Halloween Weekend ~ Bay Area Events!

San Carlos ~ Goblin Walk
Friday 10/29 4-5:30
FREE, target ages kids 7 & under
All kids must be accompanied by a parent/adult
1) wear costumes 2) pick up trick or treat bag @ dwtwn park or fr volunteers 3) trick or treat at businesses displaying the "Goblin Stop" Sign!

BELMONT: Saturday 10/30 Trick or Treat on Twin Pines Lane
20 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont 94002 / 650.595.7441
6-8 pm
Cost: $5 - $15
Includes carnival games, trick or treat and more fun in the Haunted House!

Redwood City
10/30 Halloween Carnival at Redwood Parents Nursery School
10am-2pm Face painting, monster maze, bbq, raffle and so much more! On-site playground for kids with wiggles!
3997 Jefferson Avenue

San Francisco
10/30-10/31 Boo at the Zoo!
Free with Admission, 10am-4pm

10/28-10/31 Supernatural Fest @ CA Academy of Sciences
See Site for day-specific details

Menlo Park:
10/30 Halloween Hoopla 11:45-3 Join in on the parade & carnival!

10/31 Halloween Concert & Book Reading - See Andy Z!
Menlo Park Library, 600 Alma St
Free! 10:30 am - 3pm

Foster City
10/30 Halloween Festival
650 Shell Blvd.
Free! 11am-3pm
Magic Show, Costumes, Games!

Holbrook-Palmer Park ~ Review

Recently I took my little man out to Holbrook-Palmer Park to check out the play area and I was also just curious how beautiful it is as I've been hearing lots of talk about weddings out there...

Let me start by saying that it is a beautiful and expansive park for this residential area. The playground is great for little train lovers like my little guy as it is designed as a multi-car train complete with an atherton "station". What is also fun is that the actual Caltrain runs close by (the trains are a couple of blocks from the park entrance) and the kids can see and hear the big choo choo.

With that said, the Caltrain noise is a HUGE drawback to ANY wedding, especially an outdoor ceremony or dinner here. Who wants that noise rolling through, especially for a fee of $4,000? Are you kidding me?! Brides-to-be if you are looking for a local park venue you are better off checking out the Pulgas Water Temple ($200 ceremony fee) or Huddart Park where I have attended beautiful weddings without any train noise!

If Holbrook-Palmer is a sentimental favorite you could have your engagement session photographed here. Check out Cuevas Photography and Kate Baldi Photography.

Monday Morning Madness

I have a toddler son and Mondays are not my favorite days. The house is a mess from having the hubbs and my son run around everywhere and get everything possible out of it's "place". The laundry is backed up because I didn't do any on may "day off" chuckle chuckle. What day off right?

My son does not understand this...

Somehow Mondays seem to be his MOST energetic mornings...or maybe that's just because I'm so tired?

To avoid frustration/yelling/becoming the crazy parent I don't want to be we take off on Monday Morning adventures. We used to attend a Gymboree class on Mondays but we're taking a break from that to try a new Saturday class. The budget can only handle so much and BOY do I miss Gymboree! (and the guaranteed naps that follow)

I'm looking for a new Monday Morning Adventure right now and realized I didn't post on last week's morning out at Gull Park, Foster City.

Gull Park is a great little cove near the San Mateo Bridge. It has everything a toddler could want in two play structures, a big grass area and, drumroll please, a tiny beach. The problem with the little beach is that, well, the water SMELLS. Smells like something you DON'T want your kids to play in with sand toys. Maybe it's the old advice that you should only be around/in/drink running water? I don't know but needless to say it was a battle I wasn't willing to take on especially on MONDAY morning. My son was insistent on playing near the water and it's not just because he's a boy. We had a playdate with a toddler girl who was all about going in the water despite her very frilly princess attire. If you visit the park get firm on the rules or stay away all together! I made my son get right in the shower once we were home but I'm also THAT kind of Mom...

Park Improvements in RWC

I know many, many parents have been frustrated with the caution tape at Maddux and Stafford parks this Spring/Summer and I admit that I have been one of them. Put up some caution tape and it's bound to attract every curious toddler's attention! I am grateful though that we have a city who is testing the sand and looking out for the health of our children (and parents for that matter!) E.coli is no joke and I don't want my son rolling around in sand containing it....

With that said, when will these improvements show some signs of WORK and COMPLETION? I was at Maddux park last night with the hubbs and little guy and am happy to report that all the sand was removed, Yeesssssssssssss! While online this morning (looking to register for a class with the hubbs for a future date night) I saw a link for park renovation updates - I love it! Check it out and let's get out and play together.

Park Improvement Projects include:
Maddux Park - Sandbox replacement
Stafford Park - Sandbox replacement
Red Morton Park - Picnic Area
Hawes Park - Synthetic turf field, new bleachers, score booth, restroom, etc.
Dove Beeger & Westwood Park - New play equipment and ADA accessibility
Fair Oaks - Child care play equipment

Lemos Farms, Half Moon Bay

As promised we hit the 92 early this morning after soccer practice to beat the traffic to HMB. I don't know if it's because this was the first pumpkin patch we ever took my son to but it's definitely become the sentimental favorite. There's definitely enough fun for a full day but what toddler and matching parent last ALL day? :)

Lemos Farms

Last year at around 13 months my son enjoyed:
*trying to "climb" on pumpkins
*train ride w/ parents
*music from the live band
*pumpkin pie

This year at 2 years:
my son enjoys all this place has to offer - his favorites include:
*the pony ride (who knew that he'd allow a stranger "cowboy" lift him on? No parents allowed inside the ring!)
*the hay ride (much longer than the train ride)
*the train ride (despite the very scary skulls/mummies etc...I think the live chickens make up for that)
*train and pumpkin bounce houses
*bikes to play with
*live music to shake his booty

Bring your cash or checkbook - no cards accepted here. I highly recommend that if you have a 2+ year old do the day passes so you don't have to worry about tickets and "budgeting activities". $15 child / $5 adult all day - yes kids are more $$$ :) And - if you fall in love with the place you can host your child's next birthday here - either a train or pony party for a whoppin' $275.

Pumpkin Patch Time!

Where is your favorite pumpkin patch? If you are in the south bay - or just looking for a little road trip, definitely check out Uesugi Farms, there's a ton of fun things for all ages! Don't forget your cash though, all the little attractions add up from $1 - $5.

We're looking forward to what Half Moon Bay has to offer this weekend - stay tuned!

Wine Tasting Event

Waxwing Wines is one of my favorite, locally produced wines, and thanks to my dad, I have quite a sophisticated palette. Scott Sisemore is a local, SAH dad and the proprietor/winemaker that I met through SCBMC. He shares a generous and humble spirit and is very welcoming to those who want to talk wine in a non-threatening environment. Check out his wines at this local tasting:

When: Saturday, Feb 20th
Time: 1-5 pm
Where: Domenico Wines, San Carlos
Pouring: 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Nonir and 2008 Sonoma Coast Syrah.
Sampling: 2009 waxwing wines from the barrel

Children are welcome but must be closely supervised due to the industrial nature of the location.