November 2017

Limited Children’s Events at the MV Library
The good news is we’ll soon have a expanded and improved Children’s library, but the really sad news is that many of the regular storytimes are on hiatus until spring.
http://mountainview.gov/depts/library/about/libraryremodel/default.asp
The one toddler-related event that seems to be continuing is the musical Saturday Stories on Nov 18th and Nov 25th (see here).  Given the lack of storytimes at Mountain View this month (and the next several months), perhaps consider some of the storytimes offered in Palo Alto.

Stay N Play (Nov 3rd)
https://www.facebook.com/TrinityStayNPlay
This is a great place to let your toddlers explore new toys, try fun crafts, jump in their cool bouncy houses, and enjoy a great circle/song time with the amazing Miss Erin. The group meets every other Friday (9:30 to 11:30 am) at Trinity Church in Sunnyvale. It is very reasonable in price ($3 (cash preferred) per child 2 years and older).  The themes for the upcoming Stay N Plays this month are
Nov 3rd: Things that Go
Nov 17th: CANCELED  (next Stay N Play first week of Dec with the theme of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

YMCA Parent’s Day and Nights Out (Nov 4th and Nov 17th)
Being a parent is hard work, and if you are a member of the YMCA, you can take a little break from it all with their Parent’s Day and Nights Out.  Basically you drop off your loved ones for some pizza and fun at the YMCA, and the lovely workers ensure that they are well cared for while you and the spouse enjoy some time to yourself.   This month the Parent’s Day Out is November 4th (2:30 – 6:30 pm) whereas the Parent’s Night Out is Nov 17th (5:30 – 9:30 pm; for Night Out kids must be 3 and potty-trained).  The fee is $35 for one child and $25 for each additional child.

As a side note, the YMCA is just a great place of kids to explore new interests since many of the classes like guitar, martial arts, and ballet don’t require extra fees.

Click to access ECyouthactivities.pdf

Sing-Along Storytime (Thursdays)
The amazing Teacher Kristen is now offering Sing-along Story times in Eagle Park on Thursdays at 10 am, 11 am and 4 pm.  This great baby and toddler program incorporates tons of fun, interactive songs as well as listening skills as various books are read together.  And it is tons of fun!
http://singalongstorytime.com/

November Parenting Book Club (Friday, Nov 10th)
This month we’ll be discussing How to Teach Your Baby to Read (The Gentle Revolution Series) by Glenn Doman, Douglas Doman, and Janet Doman. As always, we’ll meet at the second Friday of the month (Oct 13) at La PanotiQ on Castro Street at 8:30 pm.

Cheetah Cubs at Theurkauf Elementary (Wednesdays)
Are you in the North Shoreline area of Mountain View (near Theuerkauf Elementary)?  If so, there is a great, free preschool preparatory class on Wednesday mornings at 8:45 am at Theuerkauf Elementary for babies through preschool aged children.  Check in at the front office upon arriving to Theuerkauf Elementary’s school campus.  Every morning there is free play, circle/storytime, and a wonderful craft.  The teacher is great and is bilingual (Spanish and English), and tries to work Spanish songs and books into the curriculum.

Storytimes on Castro Street: Books Inc. and Red Rock (Wednesdays)
Two great local businesses host regular story times on Castro Street, every Wednesday morning at 10:00AM.
1st Wed. of the month at Red Rock Coffee
2nd Wed. of the month at Books Inc. Mountain View
3rd Wed. of the month at Red Rock Coffee
4th Wed. of the month Books Inc. Mountain View
Babies – 5 yrs. old
https://www.booksinc.net/event/wednesday-storytime-books-inc-mountain-view-0

Munchkin Monday at Sky High (Every Monday morning when school is in session)
Take your little ones to the trampoline mecca in Santa Clara on Monday mornings.  Their dedicated toddler time  is great because it just $6 per kid and also you don’t have to deal with larger and older kids accidentally squashing your little munchkin.
http://sjc.skyhighsports.com/pricing-and-specials/

Toddler Science Club (Tuesdays)
Some friends and I are starting a science club for our toddlers which will meet on Tuesdays afternoons at 4:30 pm.  If you are interested in joining, please contact me (emilyrainschang@gmail.com).

Chinese Storytime (Wednesdays)
For Chinese-speakers, the Zhaoyu Cultural Foundation in Mountain View has a great children’s library.  They offer a wonderful music-based storytime for babies and toddlers on Wednesdays at 11 am.  You do need to reserve a spot before the class and will need a library card (free) to do so.

Discovery Museum and Bill’s Backyard
San Jose’s beloved Children’s Discovery Museum has just opened their new outdoor play area called Bill’s Backyard.  If you are not members but want to check it out, I noticed that Groupon has a deal right now (50% off).

Safari Run and Bounce-a-Rama
Speaking of Groupon, I also noticed that a few indoor play areas are offering deals on Groupon right now.  Safari Run is alike a giant indoor playground and is fun for adventurous toddlers but probably even better for big kids.  Bounce-a-Rama is a little farther away and more geared toward older kiddos, but they do have tons of bouncy houses and arcade games (according to friends with older kids — I actually haven’t been here)  If these are places you go anyway, these Groupon deals might be worth looking into!

Operation Christmas Child (Nov 13th – Nov 20th)
If you are looking for a fun and easy way to teach about sharing, poverty and other tough topics, Operation Christmas Child might be a good fit. Every year as a family we go shopping for toys, school supplies, and personal hygiene items  to fill shoe-boxes to send a bit of Christmas cheer to children living in poverty (mainly overseas). There are several drop-off locations in Mountain View. National collection week is November 13-20th.