Mothers’ Support Network + Sacramento Mamas & Babes

If there is one thing a new mom needs, it’s a support group. Maybe your support group consists of friends, neighbors, other moms from your lamaze class, or maybe it is a bit more modern, like support groups via Twitter and Facebook. Either way, it is important to connect with other moms who know exactly what you’re going through and are right there in the trenches with you. Thank you so much to East Sac Mom, Jennifer for giving us a heads up about two local support groups.

The first is sponsored by the Mothers’ Support Network and is a New & Pregnant Moms’ Group that meets in Midtown.

The Mothers’ Support Network meets from 10:30AM to 12PM at the YMCA located at 2021 W Street in Sacramento and meetings are *FREE*.

Do you have questions about your new little bundle of joy? Need some support and encouragement? We’d love to invite you to spend time with the New & Pregnant Moms’ Groups. We have weekly meetings held Wednesdays at the Y. Babies range from a few days old to around one year (before walking). Pregnant moms often come to find a new circle of friends before their babies are born. For more information contact our facilitator: Melissa (melpizzo@yahoo.com).

The second support group Jennifer suggested (but admits she hasn’t yet attended) is the Sacramento Mamas and Babes group. From the group’s organizer, Jen:

Hi beautiful Mamas!! I started this group to meet lots of great moms and to help my son develop friendships that will carry on through the years!!

The purpose of this group is to bring moms together for support, conversation, friendship, and fun! As well as to associate my little one with others!!

This group is geared towards newborn to 18months roughly!

You should join this group if you are available for meetups during the weekdays, during the day, as that is when most of the meetups will be held!

This is an interactive group that requires all members to be active in group discussions, RSVPing and even hosting events! This group is a member based group, created by a member for members…I want it to be what the members want it to be! I need everyone’s help to make it a success! So please join if you are ready to get out and meet some awesome Moms and Babes!

For more information, check out the Sacramento Mamas and Babes meet up page HERE.

Are you part of any moms’ support groups? Know of any others you’d recommend? Send us an email at eastsacmom{at}gmail{dot}com or comment below.

We’ll see you there!

T Street Block Sale

Yard-saling can be fun if it’s done right– that includes rested kids armed with a few dollars in change and some hot chocolate (and Starbucks for mom, of course)! Clean out the trunk of your car and head out to the Elmhurst Parents Group’s annual neighborhood yard sale on Saturday, August 21 starting at 8AM to see what new-to-you stuff you didn’t know you needed.

Funds raised will go toward the Elmhurst Parents Group’s programs, such as their spring egg hunt.

The yard sale will take place in the Sunset Parkway near T and 41st Streets and for more information click HERE.

We’ll see you there!

Hot Walkin’ Nights

Summer days in Sacramento may be hot, but by the time the evening rolls around outdoor activities are bearable again– especially if we’re fortunate enough to have the Delta breeze come in. Take the opportunity to get the kids outdoors for a little pre-bedtime exercise and wind-down with the Sacramento Walking Sticks’ Hot Walkin’ Nights.

Each Wednesday throughout June, July and August the Sacramento Walking Sticks sponsors a *FREE* neighborhood walk. No timers, no competition, just enjoying a walk at your own pace with a big group of your Sacramento cohabitants. Participants can choose between a 5K or a 10K route to walk and most routes are suitable for strollers, scooters and wagons.

Sound like fun? Hot Walkin’ Nights will wander its way through East Sacramento on Saturday, July 14 at 5:30PM, beginning at the McKinley Park Rose Garden at 33rd and H Streets.

For the full Hot Walkin’ Nights schedule click HERE. The group will also be in Land Park on July 7 and 28. For more information click HERE.

We’ll see you there!

17th Annual Doggy Dash

Join the Sacramento SPCA for the 17th Annual Doggy Dash and Bark at the Park Festival on Saturday, June 5th in beautiful William Land Park. An estimated 4,000 animal enthusiasts will gather both with and without their canine companions to raise funds for animals sheltered at the Sacramento SPCA. Make sure to stay after the Dash for the Bark at the Park Festival, where you can enter your canine pal in the Pup Show, high-flying Disc Contest, or the ever-popular Pug Races! Visit with pet-friendly businesses, learn about Sacramento-area animal rescue organizations, or just have lunch while watching all the action.

Activities include:

– 5K run, or 5K or 2K walk
– Fourth Annual Pug Race
– Camp Kindness KidZone – fun for the entire family
– Pup Show! Ugliest Dog, best wag, best smile, best kisser, best tricks, most magnificent pup and more!
– Pet-friendly businesses in Vendor’s Row
– Demonstrations by K9 Police Dogs, Sacramento Flyball and Haute Dawgs Agility Group
– Disc Toss and Fetch Contest

Also – meet Pabst, winner of the 2009 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition and current title holder of the Sacramento SPCA’s 2009 Ugliest Dog Contest.

Registration opens at 7:30AM and the festivities begin at 8AM. The 5K run starts at 9AM with the 5K and 2K walks begin at 9:15AM. The festival continues until 1PM. Participation in the Doggy Dash is $25 through tomorrow and $30 through the day of the event.

William Land Park is located at 1701 Sutterville Road and for more information click HERE or call 916.383.7387.

We’ll see you there!

Walk for Wishes + Walk ‘N Rock for Kids

Are you tired of me talking about 5K’s and fun runs and jog-a-thons yet? What if I told you there was one you could participate in while wearing PAJAMAS?! Possibly my favorite active, family friendly activity ever.

Walk for Wishes: Pancakes and Pajamas is a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation that takes place on Saturday, May 22 from 9AM to 12PM. There is no minimum needed to fundraise and no registration fee. Just collect donations and join in the fun! The walk begins at the West Steps of the Capitol downtown.

For more information click HERE or call 916.437.0206 or to register click HERE.

Saturday the 22nd won’t work for you? How about Sunday the 30th?

Walk ‘N Rock for Kids is a fundraising walk and benefit concert to support local children’s charities. 

The event will kick off with a morning 5K walk involving families, local businesses, walk teams and supporters. Participants will walk and raise funds on behalf of our 2010 Nonprofit Partners and Nonprofit Associates. The morning will be filled with music at Raley Field and along the route. After the walk, enjoy entertainment, interactive booths, kids activities, more music, food and fun! There is NO FEE to register before 5/22/2010, and all funds raised will go directly to the children’s charity you register to walk in support of.

Registration begins at 7AM and the walk begins at 8AM. Raley Field is located at 400 Ballpark Drive and for more information click HERE or to register click HERE.

We’ll see you there!

Angelman Syndrome Walk-a-Thon + “Wizard of Oz” at Fairytale Town

Angelman Syndrome (AS) in a not so well known genetic disorder often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy or autism. Individuals with AS have little to no verbal communication, motor difficulties, developmental delay, eating difficulties and more than 80% develop seizures prior to the age of 3. The most unique charactaristic of AS is that individuals have a very happy demeanor, which actually helps keeps moms going when days are tougher than most.

Each year thousands of people gather across the nation for the National Angelman Syndrome Walk-a-Thon, the major fundraiser for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. This event further introduces Angelman Syndrome to communities, while allowing families and friends to gather and make key connections. The ASF National Walk also raises the much-needed funds to support the mission of advancing the awareness and treatment of Angelman Syndrome.

This year marks the 4th year for the Sacramento area walk, which will be taking place at William Land Park. Registration is *FREE* and there will be 1.5 and 3 mile walk options, with refreshments in the morning and lots of entertainment for the kids.

Registration begins at 9AM on Saturday, May 15 with the Walk-a-Thon beginning at 10AM. Set your own fundraising goal and join us! William Land Park is located at 4000 South Land Park Drive and for more information click HERE or call 916.316.3831.

Why not enjoy the entire day in Land Park? Stay until dusk and head over to Fairytale Town for the film “The Wizard of Oz”. Doors open at 7PM and the show starts promptly at 8:15PM. Tickets are $5, members receive 2-for-1 admission and children under 2 are *FREE*.

Fairytale Town is located at 3901 Land Park Drive and for more information click HERE or call 916.808.7462.

We’ll see you there!

The Crocker Art Museum’s Homeschool Day + Wee Wednesday

If there is one group of moms who can appreciate *FREE* and inexpensive local activities, it would have to be homeschool moms. While at my day job I meet homeschool moms and their students pretty frequently (usually right after I ask if they are playing hookie from school) and they seem to always be on their way to some exciting adventure.

The Crocker Art Museum is offering a *FREE* Homeschool Day on Tuesday, May 11. Participants will compare and contrast the architecture of the old and new Crocker on an art trail and create their own 3-D artwork. They will also receive a post-visit art education activity to continue the experience at home. Homeschool Day takes place between 10AM and 1PM and is designed for small homeschool groups and individual families. Reservations are required, so to register, call 916.808.1182 or email education@crockerartmuseum.org.

Later on in the month, take your preschooler to the Crocker to enjoy Wee Wednesday. Wee Wednesdays are designed for children ages 3-5 and the special adult in their lives. Encourage your early learner’s development through multi-sensory activities inspired by art and storytelling. Two Wee Wednesday sessions will be offered at 10:30AM and 1PM on Wednesday, May 19. Reservations are required so to register, call 916.808.1182 or email education@crockerartmuseum.org. Participation is *FREE* with admission.

The Crocker Art Museum is located at 216 O Street and for more information click here or call 916.808.7000. Admission to the Crocker is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for students.

We’ll see you there!

River Park “Mothers” Club + Meals for Moms

River Park neighborhood boundaries

(Image found here)

If you are a River Park resident you might have heard of the River Park Mothers Club— they have been around for 57 years now. Yes, FIFTY SEVEN years. What was originally formed as a way for new mothers to connect and support each other has become a network of 88 members and growing. “River Park Families Club” might be more accurate, as the club now has stay-at-home dads and grandparents raising their grandchildren as members.

The most popular draw to the River Park Mothers Club is their “Meals for Moms” program where they bring meals to families who have just had a baby. Another mother will show up at the home of the new arrival with a meal, a friendly face and, in some cases, extra hands to hold that new bundle of joy so the new mom can take a shower. That alone is worth its weight in gold.

Even after the families are beyond the newborn stage the River Park Mothers Club serves as discussion group, an events calendar and a way to get involved with small groups (such as a toddler group, for example.)

For more information about the River Park Mothers Club contact club president, Jill Bornemann at jbournemann@yoga-bags.com or 415.846.1497.

Has your neighborhood formed any kind of group? Let us know! We would love to help get the word out and encourage East Sacramento families to connect.

For (East Sac) Mom: Stroller Strides + Time To Be Fit

So, who is still rockin’ and rollin’ with their New Years resolutions? How about that pesky commitment to “exercise more”? Kuddos to you if you have kept it up. For the rest of us (ahem, myself included) there is still hope.

First up, a *FREE* fitness and nutrition consultation with Robyn Naymick-White, owner of Time To Be Fit. Join Robyn and other moms who are looking for advice and support to get in better shape on February 25th at Koukla Kids at 5:00PM for some tips on getting healthy. Time To Be Fit is a pilates/yoga/group exercise/personal training studio in East Sacramento that has so much to offer it will take a review of its own to cover it all. (Has anyone been? Tell us all about it!) If nothing else, meet Robyn and chat about your fitness and health goals next Thursday evening.

Maybe between laundry, kids, meals, laundry, cleaning, laundry and sleep, taking time out to yourself seems impossible. Enter Stroller Strides— a morning Mom and Baby workout in McKinley Park. Stroller Strides moms meet Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9-10AM.

Come make new friends, get in shape and spend time with your baby! Where else will you find a great workout, great comaraderie and the chance to model healthy behavior for your child? Join us for a complete head to toe total body workout using resistance bands, your stroller, and the environment…all while your child comes along for the ride! Please bring your stroller, water bottle, and towel/mat for ground exercises.

Participation in Stroller Strides is *FREE* for your first week and there are several class options to choose from, so you’re bound to find something that works for you, even if your schedule frequently changes. Here is an overview:

• $15 for one-time drop-in sessions
• $30 a month for a one day per week pass ($40 registration fee)
• $55 for a monthy unlimited-class pass ($40 registration fee)
• $100 for a 10-class pass

For more information about Stroller Strides click here or call 916.224.4963.

We’ll see you there!

What do you do to remain fit and healthy after having kids?

MOPS (No cleaning involved)

Mothers of Preschoolers is a program designed for pregnant mothers all the way through moms who have children entering kindergarden. Groups meet at various times and days throughout the area and there is a children’s program for your little ones (MOPPETS– how cute is that?!)

There are two groups who regularly meet in East Sacramento and here they are:

Fremont Presbyterian Church
5770 Carlson Drive
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 452-7132
http://fremontpres.org/mops.asp
Meets: Every Other Monday at 9:15am-11:15am

Gateway Fellowship
1515 Sports Dr Ste 600
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 374-0792
Meets: 2ND & 4TH Tuesday at 9:00AM

For more information about what MOPS is all about, click here or check out a group! Programs begin soon, and there is a fee to attend (covering childcare expenses and program materials) but the cost is minimal compared to the benefits of increased emotional and spiritual health, social (adult) interaction, and play time for the kids.

Do you attend either of these MOPS groups? Have you been to MOPS before? We’d love your feedback, leave us a comment!