July 2022

Library Outdoor Storytimes (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays)
The library has a bunch of fun storytimes in the beautiful Pioneer Park!

Tuesdays (Starting 7/12): 10:30-11 am Outdoor Storytime.  
Thursdays (Starting 7/14): 10:30-11 am Preschool Math Storytime
Saturdays (Starting 7/2): 10:30-11:15am  Family Storytime

KidStock Music Festival (Saturday July 16th)
KidStock is a series of kid concerts put on each summer on the Civic Center Plaza. Come to enjoy some great music as well as games, crafts and more! Performer: Octopretzel
https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/plazaevents.asp

Free Outdoor Movies (Friday Evenings in July and August)
Starting July 8th, the City of Mountain View offers free outdoor movies in the various city parks.  Fun starts as soon as it gets dark (around 8:30).
https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/summermovie.asp

Summer Reading at the Library (All of July)
If you haven’t yet signed up for the MV Library’s summer reading program, do so now!  Your kids get a choose a book to keep after reading 15 days, and another after reading 25 days.  Happy reading!
https://mountainview.beanstack.com/reader365

Concerts on the Plaza (Fridays)
Nothing says summer like outdoor concerts!  Every Friday evening from June through September there is wonderful free live music for you and your family to enjoy.  Bring a picnic and relax on Plaza!

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

Free Fireworks/Concert Tickets (Saturday, July 2nd)
Now is the time to get your free Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular with the San Francisco Symphony at Shoreline Amphitheatre.  Note that the box office is only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m and you need various documents to show residence in MV.

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

Origami Program (Thursday July 21st)
The library is putting on another amazing program —  introduction of the Japanese art of paper folding starting at 1:30. Register below.

https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/9318647

Thursday Farmers’ Market (Thursdays)
Every Thursday from May to September there is a small Farmer’s Market near the library.  And there is a lot of prepared food if you want to pick up dinner, as well as kids crafts and activities. 5-8 pm

http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/thursday-night-mountain-view-farmers-market

Gilroy Gardens, Great America, and Happy Hollow (Most days)
Gilroy Gardens and Great America have opened up their water parks and are soon switching to a schedule where they’ll be open on most weekdays (instead of just the weekends).  We went to Gilroy Gardens for the first time recently and were so impressed!  Note that the Great America Gold Pass gets you into both parks!  Happy Hollow is also going to be open most days soon. Check the website first before going to make sure they are open 🙂

https://www.gilroygardens.org/
https://www.cagreatamerica.com/
Happy Hollow

Storytimes with Librarian Sharon (Saturday, July 9th)
The beloved MV Librarian Sharon has a whole series of storytimes at Los Altos Methodist Church on Saturday mornings.  You don’t want to miss these!  On Saturday, July 9th at 9:30 am Librarian Shanon will do a story time for kids 0-5 years on the topic of “Under the Sea” at the Los Altos Untied Methodist Church.  More info here.

Peninsula Open Space Trust Hikes
Peninsula Open Space Trust has lots of hikes, lectures and other great events for the family!  Thanks, Kathy!

Filoli and Summer Nights (Thursdays)
The bulbs are mostly done, but the roses are in full swing.  Also, the Summer Nights program begins June 2nd (music, food trucks, flowers!); you should your tickets now since they sell out!

Swim Lessons
Summer is here, and the YMCA has some great and very reasonably priced swim lessons.  We’ll be doing another series in August and could love to have friends in the class — let me know if you are interested in joining and you should sign up now!
https://www.ymcasv.org/locations/el-camino-ymca

YMCA
Speaking of the YMCA, this is such a great resource!  They have resumed Parents’ Night Out and much of the usual programming.  Also, a great place to take Zumba ;).
https://www.ymcasv.org/locations/el-camino-ymca

July Parenting Book Club

July: Good Inside by Dr. Becky.  Okay, so these workshops are not a book (yet … it’s coming soon). Thanks, Melissa, for introducing me to Dr. Becky and Grace, for your thoughtful discussion today!  Most of the workshops are behind a paywall on her site, but you can also get some of her content online through podcasts, etc.  https://www.goodinside.com/

August: Weird Parenting Wins: Bathtub Dining, Family Screams, and Other Hacks from the Parenting Trenches Paperback by Hillary Frank.  This one made me laugh!