Smiling Tree Farm
December 2009
· Old Friends
· Buy Local…Sonoma Outfitters
· Christmas Chanukah Cookie Decorating Party
· Gift Certificate Available
· Sewing Circle for “Big Kids”
· Camp in the New Year
· Old Friends
I often see my Kindergym, PlayDATE and Kidspot friends. Many of the kids from Kindergym are teenagers (most of them). I’m now teaching some of my PlayDATE kids yoga through the Rincon Valley afterschool enrichment program and I have some Kidspot kids who have followed me to Smiling Tree Farm for camp and special workshops. Having workshops for older kids gives me a chance to see the kids as they grow. I’m always delighted to bump into moms and kids and thrilled to learn that even though we haven’t had a class together many of the families follow me by continuing to receive and read my newsletter. I love hearing that someone is doing one of the projects they see on my website or just curious to see what I’m up to. I almost always recognize the parents and usually recognize the kids through grade school but once they in high school and older I have to really search their face sto find the little child who use to come play and sing with me. So, if you see me out and around during this holiday season please say hello……I’m the white haired lady with a smile on her face (hopefully).
· Christmas Chanukah Cookie Decorating Party
Saturday, December 19th
10am - Mom (or Dad) & Kids 2years and older
$30 (one child) additional siblings $10 each
I’ll have everything ready for a fun morning of cookie decorating. We’ll sample some cookies and have a cup of tea or hot chocolate. Everyone will leave with a with a plate of cookies they’ve decorated. Check out the pictures from last year’s party to see how much fun we had.
· Gift Certificates Available
When friends and relatives ask what to give the kids for a holiday gift how about a gift certificate for a class at Smiling Tree Farm. Most kids have plenty of toys and sweaters. Coming to Smiling Tree Farm for a session of camp or a workshop is a gift of quality time with Mom or Dad or for the big kids an opportunity to learn a new skill in a non-pressured homey environment. Certificates can be in any amount. Camp sessions in the new year will be $65 for a 3-week session, the Big Kids’ Sewing Workshop will be $30. Please allow enough time for me to get the certificates back to you for holiday giving.
· Sewing Circle for “Big Kids”—– Gift Certificates Available
Hand Sewing Workshop
8years old and older
Wednesday, December 30th
1pm-3pm
$30 all supplies provided
We’ll have a cozy afternoon around the fire, sewing simple projects such as a needle book, coin purse, or cuff bracelet or little mouse. This will be a hand sewing class but if we have time I’ll let everyone work with my sewing machine too.
· Camp in the New Year – Cooking and Art—–Gift Certificates Available
Camp will start up again after the first of the year. We’ll start out with cooking as our theme in January and Art in February. As always we’ll spend some time outside and some time inside practicing yoga and learning some new songs.
January will be our month for cooking
Thursday, January 7th-21st
10am-12noon (3weeks) $65
2year olds and older
In February we will have an emphasis on art.
We will be learning about different artists and
playing with different art techniques
Thursday, February 4th- 18th
10am-12noon (3weeks)$65
2year olds and older
Smiling Tree Farm
June 2009 Newsletter
· Camp Starts This Week
· Big Kids’ Mini Camp….6-10year olds
· Yoga Outdoors Santa Rosa-Sonoma County
· Kidspot Moves to the Country
· Our Sweet Cecil
Camp Starts This Week—still time to sign up! I’ve got some fun things planned for the month. Barefoot fun is the theme for June. At the special workshop this week we’ll be making play dough molds of our feet then fill them with plaster of Paris to create a 3D model of our foot. I’m thinking there will be painting with feet and maybe toe nail painting in weeks to come; plus a cooking project and a little gardening. I bought some Edamame (soybean) seeds for the kids to plant. I figure we’ll have Edamame pods to pick, cook and eat at camp by the end of summer.
Camp dates for June:
Workshop, June 2nd, 3rd, 4th …Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday………10am-12noon
4week camp, Tue. June 2nd -23rd ; Wed. June 3rd - 24th, Thurs. June 4th -25th …..10am-12noon
3week camp, Tue. June 9th-23rd, Wed. June 10th - 24th, Thurs. June 11th-25th….10am-12noon
Workshop only $30 each
4week session $80
3week session $65-
Sibling discount babies welcome
Big Kids’ Mini Camp….yoga~sewing~art~cooking…..6-10year olds
I’m offering a couple mini camps for 6-10 year olds. While I’ll have lots of activities planned I’d like this camp to have a lazy summer afternoon feel. We’ll start each day with a short yoga class then the activity of the day. The materials and guidance will be provided without pressure to perform. The first day will be sewing. The kids will have a couple fun and easy projects to choose from. The second day of camp I’ll add an art project (the kids can still sew if they prefer). The third day we’ll have a cooking project (again, sewing and art will still be available). Once the kids experience the “sampler” camp I’m opened to offering a specific interest camp for sewing, cooking or art; let’s see where this goes!
Bring a healthy snack…..I’ll provide a drink
Camp will run 3days, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday afternoons, 1:30-3:30
3day camp $65. Each
June 10,11,12
JulyTBA
August TBA
Yoga Outdoors in Santa Rosa
My first outdoor yoga class for adult beginners was a huge success. Well, huge to me! It was a beautiful morning but just a little chilly so I made a pot of hot tea which we sipped while getting ready for our yoga class. I must say the setting is special and everyone who came agreed. I think this may be the only outdoor yoga class in Santa Rosa; maybe Sonoma County. (?) The class is intended for beginning students but everyone is welcome as long as you understand my intent is to introduce yoga to newbies . I’m prepared to make adjustments and offer props in the Iyengar style of yoga. My last class included a 30-something mom, an 87 year old great-grandma, a woman who has had some pretty serious knee surgery and a couple fit middle aged women who are ready to learn yoga!
I will have a couple more free classes then I’ll set out the “collection basket”. The cost per class will be whatever you feel comfortable paying
I’m finishing up my training and will be out of town so my schedule is a little erratic but should get on track soon.
Next class:
Friday, June 12th
Friday, July 10th, and 24th
Kidspot Moves to the Country
Wow! Kidspot has moved out to my neighborhood. I had heard that Kidspot was moving to Piner Road so I was thinking, My Gym, Vortex area…..I looked but didn’t see anything. Then last weekend as I headed home down Piner Road past Fulton Road into the vineyards and past big oak trees there it was; Kidspot is in a big metal barn set right up next to a beautiful vineyard. I don’t have the address but it is on Piner Road between Fulton and Willowside Roads (closer to Willowside) I have Smiling Tree Farm on Olivet only a few miles west. I got a quick tour of the new facility and it looks great. The first thing that grabbed me was the view. You walk in and the whole back side of the barn is opened to a rolling vineyard view with mountains in the distance. I see all the “PlayDATE” equipment, and a lot of the Kidspot stuff plus there’s a jumpy house which I don’t think was in the old place (?). Danielle the owner is very excited to refine the new spot. This afternoon they are installing new carpeting and the espresso machine will be up and running soon. I wish Danielle well in her new country setting.
I don’t have details but you can visit the website www.kidspotimaginationcenter.com 823.5432
Our Sweet Cecil
Those of you who have come to camp have met our beloved pug dog Cecil. He was always so patient with the kids and didn’t seem to mind if they poked him or laid across him or even pulled on his tail. Cecil has been known to raid the kids lunches and liked sniffing anything dropped on the ground. I’m sad to say that Cecil passed away last week. He is missed by my husband and myself. I know some of the children will ask about Cecil and my answer will be that he is not here. Cecil was a very old dog and he has died. In Cecil’s last days I found myself saying how strange and interesting life is. This may be an opportunity to speak to your children about life and death. If you will be coming to camp and have strong feelings about how you’d like me to approach the fact that Cecil is no longer here feel free to email or call and we can discuss this.
addendum 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!
Smiling Tree Farm Newsletter
April 2009
· Paradise Ridge Sculpture Garden
· Marigold experiment
· Smiling Tree Camp for little ones…sign ups
· Yoga
Paradise Ridge Winery Sculpture Garden
I’ve always got my eyes open looking for out –of- the- ordinary places to take kids. I think the sculpture garden at Paradise Ridge Winery would be a great place to take a picnic and go for a walk through the woods and meadow. This is not a stroller friendly place but once your kids are sturdy on their feet this could be a great adventure right in town. The sculptures are down the hill from the winery tasting room set in a grove of gnarled oak trees along paths with mossy rocks and an invitations to explore. This outdoor “gallery” has paths that circle round and up and down then open up to a big meadow with more sculpture and a view of Santa Rosa. I loved the sculptures and I could imagine a child following their parent’s or more likely leading their parents through the woods collecting rocks and leaves and chasing lizards and maybe not even noticing the art. Warning ! I did see poison oak and I’m sure there are ticks. Please don’t that bit of information keep you from checking out the sculpture garden we’re lucky enough to have in our own backyard. There is no charge to visit the sculpture garden. Paradise Ridge Winery is in Fountain Grove on the west facing side of the hill (see website for directions)
Marigold “Experiment”
Last October we collected marigold seeds and glued them to a piece of paper with a magnet attached. The idea was to have the magnet stuck on the fridge all winter then plant the seeds, paper and all in the spring. Well, I’m going to plant my seeds this weekend. I know I suggested planting in May but can’t wait! I’ll find a sunny spot in our garden and keep you informed through the Smiling Tree Farm website. If you have your marigold card let me know when you plant and when the seeds sprout…..or not. Let’s post through the website !
Smiling Tree Farm Camp for little ones…..sign ups
I’m taking two weeks off to get everything ready for camp. I’ve been mowing and weeding and getting the garden ready for my family and the Smiling Tree kids. We’ll plant radishes, lettuce, edamame and carrots, we’ve already planted strawberries in the kids’ garden and a Sweet Million tomato, all especially for the kids to watch grow, harvest and eat. I’m putting new covers on the tables and gathering new supplies. With this nice weather it’s time to get the clothes line up and the washtub out. I can’t wait for camp to start. We’ll have all the favorites including paint, play dough, goopy soup, cooking, dress up, stories, crafts and time to explore and just hang out! Some of our new cooking projects will be making pickles, wild blackberry and windfall plum jam, individual servings of ice cream and granola bars. I hope to build a tapestry table so all the kids can sew. We’ll have a couple special workshops including tie dye day, making concrete mosaic stepping stones and plaster molded foot prints. Oh, and of course Moische the rabbit will come to camp to visit and maybe even our neighborhood chickens!!
NEW!
I’ve made some changes in the camp format. Each month will have a 3week session of regular camp and an additional special workshop during the first week of the month. You can register for three weeks or all four weeks. Signing up for a full session makes scheduling and preparations easiest for me. However, drop-ins are welcome.
Our 4week session of camp will begin in May with a special Mothers’ Day workshop , Wednesday May 6th and/or Thursday May 7th in addition to all our fun activities we’ll make flower pot bread, chocolate dipped strawberries, and hand print flowers
The 3week session will be Wednesday, May 13th-27th and/or Thursday, May 14th-28th
Our theme for the month will be Spring flowers; planting, flowers to paint, coffee filter flowers and our cooking project will be ice cream in a bag (zip lock bag) We’ll continue to garden too.
Camp Themes:
May: Spring Flowers
June: Barefoot summer
July: Red, white & blue
August: Hide and Seek
September, October…tba
Special workshops (included in 4week session or additional drop-in charge of $30)
May: flower pot bread, chocolate dipped strawberries, handprint flowers
June : plaster foot prints (hand prints)
July: tie dye
August : concrete stepping stone
September & October to be announced
Fees
4week sessions for $80 (includes special workshop)
3week session $65.
Drop- in $23.
Drop-in Special workshops $30
Camp will start with Wednesdays and Thursdays in May and if there’s a call for Tuesdays or Fridays I’ll add those days later in the summer
Schedule
May
4week session Wednesday, May 6th-May 27th
Thursday, May 7th –May 28th
3week session Wednesday, May 13th-May 27th
Thursday, May 14th-May28th
June
4week session Tuesday, June 2nd –June 23rd
Wednesday, June 3rd-June 24th
Thursday, June 4th-June 25th
3week session Tuesday, June 9th-June 23rd
Wednesday, June 10th-June 24th
Thursday, June 11th-June 25th
July
4week session Tuesday, June 30th-July 21st
Wednesday, July 1st-July 22nd
Thursday, July 2nd-July 23rd
3 week session Tuesday, July 7th-July21st
Wednesday, July 8th-July 22nd
Thursday, July 9th-July 23rd
August, September, October……………..tba
Registration
You may register for classes through the website www.smilingtreegail.com Please send a $20 deposit to hold your spot. You may pay the balance on the first day of camp.
Free Yoga….al fresco!
My yoga advanced studies/teacher’s training in Sacramento has been great. I’m learning so much about yoga and teaching. To test out my teaching skills I will offer a couple free yoga classes for adults. I’d like to try out teaching yoga outdoors on my deck! For the month of May I’ll teach Friday, May 8th and May 22nd, 10am-11am. This will be a beginner’s class. If you’ve wanted to try yoga but have felt intimidated, this is the class for you. Experienced yogis are welcome to come but this class will be geared to those new to yoga. Please call or email to let me know you’re coming.
Yoga for Beginners
Al fresco (outdoors)
Friday, May 8th & 22nd
10am-11
Free!
Please Dress comfortably and for outdoor weather….think sweats or yoga pants and layers on top
Please call or email to let me you’re coming
Please let me know if you’d like to be removed from my mailing list
“You will always be your childs favorite toy.”
Smiling Tree Newsletter
November 2008
· Rain Boots
· Green Hour
· Unplug the Christmas Machine
· Clothespin Dolls for Sale
· FUN School (camp)
· Family/kid Activities November & December
· Home “Ec” for Moms
Rain Boots
Tis the season! I was at the Sebastopol Hardware store recently and saw a wall of colorful rain boots. These are sturdy boots in bright primary colors in a wide range of sizes. The big bonus about Sebastopol Hardware is they have a 20% off everything in the store the first Saturday of each month. That’s this Saturday!
Sebastopol Hardware Center - 660 Highway 116 North, Sebastopol, CA 823.7688
Green Hour http://www.greenhour.org/
I love this website, it is sponsored by The National Wildlife Federation and their mission is to get our kids outside. They’re hoping each child will have one hour a day of unstructured time outdoors. This may be difficult for some parents but a wonderful goal. The website gives lots of ideas of how to do it.
In a recent article about the