Archives for December 2015

Update: Congratulations to our winner, Autumn! She told me she’s never won anything before. What a great way to start! 

Autumn’s comment was selected using a random number generator, because there is no way I could have chosen otherwise! 

Seriously-Some of you guys really need a night away! I hope you’ll promise yourself to make that happen in 2016, even if it means sending everybody to grandma’s and pretending your living room is somewhere fancy (I recommend dimming the lights and stashing the laundry).

Thank you so much to everyone who entered. I promise that your enthusiasm really does help us secure more great giveaways, and there was such an enthusiastic response to this one that we will Definitely bring you more grownup-centric contests in the future.  xoxo Maegen

We’re ending our season of giveaways in a Big Way.

Today I’m delighted to announce a giveaway for a one night stay at the Beautiful, swanky Hotel Murano in Downtown Tacoma.

My husband and I stayed here for an anniversary overnight, and we absolutely loved it. It’s also right by all the fun that downtown has to offer if you want to take the kids (I recommend leaving them with grandma, but I’ll let you decide if you win)!

All rooms and suites have flat-screen TVs, pillow-top mattresses, and tea and coffee-making facilities. WiFi and 24-hour room service are available for a fee.

There’s an upscale restaurant focusing on local ingredients, and a lobby bar serving cocktails and light snacks. The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center and business center, plus a spa and a salon, and there is beautiful glass art everywhere you look. It’s definitely The place to stay if you’re doing a Tacoma staycation.

Ready to win a little getaway? Of course you are!

First, you need to know that once you win, you will work out the date of your stay with the Murano staff (Not me!). Your stay may be subject to date restrictions, and this giveaway guarantees you one fabulous night at the Murano, but it does not guarantee you a particular day or date.  This contest only includes your stay (If you want to order lamb chops at midnight, that’s on you)!  With that out of the way…….

• For a first, required entry, visit the Murano website or Facebook page. Come back Here To This Post and leave a comment telling us why you’d like to win!
• For a second, optional entry, follow Sounds Fun Mom on Instagram. Keri does our account, and her fun pics will inspire you to have even more great adventures around here!
• For a third, optional entry, leave a comment and let us know you’d like to subscribe to our newsletter. This is launching in early 2016, and it will be a weekly, first look at coming events. Just let us know you want it, and we’ll get you signed up!
• We’ll announce our winner January 2nd. PLEASE leave an email you check regularly. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, after which I’ll have to choose someone else, which is always kind of a bummer.

Remember that only comment left on this post are valid entries. While we love to hear from you on Facebook, comments left there aren’t valid forms of entry for this contest. Leave each comment separately to improve your odds. If you don’t see yours right away, it’s gone to moderation, but I promise I’ll get to it.

Disclosure/Legal: The Murano is providing the prize for this contest. I was not otherwise compensated. Sounds Fun Mom LLC has no affiliation with Facebook or The Murano. By entering, you affirm that you are eligible to enter and assume all responsibility for your experience should you win. Good Luck!  Photos are property/courtesy of The Murano.

Updated for 2017

Hey, Tacoma, wondering what’s open Christmas Day?

Whether you need to grab groceries, make a drugstore run, or get the in laws out of the house-I’ve got you covered!

Here is a brief guide to where to shop, eat, and play on Christmas Day around the greater South Puget Sound. I hope it helps!

Restaurants Open

If you want to go out to eat you can search via Open Table.com. 

Denny’s is also open on Christmas, as are select Ihop’s. This post has a full list of national chains with hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Note that I haven’t verified these, and I would call first, as franchises can set their own hours.

Chinese food is the other usual option!

Entertainment Open

• If you want to hit a movie, here’s the link to Fandango. Most area theaters are open.
• Zoolights is open this evening.
• Fantasy Lights is also open.

Grocery and Drug Stores Open

Walgreens is open Christmas Day, including pharmacies at most locations. Use the store locator to check yours.

7-11 is open

Fred Meyer, Costco and other local stores are closed.

Safeway is open early in the day. Most locations close around 4PM. I believe the same is true of Albertsons.

Worship Services on Christmas Day.

Celebration Lutheran 2500 Shaw Road Puyallup 10AM with carols and Communion

St.Andrew’s Episcopal Tacoma 10AM carols and communion

I want to thank you for allowing me to be a small part of the time you enjoy with your precious families. Your readership and encouragement are gifts to me year round. Enjoy our, “Santa Out Take,” and Have a Beautiful Day!  Oh, and do be sure to check back tomorrow.  We have more giveaways coming you won’t want to miss! You can also check out our post on Winter Break ideas if you need to keep the kids busy once they’re done with their toys (or the boxes)!

One of the very best things about this site is getting the chance to introduce you to some of the people and groups that make the South Sound such a great place to live.

Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to Step By Step, a remarkable organization that helps Pierce County area expectant mothers and young families in need.The boys and I were able to gift them with some goodies in time for the holidays thanks to a very generous donation from our friends at Delta Faucets.

To make life easier for area moms (Hey, that’s you!), Delta has transformed the family restrooms at the Tacoma Mall with new Delta Faucet Nursing Nooks. Offering busy moms a chance to experience a public bathroom with a little peace, the nook is an oasis complete with Delta Faucet’s Touch 2O Technology and hands-free toilets to make life easier when your hands are full.

Seriously-How great is this? I remember trying to navigate restrooms when I had one who was breastfeeding and one who was potty training, and I never had enough hands for everything and everybody. I stopped by the nursing nook when I was at the mall yesterday. It’s right by the food court and the kids area, and it’s a cozy, welcoming space. If you’re shopping at the mall this season, be sure to check it out!

A sleigh full of toys for Step By Step families courtesy of Delta Faucets.

We love that Delta helps moms every day, and when they asked if we’d like 500.00 to Shop For Good, we knew a local group dedicated to helping moms and babies would be the perfect place to shop for.

The Step By Step mission is to transform the lives of at-risk pregnant women, so they will deliver a healthy baby, embrace positive parenting, and establish a safe home.

Every day, they help moms break cycles of poverty, abuse, and neglect to create better futures for themselves and their babies.  They do this by providing an array of services from home visits and classes to vital needs such as formula and diapers and transitional housing. When you have a chance read some of the remarkable success stories from their clients.

Founder and board member, Krista Linden, asked if we would like to use the gift from Delta Faucets to shop for one of their families and help stock their supply closet with diapers and wipes.

Like a lot of kids, my boys get wrapped up with the, “Gimmes,” this time of year, so I was gratified that they really embraced this project. Each of them made a list of toys and clothing that they thought the children in the family we were shopping for could use. They took their job very seriously and weighed their purchases carefully. We were thrilled to be able to deliver a trunk load of presents and clothing to Step By Step, as well as diapers and wipes they can keep on hand for their clients.

Delta also has a gift to give to one lucky mom (or dad). Enter their Faucet For Moms Sweepstakes, and you could win  Delta Products or a 1,000.00 Simon gift card.  You can also check out a video showing their Delta Touch Technology:  Touch it on. Touch it off. Delta Touch2O Technology makes life easier when your hands are messy or full! My mess makers are bigger these days, but I am still coveting one of these faucets. Big Time. Do you think it’s too late to get a note to Santa?

You can learn more about Step By Step, including how you can volunteer or donate right here. 

You can learn more about Delta Faucets and enter their sweepstakes here.

You’ll find the refurbished Delta Nursing Nook at the Tacoma Mall, right next to the kids’ play area and the food court.

Disclosure: Delta provided us 500.00 to use for a charity of our choice in exchange for this post and our visit to the Nursing Nook. I was not otherwise compensated. Sounds Fun Mom LLC has no other affiliation with any named group in this post, or with the Delta sweepstakes-but do let us know how you like the nook, and definitely let us know if you win that sweeps!

If you’re thinking about braces for you or your child, you probably have lots of questions. You may also have heard one of the myths below. There are lots of misconceptions about braces, from ideas that have stuck around from old-fashioned treatments to plain old, wacky rumors! Our sponsor, Dr.Larson, puts six of them to rest. If you’ve heard any others, let us know, and he’ll take those on, too!

Braces Are Only Cosmetic

It’s true that braces can make smiles prettier, but braces are about more than looks. Having a properly aligned bite can protect teeth from a host of potentially serious future problems.

Kids With Braces Can’t Play Sports Or Musical Instruments

Not true! Kids with braces can still play sports, though they should get mouth guards. They can also play musical instruments, so no need to switch to a drumset (You’re welcome).

Braces Have Magnetic Super Powers-Braces  may set off metal detectors, interfere with radio signals, and kids wearing braces may be magnetically attracted to each other!

Nope, nope, and any attraction is a product of good ‘ol hormones. It’s also practically impossible for people kissing to lock their braces together! If your child seems nervous about seeing the orthodontist, he might have found one of these wacky myths (or others) online.

Only Kids Get Braces

You’re never too old to have a healthy, attractive smile! More grown-ups than ever are getting braces, and there are more options than ever before if you want to keep your braces discreet.

Braces Hurt All The Time

It’s typical to experience some minor discomfort after braces are adjusted, but braces shouldn’t be painful on a day to day basis.

Having Braces Means Monthly Appointments

Actually, appointments at Smiles are scheduled eight weeks apart. Fix your smile; don’t rearrange your life!

If you have more questions about braces for you or your child, don’t hesitate to call Dr.Larson. A first visit is always free and no pressure, and he’s glad to address any myths you’ve heard-no matter how wild! You can reach his friendly staff to schedule a free consultation at 253 848 4537 or check out their website or visit them on your favorite social media. Winter break would be a great time to get that first visit in!

Update-Right now, if you’re a new patient, and you mention Sounds Fun Mom (or show the Smiles ad on your phone), you will get a free Waterpik at the start of treatment! We got one when our son started braces, and it has been Super helpful. This is also a really high dollar freebie-just remember to mention their ad at SFM to get it. Thanks so much!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with a combination of provided text and my opinion. Nothing on this site should be substituted for or taken as medical advice. You knew that already, right? We’d love for you to mention Sounds Fun Mom when you visit the sponsors who make this site possible.

Wow! If you’re looking for holiday fun for families in Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Gig Harbor, or just about anywhere else, boy, have we got you covered!

We’ve got dozens of holiday events near you (and some non holiday related happenings, too) no matter what part of the South Sound you call home. Have a magical weekend!

PS Don’t You’ll find a list just like this-just for the South Sound-every Friday morning, and lots of fun every other day, too!

Don’t forget to take in Fantasy Lights this season. The drive thru light show at Spanaway Lake is open nightly.

Ongoing Holiday Events

Reindeer at Watson’s nursery, holiday events at The Old Cannery, Santa at the fairgrounds, Skating at the Polar Plaza in downtown Tacoma-See our holiday events guides for all the details.

Fantasy Lights at Lake Spanaway

Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo

See our Holiday Arts Guide for plays, Nutcrackers, concerts, and other holiday performances.

Santa visits area fire departments

Places to get free Santa Photos

Nutcracker performances

Continue reading for the complete list of this weekend’s events! 

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Update-The contest has ended! Congratulations to Cassie, who got to see this fun show with her family. 

Stay tuned for other giveaways coming this week.

It’s the holiday season, and that means it’s time for Sounds Fun Mom’s annual season of giveaways!

We’ve already given away Nutcracker tickets, Magic Flute tickets, and Fantasy Lights passes, and we’re not done yet!

If you’re not already following the site somehow, I do encourage  you to become an email subscriber, follow me on Twitter, like the site on Facebook. OR just make sure that you make Sounds Fun Mom an everyday habit because we have one of our biggest giveaways ever coming next week.

With that out of the way…….

TODAY I’m giving away a family 4 pack of tickets to A Christmas Story with our friends at ManeStage Theatre Company in Sumner.

If you haven’t yet discovered ManeStage Theater, you really should. They’re committed to producing quality, family friendly productions that showcase their actors and enhance the community. In other words, they’re the kind of group worth supporting! I just know you’ll love ManeStage theater’s musical version of this classic, funny, family story. I think it would be a particularly good choice if you have older kids or groups of mixed ages who might not be into more…..”Princess-y,” holiday fare.

There are just three shows left, so we’re going to run this giveaway just through today. I will email a winner TONIGHT, and you’ll need to respond within 12 hours. I know that’s a short time line, but there are just a few shows left. Please do leave an email you check!  If you win, you can pick your show-Friday at 7pm or Saturday at 2pm or 7pm.  You can also get more information and tickets here.

Ready to win?

• For a first, required entry, tell us why you’d like to see the show!
• For a second, optional entry, tell a friend about A Christmas Story at Sumner ManeStage.  You could share this post on fb, or feel free to Tweet your peeps, email your PTA pals, or whatever works! Leave a comment letting us know what you did.
• For a third, optional entry sign up for our new newsletter! Yep-we’re launching a weekly newsletter in January of 2016. It will give you an advance look at upcoming events sooner. If you’d like to be on the list, just leave a comment letting us know, and we’ll add your email once it gets going. This will be different than the daily emails that go out now-you may choose to get those as well-or not! We’ll tell you more about it before we launch.

And, that’s it….All entries should be left as separate comments to improve your odds. Only comments are valid as entries. I will choose a winner Thursday evening and notify you via email.  

Disclosure/Legal: We were provided tickets for this giveaway. I was not otherwise compensated. Facebook is not affiliated with this giveaway. Sounds Fun Mom LLC has no other affiliation with this event or venue. By entering you affirm that you are eligible and assume all responsibility for your experience. Good luck!