Tom Sawyer Auditions and Mothers Day

Remember this Sunday is Mothers Day, plan ahead for something fun!

If watching your kid perform is your idea of a great time, and you live in Tacoma, consider registering or applying your child to one of the following two organizations:

• Tacoma Youth Chorus
• Tacoma Youth Theater

Both organizations currently have openings for children as young as 5 to join. In fact, this weekend the Tacoma Youth Theater is having a casting call for its production of THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER. Tuition is $300 or pay as you can.

Auditions May 11th

2-2:45 for ages 5-7 (even non-readers)
3-4:30 for ages 8+

Mothers Day

My friend Megan from Sounds Fun Mom has a whole list of Mothers Day activities for you here.

Remember, for any brunch or tea to call ahead and ask about reservations. You don’t want to be sitting, hoping for a table with a crowd of hungry kids. The will mutiny and threaten to eat the very parent you are trying to celebrate.

100 Year Anniversary of Washington State Parks and Things to do April 26-28

We’re celebrating the 100th year of Washington State Parks with events across the state all year long. Wondering what’s coming up this week, next week and beyond? Find your next adventure in our weekly events round-up. Be sure to visit our events calendar for a full list of upcoming events.

via Events Round-up – Washington State Parks – Adventure Awaits.

Celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Washington State Parks and enjoy some spring time activities! Click the link above for a calendar of events.

Science Show & Planetarium in Puyallup

Friday April 26th at 7pm – Visit the South Sound’s only planetarium! Shows start with an interactive tour of our current night sky. Explore the stars, planets, constellations and other celestial objects then watch a 20-35 minute fulldome video. A question and answer period will follow the show if time permits. Please visit our website for more information. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door with cash only

Adult – $6, Youth 3-18 years $3, Pierce College Student – $3
Pierce College Science Dome
Rainier Building, Room 263
9401 Farwest Dr SW
Lakewood, WA 98498
(253) 964-6440

Museum of Glass Mosaics

Saturday from 1-4pm
Make a mosaic at the Museum of Glass – FREE with admission: Adults $12 / Children $5 (Don’t forget, you can check out a pass from your local Tacoma Library. Then, it really is FREE)

Snoqualmie Train Excursion

Saturday April 27th
Departing Snoqualmie–12:01 pm, 1:31 pm, 3:01 pm, 3:45 pm (Last departure from Snoqualmie travels to Snoqualmie Falls and return only) Departing North Bend–12:31 pm, 2:01 pm, 3:31 pm (One way to Snoqualmie only)Come celebrate over 50 years of public programs at the Northwest Railway Museum. The Museum operates an Interpretive Railway Program called the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad. This five mile common carrier railroad allows museum visitors to experience a train excursion aboard antique railroad coaches through the Upper Snoqualmie Valley.

Cost: $15 Adult and $10 Child
Northwest Railway Museum
38625 SE King St.
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
(425) 888-3030

Family Nature Walk – Gig Harbor

Saturday April 27th From 1-2pm in Gig Harbor at Adam Tallman Nature Park
Please call at least 24 hours before the day of the walk to RSVP. Meet at the Adam Tallman Nature Park parking lot (6626 Wagner Way) Gig Harbor, WA, 98335, as we leave promptly at 1pm. We return by 2pm. Note the paved trail is stroller-friendly for your little wee ones.

Seumas Gagne & Friends – Scottish Gaelic Music

If you don’t have anywhere to be Monday early – this concert looks kind of fun. Sunday 7-8:30pm at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Harpist, singer, songwriter, storyteller, longtime friend of Puget Sound Revels Seumas Gagne combines his classical training with traditional Scottish Gaelic music to offer us music, humor and wit. The concert includes Christine Traxler on fiddle, Colin Isler on cello, Tom Fallat on percussion and Revels back-up singers. You can hear bits of his wonderful music on SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/seumas-gagne)

Price $16.50. (no mention if there is a difference in price for children)

Individual Greenhouses for your Garden

***A repost for those of you who are planning a garden***

I love fresh vegetables, and I grew up with a vegetable garden and there is nothing better than a vine ripened tomatoes picked fresh and made into bruschetta or some other yummy food.  Our family started its first vegetable garden to introduce the older kids to healthy eating.  It was great when the realized how food was grown and they actually wanted to try the tomatoes and the zucchini. The chocolate zucchini cake was a hit, the tomatoes were not.   So we keep trying.

Since we live in the Pacific Northwest and our summers are finicky.  I have friends who have migrated from California or Texas and they bemoan the fact we can ski until March and wear hoodies until July. So, it helps to have a green house or a cold frame to give your plants a healthy head start.

I, however, have 3 small boys to raise. Which means they would break any cold-frame, accidentally of course, and I can’t afford a green house. (Their feet never seem to stop growing!).  So, I came up with another, much cheaper idea after visiting Williamsburg with family. According to the period actors, the settlers used glass bells over plants as miniature green houses. I don’t want breakable glass around the kids and the food, so we used Milk  Jugs. Yes, Milk jugs. We go through a gallon of milk a week and have plenty of them around.  Its easy. Cut the bottom of the milk jug off, leave the cap on the top.  The plants get their water from the surrounding ground.  And, the milk jugs let light through while heating the surrounding air, to encourage growth.

As the garden grows, watch for more posts.  The first round of spinach is about ready to be harvested!

Things to do this weekend April 18-21

Spring Fair

 

Well, the big news is of course the SPRING FAIR. Locals and people know about the Puyallup fair, well the Spring Fair is smaller, not as many rides or animals or people. Its perfect. I like to take my kids to the Spring Fair vs the Puyallup because there is just enough stuff to do without overwhelming them or without completely breaking the bank. My friend Meagan from SoundsFunMom.com has a great list of ways to do the fair for a really reasonable price!

Parks Appreciation Day

Sat April 20th , ages 8 and up:

Celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day, National Parks Week and your local parks in one fun event.

It’s gratifying to know you are part of a major county-wide effort with nearly 2,000 other people working in their local parks at the same time.

WHAT IS IT?

• Parks and recreation programs bring tremendous benefits to people of all ages and our community.
• They contribute to helping us live longer, better lives through active pursuits, new life skills, educational programs and safe activities.
• Great parks and programs also help build a stronger community, connecting individuals, families and groups through the power of play.
• Recreation programs and engaging, exciting facilities help keep kids active and off the streets. There are also benefits for the environment and the economy.

WHEN AND WHERE IS IT?

• April 20, 2013 will be the 12th Year of the Event
• County-wide throughout Pierce County (find a site)

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

• Wear warm, appropriate clothing, depending on the weather.
• Bring tools such as small hand tools, loppers, pruners, gloves, rakes, shovels, small pitch forks and even wheelbarrows (make sure and label them!).
• You are encouraged to carpool to the site you chose.
• Most of all bring your enthusiasm, smiles and be ready to burn some calories and have fun!

Click Family Flick

The Grand Theater is showing Dispicable Me on Saturday April 20th at 9:30. (Hint: The Grand has some of the BEST popcorn!!)

Bellevue Art Museum – Free Family Day

Sunday April 21st from 12-4pm. Fun art activities, demonstrations, and performances for the whole family! Plus, free admission to the galleries. Ages 4 – 12.

Seattle Family Dance

Sunday April 21st 3-5pm at Phinney Neighborhood Community Center I love dancing with my boys. Granted they dance like Elaine from Seinfeld, but we all have a good time and it is great exercise. Ive never been to this event, I just heard of it. But hey, it looks like a blast! So if you go, let me know!  $6/person and $18/family – not a bad way to spend an evening with music and dancing with the kids!

Weekend Events April 12th-14th

It is supposed to rain this weekend. No surprise there. But, get your gear on and head out to see and do some really neat stuff!

Tacoma Daffodil Festival & Parade

Great stuff here. You can watch a parade on Saturday morning, and enjoy all the other Daffodilly type items that come with such a fun time. Be sure to click on the link above or on my FB page for more details! http://www.facebook.com\momismmoments

Washington Trails

I heard on the radio this morning that the Washington Trails Association has updated their phone app! I downloaded mine and it is really neat. The WTA.org website and their iPhone app is really comprehensive and has great tips and maps on how to find the best trail for you and your family. Use it to find a great way to spend time outdoors with the family.

Zip Line & Obstacle Course

Point Defiance has new zip lines open to the public this weekend! Ages 5 and up, get the kids climbing. Its kind of expensive, starting at $19.95 or $29.95 depending on the difficulty of the course. If you already have a membership, this might be more doable. Either way a special treat for a special weekend, this could be a TON of fun!

Family Nature Walk

Swan Creek Park (Pioneer Way E) Sat April 13th at 10am: Explore Tacoma Parks during these seasonal naturalist-led family walks. Discover the amazing plants and animals that live in these parks and how they adapt in the different seasons. Not recommended for strollers or children under 3.  Pre-registration requested.

Earth Day at Tacoma Nature Center

Sat April 13 12-4pm at 1919 S Tyler Street: Celebrate wiggly worms, creepy crawlies and buzzing bees with fun family activities that help you learn about the earth and how we can all keep it healthy!

Freighthouse Square 2nd Saturday Craft Fair

Sat April 13th at 10 am. Come and explore our monthly craft fair featuring a variety of local artisans. Find the specialty gifts you have been looking for with quilting, wood turning, paintings, photography, candles, handmade soaps, jewelry, clothing, pottery,holiday decor and so much more! We look forward to seeing you there!

Lego Club and Storytime at Puyallup Library

Puyallup library 324 S Meridian Sat April 13th at 1pm is hosting a story time and time to build with your favorite blocks, Legos! Listen to great books and then build LEGO creations inspired by the stories, let your imagination run wild with LEGO building bricks! Recommended for children 4 to 9 years old. No registration required.

Geek Dad at Lakewood Library

Sat April 13 from 1-3 (6300 Wildaire Road and 253-548-3302) The whole family will learn together by completing fun, geeky projects inspired by the “Geek Dad” books by Ken Denmead. Contact Lakewood Pierce County Library for specific project information. Projects are designed for ages 7 and up, accompanied by an adult.

Morse Wildlife Preserve

Free (which I always like) to explore trails along the Morse Wildlife Preserve Sun April 14th 1-4pm.  Discover distinct habitats from upland forest to riparian to prairies to wetlands. Morse Wildlife Preserve has it all! The preserve is located in Graham at 25415 70th Ave. E. Call 253-565-9278 for more information and directions. No registration needed.