McGruff Safe Kids Total ID

This is not an activity, per se, but it is something that was offered at my daycare center for my children recently. When I was growing up, I remember having things like a "Helping Hand" in our window or a "McGruff Crime Dog" sign as a signal to neighborhood kids and friends that our house was a safe house. If someone was being chased or lost, then they would see the sign and know that they could come there and we would call the police or their parents.

So a month ago, our daycare (Early Connections Learning Center/Gingerbread House) in Everett has this service come on site for the afternoon. For $15, my children received 2 ID cards with their thumbprints, name, photo, and descriptive info that my husband and I can show if ever needed. We also received a larger card to keep at home with all of their fingerprints and a larger photo. There are other packages that had more options, but this one was the most reasonable and provided us with what we need. The best part about this is that it was available while they were at daycare during the day. I did not have to wait in line at the mall and hope that my children were able to be patient.

This is an extremely helpful service that I wanted to share. More information about this service is at http://mcgruff-tid.com/streetwise/

The owner of this northwest branch is Kathie Street and she can also be contacted at 360-224-2756. Check it out and protect your children for the unknown or ask your daycare to look into bringing a service like this one in. It is so important in case you ever need it even though hopefully you never will.

Trick-or-Treating in Washington

Are you in search of a place to go trick-or-treating this year? Here are some ideas for trick-or-treating outside of your neighborhood.

Trick-or-Treating At Merrill Gardens
Date: 10/31 from 10:45am to 5pm
Location: Merrill Gardens at Mill Creek, 14905 Bothell-Everett Hwy
Description: Come have a fun costume parade and trick or treat at Merrill Gardens! This activity is open to the public and free. Call (425) 338-1580 for more info.

Halloween with the Lights On!
Date: 10/31 from 11am-3pm
Location: Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett, call 425-258-1006 for more info
Description: Visit the museum in costume and fun actitivities. Performances of "The 13 Nights of Halloween" at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Little Pumpkin Party in Mountlake Terrace
Date: 10/31 from 12-2pm
Location: Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion, call 425-776-9173 for more info
Description: Wear your costume and play inside indoor playground. Activities are planned and trick-or-treating will take place.

Snohomish Downtown Merchants Trick or Treat
Date: 10/31 from 4-5pm
Location: Downtown Snohomish, call 360-568-2526 for more info

Safe Halloween at the Country Village in Bothell
Date: 10/31 from 4pm-6pm
Location: Country Village in Bothell
Description: Trick-or-treat at storefronts. Kids under 12. Halloween photos from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at Chapters Photography (425-415-1267)

Safe Halloween at Main Street in Bothell
Date: 10/31 from 5pm-7pm
Location: Main Street in downtown Bothell
Description: Trick-or-treat on Main Street. Fish for prizes at the main gazebo.

Treats on Main Street in Mill Creek
Date: 10/31 from 5pm-7pm
Location: Mill Creek Town Center
Description: Merchants of Mill Creek Town Center are open for family friendly trick-or-treating. Trunk or Treat event is a couple blocks south of Central Market.

Edmonds Halloween
Date: 10/31 from 5-7pm
Location: Downtown Edmonds
Description: Dress up for Halloween and area stores stock up on candy to give away.

Everett Mall Trick or Treat
Date: 10/31 from 5-8pm
Location: Everett Mall, Everett
Description: Trick-or-treat at the mall. Bring canned food donation. Age 12 and under.

Trick or Treat at Redmond Town Center
Date: 10/31 from 5-7pmLocation: Redmond Town Center, Redmond
Description: Trick-or-treat safely at Redmond Town Center

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN HALLOWEEN!