Tacoma Kids

Spring is just around the corner, and if it ever stops SNOWING, it’ll be time to head up to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Like the Sequim Lavender Festival (see previous post under July 2008), this is a primo day trip and great photo op. Located off of I-5 near Mount Vernon and Burlington, several large bulb farms feature special events during the Tulip Festival, which lasts from April 1 - 30th and features fields of daffodils and tulips stretching as far as the eye can see.

Bloom times obviously vary depending on Mother Nature, but you can check what’s going on in the fields with the “Bloom Map” on the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival website to determine when is a good time to go. Weekends get pretty crowded, so if you go on a weekend be prepared for lots of traffic. It’s lovely to go on a week day and I have friends who have taken bikes and ridden from field to field and had a great time (note: there is a lot of traffic and riding is on narrow farm roads so this may not be a great riding situation for younger/novice bikers).

Check the website for maps to the farms, driving directions, and other community events going on, as well as tips on places to eat and stay if you want to make it an overnight trip. This is definitely a feast for the eyes, not to be missed!

Northwest Trek Animal Park is running a special deal Valentine’s/President’s Day weekend, February 14-16 2009. They are offering FREE admission for up to four children (regularly $10.50 each) with one adult or senior paying full admission.

It’s part of their “Kids n Critters” annual wintertime celebration. We have never actually been to Northwest Trek, but have always wanted to go, and I think this will be the time we check it out! More info available on their website: www.nwtrek.org.

Santa train time is here again! They are starting this weekend (Dec 6-7) and run the 13 & 14 and 20 & 21st. This has become our favorite local holiday tradition, and we will definitely be riding again this year. There is nothing that says quintessential northwest Christmas like riding the train through the old growth forest in Point Defiance Park, and the Santa experience on the train cannot be beat. See last year’s post (December 2007) for more info.

The Santa Train is run by the Tacoma Chapter of the National Historic Railway Society out of the Camp 6 Logging Museum and all the info you need is on the website. Happy Holidays!

Here’s a great day trip: the Sequim Lavender Festival July 18-20th.

There’s a street fair in downtown Sequim, but the real draw here are the farm tours, which consist of walking through the lavender fields cutting your own lavender bouquets. Reilly had a ball doing this last year. Many of the farms feature their own mini-fairs, with food booths, music, and all kinds of lavender products. (more…)

Well, it looked like many of the rest of you kid-totin’ gritty Tacomans were already there, but if you missed it, the new 6th Ave Farmer’s Market started yesterday on Pine Street off of 6th Ave, and it’s a good one!

We weren’t sure what to expect, with two already thriving Farmers markets going in/near the North End (Proctor and Downtown), but this little 2 block extravaganza is my new favorite. OK, it’s closest to home, so I’m a little biased, but it did not hurt that we could have a beer at Engine House #9 (one of our old favorites) and fill Reilly up on mini corn dogs and fries before heading home, either.

There were LOTS of great plant/nursery vendors, several flower stands, berry, produce and cheese stands, AND a really rockin’ girls (like 12 year-old) band! I did not catch the band’s name, because I was too busy shopping and chasing Reilly — but I wish I had because they were GREAT. (If anyone knows who these girls were, please post a comment. I’d like to find out more about any gigs and give them a little formal recognition. They were cool.)

The market is Tuesday afternoons (3:30 to 7:30) July 15 to September 30. The space is tight and it was a little hard to navigate with a big stroller (we had our jumbo jogger), so travel light if possible. See you there!

I found a neat blog recently: Tacoma Green Families. It’s run by Melissa, who runs Kindermusik classes at the Minuet Studio, and it’s worth checking out.

I signed up for the mailing list and just got an e-vite to an event they are hosting at Jefferson Park next week to make your own home cleaner. Bring a bottle for some home cleaner and bring any other natural home cleaning ideas and recipes you have to share. It’s Thursday, June 26 4:30 at Jefferson Park, 3920 N 9th, Tacoma WA 98406.

The organizers suggested bringing suits for the kids to play at the Sprayground, and bringing a picnic dinner and having working parents join later. We are planning to attend and look forward to meeting other members of this group!

It’s Spring, my favorite time of year, and I am getting ready to roll up my sleeves and dive into the dirt. This year I plan to really get Reilly involved by growing a back yard vegetable garden. (more…)

The Camp 6 Logging Museum at Point Defiance Park hosts one of the best holiday deals going - a $1 train ride with Santa. (Riders under 3 and over 99 are free).

This is WAY better than any Santa encounter at the mall - Santa joins the train en route and comes around to visit everyone on the train individually. No pressure to sit on laps, and last year Santa had fun flirting with some of the female passengers as well as visiting with the kids, so it really is fun for all ages!

Dress warmly, as the train is covered but open to the elements, and be sure to bring your flash if it’s all about the photo op - it’s dark in those woods! (more…)

If you have not stopped by the renovated Puget Park recently, you should head on down. (Corner of Proctor and 31st, right before the stone bridge). We have always frequented this park, but I was not crazy about my toddler careening down the steep hill to get to the play area or the big water hole that lived under the tire swing. (more…)

Ever wanted to learn to row or try crew?

The Commencement Bay Rowing Club has a recreational masters team, now practicing early Mon and Wed a.m.’s (5:30) and every other Saturday at 10:00 (as of April 2008). Masters basically means over 25. No experience is necessary, and this is a great way to get in a workout around a busy parenting schedule - you’ll be home before they wake up! (more…)