The Little Ice Rink, Alameda, CA

One of our traditions this time of year is going ice skating at the Little Ice Rink in Alameda, CA at South Shore Center.  This place is the most family friendly ice arena that I've found in the bay area, especially since they have these orange skating aides called, Bobby the Seal, that the children can hang onto while they skate.  It is a great way for little ones to both learn to skate and develop their skill and confidence.  We went there for the first time this season on Tuesday night.  My son actually skated from 8:00PM to 9:30PM.  Usually his bedtime is 8:00PM but he was having so much fun, and it is also Thanksgiving vacation, so why not!

We also had dinner at Panera Bread, which is also in the South Shore Center.  My son likes the kids macaroni and cheese, which comes with an organic yogurt.  He also likes the black cherry smoothie, which they make with organic Stoneyfield farms yogurt.  We almost went again last night but we were both too tired.

Resources:

The Little Ice Rink
at South Shore Center
Alameda, CA
November 8th-January 20th
(510) 629-1-ICE (1423)

Adults $15.00 Including skates, $10.00 if you bring your own skates

Children (up to 8 years old)  $10.00, including skates, $6.00 if you bring your own skates

Bobby the Seal- $5.00 (skating aide)

Christmas Fantasy Carousel at Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA

Every year, at holiday time, the antique carousel at Tilden Park is decked out with lights and other fanciful decorations after Thanksgivng.  Each year, I think about it after the decorations are already being taken down.  This year I am determined to visit early.  The "Christmas Fantasy" is from November 29rh  to December 23rd.  If you are looking for something to get you into the holiday spirit, and feel like an evening drive into Tilden Park, then this will be a fun adventure!

Resources:

Christmas Fantasy
Tilden Park Antique Carousel
November 29th- December  23rd
Time:  5:30PM to 8:30PM
Prices:  $10.00 for 7 rides
             $2.00 per ride
Http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden#merry

Bullying in kindergarden - yes it really happens! - Part I

My son started kindergarden this past September.  In the beginning, he loved his teacher, new friends, and school.  Somewhere along the line, things changed for him.  When I picked up, he seemed more grumpy and withdrawn, he wasn't excited to go to school in the morning and refused to get dressed, and have breakfast.  He wasn't as sweet!  When did this shift happen?  I feel so horrible to say that I don't quite remember as I just thought the honeymoon had worn off at school, so I did my job of mom and did "tough love" by making him go to school!

I really noticed he was being bullied for sure after the Veteran's Day holiday.   I actually saw him being bullied, which practically ripped out my insides and made me vomit (which would not have helped things).   The details need to be changed to protect the others involved, but I will write more in Part II.

This is the first Saturday that it is all hitting me.  I met with his teacher for a conference yesterday, and now I need to decide if I will send him back after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Esalen for families with children

I met a teacher recently whose daughter had attended the Gazebo Park School, at Esalen Institute.  Her daughter is now in college, but she raved about this program.  Esalen is an amazing space at the edge of the ocean, to take classes, and get a massage at the edge of a cliff!

The Gazebo Park School Early Childhood Program is a "one acre outdoor wonderland where children up to first grade engage their bodies and minds and have a fantastic time in the process."

The Gazebo is open from 9 AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.

For tuition information and reservations, contact gazebo@esalen.org or call
(415) 667-3026.

What is blended learning?

Blended learning is extremely popular right now in schools across the country.  It is a term increasingly used to describe the way e-learning is being combined with traditional classroom methods and independent study to create a new, hybrid teaching methodology.

I found a blended learning "toolkit," a website sponsored by the University of Central Florida.

Resources:

Blended Learning Toolkit
http://blended.online.ucf.edu/

Lango- Learning French, Spanish or Mandarin

My son started taking Spanish classes with Lango when he was only 2 years old.  The program uses songs, games, and storytelling to teach either French, Spanish, or Mandarin.

There are puppets, books, and CD's available on the Lango website.  My son is starting to really enjoy a few of the books I got free when I took the class.  In fact, tonight, I ordered the Cosmo puppet, plus  the Wen, Ms. L., and Luc dolls.  I had gotten a few of the other dolls free when  my son had taken the classes.

Resources:

Lango
www.langokids.com