December 2022

YMCA Holiday Party (Sat., Dec 3rd)
Enjoy a breakfast and holiday crafts and games at the El Camino YMCA! Also, consider bringing a new toy to donate to Hope’s Corner. Call the El Camino Y for more info (no website for this event).

Storytimes with Librarian Sharon (Sat., Dec 3rd)
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, Dec 3rd at 9:30 am Librarian Shanon will do a story time for kids 0-5 years on the topic of “Bears” at the Los Altos Untied Methodist Church.  More info here.

Holiday Train (Sat., Dec 3rd and Sun Dec 4th)
Each year the CalTrain gets decked out in lights and a collects new toys for kids in need. Usually the Salvation Army band plays, and Santa and friends join the fun! The train will visit Mountain View at 6:50 pm on Saturday (although will be visiting other stops on Sunday). https://www.holiday-train.org/train-schedule

Mountain View Christmas Tree Lighting (Mon., Dec 5th)
An annual tradition at the Civic Center, enjoy crafts, snacks, Santa, train rides and more!
https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/treelighting.asp

Holiday Flute Concert (Tues, Dec 6th)
Enjoy some festive flute music for free at the MV library. Reserve your seat now!
https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/9491193

Mandarin/English Bilingual Storytime (Wed., Dec 7th)
Stop by the library on the evening of Wednesday, Dec 7th, 2022 to enjoy a fun storytime led by Librarian Renee.
https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/9502615

Fratello Marionettes: North Pole Review (Sat., Dec 10th)
At 10:30 in the morning we’ll be treated music and puppets in Pioneer Park! https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/9516271

German Market (Sat., Dec 10th)
Stroll through cute German themed booths while enjoying spiced warm wine and roasted almonds. All at the Mountain View CalTrain station, 11 am – 9 pm. No tickets needed this year.
https://germanholidaymarket.org/

Nativity Village (Dec 21, 22, and 23)
Enjoy a trip to the town hosting the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem AD (30th and last year!). Dec 21, 22nd and 23rd. Redwood City. Free! (Thanks, Michele!)

Holiday Lights

There are so many great light drives/rides/walks around so I thought I’d highlight just a few:

• Filoli. I love walking through the gardens when they have all the light displays up. It is very lovely. Added bonus is hot chocolate by an outdoor fire.
• Niles Canyon Railroad. Ride through lights on this historic train, leaving from Fremont.
• Great America. Their Winterfest is lovely and very popular. Go early on a weekday if possible, because the lines for the rides can be long.
• Oakland Zoo. This may be my new favorite! I loved the animal lanterns — they are really magical and look a bit like Tiffany glass.
• Vasona Park’s Fantasy of Lights. This is a lovely drive thru in Los Gatos! Jump in the car with some cookies and hot chocolate and enjoy!
• Blinky’s Christmas Light Drive Another car ride, this one in San Jose near Raging Waters! I think they do a good job of matching the music to the lights! There is also a free walking experience organized by the same group called Christmas in the Park in downtown with trees, delicious churros.
• Christmas Tree Lane This is a free walk through a festive neighborhood in Palo Alto. No ticket or reservation needed!

Christmas Dace Party (Wed., Dec 21st)

Come dance to some holiday favorites on the morning of the 21st at the MV Library!

https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/9865674

December Parenting Book Club

A Mother’s Guide to Raising Herself: What Parenting Taught Me About Life, Faith, and Myself by Sarah Bragg

Next month (January 2023!): The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies, Susie Berneis, et al.