Sat, Oct 3 · 11am – 2pmHot food at noon, Tusau keser at one
Where
Pine Grove, Mitchell Park600 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto
Who
You and your familyKids of every age welcome
The day
Three hours, one ceremony
11:00
Arrive
Find Pine Grove, settle on the grass, snacks and drinks are out.
12:00
Hot food
Lunch is served for everyone, with plates for the little ones.
13:00
Tusau keser
Ayla's first steps, the Kazakh way. Everyone gathers round.
14:00
Wrap up
Cake for the road, hugs, and thank you for coming.
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; look for the balloons.
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, but the grass is where the kids will be.
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, for kids of every age and ability.
Gifts
If you're wondering
Your company is the gift. Ayla will not remember the presents, but we will remember who was there for her first steps.
If you would still like to bring something, a children's book with a few words written inside is what we would treasure most. She will grow into it, and one day read what you wished for her.
RSVP
One reply per family
Every family has a personal link to reply with: whether you can come, whether you are bringing anyone extra, and any food restrictions we should know about.
If your link has not reached you, message us and we will send it again.