Holiday Light Displays

There's still time to get out there and see some pretty holiday light displays. Here's a quick overview of the displays in the area.

The Christmas Lights at Warm Beach

We checked out The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach earlier this month and had a great time. If you have an Entertainment book, look online for a BOGO coupon that you can print right from their website. They are still 5 more days to check it out - December 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 27th, and 28th. Added bonus - the 28th is a "Pay What You Can Night."

Binary Lights

This is a fun and free light display choreographed to some awesome dance music. The kids and I loved it!

Garden d'Lights

This display with over 1/2 million lights is open until the 31st, even on Christmas Eve and Christmas. It might be a great way to walk around and burn off that holiday ham.

Holiday Tour of Lights at Cedarcrest Golf Course
There's a new light display in Marysville this year at the Cedarcrest Golf Course. They have a hayride, rotary train, bonfire, music and more.


Local Neighborhoods

Make it a free outing and drive around and look at all the lights in your neighborhood. I took the kids out for a drive last week and they loved it. For the record, I'm pretty sure my neighborhood has the highest density of inflatable decorations. I even saw a Christmas SpongeBob SquarePants on someone's roof. If inflatables aren't your thing, KOMO News has a great listing of some beautiful light displays in various neighborhoods in Snohomish County, King County and more.

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Happenings: December 23rd, 24th, 25th

If you're all caught up on your holiday to-do list and looking for something fun to do, check out the weekend calendar! I hope you have a fabulous weekend with your friends and family! Merry Christmas!

Friday

Dec. 23	Sno-Isle Libraries: Winter Extravaganza	Various times
Dec. 23	Reindeer Festival at Swansons	9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Dec. 22	Highland Ice Arena: Public Skate	10 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Dec. 23	Magic Season Ice Arena	11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Dec. 23	Binary Christmas Light Show	4:30 - 10 p.m.
Dec. 23	Holiday Tour of Lights	5 - 10 p.m.
Dec. 23	Garden d'Lights	5 - 10 p.m.
Dec. 23	The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach	5 - 10 p.m.
Dec. 23	Snowflake Lane	7 p.m.

Saturday

Dec. 24	Reindeer Festival at Swansons	9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dec. 22	Highland Ice Arena: Public Skate	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Dec. 24	Magic Season Ice Arena	11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Dec. 22	Highland Ice Arena: Public Skate	1:30 - 4 p.m.
Dec. 24	Binary Christmas Light Show	4:30 - 10 p.m.
Dec. 24	Garden d'Lights	5 - 10 p.m.

Sunday
Merry Christmas!!!

Dec. 25	Magic Season Ice Arena	11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Dec. 22	Highland Ice Arena: Public Skate	12 - 4 p.m.
Dec. 25	Binary Christmas Light Show	4:30 - 10 p.m.
Dec. 25	Garden d'Lights	5 - 10 p.m.

Play: My Garden Nursery

After spending 3 weeks fretting over what kind of damage our very active 18-month-old boy would do to a Christmas tree (I imagined him pulling a Buddy the Elf stunt and jumping on the tree from the couch), we decided to bite the bullet and just get one. So we headed to My Garden Nursery to pick out the perfect tree.

I'm sure most of you already have your trees up and decorated, but if you're from the future and you're wondering where to get your Christmas tree, I want to tell you about this great shop. The service here is fantastic. Every single person I talk to there is super friendly and super helpful. (They were kind enough to help us with our slug problem in a eco-friendly manner a summer or two ago.)

It's no different at Christmas time. They are more than happy to help you pick out your tree, give it a clean cut, trim off any branches, put it in that netting that I'm sure has a name but is totally escaping me right now, and the best part - tie it to the top of your car. Talk about full service.

I have no idea if other places do all this. But I love to support a local business rather than going to a big name store or tree lot.

There's lots of other fun stuff to see while you're there. They have a very fun gnome display. I don't know why, but I have a thing for gnomes right now. They're so cute and round and lovable, dontcha think? Or maybe it's just me.

There's a little gnome that's looking a little guilty. I wonder what she's getting into.

They also have a fun train table for the kiddos to play with.

And a new toy section with lots of great garden-themed toys. This store is a lot like Molbak's. With the toy section and the trains and indoor plant area to explore, it's a great outing for you and your kids any time of year.

We got our tree home and decorated. And after all that fretting, the boy has barely touched it. I think he's forgotten it's even there.

Finley, on the other hand, has been decorating and redecorating the tree and making little forts under it. I'll be keeping an eye on her!

Merry Christmas!

Solstice Candlelight Walk on the Snohomish River Trail December 22nd

Yoga Circle Studio is hosting the 6th annual Solstice Candlelight Walk along the Snohomish River Trail. Bring your family and friends and take a stroll down the luminary lined trail.

Details ---
Where: Along the downtown Riverfront Trail in Snohomish, WA
When: Thursday, December 22nd 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Info: Here

Cedarcrest Golf Course Holiday Tour of Lights

Here's another holiday light display to check out with your family. It's the Holiday Tour of Lights held at Cedarcrest Golf Course every night from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (no show on December 24th). Hop on an authentic hayride or board the rotary train and take a ride through the "Tour of Lights", enjoy free activities, a bonfire, holiday music and holiday specials at their restaurant.

There is a suggested donation of $3/child, $5/adult or $20/family.

Details ---
Where: Cedarcrest Golf Course (6810 84th St NE Marysville, WA)
When: Now through December 30th 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. (no show on December 24th)
Cost: Suggested donation of $3/child, $5/adult or $20/family
More Info: Call (360) 363-8400 for more information or check out the program flyer

Imagine Children's Museum: Polar City Party December 19th

Imagine Children's Museum is hosting three different North Pole Parties this holiday season. The last in their series will be a Polar City party held on Monday, December 19th. Your kids can enjoy carpet skating in a winter wonderland skating rink, make a polar ornament, create designer gift tags, and listen to story time. Both Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance.

The party starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. but the museum will be open for their normal hours.

Details ---
Where: Imagine Children's Museum (1502 Wall Street Everett, WA)
When: Monday, December 19th 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission
More Info: Here

Holiday Crafts at Everett Public Library December 15th

The Everett Public Library is holding a free holiday crafts session for families December 15th from 3 - 5 p.m. Come make holiday decorations, ornaments and cards. All supplies are provided for free.

Details ---
Where: Everett Public Library (2702 Hoyt Avenue Everett, WA)
When: Thursday, December 15th 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: Free!
More Info: Here

Northgate Community Center: Annual Gingerbread Decorating Friday December 16th

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Bring the whole family to the Northgate Community Center this Friday for their Annual Gingerbread Decorating Party! Build your sugary dream house complete with gumdrop rooftops and peppermint paths.  There is a $5 fee per family.

Details ---
Where: Northgate Community Center (10510 5th Ave NE Seattle, WA)
When: Friday, December 16th 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Cost: $5/family
More Info: Here

Salt Dough Ornaments

I think pretty much every preschooler makes these salt dough ornaments at some point. They are super cheap, super easy and super cute!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 3/4 - 1 cup warm water

Mix together the flour and salt. Then mix in the oil and water until the dough has the consistency of pie crust. Or if you're like me and you don't know what homemade pie crust is supposed to look like, just make sure it's not sopping wet or super dry. You really can't go wrong with this.

I made a half-batch of the dough and we ended up with about 10 ornaments.

Start by rolling out the dough on a floured surface.

Then use cookie cutters to cut out the shapes. Be sure to make a hole in the top for the ribbon. A straw or a meat thermometer works well.

Bake them for about 2 hours at 250 degrees. My oven is a little wonky so your times might be different. Just keep checking them and take them out when they are hard.

Once they've cooled, break out the paint, stickers and any other sparkly things and start decorating. We stuck to Crayola washable paint because of this...

I caught him painting his toes, too. Silly boy!

Finley was very serious about her art, as usual.

I think the kids did a great job! Though I'm not sure where we're going to put all these since we still don't have a tree. I think we'll have to do something about that this week.

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Lacing Cards

In an attempt to save money this Christmas (and keep the constant toy clutter off my floors), I'm trying to make a few activity-type gifts for Finley. I had big aspirations of making busy bags, craft activities and more. But so far I've made this and.... yeah, that's all. Woopsie! Time to get a move on!

One thing I've been wanting to get for Finley is lacing cards. You can buy these cute eeBoo ones or these from Melissa & Doug. But I figured that I could make some pretty easily myself. And now that I got my hands on a shiny HeatSeal H300 Laminator, there are no more excuses!

I started by printing out some images. I found this site that has some cute images. You can do a search for clipart and pretty much use whatever you want. I printed the images on cardstock which was probably a mistake. The laminator didn't seal those ones very well (a cute, little turtle met his laminating demise this way). I recommend sticking with regular printer paper (or read the manual before starting).

I also had some cut-outs that I picked up from Target when they were on clearance. These were thinner and worked much better.

If you don't have a laminator, you can take your things to an office supply store or Lakeshore Learning to do your laminating. I'm not sure of the cost at an office store, but I think it's about $0.29/sheet at Lakeshore Learning. Or if you want to make it really easy, you can make some out of foam squares and skip the laminating altogether.

After the laminating was done, I just cut out the shapes and used a hole punch around the edges. I found the laces at Joann's. But shoelaces from Target or Fred Meyer would work just as well.

I think Finley will love this lacing card gift and I will love the 10 minutes of free time I'll get while she's playing with it!

One gift down, many more to go! I'm starting to feel inspired. Hopefully I'll get a few more of these projects done before the 25th!

Easy Painted Christmas Decorations

We've kind of been slackers with the Christmas decorations this year. Part laziness, part fear of what the boy will destroy. We're still trying to decide what we'll do about a Christmas tree this year. Anyone have any experience with a very adventurous 18-month-old boy and a tree? I'm kind of afraid he'll pull an ELF stunt and jump on it from the couch!

Back to the decorations... After Finley and I decorated the living room last weekend, she really wanted some decorations in her room. So we decided to make some. (I'm pretty sure Grady can't break paper, though he will try.)

I got out some big pieces of paper and traced some shapes on them (actually, Daniel did this one because my trees just weren't looking like trees). Then the kids had some fun painting.

 

Grady had fun eating the paint, as usual.

After the paintings dried, I cut out the shapes and hung them in the kids' room. I think she likes them!

Christmas Ship Visit at Richmond Beach

It's a tradition at Richmond Beach! Listen to festive songs performed by local school choirs and enjoy refreshments as you warm yourself by the fires and wait for the Argosy Christmas Ship to arrive.

Details ---
Where: Richmond Beach Saltwater Park (2021 NW 190th St)
When: Tuesday, December 13th 7:30 p.m. - 8:40 p.m.
Cost: Free!
More Info: Here

Holiday Happenings December 9th, 10th, 11th

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There are lots of fun and free or nearly-free holiday events this weekend. Here's the scoop!

Friday, December 9th
Molbak's: Free Danish Kringle & Hot Beverages
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach
5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Garden d'Lights at Bellevue Botanical Gardens
5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Snowflake Lane
7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 10th
Breakfast with Santa
9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Lowe's Build & Grow: Coal Car
10 a.m.

Holiday Concert with Nancy Stewart
11 a.m.

Lakeshore Learning: Jolly Snowman
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Molbak's: Snapshots with Santa
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Molbak's: Free Danish Kringle & Hot Beverages
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Imagine Children's Museum: Gingerbread Village Party
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Get Crafty Saturdays at Bellevue Arts Museum: Gingerbread Architecture
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach
5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Garden d'Lights at Bellevue Botanical Gardens
5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Snowflake Lane
7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 11th
Molbak's: Snapshots with Santa
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Molbak's: Free Danish Kringle & Hot Beverages
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Imagine Children's Museum: Gingerbread Village Party
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Bellevue Arts Museum: Jingle Bell-evued Blvd.
4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach
5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Garden d'Lights at Bellevue Botanical Gardens
5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Snowflake Lane
7:00 p.m.

Northgate Community Center: Free Holiday Concert With Nancy Stewart

Join an award-winning children's entertainer, Nancy Stewart, as she entertains kids with songs about holiday traditions around the world. The concert will be held at the Northgate Community Center at 11 a.m on Saturday, December 11th and is completely FREE! The concert is 45 minutes to an hour long and is best for kids age 4 through 12.

This concert is part of a series presented by the Haller Lakes Art Council, the Northgate Community Center Advisory Board and the Northgate Community Center. There are many more free concerts in the coming months and I'll be sure to keep you posted on them!

Details ---
Where: Northgate Community Center (10510 5th Ave N.E. Seattle, WA)
When: Saturday, December 10th 11 a.m.
Cost: FREE!
More Info: For kids age 4 - 12. All children must be accompanied by an adult and seating is on a first come first serve basis. Check out the Haller Lakes Art Council website for more info.

Woodland Park Zoo: Winter Celebration Dec. 19th - 21st and 26th - 28th

If you're wondering what to do with your kids during the holiday break or where to take your out-of-town guests, head to the Woodland Park Zoo Winter Celebration and watch the animals enjoy some yummy holiday-themed treats. The animals will be treated to wreaths with assorted fruits and evergreen trees. The Winter Celebration will be held December 19th - 21st and 26th - 28th from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The celebration is free with admission or membership. Tickets are $11.50/adult, $8.50/child (3 - 12 years), and free for kids 2 and under.

The last time I went to the zoo, my friends and I made it onto Google Maps Street View. Here's another shot of Grady and me. How cool is that?

Details ---
Where: Woodland Park Zoo
When: December 19th, 20th, 21st, 26th, 27th and 28th 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission or membership
More Info: Check out the Woodland Park Zoo website for more information and the schedule of events

Breakfast With Santa on Saturday December 10th

Source

Shoreline Senior Center is hosting a Breakfast with Santa this Saturday. There will be activities for the kids, story time, songs, and a chance to meet Santa and take photos.

There are two seating times -- 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for kids. Call (206) 801-2600 for more information or to register.

Details ---
Where: Shoreline Senior Center (18560 1st Ave NE Seattle, WA)
When: Saturday, December 10th 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Cost: $8/adult and $5/child
More Info: Call (206) 801-2600 or visit the City of Shoreline website

Letter to Santa

I'm so excited that Finley is a little bit older and we can start some Christmas traditions. I'm starting to feel the pressure though - only 16 days until Christmas! Time to get going on all the Christmas crafts and activities! Today we started by writing a letter to Santa.

Because I'm not the most creative person in the world, my first stop was Pinterest to find a cute printable to use. I loved this one from Style Me Gorgeous. I like it because it is part coloring page and it doesn't have very many fill in the blanks. Finley is only 3 so her writing skills are still in progress!

I wrote out the words on another sheet of paper so she could just copy them on her letter. Her "book" kind of looks like "boot" but she's actually getting a book and a pair boots from Santa so that's no big deal. I think she did a pretty good job and Santa is going to love his colorful letter!

Just Okay: Santa Story Time at Redmond Town Center

I've been trying to find my Christmas spirit so I took my kids to Redmond Town Center this week for Story Time with Santa. I called beforehand to make sure it wasn't an outside activity since it's an outdoor mall (brrrr!). They told me it was inside Santa's house so it shouldn't be too cold.

When we got there, there were lots of other moms and dads waiting with their kids and one tiny, little Santa house. (Santa's not livin' large this year!) They opened doors around 11 and we all parked our strollers outside and tried to cram in. I think there were probably over 25 kids and parents in a pretty small space. Santa read two stories and then gave candy canes to all the kids.

Play, Stay Away or Just Okay
This was the first Santa story time I've been to, so I don't know for sure if there are better ones out there. But this one was Just Okay. The space was super small, though it could have been extra busy on the day we went. And Santa may have been photogenic, but he certainly wasn't the most animated storyteller I've ever heard.

If you're at Redmond Town Center on a Tuesday or a Thursday at 11, I would definitely stop by and listen to the stories and get a candy cane (this was probably the best part for my kids!). But if you live 20 - 30 minutes away like I do, I wouldn't make a special trip for it.

IKEA: Play Kitchen only $119 (Save $19)

If you're thinking of getting your kids a play kitchen for Christmas, here is a great deal on the DUKTIG mini-kitchen from IKEA. The kitchen usually sells for $138, but when you sign up for the IKEA FAMILY program you'll receive a special Member's Only price on this item - only $119. That is a pretty good price for a wooden kitchen. The price is good until 12/31/2011.

Pottery Barn Kids: Grinch Story Time

Pottery Barn Kids is holding a special Grinch story time at their stores tomorrow, December 6th and December 13th at 10 a.m. Kids can listen to a special reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, take part in holiday activities and take home an exclusive Grinch activity book (while supplies last).

*** Always check with the store before heading out since schedules can change without notice.



Details ---
Where: University Village Pottery Barn Kids (4633 26th Ave. NE Seattle, WA)
When: Tuesday, December 6th and December 13th at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free!
More Info: Pottery Barn Kids website