Real Chestnuts roasting over an open fire at the Cornish Christmas Celebration tonight in Grass Valley, CA

Both this Friday  and next Friday there is a Cornish Christmas celebration in Grass Valley, California.  There are two highlights that my son and I enjoyed last year:

1.  The live young and older musicians in period costumes playing fiddle, guitar, etc.  It inspired my son to practice his violin!

2.  The man really roasting chestnuts in a huge bonfire in the middle of the street in front of the Holbrooke Hotel!  It really gave meaning to the classic song!

3.  All the merriment of a holiday festival with food, song, crafts, music, etc.  This one really helps one imagine life in another era, where men and women worked hard, had little, but cherished the simple pleasures of hearty food, good song, and a warm fire with family and friends!

downtowngrassvalley.com

Tis The Season for Science, Academy of Science, San Francisco,CA- annual holiday exhibit

Two 6 year old reindeer, Willow and Yukon, have arrived at the California Academy of Sciences!  They are called "nomads of the north."  The Tis the Season for Science Annual Holiday Exhibit will be going on now through January 4th, 2015.  There will also be a movie about reindeer in the snowman shaped theater, "Roaming With Reindeer."  The exhibit will also feature snow flurries, caroling, and other shows.

The Little Naturalists Program is offered for children age 3-5 most Wednesdays at 9:45AM.  Registration for this needs to be called ahead of time.  My son really enjoyed this program when he was younger.

The next Penguins and Pajamas Sleepover will be held on Saturday, January 17th, 2015 from 6:00PM. It is for children and teenagers age 5 to 17, and adult supervision is necessary.  The cost for the overnight program is $109.00 for non-members and $89.00 for members.  I haven't done the overnight yet, but it sounds fun!

Resources:

Academy of Sciences
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA

USS Hornet open today, Veteran's Day services at 11:00AM

My favorite pumpkin patch in California- Cool Patch Pumpkin Patch in Dixon,CA

I love Cool Patch Pumpkin Patch in Dixon, CA.  The #1 reason I love it is because they actually grow pumpkins!  Also, they have tractor rides (dogs are welcome on the tractor and at the pumpkin patch.)  There is a large pool of beans for children to play in and bikes to ride.

Cool Patch Pumpkins
Dixon, CA

Cool Patch Pumpkins, world's largest corn maze! Dixon,CA- open until November 1, 2014

Two brothers started out with just a few acres and a lofty goal, the brothers began building their mazes with an eye to the guiness prize. They create a fresh design each year for the maze, starting with an idea and hand cutting each turn of the massive design.  This is the world's largest corn maze and is in the Guiness book of world records.

Resources:

Cool Patch Pumpkins
6585 Milk Farm Rd.
Dixon, CA

Hours:  9:00AM-8:00AM

Phone- 530-746-8723

http://coolpatchpumpkins.com

See Cool Patch Pumpkins Facebook for videos of the creation of the maze!

Happy Autumn! Bridgeport, CA Fall Festival at South Yuba River State Park- Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014

This coming Sunday There will be a fun fall festival at the South Yuba River State Park in Bridgeport , CA.  The South Yuba River State Park is gorgeous!  Plus, bring your mining pans or pick up a mining kit at the gift shop for there is gold in the river!

Activities at the park:

-Hayrides
-Gold Panning
-Food and Drinks
-Barn Tours
-Children's Games & Crafts
-Pumpkin Painting
-Music
-Blacksmith and Composting Demos
-Live Birds
-1930's Gas Station

This is a fundraiser for "Save Our Bridge," to raise money for the historical wood covered bridge on property.

Bridgeport is located at 17660 Pleasant Valley Rd., Penn Valley, CA  (530) 432-2546

Happy Father's Day!