MommyandMeSV is a playgroup that meets 2-3 times/week, as well as hosts MNO (Mom's Night Out!) Who doesn't love that??
You can find more details or join the group on their website.
You can find more details or join the group on their website.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
ramsey canyon preserve
Did you know Sierra Vista is known as the hummingbird capital of the world? Well, now you do. From town, take Hwy 92 south to Ramsey Canyon Road. Turn right and follow the road until it ends at a quaint little B&B (520-378-3010) at the mouth of the Hummingbird Preserve.They ask a $5 "donation" fee per car to go walk around. I think the first Saturday of every month is free. Last time we went, we saw more deer than hummingbirds*, but perhaps we were there out of season. Beautiful grounds, regardless.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
open gym
Desert Thunder Gymnastics offers a host of gymnastics classes. On Fridays, they have a preschool open gym from 10:50-12:00, where kids can have free reign of equipment and toys. $7/kid. Or, you can sign up for a class.
From the website:
Tiny Tumblers:
Tumble Tots:
From the website:
Tiny Tumblers:
This class is designed for the confidant walker to age 3. We incorporate a blend of music, games, gymnastics and the use of small motor equipment such as ribbons, hoops, balls and balloons. Adult interaction is taught with stretching games and use of the equipment. This class is designed to keep the focus on fun while teaching very basic gymnastics skills. This class requires a parent or guardian in class with the child.
30 minutes.Tumble Tots:
This class is designed for children ages 3-4. Music, games, and small motor equipment play an integral part in this class as well. However, this is a more skill oriented class than the Tiny Tumblers class, with an emphasis on teaching the preschool gymnastics skills. Parents do not attend this class and children must be able to stay with the group without a parent's help before moving into this class.
45 minutesstory time
The Sierra Vista City Library offers a
The children's section of the library has some great chunky puzzles and dolls. They've got a decent selection of books, too.
You can occasionally find some great kids' (and adult) books next door at the Friend's Bookstore, a used bookstore associated with the library.
Preschool Story Time on Tuesdays @ 11am.
The children's section of the library has some great chunky puzzles and dolls. They've got a decent selection of books, too.
You can occasionally find some great kids' (and adult) books next door at the Friend's Bookstore, a used bookstore associated with the library.
bountiful baskets
Bountiful Baskets is a food co-op that buys local produce in bulk. Contribute $15 for a regular basket of 50% fruit 50% veggies, or $25 for an organic basket.
This week, I got romaine lettuce, new potatoes, tomatoes, asparagus, coconut, broccoli, strawberries, bananas, mini pears, cantaloupe, and bread*! It's a great way to support local growers and try new foods: you never really know what you're going to get.
Order online here between Mon & Tues (every other week, as of now) for a 9:30am Saturday pickup in the front of Imagine Charter School (1000 E Willcox Dr).
*You can tack on 5 loaves of delicious wheat bread for $10.
farmers market
Sierra Vista has a small farmers market on the corner of 7th and Carmichael every Thursday from 11am-3pm, year round.
My girls love to walk around the market. I'll buy them an apple or a lemonade. They'll pet a goat, sample some bread, help carry the goods. Word of warning: the ground is extremely rocky. Even jogging strollers will have a rough go on this terrain.
Click here for a sample of the email newsletter. You can sign up for the weekly preview at the information booth. Ask Valerie for info about setting up your own booth!
My girls love to walk around the market. I'll buy them an apple or a lemonade. They'll pet a goat, sample some bread, help carry the goods. Word of warning: the ground is extremely rocky. Even jogging strollers will have a rough go on this terrain.
Click here for a sample of the email newsletter. You can sign up for the weekly preview at the information booth. Ask Valerie for info about setting up your own booth!
san pedro
I'm about to let you in on Sierra Vista's best-kept secret: The San Pedro River.Coming from Sierra Vista, drive east on Fry Blvd (hwy 90) toward Bisbee. You'll pass Moson Rd. Keep going. Just before you hit the line of thriving cottonwoods that mark the river's path, take a right (it's marked: San Pedro Riparian).
Park in front of the San Pedro House (an old-school homestead place, converted into a fantastic bookstore that highlights local interests--including a great kid's section).
Walk down toward the river (bring your jogging stroller for the littlest ones--it's a bit of a walk). Around monsoon time, the river is raging and it's fun to see it from a distance. But in calmer months, we take the path down to the river and throw in rocks, explore the paths, etc.
Our dog loves this place, too. And it's never crowded.
If you're not in the mood to go all the way down to the river, stroll around the house. They've got labeled foliage and a few shady Ramadas. And the biggest tree my daughters have ever seen.
This site is a bird-watcher's dream. I bought my oldest daughter a foldout of local birds and we try to identify the ones that flock to the feeders around the house.
Check the schedule at the Friends of the San Pedro River. They've always got great events going. Last fall, we saw a bald eagle and held a snake and took a Clydesdale wagon ride!
blake foundation playgroup
The Sierra Vista Easter Seals Blake Foundation sponsors a free play group for children from birth to age 5. They've got a room filled with toys and books and a playground out back shaded by trees. It's a great way to interact with other mom and dads!
Playgroup is on either Tues or Thurs (you can only go once a week) from 10-11:30. The schedule runs about like this:
10:00- inside play
10:45- craft
11:00- outside play
11:20- snack & song
Call 520.452.9784 and navigate the answering machine to leave a message for the playgroup director. State the date you want to come, how old your child(ren) is/are, and leave a call-back number. They'll only call you back if that day is UNAVAILABLE. I think they let in up to 12 kids; I've never been turned away--even when I call the day before! Kind of a complicated system, but a great resource!
Located at: 1939 Frontage Rd # A, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (playgroup entrance is around the back of the strip mall).
Playgroup is on either Tues or Thurs (you can only go once a week) from 10-11:30. The schedule runs about like this:
10:00- inside play
10:45- craft
11:00- outside play
11:20- snack & song
Call 520.452.9784 and navigate the answering machine to leave a message for the playgroup director. State the date you want to come, how old your child(ren) is/are, and leave a call-back number. They'll only call you back if that day is UNAVAILABLE. I think they let in up to 12 kids; I've never been turned away--even when I call the day before! Kind of a complicated system, but a great resource!
Located at: 1939 Frontage Rd # A, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (playgroup entrance is around the back of the strip mall).
kindermusic
My girls (18 mo. & 3.5) loved this! Kindermusic is taught by a woman named Francie (of Francie's Piano Lessons: "offering instruction in piano, flute, recorder, guitar, voice, and kindermusic").
Kids ages 18 mo to about 5yrs learn fun songs that incorporate things like movement, colors, shapes, drums, xylophones, puppets, etc. Francie is incredibly creative and engaging.
$50/session(8 45min classes, spread over 2 months)/child
Kids ages 18 mo to about 5yrs learn fun songs that incorporate things like movement, colors, shapes, drums, xylophones, puppets, etc. Francie is incredibly creative and engaging.
$50/session(8 45min classes, spread over 2 months)/child
Call for schedule: 520.458.5747
831 Plaza Encanto
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
831 Plaza Encanto
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
splash time
The Cove is the city's indoor public pool. They offer "Splash Time" for children 5yrs and younger, where they turn off the wave maker and barrier the deep end. Word of warning, though, the Cove's pool temp is always slightly cold. Even in the summer!
From the website:
Admission: $3.00 per child (includes one adult, additional adults are 50¢ each)
From the website:
Splash Time - for children 5 years old and younger ONLY
| Monday - Friday | 10:00 am - Noon |
| Saturday | 9:30 - 11:30 am |
Admission: $3.00 per child (includes one adult, additional adults are 50¢ each)
Parents are you wondering how to fill those late morning hours with your preschoolers, well wonder no more! The Cove has Splash Time for you and your child(ren) 5 years old and younger. Come let your young ones splash and romp around in our lagoon & beach area without fear of being overturned by the waves or older kids. One adult must accompany their child(ren) into the water at all times.
swimming lessons
Far and away, my favorite thing about Sierra Vista is Karen Eaton. Ok, she's a person, not a thing, but still. She's my favorite.
Karen's Aquatics is a small swimming school, open from May through September. You can pick up a registration form on the front door of 5004 Calle Cumbre (off of Snyder). Or call 520.458.7214 for fees and schedules.
$75/session (10 classes) may seem steep compared to the Cove's $35/session (8 classes), but Karen's is basically the equivalent of private swim lessons. She's a fantastic teacher, who taught my daughter to swim (arms, legs, breathe under water, jump into the pool, back float) by age 3! Here's a video of her first summer swimming. You know, so I can brag:
Karen's Aquatics is a small swimming school, open from May through September. You can pick up a registration form on the front door of 5004 Calle Cumbre (off of Snyder). Or call 520.458.7214 for fees and schedules.
$75/session (10 classes) may seem steep compared to the Cove's $35/session (8 classes), but Karen's is basically the equivalent of private swim lessons. She's a fantastic teacher, who taught my daughter to swim (arms, legs, breathe under water, jump into the pool, back float) by age 3! Here's a video of her first summer swimming. You know, so I can brag:
swimming lessons from Lacy on Vimeo.
having a baby?
There are a handful of choices of OBGYN doctors in Sierra Vista. I got this list from the internet. Anyone with experience with any of these Drs, please leave us a review in the comments!
Dr. Robert Holder: (520) 417-9920
Drs. Kenneth Kacenga & Bruce Silva: (520) 458-8075
Dr. Gwynn Patterson: (520) 458-0346
Dr. Peter Van Oosten: (520) 459-1914
Dr. Cynthia Funckes: (520) 459-1914
See? That handful thing wasn't an exaggeration!
But wait, there's more! For all the homebirthers out there, you're in luck: S.V. has one of the best midwives in the nation:
I heart my midwife! Seriously. She is an absolutely amazing birth attendant with over 20 years of experience. I had both my children at home in Sierra Vista with Stephanie's assistance.
Dr. Robert Holder: (520) 417-9920
Drs. Kenneth Kacenga & Bruce Silva: (520) 458-8075
Dr. Gwynn Patterson: (520) 458-0346
Dr. Peter Van Oosten: (520) 459-1914
Dr. Cynthia Funckes: (520) 459-1914
See? That handful thing wasn't an exaggeration!
But wait, there's more! For all the homebirthers out there, you're in luck: S.V. has one of the best midwives in the nation:
I heart my midwife! Seriously. She is an absolutely amazing birth attendant with over 20 years of experience. I had both my children at home in Sierra Vista with Stephanie's assistance.
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