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

Father's Day Activities

by Michael Rohde

June 17, 2009

This just in: Father’s Day is Sunday. Of course, many Dads probably prefer stretching out on the couch, turning on the ball game, and taking a nap on their day-of-days; but if that isn't feasible, then here’s a list of activities to help celebrate the big guy. These are in no particular order.

• 5th Annual Japantown Craft Fair Island Jam
• Summer Sailstice-Treasure Island
• National Parks are free this weekend *Editor's Choice* (the link to the fee-free parks was broken at the time of this posting, please call ahead to make sure the offer is still available)
• Stern Grove opening weekend Kids Stage before concert
• Moscone Park: Save our Parks SF Family Picnic/Fun Day
• SFMOMA: Target Family Day Inspired by Nature (Ansel Adams) *Editor's Wife's Choice*
• 31st Annual SF Ethnic Dance Festival
• Indie-Mart Outdoor Street Fair: 2 year Anniversary Edition!

And don't forget to give your Dad a hug and a steak dinner on Sunday.  Read more...

(Dads)

by Michael Rohde

June 16, 2009

When it comes to parenting, it’s the Moms that get all of the attention: daycares, pre-schools, blogs, parenting web sites, parenting magazines; all of them focus on Mom. Mom, Mom, Mom. Where’s the Dad? Well, I’ll tell ya, Dad is right here.

In the past, I’ve never really noticed or cared too much that society focuses on the Mom when it comes to parenting. But then I became a Dad and we got gift subscriptions to some parenting magazines. I very quickly stopped reading them. Why? Because they were all-Mom all the time. I was like, where are the Dad articles? My wife just looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. We let the gift subscriptions run out for those magazines.

And so it goes…

Then I started hearing little comments here and there. Like the time my son was in the hospital. Our room door was open and we noticed the same woman kept walking past in the hallway. I was busy changing Max’s diaper, so I didn’t catch on that she was watching me. After the third or so pass, she stops and says, “That’s so nice that you help out.” We assumed she was referring to the fact that I was changing my son’s diaper. I immediately thought to myself, ‘Help out? Lady, I change diapers 10 times a day.’ When my twins were newborns, that’s no exaggeration as to how often I was changing diapers.

And so it goes…

We recently attended a pre-school open house and I was told to my face, “We also have Mommy play time periods (and Dads too).” That’s right, I heard the parentheses while she spoke. In response, I just kind of half-acknowledged her, looked away, and thought to myself, ‘Where’s the Dad-centric pre-school?’

And so it goes…

This situation has occurred more than once. The phone rings and it’s the doctor’s office calling to confirm an appointment for one of the kids. They always ask for Mom. When I tell them she’s not at home, they ask very cautiously, “Is it OK to leave a message?” I tell them that I’m the Dad and that I can confirm the appointment. They always say, OK, but they want to doubly make sure the appointment is OK with Mom…

I have noticed that Father’s Day is currently a Trend on Twitter. Reading through those Tweets, it appears all the focus for Father’s Day is, “What to get as a gift?” To me, it’s kind of sad that gifts are the main concern as to how to celebrate your Dad. While a gift is always nice, I can tell you as a Dad, that probably the best thing you can give your Dad is a hug and tell him you love him.

I realize this post really had nothing to do specifically with San Francisco, so I hope you forgive me for this one rant in honor of Father’s Day. It’s just something I had to get off my chest. Furthermore, I have started the Good-Dad Revolution and it’s taking place on Twitter right now. Simply use #DadsFTW to join in on the conversation.
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Snippety Crickets

by Michael Rohde

May 26, 2009

Have you ever cut your own kids hair? Or better yet, have you ever thought it a good idea to shave your sons head? Let me tell you here and now, unless you're a professional, I do not suggest you try this at home...

My son Max has had his hair cut maybe two or three times. His hair has never grown so long that people walking down the street would confuse him for some sort of hippy freak, but in his 2.5 years on this planet, he's needed a trim. On the advice of some friends, we headed over to Laurel Heights and walked into Snippety Crickets to get his hair cut. The place was great. The staff was friendly and they have plenty of toys for the kids to play with while they wait. The toys include a giant set up of trains and train tracks. Lots of fun, indeed. 

The first couple of times we went, Max sat on my lap and happily played with some toys while he had his hair cut. There was some mussin' and fussin' but nothing too terribly bad. At the end, they took his picture and put it up on the wall. He got a good hair cut, we paid for it, and we left.

We did that a couple more times, and on the third visit, Max sat in the chair all by himself. We were so proud. Things were going pretty great with this hair cutting stuff, and then I got an idea, "I could do this myself, at home, and save some money." Believe it or not, my wife agreed, and a month later we broke out the hair trimmers...

We waited till bath time, stripped the boy down to his diaper, took out the electric hair trimmers and went to town. Max couldn't have yelled, squirmed, and fought with me anymore than he did. His Mom had to wait in the kitchen until it was over because she couldn't bear to watch. It was awful. But I got it done. And I didn't do too bad of a job (at least I didn't think so).

The next day, when I dropped the kids off at daycare, everyone immediately noticed. They didn't say, "Oh, Max, look at your great haircut." Oh no. They said, "MAX?!? What happened to your hair? Did your Dad do that?" It's as if they knew.

Max's hair grew back and it's getting shaggy again. Don't worry, I'm saving the hair trimmers for my head only, and Max is going back to Snippety Crickets. Lesson learned on that one: never shave your kids head...

As a side note: Snippety Crickets did a great job with my daughter's hair as well. She's only been once but she did get a great haircut.

Oh yeah, the kids (and Dad) get a sucker at the end. What more could you ask for?

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A Winner and DVD Ideas

by Michael Rohde

May 25, 2009

"How many times have you seen The Big Lebowski?" I asked my wife. She replied back that she hadn't seen it enough; it's one of the classics...

If you stayed in the city this weekend, chances are you stayed indoors and watched some DVDs. It was cold and wet looking, even if it didn’t rain, it might as well have. Not exactly BBQ weather (speaking of which, we tried a Trader Joe's Tri Tip tonight and we have to say, we like Costco's better… a rare occurrence, but true).

If you did stay inside, and you did watch a few DVDs, you might have been scratching your head trying to think of a few titles that Mom and Dad can watch together after the kids go to bed. Being the research-savvy person that I am, I asked my Twitter and Facebook friends what movies they would recommend. The results, thanks to Mandy, Lois, Jon, and my wife, is a rather mixed list that might spark some ideas the next time you update your Netflix queue or you head to the local video store. So, without further ado, here we go (movies listed in the order I received them):

• Scent of a Woman
• He's Just Not That Into You
• Eddie Murphy Raw
• Parenthood (two votes)
• Father of the Bride
• 9 and 1/2 Weeks
• Abducted
• Sex and the City
• Singles
• Chasing Amy
• O Brother Where Art Thou
• The Big Lebowski

Sesame Street Live Winner

The winner to the Sesame Street Live show has been notified. Congratulations, Nadja! I hope you and your family enjoy the show.

If you’re still interested in attending, don’t forget you use the promo code SESAME to save $3 off per ticket. You can buy your tickets now at any Ticketmaster location.

Sesame Street Live
"Elmo’s Green Thumb"
Oakland, CA; ORACLE Arena
Thursday, June 18 through Sunday, June 21

• Ticket prices: $15, $20, $25 & $30 (Gold Circle).
• Opening Night (Thursday, June 18, 7 pm)—All seats $15 (excluding Gold Circle seating).
• Additional fees/surcharges may apply.

Performance Schedule

• Thursday, June 18: 7:00 PM
• Friday, June 19: 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM
• Saturday, June 20: 10:30 AM & 2:00 PM
• Sunday, June 21: 1:00 PM & 4:30 PM

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Kids Eat Free

by Michael Rohde

March 16, 2009

I stop and take notice when I see a sign that reads, kids eat free. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a cheapskate. I've enjoyed culinary experiences at Gary Danko. I fully recognize what Nancy Oaks is doing at Boulevard. I've lunched at the Salt House (and gained a better appreciation for salt). Most recently, I took my wife to Garibaldi's for Valentine's.

We were walking through Laurel Village when I saw those three little words that I value so highly. While passing by Asqew, I read the sidewalk chalkboard and there it was, "kids eat free." It was like reading poetry. I immediately thought to myself, Dad is eating ribs, soon, very soon.

A couple evenings later we found ourselves back at Asqew. We ordered grilled, breaded chicken nuggets for the girl and ribs for the boy. Mom got a tuna skewer salad and I got the half rack. It was good. It was real good. I forgot how well Asqew does ribs.

The promotion runs through March. You can get one free kids meal per each accompanying adult. Asqew has locations throughout the city, including Laurel Village, Haight Street, the Castro, downtown, and there's one next door to Barneys in the Marina.

Mmm, burgers, did I tell you about the time we saw Joan Rivers at Barneys? That story can wait for another post...

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Top 5 Rainy (or Foggy) Day Activities

by Mike Adamick

May 27, 2008

1. Playgroup at Sherith Israel Temple -- The Temple has a non-denominational gym that is by far the biggest and cleanest play space in the city. It costs $10 for the session but it is well, well worth it. Plus once a month they bring in a child development specialist to answer any question under the sun. Also, they're very dad friendly, so that helps. 2. BART. You don't need a particular  Read more...