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!

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.

Tot Spot Cafe - A Dream for Moms

I have a group of friends that try to meet at least once a month it seems and we are constantly looking for new places to go. Since it is almost winter, the rain has set back in and the parks are looking less desirable. I had seen a link to the Tot Spot Cafe on another blog and thought I would check out their website. I thought it was an in genius idea but it wasn't until we got there one blustery Saturday that it really hit me how great of an idea this was.

It is located in Woodinville and although it will be easy for me to find it now, I recommend getting directions from the website. We walked in and there were a few people and I guess we missed the rush. Our kids played with all different types of toys and tons of them to say the least. It seems like a great opportunity to let your kids try toys to see if they like them or play with toys there and and then have fewer at home. (Hmmm, maybe I should try that one.)

They also offer kid food like cut -up grapes (yes, I said cut - up!), cheese squares and goldfish for little fingers. But, the best part is they have adult espressos and food for parents. I had a chicken and pesto grilled panini which was very good. My friend and I talked for 2 hours and then realized that we needed to go. Our kids had a great time and we could have an adult conversation - great day, great place.

Here is the link:
http://www.totspotcafe.com/

They recently reduced the pricing and also offer monthly rates, stamp program for a freebie after a certain amount of visits and offer parties. What a great idea - have kids go crazy and play with a ton of different toys and then go home - tired.

Kids Eat Free - Locally!

I saw an article on another website that I write for called Busy Mommy about a website that tells you where your kids can eat for free. It is called My Kids Eat for Free, easy to remember which is good. Last time we went to the I.H.O.P. on Broadway in Everett, it was Kids Eat For Free on Tuesday. I have added this to the website and here are some other local eateries that are offering Kids Eat Free options. This is also a great website if you are going on a vacation, check in advance and maybe you can save a buck or two when dining out.

Please keep in mind that offers expire so I recommend calling in advance before dining.

I.H.O.P. (new -added 12/8/08)
Evergreen Way, Everett, WA (across from the Fred Meyer)
Kids Eat For Free - EVERDAY from 2pm - 10pm

Las Margaritas
Evergreen Way (across from the Safeway on 41st) in Everett
Kids Eat For Free on Mondays and Tuesdays

I.H.O.P.
4710 Broadway (near the AquaSox Stadium) in Everett
Kids Eat For Free on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
(When I called them to confirm this they said they are trying to have Kids Eat For Free every night of the week. Call to confirm.)

Marie Callender's (South of Northgate Mall)
9538 1st Ave., N.E.
Seattle, WA
206-526-5785
Kids Eat For Free on EVERYDAY of the week. Sunday through Saturday! 12 and under with adult entree purchase.

Ruby's Diner
13706 NE 175th St.
Woodinville, WA
(425) 489-1173
Kids Eat For Free on Tuesday nights. 12 and under with adult entree purchase.

Ruby's Diner (In Alderwood Mall - save money while holiday shopping!)
3000 184th St SW #840
Lynnwood, WA
(425) 778-8729
Kids Eat For Free on Tuesday nights. 12 and under with adult entree purchase.

Ruby's Diner (In Redmond Town Center- save money while holiday shopping!)
16501 NE 74th St.
Redmond, WA
(425) 861-7829
Kids Eat For Free on Tuesday nights. 12 and under with adult entree purchase.

Bon appetite and save some cash for ice cream afterwards!