Like they used to say on TV, membership has it’s privileges. Both of the Bay Area children’s museums that I have been to are part of a consortium of Children’s Museums that have reciprocal memberships. This means that if you get a one-year membership at Habitot in Berkeley, for example, you can go to the Discovery Museum in Sausalito for a significant discount. Also, if you travel to a place with another children’s museum, you are totally in.

The point, however, is not the membership. The point is that these are destinations with rooms for crawlers. Usually they have mats on the floor or different textures and large scale shapes that babies and young toddlers can put their grubby hands on, in and through. The Discovery Museum Tot Room, for example, has at least four waterbed-type areas for babies.

If you live near one of these places, and buy a membership, consider it a mommy meet market. Go there when you and baby are feeling lonely, let down your hair, and have a juice box or two.

Your 47th weekly challenge is to seek out a children’s museum and make a special trip there with your baby. Tell us, how was it? (Baby too young for this outing? Start at the beginning.)

Photos: Minnesota Children’s Museum;  Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco

Today is national PARK(ing) Day, an art-slash-activism event that encourages folks to occupy a public parking space with a DIY park. There are 700 temporary parks across the globe this year.

This one was produced by the people who work at method in downtown San Francisco.  The idea is that you simply feed the meter all day, entitling you to use the space for the things you’d like to do in a park. In the case of the PARK(ing) space above, they set up a putting hole.

Here’s one in Seattle that’s happening right now.

Can you participate? I’m giving you sort of late notice for this year, I realize. However, if you want to cruise by and see a PARK(ing) spot inhabited by some other crew, check out the map on the PARK(ing) Day website. Is there a location near you that you can stroll by?

Yes, I’m endorsing a product/service here. No, I am not being paid to do so.  It’s called Music Together and two past experieinces made me decide to recommend this activity.

Several of my friends had done Music Together for three consecutive “semesters” and then decided to skip a semester. During that period we met at the park during the time that many of us used to do Music Together and Sarah was saying how much she missed it, couldn’t wait til it started up again, and that not doing it made her see how much she values it. Our park-based playdate was simply filling the hole in her life left by abstaining from Music Together.

Ok, so Sarah (hearts) Music Together. Her enthusiasm made me think hard about how I feel about it. I had been thinking that it’s just too expensive, and then I decided that I agree with Sarah.

Later that day, I read that most North American families only know two or three songs to sing to their children when they are born, and one of them is often 99 Bottles of Beer. And here’s where I relate to how much value you get out of these classes. From Music Together, my husband and I have learned countless songs in that can be sung and re-sung in different ways. The class is designed to teach you, the parent, how to incorporate music into your kid’s life.* Each song can be changed around to include your kid’s name, interests or description of the activities you’re doing. Our teacher, Ryk, also gives great advice on using music to distract while diaper changing or putting on shoes. People, it works.

Julian was obsessed with the CDs that come with the class. He begged for us to put them on and then, as a baby even, would smile and wave when he heard the first song.

*The class is not about building music skills in your kid. In fact, they are welcome to sit absolutely still and silent. The parent or caregiver is the one participating. The theory is that you can develop musical interest and enthusiasm in children by enabling them to watch you have fun with sounds, songs and instruments. Given that we don’t have community music experiences in this culture, our kids will not pick up songs to pass down to their kids unless we make it happen.

So there you have it. My love letter to Music Together.

Find one near you.

And again, this is not an advertisement.

[Photo from Music Together's website]

An umbrella is a terrific gift for a preschooler. My toddler loves to hold her own kid-sized umbrella, and it gives us something to do on a rainy day – go outside and stand there with an umbrella over our heads.

I saw this rainbow umbrella for kids in a Museum catalog and thought it was worth sharing. Then, when I searched for it on Amazon, I found even more cuteness – all six umbrellas are less than $20.00. Great gift for nieces or nephews.

Rainbow Spectrum Umbrella

Cloud Umbrella for Kids (comes in adult size, too!)

Monkey Umbrella

Red Polka Dot Umbrella

Apple of My Eye Umbrella

Ladybug Umbrella

On recent raining days when I’ve been having a very very hard time getting motivated to get out of the house with my sidekick, I have been thinking about how lucky I am to have several baby and toddler-friendly coffee shops to choose from.

For me, what makes a coffee shop friendly for parents is a corner with toys to keep them busy and a bathroom with a changing table. In Oakland, we have an amazing place called Sadie Dey’s Cafe, which has a huge play area for kids and wi-fi for adults. There is a full menu of food for everyone (including babyfood). There are cubbies for your shoes, and coffee holders mounted high up on the wall all around the space, along with purse hooks, so that the toddlers don’t get into anything they shouldn’t be touching (like MY LATTE!)

When my MIL and SIL came to visit and I brought them to Sadie Dey, they were totally blown away and insisted there is nothing like this in Minneapolis. Are they right?

I would love to have a round-up here, if y’all would do me the favor of commenting on your favorites in your neighborhood.

Red Tricycle has this post on Seattle favorites for parents.

You city mamas probably already know that it’s Pride Weekend season.  That is Gay Pride for those who are not familiar with this most fabulous event.  The family-friendly folks who march with their kids in San Francisco have invited us (anyone who wants) to join them, and I’m thinking it sounds like a good idea for my little dude. He knows what a parade is, and I’m thinking when I inform him that he can actually BE IN THE PARADE, he might go crazy with excitement.  And more, he can wear a funny hat and ride his tricycle if he wants.  And, more, it’s all about being proud of who you are, and my son is all about that. Proud that he pooped in the potty, proud of his sister for eating watermelon. He shares generous doses of pride with us all the time, so this seems like a good event for him.

I posted some of the details on East Bay SavvySource for my local peeps, but it’s Pride weekend in a few other cities, I think.

(photo of our friends Norrie and Angela courtesy of Mama Isobel)

Before I let Andrea tell you how much she liked taking her 18-month old twins to IKEA, I want to mention her new business, little uni. She is selling handmade baby clothes that are simple and sweet, with modern appliques. Her babies Mira and Will are modeling for us in these pictures.

Andrea lives in Chicago, where its been freezing and snowing for the past few months. Her kids just moved to one nap a day, so they are always looking for good morning activities. She writes:

My husband and I planned a trip Saturday morning to IKEA to buy a kid-sized table and chairs. I was not looking forward to a day in the suburbs at a crowded IKEA. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that if you get to IKEA early, it is not crowded at all.

We put each kid in one of their odd stroller/shopping bag holder contraptions. The kids loved being pushed around in them, and we loved not pushing a heavy double stroller or 2 cumbersome full-sized shopping carts.

The kids section is really amazing. Besides the unique, colorful toys, bedding and furniture, they have a play
area set up in a maze of child-sized, completely furnished rooms. I bought a great set of plastic, colored plates. We also let each kid pick out a stuffed animal. The kids loved riding the glass elevators, and saying “Hi” every time they heard the beep of the doors opening. Because it wasn’t crowded, we could really see and appreciate the well-designed room displays. The kids pointed out lights, doors, windows, balls, beds as we walked around.

Lunch in the café was excellent. The modern, white highchairs were neatly stacked and easy to find. There was plenty of space at the table for 2 toddlers and 2 adults. I set up the kids and my husband went to get the food. He got mac and cheese and Swedish meatballs from the kids menu, of course served on the wonderful plastic plates. I think the mac and cheese was $.99. The kids gobbled down every bite.

After a couple of awkward trips to the car carrying table parts and babies, we headed home just in time for their naps.

Shelly, the founder of My Spoiled Rotten Baby, wrote to me with her story, and it seemed appropriate for the Rookie Moms audience. After delivering her son via cesarean birth, she decided that moms needed a little more support than she received during her birth experience. She started teaching childbirth education at a prestigious hospital in her area, and spent a lot of time as a labor and postpartum doula.

Eventually, as her personal situation changed, she was no longer able to be in an on-call situation. The desire to stay in the ‘new Mom/ baby’ industry was strong enough for her to take the leap into running a small business full-time as a newly single-mother. Go, Shelly!

She says:

I wanted to take my passion, combine it with my experience as an educator and doula, and throw in a little fun. Thus, Spoiled Rotten Baby came to be. Spoiled Rotten Baby is an online luxury and baby gift company featuring some of the products that Moms would love to have, but won’t buy on their own. We have 100% organic Egyptian cotton clothing for baby, all-natural products for labor, postpartum, and breastfeeding, chenille and silk-edged blankets, Bumble Bag diaper bags, and more. What makes Spoiled Rotten Baby stand out is the fact that everything is beautifully hand-packaged in our signature gift boxes; complete with hand-tied bow, linen-textured tissue, and pretty little gift card. Luxury that is ready-to-give.

Shelly has other suggestions for new moms, and she’s compiled them into a one-week agenda of free entertainment. Even if you don’t live around Issaquah, the outings on this schedule might give you some ideas for new things to try with your baby. (PS If you think Shelly looks too hot to be a rookie mom, don’t worry, she’s had seven years to recover from pregnancy and birth. You’ll get there, too.)

Monday

Boehms Candies Factory Tour: The best way to start your week – with chocolate! The historic Boehms Factory is located in the heart of downtown Issaquah. Open daily, families are invited to check out the factory and retail shop for a free self-guided tour. The best time to come is between 9 am and 2 pm weekdays, when the candy makers are in production and you can actually see how candy is made. Guides tours are available during the summer. Free samples are available for both the self and guided tours. Open daily. (425) 392-6652
Self-guided tours: Free

Tuesday

KidzBounce: KidzBounce is the perfect place for moms to gather and visit while the little ones literally bounce off the walls. Featuring a room filled with giant bounce houses, this place is a favorite for regular drop-in visits as well as birthdays for kids (and adults!) of all ages. Parents will love it because it is a safe, clean indoor environment. Kids will love it for the various giant slides and obstacle courses. KidzBounce is just 6 minutes East of Issaquah. Drop-ins Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. (425) 222-5439
Parents and kids under 2: Free

Wednesday

Cougar Mountain Zoo: This zoo is like no other! Cougar Mountain Zoo is nestled on the North facing slope of Cougar Mountain and based around educating the public about endangered species. The main attraction, of course, is the cougar, but on any given day visitors can see Antelopes, Alpaca (part of the camel family) and 3 species of Lemur. If you’re lucky, one of the zookeepers may even be walking one of the Lemurs around so you can really get close. Can anyone say, “Zoboomafoo?” Finally, during the holidays, they have the zoo decorated for Christmas– complete with Santa and his live reindeer. Closed every Monday and Tuesday. (425)391-5508
Adults: $9.50 Kids 2 and under: Free

Thursday

Issaquah Salmon Hatchery: This is an educational and fun outing that teaches visitors about Pacific Salmon, watershed stewardship, and hatchery operations. The best time to visit the hatchery is mid-September through mid-November when the fish at the hatchery are at their largest. Chinook salmon, for example, can reach up to 135 lbs although most mature at around 50 lbs. Also, during this time, free tours are available to all visitors several times a day during the week. No matter what time of year you visit the hatchery, there is always the opportunity to see the various types of fish swimming around in the underground observatory or up above on the fish ladder. There are several fun and well-maintained parks within walking distance, so pack a picnic lunch and spend the day with the fish! (425) 427-0259
Free admission for everyone!

Friday

Luther Burbank Park: Located just 10 miles West of Issaquah on Mercer Island, Luther Burbank Park is 77 acres of natural beauty with plenty to see and do for the little ones. On a warm day, you can spend time playing in the water. Luther Burbank park has 3/4 of a mile of Lake Washington waterfront where you can build sandcastles, take a dip in the lake, or just relax; watching the 135 species of birds, 50 waterfowl, raccoons, beaver, muskrats, and tree frogs. In any weather, kids can play on the gigantic play structure or take the pooch for a romp in the enclosed off-leash dog area. Older siblings will have fun playing shuffle board, shooting hoops, or playing tennis on one of the 3 tennis courts located right next to the playground. In addition to all of this, there are 5 barbeque’s to use and 3 dozen picnic tables spread throughout the park.
Cost: Free

Jacqui publishes Red Tricycle, a newsletter and website dedicated to finding the cool stuff for kid-focused people in Seattle.

She shares with us some of her favorite activities for moms and new babies around the city as inspired by her own son, James Hudson:

Day One: Downtown
You can’t come to Seattle to without checking out the attractions. Shoot for mid-week, early morning/afternoon visits to Pike Place Market and Seattle Center to avoid the crowds.

• Olympic Sculpture Park is the latest & great Seattle attraction (always open). Very easy to navigate with a stroller.
• Pike Place Market – would definitely use a baby carrier, unless you go very early in the morning.
• Seattle Center: ­ If it’s sunny, play in fountains. If it’s rainy, wander through Pacific Science Center There are many festivals going on through the summer, check Seattle Center’s calendar.

Day Two: Madison Park / Madison Valley
Great neighborhood-y feel. Fun boutiques to check out.

• Grab some sandwiches from Essential Bakery and have a picnic in the Arboretum or at Madison Park beach. My Coffeehouse is a cool mommy hangout On E Madison between 28th & 29th (it’s just not Seattle without a coffee shop visit).
• The Original Children’s Shop at Madison and 41st features­ high-end children’s clothes, toys, and more.
• If you have a toddler, there is a playground in downtown Madison Park across from the Bakery.
• If you get out of the house in time on a Thursday or Sunday, breathe through a mom & baby yoga class at Santosha Yoga (by appointment). Treat yourself to a donut after yoga class at Madison Park Bakery.

Day Three: Ballard
Ballard boasts boutique shops, neighborhood pubs, eclectic restaurants, and waterfront parks. But what about Ballard for babies?

• Check out the Locks, the #1 tourist destination in Seattle ­ beautiful park grounds and easy to get around with a stroller.
• Firehouse Coffee – has a kids play area and is right next door to Gymboree
• Me & moms – huge kids’ consignment store with­ lots to look at
• Archie McPhee – fun, over-the-top novelty store

Day Four: Columbia City

• On Tuesdays, Columbia City Cinema shows movies for babies and parents. Call for current showings.
• On Wednesdays, Check out the Farmers Market with Kids Activity area from May to October.
• On Thursdays, Lotus Yoga has a great Mom & Baby yoga class
• Also check out the art classes at Retroactive Kids, Columbia City Bakery and Tutta Bella Pizzeria, Sweet Peas Consignment Shop.

Day Five: Queen Anne
Upper Queen Anne has evolved from a singles marketplace to a kiddie haven. Enjoy wandering through the shops & cafes.

• Queen Anne Books story time the first and 3rd Sunday
• Urban Kids Play – cool kids shop that offers a range activities from yoga to story time in English and Spanish
• Lily’s -­ just peek your head into this salon that focuses on updos, manis & pedis for kids

Day Six: Snoqualmie Falls
You should definitely take a trip out to Snoqualmie Falls a spectacular site to see — even taller than Niagara Falls.

• A hike around the falls is doable with a stroller or baby carrier.
• In Snoqualmie Ridge, there are some fun shops including­ Zeebis, a cool toy store
• Peanut Butter & Lili sells­ high-end baby accessories

Day Seven: Capitol Hill
Playtime, swimming, excellent food, and an art museum with free admission. So much for resting.

• Vios Café ­ THE most kid-friendly restaurant in Seattle, On any given day the place is overflowing with kiddies from newborn through toddler. Great Mediterranean food as well.
• Miller Community Center ­has a drop-in play
  time for infants 6 months and up, wading pool in Summer
• Volunteer Park beautiful grounds to stroll­ checkout the conservatory or the Asian Art Museum (free on first Thursday and first Sunday)

A few more resources for visitors:
Crybabycomforts.com – rents baby gear, from strollers to high chairs and car seats, even co-sleepers and Amby Hammocks. Picks up and delivers from hotels. Daily or weekly rentals.

Bestsittersinc.com – very reputable Seattle-based baby sitting service that works with many top hotel concierge. I use them myself when my babysitter is sick or I need a last minute sitter. I trust them. $62 for 4 hours (minimum), $12/hour after that.

Wow! Well — if that’s not enough for you — Seattle residents and visitors alike can check out Red Tricycle at red-tri.com for an update on the weekly events & activities for kids under 5.