Saline Swimming Pools in Oakland, CA - Trefethen Aquatic Center at Mills College

This past week I visited the Trefethen Aquatic Center at the beautiful Mills College in Oakland, CA.  The pool is saline and my son loved it!

Resources:

Trefethen Aquatic Center
@Mills College
5000 Macarthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA  94613
(510) 430-2170
www.mills.edu/pool

Picture ID is required for everyone to use the pool area except children accompanied by an adult or program supervisor.

Recommended spiritual and religion books for children

These are a few spiritual books that I've found and discovered for children:

Images of God For Young Children
by Marie-Helene Delval
Illustrated by Barbara Nascimbeni
Eerdman's Books for Young Readers
Grand Rapids, MI
Cambridge, U.K.
ages 4-8
ISBN:  978-8028-5391-2

Zen Habit.net

PJ Library
(free books sent to your home!)

Recommended chiropractors for children in the San Francisco Bay area of California

I sincerely believe that chiropractic care can help children, I've seen it with my own eyes when my son had pediatric asthma and had trouble breathing, or when he's had other injuries or illnesses.  We do not do weekly or monthly, but instead because of need.  The three chiropractors below are ones I recommend and trust.

Dr. Valega
390 Diablo Rd. #115
Danville, CA
(925) 639-6778

Dr. Alexander
3466 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA  94549

Dr. Aaron
Upaya Center
4341 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, cA
(510) 444-4443

California Train Museum in Sacramento

Located next to Old Sacramento, and walking distance from the Amtrak station, is the California Train Museum.  This place is fantastic - a must-see for train-lovers young and old.  The place is enormous, and holds a large number of vintage train cars.  Steam engines.  A diesel.  A mail car from the era of mail delivery by train.  A sleeping car.  A dining car.  A caboose.  An exhibit about the Pullman labor riots over a century ago.  And exhibits featuring hundreds of model trains.

Crab Cove, Alameda at High Tide

Joining the Rat Race - Water Spheres at Los Altos Art & Wine Festival

Recommended multi-sensory math programs, k-12

Making Math Real
k-12
http://www.makingmathreal.org/

This program is a multi-sensory, structured professional development program to reach the full diversity of learners.

2015 Institutes available.

Recommended reading programs for specialized k-3 reading proficiency, special education, and dyslexia

1.  The Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading

Orton-Gillingham is an instructional approach intended primarily for use with persons who have difficulty with reading, spelling, and writing.


Resources:

Orton-Gillingham Academy
htttp://www.ortonacademy.org/approach.php

Institute for multi-sensory education
1-800-646-9788
https://www.orton-gillingham.com/training/2073/
(Training on revised Orton-Gillingham based methodology for k-3)
This training is for k-3 reading proficiency for general and special education.

2.  Reading Revolution

3.  To be continued....

Waldorf Teacher Resources

General Waldorf Resources:


*Website:  waldorfteacherresources.com, created by Waldorf teacher, Michael Seifert

The mission of this site is to provide Waldorf teachers with a means of sharing with each other what has has worked in their classrooms.  It is a place Waldorf teachers can share curriculum ideas, main lesson plans, music, resources, and most of all inspiration and experience.

*Live Ed
A resource package  is available for each grade.
website, liveed.com

Recommended Embassy Suites in Sacramento, CA walking distance from the Amtrak station and Train Museum.

The Embassy Suites in the Old Sacramento area in town of Sacramento, CA is in a great location for exploring Old Sacramento, the train museum, and even arriving to the hotel by way of an Amtrak train. I haven't stayed at this Embassy Hotel yet, but found it because I am in the area today.  My son loves the train museum so much that we got him a membership for his birthday a few months ago.  This hotel is also walking distance to the Amtrak train depot!

What I love about traveling to Embassy Suites with families is that your room comes with cocktails and snacks at happy hour time, a free breakfast, and all the rooms are suites.

The hotel is also walking distance to all the restaurants and festivities around Old Sacramento and the Hornblower yacht which takes river tours.

Contact Marcus Robinson, Director of Front Office, for discounts and educational specials related to the teaching curve recommendations!

Resources:

Embassy Suites Sacramento
Riverfront Promenade
100 Capital Mall
Sacramento, CA  95814

Phone:  (916) 326-5000

sacramento.embassysuites.com

Learning Spanish- CD's, videos, puzzles, oh yeah!

Here are some resources we've enjoyed while learning Spanish!

Melissa & Doug Spanish Alphabet Sound Puzzle
$19.99

Summer 2015 favorite picnic and lunch foods

These are some of my favorite snack, picnic, and lunch foods and ideas this summer:

*I love using old fashioned paper bags, it reminds me of picnics when I was a child.
Western Family Paper Lunch bags, 50 count

*Marin Sun Farms Landjaeger, a natural beef jerky.  There is a Marin Summer Farms at the Ferry Plaza in San Francisco and at Market Hall in Rockridge district of Oakland, cA

*Hot and cold foods from the Pasta shop in Market Hall in Rockridge, CA.  The chicken skewers are really delicious.  My son loves the Thai noodles.

Daddy's favorite bachelor night foods:

These are  Daddy's favorite food when mommy and kids and pets are out of town!

Stouffers Lasagna
nestleusa.com

Saags Chicken Apple  Sausage
saags.com

Hot Dog Buns by the Cake Box, Lafayette, CA

Rold Gold Pretzels
sticks
by Frito Lay

It's It
vanilla
www.itsiticecream.com

family summer adventures in Bay area of CA- John Muir house National Historic Site

The John Muir National Historic Site is educational gem!  This past Saturday night we went to the free campfire at the site, and they told stories about Muir, sang songs, and their was even free sticks and marshmallows!

I highly recommend a summer trip to the John Muir House.  It is worth the drive!

Resources:

John Muir National Historic Site

4202 Alhambra Ave.

Martinez, CA  94553

(925) 228-8860

www.nps.gov/jomu/

A short biography of John Muir

http://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir.exhibit/life/muir_biography.aspx

Mountain Day Camp, at John Muir House National Park in Martinez, CA

The Mountain Day Camp at the John Muir House, a national Park, in Martinez, CA is amazing!  The children learn how Muir's legacy is still helping the earth be a healthier and more beautiful place to live.    My son and I have gone to the John Muir house many times, both on our own and as part of a group.  Each time we go there, we feel more in awe of Muir's accomplishments!

John Muir was a naturalist, preservationist, writer, farmer, husband, and father to two girls.  During camp, students explore Muir's 1882 Victorian home and view his "scribble den" where Muir penned many of his influential works.

The students have a chance to explore the grounds where Muir spend the last 24 years of his life and do some of the things that Muir did on the grounds.  They have a chance to do many of the following:
-explore nature trails, including climb Mt. Wanda
-paint and do art projects
-bake sourdough
-hear stories about John Muir
-discover local plants and animals
-explore Muir's house
-meet Muir and Stickeen (costumed characters)

Resources:

Mountain Day Camp
by John Muir Association
Camp Director, Jill Harcke
(925) 680-8807
info@muircamp.org
www.muircamp.org
Price:  $275. per week

S'mores at Sundown event at The Gardens at Heather Farms tonight from 6:30PM to 8:30PM

S'mores at Sundown Event

Gardens at Heather Farms

1540 Marchbanks Drive

Walnut Creek, CA

6:30PM-8:30PM

There will be a campfire, s'mores, a storyteller, games,and music!  

Our favorite summer television reality show- Pete Nelson's "The Tree House Man."

We love Pete Nelson's "The Tree House Man!"  Both adults and children have to love people having their dream tree houses built on their property.  Plus, Pete Nelson is so very uplifting and obviously loves his career!

Half Moon Bay 4th of July, 2015

This year there was a parade in Half Moon Bay.  The weather was cool, but lots of people, which is why we didn't go this year.

There was a parade in town this year.

My favorite restaurant in town is It's Italia on Main Street.  Upstairs from It's Italia is the Half Moon Bay Inn.  It is a great location for strolling to local restaurants, shopping, and cafes.

Resources:

Italian Restaurant Recommendation:
It's Italia
Main Street, Half Moon Bay

Hotel Recommendation in the town of Half Moon Bay:
Half Moon Bay Inn
401 Main Streeet
Half Moon Bay, CA
(650) 726-1177

We really like the restaurants and places to stay in the community, Princeton By the Sea.

Alameda County Fair is open from June 17th to July 5th this year, 2015!

This year we almost visited the Alameda County Fair over 4th of July weekend.  There are rides, animals, concerts, etc.  My favorite time to be at the Fair is in the evening when it is cooler!  Today, the weather should be about 89 degrees and tomorrow it will be about 86 degrees.

Alameda County Fair
 Pleasanton, CA

4th of July in Twaine Harte, CA- parade

I visited Twaine Harte with my family one year over New Year's Eve.  We stayed in town, then in the evening on the way to a New Year's eve. party, we got lost!  The host ended up having to rescue us in a huge white SUV, and we followed it back to the house.  Last night the movie, McFarland USA was playing in the park.  Today, there was a pancake breakfast at 8:00AM and a  4th of July parade in town on Meadow Lane.

Resources for 4th of July in Twaine Harte, CA
http://www.twainhartecc.com/

There is a really cute lake community called Twain Harte Lake.  Last summer it was closed because of a crack in the connecting dam.  From looking at the website, the lake is full again and people are enjoying the summer there.

Resources for Twaine Harte Lake:
http://thlake.org

Vacation Rentals with access to Twaine Harte Lake:
Shadow Ridge Vacation Rentals

4th of July fireworks in Shaver Lake, CA on July 5, 2015. Annual Shaver Lake Boat Parade at dusk

I would like to visit Shaver Lake one summer over 4th of July!  Beginning at dusk, local boat owners will begin their trek from the Sierra Marina during the Annual Shaver Lake Boat Parade.  Then, immediately following the boat parade, the fireworks will be launched from the island.

Shaver Lake Information:
www.shaverlake.com

Private Campground at Shaver Lake
Camp Edison
(559) 841-3134 x6

Guerneville, CA- fireworks tonight over the Russian River, crowds gather along Main Street

Tonight, there will be fireworks at dusk over the Russian river in Guerneville, CA.  The crowds gather along Main Street in town to view the fireworks.  Last night, on July 3rd, there were fireworks over the bridge in Monte Rio, CA.

Guerneville, CA
Fireworks
Phone (707) 869-9000 for more information.


Pet Friendly Accommodations in Guerneville, CA:
http://www.russianriver.com/pet-friendly/pdf

Most accommodations and campgrounds in Guerneville are probably sold out if you are looking for accommodations now, but try the simple accommodations at the  Holiday Inn in Windsor, CA.
Holiday Inn Express
8865 Conde Lane
Windsor, CA
(707) 837-0808
No dogs are allowed at this hotel

Folsom Pro Rodeo-4th of July, 2015- Folsom, CA

A family friend told me about 4th of July in Folsom, CA.  The town is filled with families enjoying the rodeo and 4th of July festivities.

My son and I have stayed at the Lake Natoma Inn in Folsom, CA.  It is walking distance to town, and there is also bike rentals and a path in walking distance from the hotel.

Resources:

Folsom Pro Rodeo
www.folsomrodeo.com
403 Stafford Street
Folsom, CA  95630
(916) 985-5555
www.folsomrodeo.com/schedule.html

Lake Natoma Inn
702 Gold Lake Drive
Folsom, CA
(916) 351-1500
(over the 4th of July rooms will be $114.00 or $189.00 over July 3rd-July 5th.

THe Berkeley Math Circle

The Berkeley Math Circle is a weekly program for over 400 San Francisco Bay Area elementary, junior high, and high school students.

http://mathcircle.berkeley.edu

4th of July fun in the San Francisco Bay Area- Patriotic fun, Pardee Home in Oakland, cA

Each year the Pardee Home in Oakland, CA has a patriotic picnic from 12-4 on 4th of July!

More details to follow!