Being Savvy: Activities, things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Silicon Valley, CA

Where are the Dads? #1 Increasing your geek factor

by Shawn Burns

If you are an at-home dad what activities can you do with your kid that will be great for him, but also allow you to interact with other dads out there in the Silicon Valley? From time to time I'll be writing about these secret locales and what you can do, either as a dad or as a mom with a partner who is looking for some ideas. This week the theme is "Increasing your geek ... Read more >

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The Children's Discovery Museum: The Wonder Cabinet

by Shawn Burns

I took Erin to the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose on Tuesday. We've been before, but I wanted to bring her back now that she's a toddling walker instead of a mostly-stationary crawler.We explored both the downstairs area and the Wonder Cabinet, the special area for children under 4 upstairs. This post will be about the Wonder Cabinet.We happened to get there just as the art studio in ... Read more >

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Reading Aloud (as quietly as possible)

by Shawn Burns

I like reading to Erin. But she doesn't do that well with the sitting and the listening patiently as I extoll the virtues of the 1992 Toronto Blue Jays or how awesome Steve Yzerman is as a player and hockey executive.Maybe I need to stop trying to read sports magazines to her.She does love her some Dr. Seuss though (what kid doesn't?). I think that started when I would read Oh Baby the Places ... Read more >

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Reverse-Souvenirs

by Shawn Burns

We're talking about souvenirs and memories today at Savvy Source. The last time we took Erin on a trip she smuggled a wooden fish head into the luggage to bring with us on our trip. Kind of a reverse-souvenir, something to remind her of home while we were away.I think kids do this a lot (carry a little home with them); it's what's behind the sleep-buddy that you send to daycare and pre-school to ... Read more >

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Not the Big Apple, But We're Pretty Good

by Shawn Burns

Today at Savvy Source our editors are taking you to New York City. For a long time I lived on the East Coast, around the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. I've lived in Upstate New York.But I've never been to New York City. London, Paris, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Munich, Dublin. I've done some metro-traveling. But The Big Apple has remained ... Read more >

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Sharing Time

by Shawn Burns

There's a sign for share. Erin knows it. I'm not sure she understands the concept that clearly though. Everything in the world, so far, is hers. If I ask her to share something she'll give it over pretty readily, but it's a bit of a game; she'll try to take it back almost as soon as she's given it up. But we're practicing. Down at the pool, when she tries to snake somebody's ball or floatie ... Read more >

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Weekend Outlook: October 17th-19th

by Shawn Burns

Looking back at my Weekend Outlook entries for the past few months I notice that we are really and truly privileged in this area to have almost weekly street fairs of some kind or another. I keep highlighting them because I love to walk them, to experience my town, or my neighbor's town, in full spectacle. But perhaps you aren't the street fair type. Perhaps you've been crying out for me to just ... Read more >

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Weekend Outlook: October 31st-November 2nd

by Shawn Burns

We're in the home stretch of October. So many costumes, so much candy. But because October isn't over yet, and because this Friday is Halloween, your weekend outlook will of course include things to do that are Halloween-related. But not your usual faire of community festivals and storytimes. This weekend there are some really unique events in the area for you and the kids. First, if you are ... Read more >

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Bringing Books to Life: Alice in Wonderland

by Bonggamom

One of the things a great children's book does is inspire pretend play. Take the classic Alice in Wonderland; there's something about the story and colorful characters that makes every child want to visit Wonderland himself. If your child itches to be Alice or the White Rabbit, feed her imagination by planning activities centered around Alice and her adventures. You don't need to drive all ... Read more >

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The ABCs of Silicon Valley

by Shawn Burns

Today at Savvy Source we're doing the ABCs of Silicon Valley. Do you have the song in your head? Good. A is for Armadillo Willy's Barbecue. B is for the Baby Loves Disco. C is for the Cinco de Mayo Festival. D is for ducks. E is for environmentalism. F is for farmer's markets. G is for the Gilroy Garlic Festival. H is for Hobee's. I is for Ice Skating J is for the Junior ... Read more >

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Weekend Outlook: November 7th-9th

by Shawn Burns

This Election Week Weekend Outlook is brought to you by ME. You know. As usual. What is there to do with your little one this first weekend in November, the month winter begins to close its frosty grip? This Friday Hidden Villa begins its "Preschoolers on the Farm" series of "working the farm" afternoons. The workshop runs from 3-4pm, and is continued on November 14th and November 21st. You ... Read more >

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Great children's bookstores

by Bonggamom

We're lucky to have a well-stocked children's library less than a mile away from home. There's no way we could afford to buy enough books to satisfy my family-of-five's literary appetite, so we always have a dozen or so books checked out at any point in time. That said, I think every child benefits from having a library of his or her very own, whether it be a shelf or a bookcase or a roomful ... Read more >

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Bringing Books to Life: Plays and Musicals

by Bonggamom

All throughout the month of November, the editors at Savvy Source are browsing through bookshelves and exploring the wonders of children's literature. So come join me in celebrating the joy of reading a great book -- by watching a play. Well, why not? What better way to get a child excited about reading a book than by firing up his imagination beforehand? What better way to instill the ... Read more >

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Weekend Outlook: November 14th-16th

by Shawn Burns

Welcome to Weekend Outlook, your weekly peek forward into the depths of the weekend. This week our focus is on THEATER. Because it's never too soon to introduce kids to the world through the stage. Well, maybe 1 is too soon. Let me rephrase. It's never too soon to introduce the kids who can sit still without erupting into tears and cries to the world through the stage. Better? Yeah. The kids at ... Read more >

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List Day: Funny Books

by Shawn Burns

What is the difference between a funny book and a silly book? We're talking about "funny" books here on Savvy Source and I'm having a hard time just coming up with pure, guffawing, funny books for the newest readers in the house. My daughter likes Dr. Seuss and the Oswald books, but they aren't really "so didja hear the one about the monkey?" books. The Cat in the Hat is silly; he ... Read more >

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Weekend Outlook: November 21-23

by Shawn Burns

This weekend, like last weekend, seems to be full of stage productions geared toward kids. I didn't really want to list a bunch of plays again but I just can't help it because the ones I came across look too cute/fantastic/strange to just ignore. Also, this month at Savvy Source our focus is on Books and Stories, and although storytimes are great to go to (and I include a unique one ... Read more >

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