Are you a new mom in Marin looking for some emotional support? Awakening into Motherhood is a new group in San Anselmo that helps new moms to navigate the full range of motherhood in a safe, non-judgemental space. The group seeks to provide a nurturing environment of connection and support that helps each mom find more power, pleasure, and balance in her life.

The group begins on March 1, 2014 and runs for six weeks. The cost is $65 per group. Sessions are held on Saturdays from 10 am to noon at the Essex Center, 412 Red Hill Avenue, 2nd Floor, Suite 17 in San Anselmo.

Awakening into Motherhood is facilitated by Sophie Darch McEntee, MA, LMFT, a Marin mother and psychotherapist with over a decade of experience helping women connect more deeply with themselves.

For more information on this workshop, contact Sophie Darch McEntee at sophiedmcentee@gmail.com or (415) 816-7086.

Whether you're heading up to Lake Tahoe or hanging around home for "Ski Week", there are plenty of fun things to do with the kids during their time off! Check out our list of 10 fun family activities and outings in Marin and beyond for mid-winter break.

• Take your future olympians skating at Snoopy's Home Ice (call first for skating hours) in Santa Rosa (check out the Charles M. Schulz Museum across the street for even more fun).
• Tour the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield for a sweet treat.
• Go have some fun and play in the snow.
• Hike the Tomales Bay Trail in Point Reyes.

Next week is "Ski Week" (or Mid-Winter Break) for many kids in Marin. What could be more appropriate than to head up to the mountains for a day of ski and snow fun? Fortunately, last weekend's storm left quite a bit of snow up in Lake Tahoe, so skiing conditions should be fantastic.

Our favorite mountain destination is Northstar California Resort near Truckee, but the Tahoe area boasts numerous resorts and ski areas to suit anyone's taste and budget.

Here's our guide to places to ski, snowboard, tube, sled, and play in the snow around Tahoe. We're tried to focus on spots that offer not only skiing and snowboarding, but tubing, snow play, and other winter activities, as well. If we've omitted your favorite, please let us know!

Most schools have off next week for mid-winter break, so it's great time to getaway and go play in the snow. While we love the skiing and winter fun at Lake Tahoe, we know that not everyone's a skiier, and sometimes families just want to go up and play in the snow. While many of the Tahoe ski resorts like Northstar, Squaw Valley, and Heavenly have tubing parks, ice skating, and other winter non-skiing activities for the family, there are plenty of places in the Sierras where you can get your snow play fix without the ski resort hustle and bustle (and price tag).

Most of these snow play sites are within a few hours' drive from Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area. While some have tubes and sleds to rent, others, most notably the California State Sno-Parks, offer little more than a place to park your car so you can go play in the snow. For a list of Lake Tahoe ski resorts that offer both skiiing and snow play activities, read our article here.

Snow Play Resorts

While not as numerous as ski resorts, you'll find a few snow play resorts throughout the Sierras. These places usually boast a lodge or clubhouse, dining, restrooms, and other activities. You'll probably have to rent a tube or sled while you're there, as many of these facilities don't allow outside equipment. Most open around mid-December, although opening dates are dependent on weather and snowfall. Make sure you call or check their website before you go.

Adventure Mountain

South Lake Tahoe's Adventure Mountain is all snow play, all the time! They offer tubing, sledding, saucers, snow play, snowshoeing, sled and tube rentals, and beginner snowboard lessons for kids, as well as dining and a gift shop. Adventure Mountain is open now for the 2013–2014 season. Hours: Weekdays, 10 am–4:30 pm and weekends and holidays 9 am–4:30 pm, weather permitting. Location 21200 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe (at Echo Summit), 96150. More info: adventuremountaintahoe.com or (530) 659-7217

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, February 14

• Breakfast with Enzo
  Sports Basement, San Francisco Presidio
  Friday, 10 & 11 am
  Enzo Garcia plays guitar, banjo, accordion, musical saw, Jew's harp, enzotar, appalachian dulcimer, slide flute, percussion and more. Enzo has been performing his family music show, "Breakfast with Enzo," weekly in San Francisco for the past 8 years, Recommended for children 7 and under. Drop in any time. Cost: $5 per person; siblings under 7 months free. For more info, call (415) 652-2474 or visit his website.
  
• Calling All Little Red-Haired Girls!
  Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa
  Friday, 11 am–5 pm
  If you are a little (or not so little!) red-haired girl or boy then you will receive free admission in celebration of Valentine’s Day and Charlie Brown’s affection for a certain Little Red-Haired Girl. Location: 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa. For more info, call (707) 579-4452 or visit their website.
• Sunset/Full Moon Walk to the Point Bonita Lighthouse
  Marin Headlands, Point Bonita
  Friday, 5–6:30 pm
  Join park staff and docents for a tour down the Point Bonita Trail, through the hand-carved tunnel and out to the lighthouse. We will walk along a half-mile trail, which is steep in places. Arrive early as parking is limited. Meet at the Point Bonita Lighthouse trailhead. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Limited to 50 people, and program fills quickly. Reservations required; call (415) 331-1540. For more info, visit their website.
• Valentine’s Night at the Museum
  Petaluma Wildlife & Natural Science Museum
  Friday, 5–9 pm
  The museum is celebrating the animals we love this Valentine's evening with a special look at how species show off to find their mate. From peacock feathers to the Iguana's "chick magnet" jowls, we'll glimpse into the wild world of natural selection then settle in for pizza and movie. $20 members, $25 general. Space limited; reservations required. Location: Petaluma High School campus at 201 Fair Street. For more info, visit their website or call (707) 778-4787.

Saturday, February 15

• Free Entrance Days: Muir Woods National Park
  Mill Valley
  Saturday–Monday, 8 am–5 pm
  America's Best Idea—the national parks—is even better when it's free! Get into Muir Woods National Monument for free over President's Day Weekend. For more info, visit their website.
• Saint Valentine's Festival
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day with the whole family at the Marin Country Mart and Farmers Market, on Saturday February 15. Festivities include sugar cookie decorating, a creative reuse heart art project, personalized poetry by the Valentine Poet, an old-fashioned photo stand, face painting, pony rides, and French music. Also, enjoy shopping for delicious local produce, artisan cheese, pastured eggs and meat, local seafood, and don't forget local organic flowers and handcrafted jams, confections, and chocolates. For more info, visit their website.
• Tulipmania at Pier 39
  San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am
  Pier 39 has planted 39,000 spectacular and colorful tulips throughout the waterfront park. Come for a free guided tour led by Pier 39’s expert landscapers beginning at 10 am daily from the Entrance Plaza. After each tour, enjoy complimentary refreshments. For more info, visit their website.
• Chinatown Community Street Fair
  San Francisco
  Saturday, 10 am–4:30 pm & Sunday, 9 am–5 pm
  The Chinese Chamber of Commerce has planned activities and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and much more at the entertainment stage on Washington Street below Grant Avenue. Make sure to get a family photo with the giant puppets, dragon, and other memorable artifacts from the parade! Location: Grant Avenue from California to Broadway, Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton; and Washington & Jackson Street from Kearny to Stockton. For more information, visit their website.
• Climb Aboard at the Pacific Coast Air Museum
  Santa Rosa
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Sit in the cockpits of our vintage aircraft, and learn about the history of where and how they were used from the crews who have lovingly restored them. We feature one or two historic aircraft each Climb Aboard Weekend. This weekend, climb aboard in a DC-6 Cockpit. Location: 2230 Becker Boulevard, Santa Rosa. For more info, visit their website.

Speak to Me, Marin's premiere series of intelligent, inspiring speaking events for women, presents the next event in its 2013/2014 season, "Wonder Women: Sex, Power, and the Quest for Perfection" with Barnard College president Debora Spar on Tuesday, February 25 at 6:30 pm at the Mill Valley Community Center.

As the president of arguably the most important all-women school in the country, Debora Spar brings research, wisdom, humor and insight to the heated debate about how women’s lives have and have not changed over the past forty years. How far have women really come? And what will it take to get true equality for good? Can women really have it all?

We're giving away one set of two tickets to this event to a lucky Marin Mommies reader! Simply send an email to contests@marinmommies.com with "Speak to Me February" in the subject line by 11:59 pm PST on Wednesday, February 19, 2014. We'll choose a random winner on Thursday. Many thanks to Speak to Me for sponsoring this giveaway. Read our giveaway rules and conditions here.

Looking for something fun for the kids to do over the upcoming winter break? Check out some of the great winter day camps here in Marin and San Francisco.

• Studio 4 Art
  1133 Grant Avenue
  Novato
  (415) 596-5546
  Campers will have the choice of many different projects each day. Explore clay, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media, mosaics and wheel throwing! The camps are February 17-21 from 10 am–1 pm ($65 daily; $255 weekly for 5 day camp, $205 for 4 day camp) for ages 4–14, or 10 am–3 pm ($90 daily; $375 weekly for 5-day camp) for ages 7–14. A sibling discount is offered. For more info, visit www.studio4art.net.
• Bay Area Discovery Museum
  February Break Camp: Shipwrecks and Treasure Hunt
  557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito
  (415) 339-3900
  This February, the BADM offers a special opportunity to for children to enjoy one of its most popular camp themes: Shipwreck and Treasure Hunts. Experience the delights and hardships of a sea-faring life; make maps, sing chanteys, dig artifacts and treasures from mysterious lands, and discover weird sea creatures. Cost: Supporting Level Members: $275 per session; general: $300. Note: no extended care available. For more info, visit www.baykidsmuseum.org.
• Le Petit Jardin Ski Week Language Camp
  Red Hill Church, 921 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
  San Anselmo
  This camp takes place February 17-21 from 9 am-1 pm for ages 4 to 9.Language Camps offer a small group setting with a hands-on learning technique including music, art, games, story time and occasional neighborhood outings. Children will enjoy engaging activities, fun seasonal crafts and games with friends, all while effortlessly learning French with LPJ's loving and fluent director, Amber Smith-Lopata! Cost: $280 for the week. For more info, visit their website.

When it comes to Valentine’s Day, everyone loves a sweet treat, especially when it involves chocolate. These decadent, gooey, baked brownie cups are as fun to make as they are delicious to eat, and of course the kids can pitch in in the kitchen and help make them, too!

We found some cute heart-shaped ramekins that are absolutely perfect for baking and serving these brownie cups—and are totally appropriate for Valentine’s Day. This dessert has the rich chocolate flavor of your favorite fudge brownie. The top has a chewy crust that gives way to a rich, dense, pudding-like interior.

Make sure you serve these while still warm, preferably topped with a dusting of powdered sugar; although if you wanted to go all-out you can top it with some vanilla ice cream, but we think they’re rich enough on their own.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 stick unsalted butter

Almost every kid—and every grownup, for that matter—loves chicken noodle soup. Nothing's better when you're not feeling well, and it's always welcome when you're feeling fine, too. This winter we've been making a lot of homemade soups, since they're warming and comforting on a cold night. There are usually plenty of leftovers, too, so it also means you don't have to cook lunch or dinner the next day.

Making homemade chicken noodle soup can be a pretty time consuming task, but I've developed a really easy, healthy, and tasty version here in our kitchen that only tastes like you've slaved over it all day. The whole process takes about a half hour to put together, so you'll be serving your family a hot bowl of soup in no time.

You can make it entirely with ingredients you can get at Trader Joe's, which is good since we tend to shop there much of the time. Chances are, you have most of these ingredients in your refrigerator and cupboard already.