November 2018

Library Parenting Lecture: Kindergarten Readiness (Wednesday, November 7th)
https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/4450203
The next parenting lecture is on Kindergarten Readiness (okay, Kindergarten is still a couple of years away for us and many of you, but still I feel like there are always great little nuggets of wisdom to file away for later at these lectures). It will take place 7:00pm – 8:30pm.  If anyone is interested, I would be love to grab a quick coffee with other moms or dads afterwards to commiserate/luxuriate in the pains/joys of parenthood! (the Castro Starbucks near the the library is open until 9 pm).  The library requests (but doesn’t really require) pre-registration:
https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/4450203

Short, Free, Kids-Version of the Nutcracker (Saturday, November 10)
https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/4660647
Every November the Western Ballet puts on a short, kids-friendly (and kids performed) version of the Nutcracker at the MV Library.  Only 30 minutes long, it is great for preschoolers!  10:15 – 10:45 am.

Fratello Marionettes: The Frog Prince (Saturday November 17th)
https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/4628159
Another great show at the MV library, this event will be at 10:15-10:45

November Parenting Book Club (Friday November, 16th)
This month we’ll be discussing No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame
by Janet Lansbury.  If you are interested, please email me and I can find a time/place that works for you (we can even change the date if that is better for you).

Next month (December):  Next month get ready for some Danish fun: The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Sandahl.  Also, if anyone also wants to read a short, non-parenting book about Danish lifestyle, we can also discuss The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking.

Home Depot Free Kids Workshops (Saturdays)
So many moms have told me how great these workshops are that we are finally checking out one for a special daddy/son morning!  They sound amazing — free, easy, and at any toddler’s favorite store (Home Depot!).

Sunnyvale Store Schedule (Kids classes):
Sat Nov 3rd: Helicopter Build
Sat Nov 14th: Gingerbread Man Ornament
Dec 1st: Sled with Reindeer

Find a store and sign up here

Mothers Together (Thursdays)
I truly believe this to be one of the best mom resources and communities in the area.  Hosted through Menlo Church at the Mountain View Campus, small groups of women meet on Thursday mornings to learn and share about what matters most to them —  kids, marriage, friendships, and faith.  They meet 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. and childcare is provided.  Registration is here: https://menloppc.infellowship.com/UserLogin/Index?ReturnUrl=%2fForms%2f400367

Stay-N-Play Church of the Valley on Wednesdays and and Trinity on Fridays)
This is a great program where kids can free-play with tons of wonderful toys, make fun crafts, and enjoy a great educational program with their caregivers. This year there are two locations Trinity Church in Sunnyvale on Fridays and Church of the Valley location on Wednesdays (they alternate weeks).  Not sure if the Trinity Church location will resume

Church of the Valley location  is smaller and takes place on Wednesdays complete with the amazing Miss Erin, is on!  Times are 10 am – 11:30 Please preregister as they do not take walk-in registration at this location. Here is the preregistration site: https://cov.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/155368

The Trinity Church in Sunnyvale is much larger and does take walk-ins. Their time is a little longer — 9:30 to 11:30.  They now charge $3 (cash preferred) per child 2 years and older

Here is the schedule (Given in terms of Wednesdays; the Friday schedule is shifted one week and two days later):
September 19th- Let’s Play Sports
October 3rd- Fall is Here
October 17th- Crazy Hat Day (Wear a Hat)
November 7th- Things That Go
November 28th- Colors of the Rainbow
December 5th- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
December 19th- Christmas Celebration
January 9th- Winter Wonderland
January 23rd- Animals on Parade (Wear PJs)
February 13th- I Love Shapes
February 27th- Who’s in Your Family
March 13th- Green Day (Wear Green)
March 27th- Reptile Roundup
April 10th- Easter Celebration
April 24th- Rainy Day
May 8th- Welcome to the Jungle
May 22nd- Pizza Party

Free Days at the Tech Museum (First weekend of the month)
This was a great tip passed on by my friend Sarah (Thanks, Sarah!!): Did you also know that you can get a free admission ticket at the Tech Museum on the first weekend of every month if you have a Bank of America account? https://www.thetech.org/events/museums-us-bank-america-weekend-58  (FYI, Bank of America is the bank that through which you probably got maternity leave payments with the EDD, so you may have an account even if it isn’t your usual bank).

Apparently there’s also a free “Museum Day” on 9/22: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-2018/
(May be crowded but worth a look?)

Cheetah Cubs (Tuesdays)
This great Mommy and Me class is hosted by Theuerkauf Elementary and is free!  It is great for kids 0-4 years, and usually includes a few stories, a craft and playtime. This year it will take place on Tuesday mornings (8:45-9:45) in Room 25 (but please check in at the front office first and get a visitor’s badge).

Munchkin Mondays at Sky High (Mondays)
For just $6, your kid (age six and under) can jump for two hours (11 am – 1 pm) at Sky High Santa Clara.  They usually have a space/court dedicated to the little ones.  This special deal only takes place during normal school days (no discount on holidays and school breaks when the big kids are there).
https://sjc.skyhighsports.com/event/munchkin-monday/all/

Library Story Times
With the end of summer, the full suite of library stories has started again!

Goodnight Mother Goose (Thursdays)
A musical storytime for infants and toddlers with books, bounces, and dancing with your baby!
Thursdays at 6:30pm – 7:00pm
Ideal for babies and young toddlers (Age 0-2)

Saturday Stories (Saturdays)
Storytime with books, music, and movement for children ages 2 to 5. Saturdays at 10:15am – 10:45am

English/Spanish Storytime (Mondays)
Come learn the beautiful Spanish language (for Children ages 3-5) as our librarian uses stories, flannel boards, finger plays, music and more for a bilingual experience!
Mondays 10:15am – 10:45am

Mother Goose & More (Tuesdays)
A musical storytime for infants and toddlers with books, baby bounces, and dancing!
Tuesdays (10:15am – 10:45am and 11:15am – 11:45am)

Time for Twos (Wednesdays)
A storytime for 2-year-olds with books, action songs, and puppetry!
Wednesdays (10:15am – 10:45am)

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.