Six Flags Discovery Kingdom....

I'm planning a trip back to Discovery Kingdom in the next couple weeks with some friends and I am really looking forward to it. However, we just realized that the Park is only open on the weekends, so we are a little disappointed as its so hard to coordinate an open weekend for everyone. I really want to take G back now that she is older, we went this time last year with her older cousins, but she was still small and not walking yet. So it will be great to see what she thinks of it this year!!

Here are some pictures from our last visit!

A place to cool off....

We have had some nice warm (HOT!) weather this week, and finding a place to cool off is crucial. Here are some kid friendly locations in the North Bay Area...

Santa Rosa:

Finley Aquatic Center

2060 W. College Ave. (At Stony Point Rd.)
(707) 543-3760
$4 Adults (18 - 54)
$3 Children
$3 Seniors (55+)
Open (for 2007) June 4 to August 19
1:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Monday – Friday
11:30 a.m – 1:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Shallow pool open from 1:30 to 6 p.m.)
August 13 to November 7 2:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Monday to Friday

Notes:

• complex consists of a large training pool, an L-shaped instructional pool, and a 1-foot enclosed wading pool
• facility is fully ADA accessible with pool ramp and wheel chair lift
• spacious locker rooms with full shower facilities and coin-operated lockers.
• concession stand
• diving boards
• lifeguards

Ridgway Swim Center

455 Ridgway Ave.
(707) 543-3421
$4 Adults (18 - 54)
$3 Children
$3 Seniors
Open (for 2007) June 4 to August 12
Noon to 1 p.m. Monday – Friday
1:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Friday
August 12 to October 7
1:15 p.m. to 6 p.m., weekends only

Notes:

• 140 ft waterslide
• 25 yard by 25 yard
• 9 lane competition pool
• 2 - 3 1/2 foot deep instructional pool
• mushroom fountain
• locker room areas
• ADA accessibility throughout the facility including a wheelchair lift
• lifeguards

Sonoma County YMCA

1111 College Ave.
(707) 545-9622

Notes:

• Typically, the pools are open only to members. But, non-members can use them during certain hours each day. Some of the longer chunks of time include:
  Fridays: 2:30 - 8:30 in the small pool; 3 - 5 in the large pool
  Saturdays: 1:30 - 4:30 in both pools
  Sundays: 12:30 - 5 in both pools
  Call first in case of schedule changes.
• Both pools are indoor.
• The small pool is shallow and warm. Even though it is indoor, it's by many windows and gets plenty of sunlight.

Spring Lake

391 Violetti Dr.
(Between Howarth Park and Annadel State Park)
(707) 539-8092
Open: from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset
Parking: $6 parking per vehicle

Notes:

• 3-acre swimming lagoon
• sandy beach
• concession stand
• picnic areas
• lifeguards

Rohnert Park:

Honeybee Pool
1170 Golf Course Drive 586-1413

Rohnert Park's busiest pool is popular with families and lap swimmers. "H-Pool" is equipped with a one-meter diving board and has a child's wading pool. Lap swim sessions are offered year-round as well as water exercise classes.

Sebastopol:

Ives Pool

Healdsburg:

Healdsburg Community Swimming Pool

60 Monte Vista Avenue.

Two pools; 60’ x 92’ public swim, and 20’ x 30’ tiny tot pool.

Info - 431-1109, Office - 431-3613 or 431-3617

Petaluma:

The Petaluma Swim Center
900 E. Washington Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
707-778-4410

Open Seasonally. The Petaluma Swim Center has a 50-meter heated outdoor pool and a heated wading pool from 2-3 feet deep. The complex includes heated showers, dressing rooms, a large deck and picnic areas.

The Cavanagh Pool
8th & G Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
707-778-4536

Open Seasonally. The Cavanagh Pool is a 20yd x 6yd heated outdoor pool. 3ft to 6ft deep. Water temperature is approximately 86 degrees. Full stairs at one end of the pool. Pool area is sheltered on all sides by walls. Entrance is on 'G' Street.

First day of School.....

Today was the first day of school for many NORCAL children, which means summer is coming to an end quickly.. boooooo!! :( My niece attended Kindergarten for the first time today in Yountville, and I am pretty sure she won the "best dressed" kid award! She was absolutely adorable!! So to honor all of the children who attended school for the first time today I thought I would do this post and of course show off my cute niece! I am a proud Auntie!!

CONGRATS to all the little pupils out there!!!

Morton's Warm Springs....

We have many family friends headed here today for a reunion. Morton's is open May-September and is a place you should certainly visit. Its located in beautiful Glen Ellen, and it is a great place to plan a special party or just spend the day!

Reservations are not required!
Day rates are only $8 for Adults, $7 for children!

http://www.mortonswarmsprings.com/about_mortons_warmsprings.html

UV Safety Month...

July is UV Safety Month and is a great time to learn how to protect kids from harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation! I found this list printed on Pediatrics.com and thought it was helpful.

Hope this is useful for you too....

Kid-Friendly Sunscreen and Sunblock

The best sunscreens and sunblock that have all of the characteristics that you would look for to protect your kids from the sun include:

• Aveeno Baby Sunblock lotion, SPF 55
• Badger SPF 30 For Face & Body
• Badger SPF 30 Unscented Natural Sunscreen
• Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free Continous Spray Sunblock, SPF 50
• Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free Sunblock Lotion, SPF 50
• Banana Boat Baby Faces Sunblock Stick, SPF 50
• Banana Boat Kids Dri-Blok Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30
• Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Sunblock, SPF 50
• Banana Boat UltraMist Kids Spray, SPF 50
• Blue Lizard Australian Suncream, SPF 30
• Bull Frog Kids FastBlast Sunblock Spray, SPF 36
• California Baby Water Resistant, Hypo-Allergenic Sunscreen, SPF 30+
• Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
• Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50
• Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 70+
• Coppertone WaterBabies Quick Cover Lotion Spray, SPF 50
• Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
• Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Lotion Spray, SPF 50
• Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces & Tender Places Sunblock Spray, SPF 50+
• Neutrogena Kids Spray Waterguard Sunblock Mist, SPF 70+
• Neutrogena Waterguard Kids Sunblock Lotion, SPF 70+
• Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock Lotion, SPF 60+
• NO-AD Sunblock Lotion, SPF 45
• Up & Up Sport Continuous Spray SPF 30(Target)
• Walgreens Sport Continuous Spray SPF 50

Parents should a avoid low SPF sunscreen or suntan lotion, which don't provide enough sun protection for kids.

Baby Steals...

This is my new FAVORITE website... a NEW DEAL everyday!!!

Check it out.......

http://www.babysteals.com/index.php

Fairyland...

We took a trip to Fairyland in Oakland today. It is a very special place that is perfect for preschool age and older. Everything in set to their size and there is so much to explore. Fairyland is set on shores of Lake Merritt and offers ten acres where children's literature comes to life!!!!

We watched a puppet show, rode the merry-go-round (twice), and visited the animals. We even took a ride on a train! It was so fun and its easy to see everything in 2.5 hours. We packed our lunch and enjoyed a picnic in the shade, there are plenty of nice places to picnic and relax. Outside of the park, Lake Merritt also offers great picnic opportunities and places to walk, we made sure to take some time to walk the lake after our visit to Fairyland. I would highly recommend Fairyland, its worth the trip, oh and admission is only $6 with your AAA and parking is FREE!!