Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year as it makes us stop and appreciate the wonderful people and things we have around us, so this week I feature a book that helps teach children about giving thanks for what they have. I also suggest a great art studio in Novato where kids can get creative on rainy days. After we have all finished our turkey and pumpkin pie leftovers, we can enjoy some festive tree lighting events in San Francisco, or the parade and sledding fun in San Rafael!
Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!
Weekend Events
Friday November 26th
Snow sledding from noon – 8.00 pm, Marketplace at 3.00 – 8.00 pm, Entertainment & Musical Performances at 4.00 – 8.00 pm & Parade at 5.30 pm
31st Annual holiday parade and Winter Wonderland featuring free snow sledding, a marketplace full of arts and crafts, live entertainment and children’s activities. Following the parade, Santa, Ms.Claus and other costumed characters arrive with the Major of San Rafael to the City Plaza to light the Holiday Tree.
‘Macy’s 20th Annual Union Square Tree Lighting’ from 6.00 – 6.30 pm, Union Square, Downtown San Francisco, free
Singer Katherine McPhee performs “Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You” and is also joined by the SF Boys Chorus ‘The Glide Ensemble’, UC Berkeley Men’s Octet, SF Giant’s Barry Zito and the cast members from Shrek the Musical. Santa will be leading the countdown to lighting of the 85 foot Shasta white fir tree with thousands of twinkling lights and ornaments.
‘Ghiradelli Square 46th Annual tree Lighting’ at 5.30 pm, Ghiradelli Square, 900 North Point Street, San Francisco, free: http://www.ghirardellisq.com/events/tree-lighting-ceremony/tree-lighting-ceremony
Free live music and children's entertainment from 2.00 pm, leading up to local weather anchor Roberta Gonzales hosting the turning on of the Square’s tree lights by Santa.
‘Charities Get Gifted’ at 12.30 pm at Northgate Mall, address, free; website
Local organizations and charities host a frantic race to unwrap a mountain of packages every Friday (3rd, 10th & 17th) leading up to Christmas by the Food Court of the Northgate Mall.
Saturday November 27th
‘Santa’s Arrival’ from 11.00am, Golden Eagle Shopping center, E. Washington Street, Petaluma, free:
Santa and Ms.Clauss sail into the Petaluma River Turning Basin aboard a tugboat at noon, and disembark in the Golden Eagle shopping center to greet children and distribute candy. Performers from the Petaluma's School of Ballet's Nutcracker will entertain crowds from 11.00 am as they wait for Santa’s arrival.
‘Parade of Lights & Winter Wonderland’, Fourth Street @ A St & Lootens, San Rafael;
Snow sledding & Kids activities from 9.00 am – noon.
Clay Gingerbread House Workshop at Studio 4 Art, from 10.00 – 12.00 pm, address, $40 per house, all ages; preregistration is required; website: www.studio4art.net
Families can work together to build a gingerbread house out of clay and paint it!
Saturday November 27th & Sunday 28th
'Gingerbread House Extravaganza' from 11.00 - 1.00 pm, Bay area Discovery Musuem, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito, $30 per kit: http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/programs-and-events/holidays/
Kids can build sweet bejeweled gingerbread houses using frosting, gumdrops and candy canes at the BADM this weekend.
Saturday November 27th & Sunday 28th
'Gingerbread House Extravaganza' from 11.00 - 1.00 pm, Bay area Discovery Musuem, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito, $30 per kit: http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/programs-and-events/holidays/
Kids can build sweet bejeweled gingerbread houses using frosting, gumdrops and candy canes at the BADM this weekend.
Play Date of the Week
Studio 4 Art, 1133 Grant Avenue, Novato, open 10.00 am – 5.00 pm, Mon – Fri: www.studio4art.net
My son and I have been going to a weekly ‘Art for Toddlers’ classes at Studio4Art in Novato for a few weeks now, and wanted to let others know about this great local business.
The toddler class is for children from 20 months up to 3 years old, and works out reasonably priced if you sign up for 4 classes, plus you can choose which day of the week you would like to attend. If you are part of a playgroup then groups of 4 children or more receive a 20% discount. A great idea is to design a special holiday or theme inspired playgroup, and focus on handprints in clay or a special painting on canvas that can be framed for a gift. For those wanting to get some holiday shopping or errands done while their kid’s create art, then drop ins are also available for ages 4 and over. Clay, painting, drawing and mosaics are available. There are also special workshops available such as the clay gingerbread house building (in listings above) or you can build a clay jewelry/treasure box or mosaic flower pot together. See website for details.
Each week the ‘Art for Toddler’ class begins by drawing with colored pastels, pencils or pens, and then moves onto modeling with clay. The clay can be manipulated with their hands to make a 3D object or rolled out flat and cut out using variously shaped cutters or tools to create patterns in the clay. Our instructor Kebby McInroy tells us that moldings with clay is a great skill to learn at a young age as it builds strength and versatility in the hands and fingers.
The clay objects are then painted and fired so we can see the finish product the following week. The children also do painting on mini sized easels which is a lot of fun to watch, as they mix their colors and take different approaches with their paintbrushes onto the paper.
We just wish our 40 minute class wouldn’t go by so quickly!
A few minutes drive away from the art studio is Pioneer Park, which is a beautiful place this time of year. It is surrounded by rolling hills and green open spaces. It has a fantastic playground with exciting play structures to climb, and an intricate sand activity table in the sand box, check it out next time you are in Novato!
Book of the Week
'Thanks for Thanksgiving' by Julie Markes , illustrated by Doris Barrette
The entertaining Christopher Smith read this book at the Book Passage’s story time on Sunday (every Sunday at 11.00 am, Tamal Vista, Corte Madera) and the kids loved it, I loved it too and had to take it home for us to enjoy leading up the holidays.
Each page gives thanks to various things and people in a family’s life, starting off with: “Thanks for Thanksgiving, for turkey and pie.” Then continues to describe the time of year; “for fall and gold leaves floating by”, and continues to describe fun things the children like to enjoy such as music and dancing, play dates in the park, games like hopscotch and piggyback rides. Giving thanks for the fun things associated with this time of year like rain boots and puddles, and rides on a sled. Then for the warm, cozy cuddles and tucks into bed. Finally for the people; “But MOST of all thanks for the family I love!” with a picture of all members and generations of the family sitting round the table for Thanksgiving dinner.
Each page tells a story with lots of detail that is beautifully illustrated by Doris Barrette with wonderful bright colors and character. These pictures make it a real joy to read and make us want to read it throughout the winter season and not just for Thanksgiving!
Mommy Treats Links
'Eat, Pray, Love'; film version of Elizabeth Gilbert's inspirational book, starring Julia Roberts.
'The Kids are Alright'; comedy drama starring Julianne Moore & Annette Benning.
Mommy Treats Links
'Eat, Pray, Love'; film version of Elizabeth Gilbert's inspirational book, starring Julia Roberts.
'The Kids are Alright'; comedy drama starring Julianne Moore & Annette Benning.
Weekly Calendar of Ongoing
Toddler Activities in Marin
Monday
10 .00 - 10.30 am - Kid's Story Time Club, Pharmaca, 7514 Redwood Blvd, 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
10.00 -10.40 am - Toddler class, Studio 4 Art, 1133 Grant Avenue, Novato (until Dec17th)
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
9.00 - 1.00 pm - 'Jack and Jill' indoor play space, 217 Western Avenue, Petaluma (every day)
10.00 - 6.00 pm - 'Jump n Bounce, 718 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo(every day)
10.00 -10.40 am - Toddler class, Studio 4 Art, 1133 Grant Avenue, Novato (until Dec17th)
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
9.00 - 1.00 pm - 'Jack and Jill' indoor play space, 217 Western Avenue, Petaluma (every day)
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
10.15 - 10.45 am - 'Music Circle', at The Parents Center, Heller's Store, 514 4th Street, San Rafael
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
10.15 - 10.45 am - 'Music Circle', 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
Wednesday
9.30 - 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
10.15 – 10.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ (Under 1 yr),The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael
10.00 - 10.45 am - Fun & Funky (age 2 - 4), Fairfax Community Center,
10.15 – 10.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ (Under 1 yr),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, Corte Madera
Thursday
8.00 – 1.00 pm – Farmers Market, The Civic Center
9.30 - 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 - 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
Friday
10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time with Sarah Bonnet, San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.30 – 11.00 am – Story Time at San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael
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
Friday
10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time with Sarah Bonnet, 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
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