Weekend Treats: A Royally Fun Time

Yes, there are other things going on besides the Royal Wedding. But I’m super excited to get up early and watch the big event. (Check out NewMOMontheBlock.com for details.) Once it’s over and you’ve recovered from getting up at 2 a.m. … what to do? Here’s a royally fun edition of Weekend Treats to help you out. Cheerio!

Friday, April 29

They will be dancing at the royal reception. You can, too. Head out to the plaza at Sugar Land Town Square for “Rock Candy,” featuring music from the 70′s, 80′s, 90′s and today. (They might be playing songs Charles and Diana danced to on their wedding day!) Bring your lawn chairs for the concert from 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Saturday, April 30

I’m sure Wills and Kate will have lots of beautiful children. In partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico, the Children’s Museum of Houston (CMH) will hold several engaging, hands-on activities in which children will have the opportunity to learn about the arts and traditions of Mexico during the Day of the Child Celebration. “Children’s Day” is celebrated on various days in many places around the world, in particular to honor children. In Mexico, Children’s Day is celebrated on April 30. It is also known as “El Día Del Niño.”

The event will focus on enriching kids’ lives with the value of bilingual literacy. The Museum’s Para los niños program helps Spanish-speaking parents get involved in their children’s education by offering the educational resources they need, free of charge and kids will receive free bilingual books. Visit www.cmhouston.org for more info.

Celebrate El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros –Day of the Children/Day of the Books – at Fort Bend County Libraries’ First Colony Branch Library, 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land, on Saturday, April 30, from 2 to 3 p.m., in the Meeting Room of the library. Library staff member Consuelo Forray will present a special “Cuentacuentos,” a bilingual Story Time in Spanish and English, with stories, a movie, a puppet show, and a craft. El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros is a special day set aside to recognize the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the branch library at 281-238-2800 or the library’s Public Information Office at 281-341-2677.

From 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the soccer fields at Dickinson Elementary in Sugar Land,  two moms and their families are hosting a Cookies for Kids’ Cancer bake sale with all of the proceeds going directly to critically needed pediatric cancer research. Founded by two parents inspired by their young son’s ongoing battle with pediatric cancer, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a 501 (c)(3) that raises awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research through local bake sales and other events. Since the organization was founded, more than 2,000 bake sales and other events have been held across the North America and Europe. Pediatric cancer is the number one disease killer of kids in the U.S. due, in large part, to lack of funding. To learn more about pediatric cancer and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, visit the website: www.cookiesforkidscancer.org.

Kate has been working hard to get fit for the wedding, from what I’ve read. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., First Colony Mall, Memorial Hermann Southwest and Wellness Center-Memorial Hermann HBU present GET FIT! Family Fitness Day, featuring six hours focused on health and wellness for the entire family. As a special attraction, GameStop will be at Get Fit!, inviting attendees to try out Demo Your Shape™ Fitness Evolved, a revolutionary new fitness game designed for Kinect on Xbox 360. The new game brings a full workout to the living room and individuals will have the opportunity to try the game at no charge.

Throughout the day on April 30, visitors of all ages will be able to learn about getting and staying healthy from a variety of health-care sources, including professionals from Memorial Hermann health-care facilities. GET FIT! Family Fitness Day will be held in the JCPenney court. There is no charge to participate and individuals of all ages are invited to attend.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrate Earth Day a little late at the Houston Museum of Natural Science  with fun activities to learn about energy and natural resource conservation and honor Mother Earth for what nature provides us. This free event has fun activities for people of all ages. What’s more beautiful than a bride on her wedding day? A butterfly might come close. Join HMNS for a special event and release a butterfly into its new home – the rainforest habitat of the Cockrell Butterfly Center! During this event, you’ll receive a butterfly to examine up close and release along with an adoption certificate and a commemorative gift. Visit the HMNS web site for more info.

Wonder if William and Kate will cook on their own or just use a chef. If you don’t have access to a royal chef, pick a class on Saturday, April 30, or Sunday, May 1, and sharpen your knife skills at Williams-Sonoma. May Technique Classes at Williams-Sonoma at First Colony Mall feature culinary skills that will get the grilling season off to a great start. Each hour-long class is dedicated to a specific topic and led by one of the retailer’s culinary experts. Class size is limited and reservations are suggested. On Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m., learn how a sharp edge, the correct grip, proper food placement are techniques that will be covered in this class. Reservations can be made by calling (281) 313-1180 or stopping by Williams-Sonoma, which is located in The Courtyard next to Ann Taylor and Swarovski.

From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., head to the plaza at Sugar Land Town Square to enjoy performances by the lucky 9 to 13-year-old Jr. Superstar contestants. Find out who will become the first Sugar Land Jr. Superstar!

Sunday, May 1

The royal couple will be doing lots of international traveling. Get your tickets now for the International Bistro Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sugar Land Town Square. Brunch on delicious food and wine pairings from around the world prepared by international chefs from South Africa, Spain, Texas, France, Germany, California, Japan, New Zealand, Lebanon, Greece, Italy, Oregon, New Mexico and Brazil. Click here for details: TheGrandWineandFoodAffair.com

We know they will have beautiful flower arrangements at the Royal Wedding. Find out how you can make your own. The  professionals at Pottery Barn at First Colony Mall are sharing ideas on home decorating at complimentary classes. On Sunday, May 1, at 3 p.m., learn how to arrange artful botanicals in a fun, interactive class. Also, learn tips on customizing displays for the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Each Pottery Barn Decorating Class is complimentary. Class size is limited and reservations can be made by calling (281) 265-6123.

Lots of beautiful artwork in those royal palaces. Head out to the Kidz Art Kamp open house Sunday between 2 and 4p.m. at the Artists’ Alliance Of Sugar Land, 104 Industrial blvd. Ste. Q, Sugar Land. Learn about a variety of summer classes for all age groups and view demonstrations by teachers. Call 281-565-0957 or email sharmyn@artistsallianceofsugarland.org with questions.