Kid's Earn a free book.

Barnes and Nobles summer reading programs starts early this year. Kids can earn a free book if they read eight. There are downloads available on their website to make the program even more fun. Ages 3-12

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/

Who's up for more Craft Fairs?

'Tis the season for shopping and what better place to take your kids, than to a craft fair. You can find one of a kind gifts made from local artists. In this type of economy, it is a win-win to support your local artists. PLUS, these folks tend to have the cutest kid items you've ever seen: hats, scrafs, booties, clothes, and tutus.

Here is a listing some of the craft fairs that will be happening on Sunday, Dec 6

Dickens Holiday Crafts Fair

Finley Community Center (2060 W. College Ave)
Saturday, 9am-5pm, Sunday, 10am-4pm
$2 admission for ages 18 and over
Holiday shop for hand made gifts sold by their artists
Refreshements, holiday music, and fun
Prize giveaway benefits scholarship fund

30th Annual Holiday Open House
Luther Burbank Home & Gardens (Santa Rosa & Sonoma Ave)
$2 admission for ages 12 & over, Sat & Sun, 10am-4pm
Tour historic home decorated in Victorian style, refreshments,
exhibits, specialty gifts for sale, children's craft activity

Roseland Holiday Craft Fair

Sunday, Dec 6 11:00a to 4:00p
at Southwest Santa Rosa Youth Center, Santa Rosa, CA
Roseland University Prep is hosting a Roseland Holiday Craft Fair on December 5th & 6th at the Southwest Santa Rosa Youth Center. RUP Seniors and their families hope you will support their fund-raising efforts and come enjoy beautiful and unique crafts, a bake sale, food, photos with Santa and more!

Zen Fest Holiday Sale

Sunday, Dec 6 9:00am-4:00pm
at Masonic Center, Sebastopol, CA
Distinctive art, hand crafted gifts, silent auction,
Japanese lunch and more. Sun, 12/6 9am-4pm.
Admission free.

And if you're feeling adventerous, head over to the City for a Holiday Vintage craft party
Indie Mart Vintage Party

San Francisco, CA
Sunday, Dec. 6, 12pm - 6pm

Winter Faire

The Summerfield Waldorf School warmly invites families to attend its annual Winter Faire on Friday and Saturday December 4th and 5th. This magical event is sure to delight family members of all ages!

On Friday, December 4^th, join in an adult only holiday evening to complete your holiday shopping. You’ll find unique, hand-made items crafted with natural elements. From Puppenstube dolls to Sarah’s Silks to fairy Sharon Eisley’s doll houses to the Summerfield School’s “store” items such as Elsa Beskow books and Stockmar crayons, you’ll find whimsical items your children are sure to love. Other vendors will sell jewelry, cutting boards, wooden boxes, holiday ornaments, candles, honey and other high quality, locally crafted items to fill the holiday wishes of the adults in your life.

Return on Saturday, December 5^th with the whole family. The Summerfield campus, often described as looking like a small European village, will be decked out in evergreens and ringing with the bells of holiday music. Step close to the bonfire, take a leisurely ride in a horse and carriage cart, dip a beeswax candle, and take a photo next to King Winter. Eat a scrumptious, organic lunch while listening to talented students and staff play instruments and sing. Gather your family close and breathe in an old world style holiday moment that is sure to fill you with joy!

Tree Lighting In Petaluma Theatre District Today

Celebrate the Season in the Square - Treelighting Ceremony

Carolers start strolling at 3:o0 p.m.

Petaluma Pete starts festivities at 4:30
prizes and fun

Tree lighting Ceremony at 5:00

Followed by music by Djinn.

http://www.theatre-district.com/calendar-of-events.cfm

Djinn is a great band guaranteed to get you little ones dancing:
http://www.myspace.com/dgiin


http://www.theatre-district.com/calendar-of-events.cfm

Things to Do Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving will be here soon. This means that school age kids are on holiday from school. Here is a list of things to do this week to help keep the kids entertained.


Saturday November 21, 2009

Polar Express Pajama Storytime
A classic retelling of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
November 21, 2009 11:00 AM
Santa Rosa - Borders
2825 Santa Rosa Ave.


Great deal on Children’s Books and help you local library.
Petaluma Regional Library Book Sale
November 21, 10:00 am
Petaluma Regional Library, Petaluma, CA
Children and Adults book sale.

Go Dogs Go - Actors' Theater for Children
Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park, CA
November 21 3:30p
"This classic children's book comes to life on stage in an exploration of movement, color and space, creating a visual spectacle for the audience to feast upon. A rollicking musical world of doggy fun"
http://www.rpcity.org/index.aspx?page=19&recordid=1006&returnURL=%2findex.aspx%3fpage%3d231

Climb Aboard: F-106 Delta Dart, The Ultimate Interceptor
November 21, 10:00am - 4:00pm,
Come on out, climb aboard and sit in the cockpit of our F-106 Delta Dart.
http://pacificcoastairmuseum.org/

Rohnert Park Gymnastics:
Kids' Night Out
November 21st from 6-10pm
$25 for the 1st sibling
$20 for the 2nd
http://www.rpgym.com/special_events.html#kno


Sunday November 22, 2009

FREE DAY — Sparky’s Birthday!

November 22 all day
Celebrate Charles Schulz’s birthday week. Visit the Museum for FREE. Ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery of Sonoma County will be served from 1–3pm!
http://www.schulzmuseum.org/

Climb Aboard: F-106 Delta Dart, The Ultimate Interceptor
November 22, 10:00am - 4:00pm,
Come on out, climb aboard and sit in the cockpit of our F-106 Delta Dart.
http://pacificcoastairmuseum.org/


Nature for Kids at Mount Burdell
November 22, 10am to 2pm
“Let’s explore the slopes of this big preserve
to see how all of the animals are getting
ready for winter. If the rains have come,
we might see the first newts on the move.
If it’s been dry, we could encounter snakes
and lizards looking for a last meal before
their long winter sleep. Meet at the San
Andreas Trailhead.
http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PK/Main/mcosd/pdf/Newsletter-News-Hikes-Events-Fall-2009.pdf


Monday November 23, 2009


Museum Mondays
November 23, 10am–12noon

Museum Mondays

Story time, movement games, museum activities, and arts & crafts especially for children ages 1–5 and their caregivers.

$5 for children; adults are free before 11am
http://www.schulzmuseum.org/


Tuesday November 24, 2009


The Micro-Nut! A shortened version of The Nutcracker!
Presented by Sebastopol Ballet
November 24 11:00a to 12:00p
at Santa Rosa High School Theater, Santa Rosa, CA
“Would you like to take your little one to The Nutcracker but don't want to sit through a two-hour show? Then come to Sebastopol Ballet's kid-friendly shortened version”
$5.00! For groups of 15 or more, tickets are only $3
http://www.sebastopolballet.com/



Thursday November 26, 2009


Thanksgiving on the Sonoma Serengeti at Safari West
November 26th, Starts at 12:00 PM
Enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast among the giraffes, cheetahs, and other exotic animals. Two seatings: 12:00pm and 3:00pm Reservations essential.
$44 Adults, $22 Children (4-12)
Safari West Wildlife Preserve & African Tent Camp
http://safariwest.com/thanksgiving/

Volunteer and Help others Thanksgiving Day
Annual Free Sonoma Community Center Thanksgiving Feast.
November 26th 3:00 pm
Volunteers welcome. Please call and lend a hand.
www.sonomacommunitycenter.org


Cloverdale Community Thanksgiving Dinner
November 26, 1:30 pm
Senior Center, 311 Main Street
http://www.cloverdale.net/CurrentEvents.aspx?EID=376



Friday November 27, 2009


How to Draw With Your Child
NOVEMBER 27, 10am–12noon
Recommended for children ages 3–7.

Advance reservations
http://www.schulzmuseum.org/


Gualala Arts' Sixth Annual Festival of Trees
November 27
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Homemade foods and drinks. Kid activities.
Arts and Crafts
FREE
http://gualalaarts.org/Festivals/Festival-of-Trees2009.html



Saturday November 28, 2009

Gualala Arts' Sixth Annual Festival of Trees
November 28
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Homemade foods and drinks. Kid activities.
Arts and Crafts
FREE
http://gualalaarts.org/Festivals/Festival-of-Trees2009.html


5th Annual Lighting of the Snowmen Event
November 28th, 2009
Complimentary holiday treats, music, children's activities, plus a scrumptious fundraiser following the Lighting of the Snowmen!” Dessert Benefit $10 per person.
http://www.cornerstonegardens.com/news.php?article=72


Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire and Santa
November 28 10:00am to 4:00pm
Rohnert Park Community Center, Rohnert Park, CA
“Come get your picture taken with Santa and shop for unique handmade holiday gifts. Admission and parking are free.


SANTA'S RIVERBOAT ARRIVAL
November 28, 12:00 pm
Historic Downtown Petaluma
Petaluma River Turning Basin
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus
www.visitpetaluma.com



Sunday, November 29, 2009

Watch White Christmas
Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Key and Rosemary Clooney
November 29, 4:00 pm
$6.00 ALL SEATS Spreckels Performing Arts Center
http://www.rpcity.org/index.aspx?page=19&recordid=1064





Various events and things to do:

The Sonoma County Libraries:
Activities for children
http://sonomalibrary.org/cgi-bin/webevent.cgi?cmd=calmonth&cal=cal13&cat=5,2

Kidspot play center for young children:
http://www.kidspotimaginationcenter.com/

Kid's Party Central
Indoor bounce house
http://www.kidspartycentral.com/open_play.htm

Funky Monkey
Pizza, Prizes, Games, Crafts on certain days
http://www.the-funkymonkey.com/

Jack and Jill's Place
Indoor Creative Play
http://www.the-funkymonkey.com/

Scandia
Miniature Golf, Games, Batting Cages
http://www.scandiafunland.com/

My Gym
-Drop & Shop Black Friday 11/27
Snacks and crafts included. 8:00AM-12:00PM, Ages 3-9 years. Members pay $25/child. $5 sibling discount. Non-members $30/child
Post Thanksgiving Playday Sat, 11/28
-Drop in and play! 9AM-12PM, all ages welcome. Children currently enrolled are free. $10 if not currently enrolled. Parents need to stay and socks are required. No reservations needed.
http://www.my-gym.com/santarosa.aspx

Pizza PIe under the Sky with Rosso Pizzeria and Tierra Vegetables

Imagine eating piping hot pizza brimming with freshly picked veggies right out of the pizza oven. How about enjoying a delicious bowl of freshly ground polenta as you wander through the very cornfield from which it sprouted. Now wake up and join in the fun this Wednesday at Pizza PIe under the Sky with Rosso Pizzeria and Tierra Vegetables. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy your food right at the source. Tierra Vegetables is the farm stand you see off of Airport Blvd. while driving north 101. It is a fantastic place to take kids and show them where food comes from. This event makes it fun and easy; just grab a slice of pizza while you wonder through the garden identifying all the wonderful edibles grown at the farm.

Wednesday 11/18

651 Airport Blvd.

$15 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.

Bring warm clothes and your appetite!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and more Pumpkins

It's that time of year again when the maple leaves go from green to red, the air gets crisper, and the pumpkins are ready to be picked by tons of happy children. One of our favorite things to do during the Fall season is head to the pumpkin patches. Living in Sonoma County, you have access to a ton. It's just like Starbucks; there's one on every block.

Every year, we try to hit up at least 3 pumpkin patches in the month of October. I know. It sounds crazy, but trust me, it's a ton of fun.

So far, we've gone to the Adobe Pumpkin Farm and Peterson's Farm in Petaluma. Both farms are fun in their own special ways. Below you can read my breakdown of each farm experience.

Adobe Pumpkin Farm
2478 E Washington Street

Petaluma, CA 94954-3903
Map 

We discovered this farm three years ago on accident. This location brags of having 30 acres worth of fun, which is no joke. This has been one of the few pumpkin patch places that I've been to where I didn't feel crowded. On some weekends, it can boast over 100+ guests, and you wouldn't even notice. This large piece of land allows great flexibility for your family to have a lot of fun without pushing through crowds. What's neat about this place is that they have a variety of pumpkins to choose from. They not only offer your traditional orange pumpkins, but an array of multi colored gourds of all shapes and sizes, as shown in the pic below.

This place is not shy of things to do. They've got jumpy houses, haunted house, farmer's market stand, corn maze, hay maze, climbing wall, hay ride, train ride, antique farm equipment demonstration, live music sung by a guy dressed as a scarecrow, the pumpkin fairy appears, farm animals to pet, a handful of vendors selling food, halloween craft store, and oddly enough, a christmas craft store. This place has set up lots of fun photo opportunities for your whole family. They even have a professional photographer on-sight who takes professional photos at a price. Here is a pic of my niece on one of the many "photo opp" spots throughout the 30 acres.

My son's favorite thing to do there is to check out all the farm equipment. I don't know what it is about boys and equipment, but he's completely fascinated by it. They do a live demonstration of how the antique farm equipment work and how they were used "back in the day." Here's a pic of my son, three years ago, enjoying the demonstration.

The prices of the pumpkins are reasonable. They range from $2-$20 depending on the sizes. The food there can be on the pricier side. Lunch for one person can cost $6-8. There doesn't seem to be a restriction on bringing your own food. They even have some picnic tables set up under a straw canopy. The straw canopy space can also be reserved for parties.

Parking can be great and it can be a pain. I suggest going as early as you can to get the best parking. The overflow parking tends to be across the busy street of Washington, so it's best to park on the property.

Now on to my next review...

Peterson's Farm
636 Gossage Ave.
Petaluma, CA

My son and I visited this farm on a field trip with his preschool. It was a $5 cost for us to take a short tour of the farm, feed the animals, learn about bees and bee keeping, and to take a pumpkin the size of my son's head.

Because we were there on a school tour, we weren't able to fully explore the land the way that the website portrays it to be. Judging from the website, they sell free range eggs, honey, and persimmons. This was not advertised during the tour, so I couldn't tell you if they really sold them or not. The animals that they showed us were cows, horses, chickens, ducks, turkeys, roosters, and rabbits.

This is not one of those places you could spend a whole day at. We were there for a couple hours and it seems we got the full tour of the place. I would recommend it if you were really interested in the bees and the honey.

I hope you found the reviews helpful. Check back this weekend for my review on Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay.

Happy Pumpkin Hunting!!

Kelly (Contributing Writer and Fellow Santa Rosa Mom)