EASTSIDE FAMILY FAIR

Saturday, November 21, 2009
9 AM to 5 PM
Carol Edwards Center
17401 133rd Avenue NE Woodinville, WA 98072

Visit companies that are family focused in the area and possibly pick up some swag while you're there. Door prizes and giveaways and start holiday shopping/ideas while you are there. This event is presented by Tot Spot Cafe - come support a fabulous local business that is family oriented. Not to mention all of the other businesses that are there as well!!!

Looking forward to it - I will be there bright and early at 9am when the door opens with my stroller to boot!

Friday Night Live - Free Admission to Imagine CM on 11/20

The 3rd Friday of every month is called Friday Night Live at the Children's Museum in Everett. This month the third Friday falls this Friday on November 20th.

Take a break from the wind and rain, let the kids burns off some steam - for FREE! Admission is free during Friday Night Live and hot dogs, soda and cookies are available for purchase. (Free admission only offered during 5:30pm-9pm on November 20th.) Bring family and neighbors for a great start to the weekend!

See you there!

Sponsored by Target.

RECIPE: Caramel Popcorn Crunch

I was reading through my Imagine Children's Museum newsletter and came across a fabulous kid friendly recipe. I am planning on making this next weekend after Thanksgiving as my family and I relax and start dreaming of dancing sugarplums.

Easy and oh so yummy!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter - room temperature/soft
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 quarts unsalted popped popcorn
1 cup nuts - optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an edged cookie sheet with foil for easy clean up. Cream butter and brown sugar together until airy. Toss popcorn (and nuts) in bowl. Add creamed mixture to popcorn and toss until coated. Spread popcorn on cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake 10 minutes until crispy. Let cool and crunch away!

CRAFT: Christmas Countdown

There is no better time to remind kids of the meaning of the holiday your family celebrates than spending time together. A great way to spend time together is by making crafts. I saw this craft listed on Busy Mommy Media written by Rachel Lister.

The Christmas chain has been a holiday tradition in my family since I was little and now that I have young one, I am trying to instill some of the traditions of our own. This chain has been enhanced and is a great way to add more meaning to the traditional project of making the count down chain. This can be a count down for Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or even another special day.

Materials Needed:
Construction paper - holiday colors
Tape or glue
Scissors - age appropriate (or adult can cut)

Directions:
1. First thing to is to take one sheet of construction paper and draw a big bell shape on it and then cut it out.

2. On the bell have your child (or a adult) write the following poem on it, but leave at least 1 1/2 inches of space at the bottom:

Christmas Chain

Christmas day will soon be here
And I can hardly wait
I’ve made this little Christmas chain
To help me celebrate.

Please help me hang my chain up high
I’ll cut one loop each day
And when we reach my pretty bell
It will be Christmas day!

3. Cut strips of construction paper at least 2 inches wide in different colors (at least 2). There needs to be enough to countdown - example if you are starting on December 1st you will need 24 strips.

4. Take one chain and attach the two ends together to form a circle and seal with tape, glue or staples.

5. Take another strip of paper and string it through the first circle and seal the two edges together. It will appear that they are looped or chained together. Continue to do this and make your chain.

6. Lastly, take the bell and cut a slit in the bell at least 1 inch up of the edge. Put the last cut of construction paper through the slit and then also make a ring to attach the paper ring to the bell and the chain.

7. As each day passes, take one ring off as you countdown to the holiday!

Winter Session Swim Classes / Forest Park Pool

Sign ups are available for winter session classes through the Everett Park and Rec but for swimming the process is a little different. As I have said before - this is the best deal in town and you must log on early and only sign up online. Read this carefully and check out the Park and Rec website to verify the information that I have listed here.

NOTE- New Sunday classes available.

Winter Session Swim Classes at Forest Park Pool - Everett, WA

Sign up on Dec 7 at 7am (online or 8am in person)for:
Session 1 - 1/4 to 1/27 on M, W - 4 weeks, 7 lessons
Session 2 - 1/5 to 1/28 on T, Th - 4 weeks, 8 lessons
Session A - 1/16 to 2/20 on Sa - 6 weeks, 6 lessons
Session B - 1/17 to 2/21 on Su - 6 weeks, 6 lessons

Sign up on Jan 11 at 7am (online or 8am in person)for:
Session 3 - 2/1 to 2/24 on M, W - 4 weeks, 7 lessons
Session 4 - 2/2 to 2/25 on T, Th - 4 weeks, 8 lessons

Sign up on Feb 1 at 7am (online or 8am in person) for:
Session 5 - 3/1 to 3/24 on M, W - 5 weeks, 10 lessons
Session 6 - 3/2 to 3/25 on T, Th - 5 weeks, 10 lessons
Session C - 3/27 to 4/10 on Sa - 6 weeks, 6 lessons
Session D - 3/28 to 4/11 on Su - 6 weeks, 6 lessons

Everett Park and Rec - Sign Up Now Online

The winter guide for the Everett Park and Rec is available and sign-ups are open as of 11/6/09. Classes can be signed up for in person, by mail or online at http://signmeup.everettwa.org/. Books are mailed to Everett residents or available at the Everett Public Libraries.

Classes available for children are:
Beginning Piano (age 7 - 10), Ballet (age 7 - 110 , Creative Dance (1=age 3 - 4 or 2=age 5 -6), Jazz Dance Musical (age 8 - 13), Babysitting Basics (age 10 - 14), Gymnastics (age vary/multiple classes), Karate (age 5 - 16),

Also for winter activities, there are a couple snow shoeing outings for age 6+ as well as hiking and skiing outings.

Now do not worry if you are looking to sign up for the swim classes (aka - the best deal in town!). The classes are available for registration on different date depending on what session you are looking for. See post - Winter Session Swim Lessons / Forest Park Pool.

Mark Your Calendar- 11/26 Holiday Parade, Downtown Seattle

Sun, clouds, wind or rain will not keep the confetti snow away....

The 24th annual Holiday Parade sponsored by the Seattle Times is planned for the morning after Thanksgiving in downtown Seattle. A tradition among many locals and other suburbanites who travel downtown for the event to see Santa delivered to Macy's.

This year they are planning on 20 balloon float and inflatables, 500 costumed characters, local marching bands and many other special treats in store for all parade goers.

Parade Details:
Date - 11/27, Friday
Time - begins at 8:45am
Parade Route - BEGINS: at 7th and Pine, to 5th Ave, to University Street, to 4th Ave
Parade Route - ENDS: at Downtown Macy's.

Later that evening:
Shop all day and stay downtown to watch the Macy’s Star Lighting & Fireworks Show.
Time: 5pm
Location: 4th and Pine, corner

If you can't make it, make sure you look for the Holiday Star when shopping downtown. It is a sight to see with 3600 bulbs and over 160 inches tall.

Santa Breakfast Hotline - Open and taking reservations

The traditional Santa Breakfast hosted by the Tim and Dan Watts Guild has their hotline open and is taking reservations.

This is a once a year family event that starts the season off on a fun note and is special for both child and parent. Go to their event link on the Pacific Northwest Arthritis Foundation webpage for more information on the event.

Event Summary Details:
Dates: Dec 13, 19 & 20
Times: 9:30am to 11:00am
Location: Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 6th Ave downtown

Santa Breakfast Hotline: 206-547-1290 from 10am to 3pm/Mon to Fri
(Hotline is only available until 12/10 or while seats are available.)

83rd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

A tradition for so many families with the first seasonal viewing of Santa at the end of the parade still brings the excitement out in me. I have watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for as long as I can remember. I can only hope that my children have a similar experience and continue to look forward to this special parade for Thanksgivings to come. This year will be a new experience with a new parade route. For 82 years they have been marching and float riding on the same route.

83rd Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is on NBS on Thursday, November 26th. Check local listings for times but it usually starts at 9am at my house.

Official website with music to get you excited for Turkey Day and THE parade!

What is your favorite float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

ABC Family Countdown to Christmas - 11/10 to 11/30

'Tis the season for holiday family movies to watch. ABC Family has a collection of family friendly movies sure to please both kids and parents. Check out their schedule of new holiday classics like Snow, Snow 2: Brain Freeze, Holiday in Handcuffs, Snowglobe and many more.

New this holiday season is The Dog Who Saved Christmas that premieres Sunday, November 29th at 7/8 central. Check local cable listings for ABC Family at your home, it is sure to be a tradition this holiday season, if not for your kids than maybe for you!

11/10 Family Movie Release - UP

Release Date: 11/10/09

Movie Description: A retired salesman (Ed Asner) is part dreamer as he wonders what his last adventure will be. He used to sell balloons and starts to fill thousands of them with helium in an effort to lift his house "UP" in to the sky on an adventure. He doesn't realize that he has a stowaway to join him on his trip, an 8 year year old boy who happened to walk on to his front porch at the wrong time. As they start a journey, they come across new friends and places.

Movie Website: Includes preview, click here.
Actors: Ed Asner
Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Reserve your copy at www.redbox.com for only $1 plus tax per night. Pick up and drop off at any location nationwide.

Back in the swing of things....

Some of you may have wondered where I have been all this time or if I just decided to quit writing.... Well truthfully, I was burnt out. As a working mom of 2 young ones and a few life changes in the last year caused me to take a step back and regroup. I had no idea how fast time would fly by or how much I would miss blogging.

To give you a short update, my family and I are doing well and enjoying what blessings life brings. I have missed blogging and helping other mom's like me find local activities to go to. I will not be taking a break any time soon and am now back in the swing of things.

Evergreen Momma (E.Momma)

Young Chef Academy - 2/13 Event

Are your kids out of school on Friday - here is an activity to add some fun to their day off.

Breakfast for Mom & Dad Workshop
Kids learn to make Linzer-Heart French Toast, Strawberry Banana Sippers.

Friday, February 13th
11:30 - 1:00 pm
Ages: 5 + Up

Cost: $20 Current Members; $30 Non-Members; $15 each sibling

www.youngchefsacademy.com/millcreek

February is Dental Health Month

Make sure that your children have their next dental appointment scheduled.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of dental health and starting early at the new American Dental Association website for kids. http://givekidsasmile.ada.org/

Also contact your dentist to see if they have any offers to get kids excited about dental health.

Kids Eat Free - JULIA's

Julia's, a familiar downtown favorite is now offering a "KIDS EAT FREE" special. At any of their locations, a child can eat for free when one regular meal is ordered. They are allowing 2 offers per table and exclude holidays.

Julia's has been around for many years and provide great food for breakfast, lunch or dinner out. My personal favorite is breakfast and I wish I could get downtown more to enjoy it.

Locations include: Queen Anne, Wallingford, Broadway and Issaquah.

Additional offer of $10 off $30 meal (exp 12/09)- online coupon on their website http://eatatjulias.com/seattle-entertainment.php#

For more information go to www.eatatjulias.com

Everett Park and Rec - Sign-up Online Feb 9th

Spring registration begins online on Monday, February 9th for Spring 2009 courses through Everett Park and Recreation. The best swimming lessons in Everett at the best price is at Forest Park Pool. But in order to get registered, you need to be online at 7AM on Monday, February 9th. So check your mailbox and review the catalog to see if any classes will fit into your schedule.

Great classes to look in to:

• Swimming - these are great and can't beat the price!
• Baseball
• Creative Dance
• Gymnastics
• Cooking
• Day Activities

Go to http://signmeup.everettwa.org/Start/Start.asp?SCheck=460265111&SDT=39849.8600034722 to get started.

For more info on swimming at Forest Park - read my previous blog post http://evergreenmomma.blogspot.com/2009/01/swimming-lessons-at-forest-park-pool.html

Curious George at the Seattle Children's Museum

Are your little ones curious like mine? Or jump off the couch like monkeys and climb all over everything? We love Curious George at our house, he is fun and lovable and also curiously mischievous.

The Seattle Children's Museum is hosting a traveling Curious George exhibit from January 24th through May 10th. Activities include books and a preview of a new cartoon. There are also educational exhibits including math and science themed activities.

For more information, contact the Seattle Children's Museum at 206-441-1768 or www.thechildrensmuseum.org.

For members of Imagine (Everett Children's Museum), there should be a coupon with your annual membership packet that will give you a discount at the Seattle Children's Museum.

35th Annual Model Railroad Show (IMAX) 1/17 to 1/19

Calling all Thomas the Train and other train enthusiasts. All aboard to the Pacific Science Center on 1/17, 1/18 and 1/19th for the 35th Annual Model Railroad Show. This a show that is on the IMAX big screen. If your little ones have not experienced the magic of the IMAX and have an interest in trains, this might be an outing for you.

If trains are not a big hit in your family, try the Dinosaurs Alive in 3D.

Contact the PSC at 206-443-2001 or go to www.pacificsciencecenter.org.

Read to Dogs at the Everett Public Library 1/19

This is a time honored tradition to many of the local kids in Everett who regularly visit the library and now of this. Read to dogs that are specifically trained to "listen" to people who read to them. This is a fun activity and reminds children of the importance of reading and how it can be fun.

Free to "dog readers" and people they bring.

Paws to Read
Everett Library, Evergreen Branch
9515 Evergreen Way
425-257-8030

Recommended ages: 6 and up

The Wizard of Oz - at Seattle Children's Theatre until 1/17

Performances of the family favorite The Wizard of Oz is being shown at the Seattle Children's Theatre until January 17th.

For more information, contact Seattle Children's Theatre at Seattle Center at 206-441-3322 or online at www.sct.org.

Recommended ages: 6 and up

Clay Activities for Toddlers at Kids n' Clay

I usually do not post events or activities that are only available during regular working hours during the week. But this activity seemed so great that possibly some of you that are reading this might have this day off or can post-it note it for future days that you many have off from work.

Every Thursday and Friday, Kids 'n' Clay in Lynnwood offers clay activity day for younger children. The activity session begins at 10am and is $10. This is a great opportunity for younger children to experience the textures and work on sensory play with clay at a place other than your house. That is the best part, to let them to something notoriously messy somewhere other than our house.

For more information and to confirm the days, time and price contact Kids 'n' Clay at 425-673-2529.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Everett Village Theatre

What child does not know the love story of Belle and the Beast? This magical show is now being performed locally at the Everett Village Theatre.

Dates: January 9 to February 1st
Times: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm and 7pm.
Recommended Ages: 5 and up

For more information contact the Village Theatre at 425-257-8600

Swimming Lessons at Forest Park Pool

If you signed up for winter swim lessons at Forest Park Pool in Everett, they begin this week. I was double-checking for myself and thought I would post a reminder.

For any of you that have not signed up for these classes, these are very affordable swim lessons in a great environment. We have signed up our oldest daughter there for many sessions and the only problem that we have is remembering to sign her up at the right time. The only way to really ensure getting a class booked is to go online the morning that online registration opens. You need to be ready to go with your Everett Park and Rec login and password and know what class you are looking for.

There may be classes still available for winter session but if not then look for your Everett Park and Rec LIVE OUT LOUD booklet. These can come directly in the mail to you or you can pick one up at one of the Everett libraries.

Classes range are about $3.25 per class (!) which is a bargain and usually run anywhere from 7 to 10 weeks. Ages range from 6 months to 16 years for all different levels of classes.