Play: World’s Tastiest Frozen Yogurt in Mill Creek

We took the kids to World’s Tastiest Frozen Yogurt in Mill Creek yesterday for a little treat. We've been meaning to check them out since they opened up a few months ago.

Given the name I kind of wanted to go in and shout, "You did it! Congratulations! World's tastiest frozen yogurt!" I didn't want to embarrass my family so I kept it to myself!

World's Tastiest Frozen Yogurt did live up to it's name though. It was pretty darn tasty. They let us sample a few flavors before we decided on what we wanted. They had loads to choose from so it was pretty hard to choose. And lots of toppings like strawberries and mangos and gummy bears (or teddy gums and Finley referred to them!) and brownies and M&M's and much, much more. Finely and I went for pineapple, strawberry and cheesecake topped with M&M's, teddy gums and strawberry sauce. I don't remember what flavors Daniel and Grady got because I was too busy stuffing my face.

After our frogurt we took a little walk on the North Creek Trail. The kids were super cute holding hands and skipping together.

We even spotted a cute little mama duck and her baby ducklings. Such a fun summer evening!

Play, Stay Away, or Just Okay
I think anything covered in gummy bears gets a Play rating! Especially when there are coupons involved!

Before we left I did my usual google search for a coupon and found an article on $20 Dollar Date Night. They mentioned something about a Pirq app that had coupons so of course I had to check it out. App + coupons = my favorite things!

So this Pirq thing is pretty cool. It hooks you up with discounts at local area restaurants. You see what discounts are available, "reserve" the one you want, and show it when you check out. You don't have to pay for them like a Groupon, you just reserve it and use it. World's Tastiest Frozen Yogurt had coupons for 30% - 50% off. I snagged the 50% off coupon! Yippee! I definitely recommend downloading the app.

If you need a fun and inexpensive activity, you should head to World's Tastiest Frozen Yogurt. And if frogurt isn't your thing you can pick up a latte at the other half of their shop - The ABS Coffee Company. Or get one of each. Just go for a little stroll on the trail afterwards and you'll work it all off.

Princess Party in Mill Creek

Do you have a little princess? Get her dressed up in her princess best and treat her to an afternoon of princess fun. Mill Creek Parks and Recreation is hosting a Princess Tea Party with sparkly crafts, twirly dancing, and fairytale stories. During the last 30 minutes you can join your princesses as they are greeted by some of their favorite Disney princesses.

Details ---
Where: Applause Studio
When: Saturday, February 11th and Saturday, March 24th at 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 for residents, $18 for non-residents plus $5 supply fee paid to the instructor
More Info: For ages 4 - 6 years. Check out the Mill Creek Parks and Recreation Guide for more information or call 425-745-1891. You must register for this event beforehand.

Play: Story Time at Mill Creek University Book Store

I had to get down to the bottom of the University Book Store Story Time/Top Pot donuts rumor once and for all. So I took the kids to Mill Creek Town Center this morning to do a little investigating. And it's good news! There are indeed Top Pot donuts served alongside story time!

The Good Stuff
The book store has a nice little area in the back of the store that they clear out for story time. They have chairs for the adults and floor space for the kids. When I saw them bring out the tray of donuts I thought, "Yippee!" And then, "Oh, no! Are they going to make these kids fidget and drool over those donuts while the stories are read?"

But these guys are pros. They handed out the pink and chocolate donuts (half-donuts actually) to the kids along with a little bottle of water before the stories started.

A book store employee read two books to the kids while they stuffed their faces with donuts.

The other kids may have been more polite. I didn't have a chance to look around. I was too busy trying to sneak bites of the boy's donut.

After the stories, the kids played and did some coloring. Finley stayed put until she finished her pretty pink barn. Then we played for a bit in the store and took a little walk around the town center.

Play, Stay Away or Just Okay
Hmmm... I wonder what rating I should give to a story time that includes delicious donuts. Perhaps, Play? Yes, Play!

I love that Mill Creek Town Center is 5 minutes from our house and that this story time is at 11 a.m. It's perfect for those days when we have a tough time getting out the door (which is pretty much every single day). The story time part of it is a bit short, but they had coloring and then there's the rest of the kid's section with books and toys to keep the kids busy. And if that isn't enough to tire your kids out, take a walk along the North Creek Trail or check out Reigning Imagination Toys.

After all that fun I had to wrestle a back-arching boy into his car seat. You know it's a fun outing when someone throws a fit about having to go home!

Play: North Creek Trail in Mill Creek

This morning we met up with some friends for a walk along the North Creek Trail in Mill Creek. I love this little trail. It runs all the way from 164th Street to McCollum County Park. It's 2.5 miles long but we've never done the whole trail. I have one in a stroller and one on her feet (and sometimes none in the stroller and two on their feet) so we don't travel far or very fast. But I'm ok with that. We weren't there for the exercise. We were there for the walk.

Oh, wait. Lookie there, a Starbucks. Better stop in for a coffee and a tasty treat before our walk. (If you want to keep this frugal outing completely free while still enjoying a cup of joe, take your empty Starbucks coffee bag into the store for a free tall drip. Ok, it's not a Pumpkin Spice Latte. But sometimes free tastes better than a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Sometimes.)

Back to the trail...

There's lots to see along the way -- ponds and birds and I'm sure other wildlife if your kids let you stop long enough to look. And people walking doggies which is always a toddler crowd pleaser.

Look, a crane!

And ducks. Lots and lots of ducks. I think Grady chased down every one of them. It was definitely the highlight of the trip for the kids.

Play, Stay Away, or Just Okay
This little outing gets a big Play. The trail is great for little ones that take their time and don't watch where they're going. (And moms that get too busy chatting to notice the other people on the trail. Or maybe that's just me.) I didn't see a single person on a bicycle (if you walk trails with your kids you will appreciate this) and everyone who passed us was happy to smile and weave their way through the gaggle of kiddos.

Details ---
Where: North Creek Trail
When: Anytime!
Cost: Free!

Halloween Happenings: October 28th, 29th, 30th

Lots of Halloween fun leading up to Trick-or-Treating on Monday.

Museum of Fright
October 28th 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Mill Creek YMCA Harvest Festival
October 28th 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Barnes & Noble Halloween Storytime
October 29th 11 a.m.

Fall Festival at Bellevue Arts Museum
October 29th 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Autumn Fest at the Woodland Park Zoo
October 29th and 30th

Imagine Children's Museum - Halloween with the Lights On
October 30th 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Boo Bash at Rosehill Community Center
October 30th 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Your Guide to a Happy Halloween

Lots of opportunities to fill those kids with candy at these free Trick-or-Treat events in the area!

Treats on Main Street
Where: Mill Creek Town Center
When: Monday, October 31 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free!
More Info: City of Mill Creek Parks and Recreation

Trunk or Treat
Where: Mill Creek City Hall Parking Lot (15728 Main Street Mill Creek, WA)
When: Monday, October 31 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
More Info: City of Mill Creek Parks and Recreation

Safe Halloween
Where: Country Village and Bothell Main Street
When: Monday, October 31 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Country Village) and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. (Main Street)
Cost: Free!
More Info: City of Bothell
Details: Along with the trick-or-treating, you can take your kids aged 4-12 to the Halloweeny Haunted House at Country Village (admission is $1.00).

Crossroads Bellevue Annual Mall-o-ween
Where: Crossroads Bellevue Mall
When: Monday, October 31 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free!
More Info: Here

Bellevue Square Halloween Family Fun Fest
Where: Bellevue Square
When: Monday, October 31 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Cost: Free!
More Info: Bellevue Square Mall website
Details: Enjoy trick-or-treating at select shops, dance to Recess Monkey in the Center Court, check out the Mad Science Booth on the second floor, and find one of the many clowns creating balloon animals for the kiddos.

Edmonds Halloween Extravaganza
Where: Downtown Edmonds
When: Monday, October 31 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Cost: Free!
More Info: Edmonds Chamber of Commerce

Trick-Or-Treat at Alderwood Mall
Where: Alderwood Mall
When: Monday, October 31 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Cost: Free!
More Info: Alderwood Mall website
Details: For kids 12 and under

Free Family Trick-Or-Treat at Everett Mall
Where: Everett Mall
When: Monday, October 31 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Cost: Free! (Food bank donations are appreciated.)
More Info: Everett Mall website

Frozen Fright Night at Comcast Community Ice Rink
Where: Comcast Community Ice Rink
When: Monday, October 31 6 p.m.
Cost: Adults/Kids - $5; 5 & under - $3.50 (Wear your costume, bring a can of food or call 425.322.3629 to book your group and save $1.00 per ticket.)
More Info: Comcast Community Ice Rink
Details: Halloween skating and activities - pumpkin bowling, costume contest, DJ, goodie bags and door prizes