Giveaway winner!

Congratulations to Brie who won the California State Railroad Museum tickets! For everyone else, we’d still love to hear what giveaways you’d like to see on East Sac Mom– or anything else you’d like to see here, for that matter– going into 2010. Send us an email to eastsacmom@gmail.com or leave us a comment below the post.

Be sure to check out the East Sac Mom calendar to see what *FREE* and cheap activities are going on this weekend.

As always, we’ll see you there!

P.S. Check back on Monday when May will post her 2009 Santa Review– she has visited various Santa’s workshops in the Sacramento area (some several times) and will give other East Sac Moms the scoop. You will not want to miss it!

Storytime + Yogurt?

You had us at yogurt. If you’ve followed this blog since summer you know we’re a bit obsessed with events that include ice cream or frozen yogurt. Imagine my delight when May discovered that Big Spoon Yogurt has story time on the third Thursday of each month! Not only that, but children under 6 receive a *FREE* yogurt!

So you know where to find us on the third Thursday of each month between 1-2PM. Big Spoon in East Sacramento is located at 3644 J Street and is open 11AM-11PM every day. Since you know your kids are not going to want to share, bring a canned food donation and get 10% off your own yogurt! You’re welcome.

For more information click here or call 916.731.4655.

We’ll see you there!

ArtBeast’s Winter Solstice Party

With all of the other holidays to celebrate, the winter solstice gets lost in the mix. Join ArtBeast in celebrating the official start of the season with yoga, storytelling, art, music and dance. Explore the values of giving, gratitude and joy (we could all use a reminder, especially after all of the last-minute shopping.) After the workshop, join the potluck!

The Winter Solstice Party will take place on Sunday, December 20th from 2-4PM. Admission to ArtBeast is $8 per adult, $8 per child and free for extra adults in the family. Don’t forget that your admission is tax-deductible because all proceeds go to support the Tubman House. Talk about doing good.

ArtBeast is located at 2226 K Street and for more information click here or call 916.441.1233.

We’ll see you there!

Have you been to ArtBeast yet? Taken a class? What did you think? What did your kids think?

P.S. Need a last-minute gift? Why not enter to win *FREE* passes to the California State Railroad Museum? Click here and comment!

The Elves and the Shoemaker

Laugh when two merry elves arrive at a small village in the Black Forest to discover a poor, gentle shoemaker who clearly needs their assistance. Their good deeds, kindness and resourcefulness save the shoemaker and his wife from a bleak and unhappy holiday. This hilarious CTC production has been delighting students throughout the U. S. for two decades!

Don’t take this the wrong way, because I’m not advocating that you encourage your child to skip school, NOR am I downplaying the value of education. That said, I believe that once in a while it is okay to let your child miss a day of school in the name of quality time. Kids can sometimes get lost in the holiday shuffle (between packages, Christmas cards, wrapping paper and baking) and taking a day with just you and your little one can mean more than a tree full of gifts for them.

Here is an idea: surprise your elementary school kiddo with a special day this Thursday that includes lunch with just the two of you and The Elves and the Shoemaker.

The California Theater Center is performing The Elves and the Shoemaker at the Crest Theater on Thursday, December 17th with showtimes at 10AM and 12PM. Tickets are $7-10 and the Crest is located at 1013 K Street.

For more information click here or call 800.606.0424.

We’ll see you there!

Have you ever taken your child out of class to do something special? Would you consider it? We’d love to get your feedback and hear your ideas. Comment below!

P.S. Don’t forget about the December giveaway for the California State Railroad Museum. Leave a comment on the post by Thursday!

Wee Wednesday

It’s that time of the month– time for Wee Wednesday at the Crocker Art Museum! Check out our Wee Wednesday post here. If you have kids aged 3-5 you won’t want to miss out on December’s 10:30AM and 1PM sessions. Reservations are required so call ahead.

For more information click here or call 916.808.1182.

We’ll see you there!

We want to know, how are you exposing your children to the arts?

P.S. Don’t forget that you have through Thursday to enter the December giveaway!

Giveaway!

Happy Friday! We’re just going to cut to the chase and get to the giveaway (c’mon, you know that’s why you’re here.) The winner of the December giveaway is going to receive 2 passes to the California State Railroad Museum to use at your leisure! We so would have loved to haven given away the coveted Polar Express tickets but when we scheduled this giveaway we had no idea they would already be sold out for the season. The good news is that there are tons of fun things to see and do at the California State Railroad Museum, so even after the holidays you can enjoy a fun (and educational) experience. Check out our California State Railroad Museum post here for more information on the museum.

To enter to win the tickets all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with what giveaways you’d like to see in the future! Be sure to include your email address in the form so we know how to reach you. The contest closes next Thursday, December 17th at 11:59PM and the winner will be announced next Friday, December 18th.

Going into 2010, what giveaways would you like to see on East Sac Mom? Stuff for mom? A particular location or event? Gift certificates? Let us know!

Have a wonderful weekend with your families and remember to check out our events calendar for lots of ideas.

We’ll see you there!

FREE Yoga Workshop and Kids Yoga

If you’ve ever practiced yoga you know how relaxing it can be– that is, if it is done correctly. This East Sac Mama hits up classes whenever I can and encourage others to try it out. In fact, I participated in a yoga class the night before I gave birth a month early! (My honey and I attributed the early arrival to the class… either that or the spicy Chinese food for dinner afterwards.)

Given the calming effect yoga can have on the body, doesn’t it make sense that this is something we should teach our kids? Can tantrums be avoided by a Triangle Pose? Can deep breathing diffuse melt-downs? The owners of Asha Yoga believe so! In a society where an enormous percentage of children are overweight and do not get enough physical activity, children’s yoga can have endless benefits. Kids yoga helps children gain strength, flexibility, a more positive body image and physical awareness.

If this sounds like something you’d like your child to try, visit Asha Yoga on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:15PM to participate in the Kids Yoga class. The cost is $13 per class or you can save $2 and get a 5-class pass for $63. The Kids yoga class at Asha Yoga is appropriate for ages 4-9. Click here to sign up!

For (East Sac) moms or dads, this Saturday Asha Yoga is offering a *FREE* yoga workshop from 1-3PM. Here is what Asha Yoga has to say about the beginner workshop:

Yoga 101 is the perfect place to begin your yoga practice. Explore and learn at a comfortable pace in a supportive environment with others who are new to yoga. This 2.5 hour workshop is designed to provide you with a strong foundation for an educated practice so that you can feel confident and comfortable in the all level or basics classes. It includes: A brief discussion of the historical and philosophical background of Yoga, demonstration and practice of the fundamental Yoga postures, instruction on how to combine breath and movement, answers to frequently asked questions and misconceptions. You don’t need to be flexible, strong, or be able to quiet the mind. Simply show up and do your best.

Need we say more? I think that would convince even the most hesitant participant. Make sure to call now to reserve your space as participation is limited to 30. Click here to sign up now! Asha Yoga is located at 1050 20th Street, Suite 110. For more information click here or call 916.443.6535.

We’ll see you there!

We’d love to hear your opinion on the subject. Have you taken a yoga class at Asha Yoga? In East Sacramento in general? Is it something you’d like your children to participate in? Please share your experiences!

Flapjack 5K and Short Stack Kids Run

Are you sensing a common theme in this week’s posts? It’s very subtle, but this week has been all about the weekend! December 12th is a busy day for East Sacramentans. If you don’t already have plans to party with Santa at the McKinley Library or hit up the Second Saturday festivities, take the kids to participate in the Flapjack 5K and Short Stack Kids Run!

Caleb Greenwood School is hosting a Short Stack Kids 1/4 mile run for ages 5 and under, a 1/2 mile run for ages 6-9 and a 5K for everyone else. The Short Stack runs begin at 8AM with the 5K following. There will be a pancake breakfast (of course) from 8-11AM that is open to all. Not a fan of getting up that early to run? How about getting up that early to cheer on the runners and help out? Volunteers are needed!

Registration is $10 for ages 13 and younger, $25 for 14 and up, and every participant will receive a t-shirt. Click here to complete registration online.

For more information click here. Caleb Greenwood is located at 5457 Carlson Drive in River Park. If you are a resident of River Park, remember that there will be some street closures on Saturday morning. Plan accordingly!

We’ll see you there!

P.S. Have we mentioned there is a giveaway on Friday? Be sure to check back!

Anyone participating in the Flapjack 5K this weekend? Have you participated in the past? Any tips for parents wanting to join in with their kiddos?

Second Saturday

With all of the special holiday festivities going on it is easy to forget about the regular activities going on in East Sacramento, like Second Saturday! If the weather cooperates, start off your Second Saturday walk at the Crocker Art Museum where you can “Eat Your Art”.

This Saturday from 12-3PM families can ”squish, spread and sprinkle color, shapes and lines onto cookies – an edible canvas.” The activity is free with admission and open to all.

The Crocker Art Museum is located at 216 O Street. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors (65+), $3 for students (with a valid ID) and *FREE* for children 6 years and under.

For more information click here or call 916.808.1961.

From the Crocker Art Museum you can head down through mid-town to the rest of the Second Saturday entertainment. For some family friendly tips check out our Second Saturday post here.

Do you frequent Second Saturday? If you do, is it date-night or do you bring the the kids along? Any tips for parents wanting to take their kids? Let us know!

P.S. Don’t forget… the December giveaway is coming on Friday!

Santa visting the McKinley Library!

The big guy has a lot of stops to make on December 25th so it only makes sense that he would get all his cameos out of the way earlier in the month. December is his time to shine, after all.

Accompanying Santa at McKinley this Saturday, December 12th will be The Amazing Harmonatras with a fun interactive children’s music program. (In case you have difficulty dragging the older children out of the house, let them know there will be treats too.) The party will have those too. This year marks the 14th annual holiday celebration and is a way for the Friends of McKinley Library to say “thank you” to the neighborhood for your support.

Join the party and say hello to Mr. Clause before his schedule gets even more hectic this Saturday from 11AM to 12:30PM. McKinley Library is located at 601 Alhambra Boulevard. For more information click here or call 916.264.2770.

At what age did your kids stop believing in Santa? May and I were talking this weekend about the subject of Santa in general. Do you think it distracts from the real meaning of Christmas? Or do you feel the “spirit” of Santa fosters the feeling of love and giving that the holidays are all about? We’d love to get your thoughts. Leave a comment below!

P.S. Stay tuned for our December giveaway on Friday! Details to come…