Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in seattle, WA

When It's Too Hot to Cook.

by Bethany Dunn

August 03, 2009

On the news yesterday evening they said that Sunday was our 10th day in a row of eighty and above temperatures.

WHEW.

If your house is anything like my house, we've been trying to use the oven as little as possible. The house is already warm enough without cooking chicken for a hour at 350 degrees! We've been eating lots of sandwiches, salads, things than can be microwaved and cereal. Yes, cereal.

With ten days of cereal and sandwiches, we're ready to try some new things. Here's some ideas we'll be trying - perhaps you, too, will find something that will please your family.

Fruit salad mixed with yogurt and granola.
Tortilla's spread with cream cheese and jelly, roll up and slice into pinwheels.
Tuna veggie pita sandwich (add carrots and celery to tuna and a bit of mayo).
Take your boring salad up a notch with Chinese Coleslaw.
Apple and peanut butter sandwiches - cut the slices thin!

What's tops on your no-cook meal list?  Read more...

Simple Summer Meal: Chicken Oriental Salad.

by Bethany Dunn

July 13, 2009

Now, I make no claims that this salad is sophisticated or fancy.

It is, however, a snap to pull together and they WILL EAT IT.

It's my mother's recipe - to which I have added chicken to make it a full meal. It's also something that your preschool can help make - there is no betterRamen cruncher or sunflower seed dumper than a four year old.

Chicken Oriental Salad
1 head of cabbage
1 bunch of green onion (can omit)
1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds
1 package Top Ramen Noodles and seasonings (I prefer chicken)
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 cooked and cooled chicken breasts (or pre-cooked chicken from the grocery store)

Dice the cabbage and green onion and combine in a large bowl. Crumble the noodles and toss with salad mixture. Add sunflower seeds and do the same. Mix vinegar, oil, sugar and flavoring packet well, and then toss with salad. Refrigerate for about and hour. Add cool, diced chicken just before serving.

What your preschooler can help you with: gathering the items from the refrigerator, crumbling the noodles, pouring the seeds into the bowl, whisking the oil/vinegar mixture.

Enjoy!  Read more...

Spring Salads: It's About Time.

by Bethany Dunn

April 20, 2009

What Will You Be Doing This Weekend and Upcoming Week?

by Bethany Dunn

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!  Read more...

YUMMMMMM...Donuts!

by Bethany Dunn

January 26, 2009

Everyone deserves a treat every once in awhile. Sometimes a tough day on the playground, rough week at preschool, or shots at the doctor's office should be acknowledged with an out of the ordinary treat. And everybody likes donuts, right? What's great about hitting up your local donut shop is that everyone can pick out exactly what they want. My kids usually pick sprinkles, while I choose  Read more...

In the kitchen with your preschooler: Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower.

by Bethany Dunn

January 21, 2009

Macaroni and cheese - out of a box - is a favorite of kids everywhere. While there are worse things for them to eat - there certainly are better. This recipe is a updated and dare I say - more nutritionally sound - version of this kid favorite. I'm betting you'll like it, too. I sure do. (Recipe adapted from Cooking Light.) Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower 12 ounces while grain  Read more...

Need a dinner deal? Do I have one for you.

by Bethany Dunn

January 19, 2009

Dining out with preschoolers can be stressful enough... "Stay seated, please." "Try some of it, sweetie." "Don't hit your sister." "Can you say that again, this time without shouting?" "DON'T SPILL!!!!" And? For the all that fun, you are stuck with with (often HIGH) bill to pay, and feel like was the effort worth it? Well, I may not be able to help with the staying  Read more...

Going stir crazy? How to avoid.

by Bethany Dunn

December 22, 2008

Schools closing for three days last week may just be the death of me. Especially when we're looking down at the barrel of a two-week break. And NOW (!) the snow keeps coming. Now, I don't want it to sound like I was not looking forward to their time off from school and the upcoming holidays. However, the unexpected break, frigid temperatures and icy roads have put a damper  Read more...

Your weekend: music, books and the occasional turkey.

by Bethany Dunn

November 20, 2008

Since next weekend is Thanksgiving, you may be looking for a few low-key activities this weekend; wanting to stay close to home and mellow out before the infusion of or traveling to visit friends and family. We've got some great activities that will fit right in with those plans - and, if you're still looking for a fun, frolicking and occasionally LOUD time; we've got that, too! You can  Read more...

Recipe time: baked chicken nuggets.

by Bethany Dunn

November 06, 2008

Unless your preschooler lives under a rock, I'm pretty sure they have had a chicken nugget or two in their short life. While I, myself, have served many the frozen nugget to my children (I believe in BRUTALLY HONEST PARENTING), I was shocked to learn it was pretty darn easy to make a homemade version that's a bit healthier and, frankly, YUMMIER. Ingredients: 2 skinned and boned chicken  Read more...

Yummy Halloween treats ideas.

by Bethany Dunn

October 29, 2008

I, apparently, CANNOT STOP WRITING ABOUT HALLOWEEN. I am scared to see what Seattle Savvy will be like in December for Christmas, Hanukkah,Kwanza, New Years and just general holiday-ness . You can just picture it now: me sitting in my office dresses in a lovely Christmas/Santa Sweater, plugging away on my Savvy posts. Ah, Christmas. But, honestly, I really am not that into Halloween.  Read more...

Double "YUM" chocolate chip cookies.

by Bethany Dunn

September 22, 2008

All preschoolers enjoy coming home and being greeted by a couple of still warm chocolate chip cookies. And they will probably enjoy helping you make them even more. This is a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I have developed to perfection. I get rave reviews whenever I make them. Enjoy! Bethany's Famous Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 3/4 cup brown  Read more...

Has your name come up on the preschool snack list yet?

by Bethany Dunn

September 12, 2008

Has your name come up on the calendar to bring preschool treats yet? It's one of those preschool parent responsibilities that can instill fear in even the most experienced parent. We know that good nutrition is crucial in so many ways, and that it can be critical to learning. Your preschool snack will help your preschooler and his or her classmates feel great, have energy and improve  Read more...

Warm up with chicken noodle soup.

by Bethany Dunn

September 06, 2008

This delicious soup is perfect for lunch or dinner on a cold Seattle day. My son brought this recipe home a week ago from school in his Scholastic Parent & Child magazine. It caught my eye, because my kids love their canned chicken noodle soup and I would LOVE to be able to produce a home made replacement. I loved the idea of using a roasted chicken; which is something I could do at  Read more...

The five best ways to cool off in Seattle.

by Bethany Dunn

August 26, 2008

It's been pretty cool (and weird , apparently) here in Seattle the past few days, but the weather should be improving for the long holiday weekend. We may still have some hot and steamy days ahead of us before summer ends. And it's best to be prepared. Here's the five best ways to cool down in Seattle for you and your preschooler. Head to a spray park. Seattle is home to many  Read more...

We all scream for ice cream!

by Bethany Dunn

July 25, 2008

It's the perfect time of year to venture out as a family on a warm summer evening and enjoy a few scoops of ice cream. Lucky for all us Seattle-ites; there are many places to experience the joy that is the perfect scoop of ice cream (or gelato!). If you're into classic ice cream taste, a good choice is always Cold Stone Creamery , with locations throughout the Puget Sound. There is  Read more...

In the kitchen with Mom and Dad: Whole Grain Pasta with Asparagus and Snap Peas.

by Bethany Dunn

July 24, 2008

With the weather cooling down in Seattle (at least for a few days), it feels like the right time to get back into the kitchen, turn on the stove and cook up a family dinner together . This is a recipe I pulled from the August edition of Good Housekeeping magazine. I'm always looking for recipes that are both easy to put together with my preschooler AND something they will actually eat.  Read more...

Things you must do with your children in Seattle before they grow up, Vol. 3.

by Bethany Dunn

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...

Five ways to make the most of your three day 4th of July weekend.

by Bethany Dunn

July 03, 2008

In Seattle, it's practically tradition that it rains on the 4th of July. So, it's sort of unprecedented that it will be somewhat sunny for the holiday for two, count it TWO, years in a row. Since you won't be stuck in the house with the kids all weekend, here's the best of Seattle area activities to get you moving. Enjoy Seattle at the WaMu Family Fourth . You'll find family activities  Read more...

Campstaycation (or now I'm just making words up).

by Bethany Dunn

June 18, 2008

I can't say for sure if I've ever been camping. Perhaps a night or two in a tent somewhere, but no actual rent a spot at a national park camping. My husband, however, has many fond memories of camping with friends and family and I'm sure that I will soon be able to say with certainty that I have, in fact, been camping. Children have a way of pushing us out of our comfort zone if we think  Read more...

I'll take cupcakes for $100, Alex.

by Bethany Dunn

June 03, 2008

My kids were both born in the month of May; two years and eleven days apart. That not that remarkable, except that I also had exactly the same due date with each one. So far, they have suffered no ill will towards each other because of this AND we have gotten away with holding just one birthday party each year (SCORE!). However, because I am a crazy lady; I always try to kill myself with the  Read more...