Recap: Indoor fun

Brrrr! It’s cold outside! You’ll definitely want to check out this week’s SantaRosaMom.com recap for some ways to have fun indoors. Here’s what’s been going on this week:

Tutu-a-Gogo gives parties for girls in their shop, or at the party girl's home.

Indoor Party Places
Those with winter babies have to become pros at finding out all the cool places to throw their child’s birthday party. After all, the weather is just too unpredictable to plan a party outdoors. Here are some of the favorite choices for indoor party places. And if you’re looking for more ways to entertain the kids and keep warm, be sure to check out our guide for places to play indoors at pressdemocrat.com/indoorplay.

Winter Coat Drive & Giveaway
Not everyone can afford a warm coat. But everyone should have one – especially as the temperature dips lower! There is one more day left to bring your jacket donations to any of the RP Starbucks or to SCAYD for those less fortunate. And tomorrow afternoon is their big jacket giveaway. More information is in the forums.

Monthly gift for your monthly gift
Mother nature’s monthly gift isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, is it? One company wishes to make things a little bit better with their own special monthly gift. Hint – there’s chocolate involved.

Quick and easy quiche muffins are one snack kids will love - and they're not packed with carbs or sugar!

Quick and healthy snacks
One of the struggles we go through in our house is how to feed the kids’ snack monster without filling them up with empty calories and high carb foods. It’s not easy! Do you have some ideas for quick and healthy snacks? Will you please share them with us in the forums?

Maternity leave?
One reader is curious about what other jobs offer for maternity leave. Does your job pay you extra for your time away?

Facebook question: What would YOU like the prize to our next big contest to be?
Some readers thinks a spa day would be great, others are looking for a shopping spree. What’s your idea of an awesome prize to win? Become our Facebook fan and let us know. www.facebook.com/SantaRosaMom

The Village

Paternity Leave?
Speaking of maternity leave, should dads get paid time off too so they can bond with their child? Sound off in my blog.

The next “Friday”
From the producers of the Rebecca Black earworm “Friday” comes a new tween group singing directions to a new dance, “Skip Rope”. You be the judge. Is this the next hit? Or should someone stop Patrice Wilson from producing anything else involving kids?

What do you do when your child chooses to live with their other parent? I shared my story this week at The Village.

Letting my teen move out
I had to say goodbye to my teen recently when she moved in with her dad. I share my story, the reasons I let her go, and why I didn’t say no (even though I wanted to).

Family events

Saturday, Jan. 12
Star Party: Bundle up and head outdoors Saturday night when the Robert Ferguson Observatory holds their monthly viewing of the stars at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. $3 adults, free under 18. Parking at park is $8. 6-10 p.m. 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd., Kenwood. rfo.org

Sunday, Jan. 13
Wild Cat Adventure: Five live wild cats are featured at an amazing show that showcases their natural behaviors as a trained expert teaches about their habits, habitats, and threats with the audience. $10/adults, $5 under 12. 3-4 p.m. Sebastopol Community Center. 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. wildcatfund.org

Tuesday, Jan. 15
The Peking Acrobats: Gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists, and tumblers transform 2,000-year-old athletic disciplines into a family-friendly kaleidoscope of eye-popping wonder. $16-$21. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. wellsfargocenterarts.org