Christmas Tree Hunting in Castro Valley

Harvest Festival at Tara Firma

We had a great time at the First Annual Tara Firma Harvest Festival.  Great atmosphere.  Kids had the run of the farm.  A band called the "Old Belles" played great tunes past sunset.

http://tarafirmafarms.com

http://oldbelle.com

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's my pumpkin pie, from La Farine in Oakland, CA

I have given up, for now, on making the perfect pumpkin pie!  I found a nearly perfect one at La Farine in Oakland.  I ordered ahead and picked it up on Wednesday.  It was boxed and ready. I also picked up my rolls.  Then, I made homemade whipped cream.  My son loves the pie and whipped cream the most!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Resources:

La Farine
Oakland
Berkeley
www.lafarine.com

High Scores Video Game Museum in Alameda, CA - Fun this weekend - Especially for Dads!

Do you (or your loved ones) miss cabinet-style arcade games?  Do you ever get nostalgic about arcades?  Well, at High Scores in Alameda, you can play dozens of 80's arcade games.  They charge a flat $5 per hour or $10 for a full-day "pass."  It is like an '80s arcade except for the fact that you can play your favorite old game for as long as you like, without fear of ever running out of quarters.  Games include all sorts of classics:  Space Invaders.  Pac Man.  Ms. Pac Man.  Donkey Kong.  Millipede.  Defender.  Joust.  Lunar Patrol.  Mortal Kombat.  Paper Boy.  Rampage.  Just to name but a few.  Lots of fun for grown kids to share with their kids.

The museum is right across the street from Ark, which may have the best Chinese noodles in the Bay Area.

Harvest Festival, tomorrow, at Tara Firma Farms in Petaluma, CA

Tomorrow is a Harvest Festival at Tara Firma Farms in Petaluma, CA.

There will be music, festivities and dinner!

Resources:

Tara Firma Farms
3796 I Street
Petaluma, CA  94952

3-6PM
children free, adults $20.

Holiday kid wish list- TeePee

If I was a kid, I'd want a teepee as my holiday present, so I may get one for my son so we can snuggle, read books, and dream!  I've been looking for one without the nasty fire retardant and I found this one:

Tip Top Teepee- $150.00
www.etsy.com/shop/tiptopteepeeshop
owner- Julie

They also have Big Fat Teepee Mats for $50.00.
(designed to use with four  20" pillow forms, that are not included.)

Spanish teacher and program recommendation in Bay Area, CA- Mi Mundo en Espanol

This Spanish program was recommended to me:

Mi Mundo en Espanol
http://www.mimundoenespanol.com/

Randall Museum

The Randall Museum is a great place for kids.  In the Duboce neighborhood in San Francisco, the museum has exhibits that include trains, earthquakes, and local wildlife.  Kids can operate a model train on the third weekend of every odd month.  Other exhibits are open all the time, including an exhibit with wildlife like rabbits, reptiles, birds, and even a raccoon.  Above the museum is a beautiful (though steep) trail that leads to amazing views of San Francisco and the Bay.