Indoor Categories

Awesome event…this weekend!

Hey ladies of the Northwest! Hope this last push of sunshine and warmth has been as pleasing to you as it has been to me…I was afraid I had missed my chance to send off the sun with a proper goodbye last week. Fret not, it made one more glorious appearance, woohoo!

I just wanted to send a quick shout out to an amazing event that will be happening this Friday and Saturday in Everett, “Celebrating Women Expo!” This event will feature a ladies night Friday to enjoy spa services, live jazz, a bar and some wonderful women. Saturday over 80 vendors are going to gathered and offering you a jump start on your gift shopping and consultants to answer your burning questions!

It’s going to be an awesome event and for a great cause! I will be attending with my sister/business partner and would love to see you there!

Need more info? Just ask!

womens expo

Education, Indoor Categories, Outdoor Activities

It’s cold and gray, let’s go to the zoo!

A couple weekends ago we finally had a cooler day here in Seattle. One of those “typical” summer days; a little breeze and a couple clouds in the sky, even a threat of a drop or two of rain. It. was. lovely! and I was scheduled for a couple different volunteer shifts at the Woodland Park Zoo.

Let me tell you…the time to go to the zoo is a day just like that.

The animals are active, comfortable and enjoying a break from the beating sun that makes them so sleepy (who can blame them? I’m the same way!).

Check out these not so awesome quality pictures I got just wandering through the zoo:

Another fabulous thing we have going on at the zoo, is families are always growing! Right now we’ve got a handful of littles running around. Gorillas, giraffes, snow leopards, just to name a few! What fun it is to have an up close view of parenting from so many different species. Can you believe that it’s my duty, at times, to hang out and watch these guys for hours?

It’s such a great time to get a little end of the summer field trip and spark an interest in your littles. If you miss the end of the summer, here’s an insider tip: wait for one of those rainy days that isn’t too miserable, go to the zoo’s website and see if they are having a rainy day discount. On those days you get in for a pretty great discount, generally face far fewer crowds, AND most likely you’ll see some really playful animals!

The zoo is always a joy, in all my years of nanny and childcare it’s the one outing I encouraged as often as possible. So much so you can now find me there most weekends, being a big kid at heart. Animals, more animals, a playground or two, snack shacks, picnic spots and free roaming peacocks…who doesn’t love going a little wild?

For more info on rates, hours, events, and daily programs go to: http://zoo.org.

Indoor Categories, Outdoor Activities

Whatcha doing this summer??

Summer is here and in full swing! I’m guilty of being a little swept away with all the possibilities of summer. Late nights outside because the sun sets at 9. Me staying up too late, warm weekends lending themselves to brunches out with day drinks with friends, baseball has me glued to the TV nearly every night past bedtime and then some and I’m not sorry about any of it! Well, I’m a little sorry in the morning when the alarm signals another day of adulting before I get to slip back into my summer attitude. I’m also sorry I’m not getting as much posted as I “should” but that got me thinking about what it is that has you disregarding your routine this summer…

My bucket list: Movie in the park, camping, hiking, visit a body of water not in the immediate seattle area, continue filling my rooftop with plants (and perhaps a little less killing/frying the ones I have up there), get a cabin on the island for a weekend, go to a baseball game, maybe an outdoor concert (bumbershoot anyone)?

What else can I add? What’s on yours?

Summer is so much more fun when it’s shared! Give me all the ideas and I can pretend I have all the time! Looking for kid friendly, as well as date ideas.

Indoor Categories

Family Movie Night!

There is really nothing like getting to spend time with the ones you love, enjoying each others company and being in the same space. That being said, there is also nothing like being able to do that with little conversation or energy being expended…like during a family movie night! These days taking a family out to the movies can get expensive fast, making it hard to really cherish the time together, why not bring the theater feel to your home and save yourself some cash and time?

I keep the movie titles that most spiked interest in our home in a jar and draw out a title when we are approaching movie night. Once you know the movie, the rest is simple! A good movie night will include comfy clothes (pj’s and sweats anyone?), blankets and pillows to lounge on, some snacks, and mood lighting. It’s fun to send out invitations to each family member including the time and what’s playing in their lunches or left on notes on mirrors/pillows. Let your family know how much you are looking forward to that time together. As your kids grow, let them help out with planning the food, or writing/delivering the invites, perhaps even setting up the “movie theater.” Keeping everyone involved helps ensure everyone has a good time.

Daily Trick of the Trade: Creating family date nights (such as movie night) at a young age will help foster family time for years to come, it doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive, it just needs to be time with you!