December 2017

Stay N Play (Dec 1st and Dec 15th)
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 as follows:
Dec 1st: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)
Dec 15th : Christmas Celebration

YMCA Parent’s Day and Nights Out (Dec 2nd and Dec 15th)
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 Dec 2nd (2:30 – 6:30 pm) whereas the Parent’s Night Out is Dec 15th (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/

December Parenting Book Club (Friday, Dec 8th)
This month we’ll be discussing The Importance of Being Little by Erika Christakis.  As always, we’ll meet at the second Friday of the month (Oct 13) at 8:30 pm.  However, due to the closure of La PanotiQ, our regular spot, will instead be meeting at Red Rock on Castro Street in Mountain View.  We are postponing this discussion (due to the regular core members being busy this evening). Sorry for any inconvenience.

Christmas Brunch – Dec 14th (Mountain View) and Dec 5th (Menlo Park)
Anyone want an AMAZING brunch with lovely moms and some Christmas music and a good speaker?!  Every year my mother’s group in Mountain View through Menlo Church hosts a really nice brunch before Christmas. Unfortunately, this year the brunch is Dec 14th, and we have a family ski trip planned, so I won’t be there :(.   However, if you are interested, I’ll tell me friends there to watch out for you so you can sit with some friendly folks!  Sign up here: https://menlo.church/mountainview/event/mothers-together-christmas-brunch/2017-12-14

 Also, the Menlo Park Mothers Together group at Menlo Church is also hosting a Christmas brunch on Dec 5th and I am planning on attending this brunch instead.  I would LOVE to have some of you join me!  Sign up here: https://menlo.church/menlopark/event/mothers-together-christmas-brunch-2017/2017-12-05

City of Mountain View Letters to Santa
This is a fun, free activity — write a letter to Santa with your kids and the City of Mountain will respond (as Santa).  See page 11 of the MV Rec Guide: http://www.mountainview.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=17129

Community Christmas Tree Lighting – Monday, Dec 4 @5:30-7:30
This was a fun, low-key weeknight activity the last couple of years.  Santa comes to light up the city tree (riding on a fire truck), and in years past they’ve had a snow play* area and hot chocolate.  Also, word on the street is that beloved Librarian Sharron will be leading us in some dancing and singing this year. http://mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/treelighting.asp
* Sometimes the line for the snow area is long, but usually they leave out the snow until the next morning, so you can come the next day and enjoy!

German Christmas Market – Saturday, Dec 9, 11 am – 9 pm
This is one of our favorite holiday traditions!!  Held at the MV civic center, there is something for everyone — snow zone, petting zoo, food, crafts, etc.  Although my German friends say it isn’t as good as the “real thing” I personally LOVE it! https://www.facebook.com/GermanHolidayMarket/

Fantasy of Lights Drive-Thru (all December)
Even though it is a bit of trek and a little pricey, this light show in Los Altos is worth it!  Get the kids into their PJs and bring some popcorn and hot chocolate.  Magical!  https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/fol/Pages/AnnualFoL.aspx

Nutcracker with TuTu School of Ballet in Redwood City – This Friday (12/1) at 12 pm
This inexpensive, short, kid-friendly version of the Christmas classic may be just the ticket for the little ballerinas in your family!  Tickets here

Grace Church Christmas Concert (Saturday, Dec 9)
Our church is putting on a FREE Christmas concert for families! There will be Christmas readings, carols, and tons of live music (jazz, bluegrass, etc) .  Also, there will be childcare for the 2 and under crowd.  5- 7 pm at the Haymarket Theater at Palo Alto High School.  Free tickets are here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grace-celebrates-christmas-tickets-39926175265

YMCA Winter Holiday Event (Saturday, Dec 9)
This is one of the best events at the YMCA.  Santa is usually there, and there is a great breakfast, crafts, and some great performances by the kids.  10 am – 12 pm.  http://www.ymcasv.org/pdfs/ECyouthactivities.pdf

Curiodyssey’s Illuminodyssey  (now through Jan 7th)
This children’s museum is fun, and now is a great time to visit because they have their annual light exhibit with fun, hands-off experiences for the kids.  We took our toddler last week and had a great time.  Bring a picnic to eat outside near the “zoo” area.
https://curiodyssey.org/activities/family-events/illuminodyssey/

Toddler Science Club (Tuesdays)
Some friends and I have a science club for our toddlers that meets 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 recently opened their new outdoor play area called Bill’s Backyard.

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/