Buffalo Park

 

We are so excited that a brand new park has opened up in Mill Creek, BUFFALO PARK! We have gone twice in the past week. My kids and I love it!

It has a few different things that I haven't seen at some of the other parks around here. It has a bocce ball court (we saw a Dad and daughter practicing soccer on it too!)

 A couple tables in the shade and the restrooms were open when we went yesterday but for the life of me I couldn't see a light switch, so we used our cell phone flashlight! 

Lots of fun "monkey" bars:

And another thing we haven't found at other parks...a "tightrope" as my kids call it!! This was really fun for them!

Another new and fun swing that easily fit my 3

I love that the merry go round is safer than others I've seen. When we went yesterday this area was closed because they had to move this over since it was too close to the swing set. Hopefully it opens again soon!

And hopefully the swings get installed soon too!

This is the main playground area 

 I'm not sure if this is a slide or a climbing structure or both! It is a lot of fun though! 

What we loved:

*fun new features like the tightrope, merry go round and bocce ball court

*lots of grass area

*several benches for sitting around the perimeter of the park

*easy to find

*water fountain, in case you're like me and often forget to grab water before leaving the house!

What to prepare for:

*like most parks, the equipment can get HOT when it's sunny out. We were there when it was 77 degrees and it was getting hot.

*there is a decent amount of parking, but with the construction still going on with the townhomes there are more vehicles around than there would be normally.

Roger's Riverview Bistro

**Please know that this is not an endorsed advertisement for the restaurant! They didn't know we were coming, we payed for our own food and I made sure to meet and introduce myself as a local blogger AFTER we had been served all our food!** Also, I apologize for my cell phone camera pictures, it's not easy to get out on a date night these days and I forgot my real camera!

I'm excited to share our experience with you about Roger's Riverview Bistro in Snohomish! They are a farm to table bistro that is FAMILY friendly! The owner had a lovely family picture up where we sat and we spoke with him after our meal. He has 5 kids (I think it was 5, could have been 6 or 7, lets just say it was a lot!) and 2 of them work in the restaurant. His 13 year old son was the one who had the idea to put an "In-beTEEN" menu for kids who are not little but not quite big enough to eat adult portions! We went on a date night on a weeknight around 5:00 p.m. It was raining and we had our baby with us so we didn't sit on the deck, but if we didn't have baby I may have considered it since they have heaters, blankets and it looked cozy and comfy out there. It would be beautiful on a sunny day! 

*SEATING* It's a bistro, so not a large restaurant, the table you see here was the largest one they had set up, so if you are a family greater than 6 you might want to call ahead and see if they can set up something, but it's a narrow building so I would imagine there is only so much they can do.

*THE FOOD* We started with a couple appetizers. The Snohomish Bakery Bread with herb butter was delicious! We also ordered pork sliders which my husband liked, but I had to pick out several burnt pieces since I don't like burnt meat. For the main course my husband ordered the Chicken Cordon Bleu and I ordered a Chicken Caesar salad. We both enjoyed how fresh and homestyle the food tasted. My chicken was a little dry so next time I think I will order it without chicken because the dressing was delicious! Our waitress was wonderful and it was not loud or too busy which was nice. 

We were too full to indulge in dessert but here is what they had to offer that night: 

And we did order a mac and cheese to go for the kids at home. They didn't enjoy it, because it looked different than what  they are used to (Annie's organic), you know how kids can be!

 And one last shot of my 2 handsome dates for the night! Baby is reaching for everything now and really wanted to explore the glass of water!

The takeaway:

* Love that they are farm to table with LOCAL ingredients from LOCAL farmers!

*Family friendly (they even have a basket full of fun toys to keep little ones happy!)

* Fresh! I love that an hour after dinner I didn't feel "heavy", my stomach was happy.

* I wish the meat was a little more to my liking...but what I don't like about my meat is what others may enjoy!

I always feel good supporting local businesses and will look forward to trying this one again. 

Weekend Happenings Jan.31st-Feb 2nd

EVERETT: Join the Everett Mall on Friday Jan. 31st from 5:00 - 7:00 pm for Hawks Happy Hour!! Face painting, coloring pages and more! There will also be some great discounts at the Food Court if you want to have dinner there too!

Imagine Children's Museum is having a special performer come do a Lion Dance at 1:00 on Saturday Feb. 1st in celebration of the Chinese New Year!

FYI the Seattle Childrens Museum is having some Groundhoug day celebrations as well.

This is your last weekend to get in on tickets to the Village Theatre's showing of Beauty and the Beast Jr.! An Everett KIDSTAGE Production includes all of your favorite hit songs from the film, plus new songs written especially for the stage. Running time is 1 hour, 15 min. (no intermission). Tickets are $14 General and $12 Youth and Seniors. Thursday - Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.

SNOHOMISH: You have to take the kids to Snohomish on Saturday for Ground Frog Day!!

The event is free from 11 am - 1 pm at the Snohomish Event Gazebo (intersection of First St and Ave D, downtown). Slew will make his frognostication and proclaim spring's arrival or 6 more weeks of chilly days! There will be special crafts, Frog Jumping (rope), music, dancing and entertainment.

MILL CREEK: A Daddy/Daughter "Under the Sea" dance is happening at Gold Creek Church (through the preschool Kids at the Creek) on Friday Jan. 31st from 6:30-8:30 pm. Online tickets start at $25, at the door $35

Events happening in King County include:
*Elf on the Shelf: Birthday Edition reading at Barnes and Noble Woodinville (free) Feb.1st
*Learn about Groundhogs and Shadows and bring home your own groundhog weather predictor in Bellevue. Feb 1st

*More Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown Seattle
*Children's Film Festival happening now in Seattle. Ticket prices are all under $20.

Happy Weekend everyone!! And go SEAHAWKS!!!!