Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in sacramento, CA

Pumpkin Patch kinda weekend...

October 16, 2009

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend with the kiddos, it's the perfect time to hit a local pumpkin patch and have some fun.  You'll miss the crazy rush that happens later in the month and it's a great way to kick off this holiday season, which is usually a favorite with the little ones.  I found a great list of local pumpkin patches which include hay rides, train rides, corn mazes, haunted houses, jump houses and more.  So check out one of these.   I highly recommend the Pumpkin Farm in Citrus Heights and Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm in Wilton.  My boys and I have gone to the Pumpkin Farm every year since they were toddlers and Fog Willow for many field trips.  They are both really wonderful, so check one out and enjoy this amazing season!

Fair Oaks Boulevard Nursery
Address: 4681 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sac.
Phone: (916) 483-1830
Days of operation: Mid-September through Thanksgiving
Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Goblin Gardens Pumpkin Patch
Address: 3845 El Centro Road, Sac.
Phone: (916) 416-1133
Days of operation: September 27 to October 31
Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or dusk
Goblin Gardens, operated by Bastio Farms, is popular with mommies toting babies and toddlers. The little ones can conquer the 1,000 bale straw pyramid or venture into the largest corn maze in Sacramento County (according to Bastio owner Dennis Bastio). There are also hay rides, antique tractors, slide, blow-up inflateables, produce and the ever-so-popular kiddie cars (powered by the kids’ feet). Goblin Gardens also hosts many field trips and may open earlier to accommodate these groups.

CITRUS HEIGHTS

The Pumpkin Farm
Address: 7736 Old Auburn Road, Citrus Heights
Phone: (916) 726-1137
Days of operation: October 1 to 31
Hours of operation: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free.
The Pumpkin Farm has been serving up pumpkins to the Sacramento area since 1974. Visitors can enjoy the hayrides, pony rides, haunted barn, petting zoo, jumping castle, tower slides and of course the scarecrows. The Pumpkin Farm will again hold its annual Scarecrow Contest, where a creative entry could win a $1,500 prize. The Pumpkin Farm will be featuring giant pumpkins this year, a new attraction. Already, they have one that is more than 800 pounds.

ROSEVILLE

Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Patch
Address: 210 S. Harding Blvd., Roseville
Phone: (916) 786-7979
Days of operation: October 1 to 31
Hours of operation: Monday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free.
Visitors can find more than 60 varieties of pumpkins and gourds at the Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Patch, which has been a Roseville mainstay since 1988. The Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Patch is a one-shop-stop for your fall harvest. Kids can enjoy the train that passes through the haunted mine shaft or get lost in the corn maze or pet animals in the petting zoo. They also ride a ferris wheel, carousel, slide and win prizes. Jim Dandee’s Country Kitchen will satisfy your appetite serving up barbecue sandwiches, corn dogs, cotton candy, candied apples and fresh kettle corn.

WHEATLAND

Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
Address: 1415 Pumpkin Lane, Wheatland
Phone: (530) 633-2568 (for info and school field trip reservations)
Days of operation: September 20 to October 31
Hours of operation: Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free. Parking is free opening weekend and on weekdays and $10 on weekends. Corn maze is $3.50. Coyote Mountain admission is $3.50. BPF Railroad tickets is $2.50. Coupons are available online. Field trips is $6 per person from Sept. 24 to 30 and $7 per person from Oct. 1 to 31.
Plan to spend a big chunk of your day at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm. Start by taking a free hayride to the pumpkin fields and pick your ideal gourd right off the vine. After that, why not take a not-so-leisurely stroll in the three-acre corn maze. If getting lost among the corn isn’t your thing, then take a ride on the BPF Railroad where the tracks meander through the jumbo pumpkin patch, through the apple and walnut orchards and by the horse pasture. Before leaving, tackle Coyote Mountains’ 50-foot slide and don’t forget to pan for marbles at the stream below the slide.

WILTON

Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm
Address: 11011 Cecatra Drive, Wilton
Phone: (916) 687-4547
Days of operation: October 1 to 31
Hours of operation: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $3 per person, free for kids 2 and younger
Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm is the brainchild of Elk Grove school teacher Stacey Cates. With her family history rooted in farming, Cates felt that students weren’t learning much about agriculture and wanted to do something about it. Hence, Fog Willow was born in 2003. The farm is tucked along the banks of the Consumnes River and is immensely popular with school-aged kids as evidenced by the many school busses making their way to the farm. This is a great location to bring your family as there are lots to do, with a barrel train, hay rides, petting zoo, crafts, picnic area, haystack and barbecue during the weekends. Kids can join the Lil’ Pickers Punkin’ Club ($20) to receive goodies.

 Fairytale Town gives thanks to the Sacramento community by offering Free Admission to the public on Friday, November 27, 2009 (the day after Thanksgiving) from 10AM to 4PM. This year Fairytale Town is encouraging families to bring canned and packaged goods for the the Sacramento Food Bank.  As a special Winter Holiday Gift, Free Admission is offered again on Thursday, December 24, 2009 (Christmas Eve) from 10AM to 2PM.  It's a great way to let children run off some steam on what, for many, is the longest day of the year.  Read more...

Baking crazy!

October 13, 2009

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Real Pumpkin Pie

October 12, 2009

I am a huge fan of pie all the way around.  However, this fall weather, Halloween and the exciting prospect of Thanksgiving has put pumpkin pie on my brain!  I have always wanted to learn how to make it from scratch and I found this awesome recipe on line that I had to share!  So get the kiddos to wash their grimy paws and take the time to make a real authentic homemade pumpkin pie!Directions for Making Pumpkin Pie from ScratchYield: It really depends on the size of the pumpkin and the size of your pie plate. If you use a 6" pie pumpkin and a full deep dish 9" pie plate, then it should fill that pie to the brim and maybe have enough extra for either a small (4 inch) shallow pie (or a crustless pie - see step  11).
Some people manage to make 2 full pies, especially if they use shallow pie plates and/or 8 inch pie plates.Ingredients and EquipmentEquipment

• A sharp, large serrated knife
• an ice cream scoop
• a large microwaveable bowl or large pot
• 1 large (10 inch) deep-dish pie plate and pie crust (Click here for illustrated pie crust instructions! they will open in a new window) - or two small pie plates (9 inch) and crusts

Ingredients

• a pie pumpkin (see step 1)
• 1 cup sugar (see step 10 for alternatives)
• 1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• one half teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
• one half teaspoon salt (optional, I don't use any)
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups pumpkin glop (ok... "sieved, cooked pumpkin")
• 1.5 cans (12oz each) of evaporated milk (I use the nonfat version)

Note: if you do not have cinnamon, cloves, allspice and ginger, you can substitute 3 teaspoons of "pumpkin pie spice".  It's not exactly the same, but it will do.Note: If you can't get evaporated milk, you can substitute nonfat dried milk - make it twice as concentrated as the directions on the box say to reconstitute it. It won't be the same as evaporated milk, but it ought to come close.Recipe and DirectionsYield: One 9-inch deep dish pie or two 8-inch shallow piesStep 1 - Get your pie pumpkin"Pie pumpkins" are smaller, sweeter, less grainy textured pumpkins than the usual jack-o-lantern types.  Grocery stores usually carry them in late September through December in the U.S. In some parts of the country, they are also called sugar pumpkins or even "cheese pumpkins".  Go figure that one.  Note: the Libby's can of cooked pumpkin is just there for reference - it is the small can, so that gives you an idea of the size of a typical pie pumpkin.  They're only about 6 to 8 inches in diameter (about 20 to 24 inches in circumference).  TIP: If you're in a pinch and can't find a pie pumpkin, here's a tip: butternut squash taste almost the same!  Commercial canned pumpkin is from a variety of butternut, not true pumpkins! If you insist on using a regular Jack O' Lantern type pumpkin, you may need to add about 25% more sugar and run the cooked pumpkin through a blender or food processor to help smooth it out.Just like selecting any squash, look for one that is firm, no bruises or soft spots, and a good orange color. One 6" pie pumpkin usually makes one 10 inch deep dish pie and a bit extra; or two 9 inch shallow pies! If you have extra goop, you can always pour it into greased baking pans and make a crustless mini pie with the excess (and the cooked pies do freeze well!)If you live in the Far East (Thailand, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, etc.) and cannot get a pumpkin or a butternut squash, I'm told that Japanese pumpkins make a great substitute. Just cube the meat into small cubes and steam them for 35 minutes. The rest of the preparation is the same and I'm told the taste is great. Step 2 - Prepare the pumpkin for cookingWash the exterior of the pumpkin in cool or warm water, no soap.Cut the pumpkin in half.  A serrated knife and a sawing motion works best - a smooth knife is more likely to slip and hurt you! A visitor suggests using a hand saw.  Step 3 - Scoop out the seeds...And scrape the insides.  You want to get out that stringy, dangly stuff that coats the inside surface.  I find a heavy ice cream scoop works great for this.Note: SAVE THE SEEDS:The seeds can be used either to plant pumpkins next year, or roasted to eat this year! Place them in a bowl of water and rub them between your hands.  then pick out the orange buts (throw that away) and drain off the water. Spread them out on a clean towel or paper towel to dry and they're ready to save for next year's planting or roast.  Click here for roasting instructions! (opens in a new window)  Step 4 - Cooking the pumpkinThere are several ways to cook the pumpkin;  just choose use your preferred method.  Most people have microwaves and a stove, so I'll describe both of those methods here. But others make good arguments in favor of using a pressure cooker or baking in the oven. At the end of this document, I’ve included alternative instructions to replace step 4, if you’d rather use a different method. Method 1 - Put it in a microwaveable bowlRemove the stem, and put the pumpkin into a microwaveable. You may need to cut the pumpkin further to make it fit.  The fewer the number of pieces, the easier it will to scoop out the cooked pumpkin afterwards.Put a couple of inches of water in the bowl, cover it, and put in the microwave.  Method 2 - Steam on the stovetopYou can also cook it on the stovetop; it takes about the same length of time in a steamer (20 to 30 minutes).  I use a double pot steamer, but you could use an ordinary large pot with a steamer basket inside it!:     Step 5 - Cook the pumpkin until softEither way, cook for 15 minutes on high, check to see if it is soft, then repeat in smaller increments of time until it is soft enough to scoop the innards out.  Normally it takes 20 or 30 minutes in total.    Step 6 - Scoop out the cooked pumpkinWhether you cook the pumpkin on the stove, microwave, or even the oven, once it is cooked until it is soft, it is easy to scoop out the guts with a broad, smooth spoon, (such as a tablespoon).  Use the spoon to gently lift and scoop the cooked pumpkin out of the skin.  It should separate easily an in fairly large chucks, if the pumpkin is cooked enough.Many times the skin or rind will simply lift off with your fingers (see the photo at left) .  I'll bet you didn't realize making your own pumpkin glop... err, "puree" was this easy!Note: there are many varieties of pumpkin and some make better pies that other (due to sugar content, flavor, texture and water content.  Drier, sweeter, fine-grained pies; the small (8" across) ones called "pie pumpkins" are best.  Watery pumpkin?If your pumpkin puree has standing, free water, you may want to let it sit for 30 minutes and then pour off any free water.  That will help prevent you pie from being too watery! Beyond, that, I have not found that the water makes a difference - I wouldn't be TOO concerned about it!Tip from a visitor: "I make my own pumkin pies from scratch all the time. To eliminate watery pumpkin I strain my pureed pumpkin through a cloth overnight. If I use frozen pumpkin I do the same again as it thaws out. It works great and my pies cook beautifully." Another visitor reported success using coffee filters in a sieve to drain out excess water. Again, don't go to great lengths to remove water; the recipe accounts for the fact that fresh pumpkin is more watery than canned!Step 7 - Puree the pumpkinTo get a nice, smooth consistency, I use a Pillsbury hand blender.  By blending it, you give the pie a smooth, satiny texture; rather than the rough graininess that is typical of cooked squashes. A regular blender works, too (unless you made a few frozen daiquiris and drank them first..). Or a food processor or even just a hand mixer with time and patience.With the hand blender, it just takes 2 or 3 minutes!Another visitor says using a food mill, like a Foley Food Mill, with a fine screen, accomplishes the blending/pureeing very well, too! Step 8 - Done with the pumpkin!The pumpkin is now cooked and ready for the pie recipe.  Get the frozen daiquiris out from step 7 and take a break! :) Note: You may freeze the puree or pie filling to use it later! Just use a freezer bag or other container to exclude as much air as possible.  It should last a year or more in a deep freezer On the other hand, you may NOT "can" it:  See this page for the safety reasons why you shouldn't can it.)Step 9 - Make the pie crustYes, I know there are ready-made pie crusts in the frozen section at the store, but they really are bland and doughy.  A flaky crust is easy to make! Again, note that unless you use large, deep dish pie plates, you may have enough for 2 pies.It is also time to start preheating the oven.  Turn it on and set it to 425 F (210 C, for those in Europe) Click here for illustrated pie crust instructions!
(it will open in a new window)Step 10 - Mix the pie contentsAll the hard work is behind you! Here's where it gets really easy. If you start with a fresh 8" pie pumpkin, you will get about 3 cups of cooked, mashed pumpkin. Th e right amount of ingredients for this is as follows:

• 1 cup sugar - or 1 cup Splenda, or 3/4 cup honey (honey may make a heavier pie, though)
• 1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• one half teaspoon ground ginger
• one half teaspoon salt (optional, I don't use any)
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups pumpkin glop (ok... "sieved, cooked pumpkin")
• 1.5 cans (12oz each) of evaporated milk (I use the nonfat version)

Mix well using a hand blender or mixer.Note: You may substitute 2 tablespoons of "pumpkin pie spice" instead of the cinnamon, cloves, allspice and ginger.  But I think you get better results with the separate spices.Note: The vast majority of people tell me this is the best pumpkin pie they've ever had. It's light and fluffy - however... if you want a heavy, more dense pie, use 3 eggs instead of 4 and 1 can of evaporated milk instead of 1.5)Step 11 - Pour into the pie crustI like a deep, full pie, so I fill it right up to about one quarter to one half inch from the very top. Don't be surprised if the mixture is very runny!  It may start as a soupy liquid, but it will firm up nicely in the oven! Note: the pie crust is brown because I used whole wheat flour! Tastes the same, but is healthier.TIP: What do you do if you end up with more filling than will fit in your pie crust(s)?  Easy!  Of course, you can make another, smaller pie crust and fill a small pie pan... or just grease any baking dish, of a size that the extra filling will fill to a depth of about 2 inches (see the photo at right), and pour the extra filling in.. then bake it.  It will be a crustless pumpkin pie that kids especially love!TIP: You may want to cover the exposed edges of the crust with strips of aluminum foil to prevent them from burning!Step 12 - Bake the pieBake at 425 F (210 C ) for the first 15 minutes, then turn the temperature down to 350 F  ( 175 C ) and bake another 45 to 60 minutes, until a clean knife inserted into the center comes out clean.Here is the finished pie, right out of the oven:I use a blunt table knife to test the pie.  The one at left has already been stuck in the pie, and you see it comes out pretty clean, when the pie is done. Step 13 - Cool the pieAnd enjoy! Warm or chilled, with whipped cream , ice  Read more...

Play date pains

October 05, 2009

It is a brave mother who decides to host a play date for young children.  Unless you know the child extremely well, you really have no idea what you are getting into.  Last year in preschool I began to host play dates for my little one.  They usually lasted a couple of hours and often the other mom was present for at least part of the time.  However, I have come to discover the kindergarten is a whole new ball game.  Since my younger son Solomon is a bit shy I have been very proactive with our play date schedule allowing him to pick a new child each week to come over after school.  Our first two dates went off without a hitch.  The boys played legos and in the tree house.  There were no arguments whining and neither wanted the play date to end. 

However, yesterday we hosted a new friend who was a houseguest of another color.  He whined, complained about the toy he got in his happy meal, didn’t want to play any game Solomon could dream up and badgered me to watch television until I finally gave in.  However, before giving in I got involved with the two and got the boys to play dinosaurs, dress up and a brief stint drawing before I caved to the whining and flipped on the boob tube.  What I discovered today is that I have been spoiled by easy play dates.  When a new child comes over and the two kids happily keep themselves occupied while I catch up on house work and phone calls. 

So from here on out I have decided to plan ahead for just such occasions. I hit Walmart and stocked up on craft supplies, playdough and a couple of board games that will be tucked away for special play dates only.  Next time I have a kid that is difficult to please, this mom will not cave to whines for the T.V.!

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Halloween is a-comin!

September 08, 2009

So I hate to be the one to break the bad news, but the holiday season is indeed upon us.  It’s only early September but next month brings with it the excitement of Halloween and we all know that after that it is a landslide of holidays.  So every time this year I try to really prepare.  Decide which events I’ll take the kids to and what traditions we will squeeze into our schedule.  I begin with ordering or making (depending on what they want) Halloween costumes and for the past five years I always make time for the Fairytale Town Halloween festival.  It changes every year and this year it has a sixties psychedelic theme.  But the best part about this event is that it falls a week before the actual holiday.  So when our little ones are counting the days and just itching to put on some costumes and collect some candy, they have a little pre-season fun to tide them over until the 31^st.  Here are the details, be sure to put it on your calendar because this is a really fun one.Roll up for a Safe & Super Halloween! Tickets are now on sale for the 23rd annual SAFE & SUPER HALLOWEEN celebration at Fairytale Town.  This year's theme is the MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR. Journey back in time to the psychedelic sixties for three consecutive nights of family friendly Trick-or-Treating dedicated to the music and memories of those fabulous four Liverpool lads. You'll visit 17 candy stations scattered along the long and winding road throughout the park. Check out the Octopus' Garden, take a trip down Penny Lane, cross Abbey Road and stop off at Strawberry Fields before you get back to where you once belonged. You can make your very own Walrus Puppet and Spin Art, enter a far out costume parade, have your picture taken on stage with Sgt. Pepper and the Yellow Submarine, get a ticket from Lovely Rita the Meter Maid, and experience plenty of surreal surprises for young and old alike as you sing along--all together now--with all the songs you know and love. The MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR at Fairytale Town is a special ticketed event: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 23, 24, 25, 2009, from 5PM - 9PM. Presale tickets are $7 for members and $10 for non-members. Day-of the event tickets are $9 for members and $12 for nonmembers. For more information please go to our website: www.fairytaletown.org.  Puppet Art Theater will also be performing puppet shows in our Children's Theater during the MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR event. Puppet show tickets are $1 for members and $2 for nonmembers (children 2 and under will be admitted to the puppet show free), in addition to event admission. Puppet showtimes are 6 PM, 7 PM & 8 PM. 
For more information, please visit www.fairytaletown.org or call Fairytale Town at 916-808-7462.  Read more...

Hangman and alphabet fun!

July 06, 2009

The days of summer suddenly seem to be numbered.  It’s July already and school starts next month!  So we are doing our best to enjoy the summertime and and get a little pre-kindergarten learning in as well.  One of my first grader’s favorite game is Hangman.  While my 5 year-old can’t yet fully participate in figuring out the words, he has grasped enough of the alphabet to guess at the letters that might solve each puzzle.  In order to help facilitate this family game, I found a great toy made by my favorite puzzle makers, Melissa and Doug and it’s at Learning Express toy store and called simply, Hangman.

Perfect for home or in the car, this board game is crafted of quality wood and brings new fun and convenience to the game with innovative flipping pieces that won’t get lost.  It has a cute little illustration of the man and letters to make any possible word combination and costs a mere $14.99.  You can find the game at www.learningexpress.com or at one of their Sacramento locations in Rancho Cordova or Roseville.  So if you have a grade-schooler or a preschooler, pick up this game today to work on your ABC’s or reading skills as well!

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Weekend Treats

June 17, 2009

Yay - here comes the weekend!  While our weekend will be full of gardening, father's day festivities and possibly a trip to the movies, if you have a little spare time there is a ton of fun kid's activities going on in Sacramento.  A free family movie in the park, storytime at Effie Yeaw Nature Center and family fun day at the Central Library just to name a few. 

 

If you are looking for a special treat to give dad for father's day, the ultimate gift according to my boys is chocolate cake for breakfast.  You could also have a family picnic on the river - a great place to pick up kid-friendly, healthy picnic goodies is Trader Joe's.  They have a never-ending supply of treats like peanut butter filled pretzels, crisp pink lady apples and freshly made sandwiches and fruit salads ready to go.  Check out www.traderjoes.com for more picnic ideas and check out the list below for a comprehensive list of activities.  Have fun!

 

Saturday the 20th

 

Steps Therapy Inc is holding a Free Screening Day. Make an appointment if you have concerns about your child’s: sensory motor delays, speech delays, developmental Delays, gross motor difficulties or fine motor difficulties. Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists (Speech Therapists) will be on hand to provide screenings for children ages 6 months to 10 years. Come find out more about the Social Sense^TM social intelligence groups being held this summer. Call to set up your appointment time 916-415-0119. Step Therapy Inc.,  6960 Destiny Dr., Ste 117, Rocklin www.StepsTherapyInc.com 

FREE family movie in the park at Cresthaven Park (401 Community Dr.,Roseville)sponsored by Roseville Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (RCONA). It will begin at sundown on a 30ft. screen!  Bring a lawn chair or sleeping bag and your pocket change if you wish.  Ice cream, popcorn, and cool drinks will be sold at the park.  Surf's Up will be shown.

Physics of Toys: Toys of Summer. The Exploratorium presents Physics of Toys, an interactive laboratory that explores the toys of summer in a one-on-one workshop in which children and adults alike investigate the science of everyday things. Take home what you make! 11 am – 3 pm. Included in the price of admission. General $14; Students 18+ (w/ id) & Seniors $11; Youth 13 – 17 $11; Children 4 – 12 $9; Children 3 & under Free. Tues. – Sun. 10 am – 5 pm. Closed Mon. except for certain holidays. Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco. For more info call 415-561-0360 or visit www.Exploratorium.edu

 

Summertime Stories – Visit the Effie Yeaw Nature Center to hear some sunny stories told by the Sacramento Storytellers Guild. 1:30 pm. Free. Parking fee $5 or Free to ARNHA members. Effie Yeaw Nature Center, 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. For more info call 916-489-4918 or visit www.EffieYeaw.org

 

Green Home Workshop - This workshop, taught by a LEED accredited professional, is a whole-home approach to increasing energy efficiency and utilizing alternative energy. Topic’s will be discussed on how to evaluate your home's energy usage and apply strategies like insulation, weatherization, lighting, and solar energy. As well as go over federal, state and utility incentives that you can take advantage of to start living greener. 2:30 – 5:30 pm. Sacramento Natural Food Co-op Community Learning Ctr. & Cooking School, 1914 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento. All ages. $10 donation, benefits Shriner’s Children Hospital. For more info call 916-455-2667 or visit www.SacFoodCoOp.com 

 

Sunday the 21st

 

Fun Day! at the Central Library. 1 pm. All ages. Free. Central Library, 828 I St., Sacramento. For more info call 916-264-2700 or visit www.SacLibrary.org

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ABC practice makes perfect

May 18, 2009

Having a preschooler who is soon going to enter the world of kindergarten is an exciting challenge.  My youngest son Solomon turned five just yesterday and is thrilled about the prospect of going to a ‘big boy school’ and following in his brother’s footsteps.  While he has done well in preschool, I think we need to do a little homeschooling this summer to ensure that he starts off kindergarten well prepared and bound for success.  One of the many things we’ll be working on this summer is his ABC’s and practicing his writing.  I found some great products at our local Toys That Teach store – they have a great website and locations in Rancho Cordova and Roseville. 

One of the many educational products they carry is the Eeboo Alphabet Puzzle Pairs.  It is a simple and well made set of two-piece puzzles that have upper and lowercase letters along with pictures of things that make the letter sounds.  For instance the ‘C’ card is paired with a lovely illustration of a cupcake, etc.  You can find this product and others like it at www.toysthatteach.com or at either of their retail locations  for $15.99.

The other product we invested in for a mere $10.99 is a set of Jumbo Magnetic Letters for the refrigerator.  My son loves magnets and playing with them in the kitchen so this will be a great way for him to practice his letters and the sounds they make.

Learning the alphabet and the sounds each letter makes is a basic in kindergarten and an easy thing to practice at home.  Check out your local Toys That Teach or go online and help your preschooler get a great head-start in the world of big-kid school that’s just around the corner!

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Whole Lotta Good Stuff

May 05, 2009

 I have always been a huge fan of Whole Foods, but I am a renewed fan this week after discovering the Roseville location’s Kid’s Club!  So you can take your kiddos into Whole Foods and stop by customer service – kid’s 2 through 12 get a Kid’s Club I.D. Card and they can use it to get a free treat every time they come into the store.  While free treats are a great incentive for the kids, moms will love the fact that this store is filled with wonderful, healthy and enticing snacks for little ones.  You certainly don’t need to be told that encouraging healthy eating habits early on will promote a lifetime of nutritious eating with your kids.  On a personal note, please don’t be one of those moms who completely deprives the kids of sugar – I had one of those and there are not enough Hershey’s bars that can fill me up to this day!  But seriously, the relatively new Roseville Whole Foods is gorgeous, packed with good stuff and at this location they are also hosting Kid’s Club activities every Sunday this May at noon.  Here is the schedule – check it out and have some healthy fun with your babies!

5-10-09  - Happy Mother's Day! FREE 365 Chocolate Bars for Moms!

5-17-09 - Build your Own Sunday

5-24-09 - Goodie Bag Give-Away! While Supplies Last

5-31-09 - Scavenger Hunt!

Whole Foods Market, 1001 Galleria Blvd, Roseville 916-781-5300

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Fun for Parents and Kids Alike

by Kim Mordecai

February 04, 2009

Listening to the radio last night I heard a commercial for what seems to be a new local family venue called Kids Quest.  Located at Red Hawk Casino in Placerville, Kids Quest is an hourly child care service.  Kids Quest is supervised by licensed professionals trained in first aid and CPR techniques for children 6 weeks to 12 years old.

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At one with nature

by Kim Mordecai

January 19, 2009

I went back to my roots this weekend and took my kids on a day trip to Tilden Park in Berkeley. Both my parents grew up a couple of miles from this amazing park, and my grandparents took me there all the time when I was a kid. Just as I remembered, it was simply wonderful. There is a 'little farm' that has cows, chickens, ducks, sheep, goats and more that kids can feed and learn about.  Read more...

Play a little

by Kim Mordecai

January 14, 2009

I must admit that I never made the time to go to the theater until after I had kids. Once my toddler lost interest in simple toys, I began to search for ways to entertain him in a more sophisticated way, and I have to admit I was a bit lost. One day a mother at a park near our home suggested I take him to a performance at Chautauqua Playhouse in Carmichael. I nodded politely and secretly  Read more...

Mark your calendar!

by Kim Mordecai

January 13, 2009

Museums are a great way to get out in the world with your kiddos, big and small, get some walking in, see some sights and learn a little about the world too! So mark your calendars because Saturday, February 7th is the 11th annual Sacramento Museum day when twenty-six greater Sacramento area museums offer FREE (yes totally FREE) admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They also offer free shuttle  Read more...

The Science and Art of Raising Kind Kids

by Kim Mordecai

January 07, 2009

Surfing the net today (do they still say that or am I dating myself?), anyway, I was surfing and I came across a great opportunity for parents if you are up for a day trip this weekend. www.parentsmonthlyonline.com has a great monthly calendar of activities for kids. This month they had a blurb on the San Francisco Exploratorium which is offering a one-time class called ' The Science and Art  Read more...

Local Holiday Traditions

by Kim Mordecai

December 08, 2008

We finally got our tree tonight! I know, many people are way ahead of us but we've been doing some redecorating and wanted to get everything settled before we picked the perfect tree. Tomorrow we will decorate and decide on Christmas cookies to bake this year. I have a pile of my grandmother's recipes and this will be my first year baking them with my boys. There are a few other holiday  Read more...

Fairies in the snow

by Kim Mordecai

December 05, 2008

If you are looking for a little cold weather fun with the kids this weekend, Fairytale Town is hosting a Winter Wonderland celebration. This annual festivity includes a park transformed with holiday decorations, extanded hours and plenty of fun. Fairytale Town is a great place to spend quality time with your kids, allow them to get a little outdoor exercise and generally just enjoy the  Read more...

Children & Charity

by Kim Mordecai

December 04, 2008

Let's face it, most of our kids are spoiled. Most of them have enough toys for ten kids to play with and all they want is more, more, more. I try to remind my children regularly throughout the year how fortunate they are and squash any bratty entitled behavior. Of course at this time of year it's especially important to remind little ones that charity is the greatest gift, and I just found  Read more...

Dollar Store Delights

by Kim Mordecai

December 03, 2008

So the only thing my kids think is more exciting than Santa, is buying gifts for their friends and family this year. Unfortunately, my checkbook cannot accomodate gifts from our family AND each of them for everyone, so we are going to do our official 2nd annual Dollar Store Holiday Extravaganza. Ok, I know everything there is crappy, plastic and unlikely to last more than a week - but I can't  Read more...

Christmas is coming!

by Kim Mordecai

December 01, 2008

Ok people, don't freak out - but you have 23 days until Santa shows up and that guy better not blow it this year. I have defintely failed my plan to have all my shopping done by December 1st :). However, I am not being too hard on myself. I am making my list, checking it twice, and trying to figure out how to give great gifts without going into massive credit debit (again!). So this year I  Read more...

Gobble up and get ready for Black Friday!

by Kim Mordecai

November 28, 2008

The turkey's been carved, the pumpkin pies been devoured and tomorrow is black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. I am not planning on doing much shopping tomorrow. The one place I will hit is my nearest Longs Drugs store. I read through the piles of advertisements this afternoon and just one produce caught my eye. It's called the Pure Digital video recorder, and I received one  Read more...

Turkey Day Craftiness

by Kim Mordecai

November 17, 2008

In keeping with our quest to have a festive and kid-friendly Thanksgiving, today the kids and I created an adorable Thanksgiving centerpiece for our holiday table. It's a simple project that doesn't involve very many complicated supplies and will help us remember that Thanksgiving is about contemplating all that we are thankful for and celebrating those things. The centerpiece  Read more...

Pumpkin Pie with your pumpkins

by Kim Mordecai

November 13, 2008

To continue with my quest to involve my kids in Thanksgiving festivities (also known as pawning off cooking labor on innocent under-age workers) I have a second great recipe to make with your kids to share today. Ok, it's really original and mysterious - that's a lie - I'll just come clean and admit, it's pumpkin pie. But wait! It's not as silly as it sounds. I have a  Read more...

Battery-free, screen-free, beep-free play!

by Kim Mordecai

November 10, 2008

One of the big challenges of parenting today is to find ways to keep our children occupied without letting them rot in front of the television or Nintendo all day long. Video games are one of those things that seem to permeate every child's life these days. And while many of the games are kid-friendly, it can be difficult to tell what games are appropriate for your child. There is also the  Read more...

Nurturing little bookworms

by Kim Mordecai

November 04, 2008

with children helps them develop language skills, listening skills and interacting with others. Whether you read at home with your little ones or take them to local storytimes, you are helping them to develop a love of reading and books that will serve them for a lifetime. As a small child I was an avid reader of Nancy Drew books. Today, there are a thousand times as many wonderful  Read more...

Holiday Traditions and Books!

by Kim Mordecai

October 28, 2008

I had the pleasure of appearing on Fox 40 news this morning and talking about Savvy Source! It was great fun; I spoke with Deborah Orozco about how families can save money generally and this holiday season in addition to making some suggestions about great holiday books. One of my very favorite books for the holidays and preschoolers is called Christmas around the World, a  Read more...

Halloween Treats & Eats

by Kim Mordecai

October 27, 2008

If I haven't mentioned it yet, I love Halloween. It gives me a reason to bid a happy goodbye to the sweetness of summertime and an excuse to dress up in ridiculous costumes with my children. We have many traditions around this holiday, but one of my boys' favorite is Halloween cooking. We make everything from mummy hotdogs to popcorn balls. The three of us have so much fun measuring and  Read more...

Spooky Fun - one week early!

by Kim Mordecai

October 24, 2008

In my opinion, Halloween comes and goes too quickly. A month's worth of build-up and excitement which culminates in a single night is not enough to satisfy those of us with a passion for candy and dress-up clothes! So take the time this weekend to really celebrate this spooky month. There are a whole list of great activities for kids so they can put on their outfits and have a ball.  Read more...

Pumpkin Patch A B C's and 1 2 3's...

by Kim Mordecai

October 23, 2008

Going to the pumpkin patch in October is a treat that I especially look forward to. Growing up in the Bay Area, we didn't have pumpkin patches, we just bought our pumpkins from the grocery store without the fun of hay rides, corn mazes and all the other fun stuff local patches have to offer. Visiting your local pumpkin patch can also be an educational experience for your little ones. Here  Read more...

5 ways to curb your family's spending

by Kim Mordecai

October 22, 2008

These days it seems everyone is working hard to save a buck. In our household we've cut way back on unnecessary spending and I look for deals wherever I can. There are some great ways for families to still maintain their quality of life while also saving money. 1. Shop smarter for food Groceries are a huge part of our family budget, but there are a lot of ways to  Read more...

Frankenswine!

by Kim Mordecai

October 20, 2008

There are few things that take me back to my childhood like a puppet show does. When I was a kid we saw them at school, at the library and we performed endless puppet shows (mainly with homemade sock puppets!) at home. One of my very favorite local performance groups is called Puppet Art Theater ??? they take puppetry to a whole new level. On Wednesday they will perform Funny  Read more...

Part 3: 99 Fun Things To Do

by Kim Mordecai

October 17, 2008

Ta-Da! #'s 61 -99 of 99 things to do with your kids in Sacramento ! Read them over, pick one out and have a great weekend! 61. Go garage sale-ing on a Saturday in Midtown 62. Feed baby salmon at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery 63. Take a kid's art class with Monart Roseville or Folsom 64. See 4 th of July fireworks show at Cal Expo 65. Enjoy homemade cake at the Old Time Fiddle  Read more...

99 Things to do with your kids in Sac Part Two

by Kim Mordecai

October 16, 2008

Here are today's next 30 entries all kinds of great things to do in Sacramento with your kids. Plan one for this weekend, put one on the calendar, or just daydream about what a good mom you would be if you could actually fit any of these things into your schedule! 31. Buy fresh raisins, honey and pears at a farmer's market 32. Take a cooking class for families at  Read more...

Spookomotive!

by Kim Mordecai

October 09, 2008

If you have a kiddo who is obsessed with Halloween, or trains for that matter the Spookomotive is a cant miss this month. A Halloween-themed train decorated in spirit of the season and departing on-the-hour in Old Sacramento brought to you by the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot, the Spookomotive is a ball for kids of all ages. Trains depart on-the-hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays  Read more...

Toys that equal fun, not junk

by Kim Mordecai

October 08, 2008

Toys come and go. In my house they are delivered by the truckload at Christmas and on birthdays and removed by the station wagon-full nearly monthly and donated to the Goodwill. I have a real love-hate relationship with toys. While I love to give my children fun and enriching activities and entertainment, the crappy things litter my house and the clutter ultimately clogs up my overloaded  Read more...

Hard Times for Kids too

by Kim Mordecai

October 07, 2008

It seems that most people these days are strapped financially. It can be difficult to help your preschooler adjust when he or she is used to new goodies and expensive outings on a regular basis. I know some people tred more lightly on these subjects but I tend to be frank with my kids, i.e. "No. Mom is broke." End of discussion. I wonder if I am permanently damaging them when they say  Read more...

Leapin' Life Lessons

by Kim Mordecai

October 06, 2008

If you are looking to give your preschooler a lesson about nature then have I got a great activity for you. In school my 4 and 6 year-olds are both learning about the life cycle of a frog from egg to adult. Today, I was at Sunrise Pet Center on Greenback Avenue in Citrus Heights when I noticed Fire Belly Frog tadpoles for sale. Ok, dont cringe yet moms I had one of these cute little  Read more...

Leapin' Life Lessons

by Kim Mordecai

October 06, 2008

If you are looking to give your preschooler a lesson about nature then have I got a great activity for you. In school my 4 and 6 year-olds are both learning about the life cycle of a frog from egg to adult. Today, I was at Sunrise Pet Center on Greenback Avenue in Citrus Heights when I noticed Fire Belly Frog tadpoles for sale. Ok, dont cringe yet moms I had one of these cute little  Read more...

Fairy Festivities

by Kim Mordecai

September 24, 2008

FREE ADMISSION to Fairytale Town all weekend! FREE ADMISSION to the biggest literacy event in the region! FREE ADMISSION to the biggest Children's Book Party of the year! Let BOOKS TAKE YOU OVER THE RAINBOW to the Target Children's Book Celebration at Fairytale Town September 27 & 28, 2008 Featuring an All-Star line-up of Authors, Illustrators & Celebrity  Read more...

Clever Kiddie Cakes

by Kim Mordecai

September 08, 2008

If you are looking for a way to spice up your preschoolers birthday, one great way to make your it extra special with a unique cake. When I was growing up my mom had one of those old 3-D Wilton cake molds of a panda bear. She would clamp the two sides of the mold together, fill it with cake batter and bake it upside-down. After the big cake bear had cooled she would spend literally hours  Read more...

Brain food and fun

by Kim Mordecai

September 05, 2008

Teaching your preschooler about valuable subjects such as history, environmentalism, art and music can be a daunting task. When most little ones are more interested in watching Dora, playing train or running around in circles and barking like dogs (as my children are), it can be a challenge to get them to sit still long enough to learn something of value. A great way to give them early  Read more...

Get fit with baby!

by Kim Mordecai

August 29, 2008

Getting back in shape after a baby is born is a tough thing to do. Before my first pregnancy I was 5'4 and 135 lbs. When I gave birth to my first kiddo I was over 200 and too big for my smallish frame. After poppin' out a 10 lb. baby I was still extremely overweight and hadn't a clue how to take it off. A lot of moms naturally shed weight but I was partial to cheeseburgers and banana splits  Read more...

Chalk It Up!

by Kim Mordecai

August 28, 2008

Art and children just seem to go together. Kids are born these amazing, imaginative, creative little beings that take to crayons and storytelling and dance and make believe like fish to water. As you may know, our little family fully embraces our creative sides but recently I've been wondering about not just enjoying the many opportunities for artistic pleasure in Sacramento, but also giving  Read more...

Fun Support for Mama

by Kim Mordecai

August 22, 2008

While becoming a new mom is a blissful, enriching and powerful experience, it can also be very lonely. If you are not surrounded by girlfriends with their own little ones it can be difficult to figure out how to meet other moms. I found myself in this predicament when my first son was born and went the 'mom's group' route. And while I met many nice ladies, none that I had a lot in common with.  Read more...

Furry Feathered Fair Fun

by Kim Mordecai

August 20, 2008

My oldest son's first word was 'kitty', which is no surprise since we had five of them at the time. Blame it on nature or nurture, but like their old mom, my boys are avid animal enthusiasts. So in addition to keeping the usual houseful of dogs, cats, rabbits and fish, we also make regular (non-shopping) trips to the pet store so we can all get our furry fix. After writing about the great  Read more...

Art on a budget

by Kim Mordecai

August 11, 2008

We are a very artsy household. That is not to say we have amazing artistic skills, but both the boys and I love to draw and paint and experiment with other art mediums. My boys go through countless stacks of white paper on a daily basis creating animals, monsters and whatever fantastic thing has their interest at the moment. Because of our art habit we go through crayons like wino's go through  Read more...

Boogey men, bubbles & bedtime bliss

by Kim Mordecai

August 06, 2008

A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine read my boys a preschool-aged spooky stories book that has sent my four year-old Solomon into fear mode. Suddenly he is having nightmares about monsters and worries that crocodiles are going to eat him. Mind you, this book doesn't even mention monsters or crocodiles but I have been told by a trusted art and family counselor I know that this is a natural  Read more...

A cause for applause

by Kim Mordecai

July 23, 2008

If you have a future thespian in your household, a great diversion this summer is to take them to a play. Sacramento 's theatre community is bursting with amazing performances for and by local kids. Stage plays are not only a great way to keep the family entertained for a couple of hours but they also often will inspire your little ones to put on a performance of their own. This Friday,  Read more...

Lions and Tigers and Grandmas - Oh My!

by Kim Mordecai

June 16, 2008

My kids love nothing more than a day out with grandma and grandpa. They are well aware that the day will involve ridiculous amounts of sugar, hundreds of dollars spent on toys their mother considers crappy and annoying, not to mention a good amount of time spent joggling their little brains via amusement ride, movies, television or some other form of hedonistic junk. Now don't get me wrong, as  Read more...