9/27/10
World Wildlife Fund 3D puzzles help protect endangered animals
My favorite linen designer for kids on sale today
9/23/10
Kid got a designer shoe fetish? Ed Hardy shoes for girls on sale today...
BabyLegs are finally on sale today!!
9/22/10
A few great baked pasta recipes for your family, from Momologie
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Baked pasta is a comfort food you can feel good about serving to your family as a main meal because it’s a great vehicle for healthy ingredients. Start by asking the kids to choose a pasta shape (macaroni, penne, spaghetti) and then figure out which sauce you’ll be using (cheesy, creamy, tomato) to select an appropriate recipe. Kids love to help out in the kitchen, and making a pasta creation together is a great way to spend quality time.
There are tons of delicious recipes online or wing it by cooking up some pasta, covering it with jarred sauce and grated cheese, and popping it into the oven to bake. We like to add nutrients to our sauce by adding chopped and steamed carrots, peppers, zucchini, squash, asparagus or broccoli.
Yummy Combos
- Baked Risotto with Grilled Asparagus - Baking risotto is much easier than tedious stovetop preparation
- Baked Ziti with Prosciutto & Peas - Substitute vegetables you have on hand or other frozen veggies
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna - This all-vegetable lasagna is a wonderful fall. Make with store bought spinach lasagna noodles.
- Pasta Rustica with Chicken Sausage – Chicken or turkey sausage are a healthier choice than traditional pork sausage
- Cauliflower Mac & Cheese – This recipe is so creamy and cheesy, the kids might not even suspect there is a veggie in there
Double the recipe and freeze half for when you’re in a pinch for dinner. Baked pasta dishes reheat really well.
Stock up in knit dresses from Hype at 50% off
9/21/10
WEEKEND EVENTS FOR FAMILIES: SEPTEMBER 24-26
Make sure you eat
your Wheaties because the Bay Area is tons of fun this weekend. Street festivals in Rockridge, Martinez, Pacifica and Redwood City are packed with food, fun, and festive spirit, and music and film lovers will get down in the city at the KidAroo Music Festival and the NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival. Also, it’s Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day on Saturday. Drop by their site (http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/) to print out a free pass to a museum near you. SF Jazz (http://www.sfjazz.org/concerts/2010/fall/artists/matinees.php) starts its 3-run series of Family Matinees this weekend with a look at the drums with the Marcus Shelby Trio. It’s fun in the fog here in the Bay Area.
This fun Oakland festival offers you a chance to taste your neighbors. Eat your way through the Rockridge neighborhood by way of food courts and the picnic in the street while listening to tunes provided by local musicians and bands. Look out for the kids’ stage as well as art projects and four-square centers ready for little hands.Sun., 12:00 – 6:00 p.m., Oakland, free. Event details.
Redwood City’s Salsa FestivalYou don’t have to dance salsa, or even eat salsa, to have a good time at this party. Take a stroll through the music-filled streets and take in some tasty eats, arts and crafts, and entertainment on the family stage. (Also, take note of the tequila tasting booth, if you dare.) Sat., 12:00 – 8:00 p.m., Redwood City, free. Event details.
KidAroo Music FestivalWow, this fest isn’t playing around. The action’s happening in KidAroo village with live music, workshops from local music schools, eats, treats, face painting, animals, and a visit from the fire department. Stop by the Red Tricycle booth for some temporary tattoos. Bring the littles for some big fun on the Little Green. Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., San Francisco, $20/individual tickets, $60/family, babies free. Event details.
Marin
Napa River Rock and StrollBenefiting child abuse programs at Cope Family Center, the Napa River Rock and Stroll gives you a chance to help out while doing something fun with people you love. Break out the stroller and make some strides against child abuse before hitting the Finish Line Festival for music and eats. It’s fun times for a serious cause. Sat., 9:00 a.m., Napa, see website for pricing. Event details.
Blackie’s Hay DayCome out for this fundraiser for the Children’s and Teen Programs at the Belvedere-Tiburon Library. Pony rides and climbing walls, tractor rides and a petting zoo, this fundraiser is fun for you and the community. Bring some gently used books and kids 12 and under get in free. Have a heyday at Blackie’s Hay Day. Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Tiburon, free admission. Read more.
—Nicole Cooksey-Voytenko
your Wheaties because the Bay Area is tons of fun this weekend. Street festivals in Rockridge, Martinez, Pacifica and Redwood City are packed with food, fun, and festive spirit, and music and film lovers will get down in the city at the KidAroo Music Festival and the NY/SF International Children’s Film Festival. Also, it’s Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day on Saturday. Drop by their site (http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/) to print out a free pass to a museum near you. SF Jazz (http://www.sfjazz.org/concerts/2010/fall/artists/matinees.php) starts its 3-run series of Family Matinees this weekend with a look at the drums with the Marcus Shelby Trio. It’s fun in the fog here in the Bay Area.East Bay
Rockridge’s Out and AboutThis fun Oakland festival offers you a chance to taste your neighbors. Eat your way through the Rockridge neighborhood by way of food courts and the picnic in the street while listening to tunes provided by local musicians and bands. Look out for the kids’ stage as well as art projects and four-square centers ready for little hands.Sun., 12:00 – 6:00 p.m., Oakland, free. Event details.
Peninsula
Pacifica Fog FestThe folks of Pacifica want you to know how much fun you can have when you can’t see two feet in front of your face. With music, eats, a parade, rides, and a special family fun fest, the Fog Fest delivers. Just don’t let go of your little; he might be tricky to find. Sat. and Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (family fest Sun. 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.), Pacifica, free. Event details.Redwood City’s Salsa FestivalYou don’t have to dance salsa, or even eat salsa, to have a good time at this party. Take a stroll through the music-filled streets and take in some tasty eats, arts and crafts, and entertainment on the family stage. (Also, take note of the tequila tasting booth, if you dare.) Sat., 12:00 – 8:00 p.m., Redwood City, free. Event details.
San Francisco
NY/SF International Children’s Film FestCinephiles won’t want to miss this 3-day event, full of movies to set your little ones aglow. With movies from around the world and for all ages, there’s something for everyone. Pick a flick and introduce your kids to the zest of the film fest. Fri. – Sun., see website for schedule and prices, San Francisco. Read more.KidAroo Music FestivalWow, this fest isn’t playing around. The action’s happening in KidAroo village with live music, workshops from local music schools, eats, treats, face painting, animals, and a visit from the fire department. Stop by the Red Tricycle booth for some temporary tattoos. Bring the littles for some big fun on the Little Green. Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., San Francisco, $20/individual tickets, $60/family, babies free. Event details.
Marin
Napa River Rock and StrollBenefiting child abuse programs at Cope Family Center, the Napa River Rock and Stroll gives you a chance to help out while doing something fun with people you love. Break out the stroller and make some strides against child abuse before hitting the Finish Line Festival for music and eats. It’s fun times for a serious cause. Sat., 9:00 a.m., Napa, see website for pricing. Event details.
Blackie’s Hay DayCome out for this fundraiser for the Children’s and Teen Programs at the Belvedere-Tiburon Library. Pony rides and climbing walls, tractor rides and a petting zoo, this fundraiser is fun for you and the community. Bring some gently used books and kids 12 and under get in free. Have a heyday at Blackie’s Hay Day. Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Tiburon, free admission. Read more.
—Nicole Cooksey-Voytenko
Check out "The Book Pig" - like Netflix, for kids' books!
Does your kid devour 
books faster than you can get to the libary? Rather than making constant trips (only to find them reluctant to return favorites), why not try out Book Pig? (http://www.bookpig.com/) Despite its gluttonous name, it’s not an endless stream of books delivered to your door, but one shipment each month. It works like Netflix for books, with a monthly fee, and you and your child put books into a queue, then wait for the fun, brightly colored package to arrive each month.
books faster than you can get to the libary? Rather than making constant trips (only to find them reluctant to return favorites), why not try out Book Pig? (http://www.bookpig.com/) Despite its gluttonous name, it’s not an endless stream of books delivered to your door, but one shipment each month. It works like Netflix for books, with a monthly fee, and you and your child put books into a queue, then wait for the fun, brightly colored package to arrive each month.Book Pig keeps track of your child’s reading level, so that they can make appropriate suggestions for future shipments. They also encourage feedback on which books you liked with fun stickers (“loved it!” “too easy,” etc.). You return the books after your next shipment arrives or, if your kid REALLY loves a particular story, you can purchase the book at a price about 50 to 75 percent below retail value.
With over 5,000 titles to choose from, your child’s bound to find an addictive series or a favorite new author to pig out on. And with no late fees, plus a back-to-school special running now, giving subscribers 40 percent off their first three months, you’ll be living high on the hog!
—Sarah Bossenbroek
Adorable finds from Masala Baby on sale
9/20/10
Envirosax totes on sale today for half off, stock up for stocking stuffers!
Paintable Endangered Species 3D Puzzle Kits on sale for 50% off
Loving this project (and the final result!) for little ones. Paint, then puzzle! This handmade 3D basswood puzzle kit from one of my fav toymakers, ImagiPLAY, includes two cute endangered species puzzles...polar bears and pandas...that stand up when they're put together, plus a watercolor set to paint them. Only $14.99 for both sets today, reg $30. Recommended for ages 3+. Zulily sales are by invitation only, here is a link to an invite if you aren't already a member (it will take you to the login page if you have joined already): http://www.zulily.com/index.php/referafriend/?ref=71638
9/17/10
Great toddler winter jackets on sale
Celeb fav Nowali baby moccasins on sale today
9/16/10
Dress your little lion (or lamb, or bunny, or...) up in style this Halloween for 30% off
9/15/10
Fun, fabulous, furry chair for your kid's room (or yours!)
How fabulous is this furry butterfly chair? It's playful, cozy and modern all at the same time. Great for a tween's room. The "Furlicious" chair from Pottery Barn Teen, chair base $25 (reg $39), faux fur seat cushion $74. http://www.pbteen.com/products/furlicious-butterfly-chair
9/14/10
Tween winter jackets from Hawke & Co over 50% off
New farmer's market in Berkeley designed with families in mind
Buzzing in West Berkeley
Organic produce? Check. Sustainable sunscreen? Cool. Hot food and cool desserts? Yummy. Live music? Yes. Free parking? Wow. Pet bunnies? Love it!
Can you ask for anything more in a family-friendly farmers’ market? We don’t think so. The Beehive Market launched this summer at the Berkeley Adult School on San Pablo Avenue and we dig how it’s coming together. Free parking and a thoughtful market set-up make it a dream for strollers. The live music and pet bunnies at RabbitEar’s stall is fun for the older kids. There is also great variety at this “green lifestyle market” which offers more than produce and prepared foods from local heavyweights like Frog Hollow Farms and Lagier Ranches. Think yoga supplies, recycled totes, and green interior design services. There is even free compost to take home for your own garden!
After a morning of shopping, head one block east to the Schoolhouse Creek Common Garden (at Virginia and Curtis Streets). Right behind the market at Berkeley Adult School is a lovely kid-friendly community garden that is a great place for a picnic lunch on the grassy lawn. Argentine empanadas from Primos Parrilla and scoops from Scream Sorbet would make a perfect pair! There is also tire swing and sandbox for the kids and California Natives and Mediterranean plants for you to enjoy. And as every parent hopes for, there is a clean public restroom here making this kid-friendly outing complete! Every Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 1701 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
--Sarah K. Choi
http://www.redtri.com/
A modern, stylish take on the ABC board book
I'm loving this modern, stylish take on the ABC's from famed artist & illustrator Charley Harper. I know I will be ordering this when Fin's ready to learn hers! On sale at Amazon right now...reg $15, on sale for $10. 64 page board book. http://www.amazon.com/Charley-Harper-ABC
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