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We had such fun at our cooking/sewing class here in Santa Rosa.  We made Pumpkin Bread and stitched little fabric pendants.  We snacked on mini muffins and everyone took home their loaf of bread and string  of pendants to decorate their homes. 

From Collages

As part of our cooking theme I set up a little sniff and smell game.  I had dishes of whole spices ( cinnimon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger) and the same spices in ground form the kids and grown ups grated the whole spices and tried to match to the ground….fun/interesting.  We also went out to the garden and picked some carrots, beets and radishes.  The carrots were planted last fall aren’t they pretty!

From st autumn

I loved these pumpkin projects.  I like to make a sample of the projects before camp and it’s always fun to see what the kids do with the materials provided.  They always find a way of personalizing their work.  I’ve seen paper bag pumpkins before.  They look like paper sacks stuffed and painted….cute.  Our paper bag pumpkins were little works of art!!  This was a two day project.  Each child  started with a pallet of yellow, red, and a little dab of golden color .  It was fun seeing the kids mix their colors and create orange!!  We talked about how pretty the bright clear spots of red and yellow looked with the blended orange.  The kids put the paper bag on one hand and painted with the other.  I saw these beautiful (I think they’re beautiful) pumpkins on the website That Artist Woman .  We found twigs and real leaves in the yard to complete our project on the second day.  The fun thing the kids did was not limiting themselves to one stem or one green pipe cleaner to finish off their pumpkin.  Some pumpkins had fist fulls of moss covered sticks attached and a whole range of green fuzzy spiraled tendrils….wonderful!!

More Pumpkins!

Our other pumpkin project was made of yarn….very simple.  I found this project at Make and Takes.  We changed the yarn from red to orange and changed a little red apple to a little orange pumpkin!  The kids wrapped yarn around a piece of cardboard 80 times!!!  It was an opportunity to have fun with counting and they ended up with a sweet little pumpkin.

From Collages

More Pumpkins!!

We made Pumpkin Cookies a couple weeks ago and I promised to post the recipe.  Here’s the 2 cookie recipe we used at camp made with whole wheat flour and honey  and another recipe for pumpkin cookies I’ve used for years that make lots of cookies.  As you can see by the condition of “The Great Pumpkin” recipe it has been well used.  I’ve gone from using the full amount of white sugar to none to finally settling on “about” half the original amount.  I don’t usually make these cookies as large as the recipe calls ….too big for little ones.  When my kids were little I made these with the stem, no white sugar and outlined with orange buttercream frosting and two little buttercream leaves on top….plenty sweet

I think this guy is so cute!  Here’s the link to find out how you can make one for yourself…..I know, I’ve got too much time on my hands!!!!! http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2009/10/skeleton-papercraft-project.html

From st october pumpkins scarecrow

We met online.  It seemed like a perfect match so I invited Holly and her 3 year old son to come to camp and check it out.  Holly and her son Bryles had a great time and Holly wrote a wonderful review of our parent/child camp on her blog Sono-ma.blogspot.com…..cute!   Holly noticed and acknowledged all the little things that I hope people “feel” when they come to camp.

 Holly keeps an ongoing calendar of free family/kid related events in the area on her blog.  Her posts are related to her life as a mom in Sonoma county.  You’ll find tips on canning and where to find wild blackberries , her favorite beach and much loved trails.  Check out her blog and the great write up she did on Smiling Tree Farm……take a minute to comment.

I love when I capture a moment, an expression, an emotion with my camera.  I love taking pictures.  Every once in a while I won’t have my camera or I’m too busy living the moment to take time away to take a picture.  I often hear myself say “oh, that would be a great photo” and acknowledging the moment is gone I say, ” we’ll just have to remember what it felt like” or how “beautiful it was”.  It’s great to have a photo record of an event but sometimes the camera can keep us from being part of the action; we’re recording it not living it.  With our quick digital cameras I often see children run to the camera to see the picture , abandoning the fun photo-worthy activity they were only moments ago involved in. Before I had kids I was a “serious” photographer.  I had a big heavy camera with interchangable lenses and even had a darkroom at one time.  Once I had children I realized I was missing a lot of the fun by “hiding” behind the camera.  I bought a point and shoot camera and then a digital.  Now that my kids are all grown up I have my Smiling Tree kids to take pictures of.  I still feel like I’m torn between recording the fun and being part of the fun.  …….this little ramble is brought to you by my regret that I didn’t get more pictures of our ice cream making fun…………hmmmm  we’ll just have to remember how much fun it was and how delicious the ice cream was!

We did all things lemony today at Smiling Tree.  After comparing notes I realized that nearly everyone coming to Smiling Tree right now love lemons.  A couple of the moms have lemon trees in their yards and  heavy branches of lemons hanging over the fence from their neighbor’s tree.  I have a little lemon tree as well and have been bringing lemons from my cousin’s lemon tree in Sacramento.  So we have lemons!!! 

From Collages

Today the kids squeezed lemons and we made lemon bars….yummmm, lemon curd….yummmm, and lemonade….yumm!!!  We sampled all our creations with lunch and there was lemon curd and lemon bars to take home.

Here are the recipes:

Lemon Curd

(from the Joy of Cooking)

makes about 1 2/3 cups                                                                                   

In  a medium stainless-steel or enamel saucepan, whisk together until lignt in color    :

3 large eggs

1/3 cup sugar

grated zest of 1 lemon

Add:

1/2 cup lemon juice

6 tablespoons butter cut into small pieces

Cook, whisking over medium heat until the butter is melted.  Then whisk constantly until the mixture thickened and simmer gently for an a  few seconds.  Using a spatula, scrap the filling into a medium-mesh sieve set over a bowl and strain the filling into the bowl.   (I skipped this step…no straining for me) Stir in:

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Let cool, cover and refrigerate to thicken.  The keeps, refrigerated, for about 1 week.

I served a sampling of the lemon curd on buttered bread and sent everyone home with a small container each.

Tangy Lemon Bars 

makes 16 large or 24 smaller bars

for the crust

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

8 TBL (1cube) butter, melted

1 cup flour

for the topping:

1 cup plus 2TBL sugar

3 TBL flour

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest

1/2 cup strained fresh lemon juice

1TBL powdered sugar for dusting

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line the bottom and up the sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, so that the foil hands over the edges.

First, make the crust.  Put the sugar, vanilla and salt in a medium  bowl and stir in the melted butter.  Add the flour and mix just until incorporated.  Press the dough evenly over the bottom of the pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust is lightly browned at the edges and golden brown in the center.

While the crust is baking, make the topping.  Combine the sugar and flour in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.  Whisk in the eggs and stir in the lemon zest and juice.

When the crust is cooked, slide out the rack with the pan and set it on a work surface.

Turn the oven to 300 degrees.

Pour the filling into the hot crust and carefully slide the rack with the pan back into the overn

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the topping no longer jiggles in the center when the pan is tapped.  Remove from the oven and set on a rack to cool completely.  Lift up on the foil and transfer to a cutting board.

If the surface is covered with a thin layer of moist foam, blot it gently to reveal the zest.  Lay a square of paper towel on the surface and sweep your fingers over it gently to absorb excess moisture.  Remove the paper and repeat with a fresh piece if necessary.

Use a long sharp knife to cut into 16 2-inch or 24 smaller bars

Put the powdered sugar in a strainer and shake it over the cut bars.  Transfer to a plate and serve immediately.

The bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator of three days without the crust becoming soggy.  To do so, do not use the powered sugar ; instead, shake it over the bars immediately before serving.

Lemonade

I just added water and sugar to fresh lemon juice….excellent!

From Collages

Everybody loved playing in the gooo!  We measured out corn starch and water (didn’t need to measure but it’s part of the process).  I put out food color and the kids explored mixing colors and creating new ones.  This goo is interesting in that the colors blend and separate and swirl around before blending again….fun!  I wanted to get these photos online so I’ll continue with the actual recipe and maybe a link to related stuff…

From Collages

My old PlayDATE neighbors at the birthing center are having an event this weekend which includes a silent auction.  The auction is currently online for everyone to peek and bid.  Here’s the link https://www.cmarket.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?_sourcePage=%2Fitem%2FbrowseImage.jsp&auctionId=69916951  I bid on the dinner and a movie; dinner at Flavors and 2 tickets to the Rialto Theater.  There are certificates from East West Cafe, Sushi Hana, some cute little crocheted kids hats, all kinds of baby, mom and birthing items, lots of wine and a gift certificate for a session of Smiling Tree FUN School or Summer camp!  Take a peek,  you might find a bargin and at the same time help support Better Beginnings. 

 Proceeds go to Better Beginnings, a new non-profit dedicated to promoting healthy pregnancies, supporting birth and breast-feeding, and mentoring positive parenting

I had so much fun making this doll. 

One of my moms asked me to make a doll  as a gift for her niece.   She wanted something a little different; not anything too girly but still a set of dolls.  I suggested she find a book with a message she liked and I’d make a doll to match.  She found a wonderful book, “Violet the Pilot” by Steve Breen.  Violet is an inventor who builds an airplane and saves the day.   Violet is a  great roll model for girls.  She gets right in there and builds things even though others think she is odd.  In the end Violet  is the heroin .  Fun project for me, fun book too….I love the illustration simple yet detailed at the same time.  I made a violet felt pouch for Violet and her dog .From Collages Violet clothes pin doll

From thanksgiving violet pilot felt star

I found this idea online with a cute example stitched by a 2 year old.  Sorry I can’t seem to find the website .  We’re going to do this activity in FUN School next week.  I’ve cut out the stars and will have needles threaded with red, green and blue thread.  The kids will work with their grown ups.  The older kids will probably be able to stitch the two pieces together.  The younger kids will probably need their grown up to hold the star and direct the kids to poke the needle in and pull it out…..should be fun and cute!  I’ll post some pictures of the kids’ creations. 

From thanksgiving violet pilot felt star

From ST goopy soup Nov 2008

We haven’t made “goopy soup” at Smiling Tree in quite some time.  I thought it was more suited to summer weather so when we had a heat wave last week I decided to get all the goofy soup fix’ns .  I always get used coffee grounds from Starbucks and some rice hulls, rosemary, mint, gravel, lavendar and sand.  Tuesday was still warm so we had water with food coloring in an  assortment of bottles and pitchers so the kids get a chance to practice pouring.  By Wednesday it was “freezing” outside so we made dry soup.

From misc st replace photos

Leaves, twigs, acorns + glue and just a touch of paint…………..art!

From st noodle necklaces Irish soda bread

I dye noodles with food coloring and rubbing alcohol.  Using alcohol allows the noodles to dry quickly and not stick together because the alcohol evaporates quickly.

From st noodle necklaces Irish soda bread

 We made Irish Soda Bread with molasses, strung dyed macaroni beads and made book marks as gifts.  We were lucky enough to have a big sister, a dad and a grandma join us this week.  Cyrus’s sister Milla is in the first grade and had the day off from school so she came to Fun School for some creative time with Mom, Cyrus, and me!  Ty and Luke’s dad just returned from a business trip and decided to reconnect with the family by coming to Smiling Tree with them. Amelia’s grandma was visiting from Wisconsin so she came to Fun School as she usually does when she comes to Santa Rosa. 

From st noodle necklaces Irish soda bread

I had so much fun making clothespin dolls with the moms and kids at camp that I started making them myself. Everytime I walk past my new dolls they make me smile.  Now I have more than I can “play” with so I’m offering them for sale.  The play for me is in the making.   I think these dolls are special enough to sit on a shelf and admire but I hope a child will actually play with them.  Here’s my latest line up but I’ll gladly made a set of dolls to order with colors of your choice and “maybe” even a theme…storybook, ballet, ??? Please order early …

From st clothes pin line up

I have two different sets available (3dolls in each set):

Fun & Fancy $30                                                                                                                                                 

Fun & Simple $18

These dolls are sturdier than they look  but of course children can love their toys to death.  If you buy a set of dolls and they need “fixing” just bring them back to me and I’ll give it a loving makeover for $5 per doll

River loves this swing……..she can push off all by herself

I like having everybody in the kitchen. This table is just the right height for the kids.

Itsy Bitsy Spiders ready for lunch…..

One of the moms in our Tuesday group suggested we make onigiri to tie into our food month. Onigiri is essentially a rice ball. I made sushi or sticky rice and the kids with help from their grown ups made a ball then poked a whole in it then filled the opening with goodies. We had poached red snapper, green beans, carrots, tempeh, egg, avocado, peas, sesame seeds and nori (sea weed). I think it was a good food project, the kids were very clear about what they wanted in the rice balls; some plain, some with only avocado, some with everything!!! I’ll do this project again; maybe with the bigger kids cooking class and during the winter when we have our Happy Hour with a maximum of 6 kids………easier with fewer kids……

Thank you Justine for the inspiration and bringing fillings and toppings for our Origiri!

some onigiri we made

aren’t these too cute…………………………..no we didn’t make them, just a picture of a cover picture on the book “Fun & Fancy Sushi” by Seiko Ogawa & Ine Mizuno

We had a fun and busy week at camp. We peeled apples (Gravenstein’s) ate some raw and put some in the pot for a communal applesauce to serve with our lunch. We also made pinecone and peanut butter birdfeeders…..very messy! and painted cardstock birds in shades of yellow, blue, white and green….wait a minute yellow and blue make green!!! I took some before and after pictures. It’s always fun for me to see the progression of a day in pictures. These pictures were probably taken over a period of 4 hours. Setting up for camp can sometimes be a little frantic (especially since my helper Stephenie has gone back to school), but there’s that moment when everything is ready and I’m waiting for the kids and their grown ups. Check out what we did this week.

getting ready to peel apples and make applesauce
Would you let your use this??? Why of course!!

Everything’s ready for the kids………a moment of quiet before they arrive

Iris brought a carrott from home to feed the horses.

Ainsley , another budding artist
Mom’s get to have fun painting too!

peek a boo Mateo …..showing his bird picture

Emma scissor hand

everybody wants to work on their collage at the same time…

concentrating on peeling apples

now it’s applesauce!!!!

we had our applesauce with our lunch

making bird feeders

all cleaned up and ready for next time

All cleaned up and ready for next time!

I found one of these pieces of art at a local gallery the others are by local budding artists. All quite expressive and colorful!

Kidspot Art Camp…..”collaborative, expressive creation”

Smiling Tree Camp….”dramatic texture and blending of colors”

Smiling Tree….”light touch on circular pattern”

For the month of August we have a food theme at Smiling Tree camp. The first week we made cookies……from scratch! This is a great recipe because the kids get to measure out their own ingredients and stir it all up to make their very own cookies….just two. The cookie “project” was so succesful that we did it for our bigger kid’s cooking/food experience class too. It’s pretty amazing how much wiggle room there is in the recipe. The recipe calls for a teaspoon of this and a pinch of that and in the end there was probably a tablespoon of this and three teaspoons of that. All the kids were very proud of their creations and all the cookies were delicious regardless of the measurements. Scroll down in the blog to find the recipe.

all set up

and ready for the kids

this is the way we wash our hands

same recipe - the results were all different! Amazing how much wiggle room there is ..

I had a great time with the kids at my last cooking/food experience class. We probably did at least two classes woth of work but the kids loved it all. We tasted and picked fresh basil, tasted dried mango, candied ginger, etc,…..check out the slice show if you want the whole story. I’m looking forward to more classes, maybe some after school and a once a month Saturday morning.

I had a great week with the kids at Kidspot. We made collages, sand art, big pieces and little pieces. Some kids carried their sketch pads with them all week no matter if they were in the play room or not. Other kids loved the freedom to play and explore all the fun things at Kidspot. Everyone loved the collaborative giant piece we did with layers of color and the finishing touch was finger painting. On one of the days I wasn’t there the art kids had field trip to the pottery studio.

We made pots of goopy soup and beautiful little playdough cakes. Next month we’re going to experiment with real food……should be interesting! Will these same creative cooks be able to make pretzels and muffins???? Stay tuned to find out!

Sometimes we sing songs, we almost always have a story; it’s nice to gather on the lawn together.

I love this bedspread but I haven’t used it in years……until I pulled it out for our camp picnic. The first time I spread it out on the lawn one of my little friends was eating ripe berries and I must admit my heart sank when I saw little smashed berries on my white chenille spread. The spots quickly turned from red to purple and by the time camp was over there were black spots on my coveted “Goodwill find”. I took a deep breath and remembered stuff is to be used. A little bit of bleach and the spots are gone! I hung the spread on the clothesline and enjoyed watching it blow in the afternoon breeze……it’s just like new!

is this strawberry ready????

Jackson likes tetherball
Lucky Jemma; grandma and grandpa came to camp

dad and Mateo take a snack break

busy girls

my niece Stephenie was our has been our camp helper this summer

this is her rock sculpture…very cool

We worked with playdough at camp last week. Here’s the recipe………..

Simran with the rolling pin…………here’s our play dough recipe:

Playdough

1 cup white flour
1/4 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
“some” food coloring (2tsp)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup water

mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a medium pot

add water, food coloring and oil

stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes…..it looks pretty yucky but it will pull together

when mixture forms a ball in the center of the pot, take it out and put it on a lightly floured surface and knead…….the dough is quite hot so let it cool before letting kids work with it

store in a plastic bag or airtight container in the fridge

This is my favorite playdough recipe; the one I used when my kids were little.

Enjoy!

kicked back relaxed moment for Hannah

Rosalie masters the apple peeler/corer…..we all shared the sweet apple slices

Emma and Amelia washing laundry and hanging it on the clothesline

playdough “cake”

goopy soup

Bunny Vikram doing laundry at the washtub

Moishe the rabbit came to camp today. We made rabbit ears, fingerprint bunnies and bugs made a Father’s Day card and had lots of fun washing laundry and painting

Jessica and Jemma with her rabbit ears

Moishe goes to camp

It’s time for camp again and we’re having loads of fun. Lots of the old favorite activities and some exciting new things. As always paint is a big hit and using the eyedroppers is eye/hand coordination and pincher developement disquised as just fun and creative.

Amelia gives a new meaning to finger paints

We took some sweet photos at Kidspot for Mother’s Day. I love them all!

We had so much fun in the dads’ class. Some of the dads continue to come on Saturday mornings just to spend special time with their little ones.

The Saturday morning PlayDATE classes have been big fun! It turns out to be mostly dads with their little ones but this week we had two lucky moms join us. It’s a very sweet time.

Grace checks out the sailing ship with her daddy
rub-a-dub-dub three kids in a tub

Jonah and his dad check out the star fish

Owen and Isabelle’s grandparents have made it a habit to come to PlayDATE whenever they visit from Michigan. They come in from Healdsburg where the kids live. Then spend a fun morning at Kidspot, play at PlayDATE, have lunch then walk over to Screaming Mimi’s for ice cream. These long distance grandparents are making memories!

who’s feet are these????

I often see people celebrating birthdays at Kidspot. This little boy couldn’t wait to take his new truck to the top of the tractor slide.

Amelia had lots of fun at PlayDATE today. She played and sang and swirled the scarves. Dad had the day off so the whole family came to Kidspot, then a quick stop at Whole Foods for picnic fix’ins then off to the beach. What a great way to spend your day off.

Amelia with Dad
Amelia loved the scarves

PlayDATE Newsletter
March 2008

· Kids’ Yoga
· Saturday Dads’ & Moms’ too
· Buckshot Boys @ Ace in the Hole
· Sweet Spring Song
· Cute shoes on sale - See Kai Run
· Spanish and Music classes at Kidspot

Kids’ Yoga

With the right modifications, yoga helps children develop strength, flexibility and healthy bodies as well as foster imagination, increased attention span and a positive body image and an appreciation of healthy living.

While adult yoga often involves holding poses and coordinated breathing. In children’s yoga we do a lot of poses with an emphasis on fun and variety. In children’s yoga we use animal names for the poses instead of the Sanskrit names and reinforce the mind-body connection, deemphasizing the spiritual aspect of yoga. Yoga is a noncompetitive way for us to do our best, try our hardest and gain strength, balance and body awareness as well as focus and confidence. Yoga is a healthy activity children can do for a lifetime.

We will be offering yoga at Kidspot over spring break and start regular afternoon classes in April at 4pm.

Spring Break at Kidspot/PlayDATE

We’ve got some fun classes planned for spring break, March 24th through March 28th. In addition to our regular schedule we’re adding some classes for the “bigger kids” and grown -ups too!

FUN & Games for 4 – 6 year olds is for boys and girls who are ready for a more structured class. This is an active class with directed play. Children will enjoy traditional and cooperative games and participate in group activities. We’ll run and tumble, play a variation of kick ball and hide and go seek, a little yoga and maybe sing some songs and have a parade.

Spring break Fun & Games $13 (includes Kidspot)

Yoga FUN & Fitness is geared to boys and girls 4-8years old. We will learn and practice classic yoga poses such as downward dog, tree pose and cobra pose as well as breathing exercises, relaxation and calming techniques. We’ll have a chance to play games which will help us concentrate and even do some yoga “dancing” and have an interactive yoga story. Children who are ready to listen to directions and join in on the fun will love Yoga FUN & Fitness

Spring break kids’ yoga $13 (includes Kidspot)
4week session $50, Thursday, April 10th-May 1st

Parent-Child Yoga FUN will be geared to children over 4 years old but parents will get a chance to do “real” yoga too. This is a great class for anyone who wants to spend special time with their child and get a workout for themselves too. In addition to all the fun of the children’s yoga class we’ll do some partner poses with adult and child. Children gain strength, flexibility and coordination as well as concentration skills and confidence from doing yoga….and so adults!! Each class ends with quiet relaxation. Come spend some special time with your child and introduce them to a healthy life time activity. …Real yoga for you, real fun for everyone!….. No yoga experience is necessary.

Spring break Parent-Child Yoga $18 per “couple” (includes Kidspot)
4week session $70 parent/child pair —- Tuesday, April 8th through April 29th

Entry to Kidspot is included with your class fee so come early to enjoy the play space.

For both FUN & Games and Yoga classes please wear comfortable clothes which are easy to move in. Stretchy pants and bare feet are best, tights and dresses are difficult to move in.

Come to Yoga class with an empty stomach so please plan to have lunch after yoga class during spring break and just a light snack before the afternoon class.

Please call Kidspot to reserve a spot….. 823.5432
Please feel free to call Gail with any questions 528.2208

Saturday Morning PlayDATE for Dads

We decided to add a Saturday morning PlayDATE class especially for dads to come with their little ones. Then we realized of course there are moms and grandparents who would love to come to PlayDATE but aren’t able to come to the weekday classes. So our new Saturday morning class is for Dads and moms and grandparents too with their 1-4year olds.

This will be a 4 week class beginning April 5th. Pre-registration is required for the Saturday classes so please call ahead, 823.5432 . Four consecutive classes, $50, April 5th-April 26th. Full play privileges at Kidspot included. Bring a snack and/or lunch and stay to play at Kidspot after class.

The Buckshot Boys at the Ace in the Hole

Last summer many of you came out to Julliard Park in Santa Rosa to enjoy the park and my son’s rockabilly band. The band is still together and just as much fun as ever. The Buckshot Boys will be playing at the Ace in the Hole in Graton this Friday, March 21nd and Friday June 6th at 4:30. A pub might seem like an unlikely place to take your kids but it’s such a fun place and every time I’ve ever been there for the early (4:30pm) open mic there have been kids there having fun. So if you’d like to expose your little ones to some fun and upbeat live music and if you like rockibily music or would like to check it out, come out to the Ace……..I’ll be there and looking for any PlayDATE kids and their parents who drop in. The ACE in the Hole is in Graton on Gravenstein Hwy (hwy 116) and Graton Road. No cover charge!

Sweet Spring Song

This is a sweet song we’ve been singing at PlayDATE.

Spring is Here

Spring is here, spring is here, and how do you think I know? I saw a little daffodil and that told me so.
Spring is here, spring is here, and how do you think I know? I saw a little____________(you fill in the blank) and that told me so.

Go for a walk in your neighborhood or through your garden and see how many things you can add to the song.

Shoe Sale at Kidspot

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again………..I don’t mean to plug the Kidspot store but I must share this great sale!!! The absolutely cutest shoes are on sale….25% off a big selection of See Kai Run and PediPed shoes. I don’t think these shoes go on sale! (?) There are also boxed sets of cute little socks too. You’ll find some 50% and 60% off items too. I’m such a sucker for all the cute things in the store. Besides the sale shoes there is a whole shipment of new styles in a pretty good range of sizes….. so cute!

New Spanish, Music, Parent nutrition, Yoga classes at Kidspot

Please check the Kidspot website to learn more about the new classes coming to Kidspot in April. As of this time the information on the website is not complete so feel free to call Kidspot for more information 823.5432.

PlayDATE Schedule Changes in April

Beginning April 7th there will be no PlayDATE classes on Mondays to make room for the new music class. The Friday PlayDATE class will be 11am only, for 1-4 year olds. The Friday 10am slot will be for the new Spanish class. As mentioned above, we’re adding a Saturday morning PlayDATE class for Dads & Moms too with their 1-4year olds at 9:30am, April 5th – April 26th . Yoga classes will also be added on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 4pm, April 8th through April 29th and Thursday April 10th – May 1st.

Please forward this email to anyone you think would enjoy it…….thank you

Let me know if you’d like your name removed from this e-list

There’s always something in the backroom “art studio” at Kidspot. The last couple weeks there were colored paper eggs to color and glue sparkles to, and there’s always paint at the paint wall. This week there is colored paper to cut and color. One little boy decided the paint wall was a great place for finger painting.

purple “finger paints

big brother concentrates on a motorcycle picture

Buckshot Boys
Gail and Julia watching the band

Hanah and Julia having fun

Lucky Antonio spends his 1st birthday with his two favorite people….Mom & Dad!!!

here’s Max, where’s Grandma???

here’s “Papa”, where’s Zara???

everyone gets into the act!

Meyer with a green “cape”

Parachute tunnel just for Sophia

How did the star fish get a hold of the car??

Roll the ball…………..

Tummy-time for Eli with Mom & Dad

Ham-bone Allissio!

I found this sweet group celebrating a birthday with home-made cupcakes and snacks. What a nice way to spend your 2nd birthday!

This little boy was having so much fun dressed up as a pirate………

This group of grade school kids had a great time at Kidspot.

We’re making valentine cards at PlayDATE. All the photos I took last week are in and ready to be transformed into beautiful handmade cards. We’ve got satin ribbon, paper doilies, fabric, lace, construction paper etc, etc for you and your child to get creative.Come in and enjoy your PlayDATE class then stay to craft your valentine in the Kidspot “art” room.

Fun little song we sing in the baby class I’m a little baby
(to the tune of I’m a Little Teapot)

I’m a little baby, I can fly
Here is the floor, here is the sky
Just like a bee or a butterfly,
up I go I’m flying high

here’s an exerpt from my newsletter

Grandma Confessions

No, I’m not a grandmother, not even one “in the oven” but I couldn’t help myself. I bought some adorable costumes from the Kidspot gift shop. One of my PlayDATE moms pointed the costumes out to me and I’ve since pointed them out to other moms and decided to buy a couple to put away for my future grand children. I think of this not as a “commercial” for the gift shop but as sharing a great buy and admitting that I’m starting to look forward to the day I’ll be more than a surrogate grandmother. So, here’s the great buy: I bought a “Little House on the Prairie” costume which includes a calico dress, a matching sun bonnet, eyelet bloomers and apron all for $14.99! I also bought a purple velvet robe with a satin “gown”, same price. Today another mom bought two Knight costumes which I think I might buy too because how many chances does a little boy have to play in a red velvet cape? ….I’m having a lot of fun at ( Kidspot)

Here’s the costume sale I mentioned in my newsletter. I bought the purple and blue velvet cape hanging up and the little prairie dress with eyelet bloomer,bonnet and apron. I think I’ll buy the knight’s suit with red velvet cape next week……….they’re only $14.99 for each costume…..can’t beat it!

I’m having so much fun at Kidspot. The PlayDATE classes are starting to fill up; last week we had to close one class because there were too many kids! If you decide to come out with your play group I recommend you call ahead and reserve your spot. There’s plenty of room in most classes but on rainy days the place fills up!

Tilly with Grandma

big kids’ FUN & Games class

Everyone had a great time at Chase’s party. Grown ups and little ones all played together to celebrate Chase’s big day. Here’s what Chase’s mom had to say: “Our family and friends had the BEST time at Chase’s birthday party, it was seriously one of the most fun 2 year old parties I’ve been to. What a great success!”

Dear PlayDATE friends,

As you know PlayDATE will leave North Bay Martial Arts December 13th. I am actively looking for a new location and hope to reopen early in January 2008.

As part of my search for a new venue and restructuring of PlayDATE I would appreciate hearing from you. Your comments regarding PlayDATE such as why you like the program, what makes it unique, why you have chosen PlayDATE, any changes you’d like to see. I have recently added some musical instruments (shakers and bells). Are you and your child enjoying our little parades or would you prefer to have play time? Would you follow PlayDATE to a new area or is the “east side” important to you? I’m thinking that I will discontinue selling vouchers and go back to asking families to preregister for classes, committing an hour a week to PlayDATE and to special time with your child. I would also limit the number of children per class to a comfortable number for the room. I would also like to hear from those who have participated in other PlayDATE classes including Yoga, Fun & Games and summer camp. I’ve offered parent/child yoga on Saturday mornings; would any other day or time work for you? I’m considering offering some children’s cooking classes at my home for children 6years and older. Any interest? I have hosted many birthday parties at PlayDATE were you aware that you can have a PlayDATE party and would you be interested? I’d love to have summer camp again next year. Do you have any suggestions for camp?

All comments and suggestions are welcome.

Please respond to my questions on my blog. I’m thinking you can reply anonymously through the blog and share your ideas with everyone. http://playdateblog.blogspot.com/

Thank you for taking the time to respond,
Gail

Gianna comes to PlayDATE with Mom, Dad, Grandma Kathy and Auntie Sarah.

Happy Birthday Brody!!!!

It’s a group project…..

Here’s the fun part!!!

These two cuties were born in the same hospital on the same day!!!

Moms and big brothers play while babies “hang out”

Chloe and Olivia…..good buddies!

milestone moment for Emerson and Mom too!!

Mothers of Multiples (MOMs) came to PlayDATE

We had a great time at Tyler’s birthday party. There were dinosauers for everyone and everyone left happy.

getting ready for the party

fun at Tyler’s dinosauer birthday party………

sweet Tyler, sweet family………….

Camp is over for the summer. We all had a great time. I look forward to hosting camp again next summer. We’ll probably have a few more camps this fall; just one day camps. Maybe a fall theme and/or Halloween……If you’re interested let me know.

Valentina testing the new swing

Levi putting seed on his bird feeder

pug puppies check out camp

Before……

After……….yummm!

Parent/child yoga will begin again soon……early September

sweet babies ……

I brake for snacks!!!
we painted rock bugs at camp

Jump for joy!!!

fun at PlayDATE

Luke had a “mission”; he was really focused!

We’re still having fun at camp!

rice hulls, pea gravel and clean up

“our” horse came for a visit

fun with dress up

time to put the paint pots away

We picked green beans and cucumbers and shared them at lunch.

pretty dahlia

Such creative cooks!

This week at camp we made two different kinds of collages, one was brushing glue on matt board and glueing pretty paper (a little messy), the other collage was sticking three dimensional items on the sticky side of floor tiles. The kids had fun piling lavender, macaroni beads, sticks, rocks , leaves , flowers and anything else they discovered in the yard… fun, fun!

But…….the real hit of the day was the goopy-soup table! The kids took turns creating concoctions that in some cases were a little scary and a lot messy!!! I heard one mom say this is a project she’d never do with her kids at home. The kids loved it and the mess stayed at camp! The soup ingredients included coffey grounds, rice hulls, colored water, rosemary, lavender, tansy, various leaves, seed pods and water.

…yummm

Happy Birthday Kolby!!!!

Natalie
Mateo

Kolby’s birthday party

Outdoor Country Camp
We’ve been having big fun at PlayDATE camp. Last week we had a hunt; the kids discovered little rubber lizards and frogs, keys and special rocks and dug for sea shells in the sand tray. The water table spontaneously changed into a “stone soup” kitchen with some of the kids mixing, colored water, rice hulls, pea gravel and stirring until they had the perfect mix! There was also homemade playdough and a eyedropper and colored water project. This has been such a sweet summer. I will continue to offer summer camp as long as there is interest.
The next camp will be Friday, August 10th, 17th, 24th. 10am-12noon
$65 for 3week session (sibling discount)

Please let me know if you’d like to come

“What a Wonderful World”………..a favorite book

Tug-a-rope, jump the rope and limbo!

tree swinging

silly Henry tumbles out of the rice hull boat

water play

and “stone soup”

coffey filter “tie dye” with eyedroppers and food coloring

Play dough fun

Babies at PlayDATE baby class. Starting this summer babies under 6months old are welcome to come to baby classes for free. Babies under 1 year have always been free when attending a regular 1-4year class with a sibling. Now moms can get out of the house and come to PlayDATE even if their babies aren’t quite ready to play.

We’ve been having lots of fun outside at PlayDATE Camp. I think the parents are having as much fun as the kids. The next session will begin the second week in July.

Jack found the “vintage” Tonka truck

checking out the fish pond

picnic lunch under the willow tree

Amalia steps on the sewing machine pedal, Gail helps out

Colleen and mom planting seeds

Grace using a washboard to do the laundry

Rosalie hanging out the laundry

Sean and mom working together

close work…..mom as assistant

Julia uses a real needle to sew a bean bag

crafts in the shade

Colleen serves herself

Saul likes to prune the plants

What a wonderful, wonderful day!!!! We met in Graton for a walk down the West County Trail. I wasn’t sure how many people to expect. At 10am there I was with two moms, one with a friend, a little girl in a stroller and a little boy with his big dog. By the time we got to the fire station there were I guess over 30 people!!! Happy people!! Happy children on bicycles, tricycles, skate boards, in strollers, back packs, front packs, wagons what a crew we were. The sun was shining, the sky was as blue as could be and there was a sweetness in the air. Children hiked and ran and stumbled and tumbled down the trail. We watch a red tail hawk….. one mom saw the hawk finally fly off with an unhappy mouse in its talons. There were leaves and oak galls and rocks and sticks to pick up; water in ditches, Canadian geese and white egrets in the marsh, apple blossoms and Spanish moss in the trees. Oh my, it was a beautiful morning so alive with children and nature and happy parents. Our hike lasted about an hour and continued on to the Graton Fire station. I believe the grown-ups were just as excited to see the fire engines and trucks as the children were. I must admit I was surprised how totally aware the children were that they were at the fire station climbing up, on and into the trucks. Just as I thought things couldn’t get any better, to the delight of parents and children the firemen gave each child a fire fighter’s hat….how cute!!! We pretty much had full run of the place. After the children seemed to have their fill of climbing in and out of the trucks the firemen gave an informal tour inviting the little ones to try on the fire fighter’s jacket and hat. And that’s not the end of it! The firemen had a big canvas hose hooked up to a water hydrant and let each child who wanted to have a turn turning the water on and off, shooting a huge steam of water into the sky and out into the street.
As lunch and nap time approached we thanked the generous firemen and headed out. Several of us stayed in Graton and picnicked at the Pinnacle Market/Far West Tea Room Garden. We munched on snacks from the market and lunches packed at home plus tea from the tea room, topping it all off with a splash in the garden fountain. It was a lovely way to finish off a wonderful morning.

PS…..I finished my day back in Graton! My son Evan’s rockabilly band, The Buckshot Boys performed at the Ace in the Hole Pub in Graton that evening. My husband I met there to enjoy the band then took our son and his girlfriend out to dinner in Graton of course at the Willow Wood Market Cafe………..it was a delicious meal and great company I might add!

this picture of Isaac was taken at the Amgen bike race in downtown Santa Rosa but I had to include it here because he rode this bike on the trail in Graton but I didn’t take a picture then

off we go!!

Jackson’s not ready to head back…

everybody wants a turn walking the dog…thanks for sharing

back to where we started; now to the fire station…

stroller parking at the Graton Fire House

happy to be in the fire station

in, out, and all around the fire station, engines, pumpers and trucks…..a kid’s dream come true!

everybody’s in the station

Zoe and Hanah aren’t too sure about the fireman in all his garb

Zoe gets up close to the “scary” fireman

Saul and James in the driver’s seat

Rosalie takes charge!

Kelvin, fire hat and all!!

James braves the fire hose

figher fighter Aiden

happy to let Mom take the controls

Pinnacle Market in Graton…….we picniced in their back “garden”

picnicing in the “garden”

Nadine with her organic Pink Lady apple

yummy sandwich

Wes playing in the fountain…..he got soaked!!!!

We had a fun time at Mateo’s birthday party. Besides all the PlayDATE fun and games we had a yummy lunch, beautiful and delicious cupcakes and hand made miniture pinatas for each guest. Mateo’s mom continued a family tradition by decorating special clay pots with colorful tissue paper to create individual pinatas with a charming gift for each guest.

Mateo jumps while his parents get ready for the big party!!

lunch is served ….parachute picnic!

sweet family……….Happy Birthday to you….happy birthday Mateo!!

blow out the candle……..

Rosalie with her personal pinata

sweet Mateo

Under the rainbow parachute with Mateo at his birthday party

Olivia with Grandpa and Grandma

Lucky Whitney with both Mom and Dad!!

I did it!!!!

There won’t be any class the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and of course none on Thanksgiving day. Though we didn’t make handprint turkeys this year at PlayDATE you can still make them by tracing your child’s hand and coloring it in. When my children were young we made handprint turkeys and used them as place cards, writting each person’s name across the palm or turkey’s body. Have a wonderful holiday!

Sanya and Arjun 

big jump!!! 

watch out Mateo….here they come!!!! 

Saul’s got his apple! 

pals Sophie and Ty get a treat! 

Happy Birthday Natalie!!….1st birthday at PlayDATE 

Diana, Diana, Diana!!!!! Thank you for organizing such a wonderful event! So much goes into putting an event like this together and it takes that person who is willing to go over and beyond the call of duty to make it happen. There were lots of folks helping at the carnival but it was Diana I saw when I arrived and Diana when I left and I even heard her say she was going back Sunday morning to finish the clean up. Thank you again!!! 

Maddie the happy witch 

everybody loved the bubbles 

pirate…beard and all! 

happy Zach, the bubble boy…… 

Drake and his lion………Drake IS a lion! 

Kieran gets a cookie! 

oh my, quite a creation! 

Henry painting 

Caden ninja turtle 

Mom juggles two and crafts too! 

Maddie butterfly