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!!

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!

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!!!

Christmas in Marysville

This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Merrysville for the Holidays!!

On Saturday December 7th at 6:30 pm, get to Marysville for this awesome night of fun!

*Winter Wonderland Family Activities

*Holiday Photo Booths (bring your own camera)

*Electric Lights PARADE

*Watertower Lighting and FIREWORKS show!

*A Holiday Concert

All I have to say is parade and fireworks and my kids are there!!

WEBSITE

Hop aboard the Merrysville Express Rotary Train at the Cedarcrest golf course and see the TOUR of LIGHTS!!

*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

*Holiday music 

Tours are available from 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Dec. 5th-28th.

My kids are going to LOVE this one!!

WEBSITE

Everett Christmas Events

Everett has TONS of stuff going on for Christmas this year!!

It starts with WINTERTIDE on December 5th from 4:30-8:00 pm!
*Come to downtown Everett for a free old time village festival
*Caroling
*Bonfire, free hot cocoa and cookies
*Crafts, face painting and a fun photo booth
*The children of KIDSTAGE will enterain with scenes and songs from A Year with Frog and Toad
* Story time with puppets with the Everett Public Library
*Tree lighting and Santa's arrival on a fire truck
*Special guests: Captain Smartypants and Sensible Shoes!

WEBSITE

Celebrate at the Port of Marina on Dec 7th from noon - 8pm!!
*Everett Farmers Market and Holiday Craft show
*Imagine Children's Museum will have ornaments to make, decorate your own cookies and face painting
*Antique Fire Truck rides
*Holiday Movies
*Live Choirs
*Tree lighting
*Santa
*Boat Parade

This event is jam packed with lots of different activities that should satisfy kids of all ages!!
WEBSITE


A few other activities:
The Festival of Trees
Olympic Ballet's Nutcracker (In Everett and Edmonds, tickets range from $20-$30)
Several concerts (if you scroll down the page you will find them). The Navy Band Northwest sounds interesting and is the only free one on Dec. 17th @7pm

Enjoy historic downtown Everett!!

Snowflake Lane/Garden d'Lights & More!

These are 2 of the most popular events on the Eastside during the holidays!

Garden d'Lights is at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.

*Over half a million lights

*Over 30 'critters' like Charlotte in her web, Honey bear, etc

*Kids 10 and under are FREE!!

It opens every night from 5:00-10:00 pm until Jan.4th. Tickets are $5, but can be and is recommended to buy them ahead online to avoid lines. They are several free nights:

December 2, 3, 4, 5 and December 9, 10, 11, 12

There are a couple options for free, close parking as well. My little ones are obsessed with animals and are going to love going to this event this year!! I highly recommend visiting the website to look at the pictures!

WEBSITE

Facebook

Snowflake Lane is a great free, family event downtown. Every night they make it snow!!

*Dazzling lights and music

*Drumming from live toy soldiers

*Winter characters like a Snow Queen and King, Sugar Plum Fairies and Mice

Shows happen nightly at 7 pm now until December 24th

This is a magical event that the kids would love!!! I've heard it works to go on a rainy night because there is plenty of coverage (or pack an umbrella or two) and there are usually WAY less people.

WEBSITE

Facebook

There are a couple bonus things to do while you are in Bellevue:

Gingerbread Lane at the Hilton Hotel has...you guessed it...Gingerbread Houses!! Made by local chefs, architects and businesses. 

Go take a walk and get some ideas on how to make your next Gingerbread house that much cooler!

Dec.7-20 and the cost is FREE!

Website

Check out Enchanted Holidays at The Bravern: Website

And the outdoor skating rink: Website 

Country Village Christmas Festivities

The Country Village in Bothell is a charming place with tons of cute shops and a great playground! But for Christmas they have some GREAT events!!

It kicks off this Saturday (December 7th) with Santa's arrival!

*Santa arrives at 7 pm

*Tree lighting follows his arrival, heralded by a Town Crier

*The Grinch will be roaming the village from 2-5pm

*Lots of lights, animated light displays featuring a 40' sea serpent, fiddling pig, giant dragonfly, marching ducks and more!

*Complimentary hot-roasted chestnuts will be served at 4pm (while supplies last)

*Live music from local groups throughout the day

*Train rides and pony rides available at a small fee

Website

Up next is Cookies with Mrs. Claus on December 14th and 15th from noon-3pm!!

*Mrs.Claus will be giving out cookies to children

*Parents and kids can collect cookie recipes from participating shops

Website

While you are there you can stop and enjoy a Clown Show!!! Zero and Somebuddy are a comedy Clown duo.

They are doing 3 shows:

December 14th 3:00-4:00 pm

December 20th 4:30-5:30 pm

December 23rd 2:00-3:00pm

The tickets do cost $6.00 if you buy them through Brown Paper tickets or $8.00 at the door.

*Deck the halls with seasonal silliness

*Fast paced 40 minute family show

*Hi-jinks, clown magic, interactive comedy, and a brand new clown-toon

*For ages 4 and up

Website

And last but not least... free Fun with Frosty!!! December 21st and 22nd from noon - 3:00 pm
*meet Frosty the Snowman
*Enjoy a magic show
*Craft projects
*Fun and games!

Website

 The country village can get crowded and parking can fill up quickly. So bundle up, wear comfy shoes and enjoy getting in the holiday spirit!

SAMBICA Christmas Carnival

Here is another fun, FREE event to attend if you want to travel south to Bellevue! 

It is this weekend, Dec. 7th (2-8 pm)-8th (2-5 pm) and next Dec. 14th (2-8pm)-15th (2-5pm)

They will have:

*Carnival games and prizes

*A free picture with Santa

*Inflatables

*Complimentary coffee and hot chocolate bar

Sounds like a fun time, anything involving inflatables will make my kids happy!

Facebook

 

Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk

To celebrate the shortest day of the year, downtown Snohomish does a walk along the riverfront, with more than 500 white paper bag luminaries!!

This looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! And with tons of adorable shops along main street, this is sure to be a great night of family fun and a chance to get some fresh air...hopefully some clear or snowy air, not too rainy:)

Dec 21st from 4-8pm 

Website 

(I know the website says 2012, but I promise it is still on Dec. 21st, every year...hahaha!!)

Free Santa Parade!!!

We attended this fabulous event last year in Mill Creek and LOVED IT!!!!!! It starts with a fun parade and Santa coming, then the tree lighting and that is all followed by lots of fun free activities for the family!!

We especially enjoyed the hay ride (my little ones love animals), seeing the reindeer and going on the train ride. The businesses did a great job of handing out goodies, making crafts, and keeping everyone warm. They were all friendly and the event was well put together. I really hope that it will be just as good this year!

Dec 7th from 3:30-5:00 pm

Website

(This might be fun to go to after having fun at Snow Day, all the fun is in Mill Creek this Saturday!)

Warm Beach

This year we are going to Warm Beach in Stanwood for the first time. I have heard it is worth the drive and a fun, beautiful, event! I will be sure to post about it when we go, but I wanted to let others know about it so you can go soon too!

We purchased our tickets through a daily deal, but if you can't do that then here is the pricing:

Adults (13-59)......$15

Military Adult.....$11

Senior 60+.....$11

Kids (4-12).....$10

3 and under free!

Or on Dec 5, 12 and 29 they have pay what you can nights, where you pay what portion of the tickets that you can!

It is open from 5-10 pm on the following dates:

Dec 5-8

Dec 12-15

Dec 18-23

Dec 26-29

They have over a million lights on display among other things! Here is some of what they offer:

* Pony rides

*Polar Express Train Rides

*Free Parking

*5 Entertainment Stages

*Stunning Nativity

*Bruce the Talking Spruce

*Petting Farm

*Story - Teller

*Dinner and Snack options (bring cash, no ATM on site)

I am so excited to see all the LIGHTS!!!! 

Website

Facebook

Let us know here or on Facebook if you have gone, what your experience has been, tips or tricks and if you thought it was worth it!

***** Here is my update! We went on Saturday Dec. 21st and I was very disappointed. It was cold, wet and MUDDY. It was so busy there were long lines for everything! There were lines for the food, bathrooms, train, ponies, even to see Bruce the Spruce. There were lots of places to go inside and warm up and the people were friendly. The lights were cool, but my kids were too young (and too cold) to enjoy this and pushing a double stroller was not that fun! I am glad I had a coupon and didn't have to pay for parking or for my 3 kids under 3 to get in, I will DEFINITELY wait until my kids are much older to try again and not go on a weekend night!!******