We’d love it if you chug on over to the Java Train in St. Paul (1341 Pascal Street) this Saturday to meet up with fellow Cribsheeters. 10am-Noon See details and directions in May’s previous post here.
We had so much fun meeting everyone last year we hope to see you there!

Here’s an idea (if you can work it around naptime) you can make a day of it. Come join us, get your fill of caffeinated conversation with the Cribsheet crowd and then head on over to the nearby Como Zoo.

(Ann & Zoe at Cribsheet Cafe 2008 at Sovereign Grounds)

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Hey, and as long as I have your attention here’s another reminder: Cribsheet has been nominated by Nick’s Parents’ Picks as “Best Local Blog”
You can vote daily through July 15th.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Regular Cribsheeters will already know Kate Hopper.

She teaches the wonderful “Motherwords” class at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. For the last two years, Cribsheet has published the best essays from Kate’s class here.

Kate’s launching a new class this Saturday - “Writing Parenthood,” a day-long workshop at the Loft. She’s still looking for sign-ups. Click here for details.

The Cribsheet playdate is back by popular demand!

Write this down in your calendars:

Saturday, July 11, 10am to noon at Java Train, 1341 Pascal Street, St. Paul, MN 55108.

It’s right between the State Fairgrounds and Como Park. Click here for directions.

Last year, we had the first Cribsheet playdate in Minneapolis so we thought it was only fair to head east of the river this year.

We had a blast last year. It was so amazing to meet Cribsheeters in real life and put faces to names.

To those who came last year, we’re so looking forward to seeing you again. For those who didn’t come last year, here’s a link to remind you what you missed and (hopefully) persuade you to show up!

We picked Java Train because some of you had suggested it as a venue for last year. Kay and I checked it out Thursday and it has a great outdoor play area with a “water tower” and a sandbox as well as an indoor play area with a ”train” kids can climb into  if the weather’s bad.

And I can vouch for their cranberry scones. Yum.

Becky and Frank at last year’s Cribsheet Cafe

Sunday was a glorious day to go strawberry-picking. So we did.

My husband (the planner) called ahead. One farm said they had a long line of cars waiting to get in. Another said their fields were pretty picked over and to come back another day.

We ended up at Lorence’s Strawberries just outside Northfield.

It was perfect. No wait. Just drive right up and park.

Nothing but blue sky, strawberry fields, a table and a set of scales.

(As you Cribsheeters know from my previous zoo post, I like my outings simple with no side shows.)

One of several perky young people gave us a cardboard box and assigned us a row. They demonstrated how to sweep aside the leaves to find the berries. Slip the strawberry stem between two fingers. Cup the strawberry in your palm. Then pull. 

We came home with 8 pounds of sweet and juicy fruit, with none of that forced ripened texture of the grocery store variety. And you can’t beat $1.50 a pound.

Of course, there’s always one member of the family who won’t eat any.

Here’s Little Miss Picky.

Any fave strawberry farms? Where do you go?

If you’re having trouble getting the little ones to bed as the days grow longer, here’s a fun option.

Get them in their pajamas and climb on board the Como-Harriet Streetcar in Linden Hills.

Wild Rumpus is bringing in authors to read to kids above the clatter of the trolley. There’ll be milk and cookies.

Details in this story in the Strib today.