Hello Mommies and Daddies!

It's been very warm and sunny lately, as if summer is here already!
Time to slather on some sunscreen and seek out those cool places to
spend hot afternoons. If you're seeking out a cool place and the
grocery clerks are looking at you funny for spending so much time in
the frozen foods section, it's time to think about another venue.
How about:
* A mid-day bathtime
* The public library
* A nice shady park - check out the shade icons at StrollerHikes for
local parks or consider a nice breeze at parks near water
* Big family-friendly stores like IKEA
* A museum (like Cantor Arts Center (see StrollerHike's Stanford Hike
Description) or Children's Discovery Museum or similar places at
http://www.strollerhikes.com/Background/MomsLove.html)
* Window shopping at an indoor mall (that often have play areas).
* A water park or pool - look for your local Parks and Rec flier at
the local city hall or library, or check out some family favorites at
http://www.strollerhikes.com/Background/MomsLove.html
* If your child can sit through a movie, try a local cinema
for "Diaper Days" where the sound is turned down, lights are turned
up a bit, and there is valet stroller parking. Camera Cinemas offers
this - more information at http://www.cameracinemas.com/diaper.shtml
* Remember that coastal towns including San Francisco tend to be
cooler than inland towns, so check out StrollerHikes hikes in areas
far from home, pack a picnic, and escape the heat!

If you have your own beat-the-heat ideas, reply to this message and
I'll compile a list to send out in a future message to the group.

Here's what's happening this week:
Monday, April 14th at 9:30 am let's hike at Stevens Creek Trail. The
hike will begin from Creekside Park in Mountain View. Diana and
little Taeva Rose will lead the hike. For more information, see
Stevens Creek Trail Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/StevensCreekTrail/StevensCreekTrail.html).
Feel welcome to linger at the park before and after the hike
for some play and socialization!

Wednesday, April 16th at 11:30 am at Wunderlich Park. Meet in the
main parking lot off Woodside Road. Baby carriers or backpacks are
best. Kristen and little Lillian will lead this hike, Kristen's cell
# is 408-410-7200 if you're running late. For more information or
directions, see Wunderlich Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/Wunderlich/Wunderlich.html).

Thursday, April 17th at 4 pm at Castle Rock. Meet in the paid parking
lot (but park on Skyline just outside it so you don't have to pay!)
and we'll do two or three short hikes - one to Castle Rock (bring
your chalk bags, sticky shoes, and a picnic blanket and we can have a
break to boulder and snack), one to the waterfall, and possibly a
third to Summit Rock across the road. A baby jogger manages but isn't
the best; a backpack or carrier are best. Sorry, dogs aren't allowed.
For more information about the area and directions, see The Castle
Rock Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/CastleRock/CastleRock.html).

Friday, April 18th at 1:30 pm Sharisse and little Chase will lead a
hike at Byxbee Park at the Byxbee parking area (a left turn at the
end of Embarcadero). We'll hike up and down the lovely crushed oyster
shell paths around the artistic installments to Byxbee Park, then
hike over to the Palo Alto Baylands Park, stopping to check out the
birds around the duck pond as well as windsurfers and artists taking
advantage of the good weather and interesting landscape. The trail
works fine for all types of strollers. Dogs allowed! For more
information about the parks and directions to Byxbee's main parking
lot, see Byxbee Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/Byxbee/Byxbee.html) and Palo Alto
Baylands Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/PABaylands/PABaylands.html).

We hope to see you outside this week!

-Debbie and little Max