our community

 We used markers, stickers and rubber stamps to decorate cardstock (1/4 page) and make postcards.  The kids and parents made their postcards then addressed them to Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa.  I made arrangements for our mail man to drive back and pick up our handmade postcards.  The kids where thrilled to have the mail truck drive up and hand their cards to the mail man.  It was fun and funny to see how excited the kids were…..who’d a known!

 

 

This is just a follow-up to the April Newsletter…………

Rattle Snakes…..yes

 

Yes, we live in rattle snake “country”.  I received an email from a mom who has enjoyed the sculpture garden at Paradise Ridge Winery and wanted to report that she saw a rattle snake there.  It wasn’t this spring but you can be sure that there are snakes all around Santa Rosa.  My feeling is there are snakes and mosquitoes and ticks and poison oak and all the lovely little critters surrounding us in nature. I don’t believe this is  a reason to avoid the great outdoors. 

 

 

To get more info on rattle snakes and reinforce my idea that we should be out in nature I called the Spring Lake Environmental Discovery Center and spoke with Kristina Stanton.  Kristina who happens to be a mother of a 2year old agrees that we should be out in nature enjoying it safely with our children.  She shared some basic guidelines for staying safe outdoors and general information about being in nature.

 

·         Stay on the trail….most county parks have maintained trails.  By staying on trails you can see where you’re walking and what’s ahead

·         Avoid tall grass….that’s where ticks hang out….again, stay on the trail!

·         Lyme’s disease is rare in Sonoma county

·         Hike in the morning….avoid the heat of the day;  that’s when snakes come out

·         Don’t climb on or turn over large rocks…..that’s where rattle snakes hide

·         Baby Rattle snakes are more dangerous than adults. 

·         If you see a snake on the trail stop, back away, don’t threaten the snake and pass only if safe

·         King Snakes (black and white stripes) are quite docile and safe

 

The Environmental Discovery Center is near the east entry to Spring Lake on Violleta Drive and is opened Wednesday through Sunday 12noon to 5pm.  From the center it’s a short walk to the look- out deck which overlooks Spring Lake and Santa Rosa.  I must be honest, it’s been years since I’ve been to the center but my kids loved to go to the look-out deck and play in the amphitheater behind the center when they were little.

 

The cost to enter Spring Lake Park is $7. Per car

 

A few more things:

 

Smiling Tree Farm Camp…  Next Wednesday will be the start of a new 3week session.  In my excitement to send the last newsletter I left out some important information.   Age range for camp:  2-6years .  I’ve had younger and older kids but the range is usually 2-4 with the occasional older sibling….there’s something for everyone. (sibling discount)   Babies are always welcome at no charge.  The time for camp is 10am-12noon. 

 

There’s still room in the Wednesday group.  I have Thursday available for private groups if you’d like to set up a one- time class (minimum 4 kids). 

 

Check the website for details and summer schedule

 

Yoga-Art-Cooking

I’m planning a special mini- camp for 6-10year olds.  This camp will be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 1:30-3:30 or 4pm, June and July.  Still working out the details but it will be approximately an hour of yoga with art and a cooking project.  Let me know if you’re interested.  I’ll set the date soon.

 

Free Yoga…Alfresco (Outdoors!)

The Friday morning yoga class I mentioned in my last newsletter is for adults.

  Please contact me if you’d like to come…FREE….really!

 

 

Thanks, now get outside and play!

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can usually find my husband, Brad and I at Mac’s on 4th Street Saturday mornings having breakfast.  As a matter of fact you can find many  of the same people at Mac’s most Saturday mornings…..  We’re “regulars”.  My husband and I recently saw an adorable “couple” sharing breakfast…..they’re regulars too.  David and his daughter Grace go out to breakfast on Saturday mornings.  This particular morning I over heard David ask, ” Are you ready for another bite?”  What a wonderful, respectful way to share a meal with a young child.  Grace is not yet two years old.  Most of us are concerned about what our kids eat, how much they eat, are they eating enough, are they eating healthy……..  I often hear parents proding their kids to eat “one more bite”  or “just a little more” or “you haven’t even touched your____”.  This dad calmly asked “Are you ready for another bite?”  I like it;  not too pushy, helpful yes but not demanding….good job!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it now, kids won’t starve themselves.  If we offer good choices, kids will eat a well rounded meal (in the course of a day or week) and you can avoid lots of “issuses” around food.

 

From breakfast at Mac’s

Grace and her dad sharing breakfast…..doesn’t she look proud to be with Dad….don’t they look alike!!!

The mural is downtown too.  Part of our Saturday ritual often includes a visit to Sawyer’s News and the mural is in a pass through near Russian River Brewery.  Stop there (the mural not necessarily the brewery) sometime to count the cows, imagine sitting under the oak trees and admire the beautiful art.