Great book for father's day- Father to Son- Life Lessons on Raising a Boy

The book, Father to Son, Life Lessons on Raising A Boy, is filled with small wisdoms for raising a son.  The author, Harry H. Harrison, Jr. has been gathering material for this book since the first of his two teenage sons was born.  For a father, having a boy comes with boundless love and enthusiasm, but no instructions.  In Harrison's little book of wisdom for fathers, there are hundreds of succinct thoughts- practical and intangible, lighthearted and serious, all supported by a strong moral background- to guide, to remind, to teach, and to inspire.  This small book is perfect for a small spot on a desk, to be reminded of the important job of being a father.

Some examples from the book are the following:

The five keys-
1.  Be around.
2.  Be his father, not his friend.  If you don't understand the difference, imagine his confusion when you must discipline him.
3.  Be a good husband.  Show his mom respect at all times.
4.  Be home for dinner.
5.  Be a hero.

Father to Son, Life Lessons on Raising a Boy
by Harry H. Harrison, Jr.
Workman Publishing Company
New York
ISBN -13:978-0-7611-1869-5

Mrs. Brown's Art- I love this site for art projects!

I love Mrs. Brown's Art blog for art projects.  I've used two of them in my class in the last month.  Both Fraction Fish as well as Van Gogh's Sunflowers are amazing projects!

Camp Urban Adamah, A Jewish Farm camp in Berkeley, CA

Today, I found out about Camp Urban Adamah, a Jewish Farm Camp.  It is for 5 to 10 year olds of all backgrounds.  The sessions are for one week and it is from June to August in the heart of Berkeley.  There are hands-on farm activities, animal care, arts and crafts, music, games, and farm-to-fork food prep.

Camp Urban Adamah
urbanadamah.org
1050 Parker Street
Berkeley, CA
94710
(510) 649-1595

fun toy for a five year old- MTA New York City Bus

My son has been enjoying imaginative play with the MTA New York City Bus he got at the ARK toy store in Berkeley,CA on 4th Street.  It even has opening doors and authentic markings.  When we were in New York City, my son and I were on a New York City bus so it is fun to pretend we are still there!  There were pictures of New York City on the box so he remembered right away being on the bus in New York City.

Resources:

  MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) New York City Bus
Daron worldwide trading inc.
Fairfield, New Jersey
www.darontoys.com
NO. RT8563
Purchased at the ARK store

Automoblox toy at Little Shoppers store in Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, CA

My son had a birthday party in Pleasanton, CA today at Super Frank's.  Afterwards, I took him to Stoneridge Mall since I hadn't been there for a long time, and wanted to pick something up at the Franklin Covey store, which is sadly no longer there.  I did find a fun kids store called Automoblox distributed by Manhattan Toy company.  I liked this toy because it comes apart like a puzzle and yet seems like it is really well made.   The retail saleswoman at the Little Shoppers store was so kind and patient with my son helping him do "research" for what kind of things he'd like to earn for a reward.  In the end, I did buy something for $10.00, which I'll write about in my next blog post.

For later in the spring or summer I found a Ready, Aim, Toss Dart Set that I think would be fun for the backyard or to bring camping or on a picnic.

Resources:
Little Shoppers Store
2243 Stoneridge Mall Road
Pleasanton, CA  94588
(925) 847-1570
(925) 997-0637'
kanosikiboom@yahoo.com

Automoblox
( My son liked the T900 truck)
$50.00
(Designed by Callelo)

Parents
Ready, Aim, Toss Dart Set
#400560BD

Both the dart set and the Automoblox cars are distributed by Manhattan Toy Company,
430 First Avenue North
Suite 500
Minneapolis, Minnesota  USA
55401
manhattantoy.com

DJ HIGHTOP- Outstanding DJ for school dances, events, etc.

DJ HIGHTOP loves his job!  He is a DJ and during the school year he mostly DJ's for school dances, parties, etc.  Then, in the summer he does more of weddings, parties, and adult gigs.  He really gets the students moving at the dances, which is important because I remember going to a school dance and seeing all the girls dancing and hanging out at the stage and the boys away from the stage, working hard to stay away from the dance scene.  We need more people in the world who love getting  all young people active, dancing, and having fun!

Resources:

DJ HIGHTOP
(415) 442-7942
www.djhightop.com
djmiguelhightopfonseca@yahoo.com

CAT Excavator for spring play outside! My son loves it!

Abouth 18 months ago, my husband got my son a CAT Excavator by Bruder at the Rockridge Kids store in Oakland, CA.  Unfortunately, less than a week after he got it, he left it at a playground.  Finally, yesterday, my son earned enough points so that  got him a new one so he could play with it at grandma's.  She has a fun rock garden in her front yard that is perfect for excavating!

Resources:

Bruder
"Just like the real thing"
Cat Excavator
#02438
www.bruder.de
BRUDER Spielwaren GmbH + Co. KG
Bernbacher Str. 94-98
90768  Furth/Germany
Telefon: +49 (0) 911/75209-230
service@bruder.de
4 + years

Rockridge Kids store
5511 College Avenue
Oakland,CA  94618
rockridgekidsstore.com

Dora The Explorer book and flashlight set, great for real and pretend camping!

My friend gave my son the Dora The Explorer Book and Flashlight Set because she knows he loves camping, flashlights, and everything that goes with exploring the great outdoors.  The flashlight can be shone on the pop-ups to cast shadows.  Also, the flashlight makes five sounds, generated by pressing various buttons.  This would be a fun book for children who afraid of the night sky, and therefore may be afraid to be outside at night.  My friend got this book at Toys R' Us for only $8.99.

Resources:

Dora the Explorer Book and Flashlight Set

(Play-a-sound Book and 5 sounds flashlight)

written by Shawn Currie

Nickelodeon

18+ months

www.pilbooks.com

ISBN-10: 1-4508-0391-1

Published by Louis Weber, C.E.O.

7373 North Cicero Avenue

Lincolnwood, Illinois  60712

Discovery Museum - Sausalito, CA

I took my son to the Discovery Museum in Sausalito yesterday.  The whole area is a gorgeous place to run around and play!   They also have a great gift shop with a self giftwrap station outside.   I got my son a toy scubadiver for his bath.  It is called, "Kevin the Underwater Adventurer."  They also have the same toy at the Monterey Bay Aquarium giftshop.

What's in my son's adventure backpack?

My son and I discovered the idea for an adventure pack from Crab Cove Visitor's Center in Alameda, CA as you can check one out from the front desk.  Unfortunately, just as we checked one out and walked outside, it started pouring rain so we had to go back into the visitor's center.  My son never got to use the adventure pack, but I promised him we'd create our own for our upcoming spring break adventures.  We went to REI in Berkeley and got a backpack and other supplies.  The following are some of the things we found:

Resources I got from REI:

Carson AdventurePak
(includes a 5 x 30 mm Binocular, Lensatic Compass, Flashlight, Whistle/Thermometer, and a "Carry-All" Pouch Case & Strap)
HU-401
Ages 7 to adult
by Carson Optical
Hauppauge NY  11788
www.carsonoptical.com

National Geographic 2 in 1 Lantern and Star Projector
This illuminated lantern lights up a campsite or can be taken on a nighttime expedition.  While indoors, the dual-made switch makes it possible indoors to project a glowing field of stars overhead, creating a night sky.
(This includes an explorer activity guide.)
Manufactured by Uncle Milton Industries, Inc.
P.O. Box 6281
Thousand Oaks, CA  91359  USA

Marmot Kids Hitch Backpack
25910
This backpack is perfect for a five year old!  It has the following features:
large main compartment, second zippered pocket with accessory organizer, clipping points with reflective tape, mesh water bottle pocket, and gear loops.
Marmot.com
2321 Circadian Way
Santa Rosa, CA  95407

3-IN-1 Expedition Magnifier
by National Geographic Explorer Academy
kids.nationalgeographic.com
(Reveal the close-up details of the natural world with the expedition magnifier.  It has attached dig tools.  My son loves the large-view magnifier and that is one of his favorite things in the adventure pack!)
16003-0150-0911
Uncle Milton Industries, Inc.
P.O. Box 6281
Thousand Oaks, CA  91359
unclemilton.com

Yoga Layam- yoga for mommies with babies, toddlers, and children!

I have been going to Yoga Layam with my son since he was a baby.  They have awesome classes for moms and their children starting with prenatal classes all the way up to the age of ten!  When my son was a baby and I would take him there, they would have pillows set up so the babies could sleep, pay, and the mommies could do yoga.  I loved it and so did my son, plus there was help holding my son when I he was fussy!  Then, my son and I did the parent with toddler class on Mondays.  We haven't tried the other classes, but I'm sure they are great!  When I used to go to Yoga Layam, especially when  my son was a baby, it felt like I was going to a spa, and it was my most relaxing time as a mom!

Resources:


Yoga Layam
Prana Yoga Center
1723 Alcatraz Avenue
Berkeley, CA
94703

Telephone:  (510) 655-3664
www.yogalayam.org

Schedule for mom's and children:

Monday- 9:00-11:15AM  Parent with Toddler (w/childcare)

Tuesday- 10:00-12:00  postnatal (w/childcare)
               3:30- 5:00PM children (ages 3 to 5) $9.00 ($32/4)

Wednesday- 9:30AM-11:30  prenatal $16.00  ($75/5  $140/10)
                   4:00-5:00PM children  (ages 6-9)  $9.00  ($32/4)

Thursday- 4:00-5:00PM  Children's yoga (ages 10 to 12)  ($9.00  $32/4)

Friday- 10-12:00  postnatal with childcare  $16.00 ($75/5  $140/10)

Saturday- 10-12:00 prenatal  $16.00 ($75/5  $140/10)

"I want to see where the water goes!"

My son, dog, and I took a walk down the street today in the rain.  My son is really excited about the dog's new rainjacket and the dog's leash which is retractable and can expand to 16 feet!  Of course, walking down the street on a rainy day we can have the leash much tighter, which was useful today.   It can lock at the tighter length.  My son stopped at a drain and said, "I want to see where the water goes!"  I looked where he was looking and it really is interesting seeing the water go down the drain.  We rescued a plastic bottle and another piece of plastic from going down the drain.  I love seeing things from the eyes of a child!

Resources:

Flexi Freedom cord retractable leash, 16 feet.
small, up to 26 pounds (They have leashes for larger dogs too.)
(Recommended by www.animalbehaviorcollege.com)
Flexi USA Inc.
8494 Firebird Drive
West Chester, OH  45014
Tel. (513) 874-5383
www.flexiusa.com

Update:  My dog chewed through this Flexi Freedom leash, unfortunately.  He is only 2 years old, and acts like a puppy.  I'll have to wait until he is older to try this leash again.  I got a really thick leash to use for now.