Pine Grove, Mitchell Park600 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto
Who
You and your family
The day
Three hours, one ceremony
11:00
Arrive
Find Pine Grove.
12:00
Hot food
Lunch is served.
13:00
Tusau keser and birthday cake
Ayla's first steps, the Kazakh way.
14:00
Wrap up
We have the picnic area for the entire day, feel free to stay longer.
Тұсау кесер marks a child's first steps. Ayla's ankles are loosely tied with ala jip, a twisted black-and-white cord for the light and dark a life will hold. A respected guest cuts the cord with good wishes, and Ayla walks her first steps along the ak jol, a white cloth laid out as her path ahead. Sweets are showered for luck, and the kids collect them.
Getting there
Mitchell Park, Palo Alto
Address
Mitchell Park, 600 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Pine Grove is the large group picnic area.
Parking
The Mitchell Park lot off East Meadow Drive, and the Mitchell Park Library lot next door on Middlefield Road.
Hours
The park is open sunrise to sunset. We have Pine Grove reserved for the day.
Bring a blanketPicnic tables are there, grass is also available to hang out.
Sun hats and layersEarly October is usually warm and dry; the grove gives shade.
Magical Bridge Playgroundis inside Mitchell Park, a short walk from Pine Grove.
Gifts
If you're wondering
A word about gifts: you and your family coming is the best gift! Ayla has everything she needs. In case you insist and still want to contribute, we would appreciate an Amazon gift card. We have our eyes on a learning tower and stepping stones that we like.