April 13th: 'The Night Before Easter' Book Review, Lots of Easter Events & Children's Fair at Northgate's Oak Plaza

There are some great Easter events going on in Mill Valley, Novato and Larkspur this weekend, a fun Children’s Fair taking place at the Northgate Mall’s Oak Plaza on Saturday and the Japanese Apple Blossom Parade and Festival taking place in Sebastopol on Sunday.

This week I am reviewing “The Night Before Easter” book, a great basket gift that will get you and your little ones in the mood for all the Easter Egg hunts that Marin has to offer over the next couple of weeks! Don’t forget your baskets!


Weekend Events

Saturday April 16th

‘Spring Eggstravaganza!’ from 8.30 am – 12.00 pm, Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley; http://www.cityofmillvalley.org
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will be from 8.30 – 10.00 am and will include French toast, sausage, OJ and coffee/hot chocolate for $6 adults & $4 kids (under 2yrs are free). There will be music, a bounce house and you can get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny.
From 10.00 am, after breakfast, there will be a FREE Easter egg hunt taking place in the field outside the center. The Easter Bunny will start the three hunts for different age groups; 10.00 am for ages 2 and under, and two hunts start at 10.15 am for ages 3-4 and 5–8 years old. Look out for the ‘golden eggs’ that hold a special prize for the finders.

‘Annual Spring Celebration’ from 11.00 – 2.00 pm, Sherman Avenue, Downtown Novato;
The free Easter egg hunt will begin at 11.00 am, there will also be face painting and a chance to have your picture with the Easter Bunny against a Spring photo backdrop.

11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Party’ from 1.00 – 2.30 pm, Pioneer Park, off Simmons Lane, Novato (parking is limited).
There will be a jelly bean counting contest, a fun toddler area and a photo area with the Easter Bunny. The egg hunt at the park for children under 10 years old will begin at 1.10 pm.

‘Children’s Fair’ from 11.00- 2.00 pm at Northgate Mall, Oak Plaza (next to Kohl’s store), free;  http://www.mc3.org/
Celebrating ‘Week of the Young Child’ with this year’s theme; “Early Years are Learning Years” with free family fun in Northgate Mall’s Oak Plaza, including over 20 free activity booths for children, and live entertainment by Tim Cain (starting at 11.00 am, magician Heather Rogers, and The Revolver Band. The fair is sponsored by Northgate, MAEYC and the Marin Child Care Council.

‘7th Annual Earth day Celebration at Stinson Beach’, from 11.00 – 3.00pm, Stinson Beach (South Side), free; http://www.naturesculpture.com/
Celebrate Earth Day by creating art on the beach! Join community members, professional artists and passers-by will construct sculptures using sand, rocks, shells, seaweed and driftwood. Creating dragons, fairies and abstract designs and transforming the beach into an outdoor sculpture gallery. Musicians, dancers and other artists will participate in this event designed to inspire people to care and protect the earth.



‘Easter Egg Coloring – Marin Style” from 9.00 am – 2.00 pm, Marin Country Mart, 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur; http://marincountrymart.com/calendar
The farmer’s Market is offering complimentary Easter egg dying using pastured eggs and natural vegetable dyes. The eggs are provided by local farmer ‘Rolling Hills Ranch’ which produces eggs with 20 times more healthy omega-3 fatty acids, a fun activity that is also good for you!

Culann’s Hounds at BADM’ from 11.00 – 11.30 am, Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Fort Baker, Sausalito;  http://www.baykidsmuseum.org
The ‘Culann’s Hounds’ band combines an eclectic blend of modern and traditional Irish music by combining vocal harmonies with the fiddle, guitar and accordion. It promises to be a high energy show with some opportunity for singing, dancing a jig and perhaps some howling with the hounds.


Saturday April 16th & Sunday April 17th

‘Children’s Book Reading’ at 1.00 pm & 3.00 pm at ‘Various and Sundries’ boutique, 69 Broadway, Fairfax, free, for more info call; 415 454 1442
Local author Laurin Abramson will be doing a book reading and signing of her new book about ‘Coco the Bunny’. A portion of the book sales go to ‘Wildcare’ in San Rafael.


65th Annual Apple Blossom Festival and Parade’ from 10.00 – 6.00 pm on Sat & 10.00 – 5.00 pm on Sunday, Ives park (on Jewell Avenue & Willow Street) & the Sebastopol Veterans Memorial Building, 281 High Street, $10 adults & kids under 10 are free:
The Annual Apple Blossom Parade features Japanese flower-adorned floats, high stepping horses, dachshunds in costume and school marching bands down Main Street. See website for details & parade route; http://www.sebastopol.org


Sunday April 17th

Baseball Bonanza’ fundraiser from 1.00 – 5.00 pm, Vallecito School, 50 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, $15 per adult & $10 per child
A Dixie Terra Linda Little League’s fundraiser with food, music, entertainment, games, raffle and a silent auction. For more detail see website; http://www.eteamz.com


Book of the Week

The Night Before Easter’ by Natasha Wing & Illustrated by Kathy Couri

My husband was born over Easter so it is an extra special time for my son’s Grandma who gave our little boy the book; ‘The Night Before Easter’ for his very first Easter, now he is participating in egg hunts and meet the Easter Bunny a few times he is taking more of an interest in this book. The story is loosely based on the Clement Moore’s classic poem; ‘The Night Before Christmas’ (see book review section) and feature two siblings who witness the nighttime arrival of the Easter Bunny.

The story begins in the same vein as the classic Moore poem but with a modern twist: “’Twas the night before Easter, just before dawn; not a creature was stirring out on the lawn.” The two children in the story leave out their Easter baskets in the hope that the Easter Bunny will fill them by the morning; “Sister and I were tucked snug in our beds, while visions of jellybeans danced in our heads.” The children suddenly hear a noise outside in the barn, and sprung from their beds to see a big fuzzy rabbit walking on two legs. He danced round the garden and then hopped up to the house bearing chocolates and striped lollipops! Dressed in a checkered vest and a bow tie, he filled their baskets and quietly sprung round the house, hiding eggs on chairs, couches, bookshelves and under the stairs. At sunrise when the rooster crowed; “He sprang from the house with a single bound, and bounced down the street without making a sound. I read his note as he hop-hopped away: Happy Easter to all – and to all a great day!”

The illustrations by Kathy Couri are adorable water colored pictures with wonderful details that reveal themselves each time you read the story, like the Easter Bunny’s little chick assistant. Her style reminds me of Robin Preiss Glasser’s illustrations in the ‘Fancy Nancy’ books.

 A very sweet and charming book that will make the perfect Easter basket gift!



Coming Soon…

I will be launching a ‘Weekly Calendar of Ongoing Baby Activities in Marin’ very soon, if there are any classes/activities that you would like me to include please let me know by leaving a message in the comments box:


Weekly Calendar of Ongoing 
Toddler Activities in Marin



Monday

10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Novato

10.00 - 10.30 am - Kid's Story Time Club, Pharmaca, 7514 Redwood Blvd, Novato

10.00 – 10.30 am – Book Babies, San Anselmo Library, 110 Tunstead Ave Town Council chamber

10.30 – 11.15 am – ‘Music Together of Marin’, The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael

3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista Blvd


10.00 - 6.00 pm - 'Jump n Bounce’, 718 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo (every day)


Tuesday

9.30 – 10.45 am – Baby Bounce Story time – Larkspur Library, 400 Magnolia Ave, 1st Floor

10.00 – 10.30 am - ‘Baby Bounce’ Story time at Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd

9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (up to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael 


10.30 – 11.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (24 months & up) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Play date for 2 and under’ at The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael

10. 00 – 11.00 am – ‘Little Soccer Club’ (3 – 5yrs) until Apr 5th, MLK Gym, 610 Colma Street, Sausalito

10.15 - 10.45 am - 'Music Circle' (walkers up to 3 1/2), at The Parents Center, Heller's Store, 514 4th Street, San Rafael

11.00 - 11.30 am – ‘Book Club Story Time’ at ‘Pottery Barns Kids’ store, Corte Madera Village

11.30 – 12.00 pm – ‘Jamaroo Kids’, Terra Linda Community Center, 670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael

3.30 – 4.15 pm – ‘Doodler’s Craft Time, Terra Linda Clubroom, 670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael


Wednesday

10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Indoor Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Suite 3, Novato

10.00 -10.30 am – Music Together, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax

10.15 – 10.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ (walkers up to 3 1/2), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael 


11.30 - 11.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ (infant to walkers), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael 

10.00 - 10.45 am - Fun & Funky (age 2 - 4), Fairfax Community Center, 

10.30 - 11.30 am – Adventure Club Drop in Play, MLK Gym, 610 Colma Street, Sausalito

11.00 - 11.30 am – Story Time at Giggle Store, Corte Madera Village

11.00 -11.30 am – Preschool Story Time, Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd

3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera



Thursday

9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax

9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax

11.00 am & 12.00 pm – Bookmobile presents Story Time at the Farmers Market, The Civic Center, 3501 Civic center Drive, San Rafael

10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Indoor Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Novato

9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks' (up to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael 

10.30 – 11.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks' (24 months & up) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

10.15 -10.45 am – Toddler Story time (2-3 yrs), Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley

10.30 – 11.00 am – Story Time at San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael

11. 00 – 12.00pm – ‘Mommy & Me- In the Garden’ (1 – 4 yrs until June 9th), Landmarks Art & Garden center, 841 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon

11.00 - 11.30 am - Story Time at Barnes & Noble, 313 Corte Madera Center

3.30 - 4.00 pm - 'Stories with Phil Sheridan', Sausalito Library, 420 Litho Street, Sausalito



Friday

9.30 - 11.00 am - Art for You and Me, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax

9.30 – 10.15 am – Doodlers Craft Time, Terra Linda Club Room, 670 Del Ganado Road, Terra Linda

10.00 – 10.30 am – Intro to Ballet, Women’s Club, 46 Park Road, Fairfax (until July 6th)

10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time with Sara Sonnet, San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael 

10.30 – 12.00 pm – Jumping Jacks, Strawberry Recreation District, 118 Strawberry Drive, 2nd floor gym

10.30 – 12.00 pm – Free Playgroup (Under 5), Marin Head Start, 610 Drake Ave, Marin City

1 comment:

Alex moner said...

Musicians, dancers and other artists will participate in this event designed to inspire people to care and protect the earth. easter egg hunt 2014

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