May 2019

Mountain View A La Carte and Art Festival (May 4-5th)
It isn’t spring without Mountain View’s annual art festival.  Food, art booths, kids areas, and entertainment — Castro street is transformed into a fun family festival!
https://alacarte.miramarevents.com/

Family Fun Day with Little Acorn Nursery School (Saturday May 4th)
The Little Acorn Nursery School is having their annual family fun day.  As a fundraiser, you pay a fee for food (all-you-can-eat) and activities for the little ones.   There is also a rummage sale!  10 am – 2 pm at First Presbyterian Church on Miramonte.

Concerts on the Plaza (May 3rd and May 17th)
One of the many great things about Mountain View is the series of free concerts they have at the Civic Center during the summer.  In years past they have been held the first Friday of each month (April – Sept).  However, this year they will now be held the first Friday AND the third Friday — TWICE the fun!  Concerts run 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There is a pop-up play area for the kids, and food trucks, too!  https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/plazaevents.asp

Free Home Depot Craft Workshop (Saturday, May 4th)
Help your kids learn about nature through building a flower art piece at Home Depot!  The next project (at least at the Sunnyvale Kifer location) is a blooming art piece. Get there early to get an apron and good spot at the table, and make sure you sign up ahead of time! 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

MV Library: Fratello Marionettes present Aladdin  (Saturday, May 4th at 10:15)
Enjoy a free puppet show in Pioneer Park.  This fun retelling of the classic tale with traditional music and fancy costumes is sure to delight both kids and grownups!
https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/5240854

Mountain View Irish Festival  (Saturday, May 11th – Sunday May 12th)
Enjoy some traditional Irish dance and music (and beverages ;).  They also have a kids’ zone and arts and crafts!
http://svirishfleadh.com/

Jose Antonio Vargas Event (Monday, May 13th)
Namesake of the new MV elementary school, this Pulitzer-winning journalist will be sharing his experiences as an undocumented immigrant.  6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Performing Arts Center MV.

https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/5234318

KidStock Mountain View (Saturday, May 18th)
At the MV Civic Center there will be series of kids music concerts this summer.  The first concert are the Raytones (a beloved Rhino-led group that has performed at the library many times)!  These concerts are 10 am – 12 pm and should be fun (and free)!

https://www.evensi.us/kidstock-featuring-raytones-city-mountain-view-hall/306279012

Parenting Lecture: Boys and Discipline (Wednesday, May 22nd)
The Mountain View Library has a great series of lectures to help us parents.  The next lecture is focused specially on techniques to help when disciplining and parenting boys.
https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/4833443

May Parenting Book Club 
This month we’ll be discussing Love, Money, and Parenting: How Economics Explains the Way We Raise Our Kids   The amazing Michele M. may be joining us for this one during the last week of May. If you think you would like to discuss, send me an email and we’ll figure out a time and place.

Next month (June): Cribsheet by Emily Oster.  This one is hot of the press — the scientist in me is so excited!

El Camino YMCA Mother’s Day Tea (Saturday, May 11th)
Come be spoiled with your kids at the Y.  Crafts and, of course, tea!  10 am – 12 noon.

Click to access ECyouthactivities.pdf

Parent’s Day Out and Parent’s Night Out (May 4th and May 17th)
If you are a YMCA member, this is a great way to enjoy some time with your spouse while your kids enjoy some fun at the Y! https://www.ymcasv.org/pdfs/ECyouthactivities.pdf

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).  The next Trinity location Stay N Play is happening on Jan 11th (change in schedule).  Also note, Miss Erin is no longer teaching at this location but the new children’s pastor is good too!

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

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 (and Fridays) at Sky High (Mondays and Fridays!)
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  Spring Storytimes  – March 18 to May 24

Mother Goose & More
Tuesdays, 10:15-10:45 and 11:15-11:45
Babies & toddlers

Time for Twos
Wednesdays, 10:30-11:00
Ages 24-36 months

English/Spanish Storytime
Mondays, 10:30-11:00 (March 18 to April 22)
Ages 3-5

NEW!
English/Mandarin Storytime
Mondays, 10:30-11:00 (April 29 to May 20)
Ages 2-5

Preschool Storytime
Fridays, 10:30-11:00 (no program May 3, library closed)
Ages 3-5

Saturday Stories
Saturdays, 10:15-10:45 am
Ages 2-5
Ever 3rd Saturday is Spanish/English

Goodnight Mother Goose
1st Thursday,  6:30-7:00 pm
Next up: March 7
Babies & Toddlers

Pajama Storytime
2nd Wednesday, 6:30-7:00 pm
Next up: March 13
Ages 2-5

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.