New Years Eve

I hope everyone is having a nice holiday break! It is almost time to ring in the New Year!! Here are a few things happening on New Years Eve day and night:

EVERETT: Imagine Childrens Museum is having a night time celebration that will cost either $10 (members) or $15 for non members per person. They will have tons to do! Starts at 6:00 pm and the outdoor lighted ball drop will be at 9:00pm!

EVERETT: The  Everett Skate Deck will have 2 parties, the kids NYE party will be from 1:00-5:00 pm with the countdown at 4pm. The price is $8 and party favors are included!

The Evening NYE party will be from 7:30pm-1:30 am and the cost is $15, party favors included.

BOTHELL: Elevated Sportz is having their 1st Annual NYE bash! 10pm-1am, ages 13+, $15 to enter. They will have trampoline jump time, a live DJ, laser lights, disco dance, glow in the dark dodgeball, glow sticks, games, movies and a countdown to 2014!

MONROE: Jump, Rattle and Roll is ringing in the New Year with a PJ "New York" style party! Starts at 7:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm (midnight on the East Coast) and it's regular admission price (1-2 yr old $3.50 and 2-17 are $7)!!

LYNNWOOD: The Playdate Cafe will be open until 1:00 pm on NYE day and plan to do a countdown at noon! They will turn on the bubble machine, play some music and the parents can ring in the New Year with some 'champagne' (non-alcoholic fruity Italian Soda:) $8 for one child, $6 for siblings.

BELLEVUE: Celebration Lane (same as Snowflake Lane) opens at 7pm and there will be lights, music, drummers and characters dancing with bubbles falling from the sky!

Whatever you decide to do with your family I hope it is fun and safe!! Happy New Year everyone!

 

Weekend Happenings Dec. 26-29th

I hope everyone is enjoying some post Christmas bliss! I thought I would let you know about the few Christmas events that are still going on:

MARYSVILLE: Holiday Tour of Lights is still happening until Dec. 28th! 

*See 30 enchanting light displays

*20 minute ride on tractor pulled trains

*Pass through hills, pond, penguin village, polar bear forest, and Santa's workshop

*Unique displays like animated golfers, a rocket ship and gingerbread people playing soccer

*Bonfire, s'mores and hot chocolate for warming up after the train ride

*Visits from Santa

*Free

*Holiday music 

*Tours available from 6-9pm, Thurs, Fri, and Sat.

And if you want to drive down to Bellevue:

BELLEVUE: Garden D'Lights is still happening nightly through Jan.4th from 5-10pm. Cost is $5 per person 10 and up.

Celebration Lane (former Snowflake Lane) is Dec.26th-31st with nightly shows starting at 7 pm.

*Nightly performances featuring live toy soldiers with new festive routines and music

*Dazzling lights, and dramatic drumming with a New Year's twist

Events for Dec. 20-22nd

I can't even believe it as I just typed the date!! Christmas is NEXT WEEK!! How did that come so quickly?! Hopefully you are all done your shopping so you can relax and play with your family this weekend:) Here is what is happening around the county:

EVERETT: Free Friday night live at Imagine Childrens Museum. Get into the museum for free from 5:30-9:00pm. If you've never been, check out my review!!

SNOHOMISH: Check out the 2nd Annual Freestyle Christmas light cruise!! Watch as hot rods and dump trucks drive around the city all decked out in their holiday best. 6:00-7:00 pm on 1st and 2nd Street.

And while you are downtown, don't forget about the Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk along the riverfront! 4:00-8:00 pm.

MONROE: Want a unique family Christmas picture taken this year? From now until Dec 24th, head to The Reptile Zoo between 3-4:45 pm for a picture with "Rocko" the Cuban Rock Iguana!! He will be available every 15 minutes and the cost is $5

Also at the Monroe Library on Friday you can join them for Candy Experiments! Blow it up. Melt it. Find the Secret Ingredients. Candy Experiments teaches you a fun new use for candy! Based on the book by Loralee Leavitt. 3:00-4:00 pm free for all ages.

BOTHELL: Live Reindeer and Fun with Frosty!! Dec.21st, pet the reindeer from 11 am- 5 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from noon- 3pm meet Frosty and his rabbit friend Hippity Hop!

Enjoy this snowy weekend!!

Island Time

I am so excited to tell you that we found another fun indoor place!! Welcome to Island Time!!!

It is located in Mill Creek, the play area is FREE and my kids were exhausted after playing here!

This is the climbing structure (please excuse the camera phone pics, my real camera was forgotten, along with several other things today!): 

In the climbing/play structure they have an interactive projector that entertained the kids and got them MOVING!! 

Attached to and right next to the bigger structure was a fun area for young ones:

They also have some arcade games. Tokens are 4 for $1 and each game requires one or two tokens. You can then win tickets to redeem for prizes! 

Laser Tag is $6 a player for a 10 minute game 

They also serve frozen yogurt! 6 flavors, .37 cents an ounce with several different toppings

 They have a good sized menu and I think reasonable prices. We tried a bagel with cream cheese and a muffin and they were really good, my children devoured them both!! You can get a kids meal for $2.99! I think that's a great price.  

I met up with a couple Moms from my pre-school and was impressed with how clean it was as well. There was a birthday party there, approximately 10 families there, and that didn't feel like too much.

Here are a few things to keep in my mind:

*The parking spots are small (they say compact and they mean it! Minivans will not fit!) but there is parking around, you just won't be right in front.

*Bring cash for the arcade games, unless you want to used your debit card to spend $10 on 40 tokens

*I didn't see a room for the birthday party..they just closed off an area and had long tables set up. It was semi-private, but still easy for people to get to.

Overall I loved this place, my kids loved it and we will be going back! It would be a perfect place for Daddy/Mommy and daughter/son date or a play date or a place to burn off some energy before bed!

Hours:

Mon-Thurs: 10am - 9pm

Fri-Sat: 10 am - 10 pm

Sun: 11am - 7pm

Address:

3916 148th St SE, Mill Creek 98012

WEBSITE

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Weekend Happenings Dec.13-15th

Happy almost weekend!! Here is what is going on this weekend:

First off, tonight it is pay what you can night at Warm Beach in Stanwood! Start the weekend off early and head up there tonight!

OR/AND

if you want to stay indoors, it is half price at Imagine Children's Museum in Everett from 3-5pm, only $4.50 a person!

BOTHELL: Country Village has Cookies with Mrs. Claus on Saturday and Sunday from noon-3pm as well as a Clown Show on Saturday from 3-4pm (tickets can be purchased in advance or $8 at the door).

On Sunday the Bothell Gymnastics Club is holding an Open House at 2:00 pm, they will have a giant obstacle course, trampolines, foam pits, and a bounce house. I've heard good things about this place and it's been on my list of places to try out!

EVERETT: the Fa-La-La Holiday Art Sale is happening Friday and Saturday from noon-6pm at the Schack Art Center 

*live music

*handmade, one of a kind gifts from local artists

My 3 year old girl loves any kind of crafty show!

And if you want to head out of the county, here are a few REALLY fun things to do:

Bellevue: the Sambica Christmas Carnival is Saturday from 2-8 pm and Sunday from 2-5pm. Don't forget about all the other fun things going on in Bellevue (like Snowflake Lane and Garden D'Lights)!!

Shoreline: Head to Highland Ice Arena for the Nutcracker on Ice for FREE!!! Friday night at7:30 pm. 

Home and Neighborhood Light Displays

If your family loves to go for a drive to look at Christmas lights then you must head to Bothell for 2 home shows!

Keener's Light Display
16504 112 Pl. Bothell, 98011
*Over 100,000 lights
*100% of donations are given to  the Ben Towne Foundation (Childhood Cancer Research)
*Open 6-10 pm, weekdays and 6-11 pm on weekends
WEBSITE
Facebook

Binary Christmas

• 12313 NE 165th St
• Bothell, 98011
• *Over 30,000 lights
• *Choreographed to upbeat music
• *Open from 5-10pm
• *Several other neighbors homes are decorated
• *Canned good donations excepted

Facebook

**Update..this location has been having some technical difficulties this season, you may want to double check their facebook for the latest**

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If you want to drive on the other side of South Snohomish County, a home in Woodinville has an amazing light show!! Mark and Tracy Zembruski's house!
23620 NE 183rd St, Woodinville, WA 98077

*Over 100,000 lights
*Choreographed shows
*It's been dubbed as Woodinville Wonderland!
 *Open Sun-Thurs 5-9pm and Fri-Sat from 5-10pm

*100% of any donations go to Special Olympics Washington

WEBSITE
Facebook

Does your neighborhood have a home(s) light display? Leave a comment on here or facebook to let other families know about it!! My kids love this right now. Every time we get in the car they are looking and talking about Christmas lights!

Jump, Rattle & Roll

I am so excited to be sharing a new inflatable bouncy house with you today!! Although I was saddened by the news that our favorite inflatable place, Jump Planet was closed.....I am happy to report that this place is not only comparable...but BETTER than the former Jump Planet!!! I introduce to you....JUMP, RATTLE & ROLL:

I mean look at this space!!

My kids were so excited to go after I showed them pictures of it online (the reviews everywhere are great by the way). First things first, it is located in Monroe, across the highway from the Evergreen Fair grounds. It was a 20 minute drive for us and worth it! It was really easy to find but look for this:

And make sure to turn after the yellow sign, not before it, or else you will be in the wrong parking lot and not able to park closely (we may or may not have done that:) Then you will see this cute sign:

We were greeted by the friendly owner Kristina! She is so sweet and has a couple kids of her own. She opened this up when they realized the only indoor places in the area was a Burger King play area!! We went in to take off our shoes:

 

 Lots of cubby space and even a locker option if you feel safer with that (the fee is $1.00).
The first area we saw was this:

Such a cute pirate boat!!
Then you see this:

AWWWW, INFLATABLE HEAVEN!!!!

My 3 year old's could do slides ALL day!!

If you take a left after the pirate boat there is another room full of a few more inflatables and one of my favorite parts....a play area! If you're kids need a break (and in my case, I needed a break, it is a workout hauling a 2 year old up and down slides!)....there is TONS of things for them to do in the play area!!
For starters this climbing structure. Don't you love how she put bean bags at the bottom to soften the landing?!

Blocks, train table, a super comfy black couch and legos

 Loads of play kitchen and pretend play items

 A doll house and a small inflatable tucked back there for little ones:

 Game tables for older kids:

And a huge bean bag, TV watching area!

I had seen pictures and heard of a massage chair, but couldn't find it's whereabouts!

Here is my list of likes about this place:
*Clean
*Friendly staff
*A variety of things to do depending on ages of your kids
*Reasonably priced
*Great place for any kind of party
*You can tell a Mom runs the place!! There are big and little details you will notice (like the bean bags at the bottom of the slides and magazines next to big comfy couches).

The only small dislike I have was pointed out by another one of the moms who was there (also a fellow twin mom who I did not know previously), she pointed out that there is no door or gate near the entrance. There is a door to the building of course, and the likelihood of any kid wanting to leave the building would be a little crazy (I had to bribe some and drag one who went all dead weight on me!) and I'm sure there is a staff member in the front desk area, but if it was busy and such a thing did happen they could easily escape. Just something to be aware of. **update...after talking with the owner they say they aren't allowed to put anything up because the fire department won't allow them to block that doorway**

They do have some snack foods and beverages ranging from .50 - $2.00 and you can bring in your own snacks (no full on meals) and NO NUTS!

Hours:

MONDAY 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

TUESDAY *10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.*

*Munchkin Morning: 6 years old and younger only*

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m

THURSDAY 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

FRIDAY 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

SATURDAY 6:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

SUNDAY 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

*Depending on the week they may add drop in hours as well, so like them on facebook and check there when you plan to go.

Prices:

Parents and Children Under 1 are free

1-2: $3.50

2-17: $7

The owner Kristina has been VERY generous and is giving away some passes so that your family can experience a good time too!!!! We will be giving out 3 PASSES this week!! I can't wait for you guys to go and be sure to let us know on here or on facebook exactly what you think about this place. Just look on the right side of the screen near the top for your chances to enter 1 pass, good for any child 0-17!! 

**Full Disclosure...we did NOT pay to get in. The owner kindly let us in for free:)**
WEBSITE

Facebook

Weekend Fun!

Planning your weekend yet? There is so much going on! Especially tomorrow, December 7th!! Here's a quick summary:

MARYSVILLE: Dec 7th: Merrysville for the Holidays starts at Comeford Park at 5 pm, parade at 6:30 pm (you could hit up the tour of lights while in Marysville too!):

EVERETT: Dec 7th: Port of Marina's holiday craft show and family festival starts at noon and will have antique fire truck rides, boat parade, holiday movies, music, and more

BOTHELL: Dec.7th: Santa Arrives, tree lighting, chestnuts, the Grinch, lights, music and more! Starts around 2 pm

MILL CREEK: Dec.7th: 2 big events happening! First is Snow Day at Gold Creek church from 10-2pm

Then the Santa parade in the Town Center starting at 3:30!!

And if you want to head out of the county and down to Bellevue don't forget about these 2 events!

Sambica Christmas Carnival on Dec. 7th from 2-8 pm and Dec. 8th from 2-5pm

Festival of Nativity on Dec.7th from noon-9pm and Dec. 8th from 12:30-9pm

I hope everyone has a GREAT time this weekend, whatever you decide to do!!!

Imagine Children's Museum

We ADORE this place!!! There is SO MUCH TO DO! You will find something here for every child to love! Here is a list of some of what you will find:

*A wildlife clinic

* Cafe

*Music

*Theater

*A Bus

*Trains

*A Treehouse

*A Farm

*A Construction Studio

*An art studio

*An Airplane

* Firehouse

*A rooftop playground with play equipment, dinosaur fossils, and instruments to make music

This is the king of imagination places!! You can take a tour of it if you go to their website. I can't go by myself with my 3, 3 and under because they all get so excited to go in all the different rooms and areas that is hard to convince them that they need to stay together:) Another thing to note is that strollers ARE NOT allowed and food can only be eaten downstairs in the designated snack area, but they do let you bring in your own food and have vending machines if needed.

The pricing is as follows:

*General Admission: $9.50

*12 months and under: FREE

The good news is that they do have some discounts:

*Every Thursday afternoon from 3-5 pm is half price: $4.50

*Every 3rd Friday night in each month from 5:30-9 pm: FREE!!

If money is tight, I would HIGHLY recommend trying it out on a free night or for half price. Those times are a lot busier, so please expect that...but I still think it's worth going and exploring.

*Members only hour on Saturdays from 9-10 am  

Hours:

*Closed on Mondays*

Tues & Weds: 9-5pm

Thurs, Fri & Sat: 10-5pm

Sunday: 11-5pm

WEBSITE

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