friday family fun freaktasticly fabulous FIOLI!

Since we're always always into a fun naturey adventure I thought I'd share this with you...

Explore: Filoli

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The forecast for Sunday promises sunshine and we’re itching for an outdoor adventure. Celebrate the return of spring by exploring the beautiful gardens at Filoli, a lovingly-preserved country estate in Woodside with some very special family-friendly events you won’t want to miss.   Their annualSpring Fling is coming up in April, followed by theirMother’s Day Celebrationin May.

When to go: March thru June are the most colorful months, but the gardens are lovely at any time. Check out the ‘What’s blooming’ year-round calendar on their website to find out when your favorite flowers will be at their best.

Where is it? Filoli is located 30 miles south of San Francisco.

What to see and do: Walk through sixteen acres of gardens of all different kinds, visit the house itself, drop by the garden shop, and take a docent-led nature hike to the greenhouse where the little ones can pot a plant, decorate it, and bring it home.

Where to have lunch: The Filoli Café serves delicious house-made paninis, fresh salads, quiches, desserts, and more.  They also have a children’s menu.

How to dress: Take jackets in case you want to eat outdoors on the patio.

Cost of trip: Moderate.  Children 4 and under are free.

Bonus: For all you movie buffs out there, scenes from The Wedding Planner and The Joy Luck Club were filmed at Filoli.

Online: www.filoli.org

—Annie Sheldon
"This story is reprinted with permission by Red Tricycle. For more family-friendly Bay Area activities, please visit http:///www.redtri.com."

On the slate for some *OTHER* girls will be this shin-dig! Sounds pretty fancy 

American Girl Fashion Show hosted by Golden View Elementary School

Category:

 

Kids & Family

When:

Sunday, March 27, 2011 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Add to Calendar

Where:

 

Blackhawk Museum

based on 42 reviews

3750 Blackhawk Plaza Cir Danville, CA 94506 (925) 736-2277

How:

 

Official Website

Cost:

 

$40.00

What/Why:

Ticket Sales Begin 2/5/2011 ($40) This fundraiser benefits the student of Golden View Elementary. Each ticket entitles you to the Fashion Show, Museum access, a sit down meal, access to $1000+ in Raffle Prizes, Door Prizes, a Hair Salon, A Professional Photographer and much more.

Family Friday: Down time with The People

Alexia "brave girl" NO DOUBT!

A lot of people like to take off for Spring Break with big plans of tropical destinations and far flung flights, but we Herrmanns... well... we march to the beat of a different drummer...

We head for the hills when everyone else is at school or toiling away at work. We love to take advantage of less traffic, smaller crowds and better service. 

Proud Daddy with his buddy

This past week was no exception. We hit Squaw Creek Resort, put the little one in Ski School, sent the mister on a few runs while The Queen of the Leos luxuriated in the fabulous spa. 

It was good for the soul of each Herrmann to have this experience

How fun is THIS?!?

Now, while all of you are going to be showing us your tan lines and sunsets we'll be here in town also enjoying less traffic, smaller crowds and better service... 

Swimming in the pool outdoors in the snow at night!

Family time just brings us closer to what we love!

Now, Go GET your CRAFT on!!!

xoxo

jul

Family Friday:Narnia in Berkeley!

One of my childhood favorites

I do enjoy the parental opportunity to relive parts of my childhood by experiencing them again with my child... The Chronicles of Narnia's The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is one of those "things". I've been wanting to share this story with my little one, but have hesitated... I know there is material in the story that I don't want to just toss her way without some context to understand the way some fairy tales happen... *BUT* given the opportunity to see this story come to life in a local theater in a show for children is just the right setting to share this story... I know there will be some "scary" parts that are filled with anxious moments, I also know those lead to nuggets of goodness like bravery and generosity of spirit... Do you remember all of these little pieces?

The White Witch and poor Edmund

A walk in the woods with Tumnus

Falling back out of the wardrobe

My very favorite characters are of course, Lucy the Valiant and Dear Aslan... I've always been drawn to those beautiful lions...

Here is what Red Tricycle has to say:

 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Where:	Berkeley Playhouse 2640 College Avenue Berkeley, Ca
When:	Mar 13–Apr 3, 2011
Cost:	$15-33
Ages:	All
More Info:	Event Website

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first and most famous story of the Chronicles of Narnia, is brought to the stage in an unique musical with all the fantasy and enchantment of a world filled with creatures and spirits of myth and fable – both good and evil, demonic and transcendent. Ordinary children learn extraordinary lessons in courage unselfishness and wisdom.

Here is what the Berkeley Playhouse has to say:


ABOUT THE PLAY: Based on the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis, Narnia is a musical recreation of an enchanted world filled with creatures and spirits of myth and fable, both good and evil, demonic and transcendent.  Narnia has been held in a state of perpetual winter for over a hundred years by the evil White Witch.  The majestic King Aslan, a talking Lion, struggles to take back possession of the land but is so often absent that his very existence is doubted by some.  Entering Narnia at a moment of its greatest need are the four Pevensie children who discover that entering a wardrobe in the home of Professor Digory Kirke will lead to this magical land.  The children join the quest to save Narnia from the White Witch and over the course of their journey filled with chases, duels and narrow escapes they learn valuable lessons in courage, generosity and wisdom.  Narnia features a soaring, inspirational musical score with music by Thomas Tierney and lyrics by Ted Drachman.  Narnia runs two hours with an intermission.  Enjoyed by children and adults.


To get your tickets click here

Enjoy! and don't forget to GET your CrAfT on!!!

xoxo

jul

funky family friday

Family means different things to different people... sometimes it even means different things to the same person at a different time with the same people... I'm practicing for my next role as Yoda, can't you tell?

You think I'm joking? You may be right...

But really really what I wanted to mention here without too much poeticism was that I'm a pretty lucky girl to get folded into such neat family. I have at least two aunts who love me dearly as professed in a Facebook note just this week :) I have had a myriad of uncles to go along with those aunts *ahem* but I digress... I have like a dozen cousins and 2nd cousins all whom I have reconnected with to varying degrees through the afore mentioned Facebook... all sorts of LOVELY pictures have come out of these reconnections...i'm only going to share the ones that are actually LOVELY and leave out all of the ones of me looking 16, K? thanks.

Here's my Nana - I have no idea how old she was here, but she pretty much always had that hair. This is my Mom's Mom. I love this picture, why? I dunno, maybe because she looks so  much like she's already seen some stuff, but her whole life lays before her.... or maybe cuz she looks like she's gonna kick my a$$ if I mess anything up and she means it!

And then for anyone who knows my Mom they will recognize her by the xmas tree as she's pretty much always by an xmas tree... can you say "Mom is obsessed by xmas decor"? No, its true! She has some parts of the house decorated all the whole year through. She's the tall one in this picture and I'm pretty sure that's the last time that has been said :) I love you, Mom *waves* :) *ducks* :D

Ok fine... you twisted my arm... here is ONE PICTURE of me looking 16... although I am probably really 14 or 15... and I'm at the world famous "Mexican Party" ok, not world famous, but at least small town California famous

I am the dork in the giant hat with my little cousin who just turned 37 last week and her mom hiding behind me! ugh we're getting O.L.D. 

*SIGH*

*SIGH*

*SIGH*

Why do I share this stuff? Cuz I'm a giver... I give. I share and entertain and now you have someone to laugh at as you head into your CRAFTASTIC weekend!

Go get YOUR craft ON!!!

xoxo

jul