Feb 26th: New Art Class, Dr. Seuss, Peter Rabbit & Elmo Events and 'Adore Home' magazine

A great new art class starts this Friday in San Rafael with Jumping Jack’s Rosie Wendell. Your kid’s favorite characters are celebrated around Marin this weekend, look out for Dr Seuss, Peter Rabbit and Elmo story times on Saturday.

Also I share a great new online magazine called “Adore Home” and a British designer called Michelle Mason who makes beautiful interior and giftware.

Weekend Events

Friday February 25^th

‘Art for You and Me (Jumping Jacks)’, from 9.30 – 11.00 am, San Rafael Community Center, Club Room 5, 618 B Street, San Rafael; http://eplay.livelocally.com

Jumping Jack’s instructor Rosie Wendell is introducing her new art class this Friday with a free preview session. Rosie will lead the parent/guardian participation class through a variety of art and crafts experiences each week.

Saturday February 26^th

‘Who Reads? We Read! Dr Seuss Storytime’ from 9.00 – 11.00 am at Target, Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, Novato, free;  http://reading.target.com/

Bring the kids to your local Target store to enjoy giveaways, coupons and hear Dr. Seuss favorite stories. In partnership with NEA’s ‘Read Across America’ to honor D.Seuss’s birthday.

‘Peter Rabbit Appearance’ from 10.00 – 12.00 pm, Pottery Barn Kids, Corte Madera The Village, Corte Madera, tel; (415) 927-3558

Have your picture taken with Beatrix Potter’s lovable Peter Rabbit and enjoy some classic stories to get us in the mood for springtime.

‘Happy Birthday Elmo’ at 2.00 pm, Borders, 588 Francisco Blvd West, San Rafael; http://www.borders.com/online/store/EventView

Celebrate everyone’s favorite furry friend with music, story time, crafts, games and more.

Sunday February 27^th

‘Free Day’ from 11.00 – 5.00pm, Charles M. Schultz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa;  www.schulzmuseum.org

Free admission all day at the Charles M.Schultz Museum; home to Snoopy and the Peanuts gang.

A Cup of Chic – Home Deco & Style

Adore Home Magazine

A friend introduced me to a great online magazine called Adore Home, a new Australian home and lifestyle magazine. Their third issue is a special British inspired edition full of inspirational finds for your home. If you find something you like, the link provided will take you directly to the specific website. Take a look and enjoy; http://www.adoremagazine.com/

Adore Home magazine

I love the modern spin on the iconic British items featured in the magazine such as the Union Jack pillows and the classic stamp featuring the Queen’s profile, which the Royal Mail has allowed to be turned into beautiful rugs, which are almost too nice to walk on!

Adore Home magazine

The magazine features great ideas for modern children’s rooms like this eclectic toddler’s room and Circus inspired boy’s bedroom, with a great red and white striped teepee!

Adore Home magazine

Adore Home magazine

Michelle Mason

This issue has made me very nostalgic especially with the run up to the Royal wedding and I wanted to share a British designer’s website that features wonderful items for the home such as pillows, tea towels, mugs, tea trays and bunting with British themes such as the red London bus, Piccadilly Circus and Tower of London. Take a look at Michelle Mason’s website; www.michellemason.co.uk

Michelle Mason pillow

Michelle mason tumblers

Michelle mason tray

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 – 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

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, 1^st 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' (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

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

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

8.00 – 1.00 pm – Farmers Market, The Civic Center, 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 - 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

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

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

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, 2^nd floor gym

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

Feb 16th; Chinese New Year Events & Vinyl Wall Deco Ideas

It will be a wet and stormy long weekend for President’s Day but if you brave the weather you will see the gorgeous floats in the Chinese New Year Parade through San Francisco on Saturday. There will be some colorful indoor fun at the Bay Area Discovery Museum to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Monday.

Also get creative indoors this week by transforming a room with fun vinyl wall decorations!

Weekend events

Saturday February 19^th

‘Chinese New Year Parade’ from 6.00 – 8.00pm, starting on Market street, goes up Geary, down Post and ends on Kearny at Columbus; 

Over 100 beautiful floats will participate in the Chinese New Year parade full of elaborate costumes and firecrackers. A crowd favorite is the Golden lion which takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group; ‘White Crane’ to carry through the streets of San Francisco; www.chineseparade.com

‘Concert for Kids’ from 10.00 – 11.30 am, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 6780 Depot Street, Sebastopol, $5 per person;  http://sebarts.org/index.php/calendar/

Dennis Hysom & friends present a magical, musical morning of literature-inspired songs from Wooleycat’s Musical Theater (www.wooleycat.com)

Monday February 21^st

‘Chinese New Year Festival’ from 9.00 am – 4.00 pm, Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito;

BADM photo

Celebrate the year of the rabbit at the museum’s annual Chinese New year celebrations. Create a Chinese kite, listen to ‘The Year of the Rabbit’s story time by author Oliver Chin and make your own sweet pastry. See performances by the Chinese Performing Arts of America and the demonstrations by the Dragon Lion Horse dance team.   

 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/programs-and-events/festivals-and-events/chinese-new-year-festival/

‘A Cup of Chic’ – Home Deco & Style

Vinyl wall designs can transform a plain wall in a bedroom, a simple mirror or can be used on plain canvas purchased from an arts and crafts store. They are easy to use and a much cleaner alternative to using a stencil. These are some of my favorite designs.

‘Bouf’ is a French company that offer giant sized wall decals that look like artist impressions of your children’s favorite objects such as an underwater scene or a bright red fire engine, and the items can be personalized. Check out their website for robots, spaceships, animals, dinosaurs and much more! www.bouf.com/buy/latest

Bouf

Bouf

Use letters to personalize a bedroom with your child’s name or words such as “Dream” or “Princess” etc. This picture features vinyl letter stickers from an English company called “Rockett St George”; http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/wall-stickers-204-c.asp. They also feature simple and beautiful designs like tree branches, butterflies, clocks and bird cages to use in your front room, hallway or even on white goods like your refrigerator or washing machine!

Rockett St George

Rockett St George

Another interesting company is “Design with a Z” which offer decorative wall stickers by talented designers from the US and all over the world. Their fun modern graphics include sports themes, robots, princess castles even pet paw marks. Their resin acrylic mirrors in love heart shapes are a cute detail for girl’s rooms. Their glow in the dark decorations, chalkboard and white board stickers are also great fun for kid’s rooms.

Design with a Z

Design with a Z

Design with a Z

On a tighter budget simple abstract dots can be arranged in various scenes around a room to highlight a bed, a door frame or mantelpiece as shown in this picture. Various stores like Giggle or Goodnite Moon in Corte Madera stock them in various colors. I also used them across three large plain canvas hung in a line on my son’s wall.

Living etc mag

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 – 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

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, 1^st 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' (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

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

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

8.00 – 1.00 pm – Farmers Market, The Civic Center, 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 - 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

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

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

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, 2^nd floor gym

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

Feb 9th: Valentine's Day Events & 'Arun Thai Restaurant' review

Special events over the weekend to celebrate Valentine’s Day including cookie decorating in Larkspur, chalk love messages at the farmers markets in San Rafael and enjoy a special children’s tea party on the day itself at one of my favorite tea shops in San Francisco. I also review a great Thai restaurant in Novato for a Valentine’s date night.

Weekend Events

Saturday February 12^th

‘Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating’, Marin Country Mart, 2257 Larkspur landing Circle, Larkspur; http://www.marincountrymart.com/farmers-market

Inspire the love of your life by creating an edible Valentine, the Marin Mart Farmer’s Market offers complimentary heart-shaped chocolate sugar cookie decorating led by Chef Meloni Courtway. You can also create an eco-friendly personalized Valentine’s Day card and put your sweet surprise inside!

Claudia Russell also supplies the eclectic live music at the farmers market on Saturday from 10.00 – 1.00 pm.

‘Prenatal Yoga Class’, from 10.45 – 12.00 pm, Yoga Source, 1570 4^th Street, San Rafael; theyogasource.net

I tried out the Saturday morning prenatal yoga classes at Yoga Source last week and felt both energized and relaxed after Wendy Heneghan’s specific exercises, designed to help you through your pregnancy, and to prepare you for childbirth and parenting. No yoga experience necessary.

‘Raise a Glass! A Winter Wine Tasting at Marinwood’, from 2 .00 – 5.00 pm, Marinwood Community Center, 775 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael; call for tickets on 415 4790775 or online; www.marinwood.org

Free child care is being offered at Marinwood’s first annual the wine tasting event that will feature 10 wineries from the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Pouring a wide variety of wines, with bread and cheese, also live music! Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door, and they are limited to 200 tickets.

Sunday February 13^th (and Thu Feb 10^th)

Valentine’s Day at Farmer’s Market, Civic Center, San Rafael, on Thursday Feb 10^th or Sun Feb 13^th; 

Join the fun at the farmers market and help chalk paint the market’s aisles with messages of love. The first five customers to stop by the information booth and tell them what you love about the famers market will receive a free re-usable produce bag.

http://www.agriculturalinstitute.org/index/specialevents

Monday February 14^th

‘Children’s Tea Party’, from 4.00 – 6.00 pm, Crown & Crumpet, Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point, San Francisco, 

$25 per child & $34 per adult (includes tea for one, champagne cocktail, photo studio, tax & gratuity)

Enjoy a special after school nursery tea party with a photo studio experience, a fun Valentine craft project and party favor.

www.crownandcrumpet.com

Restaurant of the week

Arun Thai Restaurant, 385 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Novato

Menu online: http://www.belmarinkeysnews.com/BelMarinKeysNews.com/Menu.html

Arun Thai Restaurant is a well-kept secret off the beaten track in Novato, and can be found just off the Ignacio Hwy exit, on a street that has various office and warehouse spaces that we wouldn’t normally venture down, even though it is 5 minute drive from our house, but we are sure glad that we did!

Arun opened 10 months ago and is a small Thai restaurant that has dark wooden furniture and flooring surrounded by minimal Thai artwork and sculptures, with lots of natural daylight. But the food and service is the star of the show here.

Our friendly waitress brought us our appetizers; a wonderful Chicken Satay with a mouthwatering house made warm peanut sauce and refreshing cucumber salad. My son absolutely loved it especially eaten off his provided “Yo Gabba Gabba” plate. We also had the Crispy Autumn Rolls from that evening’s Specials menu which came with a couple of dipping sauces, the ginger sauce was fantastic.

For main course we chose the BBQ Pork, all their barbeque meat is marinated over night to infuse the flavor of all the herbs and spices and grilled to order. Our pork was three large pieces of meat that were marinated with a garlicky herb flavor. It was recommended that we had this with their sticky rice, which was very sticky and dense indeed, amazing. Our son actually wanted to keep snacking on it after the meal ended by dipping balls of it in the peanut sauce.

We also ordered the Musamun Lamb which was cooked slowly in traditional Musamun peanut curry sauce with new potato, carrot and onion, a really hearty dish and the lamb was so tender. I was spooning the sauce out of the bowl like a soup, it was that good.

Our waitress also suggested coming back to try their pumpkin curry and the BBQ lamb.

For dessert we chose the ice-cream trio of mango, coconut and Thai tea flavor which were really delicious and creamy, great for sharing.

We spent most of the evening tucking into our food and just making lots of satisfied “mmm” sounds as we tried each new dish that arrived at our table. It really was a wonderful food experience that was reasonable priced.  We can’t wait to try again either dining in or taking out.

Arun Thai restaurant is open for dinner; Monday – Sunday from 5.00 pm – 10.00 pm and for lunch; Monday – Friday from 11.00 am – 3.00 pm, so a great hot lunch option for those moms who like to take their children to the ‘Cal Star Gym’ just round the corner on Digital Drive (see listings below).

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 – 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

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, 1^st 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

10.30 – 12.00 pm – Feb 15^th; ‘Open House’ at Oakview Preschool, 70 Skyview Terrace, 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' (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

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

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

8.00 – 1.00 pm – Farmers Market, The Civic Center, 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 - 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

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

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

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, 2^nd floor gym

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

Feb 2nd: De-clutter and Make a Statement out of Shelving!

Real Simple magazine

Get a head start on making your cards for Valentine's Day or future birthdays by designing your own recycled cards at Marin Kids and Maternity Consignment store on Saturday. Get the family together and enjoy free ‘Family Sunday’ at the SFMOMA or watch the Super Bowl in HD at the Lark Theater in Larkspur.

This week in ‘A Cup of Chic’; de-clutter and make a statement out of shelving units.

Weekend Events

Saturday February 5^th

‘Finding Solutions to Everyday Problems’, 9.00am – 12.00 pm, Marin Montessori School, 5200 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera; www.mamoschool.org

A group discussion hosted by Patricia Oriti addressing everyday challenges of family life such as going to bed, mealtimes, riding in the car etc. RSVP by calling 415 924 5388.


‘Make Your Own Recycled Art Card’ from 11.00 – 12.00 pm, Marin Kids and Maternity Consignment, 814 West Francisco, San Rafael; http://marinkidsconsignment.blogspot.com

Come and have fun making your own recycled art card from reused cards, magazines and other items and create a great Valentine’s Day card for next weekend or a homemade Birthday or Miss You card. Glue stick donations are welcome for this event.  

Sunday February 6^th

‘Family Sundays’ from 11.00 am – 3.00 pm, SFMOMA, Galleries and Koret Visitors Education Center, 151 Third Street, between Mission & Howard, San Francisco;  http://www.sfmoma.org/events/series/1323

‘Family Sundays’ are the first and third Sundays of each month. This week features “Tune In”, from boiler room rumbles to the popping of a painting or a sculpture’s soaring song, tune in to the museum’s kinetic symphony. Family tour is at 1.00 pm.

‘Super Bowl Live in HD’ at 3.00 pm, Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, $20 general & $10 for students under 14, call 924-5111 to order tickets;  http://www.larktheater.net/newsidcontainer/1-Latest%20News/160-super-bowl

A family viewing of the Super Bowl in HD on the big screen, tickets includes one soft drink or beer with a hot dog or pizza and popcorn. Seating is limited so advance tickets are recommended.

‘A Cup of Chic’ – Home Deco & Style

Shelves don’t have to be a place where books and object are just thrown on top of each other, de-clutter and make a statement out of them!

I love making neutral shelving units the main focus of a room by displaying picture frames, books and favorite toys on them, as shown here;

Living etc magazine

Resurrect ugly shelving units by painting them bright colors or covering them in statement wallpaper, like this room, which has even incorporated the bed into the shelving unit;

Cookie magazine

Reuse old cabinet carcasses from another room by repainting them and attaching them to a wall to create open box displays;

Living etc magazine

Use a contrasting color on the back of the shelving unit and place brightly colored objects on the shelves. The pink walls on this picture really make the yellow objects pop.

Real Simple magazine

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 – 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

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, 1^st 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

(CLASSES ON HOLD AT THE MOMENT)

10.15 - 10.45 am - 'Music Circle', at The Parents Center, Heller's Store, 514 4th Street, San Rafael

(CLASSES ON HOLD AT THE MOMENT)

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

Wednesday

10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Indoor Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Suite 3, Novato (NEW START TIME)

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 

(CLASSES ON HOLD AT THE MOMENT)

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

10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Indoor Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Novato (NEW START TIME)

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

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

9.30 – 10.15 am – NEW! Doodlers Craft Time, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

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, 2^nd floor gym

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