July 2021

MV Summer Outdoor Movies (Fridays, starting July 16th)
Bring out a lawn chair, blanket and snacks, and enjoy a film with your family under the stars!  These are hosted by the various parks in MV and a lovely summer tradition.

https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/summermovie.asp

Cheap Kids Movies in Redwood City
For just a $1.50 you and your littles can enjoy a real movie theater experience.  First showing on Wednesday is especially designed for kids: they run older movies you don’t need to worry if your littles are a bit loud!

https://www.cinemark.com/series-events-info-pages/summer-movie-clubhouse

Summer Stories: Pools (Tuesday, July 6th) and Picnics (Tuesday, July 20th ) 
Join Librarian Alex in some fun stories and music relating to the themes of pools (July 20th) and picnics (July 20th)! This is a virtual event and held 10-10:30 am.

https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/7833398
https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/7833376

Blackberry Picking (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays)
Webb Ranch’s U-Pick is now open!  Grab your fresh berries on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings (8 am – 1 pm).  Note that during weekdays no reservation is needed, but arriving earlier in the morning does provide fewer people, cooler weather and better berry selection.  Check website before you go; they close when supplies are low!

https://www.webbranchinc.com/u-pick-berries.html

Fun Family Nights at New Community Church (June 28, July, 11, July, 18th, and July 25th)
The school-aged kids have their own program 4-5 pm with a different theme each week (e.g. water night, carnival, camp, etc), and then the parents and younger siblings can come at 5 pm for dinner and fellowship!

https://www.anewcommunity.church/events/2021/6/13/nc-kids-amp-students-summer-nights

At Home Camping Activity Kits (Pick up June 28-July 2nd) 
Order a fun camping activity pack for your family ($10/family of four + $2/extra person) which includes supplies for s’mores, popcorn, constellation chats/glow-in-the-dark stars, camping activity sheets and more! Pick up is at the Senior Center. Order you packet here.

Free Patriotic Music in Pioneer Park (Sunday, 4th of July)
Bring a blanket and picnic and listen to TACO (Terrible Adult Chamber Orchestra of Silicon Valley) practice some patriotic music on the 4th on July in Pioneer Park.  Selections include Sousa marches, Copland, Elgar, etc.  Note that this is an ‘open rehearsal’ rather than a polished performance, but that adds to the fun, as you can see how the orchestra and conductor work together to create music! Starts around 2 pm and lasts roughly 3 hours.

https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/july4thfireworks.asp

MV Community Service Projects for Independence Day (June 28-July 3rd)
Mountain View will not being having its annual fireworks at Shoreline this year.  However, there are tons of fun activities in community.  You can plant trees with your family in your local MV park (we’re helping with Jackson Park!), donate hats, remove non-native plans from Shoreline, and so much more!
https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/july4thfireworks.asp

5 x 5 x 5 Race for Hope’s Corner (Now until July 5th)
Help support the non-profit Hope’s Corner in Mountain View by running/paddling/biking/skateboarding a 5k, donating $5 (or more), and recruiting 5 other participants! By getting out and moving, you’ll be having fun and supporting a great organization.  Hope’s Corner provides hot meals, showers, and so much more to the low-income and RV residents in our community!

https://www.givemn.org/story/E7g37f

MV Summer Reading Program (Now until end of July)
MV Summer reading program is well underway!  This year the kids get credit for number of days of days spent reading (or listening to books for the younger kids).  Fifteen days earns your kiddo a book of their choice to keep, and after twenty-five days they get a second book.
https://mountainview.beanstack.com/

Animal Assisted Happiness Non-Profit (Tuesday afternoons)
Animal Assisted Happiness is a non-profit that specializes in animal therapy located close to MV in the Baylands Park, Sunnyvale.  This place is amazing and no reservation is needed — just show up on a Tuesday afternoon.  There are lots of volunteers to teach you about the animals, and opportunities to hold chickens, pet bunnies and so much more. When you enter the Baylands Park, turn left and follow the signs.  Parking is $6 per car, and there is a suggested donation of $5 per person at the farm.
https://www.animalassistedhappiness.org/

Water Parks Review/4th of July in the Bay Area
My friend Christine Lai recently took over as editor for the amazing website Red Tricycle.  If you are looking for a review of our local water parks and/or Bay Area 4th of July happenings, she’s got you covered!

Water Parks Review
Bay Area 4th of July 

Outschool
Okay, I know we are really late to the game, but Outschool is something we are just trying out!  Since Jonathan is really into all things super hero and also Dav Pilkey stories, we’re trying an online super hero training program and also a Dog Man escape room puzzle. But really there are TONs of interesting options.

Dog Man Escape Room
Super Hero Exercise Class

Legoland
We are headed to checkout the new Legoland in Milpitas next week.  Hopefully it is as fun as the website looks!
https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/bayarea/

Also, if you happen to want some lego candy but don’t want 2 lbs, let me know — we have more lego candy than we need and are happy to share!

Library Hours Expanded
Grab and Go bags a now a thing of the past, but the good news is that the library is now open longer: Monday through Saturday, 12-6 pm  

Free Flower and Veggie Seeds from the MV Library (Anytime)
One my neighbors recently reminded me of the library’s cool seed program.  You can pick up your packets when you grab your books.  Thanks, Karin!
https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/library/services/seedlibrary.asp

July Parenting Book Club
Shoot me an email if you’d like to discuss this month’s book:

Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen: The Essential Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids Before They Start High School by Michelle Icard

Next Month
August: The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson
Okay, so this isn’t really a parenting book, but is a great biography and science story. It also delves into deep ethical questions relating to genetics, parenting and ‘designer babies.’  It is such a great book, full of weighty questions, and I would LOVE to discuss it with you.  It is written for a general audience; no genetics background needed!