Palo Alto Jr. Museum & Zoo

This little and I mean small museum and zoo are great for the very young. This site asks for $3 per person as a donation with a really neat piece of robot art that eats the money. There is stroller parking and a room with experiments to run around. Outside, the zoo contains small animals like the a raccoon, bats, rats, snakes and peafowl. Although there are more there are not many more.
Located, behind Hays elementary school it is adjacent to Rinconada Park which is a fabulous way to end your trip. There is a sand lot on the toddler park and larger kids play area with abundant grass to run on. Across the parking lot you can find the childrens theater and library. This has to be Palo Alto's most kid friendly area-I am wishing every city had the equivalent.
This all in one area is worth the visit for your children 1-4 years old.
Located near Stanford University at1451 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2111. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 1-4pm. CLOSED Mondays!
*They also have member only events and memberships begin at $50.

I give Palo Alto Jr. Museum & Zoo 4 happy kids (if it were bigger-but it is trying to get greener and it was the first children's museum west of the Mississippi!).
and Rinconada Park 4 Happy Kids (shade, picnic tables, swimming pools but quick access to bathroom near play area it doesn't have).

Family Photography

Cynthia Rahardja Clancy Photography
http://www.crcphotography.com

408-565-8230
Cynthia's work is amazing!
She has taken our family portraits and the kids milestones. She is a wonderful person with small children of her own so she definitely knows how to handle all situations.
CRC uses outside settings to bring out the rich colors and inspire fun in your photos.

As for pricing, it is competitive with mall shops but with a lot more personality and individualism. The standard sitting fee for San Jose is $20. But, you are not limited to San Jose. You pick the destination- that city determines the sitting fee.

Best of all she shoots primarily on the weekends. There is no waiting in lines or waiting around for photo to upload in the mall with screaming and crying kids needing to go home. She takes the shots and she'll show them on her camera at any time, especially her favorites. Then, she manipulates them to get the best light, pose and tones. After that she will email them to you for viewing and ordering. The photos I've put up are some of my favorites. The later is hanging in my living room as a 10x13 black and white. It is amazing and always garners a compliment or positive comment from strangers and family.
We continue to use CRC Photography for her great photo, friendly service and eye catching details.

Lizzy's Busy Baby Products

A great online shop.
It is hard to get your shopping done with a screaming baby, run away toddler and never ending barrage of questions preschooler. Life is hectic already. Buying a baby shower gift or baby specialty item that you want is sometimes impossible. Then adding your eco-friendly sensibility to that- the experience goes out the window and frustration arises.
This is where Lizzy's Busy Baby Products comes in :
handmade, mommy made, eco-friendly products and other items can be shipped, picked up, or dropped off. Why listen to the whining, crying, screaming and that's only in the car!

Visit www.lizzysbusybaby.com

LBBP also offers a pick up your items/ playdate at Santana Row once a month to get out of the house and meet other like minded mommies and kids.
If you have a question just call: 707-479-2641.
You can visit LBBP at the East Bay Child and Baby Fair in Albany, Ca on November 7th from 11-3.