miss a thing!

There is nothing like waking to rain to make me want to curl up with a good read. Gail Storey’s I Promise Not To Suffer is a perfect armchair adventure if you find yourself dreaming of escape.

The full title of the book is I Promise Not to Suffer: A Fool for Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail, and it’s in the name of love that Gail agrees to go on this hike- a 2,663 mile hike to be specific-with her husband, Porter, after his dramatic resignation from his job as a hospice doctor.

The book is a quick read, and I was hooked from the first pages where Gail and Porter are in a life and death struggle with the elements almost from the minute their journey begins.

If you’ve done any hiking at nearby Mt.Rainier, you may have seen signs for the Pacific Crest Trail. A segment of it goes through the park, and I’ve often wondered what it would be like to hike, and what kind of people make such a crazy, months long trip. Gail’s book vividly describes the trail-a grueling trek that goes through some of the most imposing peaks and deserts in North America-as well as the cast of characters who attempt to hike it.

The book is a memoir, and as you’d probably guess, the author has a lot of time to think while she’s hiking 20 miles a day! The best parts of the book were her descriptions of the trail itself. When she veered into musings about her past, it was less interesting for me. There were also a few bits about trail life with her hubby that were just plain TMI for prudish me! But I still kept reading. It’s impossible not to root for Gail and Porter, and I wanted to know if they would make it to the end of the trail, and if they would still be in love when they got there!

I think anyone who likes a good adventure will enjoy this book, but fans of memoirs, outdoor writing, and taking big, crazy leaps for love will enjoy it the most. It’s also meaty enough to give your book club plenty to debate.   You can find it on Amazon, or you can win it here! I have one copy to give away to a lucky reader. If you’d like it, just leave a comment. Tell us what interests you about the book, or tell me your favorite outdoor adventure, or the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love! Good Luck! I’ll choose a winner randomly from the comments left.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

They’ve called, “Rain Day,” for the morning sessions at Kandle and Stewart Heights, which means you can go for half-off! Woot!

Sounds crazy? Hey, I promise the water is still warm, and these cool pools will only be open until September 2nd!

You can read more in my original post here.

Did you already score the  Awesome deal to the Hands-on Children’s Museum in Olympia.?

If you didn’t-procrastination pays, because it’s back! Living Social is again  offering a pass for a family of 5 to this super fun spot, for just 25.00.

And, they’ve launched another new code, too! Use MELT20 after you click on, “Redeem program code,” and get this great deal for just 20.00!

Even without the extra off, and even if you’re only a family of 3, or 4, this still works out to be an awesome savings over the regular admission price. You can go free on first Friday nights, or with a pass from the Timberland Library (there is typically a pretty long wait), but this deal gives you lots of flexibility, and you have quite a while to use it. I already picked it up myself.

If you’d like to score it too, Just head right here to Living Social!

If you’ve already picked it up, you might just want to head to Living Social and see what else you can find! I see deals on canvas prints, pizza places, and more fun!

I personally bought two boxes of Tiny’s organic produce. With the code, I was able to score them for 25.00 for both. I know I can’t score two big boxes of organics at the grocery store that cheaply, so I’m pretty excited about it. If you cruise around the Living Social home page and see any other great deals with the extra 20% off, leave a comment here or at the fb page, and let us know!

A quick heads-up from our friends at Pierce County Parks and Recreation. They’ve got extra seats to the 1:30 Rainiers game on Sunday, September 1st.

If you’re not going out of town for the Labor Day weekend, and you don’t mind an afternoon game, it’s a heck of a deal!

Just 7.00 gets you a ticket, hotdog, chips, and a drink! You will have to pay 5.00 for parking.

To get in on this offer, head to the Pierce County Rec site. If this event doesn’t come up right away, scroll down to the, “Register,” button and then find the class. It’s under Companionship-Tacoma Rainiers.

It does say they can’t guarantee your seats will be together, but they’ll try their best. I’m thinking if you got them now you should be fine, as there are 44 left.

You’ll pick them up before the game at will call.

You can also call 253-798-4177 to register.  My husband took our boys earlier this summer for their Scout night, and they all had a great time. The Rainiers always seem to go out of their way to make sure kids have fun.

Registration is now open for the September workshop at Lowes.  These popular, free workshops for the kids do fill fast, and with summer ending, they’re back to just one session on Saturdays.

It’s September 14th, and the project is a way cute fire truck.  I’d go ahead and sign up now and make a note on your calendar.  Thanks, ThriftyandThriving for the reminder.

 

You can also sign up for the next Home Depot workshop  It’s September 7th, and it’s a football themed ring toss game.

I know lots of you are wondering about future workshops at McClendon’s. I’ve reached out to them, and I’m hoping to hear back soon. I’ll let you know as soon as I do!

Did your junior builders do any workshops this year? I’d love to hear about your favorites!

It’s Great Wolf Lodge 48 Hour Sale time.

This is the cheapest you can score a Great Wolf room ( some deal sites offered specials last year that were even better for bigger suites and families. I don’t have any way of knowing whether they’ll run those again, but I’ll be on the lookout for you).

Do note that readers have reported getting an even better deal with the code HEROES that is for members of the military, law enforcement, and first responders. If you qualify for that discount, be sure to check. Yes, you will be asked for id at check in.

You’ll find rates as low as 140.00, which is a good price for this spot. If you’ve been before, you should have gotten an email that you can click through to make a reservation, or you can go to the Great Wolf Lodge site.

Returning guests can use code R48HOUR and newbies can use 48HOUR. Once you plug in a date, you can then use the rate calendar to search for other options. Usually they have this deal on the home page, but weirdly it doesn’t seem to be there right now. You have until 9PM Wednesday to book your room.

If you’ve never done Great Wolf before, you’ll want to read this post with tips and links. If it’s out of the budget even with the sale prices (I Totally get that), you can always hit the pool at the Federal Way Community Center for water park style fun at an eensy, beensy fraction of the price- or this time of year, you have a few more weeks to hit many of the area’s awesome outdoor pools. Try the slides at the Henry Moses Aquatic Center in Renton, or the wave pool at Kandle Park in Tacoma! I have all of those fun, splashy spots right here!

What else is going on this week? Library programs have wound down for the summer, but you can still hit a Free kids’ concert in Bonney Lake or Auburn, get in some free bowling or roller skating, or go to a free kids’ summer lunch program. Here at the site, I’ll have more day trip ideas for you and a blackberry picking post with the SFM grandma’s favorite cobbler recipe! You won’t want to miss it. For more ideas, be sure to check the calendar or explore the menu bar!

Many fun events continue around the South Sound today!

In Tacoma, it’s the second big day of the Maritime Fest. You *might* be able to get a free boat ride!

It’s Salmon Bake time in Dupont, a free entry day at Mt.Rainier (See this post for my tips and some favorite hikes), And it’s the last big day of

Sand in the City-Olympia’s don’t-miss sand play celebration! Read on for more detail on all of those. Have a great day!

Lowes Build and Grow  Kids can build a plane from the Planes movie. Advance registration required for these popular, free programs. I see just a couple spots in some stores

Free Day at National Parks. Might be a good day for that hike at Mt.Rainier!  Just expect lots of company!

Hudson Bay Day and Salmon Bake in Dupont  12-4  costumed actor, tours to historic town site, kids’ activities, salmon bbq 15.00 kids’ hot dog meal also available

Visit our sponsors at City Goat Farm and Zoo! They’ve got a zebra now, plus loads of other cuteness!

Maritime Fest continues in Tacoma

Sand in the City continues in Olympia  Vote for your favorite sand sculpture, enjoy free entertainment, play in the giant sandboxes, and more!

Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually   Artisans demonstrate different crafts from the 1800s each week. Included with fort admission.

Family Day at Emerald Downs  Sundays, beginning at 1PM  pony rides, face painting  free with admission; weather dependent  free admission and special deals for anyone over 55 today. You might want to bring grandma and grandpa!

 

Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your family friendly business?  Just let me know! I’m also booking speaking engagements now. I do have some fall dates available if you have a mom’s group (playgroup, biker gang, whatever….) that would like to hear me.

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 subscribe to my emails so you don’t miss a thing! Oh, and do come back-I have something new Every Day just for the South Sound!

We may be in the last weeks of summer, but this weekend is one of the biggest for free family fun!

Tacoma’s Maritime Fest and a huge military parade are happening this weekend! Olympia’s amazing Sand in the City event is on, plus free back to school events in Edgewood and Lacey/Olympia, outdoor movies, farm fun, and much more all over your part of the South Sound!

Headed elsewhere? For Seattle or Portland area fun 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!

Saturday

All Over

Lowes Build and Grow  Kids can build a plane from the Planes movie. Advance registration required for these popular, free programs. I see just a couple spots in some stores. Looks like there are more openings on Sunday.

Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores  2.00/child  half-hour sessions while you shop in-store   10-12, sessions on the half hour    It’s a Duct Tape bookcover today.

Cra-z-Loom Bracelet making event at Toys R Us  Free bracelet make and take event  Every Saturday August 24th-October 26th 10AM-12   Always a good idea to call your local store to confirm. There is a good chance your kiddos will want to buy this bracelet making thing-which looks pretty cool!

Farmer’s Markets are open everywhere!  Find one here

Every area sprayground, pool, and wading pool, is open, but the outdoor pools will be closing in just a couple of weeks. You might want to go soon! . Click on the graphic in the sidebar to your right for all of those!

South King County

Auburn Communities in Schools is collecting school supplies in the parking lot of the Fred Meyer at 801 Auburn Way from 9-2..  Reader Lena says they’re hoping to, “Fill the bus,” and that at this point they’re needing miracles.  Here’s your chance to be part of that! Know another school supply drive in need of donations? You’re welcome to leave a comment. Note that there are also three events in the calendar if you’re in need of help yourself this year. Read on for those.

Apple Festival at the Federal Way Farmer’s Market fun run (fees and registration), apple goodies, kids’ zone

Visit the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn  Free and open to the public on weekends   Restored farmhouse and grounds  Not a huge outing but interesting

Play with our sponsors at Trampoline Nation!

  Dr. Seuss ABC Story Time at Southcenter Barnes and Noble  11AM  Special Seuss themed back-to-school fun perfect for 3-7 year olds

Touch tanks at HCC Mast at Redondo  Free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2  Kids can touch a variety of sea critters

Enumclaw Pro Rodeo

Milton/Edgewood/ Puyallup/Bonney Lake/Graham/Fife/Greater Pierce

Mountain View Community Center Back to School BBQ  Free event, but families are asked to register. Free school supplies, haircuts, dental check-ups, bbq, and entertainment for the kids. Please pass this on to friends you know who could use a hand with back-to-school expenses!

Meet Eliza Jane Meeker  Storyteller Karen Haas portrays Puyallup’s first librarian and tells tales of the Oregon trail. Free, all ages, drop-in event 2PM

 Free Children’s Gardening Program with the Master Gardeners at the WSU extension in Puyallup.  It’s vegetables today. Program starts at 1PM. Free!

Free, outdoor movie and concert in Puyallup at Bradley Lake Park    Concert begins at 6, movie follows  Performer is M-80s  Movie is Oz the Great and Powerful

Tacoma/Greater Pierce

It’s Maritime Fest  Weekend of activities celebrating Tacoma’s working waterfront. . Admission is free-there are vendors. If you want a free boat or train ride, you need to go early.

Military Appreciation Parade   Huge, evening parade with tons of military units and vehicles. Goes right down 6th! Let’s have a great turn out for this one!

Convoy of Hope event at Mt. Tahoma High School 10AM kids’ haircuts, shoes, school supplies  Also job fair, breast health screenings, family portraits, kids’ zone, and more. No id required, rain or shine, while supplies last. Pass it on!

The spraygrounds are On in Tacoma! Free, open 10AM-8PM

 Free Summer Movie at the Wheelock Library  It’s The Goonies at 2PM

Rollin’ 253 Block Party 3.00 admission and skate rentals, plus food and other fun and games

Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually   Artisans demonstrate different crafts from the 1800s each week. Included with fort admission.

Visit a Farmer’s Market!  Check here for one near you!

Visit our sponsors at City Goat Farm and Zoo!  You can now ride a zebra or a camel!! plus loads of other cuteness!   More details in my post here

Campout at Owen Beach  Metro Parks staff have opened up Owen Beach at Point Defiance for camping!  tent space, activities, and hot breakfast included. Registration and fees required (lots of spots right now). While not a bargain, this might be a nice idea if your kids have been wanting to camp, but you’re a beginner-or you just like the idea of an outing close to home (not to mention bathrooms)!

Dupont Museum Open House and Ice Cream Social

LadyBug festival at Jim’s U-Fish in Spanaway  kids who wear red get in free. Adults are 10.00 fundraiser for brain cancer research in memory of a young U-Fish friend. pony rides, face painting. I think there is probably an extra charge to fish, but I don’t know.

Free Outdoor movie at Chambers Creek in University Place   It’s Oz the Great and Powerful

Lacey/Olympia/

Sand in the City in Olympia! It’s Beach Party Day!   Huge community festival with free entertainment, giant sand boxes, more than 40 hands-on activities, and much more!

Visit the new EStuarium   a new marine life discovery center open  10-4  saltwater aquarium, hands-on activities;  suggested admission 1.00/2.00 or free for under 6! Scroll down to the second post.   Our friends from the estuarium suggest you park there for free and enjoy a visit (save on the 1.00/hour parking charge for Sand in the City by walking over).

Olympia-Lacey Church of God sponsors a free community block party with school supplies, backpacks, and haircuts for kids-plus, inflatables, pony rides, fire truck, and more! .  11AM-2PM   I hope you’ll pass this on to friends who might need a hand with back-to-school expenses this year.

Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center    Free and open to visitors through out the day-Saturday and Sunday this week for Sand in the City weekend. Create ocean themed art.

Saturday storytime at the Olympia Barnes and Noble  1PM  Every Saturday This one is a special Reading, Writing, and Dinosaurs event for kids 3-7. It mentions Leap Reader-there may be a push to purchase one.

Gig Harbor/Kitsap

The farmer’s market at Uptown is open! From 9-10 every Saturday there is free entertainment for kids-lessons, sing alongs, and more!

Maybe get some Menchies and then ride the trolley down to the waterfront…..just because!

Meet Corduruy Bear at the Kitsap Barnes and Noble   11AM costumed character appearance-bring your camera!

Kitsap County Fair-all weekend

Play with our sponsors at Jump! Gig Harbor   Don’t forget to register for next week’s date night!

Date Night at Discovery Village in Gig Harbor  Call to register and pay fees  Mention SFM, won’t you?

Kitsap area readers may also like to get the free newsletter from Macaroni Kid Kitsap

Sunday

Lowes Build and Grow  Kids can build a plane from the Planes movie. Advance registration required for these popular, free programs. I see just a couple spots in some stores

Free Day at National Parks. Might be a good day for that hike at Mt.Rainier!  Just expect lots of company!

Hudson Bay Day and Salmon Bake in Dupont  12-4  costumed actor, tours to historic town site, kids’ activities, salmon bbq 15.00 kids’ hot dog meal also available

Visit our sponsors at City Goat Farm and Zoo! They’ve got a zebra now, plus loads of other cuteness!

Maritime Fest continues in Tacoma

Sand in the City continues in Olympia  Vote for your favorite sand sculpture, enjoy free entertainment, play in the giant sandboxes, and more!

Crafts of the Past at Fort Nisqually   Artisans demonstrate different crafts from the 1800s each week. Included with fort admission.

Family Day at Emerald Downs  Sundays, beginning at 1PM  pony rides, face painting  free with admission; weather dependent  free admission and special deals for anyone over 55 today. You might want to bring grandma and grandpa!

 

Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your family friendly business?  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 subscribe to my emails so you don’t miss a thing!