Libraries
How to Stay Cool When Seattle Warms Up.
June 05, 2009
The 90 degree weather earlier this week may have been good, IN THEORY, in practice it gave me hot and sweaty and occasionally crabby kids. The National Weather Service is warning us that the seasonal outlook for our region will likely bring us less than normal precipitation and higher than normal temperatures.
Not many of us have air conditioning in the Seattle area (if you are one of them, HELLO! May I bring my two kids over to play? I make delicious cookies!), so when the weather heats up for days on end, we need to get creative to stay cool.
So, what to do when things heat up?
Play find the AC. Our area's local children's museums are all great places to stay cool. It might also be a great time to go to your local theater to see the movie the kids have been begging to see (I think my family is the last in the world to see Up!), hit up the mall and it's play area or enjoy a meal out. Or go to the library and instead of just checking out books; stay awhile and read through a stack together. Just a few hours of cooling down may make all the difference.
Stay home, but play it cool. Work together to make homemade popsicles or fudgesicles. Fill a store-bought spray bottles with water and ice and spritz each other on your deck. Make your own ice cream.
Head out to the spray parks. A ton of our local parks have spray pads and wading pools, where your preschooler can enjoy cooling themselves down (and tiring themselves out), while you sit in the shade, sipping an iced tea. In Seattle, just search here by park feature (be aware, several of Seattle's wading pools are closed this summer, until they can be retrofitted with a federally mandated draining system). On theeastside, Bellevue just opened their new spray pad at Crossroads Park. Metro Parks Tacoma has five sites ready to cool you down. And in Snohomish County, you may run into me and my family at the Willis Tucker spray pad. FUN.
But most of all, know that the heat wave will soon be over - as we never get many days of heat in a row in Seattle! And if you are outside playing (in the sun or shade) for any period of time, keep your kids slathered in sunscreen and keep them well hydrated.
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The Public LIbrary: What All Does It Have To Offer?
May 12, 2009
There are only six weeks left of school for my kindergartner, and the end of the year paper work has begun to make its appearance in his backpack. A recent letter home from the principal listed summer information and resources. What jumped off the page to me was that, on average, children loose two grades in terms of their reading skills during the summer.. Which essentially means that my reading-at-an-almost-second-grade-level kindergartner would soon be reading as a (GASP) kindergartner.
We can't let that happen - so I see lots of trips to our library in our future to keep up interest in reading. And since we're used to simply using thelibrary to check out books, I figured we might need to take our library usage to the "next level" to ensure no loss (and, dare I say, INCREASE?) in skill level.
Summer reading challenges. Keep up your reading this summer by participating in one of the many summer reading challenges available at our local libraries.
Librarian approved web-links. The internet is so vast - so let the experts guide you in the right direction.
Story times. The value of reading to children is clear, but sometimes it's nice to have someone else do it for you! Check out your local branch's story times - it's a great way to meet new friends and expand your author knowledge.
Online resources. Looking for a hard to find book? Want to ensure a book will be available at your library branch? Most library systems allow you to reserve and hold books. This is a resource I use all the time - my kids and I enjoy searching online for books together. It's a great option for weeks that we have trouble making it to the library. I can just stop quickly in to pick up the books and my kids still get the books they want.
Ask a librarian! Got a preschooler who is interested in bugs? Your local librarian can help you navigate the racks of books to zero in on the best bug books to mesmerize your child - and maybe you, too.
So next time you head out to the library, remember there is more to the library then books. Well, it's mostly books, but the rest is pretty cool, too.
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No April Fools Here!
April 02, 2009
It's sort of tradition to have cruddy weather during Spring Break in Seattle; and this week has been no exception. My son and I traveled to Idaho to visit family and were greeted by five fresh inches of snow once we arrived. On Wednesday, we ventured back over the snowy Cascade Mountains and were greeted by snow falling in the greater Seattle area.
Ah, April Fool's Day. But, no, REALLY, it happened.
Welcome to Spring in Seattle.
The weather may not be cooperating, but there is still plenty to do now that Spring has sprung (at least on the calendar).
Have a love of alpacas? Head over to the Puyallup Fair Grounds for ALPACAPALOOZA! This free event will feature live alpacas in competitions, demonstrations and more. All day Saturday and Sunday.
It's April - which means it's time for the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Other than all the gorgeous tulips to view, there are a lot of family friendly events and activities to enjoy.
Have a Tuesday music break at the Mercer Island Public Library for Songfest! Your preschooler can dance and sing away their morning energy with performer Patrick Doherty.
And, don't forget, Whirligig at Seattle Center runs through April 12!
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What Will You Be Doing This Weekend and Upcoming Week?
March 19, 2009
Starting when I was five, I played years and year and years AND YEARS of Little League. Well, thirteen years to be exact. I considered the experiences I had as some as my favorites from my youth. I waited years and years AND YEARS to have kids of my very own who could play Little League, too, and have just as much fun as I had.
That year has finally come.
My son is now in tee-ball and this weekend is the annual pancake breakfast and JAMBOREE. So, I know what WE will be doing this weekend - but what will you be up to?
It's Baby Loves Disco weekend! On Saturday head down to Heaven in Pioneer Square and boogie on down!
Do you have a rock lover in your house (and not the musical kind)? Then they may enjoy the Rock and Gem Show at the Lake City Community Center held this Saturday and Sunday. It's free!
And next week brings lots of fun activities as well.
This Monday is Ivar's Flounders Day, where you can enjoy a choice of entrees for $1.04 (with the purchase of any regular prices entree)! My kids love the clam strips. Lunch? CHECK.
On Tuesday you can enjoy Nancy Stewart at the Burien Public Library as she performs her Mother Goose on the Loose show. Be prepared to sing along!
Have a great week!
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Concert Review: Juggletunes with Linda Severt.
January 27, 2009
I don't just write this Seattle Savvy blog: I LIVE IT, too. Other than bringing the best of the fun activities and insights to you, the parents of Puget Sound preschoolers, I can figure out what will fill the days of OUR life. Because goodness knows there are lots of hours that fill those days. And naps only take up so many of them. So last Saturday, my kids and I headed to the Shoreline Read more...
Weekend Fun: George, Movies, Puppets and MORE.
January 22, 2009
Since the inauguration is over, we may go back to our regularly scheduled programming. Lucky for us, that means a weekend of fun, family events. What will make your short-list? Juggletunes by Linda Severt comes to the Shoreline Library. It is just what it sounds like - circus arts (juggle) and music (tunes). Rumor has it there will be puppets, too! (Saturday only.) Northwest Film Forum Read more...
What to do on MLK, Jr Day in Seattle.
January 16, 2009
With the off from school and (hopefully) work, you may be looking for something to do on Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday. While a day off is a lovely time to spend with our family, let's not forget the reason behind it. The Martin Luther King, Jr Day is only the third federal holiday that commemorates a singular person. We celebrate it each year on the third Monday of January Read more...
Wintery weekend plans.
December 18, 2008
The last weekend before Christmas is usually spend hustling and bustling around with last minutes tasks, gift buying and family events. There is much to do for your family around town, so don't forget to have some fun celebrating together. Want to check out the home light displays in your neighborhood? Then visit Komo News' Pool's Parade of Lights website to view the spectacular light Read more...
Concert review: Nancy Stewart's Hello House!
November 19, 2008
I took my own advice last weekend and packed the kids up and headed to the Woodinville Public Library to enjoy the musical musings of Nancy Stewart . Nancy was provided funding by the King County Library System and Puget Sound Energy Foundation to develop a program addressing home energy conservation and emergency preparedness for the toddler and Read more...
Five great Seattle story times.
November 11, 2008
I'm sure you've heard it before, but I'll say it again. Reading is fundamental. Reading to your child is one of the easiest and best ways to help them get excited about language and learning. Compelling research tells us that reading aloud to our children (even from birth!) is the single most important activity that we as parents can do to ensure future academic success. And the benefits Read more...
Perfect activities for a sunny Seattle fall weekend.
October 09, 2008
Now I realize this weekend you'll be busy with fun Halloween crafts , but there are tons of fun family activities taking place all over the greater Puget Sound this weekend. It is the season of the farm harvest, and I'll do a review of all the location farms on Friday, but what else is scheduled for this upcoming beautiful, sunny fall weekend? The Kelsey Read more...
Things you must do with your children in Seattle before they grow up: Volume 7.
September 19, 2008
With all the excitement of the start of a new school year, it has been about three weeks since I've shared five more items from my list of 100 things to do with your children in Seattle before they grow up. I know how much you've missed it and have looked forward to checking more of these items off your list. You fire up your laptop each morning over coffee; hoping and praying that TODAY Read more...
What will you be doing this weekend? Here's your guide!
August 07, 2008
The summer weekends keep rolling ahead - one of the great things about living in the great Pacific Northwest is that summer (while late to start) really keeps going deep into August and September. And, lucky for us, that means many more weekends filled with fun summer activities. Here's your weekend guide. Picky eaters? Head to the Taste of Edmonds , where there is sure to be something to Read more...
Things you must do with your children in Seattle before they grow up, Vol. 3.
July 14, 2008
Our journey to develop a list of the 100 things you must do with your children in Seattle before they grow up continues here with 11-15. In volumes 1 and 2 , we covered everything from the Fremont Troll to the Daffodil Parade. What fun will greet you in this edition? Take a look: 11. See a Mariner's game first hand. They might not be in the run for the pennant this year, but Safeco Field has Read more...
Keeping sane on HOT Seattle days.
June 30, 2008
I know we have (well, at least I have) all been complaining that summer was slow to arrive; but honestly, this past weekend was a bit too warm for me. Once the thermometer hits 88 degrees or so, it goes past warm and enjoyable, and moves straight to hot and sticky. So, what to do when summer hits us hard? Stay home, but play it cool. Work together to make homemade popsicles or fudgesicles Read more...
Read your way through summer.
June 13, 2008
Have you heard about the phenomenon known as "summer learning loss"? Research compiled at the John Hopkins University's Center for Summer Learning (yes, there is such a place) has shown a clear correlation between a summer school break and a measurable loss of acquired skills and knowledge. Well, that's not great. As I've shared , reading is fundamental to lifelong learning. It's also Read more...
Story time at the library: why you should let someone else read to your child.
May 21, 2008
One of the best and easiest ways to help your children get excited about language and learning is to read to them. Additionally, research has shown that reading aloud to your children is the single most important thing we can do to ensure future academic success. By reading books together, we are bonding with our children, expanding their vocabulary, helping them develop listening skills Read more...
The littlest Picasso: introducing fine art to your young children
May 15, 2008
When your children's art projects consist of finger paints and macaroni noodles, you may think they are too young to appreciate "real" art. But, actually, 2-4 years of age is a perfect time to do so. Even if you don't know anything about art (me!), you can help expand you and your children's knowledge at the same time. Visit your local library and check out children's art books . Some Read more...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in seattle
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
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