NMG Annual Holiday Party

On a rainy Saturday in mid December NMG families gathered for our annual Holiday Party. The room was decorated in our "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" theme and there was a generous brunch buffet for everyone to much on. For the kids there were two art projects (a snowman greeting card and snowflake rubbings using crayons). The kids also got the opportunity to decorate a sugar cone with green and white frosting and sprinkles to make their own edible "trees". We also had story time and a little bit of Christmas caroling before the arrival of Santa. Most of the kids really enjoyed getting the chance to sit on Santa's lap where they received a book and reindeer food and then posed so their parents could get a picture. Another highlight of the party was the artificial "snow" that all the kids enjoyed playing with (using different cups, spoons and funnels to experiment with). This years holiday party was a huge success!

Mom's Night Out in December

To celebrate the holidays we decided to have a "Mom's Night In" in December. We held a potluck holiday party at a member's house complete with a white elephant gift exchange and an ugliest holiday sweater contest! We also used the opportunity to put together our "NMG Thank You Cookie Tins" to thank all those that help and support the NMG throughout the year.

December Children's Outing

For the second year in a row we headed out to Alpha Fired Arts at the beginning of December to let the kids paint some ceramic pieces to give as holiday gifts. Thankfully no pieces were broken and all the kids had a great time getting to be artistic. All the pieces turned out great and I am sure all the family members who received them as a gift loved them!

Children's Outing at Wacky Tacky

For our November Children's Outing we headed out to Wacky Tacky in Roseville. Our first outing there was such a success we decided to take the kids back and let them get some of their energy out. The kids all had a blast climbing through the tunnels, going down the slides and playing in the "ball pit" area! Can't wait for another outing to Wacky Tacky!

NMG Halloween Party

At the beginning of October we headed to Bastiao Farms Goblin Gardens Pumpkin Patch for our NMG Halloween Party. There were games for the kids to play, goodies to eat, pumpkins to paint, the corn and hay mazes to run through, hay rides, the big inflatable slide and much, much more! The kids all had a blast and everyone looked great in their costumes. Can't wait for next year!

Family Outing Coast Guard Airstation and Aerospace Museum

A small group of NMG families met at the Coast Guard base in September to take a tour. We started the tour by checking out the special fire truck that is designed for aviation use. All the kids got the chance to spray water from the big hose and climb behind the drivers seat of the fire engine. Then we made our way to the big C-130 airplane to let the kids explore. We took turns climbing in the cock pit of the plane and pretending to fly. (But I think all the kids favorite thing was climbing in through the front of the plane, running through and jumping out the back so they could run back to the front and start all over again.) After the Coast Guard base some of us headed next door to the Aerospace museum to check out all their planes. After some running around at the museum and climbing into a few more planes we walked over to Freedom Park to have some lunch and let the kids play on the slides before heading home.

Afternoon Playgroup at the Park

In the month of September we headed to the park for an afternoon playgroup. The kids had lots of fun running around and playing on the swings and slides. They also got to use some sidewalk paint to make some beautiful masterpieces!

Literacy Playgroup

A few pictures from one of the last meetings of the Literacy Playgroup.

Monday Park Day

Monday Park Day in September - we were meeting in the Tot Lot to beat the summer heat!

August Children's Outing - Cal Fit Pool

In an attempt to beat the summer heat; we headed to the California Family Fitness pool for a Children's Outing in August. All the kids had a great time splashing around in the pool and going down the water slides!

Children's Outing - Whole Foods

On Wednesday April 29 we took the kids up to Roseville for a Tour of Whole Foods Market. Here are Ryan and Rorie checking out the goodies!

Family Outing - Quarry Trail Hike

On Saturday April 18th we headed out to Auburn to do a little hiking. The weather was beautiful and you couldn't ask for better scenery. We hiked about a mile and a half to a picnic area then had lunch. After lunch the kids all wanted to go down to the river to throw rocks. A few of the kids wanted to go check out the cave to see if they could see the Garuffalo living inside. The walk back to the cars was a little challenging for some of the kids but we all made it. Overall it was a fantastic day and really a lot of fun!

Childrens Outing - Davis

On Thursday April 16th we headed to Davis to ride the double decker bus. The kids all loved it, except for Damian who was a little scared. After the bus ride we went to Rainbow City park for a picnic and some play time.

MNO - Crepeville

On Tuesday April 14th we headed to Crepeville to hang out and play some fun games. The games sat on the table as we chatted the night away but we all had a great time anyway!

Rainy Day Childrens Outing - Funtastic

On April 10th we were planning to go to Davis to ride the double decker bus but it was raining so we decided to head down to Elk Grove to go to Funtastic. They are unfortunately closing their doors in May so we wanted to use up those pre-paid cards we have! The kids had a blast jumping off of things, going down the slides, and even doing some flips!

Art Project - Easter Baskets

On Monday April 6th the kids made Easter baskets before heading out to Fort Natomas to play. Leilani put together a very cute project using the baskets strawberries come in. The kids decorated them with stickers and added handles and off they went to the park!

Natomas Literacy Playgroup

On Friday April 3rd we had our first Literacy Playgroup. This is a playgroup funded by a First 5 of Sacramento grant, organized by Stacy Gould. This playgroup is open to all Natomas residents and geared toward children between the ages of 2 and 4. It is designed to be an informal mini preschool where we focus on one book a week and have the children do activities based on the story. Stacy has done a fantastic job organizing the playgroup and the kids all had a blast! This playgroup will run every Friday from now until September from 9:30-11am at the Natomas Charter PACT. Space is limited so arrive on time!

Checking in

The kids working on puzzles before the playgroup started

Circle Time

Jenn singing about calendar, weather, and more

Stacy reading our first book - Bobby Dazzler

Stacy teaching the kids about patterns

The kids making their own pattern

All the kids with their books ready to go home

NMG Spring Party

Thank you to Jamie for organizing a fantastic Spring Party Event and thank you to everyone who helped to make it a success! A special thanks to Ray Tretheway for his donation.

All of the Easter eggs just waiting to be found!

Corin, Allison, Leslie, and Beth waiting for the festivities to start

The community on the hunt for eggs - it was pure crazy fun!

Damian finally found one!

The Easter bunny handing out goodies

Kate and Jenn take time out from hunting eggs to pose for a picture

The Easter bunny giving Dariusz and Damian suckers

Jenn, Allison and Scott, and Carl enjoying lunch with their kids