MaltaMama - Family Fun Things to Do | Malta, NY, Saratoga County

At Brookside Museum on Sunday, October 17 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. there is an event called Native New York Family Day event. Learn about the Native Americans of the northeastern woodland and try your hand at a Native craft. Fee: $2.00/person; $5.00/family with additional supply fees for the workshops.

Schedule
12-3 p.m.- Drop in Stations, Native Foods at the Three Sisters Garden, Native Shelter at the wigwam, Native American games
12-12:30 p.m.- Native Stories with Kay Olan
1-1:30- p.m.- More Native Stories with Kay Olan
12-3 p.m.- Native Americna Craft Projects

The twice annual Katrina Trask Nursery School consignment sale starts tomorrow: Friday, October 15th from 3pm-8pm and a half-price sale on Saturday, October 16th from 9am-1pm at the American Legion at 34 West Ave in Saratoga Springs.  I went to the spring sale on the half price day and found some nice things however had I gone on Friday I think I would have done better.  I also like this sale because the profits benefit the school which makes me feel good about spending all kinds of money!  As always, these consignment sales are best attended without kids, but you can certainly bring them along if need be and pray that the checkout lines are not super long!

This is my son Robby and daughter Angie in a Foxy Baby Designs headband.  Obviously Ithink she looks cute because she's my child, I have no choice, but I don't think I was the only one.  She got so many compliments from strangers on the day she rocked this headband it was almost overwhelming.  The thing I really liked about the headband was that it actually stayed in place (for the most part) the whole day.  It didn't bother Angie at all either.  I've seen other headbands similar to this and the flowers are either ugly and gigantic or small.  This was a perfect size and added a nice touch to plain outfit or even more flair to something special. 

The cool thing is that Foxy Baby Designs owner and mama Kyla Scherer is giving you a chance to win one of these great headbands and a cute beanie hat seen below!  Beanie fits 12months+ and is made of soft cotton. 

I find that lately I get so much gratitude when we have a successful outing with the two kids.  Mama's of more than two, please bear with me here as I know your life is far crazier than mine!  Anyway, we recently went to Arizona Pizza for dinner in Clifton Park.  It's across from Clifton Park Center and near Toys R Us.  Several factors made this dinner out a success: the food was great and came fast, our meal was relatively cheap, the service was good, and the best part was that every booth has a small TV in it with just about any channel you can imagine.  That was the key factor in the success of this dinner with a toddler.  I would definitely go back and recommend Arizona Pizza.  They are now offering a special where kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.  Definitely check them out! 
Arizona Pizza -  Clifton Park, NY
5 Clifton Country Rd
(518) 383-5460

If you are not familiar with The Childen's Guide, then definitely check them out.  It's a great online resource for the Capital District.  This Saturday, October 9th they are hosting a Fall Festival from 11am-2pm at the Ciccotti Center in Colonie.  The cost is $3 per child and the event includes games, Scavenger Hunt, Soccer with Afrims, tattoo station, play area with Tumbling Tykes, Minute to Win it Games, mini pumpkin/gourd painting and local vendors.  Pizza will be available for sale.

I've been meaning to check out the Ciccotti Center for a while now because they have a cool indoor water play area for kids.  Here are directions to the facility.  Hope to see you at the festival!  

 

It's time again for the Encore Kids Sale!  This consignment sale is in Ballston Spa in the 4-H building at the Saratoga Fairgrounds (which are actually in Ballston Spa) on Prospect Street.  Here's a link to directions.  This is typically a big sale with lots of stuff and lots of people.  I went to the spring Encore sale and it was a zoo, but manageable.  It's always better to leave the kids at home if you can!  I found the prices for used toys to be expensive, but there are definitely deals to be had depending on what you are looking for.  

Sale Dates: Open to the Public
Thursday, October 7th from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 
Friday, October 8th from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Half Price Sale: (many items half off)
Saturday, October 9th 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

If you've been to Wilton Mall in Saratoga anytime in the past few months you're crazy to have missed Super Bounce which has nearly taken over the food court!  I've been avoiding the food court the past few visits knowing full well that if my son even glanced at the bounce stuff he'd be begging to go.  I decided to succumb to the bounce and took him.  The sign quotes two rates, $5 for an hour or $8 for an all-day pass, however they offer a $3 1/2 hour pass as well that is not advertised.  I opted for the 1/2 pass because I did not feel like he needed a full hour of bounce.  I was right, 1/2 hour was plenty.  It was a nice experience and he had a blast.  There are three bounce areas; the big Lightning McQueen slide (which my son loved), an open area that has some farm-like bouncy things, more appropriate for the litlte one's and a third sports-themed bounce area.  Our visit was mid-week and around 11am and at that time it was not too busy at all.  Weekends and evenings may be a differen story.  

Another neat thing they offer is babysitting for $8/hour per child.  I don't think that's bad at all if you have an errand to run in the mall or just want a moment to shop by yourself.  In my case, it would have saved me a trip home with ill-fitting Abercrombie jeans that I was unable to try on in the store due to my children. (and to the fact that the cologne smell and blasting house music nearly made me pass out).  Let's not talk about the fact that after two kids and weight to lose that I actually thouht low-rise Abercrombie jeans would fit... haha, yeah right.  Back to the bounce.  Overall our experience was pleasant and I can see us visiting again on an upcoming raining day.  

To reserve babysitting or for more info, call: 518-265-3911

I've been meaning to visit the Adirondack Museum for a while now, but since I haven't been to provide you all with a review, I had a guest blogger do it!  Kristen Champion-Terrell talks about her experience there...

We recently took a family trip to the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake with our children, ages 1 and 3, and Grandpa. The museum is set up much like a village, with a large open courtyard in the center. Various exhibits and authentic historic buildings frame the museum courtyard. Much of your time will be spent outdoors – props to museum curators for reinforcing this fact of life in the Adirondacks. The museum provides engaging, hands-on activities for children at every turn, including authentic Adirondack games and toys, craft projects, a stocked trout pond, lean-to and camp structures, a turn-of-the-century steam engine that children can explore, and of course, Adirondack chairs of all sizes! The Great Outdoors exhibit is designed specifically for children and provides a small rock-climbing wall and various creative play opportunities. Slightly older children can climb to the top of the Whiteface Fire Tower. One of our favorite exhibits was the original Reising Schoolhouse, a one-room schoolhouse stocked with craft activities for kids, entertaining photographs, and a knowledgeable volunteer. The traditional outdoor schoolyard is full of authentic Adirondack toys. I loved watching my father play with my daughter – he had a great time showing her how to play with the new toys. Don’t miss the replica Rustic Gazebo, also full of play and learning activities for families.
This museum provides an opportunity for fun and interaction among family members of all ages. If you choose to visit the museum, plan to spend an entire day together enjoying traditional Adirondack activities. After our visit, it is easy to understand why the Adirondacks were considered a turn-of-the-century summer paradise for families.

The museum’s Adirondack Harvest Festival is this weekend, October 2-3. Don’t miss cider pressing, wagon and pony rides, and music by Bill Hall!

Museum Hours: daily from 10am to 5pm
Open May 28—Oct 18,  so get there in the next couple weeks or else wait until next year!!
Rt. 28N & 30, Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812    518-352-7311