Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in silicon valley, CA

Celebrating Mother's Day

by bonggamom

May 07, 2009

Ask any mom what she wants for Mother's Day and there's a good chance she'l tell you what she wants most is some time off (I'm partial to a spa day myself).   But there's no escaping family -- after all, they're what turned you into a mother in the first place, and it's no fun being Queen For The Day if you can't have your loyal subjects celebrating with you.  Save your Day Off for next week -- that way you'll have *two* special days! -- and spend Mother's Day with your family.  Here are some ideas for celebrating Mother's Day after you're done with your breakfast in bed or champagne brunch:

1)  Celebrate early!  Today, May 7, is National Mom's Nite Out.  Take a well-deserved evening off at a Mom's Nite Out or Mamapalooza event being held across the country.  If you can't find an event nearby, party online!  After you've put the kids to bed, open up your laptop and join the many National Mom's Nite Out virtual parties.

2) Visit a museum!  The Koret Foundation is celebrating their 30th anniversary by sponsoring free Mother's Day admission to 17 museums around the Bay Area, including kid-friendly favorites like the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, the Exploratorium, Bay Area Discovery Museum, and the San Francisco Zoo.   

3) Get crafty!  There's still time for your little ones to make you a present before Sunday.  Take them into Michaels craft store in Mountain View or Sunnyvale for free crafts, every day till Mother's Day.  This evening they'll be making Mother's Day cards.  Tomorrow evening it's a wooden photo frame.  On Saturday afternoon they're hosting a Make it for Mom Bead Event.  And on Sunday afternoon, your little ones can bring in Mom and Grandma to decorate a cookie they can give to you -- or more likely, eat all by themselves.

4) Go on a hike!  If you enjoy nature and are looking for a fun and relaxing experience in the outdoors, join the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge for Mother’s Day in The Marsh, an exploration of refuge habitats. Starting at 10:30am, watch a brief slideshow, then take a leisurely stroll and learn how we are connected to the refuge’s wetland and upland habitats through our daily water use. This program is recommended for all ages, and wheelchair and stroller accessible. Recommended for all ages.

5) Feel the beat!  Visit the Stanford University campus this weekend for the 38th annual Stanford PowPow.  You'll see amazing costumes, dances, drum performances, and crafts at this colorful celebration of Native American culture. 

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, birth mothers, foster mothers  -- enjoy your Special Sunday!