Albany Mommy Blog - Fun things to do in the Albany New York Capital District area for kids and parents

Join Jenn Gish

On June 4th, thousands of women will line up in Albany for the annual Freihofer's Run for Women.

You could be one of them.

Jennifer Gish, features reporter, sports columnist and parenting blogger for the Times Union, will be leading a team in the Freihofer's Training Challenge. The 10-week program, a beginner's program called Couch to 5K, is free to those who register for the race. Trainings will take place at The Crossings in Colonie. Jenn's team meets at 6 a.m. Mondays and a second session will be held for her team and the other two teams led by Fox 23's Ann Hughes and WGY's Kelly Lynch at 9 a.m. Saturdays. Training started March 28, but you can sign up until April 11.

The trainings will be led by local fitness experts, and will let you move from walking to running by June 4. Jenn didn't start running until a couple months ago, but as a mom of 2 1/2-year-old twins, she's found it to be a welcomed stress reliever and a good way to stay in skinny jeans and out of mom jeans.

Click here (http://www.freihofersrun.com/fc25k.htm) for all of the details and for information on how to register. Be sure to select "Jennifer Gish" from the team captain pull-down menu when you register.

{Guest post by Jennifer Gish, thanks Jenn!}

Where arts & crafts take on a whole new meaning.

Coccadott's cake shop had this posted on facebook today:

"Back by popular demand this weekend only - KIDS CRAFT PACKS! Each complete pack includes a dozen undecorated cupcakes, a bowl full of buttercream, sprinkles, and assorted cupcake decorations. Only $20, pre order only. Call 438-4937 today!!!"

Now that's my kind of arts & crafts! Yummy! Be sure to say you saw  it on Albany Mommy!

~Albany Mommy blog~

 

Pregnant? Thinking about it? Have a little one? {Grandparent?}

A BABY EVENT

Sunday, September 19th

10am-2pm

Sportsplex of Halfmoon

 

 

Come this Sunday for a great Baby Event! 

 

There will be Stroller Strides demo classes that you can join in, temporary Mommy tattoos, Coccadotts cupcakes {free to the first 125 Moms}, massage stations, local vendors, & more!!

 

Seminars

10:00 Tips for Choosing a Day Care with the Capital District Child Care Council

10:30 3 Simple Steps to plan for your babies future with Mass Mutual

11:00 Registering- what do you really need with Babies R Us

11:30 Baby Proofing at home and grandmas house with Babies R Us

12:00 What to expect your first few weeks with your newborn hosted by Community Care Pediatrics

12:30  Baby Talks – how to know when your baby is sick, feeding, etc. hosted by St. Peters Hospital

1:00 Cloth Diapering 101 A Crash Course in Cloth Diapering with Sonrise Diaper Service

Field 1 Schedule

10:45 Gentle Yoga with CNY Healing Arts

11:30 Tips for Exercising while Pregnant with Albany Crossfit

12:00 Mommy and Me Class with Tumbling Tykes

12:45 Tips for Exercising while pregnant with Albany Crossfit

1:30 Mommy and Me Class with Tumbling Tykes

 

 

Lowest price on Uggs I've ever seen!

See these Ugg boots? Right now they are on sale at Athleta for $89.99 and with the Gap Give & Get you get another 30% off. 

That means they would be $63!! Originally $150.

They come in black and brown, more in the black than brown right now.  And, move fast because I don't think these will last long. 

They do have other great deals on more boots too!

Something yummy to do on a rainy day...

Today -Monday 1:15 pm

Hoffman's Playland parking lot

Coccadotts Cupcake Truck - YUMMY!

First 25 people to find Albany Mommy in the crowd while there get FREE Albany Mommy discount cards!!

Thinking about cloth diapers?

Want to know more about cloth diapers? Possibly win 1 month of diaper service? Trying to think of a shower gift that's original and different {and awesome} ?

Aruba

Kids Rule at the Hyatt Regency Aruba this summer. 

Doesn't that pool look incredible?  I wish I was there right now, even if I was there with the kids! 

Room rates for July and August begin at $296 per night, but the Hyatt Regency Aruba is also offering their popular “Three for Free” promotion, which can be combined with their “Family Plan” Package.

 “Three for Free” – Book three nights and enjoy a fourth night free with a free room upgrade and free daily breakfast for two.  

“Family Plan” – Receive a second room at 50% off the published rate; includes free daily breakfast for kids 12 and under.

Want to know what fun kids stuff will happen when you are there?

The “Kids Rule! Concierge”  Each day during peak check-in times the “Kids Rule! Concierge” desk provides kids with welcome gifts including: Aruba beach bags, miniature suntan lotion, and beach pail and shovel. In addition, families can learn about the popular Camp Hyatt program – which features Aruba-specific activities such as Papiamento language lessons, island scavenger hunts and Aruban story time.     

Kids “Pay Their Age” at Palms  During peak periods, children “Pay Their Age” at a special kid’s dinner buffet in Palms restaurant. Sample items kid favorites such as macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, pizza bagels and warm baked cookies.

Smooth & Cool Family Bonding  Every Monday at 10:30am Kadushi Fresh Fruit Juice Bar will teach families how to make the resort’s most popular smoothies. This is an excellent activity for teens or for family bonding, especially as complimentary samples and recipe cards will be handed out as keepsakes to bring home.  (Recipes & Images available)

Complimentary Healthy Snacks and Soothing Aloe Mists  Sun and fun typically leads to hungry bellies at snack time!  Each day, complimentary skewers of tropical fruits will be offered to guests around the pool at 2:00 pm. Throughout the day, the pool staff will offer guests lounging about the pool a cool, refreshing mist of locally grown aloe, an Aruban specialty.

 

I am starting to relax just thinking about it!

 

 

 

Starbucks $2 deal

I swear, every time I try to kick my Starbucks habit they do something to keep me.

I tried giving up frappucinos and they started making them any way you want.  Since I could get skim milk, why give them up?  Then I was trying to give up my 6 yr Starbucks addiction again and here they go with this deal:

"You know the deal - bring in your morning receipt after 2pm and enjoy any grande cold beverage for just $2 (plus tax). This refreshing offer runs June 29 to October 4 at participating U.S. stores"

I guess I'll try again after October 4th...

~Albany Mommy~

HP discounts

Did you know you can get discounts on HP products from their partnership with Starbucks?

Use this link hpdirect.com/dealsfriendsandfamily/starbucks {you will have to copy and paste it in yor browser} for a special code.

Discounts are good on computers, printers, supplies and more.  I'm not sure how much of a discount it is, but if you're in the market it's worth checking out!

Happy Hour

I have to interrupt the give a ways for this!

Starbucks {my favorite place} is holding happy hour from 3-5pm May 7-16th.  Frappuccinos will be half price!! Yippee!

The guy at the Starbucks on Wolf Rd asked me if I would tell my friends about the Happy Hour, didn't think he knew I'd spread the word to so many people!!

So, if you go to the Wolf Rd Starbucks for Happy Hour, tell them Albany Mommy told you about it!

ENJOY!  I'll be there every day!

Free yoga class

E Studio Yoga in Newton Plaza is offering a free yoga class to introduce new teachers.  On March 23rd at 7:15pm you can take a hot yoga class with Melissa. Check out their site for more info about the class.

Alternative to sugary drinks... {tasty give a way}

Have you heard about Hint water?  I have seen so many waters that have fruit flavoring to them and always been kind of interested, but ever tried. Well, actually I tried a long time ago and was so grossed out I have never tried any flavored water again.  Then someone was nice enough to send me some Hint water.  {In a few different yummy flavors.}

A really nice surprise! When you taste it you completely understand why it's called Hint.  There is a delicious hint of flavor to the water. Nothing overwhelming, no aftertaste, just something to make the water taste better.  Easier to drink for those who aren't huge plain water fans.  I had a co-worker who would complain constantly when she was pregnant "How am I supposed to drink 8 glasses of water when there is no taste?" Everyone who worked with her listened to it for 9 months.  Where was this stuff then!?!?! It would have been perfect!!  I think everyone who worked with her would have bought this for! {Would have been the best shower gift.  Bottles of Hint water with bows around the neck}

Kara Golden founder of Hint, was looking for a healthy alternative to the sodas and sugary drinks out there.  Her mantra is "Drink water, not sugar" and she describes the idea for Hint like this:
"One day in 2005, Kara Goldin's young daughter reached for a sugary juice. When Kara - then an executive at AOL -suggested her daughter pick something else, she opted to have what Kara was drinking: water with lemon slices. Kara was struck with an idea, and realized that this new beverage would be great for kids and adults. Shortly thereafter, HINT was born. Pure water with natural flavors, HINT has no sugar, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or calories."

She was spot on! 

Right now, Hint water is available in this area by delivery only, but when the new Fresh Market opens in Latham they will be carrying Hint Water.

My absolute favorite is Blackberry, with Watermelon being the runner up. Who would even think to make water flavored with Blackberry?

In the mean time, visit their site, then leave a comment below with which flavor you think you'd like to try and you could win delicious Hint Water!! {Winner will be picked at random on Friday, January 15th at noon.} 

Want a second entry? Tell me who Hint water colaborated with to make special bottles that kids will love?

You can even become a fan of Hint water on facebook.

Fun, fun, fun AND adult conversation

What are you doing November 13th?  Albany Mommy is hosting a great Mommy "Mix & Mingle" networking night at Tumbling Tykes!

It's $5 for kids and $5 for adults.  What to do get for your $5?  Kids get to play in the supervised play area and are fed pizza and juice by the Tumbling Tykes staff and Moms/Women get 2.5 hours of ADULT conversation!!  Yeah, over 2 hours of adult conversation with other Moms and women!  When else can you get that?!?! 

We'll have finger foods for the grown ups and lots of grown ups to talk to.  Want to talk to other Moms?  Want to tell people about your business? Want to get out of the house?  We gotcha' covered!  So many local Moms own and run businesses and do it with their kids in tow, this is a great opportunity to tell others.  So many Moms want to get out and meet other Moms {that would be ME!} and have some fun.

You can buy your tickets on line hereor at Tumbling Tykes. {Tickets will not be mailed, just print your on line receipt and bring that with you}  Children's spots are limited and most be reserved ahead. 

Interested in sponsoring the event and really getting your business out there? Find out more info here.  Sponsors are nice enough to help keep the costs down for kids! Daniellehas already signed on as a sponsor, thanks Danielle!