The Marin Scoop

Dec 6th: "Calm Down, Boris" Book Review & "Rue Magazine"

Happy New Year to you all!

This weekend the ice skating rink in Fairfax opens, also catch an interesting exhibit at the BADM featuring Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl that will help children learn about the natural resources that sustain our world. The book of the week is “Calm Down, Boris!” featuring a lovable furry monster that will make your children giggle!

I also feature the new digital 'Rue Magazine' which is a great lifestyle magazine that I love and wanted to share with you, enjoy!

Weekend Events

Saturday January 8^th

‘Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home’ from 10.00 – 5.00 pm, Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito (until January 16^th)

Join Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl in their pretend woodland, urban and stream settings that will teach children to care for the natural resources that sustain our world. Activities include the Itsy Bitsy Rain Garden, a ranger station, a campsite, also a pretend bridge and stream that illustrates the water cycle, the creatures that live in water and the importance of clean water to an ecosystem. Interesting stuff!

http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/tour-the-museum/special-exhibits/smokey-bear-woodsy-owl-home-sweet-home/

‘Ice Skating at the Pavilion’ from noon – 5.00 pm (every Sat until June 6^th) at Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Road, Fairfax (next to Peri Park)

Ice skating on the faux ice rink for kids age 5 and up at the Fairfax Pavilion with refreshments, games and music!

http://www.fairfaxfocas.com/calendar/calendar_day/6968500/2011-1-8.htm

Sunday January 9th

‘Captain Jack Spareribs’ at 8.00 pm, The Osher Marin JCC, 200 N.San Pedro Road, San Rafael:

The Buddy Club presents Ace Miles whose multi-talented pirate character can juggle while making volunteers disappear and at the same time trying to escape from a straight jacket.

http://www.marinjcc.org/performing_arts_events_by_month.html

Book of the Week

‘Calm Down Boris’ by Sam Lloyd

This is a funny book that will make your child giggle, as it features a lovable monster called Boris who is a furry orange hand puppet that pops out of the book. This interactive book allows you to put your hand inside Boris to move his mouth and wiggle his jaw around to make funny kissing faces.

The story by Sam Lloyd takes you through a day in the life of Boris, a misunderstood monster that just loves to show his affection!

We start the day by helping Boris get ready for the park, by grooming him and checking his fur for bugs, which he loves so much that he thanks you with lots of kisses, to which you reply “Calm down Boris! It tickles.” After scooting to the park, Boris is hungry so the reader helps to feed him some of his picnic, which he enjoys so much that he nibbles your fingers. “Sorry” says Boris while smothering you with kisses, to which you reply; “Calm down Boris! Your kisses are too tickly!”

Boris wants to play with the other monsters at the park but he is so big and loud that the other monsters don’t want to play with him. Until a big scary dog jumps over the fence and makes the monsters run away and hide. But Boris likes the dog and try’s to kiss him all over which scares the dog away. The other monsters are so pleased that they all want to kiss Boris, no matter how tickly he is, “Kissy, kissy, well done Boris!”

A cute book that you can have lots of silly fun with, especially when you child needs some extra cheering up because “sometimes being big, kissy and tickly is exactly what’s needed!”

Mommy's Treats

Grab a coffee and something sweet then settle down with a great new digital magazine; "Rue Magazine" launched in September and is a home deco and lifestyle magazine that is visually wonderful and very inspiring! I love it!

www.ruemag.com

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

10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time with Sara Bonnet, 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

Dec 29th: Noon Year's Eve parties, Reindeers in SF Zoo & 'What The Ladybird Heard' Book Review

Kids get to enjoy the celebrations with ‘Noon Year’s Eve’ parties happening in Marin & Southern Sonoma. Check out the last weekend for the Reindeers at San Francisco Zoo and get creative at the ‘Family Sundays’ at the SFMOMA.

Happy New Year everyone!

Weekend Events

Friday December 31^st

‘Noon Year’s Eve Party’ from 10.00 am – 12.00pm, Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito:

Count down to their annual Noon Year’s Eve Party with music by DJ Mancub, create your own party hat and noise maker, and watch the ball drop in Festival Plaza.

http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/programs-and-events/calendar/

‘Happy New Year’ from 10.00 - 3.00pm, Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa:

Join Snoopy and the Peanuts gang for a root beer toast to the New Year and their first annual Up & Down balloon drop!

http://www.schulzmuseum.org/

Saturday January 1st & Sunday 2^nd

'Reindeer Romp’ from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, San Francisco Zoo, 1 Zoo Road, San Francisco;

Website:

It is the last weekend to see the reindeers; Holly, Velvet, Peppermint and Belle at the zoo after a busy holiday season! Also it will be the last time this year to see the polar bears enjoying the snow and the animals enjoying delicious presents.

http://www.sfzoo.org

Sunday January 2^nd

‘Family Sundays’, from 11.00 am – 3.00 pm, SFMOMA, address:

Kids get in free on the first and third Sunday of the month and mod-erators guide participatory art activities, like this weekend’s ‘Take part in Art’ in the Galleries & Koret Visitor Education Center.

http://www.sfmoma.org/events/series/1323

Book of the Week

‘What the Ladybird Heard’ by Julia Donaldson & illustraions by Lydia Monk

We received some great children’s books from family members this Christmas and I wanted to share some with you over the coming weeks. The first book is “What the Ladybird Heard” by Julia Donaldson, author of “The Gruffalo” and “The Princess and the Wizard”.

The book’s glittery yellow cover and collage-style title surrounded by various farmyard animal characters, jumps off the shelf. The colorful illustrations by Lydia Monk are wonderfully vibrant and use collage of textured animal fur, leaves and denim fabric on the character’s pants alongside beautifully painted pictures.

It tells the story of a farm with a fat red hen, a duck in a pond, a goose in a pen, a woolly sheep, a hairy dog, a handsome horse, a dainty dog, two cats, a fine prize cow and a ladybird. All the animals explain the sounds they make, which are great to imitate, but the ladybird never said a word.

One day that changed, when two men in a black truck, with a map, a key and a cunning plan showed up one night with a plan to steal the prize cow. The ladybird overheard their detailed plan to enter the farm during the night and take a specific route pass all the animals one by one to reach the prize cow’s shed. The ladybird broke its silence and explained to the animals how two thieves were planning to steal the cow: “But the ladybird had a good idea, and whispered it into each animal’s ear.”

While the farmer slept, the two thieves named Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len tiptoed into the farm and began to take their planned route, but the ladybird had told the animals to make different noises to confuse the thieves. So the goose said, “Neigh” making Lanky Len say; “That’s the horse – turn right.” The dainty dog began to quack making Hefty Hugh say; “The duck! We’re right on track.” In turn each animal made different noises causing the thieves to walk straight into a pond. The noise woke the farmer who called the police and drove the bad guys away.

All the animals celebrated their victory at foiling the thieves’ plan, but the ladybird looked on but didn’t say a word.

The ladybird is a tiny glittery detail on the pages in a rather understated way, but the moral of the story is that someone’s size and the noise they make doesn’t matter, because the tiny ladybird observed, took action and saved the day!

Play Date of the Week

'Bob the Builder' exhibit, Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose;

If your child is a fan of Bob the Builder, like my son, then make sure you check out the last week of the exhibit at the Children's Discovery Museum before it ends on January 9th. Sunflower Valley is replicated to promote 'green' themes and all the elements of the TV series are child sized so the kids can drive the trucks and diggers. There are hands-on activities like Bob's workshop, Wendy solar paneled caravan and Farmer's Pickles water pump. Soon you will be saying: "Can we fix it? Yes we can!"
Check website for opening times during the holiday.

http://www.cdm.org/viewPage.asp?mlid=20

Weekly Calendar of Ongoing

Toddler Activities in Marin

Monday

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

(HOLIDAY VACATION UNTIL JAN 3^RD)

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

(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

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

(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

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

10.30 – 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

Dec 22nd: Happy Holidays!

As most places will be closed for the holidays I am featuring some of the Christmas Houses in Northern Marin that you can visit for free.
Hope you have wonderful celebrations over the holiday weekend!

Weekend Events

Most places will be closed for the holidays.

Sunday December 26^th

‘Family Kwanzaa Celebration’ from 11.00 – 1.00pm, Bay Area Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito; http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/programs-and-events/calendar/

Celebrate Kwanzaa throughout the museum with art projects inspired by the African continent and Kwanzaa altar in the entry pavilion. There will be two free performances by the African Roots of Jazz presented in the Discovery Theater at 11 am and 1 pm.

Christmas Houses in Northern Marin

The Guelfi House is the best kept secret in San Rafael, come and see their inflatable Winter Wonderland with light display and festive music!

6 Harbor View Court, off Point San Pedro Road, San Rafael.

'The Bear House'

We used to live just two minutes walk from this house and we used to see something new each time we visited it. The front garden is a holiday themed toy land, and my son's favorite features are the various trains running around the tracks and the spinning airplanes.

383 Quietwood Drive, between Las Gallinas Ave & Miller Creek, Marinwood.

Photos by Adam & Sophie Davies

Other houses to check out:

'Mickey Mouse House', 417 Blackstone Drive, by Las Gallinas Ave, Marinwood.

'The Christmas House', 285 Adobestone Court, Marinwood.

34 Devonshire Drive, off Center Road, Novato.

Book of the Holidays

‘The Night Before Christmas’ by Clement C. Moore & Illustrations by Tom Browning.

My son’s Grandma makes sure she passes on the family’s traditions at Christmas by sending over gifts that her sons grew up enjoying in England. Such as sachets of Bread sauce, an English traditional accompaniment at Christmas dinner. This year my son received his own copy of ‘The Night Before Christmas’. This is a book that his father and uncles enjoyed reading every Christmas and now we can pass on that tradition to him.

‘The Night Before Christmas’ was written by Clement C.Moore who was born in New York City in 1781, he wrote this story for his children as a Christmas gift, and the tradition in his house was that they all read and learned to recite it after they hung their stockings over the fireplace on Christmas Eve, anticipating the arrival of St. Nicholas.

It the story begins…”Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” The children have hung up their stockings and snuggled down in their beds, when their father awakes from a noise outside and looks outside the window to see a sleigh and eight reindeer appear in the moonlight. It tells the tale of how St. Nicholas lands on the roofs of the houses throughout the land, climbs down the chimneys all dressed in fur with a sack on his back. Describing his unique appearance and demeanor that children come to love: “His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!” Once he fills the stockings he rises back through the chimney, back onto his sleigh and away he goes, but as he drives out of sight he exclaims; “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

The book is illustrated with richly colored traditional images of Santa by Tom Browning who was born in Oregon in 1949. The story is written as poetry and the beautiful rhymes can be dipped in and out of each night leading up to Christmas, until your children are old enough to enjoy it the book all the way through.

The story is a classic and I hope you enjoy it too or find a book like this that will become a family tradition to evoke the anticipation of a very special evening.

Weekly Calendar of Ongoing

Toddler Activities in Marin

Be sure to call ahead to check activities are going on during the holidays!

Monday

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

(HOLIDAY VACATION UNTIL JAN 3^RD)

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)

(CLOSED FRI DEC 24TH - MON 27TH & FRI DEC31ST - MON DEC 3RD)
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 (OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS)

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

(ON VACATION UNTIL JAN 4^TH)

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

(ON VACATION UNTIL JAN 4^TH)

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

(ON VACATION UNTIL JAN 4^TH)

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 (OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS)

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

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

Dec 16th: The Christmas House in San Rafael, 'The Night Before Christmas' book review & festive events in San Francisco & Marin

As the holidays are approaching check out the oldest lightened boat parade in San Francisco Bay and a holiday concert at the Bay Area Discovery Museum this weekend. Sparkle up a rainy day with a trip to the ‘Christmas House’ at the West End Nursery in San Rafael, and create a family tradition by reading ‘The Night Before Christmas’ book while anticipating of Santa’s arrival!

Weekend Events

Friday December 17^th

‘Holiday Lights & Sights Boat Parade’ at 6.00 pm, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco.

The oldest and largest lighted boat parade on San Francisco Bay, with over 75 boats decorated with lights parading along the waterfront starting just east of Pier 39. Get a great view from the walkway along Aquatic Park, Pier 39 Marina Green and the restaurants along the Wharf offering holiday menus. If you can’t make it then the boats will continue to be lit until January 9^th on Jefferson Street between Jones & Taylor Street at the Sportfishing harbor.

http://www.visitfishermanswharf.com/events/holidaylights.aspx

‘Marinwood Winter Fest’ from 5.30 – 7.30 pm, Marinwood Community Center, 775 miller Creek Road, San Rafel,$7 in advance by 12.17 3 pm or $10 on door for all inclusive wristbands

Enjoy live music while you have your picture taken with Santa, bounce house, holiday arts and crafts, face painting and cookie decorating. Food & wine are available to purchase.

http://www.marinwood.org/events.aspx

Saturday December 18^th

‘Winter Holidays Concert & Sing Along with Dream Circle’ at 11.30 & 1.00 pm, Bay Area Discovery Musuem, Sausalito.

Concert featuring Tim Cain, Miss Kitty, Christopher Smith and Cindy Cohen featuring familiar and original songs of the winter season and it’s various traditions during the holidays.

wwww.baykidsmuseum.org

‘Gingerbread Doghouse Workshops’, 10.00 – noon, Charles M. Schulz Museum, San Rosa, RSVP required.

Build and decorate Snoopy’s doghouse out of gingerbread complete with a marshmallow Snoopy on top! Classes available for Pre –K & up with an adult.

www.schulzmuseum.org

Sunday December 19^th

Book Signing at 3.00 pm, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, free.

Author Nouzha Evans presents children’s book; “Cooper the Compost Worm, The Butterflies are Teasing Me”, the first of a book series by the Early Discovery Program; www.bookpassage.com

Book of the Week

‘The Night Before Christmas’ by Clement C. Moore & Illustrations by Tom Browning.

My son’s Grandma makes sure she passes on the family’s traditions at Christmas by sending over gifts that her sons grew up enjoying in England. Such as sachets of Bread sauce, a traditional English accompaniment at Christmas dinner. This year my son received his own copy of ‘The Night Before Christmas’. This is a book that his father and uncles enjoyed reading every Christmas and now we can pass that tradition on to him.

‘The Night Before Christmas’ was written by Clement C.Moore who was born in New York City in 1781, he wrote this story as a Christmas gift for his children, and the tradition was to read it after they hung their stockings over the fireplace on Christmas Eve, anticipating the arrival of St. Nicholas.

The story begins…”Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” After the children hang up their stockings and go to bed, their father awakes from a noise and looks outside the window to see a sleigh and eight reindeer appear in the moonlight. The book tells the tale of how St. Nicholas lands on the roofs of the houses throughout the land, climbs down the chimneys all dressed in fur with a sack on his back. Describing his unique appearance and demeanor that children come to love: “His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!” Once he fills the stockings he rises back through the chimney, onto his sleigh and away he goes, but as he drives out of sight he exclaims; “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

The book is illustrated with richly colored traditional images of Santa by Tom Browning. The story is written as poetry and the beautiful rhymes can be dipped in and out of each night leading up to Christmas, until your children are old enough to enjoy the book all the way through.

The story is a classic and I hope you enjoy it too or find a book like this that will become a family tradition to evoke the anticipation of a very special evening.

Play date of the Week

‘The Christmas House’ at West End Nursery, 1938 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael.

http://westendnursery.com/house.html

The Christmas House at the West End Nursery in San Rafael comes alive each year with displays of over 50 beautifully decorated Christmas trees, each with a different theme making the ornaments ideal gifts for friends and all members of the family. There are also wonderful gifts from all over the world (and the most glamorous Nutcrackers that I have ever seen) that will get you and your little ones into the holiday spirit.

The perfect play date to add sparkle to a rainy day!

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

10.00 -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, 1^st Floor

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,