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

This weekend as you hopefully already know is the Ultimate Baby Shower for new and expecting mama's!  This event will be huge with lots of your favorite vendors and friends.  I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully seeing lots of you there!

SaratogaMama is launched now and though I'm still working some of the bugs out, it's fully functional!  Go ahead and check it out and let me know what you think!  Feel free to add an event or meetup if you want to meet other mama's in the area.  This feature is what really makes SaratogaMama unique.  I'm excited for SaratogaMama to soon become your one-stop site for area events and family information! 

SaratogaMama Swap has also launched and it's a Facebook group for members to swap or sell baby/kid/maternity stuff.  We all area probably sitting on stuff we don't need anymore and could be useful to someone else.  Give it a try! 

Locust Grove Designs Giveaway is in full force and I'm looking forward to seeing your entries!  Remember, it's easy to enter:  'Like' Locust Grove Designs on Facebook and then post a comment/picture with what you would change about your baby’s nursery or kid’s room or play room and be automatically entered to win a gallon of Benjamin Moore paint at Curtis Lumber, and a Pottery Barn Color Palette to help choose your color! 

Have a great weekend and come back next week for another exciting giveaway announcement!

This Saturday, Sept. 17th is the 23rd Annual Malta Community Day.  The event goes from 10am-4pm and takes place this year at Shenantaha Creek Park. 
Last year this event was held in "downtown Malta" which was awkward.  I'm glad to see that they've moved it to Shenantaha Creek Park this year.  It was lots of fun in 2010 and I expect this year to be as well!

Throughout the day:
Musical Entertainment
Community Business & Non-Profit Booths
Food Concessions
Bounce Houses
Pony Rides
Petting Zoo
Face Painting
Balloon Sculptures
Talent Showcase
Scarecrow Decorating Contest
Tae Kwon Do Demos
Fire Departments Displays
And lots more to check out.  Weather is looking nice so get out and enjoy! 

This weekend, September 17-18 is Farm Fest in Clifton Park.  This two-day affair lets visitors get up close and personal with several local farms, including Schauber Stables.  To find out what's happening and where, view the Event PDF here. 
Farm Fest is a fun activity for young and old and strives to educate the public and raise awareness.  Some participating farms include: Riverview Orchards, Shepherd's Hey Farm, Predel's Ranch, Double B Farms & many more

Schauber Stables will have exciting events scheduled both days.  In addition to taking a tour of the barns, playing with the little goats, children can take a pony ride, feed the horses peppermints, clean some stalls, groom a horse, learn about horse care and observe various demonstrations.

Unless otherwise specified activities are on both Saturday & Sunday:

Pony Rides and Mini trail rides - 10:00 to 4:00 - ($)
Wagon Rides - 10:00 to 3:00 ($)
Children's Story Time - 12, 2pm, 3pm (free)
Make Some Horse Treats: 10:30, 12:30, 2:30 ($)
Learn to Groom a Horse: 11:30, 1:30, 3:30 - free
Jumping Demonstrations: 11 and 1 - free (Sat. only)
Feed a Horse Some treats - free
Enjoy our petting zoo - free
Concert by Jack Zucchini - Sat. from 4pm to 8pm   FREE
Kid's Barnyard Carnival - 3pm to 8pm (Sat. only) $
Haunted Hayrides - 6pm to 8pm (Sat. only) $
& much more fun! 

I recently took the kids to the Children's Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) in Troy.  CMOST is a wonderful spot for kids of all ages and we really enjoyed our visit. 
I'm not a big fan of driving in Troy, but I was able to easily find my way to the museum.  They have a big parking lot and a ramp to accommodate strollers.  Robby walked and I had Angie in the stroller. 
Upon entry, we were greeted by a friendly gal at the front desk who encouraged us to get busy with the exhibits.  The museum is small, but contains many interactive exhibits that my kids enjoyed including a weather broadcast simulator, Operation Wild the reptile exhibit, wind power generator, recycled object art project area, a cool dome theater, interactive play room and lots more.  Movies in the dome are $1 per person and last about 20 minutes.  We attempted an astronaut movie, but Robby got scared. It would otherwise have been a cool experience though.  We recorded our own weather broadcast in front of a green screen and got to watch a play-back.  We learned about wind power, gravity, played with magnets, and watched a lizard eat lunch.    

One thing I really liked about CMOST is that they have a really nice kitchen/dining area open to all.  We brought snacks and drinks and were able to sit down in a bright and clean room (with high chairs & booster seats) and enjoy.  You can see it in my picture below.  I like being able to pack a lunch and have a nice spot to eat it.  They have a vending machine, but no other food for sale.   

CMOST offers mommy & me classes, summer camp programs, annual memberships, and they have birthday party packages.   I think it would be a really nice spot for a party, if you don't mind driving a little.  CMOST is definitely worth a trip to Troy!  It's educational and fun for kids of all ages. 

Address:
Children's Museum of Science and Technology
250 Jordan Road
(in Rensselaer Technology Park)
Troy, New York 12180
Phone:
518-235-2120
Email:
info@cmost.org
Admission is $5 per person (under 2 are free). 
CMOST is closed for maintenance but will reopen on Thursday, September 16th.

Is your husband losing his “man room to the nursery?”  Is your little one becoming a big kid but still has a little kid’s room? Is your play room more like a dumping ground with no room to play? 

Recently I worked with Dawn DiLorenzo at Locust Grove Designs to do a virtual makeover on my son Robby’s room.  My issue: turn Angie's 'butterfly nursery' into a big boy rock star room for Robby.  I sent Dawn some pictures of the room and the dimensions and she pulled together several items from online sources and helped me figure out where to put everything.  She advised me on fabric choices, furniture selection, and other decorative items.  The result?  Well, because of me dragging my feet, I'm not quite ready to give you the before and after room reveal but I can say that it's coming together nicely and will be a room he'll be able to grow with thanks to Dawn's suggestions! 

Giveaway!
Now Dawn wants to help you give your nursery, kid’s room or play room a little lift! 
Today through Monday, October 3rd, visit and LIKE Dawn's Locust Grove Designs Facebook page.  Then leave a comment (or even post a picture) on Dawn's wall and let her know what you would change about your baby’s nursery or kid’s room, or even a playroom. 
Your comment will automatically enter you into a contest for a drawing for one gallon of Benjamin Moore Aura paint, courtesy of Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa. You will also receive the Fall 2011 Pottery Barn paint colors fan deck.

Fine print:
Winners must live in the Saratoga/Clifton Park area. The gift certificate has no cash value and can only be used for one gallon of Benjamin Moore Aura paint in the Ballston Spa Curtis Lumber location. The winning entry will be drawn at random on October 4, 2011 and the winner ‘s name will be posted on the Locust Grove Designs Facebook Page. 
Be sure to check on Tuesday, October 4th to see if you will be painting your room sometime soon! Good luck!

First week of school, done!  I hope everyone made it through the week with minimal damage. 

Sunday, September 18th is The Children's Guide Ultimate Baby Shower event.  I can't wait to attend, and I want you to go too!  Enter to win a pair of tickets (valued at $25 each). 

Tomorrow is the 5 for Five run in the Saratoga Spa State Park.  Get out your running (or walking) shoes and join!  Read mama Michelle's blog post about the tragic loss of her son and the event. 

It's also the MBPA 5k Run in Malta.  All proceeds are going to a local vet shelter and Malta EMS.  Day of registration is $25. www.maltabpa.com/malta5k for details.

Taking place all weekend is the SunKiss Balloon Festival up in Glens Falls.  It starts today and ends on Sunday.  Lots of opportunities to see some hot air balloons. 

On Monday I will be announcing a cool new giveaway.  Have a wonderful weekend! 

This Saturday is Malta's Veterans Parade starting at 10am.  The parade starts at Bayberry Drive at the Community Center and heads south to Blacksmith Drive..  We attended this parade last year and I have to say, I was impressed at the size and number of participants.  Readers in Highpointe (neighborhood behind Malta Comm Ctr), the parade 'staging area' is Bayberry Drive and participants line up there at 9:30am. 

Also on Saturday in the tech park is the HVCC Tec-Smart Community Day from 10am-2pm.  Food and prizes, electronics recycling (score!), activities for kids, interactive tours, and information on HVCC's education programs.  I'm most excited to be honest about the electronics recycling! 

As I was eagerly promoting my upcoming 5k run, I was asked to do a guest blog for MaltaMama. I was thrilled. I had wanted to start blogging since my son was first admitted to the hospital. I had started a for-family/friends-only type blog to keep everyone updated about LB’s medical status, but ultimately it had become more of a therapy session for me. I enjoyed the release I got from talking about things that were going on around me.  So, needless to say, I’m thrilled to be blogging again especially since this time, like last time, I’m blogging about LB.

LB is my first born; the one who first stole my heart. He was diagnosed with MPS – type I (Hurler Syndrome) at about 8 months of age.  You are probably thinking, ‘what’s that?’ I was too. I looked it up to discover that it’s a rare genetic disease that would most likely kill my son by his 5th birthday (if I was lucky).  The only option I had was enzyme replacement therapies, which were new, so the outstanding effect was not yet known, or a bone marrow transplant. Ultimately, because it was LB’s only chance at life, I decided to take him to the University of Minnesota (because they are the BEST for MPS in the nation) for a bone marrow transplant.

The transplant plan is tough. It’s not a day in-day out type of procedure. I was prepared to be in Minnesota for at least a year, six months of which we would be admitted.  My plan was cut short when LB started experiencing liver, lung, and kidney failure. Ultimately, days after his first birthday LB passed away.  It was the worst day of my life.

In his memory I have set up a 5k run in Saratoga State Park. This year it will be on September 10 at 10AM.  I do this to remember LB and to raise money for the National MPS Society, a non-profit organization aimed at finding a cure for all MPS related diseases.  This disease might be rare, but it deserves everyone’s attention.  These children suffer tremendously. There is a lot to be learned from a small child who is in pain, but who always has a smile on their face.  Meeting a child with MPS will give you a special feeling. 

Although MPS is “rare”, there is another child in Saratoga who is living with MPS – type III.  It is a different type of the same disease that has no treatment at all.  Matthew will be at our event this year.  Although if you attend you will not get to meet the special child that has caused this event, you will get to meet Matthew, another little boy who has the ability to make everyone smile.  Not to mention there will be great raffle prizes.  So come out and join the cause, or make a donation.  To find out all the details go to www.5forfivempsrun.com.  I look forward to meeting you there.

This first week after Labor Day can be extremely emotional for lots of parents out there.  Attending that first preschool orientation (like me!), putting your child on the bus to Kindergarten for the first time, moving up to a scarier and bigger Middle School or High School, or just the normal back-to-school jitters, this can be one long week! 
We have a lot to look forward to this weekend, including a parade in Malta, so hang in there!
September also kicks off some really great fall activities like hiking, apple-picking, and lots of fun events and festivals. 

Good luck to all the parents out there sending little one's off to school!  Check back tomorrow for lots of weekend options! 

If you are expecting, or have a child toddler age or younger, save this date - September 18th!  The Children’s Guide will be hosting The Ultimate Baby Shower for New and Expecting Moms at The Century House in Latham.

This event will have 2 parts, 10am-12 noon will be seminars, pampering for moms courtesy of CNY Healing Arts with nail painting, chair massages, scalp massages and more!  Food will be served and all guests will get a gift bag with some goodies including a free 8x 10 photo at ISmile Studio, A Day Pass to Tumbling Tykes and more!

Starting at 12:00 noon and running until 3:00pm the vendor floor will open!  There will be fantastic local professionals to chat with about your baby needs, test products, there will be a prenatal yoga class and a music class for your little one!  Raffle Prizes and more!

In addition to all that, each mom can enter their baby story online to win some really terrific prizes including a Baby Shower at The Century House!  Do you have a funny delivery story, maybe you recently adopted, had difficulty getting pregnant or want to share your baby story!  Enter your story online at www.thechildrensguide.com. All the stories will be available at the event for voting to begin!  Voting will start at noon and continue until 2:30, the top 3 stories win!  The winning story will get their Baby Story brought to life from ISmile Studio with a photo shoot and a video to follow. The winner will also get a Mommy Package at Rumors!

Registration information and full event details are on www.thechildrensguide.com