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Seattle’sChild
September 2017 // Issue 456
“Seattle is my town. I know this city inside and out… or so I thought until I had kids.”
Seattle’s Child is your guide to getting to know your city all over again. Finding things to do, places to eat, and how to get around — it’s a whole new ballgame with kids in tow. We’re interested in how parents make homes in a space-challenged urban environment, how families create community, and what parents are talking about. Seattle’s Child reflects real Puget Sound families and their broad range of parenting experiences.
ANN BERGMAN Publisher, Founder abergman@seattleschild.com
BOO DAVIS Art Director bdavis@seattleschild.com
BECCA BERGMAN BULL Executive Editor bbull@seattleschild.com
NICOLE SANTORA Calendar Editor calendar@seattleschild.com
MIKE MAHONEY Copy Editor
JEFF LEE, MD, BECCA BERGMAN BULL Columnists
JO EIKE, REBECCA MONGRAIN, ANDIE POWERS, NAOMI TOMKY Contributing Editors
KATHERINE HEDLAND HANSEN, NIKI READING Contributing Writers AMY CADWELL Publisher’s Assistant ADVERTISING
KIM LOVE Ad Production Manager klove@seattleschild.com
MELIA WILKINSON Senior Sales Account Manager mwilkinson@seattleschild.com 774-253-2219
STEPHANIE KONAT Sales Account Manager skonat@seattleschild.com 425-770-4768
School Psychology
We prepare future school psychologists in mental health, child development, school organization, learning, behavior and motivation in order to provide thoughtful and positive solutions so that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment.
School Counseling
Our school counselors are trained as multiculturally competent and skilled social change agents, achievement advocates, and educational leaders who address issues of equity to help youth reach their educational, career and personal potential.
Learn more about these Seattle University graduate programs in the College of Education:
Attend an upcoming information session or open house Visit www.seattleu.edu/education/graduate-degrees Apply now for 2018
www.seattleu.edu/education 206.296.5760 coeadmissions@seattleu.edu
GET OUT! Find September outings for your family with our complete online calendar of events. It’s mobile-friendly, constantly updated, and searchable by location, age, cost and more » seattleschild.com
BY KATHERINE HEDLAND HANSEN
q
»What Parents Are Talking About
Healthy competition
YOUTH SPORTS OFFER KIDS MANY BENEFITS, BUT PARENTS SHOULD ASK: HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH, AND IS IT FUN?
My son spent the summer juggling swim meets, tennis matches and his All-Star baseball team, which made it to the state tournament. He is only 10.
He loves it, but as his mom, I wonder: Is this crazy? How can I help him manage his perfectionist personality and the pressure he puts on himself and gets from
coaches? And how do I help him remember it’s all supposed to be fun?
Participating in youth sports offers great benefits: learning to be part of a team, getting regular exercise, making friends, gaining confidence, instilling discipline and working on sportsmanship, including how to lose.
Yet research shows that 70 percent of kids drop out of sports by age 13, for reasons that include pressure to perform, time constraints, and the fact they stop
Hawke Hansen spent the summer jugging swim meets, tennis matches and baseball games.
enjoying it. This seems exactly the age where the benefits of sports could prove more crucial than ever. So how do we as parents help set up our kids to enjoy athletic activity, in whatever form, for the long haul?
Here, three local experts weigh in.
When and why should they start — and stop?
There’s no reason preschoolers can’t play soccer or T-ball, as long as parents are signing them up for the right reasons, says Dr. Celeste Quitiquit, a pediatrician who specializes in sports medicine at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
“The biggest thing is to emphasize play and experimentation, not competing or getting ahead in a skill,” she said. Instead of asking what the score was, instead ask: “Did you have fun?”
Kaitlyn Carey, who counsels athletes of all ages at Pacific Northwest Sport & Performance Psychology, says that by kindergarten and first grade, team sports can help kids socialize and learn to work together.
She encourages parents to talk with their kids about the commitment a sport requires ahead of time. If kids want to quit, parents can refer to that conversation and encourage them to fulfill that commitment before giving up.
“There are some kids you need to push or they just aren’t going to do it,” Quitiquit said.
Others may be so unhappy, parents might decide to wait until they’re older or try something different, and that’s okay too.
And kids, like my son, who want to do it all, need some downtime. Quitiquit says there is evidence that kids whose structured sports time (not counting recess or playing outside) exceeds more hours per week than his or her age are more prone to injuries and burnout. Even the most die-hard young athletes need at least one day off a week, and a break of one to three months, she says.
Longtime coach John O’Sullivan, who founded the Changing the Game Project to make youth sports a more positive experience, says the most important thing is to ensure young children have a “multi-movement childhood” in which they move different parts of their bodies. This can take many forms, from team sports to tumbling, karate or parkour.
Remember, it’s about the kids
Ask yourself: What’s my intent for signing them up? Is it because
What Parents Are Talking About
you think you’re preparing them for a college scholarship before they’re in elementary school, or because you want them to be active and enjoy themselves?
“It’s better to see sports as a developmental opportunity rather than winning at all costs,” Carey says. “Some parents find their own worth in a child’s ability to excel in sports. See the bigger picture of what sports can offer.”
Many of her young patients say pressure from parents is what makes them want to quit, and research backs that up. Parents must also understand it’s okay for their children to lose and make sure they know that.
“It’s often one of our first experiences in loss and grief and things not going our way,” she says.
O’Sullivan says today’s competitive youth sports environment has taken a lot of the enjoyment out of athletics for children, and he aims to change that.
“The kids have to own it,” he says. “They need to play on their own terms, not because of your dreams for what they could be.”
Realize that youth sports teach lifelong lessons
Whether your children are too hard on themselves or want to give up too easily, you can help them find value in sports without setting them or you up for disappointment. Ask questions like: What are you enjoying about your team? What makes it hard for you?
Quitiquit says parents can help kids set honest expectations and realistically define their roles on a team. Remind them that even the greatest major league baseball players strike out. And if your child isn’t the top scorer or greatest defender, maybe they are excellent morale boosters, or just enjoy running.
Indeed, if both you and your kids can hone the right attitude, youth sports can be rewarding in the long run. “Sports teach kids mental toughness, how to handle someone being critical of them, learning to push through something that’s hard, and not to give up on things right away,” Quitiquit says. “They learn to rally teammates when they’re down, and to respect other people. Those are huge life skills.”
DadNextDoor
by Jeff Lee, MD
For the asking
Research shows that children in families who routinely have dinner together do better than those who don’t. They get better grades, do fewer drugs, and are less likely to have an unplanned pregnancy — or go to jail. That’s great, but it isn’t really what you’d call an action plan. Once you get everyone’s butt in a chair, and you put dinner on the table, then what?
I suppose if you’re Irish, you can sit around telling beguiling stories in lyrical accents, passing them down from one generation to the next. I’m Chinese — we didn’t do that. My brothers and I dove for the food as soon as my parents shoved it in front of us, and we didn’t come up for air until the last scraps were devoured. Conversation wasn’t a prominent feature of our dinner table.
I’m guessing that many of us had parents like mine, who weren’t really interested in what we were doing unless it was something we weren’t supposed to do. That’s why we’re so determined to act differently with our own kids. We want to be the involved, engaged, enmeshed (oops, strike that) parents that we never had. So naturally, when we sit down to dinner, we ask them questions.
Sometimes they’re open-ended, as in: “How was school today?” (Popular answers: “Okay.” “Same as always.” “It’s Saturday.”) Other times, they’re meant to guide and motivate: “Did you do your homework yet?” (“Yup.” “It’s not due.” “It’s summer.”) And sometimes, we try to spark meaningful discussion: “What do they teach you in that sex ed class, anyway?” (“Nothing.” “What do you think?” “Eeeuuuwww!”)
The problem is that we tend to ask questions that interest us. What we should be doing is figuring out what questions interest them.
There’s a family I know who have done exactly that. And rather than the parents always interrogating the kids, they share
the asking and the answering equally. Whenever they sit down to dinner, the first three questions are always the same, and everyone takes them on. Gradually, those questions have affected not only their dinner conversations, but the way they look at their lives. Let’s consider them one at a time:
“When were you brave today?” Like David Copperfield, each of us wonders whether or not we will turn out to be the hero of our own story, and every day we write that story anew. By retelling these small moments of persistence in the face of uncertainty and fear, we reinforce our own grit. That gives us the confidence to do it again. Courage is a muscle: it gets stronger if you use it every day.
The problem is that we tend to ask questions that interest us. What we should be doing is figuring out what questions interest them.
“When were you kind today?” Too often, we treat kindness as a personality trait. We say that one person is kind, and another is not, as if each received a finite ration of kindness at birth. But the truth is, every one of us has the capacity for both kindness and cruelty, and ultimately both are measured in acts, not temperament. If we want a kinder world, then we should shine a light on each other’s acts of kindness whenever we can.
DadNextDoor
“When did you make a mistake?” We love our kids’ success. Sometimes we crave it like a drug — as if it could heal the wounds of our own failures. It can’t. And the more we focus on success, the more we send the message that that is what we value in our kids, and in ourselves. If you really want to succeed, you have to overcome the fear of failure, and the only way to do that is to fail: early, often, and sometimes spectacularly. If you learn to get up afterward and dust yourself off, and use your failure as the launching pad for
your next attempt, you’ll go much further than if you hide your mistakes in shame. Notice that all of these questions work just as well for adults as for kids. Children pay more attention to what we do than what we say. If we can model courage, kindness and resilience for them, they’ll learn more from us than if we just encourage these traits. And often, it will be their stories that end up inspiring and teaching us. In the end, the spirit in which we ask these questions is more important than the questions themselves. People thrive in
the light of curiosity, like plants beneath the sun, and the leaves that get that light are the ones that grow. We can shine it wherever we want. “What filled you with wonder today?” “What surprised you?” “When were you happy, or angry, or sad?” If nothing else, it forces us to decide what’s important — important enough to examine closely and carefully. Important enough to share.
Jeff Lee makes his daughters say “Eeeuuuwww!” on a regular basis in Seattle.
Right under your nose!
GET IN ON HUSKY FALL SPORTS
Sometimes it seems Seattle goes a little footballcrazy come fall, but pad-laden, gridiron warriors aren’t the only athletes taking the field. The University of Washington boasts highly competitive teams in a variety of fall sports — men’s and women’s soccer, cross country and golf, as well as women’s volleyball — and the games are more accessible and affordable for families looking to give kids a taste of high-level sports. An added bonus? The athletes love their young fans and will always pause for a photo or autograph. 3 Learn more at gohuskies.com
»Romp
Reality is virtual, fun is real
With dark décor and booth-lined walls, Ballard’s new Portal Virtual Reality Arcade looks more like a nightclub than a place kids might want to play. But that first impression doesn’t last: the immersive experiences on offer are meant to appeal to all ages — kids just have to be big enough to
wear the headsets and use the handsets (owner Tim Harader says that’s usually around age 8). From there, kids can explore new worlds, slay fruit or battle their friends in VR dodgeball. Some games, like VR Fruit Ninja, are especially suited to younger kids because they don’t CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
BEST LIBRARIES FOR DOING HOMEWORK
1
Burien Library
Spread out and study
King County Library’s sprawling Burien branch is 32,000 square feet, so there’s plenty of room to find one’s own space, such as at the long counter in the teen section or one of the many comfy chairs. 400 SW 152nd St., Burien
2
Seattle Central Library
Bright colors, big spaces
Faye G. Allen Children’s Center offers kid-sized seating as well as a play space for younger siblings. Older kids will find spaces around the library with computers, views and (of course) the Chocolati cart for a treat. 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle
3
Beacon Hill Library
Age-specific spaces
Remodeled earlier this year, this location is one of the few libraries with study rooms, a quiet area and a collaborative work area, plus separate spaces for preschool, school-age and teen users. 2821 Beacon Ave. S, Seattle
4
Vashon Library
Comfy cabin feel
A cozy, wooded spot with big windows and wide chairs for those who like to study with a view, this small outpost offers a cabin-in-the-woods kind of feeling. 17210 Vashon Highway SW, Vashon Island
5
Broadview Branch
Help and homework haven
This branch staffs daily volunteers to help kids of all ages with homework. The building, designed to remind users of a longhouse, also has almost 40 computers and reservable small study rooms. 12755 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle 3 Visit spl.org/locations
TO DO WITH KIDS >> Romp > Chomp > Shop
BY NAOMI TOMKY
Charlotte Harader tries her hand at a virtual reality game in Ballard.
Romp
< Portal Virtual Reality CONTINUED
require pressing buttons while holding the handset. Some kids who may have played the phone version of the game before can now step into the booth and use their arms to slice flying watermelons, pineapples and blueberries.
Two of the 10 booths are designated for children, meaning that all the games are kid-friendly. But Harader says that few games at any booth are wholly inappropriate, and all booths have a few games that are good for kids — in part because the arcade has turned out to be a popular birthdayparty venue, with groups taking over the entire space.
The games change each month to keep things fresh, but always include puzzle-style games, sports, arcade and first-person shooter
(which, at least in the case of Space Pirate Trainer, aren’t necessarily un-kidfriendly). Staff help everyone get set up and start a training tutorial, and parents can see everything — what’s happening in the booth and what their kid is seeing — via screens in a lounge area in the room’s center. That also means that kids can watch each other, cheering and guiding, which keeps things exciting when it’s not their turn.
The ability to watch
SEATTLE ACADEMY
along is also good for nervous kids, who can watch their parents go first, says Harader, though most jump right in. Sometimes that literally means jumping: One of the best parts of virtual reality is that unlike traditional video games, these games keep kids up and active, making it as good a rainy-day playground alternative as it is birthday-party venue.
q From $12.95 for one or more persons splitting 15 minutes; 2601 NW Market St.; portalvr.us
Escape from Seattle!
QUAINT
CLE ELUM
Enjoy early fall colors while driving along I-90 up and over Snoqualmie Pass to reach Cle Elum, about 80 miles east of Seattle. A small town with old-timey charm, Cle Elum is also a jumping-off point for many hiking trails, parks and all manner of outdoor activities. Pick up butterhorns for breakfast at the Cle Elum Bakery (501 E 1st St.), which has (literally!) kept its brick oven hot since 1906, then procure hiking snacks (like the beef sticks) at Glondo’s Sausage Co. (216 E 1st St.). After a walk in the woods, come back to town to play in the free Historical Telephone Museum (221 E 1st St., noon-4 pm) and enjoy a rib-sticking dinner at Smokey’s Bar-B-Que (801 Milwaukee Ave.) in the old train depot. It’s possible to visit as a day trip, but those who want to overnight have several options: consider camping at Dry Creek and Salmon La Sac campgrounds, both at the north end of Cle Elum Lake, or opt for the basic but convenient Timber Lodge right in the center of town. Another option is the high-end resort Suncadia, which has golf, a spa, multiple pools and waterslides, a range of organized kid activities, and plush accommodations.
HOUSES:
PORTAL:
JOSHUA HUSTON, CLE ELUM: WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
MEAL-PLANNING MAVEN
Weeknight Society, created by Seattle mom Alexandra Hedin, is a new recipe planning app that helps busy parents answer the dreaded question “What’s for dinner?” Subscribers can access new menus each week, complete with step-by-step photography and downloadable (and shareable) grocery lists. The app is fully customizable to match your family’s preferences, whether you’re gluten-free, nut-free, or vegetarian. Hedin cooks each recipe at home to guarantee they are delicious, user-friendly and kid-approved. Most recipes can be cooked in half an hour or less, and all feature seasonal ingredients. $3.99/month 3 weeknightsociety.com
MANGIAMO!
This September, the Seattle Center says buongiorno to the 30th annual Festa Italiana. Since 1988, this event has celebrated the culture of Italy and ItalianAmericans in the Pacific Northwest through food, arts, and entertainment. Celebrity chef and cookbook author Rossella Rago will host an array of chefs from Seattle’s best Italian restaurants as they answer questions and give cooking
EATING WITH KIDS
demonstrations. Kids (and grown-ups) will love the puppy parades each day at 12:15 and 2:15, and the grape stomping competition is not to be missed. If you’ve not filled up on the many food samples, local vendors will be offering pizza, pasta, salumi and meatballs. Be sure to end the day with gelato for a perfect September staycation. Buon appetito! Free; Sept. 23 & 24, 10 am-7 pm, Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St. 3 festaseattle.com
q BY JO EIKE
»Chomp
Dinner, reinvented
We all know the importance of family dinners. But especially with school starting up again, time is short. Enter meal-kit delivery services. These kits, which started with Blue Apron in 2012, usually operate on a subscription model and contain everything you need to make a chosen number of meals, from proteins to produce to pantry items. Experienced cooks might find the
exact instructions and pre-measured ingredients a bit stifling, and the excessive packaging is certainly less than ideal for the environment. But as an alternative to fast food or frozen meals, or just as a break from meal planning and grocery shopping, these kits provide a relatively easy way to get a balanced, home-cooked meal on the table. My family of five tested eight of the major CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
> Romp >> Chomp > Shop
The Eike family tried out eight of the most popular meal-kit delivery services.
< Dinner, reinvented CONTINUED
services, comparing everything from packaging and ingredients to recipes and the final product. Here are our three favorites:
Martha & Marley Spoon, the industry’s newest darling, combines top-notch fare with Martha Stewart’s trusted recipes and cooking know-how. The newly expanded family plan includes 10 tasty kid-friendly options to choose from each week. Their portions are generous, and they source high-quality ingredients, including ones from small local producers. Plus, a new partnership with Amazon means that in select cities, including Seattle, Amazon Fresh members can order a kit anytime, no subscription needed. Free shipping; three meals per week/$61.50 ($10.25/ plate) for two people; three meals per week/$106.80 ($8.90/plate) for four people.
Sun Basket is an allorganic plan that prides itself on offering farm-to-table fare, and offers thoughtful, healthy and delicious recipes. It partners
with local and sustainable farms, ranchers and fishermen, and meals are fully customizable with gluten-free, vegetarian and paleo plans. Recipes range from family-friendly to adventurous, and are created by an in-house chef and nutritionist. Shipping is $5.99 per week; the Family Menu plan starts at two meals per week/$79.92 ($9.99/plate) for four people.
Chef’d offers high quality food with a very customizable service — no subscription is required. It’s partnered with celebrity chefs, popular restaurants and culinary brands around the world to bring you a choice of hundreds of tasty meals. Browse by chef, ingredient, dietary restriction, or just head straight to their “family friendly” section. It even offers a “back to school” area specializing in quick and easy weeknight meals. Free shipping for orders over $40, otherwise shipping is $10. Dinners for two average around $25 to $40; dinners for four around $40 to $60.
q Read reviews of all eight services we tested at seattleschild.com
Thrive ENRICHMENT FOR THE WHOLE CHILD
BOARD MEETING
Though board games have always been a classic form of family entertainment, gaming culture has recently undergone a kind of retro geek-chic resurgence in popularity, and local eateries are taking advantage. Board game cafés offer the opportunity to gather around a game with your kids while also enjoying a tasty meal.
Meeples Games proudly calls itself West Seattle’s home for food, gaming and community. The menu incorporates many local ingredients, such as Great Harvest Bread and True North coffee. The made-fromscratch flatbread pizza is a family favorite, and there’s a wide range of sandwiches. For smaller bites, the soft pretzels are a crowd-pleaser, the hummus-and-veggie plate is a great healthy option, and you can’t go wrong with the apple slices and peanut butter. 3727 California Ave. SW, Suite 2B
Mox Boarding House, the brick-and-mortar portion of the Card Kingdom brand, now has two locations, in Ballard
and Bellevue. Its tournament rooms host daily events, and private rooms are available to rent for parties or gatherings. The menu offers a number of small plates and sandwiches, including a stellar Cuban on a Macrina roll. Full Tilt ice cream is on offer for little gamers, and there’s a wide range of craft beers for Mom and Dad. 5105 Leary Ave. NW; 13310 Bel-Red Rd., Bellevue Zulu’s Board Game Café in downtown Bothell offers plenty of snacks and sandwiches, but their burgers are the real go-to. It has a room available to rent for parties, a covered deck area, and plenty of space to just grab a game and pull up a chair. 10234 Main St., Bothell
BRUCIATO: JOSHUA HUSTON, MEEPLES GAMES FACEBOOK
Patrons of Meeples Games fuel up on good eats while playing an array of games.
Roaring Mouse
ENRICHMENT FOR THE WHOLE CHILD
COLOR THE NORTHWEST
Drawn to Color: A Pacific Northwest Coloring Book features art from more than 20 children’s book illustrators. Edited by Tacoma-based Ben Clanton (creator of Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea and Rex Wrecks It!), enjoy 64 pages of regional favorites from farmers’ markets to food carts, and UFOs to the Space Needle. $15.99 3 sasquatchbooks.com
LIVELY AND LOCALLY MADE
q BY REBECCA MONGRAIN
»Shop
INSTANT HEIRLOOMS
Wrap sweet babies up in soft, organic cotton blankets handmade by a West Seattle mother of two under the name the Prim Parlor Baby. Classic yet modern prints make these blankets immediate heirlooms and are perfect new-parent gifts. PPB also offers cloth bibs and door mufflers,
YOU’LL EVER NEED
Since its Seattle founding in 1999, Diono keeps coming out with car seats that are safer, simpler to use and more convenient in big and little ways. Its latest model is the Rainier, which offers enhanced side-impact protection and can be used for infants as small as 5 pounds all the way to forwardfacing 90-pound children, and also converts into a booster seat. $314.99 3 us.diono.com
Nature Shop is for the birds
Nestled in the neighborhood of Wedgwood is the Seattle Audubon Nature Shop, which is packed full of not only merchandise for the birding enthusiast but also the young nature lover.
The store’s large collection of child-focused products — including books, puzzles, games, stuffed animals, mini bird
feeders and decorative seed balls — provide kids with an opportunity to have fun while learning at the same time. Plus, all the proceeds from the shop directly benefit the many programs and services of Seattle Audubon, a nonprofit.
“I like to think of it as a bird- and CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
> Romp > Chomp >> Shop
Eddy Lackman enjoys the array of kid-friendly books and puzzles at Seattle Audubon Nature Shop.
HONEST STORIES
The Magic of Motherhood (Zondervan) is a collection of essays from the blog Coffee + Crumbs. Written by a team of mothers, the blog covers topics including adoption, body image, miscarriage, friendship and infertility, along with the everyday joys of parenting. Katie Blackburn of Spokane writes about acceptance: about accepting that she is just the mom her kids need and that her son has developmental delays. As with all the essays, hers encourage mothers not to feel alone with their challenges. $18.99 3 coffeeandcrumbs.net
nature-themed variety store. Where else can you find children’s books alongside high-quality birding optics?” said manager David Garcia.
The Nature Shop also hosts a monthly “Fledglings and Friends” storytime every third Wednesday at 10:30 am for ages 2 and up. Each storytime follows a different nature theme and is accompanied by a hands-on indoor or outdoor activity, led by education staff. Seattle Audubon also offers year-round programming for ages from 3 through the teen years at locations throughout the city, along with Nature Camp at Magnuson Park during the summer and family-friendly Neighborhood Bird Walks.
“Arguably the best part about coming into the Nature Shop is knowing that we are here as a resource for you,” added Garcia. The store’s friendly and knowledgeable volunteers genuinely want to help customers find the perfect bird feeder or the ideal gift for bird-loving friends.
q 8050 35th Ave. NE; seattleaudubon.org
In a perfect world, feeding our families would always entail happily consumed, home-made food. In reality, busy schedules combined with picky preferences dictate a different picture: a combo of freshly made and pre-packaged, of on-the-go and at the table. In the end, it pays to remember that the ways in which we feed our families are varied, always changing and, despite what the latest headlines or internet chatter might be telling you, good enough.
How we feed our kids At home and in the kitchen with Seattle chefs
Restaurateurs dish on their food experiences growing up and how they incorporate their kids in the kitchen now
BY
Many of my best childhood memories involve food and family: My siblings and I ate out of the garden, learned to follow recipes as soon as we could read, and dove into a 4-H cooking club.
By the time I was 7 or 8, my mom would leave for work with a cookbook open to the entrée my two older sisters and I should make for dinner. Forming raw meat into Betty Crocker’s Hawaiian meatballs while bickering over the details is a cherished memory.
With my own 5-year-old, I’ve followed the same playbook: Lots of hands-on fun with
room for low-level mishaps. Most of the time we cook together, but recently, I told her she could bake whatever she wanted while I finished some work. She made an edible cake from scratch and a forever memory. I made my deadline and got dessert.
We asked some of Seattle’s top chefs about their early experiences with cooking, and how they incorporate their own kids in the kitchen.
Brendan McGill of Hitchcock, Hitchcock Deli, Bruciato, and Café Hitchcock James Beard Awardnominee Brendan McGill didn’t learn how to cook from his parents in Fairbanks, Alaska. But fishing the Copper River and harvesting giant pumpkins from the garden did give him the kind of “essential food experiences that people really romanticize these CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
NIKI READING // PHOTOS BY JOSHUA HUSTON
Chef Brendan McGill and his two sons show off the bounty of the family’s Bainbridge Island garden.
days,” he says.
“I had this authentic agricultural understanding without being in a family where anyone was ‘gourmet cooking,’” he says. He started working in a kitchen as a teen, then moved to Washington to work in restaurants.
Now, he and his wife, Heidi, live with their two boys, ages 2 and 6, on a farm on Bainbridge Island, and run restaurants on the island and in Seattle.
He says though the restaurant industry is known for its hard-partying chefs who burn the candle at both ends, it doesn’t actually have to be that way. “The kids come to the restaurant constantly. I really strive to achieve what I call family-work-lifestyle. I make a lot of decisions based on how it will affect those three things.”
He and his wife also keep a garden with their boys. “There are so many lessons there: Planting something, stewarding it and being patient, then collecting the fruit. They can see it happen all in a few months,” he says.
He adds that food opens doors to conversations about other big topics with his kids. Recently, his oldest son expressed interest in how animals feel, which lead to discussing a vegan diet. “I said, that’s valid — if you feel like you don’t want to eat it, that’s cool. That led to talking about Buddhism,” he says.
Ericka Burke of Volunteer Park Cafe
Ericka Burke didn’t grow up eating fancy food — she remembers her dad’s tacos and spaghetti, and the recipes her mom would follow to the letter. The only cooking she remembers doing before she went to college was boxed macaroni and cheese or bagels.
“But we always had dinner together. That was our social time,” she says. In college, she and her friends began hosting dinner parties, which led to more exposure to cooking. Eventually she realized her passion for food and began working in restaurants.
In her own Capitol Hill household today, dinners with her 7-year-old son are not just social time — they’re sacred time. She puts away the technology and focuses on spending time together.
She keeps a garden with her son and teaches him how to prepare food. She’s taught him to use a knife and “he feels comfortable peeling a carrot,” she says. “I’m not completely negligent. I’m just kind of right there,” she laughs.
Like McGill’s kids, Burke’s son spends a lot of time at the Volunteer Park Cafe. Sometimes, he’ll walk up behind her while she’s taking a customer’s order and wrap his arms around her. “We’re a family restaurant!” she says.
John Sundstrom of Lark, Slab and Southpaw
John Sundstrom grew up going with his grandma to annual summer canning parties and helping her bake and make candy. But it wasn’t
All three busy chefs say they don’t always get to spend dinner at home with their families… But they each say they make it a point to connect with their kids at the meals they do share, and convey their love of food in small, authentic ways, rather than focusing on perfection or grand experiences.
until 7th-grade home-economics class that he learned what would become his first signature dish: scalloped potatoes.
“That became my middle-school specialty. It was fun to make something and share it with the whole family.” (Sundstrom’s secret ingredient? Bacon.)
For a James Beard Award-winning chef, Sundstrom keeps things simple at home in the Central District. That means connecting over
pizza and barbecue with his 13-year-old son.
“As a toddler, he’d eat seafood and raw oysters. Then he went through five to six years of fairly bland food — the usual.” Sundstrom and his wife (and co-business partner), JM Enos, didn’t fight it, and now their son is emerging as a teen with his own tastes. “He definitely knows quality difference. He’s very aware of how a really good local peach tastes versus a grocery store peach,” he says.
Give it a squeeze how we feed our kids
Baby food pouches are a healthy option on occasion — but not a substitute for real food
BY KATHERINE HEDLAND HANSEN
Parents are busier than ever, and squeezable baby food pouches have become a lifesaver for many. Experts say pouches are a wholesome option for on-the-go kids, but they offer some words of caution.
“This is definitely a huge new market,” said Kelly Morrow, a faculty member in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Bastyr University. “It would be great if most packaged food were as healthy.”
Benefits are the variety and unusual combinations of foods, from quinoa and millet to kale and spinach, found in pouches. Also, they’re portable, and kids can feed themselves with minimal mess.
ural sugar in fruit is more concentrated, pouches likely have more sugar than fresh fruit, she said, and definitely less fiber. Parents should choose products without additional sugar or additives. The food is pasteurized for packaging, so most pouches don’t have preservatives, she added, but that’s another ingredient to avoid.
and textures, so relying too heavily on pouches during this time could mean missing opportunities to help create a broad, varied palate. Grow also has concerns about the throwaway nature of the packaging, which is not recyclable like baby food jars. Another downside is the cost.
“They are very expensive,” said Grow. “Through an equity lens, they’re kind of an elitist food.”
He says parents can be skittish about taking kids to eat at nice restaurants, but it’s not warranted. “While they’re in a carrier, go out as much as you can. There are four to five things that could go wrong and you can handle those,” he says. For older kids, “our secret was always the smallest little Lego kits that are, like, $8. Pull it out a half-hour in, give them an area to set it up and then you can say, ‘Hey, try the sushi,’ rather than shushing your kid every five minutes, or scowling at them for asking when the food will arrive.”
Fitting it all in
All three busy chefs say they don’t always get to spend dinner at home with their families. Sometimes, dinner is at the restaurant during a slow moment. But they each say they make it a point to connect with their kids at the meals they do share, and convey their love of food in small, authentic ways, rather than focusing on perfection or grand experiences.
“The pluses are the convenience, and being able to get a lot of food diversity and whole foods into their diets,” Morrow said. “The more diversity and the more nutrients kids have, the healthier they are.”
They can be a great option on airplanes, road trips, field trips, or when you’ll be away from home for long stretches. But parents shouldn’t rely on them as substitutes for real table food.
“If you’re making choices among packaged foods, they are a good option compared to others,” said Dr. Mollie Grow, a pediatrician affiliated with Seattle Children’s and University of Washington. “But I would see them as an occasional rather than an everyday food.”
Although some pouches do contain healthy grains and vegetables, most are mixed with fruit, and the labels don’t show how much of each food they contain, Grow said. Because the nat-
Fiona Bull sucks down a food pouch, which experts say to reserve for occasional on-the-go use.
So while pouches work fine for on-the-go, Grow and Morrow encourage feeding “real” food at home. It’s not necessary for babies and toddlers to have pureed foods for a long time, and a major part of their development is learning to handle different textures. “The issues with the processed food evolution is kids lose their connection with food,” Morrow said. “We need to make sure kids see the food, have textures that advance them to mentally accept food in its shapes and flavors and colors. If they’re just squeezing it out of a tube, they don’t know what they’re eating.”
Making baby food at home needn’t be complicated, she says. Parents can buy an inexpensive food grinder to puree table food. They can freeze it in ice cube trays, which can be microwaved for future meals. Frozen vegetables can be steamed or microwaved, then mashed up and fed to kids, or stored in reusable pouches.
“You should be able to prepare it in five minutes,” she says.
And it’s between 6 and 18 months that kids are most receptive to novel flavors
Yet both she and Morrow know it’s unrealistic to expect parents to make everything from scratch, and understand that many families constantly move from one commitment to the next. That said, “We should be mindful to teach our kids other ways of eating, and make time for family meals when we can,” Grow says.
Ericka Burke is already getting her son started on knife skills.
Dream on
Dream Dinners lets someone else do the shopping, chopping and cleanup
BY BECCA BERGMAN BULL
Since the dawn of time, one imagines that parents have been trying to figure out easier ways to get a healthy, appealing dinner on the table night after night, year after year. Among the many innovations out there to simplify this daily challenge is Dream Dinners, a company started 15 years ago by two Seattle moms, Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna, which now has 80-plus locations across the country.
The concept: customers view a monthly menu online, select a session date and store location and place an order for a certain number of meals. Next you visit the store — local locations are West Seattle and Mill Creek — to spend about an hour assembling all the meals while adding your own customizations. Then you bring the meals home and pop them in the freezer to await a busy night, when each takes about 30 minutes or less to get on the table.
Crucially, on-site staff
does all the prep work and cleanup. The meals come in either three- or six-serving portions, with a minimum of 36 servings required per session, which works out to at least one meal a week for the six-person meals and three meals a week for the three-person meals. All costs are bundled into the menu item price.
Recent examples of dishes include chicken marinated in lemon, garlic and yogurt and served with pita and hummus ($17.99/three servings); boneless pork chops brushed with smoky, sweet molasses ($20.49/three servings); and limoncello shrimp with coconut rice ($22.99/three servings). Side dishes such as almond green beans, Key lime corn or potato wedges (which start around $4.99) are available to grab separately. While the dishes change every month, most contain fish, seafood or meat, so Dream Dinners is best suited to omnivorous families with no major restrictions. No ongoing commitment is required, so parents can just drop in as little or as often as they want.
Streamline your routine
Here, in honor of the new school year, Allen and Kuna — two women thoroughly steeped in the process of domestic streamlining — offer a few tips to make the daily operations of a household run a bit more smoothly:
Create a space for the kids to keep themselves organized. A simple area with hooks, cubbies and shoe racks allows your child to form a routine before and after school, and helps prevent scrambling to find backpacks and homework at the last minute.
Create a DIY homework station. Store supplies like pencils, rulers and calculators, and add a whiteboard so your child can keep track of assignments and deadlines.
Buy healthy snacks in bulk, such as pre-packaged veggies, fruit and crackers, and set aside space in the fridge or pantry so that your child can grab them in the morning or afternoon.
Set aside time on Sundays to review the full family schedule for the upcoming week. Use a whiteboard or oversized calendar to jot down important events, extracurricular activities and playdates. Add your Dream Dinners thaw schedule to make dinnertime easy and stress-free.
Stephanie Allen (top) and Tina Kuna founded Dream Dinners to help busy families get meals on the table.
LOCAL RESOURCES FOR BUSY PARENTS: Find classes, plan birthday parties and more with our constantly updated online directory of family-friendly businesses » seattleschild.com/directories
LIVING LARGE IN SMALL SPACES
q BY ANDIE POWERS @ANDIEGWPOWERS
MakingHome
Mid-century modern family
TIGHT ON BUDGET BUT LONG ON ASPIRATION, THE MCGILLS HAVE BEEN TACKLING ONE DIY PROJECT AFTER ANOTHER AT THEIR MOD 1958 HOME IN THE WOODS OF LAKE FOREST PARK
Audrey and Kevin McGill are living in what some may call the best of both worlds — and very stylishly at that. Their 1958 mid-century modern house is nestled in a forested setting just 25
minutes from downtown Seattle in Lake Forest Park. The couple and their sons Aidan, 13, and Evan, 11, moved into the 2,240-square-foot house in May of 2014, and since then have worked as a family to
help the house reach its full potential. The house was originally designed by John Burrows, known mostly in the North Seattle area for building homes with cedar post-and-beam ceilings and floor-toceiling windows. “I’m a big fan of having natural light flood the house,” says Audrey. “I love the original ceilings. They create such a warm feeling.”
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
Among the McGills’ biggest accomplishments was adding new upper and lower decks and fencing to the front of the house.
MakingHome
< Mid-century modern family CONTINUED
The boys also appreciate the large, bright windows, which give nature a front-andcenter seat in the house. “They love living with woods and creeks in our backyard,” says Audrey. “We have set up a tent and they’ve camped out with their friends!”
Yet the house’s fine historic elements and pedigree hasn’t stopped the McGills from undertaking DIY projects to make it more functional and customized to their needs. Audrey is a freelance writer and Kevin is a security engineer at Holland America, but worked as an electrician after high school and learned “everything else” from his brother-in-law, says Audrey. Other than that, the two have just picked up knowledge from working on a few previous homes — and looking up a lot online.
They tackled the exterior first, building upper and lower decks, fencing and an entryway courtyard. After a year of getting to know the house, they renovated the kitchen as well, replacing and removing cabinetry, installing a tile backsplash and adding open shelving.
Aidan and Evan lend a hand in the process, helping with various tasks, no matter how small. “We want them to feel a part of the process,
„ Is your family living large in a small space? We want to hear from you! Write to us at makinghome@seattleschild.com
and to learn about the aspects and responsibility of a project from start to finish,” says Audrey. The boys assisted with designing and landscaping the front yard, and in the backyard helped build a fire pit where they now get to roast marshmallows and hot dogs. Currently they’re pitching in with painting outdoor furniture and posts for a pergola that Kevin is building, shoveling and raking gravel for a slate patio, and planting flowerbeds.
“Working on our house and landscaping projects together has brought us closer as a family,” says Audrey, “And we all enjoy the satisfaction of seeing how our hard work can create something beautiful.”
q For more about the McGill family’s home, visit wildwoodmodern.com
PHOTOS BY JOSHUA HUSTON
The family is currently at work on building a pergola in the backyard.
Audrey McGill has found nearly all the home’s mid-century furniture in thrift shops or on Craigslist.
Erika's picks for September
Sept. 7-11
Starball: A Dreamy Musical Astronomy Show
After the solar eclipse, everyone is looking to the skies these days. This interactive piece of musical-theater improv at Fremont’s West of Lenin explores themes of cosmology for those ages 5 and up.
Sept. 9
Night Market
Browse this free, unique outdoor market in Chinatown/ International District, which runs from 4 pm to midnight, while enjoying live music, breakdancing performances, delicious food and an all-ages dance party.
Sept. 16
Hands-on History
Imagine life in 1888, then head to the Fraser Cabin at Bellevue’s Kelsey Creek Farm to see it in action. Hands-on activities include farm and household chores, log cabin construction, historic games and a scavenger hunt.
Sept. 23 Fishermen’s Fall Festival
Our local fishing fleet is arriving home to Fisherman’s Terminal in Ballard after months at sea. Celebrate with food, live music, kids’ activities and fishing-related exhibits and competitions.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1
GeekGirlCon
Calling all women and girls interested in gaming, science, technology, cosplay, comics and other “geeky” endeavors: This two-day event promises panels, workshops, exhibitors, a DIY Science Zone, singalongs and improv.
»Calendar
09/17
Friday, September 1
SEATTLE AREA
Small Frye: Storytelling + Art. Kids ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers are invited to see a dramatic story reading by Seattle Children’s Theatre. This month’s book is The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat. Then, participate in an optional hands-on art class related to the story (11:15 am). Pre-register for the art class. 10:30 am. FREE. Frye Art Museum, First Hill. www.fryemuseum.org
Bumbershoot. Comedy, dance, art, poetry, theater, film, visual arts and music on many stages. Food, arts and crafts, parades and spectacles. Youngershoot at Seattle Children’s Museum offers entertainment, film and kids’ activities (1:30 to 6 pm). 11 am to 11 pm through Sun. $$$, free ages 7 and younger with adult. Seattle Center (Lower Queen Anne). www.bumbershoot.com
Movie in the Park: Moana. Enjoy an outdoor movie, bring a blanket. 9 pm. FREE. Cascade Playground, Seattle (South Lake Union). www.cascadeplayground.org
Seattle Aquarium Kids Activities. Enjoy hands-on activities hosted by the Seattle Aquarium.
10 am to noon. FREE. Westlake Park. www.downtownseattle.org
Friday Night Skate. Enjoy skating with the entire family (ages 2 and older) every Friday to fun lights and pop music. Bring your own skates, or rent. 5:45 to 7:45 pm
tonight; Fridays through Oct. 20. $. Alki Community Center, Seattle (West Seattle). www.seattle.gov
EASTSIDE
Fired Up. On the first and third Friday of every month KidsQuest Museum offers an open studio
where artists of all ages can create a one-of-a-kind clay masterpiece. 4 to 7 pm. $$. KidsQuest Museum, Bellevue. www.kidsquestmuseum.org
NORTH SOUND
Vintage Aircraft Weekend. Planes in the sky and on land,
Seattle Design Festival Block Party
Calendar
vintage car and military vehicle displays, music, food, guest speakers and more. 10 am to 10 pm today, 8 am to 5 pm Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm Sunday. $$, free ages 10 and younger. Historic Flight Foundation, Mulkiteo. www.vintageaircraftweekend.org
Evergreen State Fair. Old-fashioned fair features animals, carnival, lumberjack show, concerts, music, rodeo, food, contests and exhibits. 11 am to 11 pm through Sept. 3, 11 am to 9 pm Sept. 4. $ to $$, free ages 5 and younger & and 90 and older; other packages and discounts available. Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe. www.evergreenfair.org
SOUTH SOUND
Parents’ Night Out. Drop off kids (pottytrained, ages 3 to 10) to play games, explore the museum, create works of art, and enjoy pizza and treats. Tonight’s theme: Sports, Sept. 30: Superheroes. 6 to 9 pm tonight and Sept. 30. $$$. Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Tacoma. www.playtacoma.org
Olympia Harbor Days. Entertainment, food, kids’ activities, craft vendors, and vintage, working and retired tugboats. Tugboat races on Sun. 5 to 8 pm tonight, 10 am to 7 pm Sat., 10 am to 6 pm Sun. FREE. Percival Landing, Olympia. www.harbordays.com
Washington State Fair. Farm animals, agriculture, home arts, rides, exhibits, kids’ activities, food, fireworks on Friday nights, rodeo shows (Sept. 7-10) and concerts. 10:30 am to 10:30 pm tonight, 9:30 am to 10:30 pm Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 am to 9:30 pm Labor Day. Post-Labor Day Hours: 10:30 am to 10:30 pm Fridays, 9:30 am to 10;30 pm Saturdays, 9:30 am to 9:30 pm Sundays, 10:30 am to 9:30 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through Sept. 24 (closed Tuesdays). $ to $$, free ages 5 and younger. See online for discounts. Additional fee for rodeo and concerts. Packages available. Parking $$. Washington State Fairgrounds, Puyallup. www.thefair.com
Saturday, September 2
EASTSIDE
Junior Ranger Program. Join park staff and participate in a family-focused junior ranger program and learn about some of the amazing animals found at Lake Sammamish State Park. Programs last 30-45 minutes and are recommended for children of all ages, with an adult. Discover Pass required ($$) to enter the park. 1:30 pm. FREE. Sunset Beach Bathhouse, Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah. www.parks.state.wa.us Flavors of India Festival. Performances, exhibits, food, marketplace, kids’ activities and more. Noon to 9 pm through Sun. FREE. Crossroads Park, Bellevue. www.flavorsofindia.us
FARTHER AFIELD
Bremerton Blackberry Festival. Vendors, food, music, kids’ entertainment and more. 10 am to 7 pm today, 10 am to 6 pm Sun., 10 am to 5 pm Mon. FREE. Downtown Bremerton Boardwalk. www.blackberryfestival.org
Sunday, September 3
EASTSIDE
Juanita Bay Park Ranger Walk. A family-friendly nature walk led by an Eastside Audubon Ranger held on the first Sunday the month. Learn about songbirds, waterfowl, and other small mammals that make the park their home. Bring binoculars. 1 to 2 pm. FREE Juanita Bay Park, Kirkland. www.eastsideaudubon.org
Monday, September 4
Labor Day
EASTSIDE
Labor Day Half Marathon and 4-Mile Run/ Walk. Flat course along the Sammamish River Trail, with a family-friendly party afterward. 6:30 am registration, 8 am start. $$ to $$$. Redmond Town Center, Redmond. www.labordayrun.com
Labor Day Steam Train Rides. Ride on one of the museum’s antique steam trains today. See schedule online. $$ to $$$. Northwest Railway Museum, Snoqualmie. www.trainmuseum.org
Thursday, September 7
SEATTLE AREA
Starball: A Dreamy Musical Astronomy Show. Described as “a piece of musical-theater improv created for the planetarium,” this is a unique, interactive show for ages 5 and older. 8 pm tonight; various times through Monday. $$. West of Lenin, Seattle (Fremont). www.brownpapertickets.com
Laurelhurst Salmon Bake. Annual tradition includes salmon dinner, music and carnival games. 5:30 to 8 pm. FREE; fee for dinner and some activities. Laurelhurst Park, Seattle (Laurelhurst). www.seattle.gov
Friday, September 8
SEATTLE AREA
San Gennaro Festival of Seattle. Authentic Italian food, entertainment and more. 6 to 10 pm today, 10 am to 10 pm Sat., 10 am to 6 pm Sun. FREE. South Angelo Street and Ellis Avenue South, Seattle (Georgetown). www.sangennarofestivalseattle.org
SEAPEX: Seattle Philatelic Exhibition. Postage stamps on display and for sale, prizes, Boy Scout merit badge workshop and more. 10 am to 6 pm today, 10 am to 5 pm Sat., 10 am to 4 pm Sun. FREE. Tukwila Community Center, Tukwila. www.seapexshow.org
EASTSIDE
Swim, Salmon, Swim! Learn about the salmon’s incredible journey and why the salmon cycle is so important to life in the Pacific Northwest. 10 to 11 am. FREE. Pre-register. Lake Hills Greenbelt Ranger Station, Bellevue. www.parks.bellevuewa.gov
NORTH SOUND
Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival. Vendors, food, entertainment, kids’ activities ($), children’s parade followed by a grand parade (10:30 am Sat.), fireworks (dusk tonight and Sat.) and more. 4 to midnight today, 11 am to midnight Sat., 11 am to 5 pm Sun. No on-site parking; shuttles from Kamiak High School and Olympic View Middle School. FREE. Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, Mukilteo. www.mukilteolighthousefestival.com
Saturday, September 9
SEATTLE AREA
Seattle Design Festival Block Party. See installations created by local designers, community groups and contractors, plus enjoy demonstrations, art activities and more. 10 am to 6 pm through Sun. FREE. Occidental Plaza, Seattle (Pioneer Square). www.designinpublic.org
The Not-Its! Enjoy an outdoor concert from one of Seattle’s favorite “kindie” rock bands. They’ll play songs from their newes album Are You Listening?, along with other hits. Also, enjoy coffee and donuts from Top Pot. 11 am. FREE. Freeway Park Plaza, Seattle (Downtown). www.townhallseattle.org
Apple Pressing at MOHAI. MOHAI, City Fruit and Washington State University celebrate fall with a community apple pressing. Learn about urban orchards, get tips on making cider at home, discover the science behind developing new varieties of apples, and make cider. 11 am to 3 pm. Included with admission. $$, FREE ages 14 and younger. MOHAI, Seattle (South Lake Union). www.mohai.org
Arts-A-Glow Lantern Festival. Enjoy a magical evening with lantern art and performers around every corner, plus face painting, lantern-making, circus acts, food and more. Bring your own lantern (tips online) and join the procession at dusk (around 8 pm). 5 to 10 pm. FREE. Dottie Harper Park, Burien. www.burienwa.gov
The Little Mermaid. Live stage adaptation based on the popular Disney film presented by the Hi-Liners. 7:30 pm tonight; various times through Sept. 24. $$ to $$$. Highline Performing Arts Center, Seattle (Burien). www.hi-liners.org
Pratt Open House. Watch artists in action, meet instructors, and enjoy hands-on art activities, food trucks and more. 6 to 9 pm. FREE. Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle (Central District). www.pratt.org
Book Exchange. Bring your old sci-fi, mystery, kids’ books and/or cookbooks to exchange for new-to-you titles. 11 am to 2 pm. FREE. Phinney Neighborhood Association, Seattle (Phinney Ridge). www.phinneycenter.org
Night Market. Vendors, food, performances, and an all-ages dance party. 4 pm to midnight. FREE. Chinatown/International District, Seattle. www.cidbia.org
Picnic in the Park. Music, food trucks, petting zoo, kids’ activities and more. 10 am to 4 pm. FREE. Pfingst Animal Acres Park, Lake Forest Park. www.cityoflfp.com
EASTSIDE
Kirkland Kids Triathlon. Non-competitive introduction to triathlons. 50-yard swim/splash, half-mile bike, 400-yard run. Ages 3 to 12. 10:15 am check-in, 11 am start. $$$, pre-register. Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland. www.kirklandwa.gov
Farm Walk. Join an experienced field guide for a Farm Walk at 21 Acres. Learn about systems that support sustainable agriculture and climate action. Wear farm-appropriate footwear. 11 am to noon. FREE. 21 Acres Farm, Woodinville. www.21acres.org
Sea Turtle Race. Learn about leatherback sea turtles with games and activities. Recommended for ages 5 to 10. 2:30 to 3:30 pm. FREE. Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center, Bellevue. www.parks. bellevuewa.gov
Grandparents’ Grand Excursion. Grandparents ride free with a paying grandchild of any age through Sun. See schedule online. $$ free younger than age 2. Northwest Railway Museum, Snoqualmie. www.trainmuseum.org
NORTH SOUND
Touch-a-Truck. Climb, sit in and honk horns of dump trucks, a backhoe, vactor truck, police vehicles, a street sweeper, fire rigs and a garbage truck, plus enjoy train rides and food vendors. Horns free from noon to 1 pm. 10 am to 1 pm. FREE, non-perishable donations welcomed. No pets. Asbery Field, Marysville. www.marysvillewa.gov
Fair on 44th Health & Safety Block Party. Games, bike rodeo, touch-a-truck, climbing wall, safety demonstrations, food and more. 10 am to 2 pm. FREE, 44th Avenue West, between 188th and 194th Streets Southwest, Lynnwood. www.lynnwoodwa.gov
Dog Day Afternoon. Dog vendors, information, interactive play, pet adoptions, agility and rescue demonstrations, games, hikes and more. 11 am to 3 pm. FREE, Discover Pass required. Cama Beach State Park, Camano Island. www.camabeachfoundation.org
SOUTH SOUND
Live Dive. On the second Saturday of each month, expert diver Randy Williams will show guests what’s going on under the Puget Sound. Equipped with a full face mask with two-way communication and an HD camera, Randy will provide visitors with a real-time look at whatever creatures happen to be near him underwater. 11 am and 1 pm. FREE. Marine Science and Technology Center, Des Moines. www.mast.highline.edu
Frog Frolic. Family activities, naturalist-led tours, food, music and more. 1 to 5 pm. FREE. Shadow Lake Nature Preserve, Renton. www.shadowhabitat.org
Harvest Home. Celebrate autumn 19th-century style with Victorian games, traditional music
and dance performances, cider pressing, and hands-on activities. 11 am to 5 pm. $, FREE ages 3 and younger. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Tacoma. www.metroparkstacoma.org
Sunday, September 10
SEATTLE AREA
Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival. Hawaiian music, dance, food, vendors, kids’ activities, and workshops (including leimaking and hula). 11 am to 7 pm. FREE. Seattle Center, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne). www.seattlelivealohafestival.com
Hebrew Story Time. Make Rosh Hashanah greeting cards, read Hebrew stories, sing songs, and learn about the holiday. 3 to 4 pm. FREE. Seattle Jewish Community School, Seattle (North Seattle).
Tuesday, September 12
SEATTLE AREA
Something Rotten! A brand-new musical within a musical about two playwriting brothers trying to write the very first musical ever. The show earned 10 Tony nominations including Best Musical. Recommended for ages 10 and older. 7:30 pm tonight; various times through Oct. 1. $$$. 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle (Downtown). www.5thavenue.org
Thursday, September 14
SEATTLE AREA
Boats Afloat Show. The West Coast’s largest floating boat show features nearly 200 power and sailing yachts, kids’ wooden boat building (Sat. and Sun.), boat rides, workshops and more. 11 am to 6 pm through Fri., 10 am to 6 pm Sat. and Sun. $ to $$, free ages 12 and younger. Chandler’s Cove, Seattle (South Lake Union). www.boats afloatshow.com
Mount Baker Day in the Park. Annual neighborhood festival features a kids’ parade at 9:45 am (meet in front of Franklin High School), music, games and more. 10 am to 3 pm. FREE. Mount Baker Park, Seattle (Mount Baker). www.mountbaker.org
Women of Wonder 10K or 5K Run/Walk. Includes a woman-centric post-race celebration, plus a free kids’ dash (ages 10 and younger). 8 am registration, 9 am yoga, 9:10 am kids’ dash, 9:30 am 10K and 5K. $$$. Green Lake Park, Seattle (Green Lake). www.promotionevents.com
EASTSIDE
Round the Rock. Stand-up paddleboarding races, including kids’ races, benefiting Strong Against Cancer. Food, free paddleboarding demos and more. 7 am to 4 pm. $$$, fundraising encouraged. Newcastle Beach Park, Bellevue. www.roundtherock.com
NORTH SOUND
Edmonds Classic Car Show. Classic car show with entertainment and family activities including pinewood derby car building. 10 am to 5 pm. FREE. Fifth Avenue and Main Street, Edmonds. www.edmondswa.com
Monday, September 11
SOUTH SOUND
City Mouse, Country Mouse. A story about two mice sharing a meal. This is part of Olympia Family Theater’s “Let’s Play” series, which are interactive shows, adapted for toddlers and preschoolers, with a 20-to-35-minute run time. 10 am today; various times through Friday. $. Olympia Family Theater, Olympia. www.olyft.org
EASTSIDE
Into the Woods. This award-winning musical follows some of the original Grimm fairytale characters with a twist. Recommended for ages 10 and older; see online for Preview Guide. 7:30 pm tonight; various times through Oct. 22. $$$. Village Theater, Issaquah. www.villagetheatre.org
Friday, September 15
SEATTLE AREA
Salmon Homecoming Celebration. Arts and crafts, salmon bake, powwow (grand entries at noon and 5 pm on Sat.), canoe welcoming ceremony, and singing and dancing (4 to 8 pm Sat.). 10 am to 9 pm today and Saturday. FREE. Waterfront Park, Downtown Seattle. www.salmonhomecoming.org
The Great Wallingford Wurst Festival. Food, rides, games, craft vendors, book sale, entertainment and more. 4 to midnight today, 10 am to midnight Sat. FREE. St. Benedict School, Seattle (Wallingford). www.stbens.net
PARK(ing) Day. This annual event lets people temporarily transform on-street parking spots into pop-up parks. 9 am to 7 pm. FREE. Various locations throughout Seattle. www.seattle.gov/ transportation/seattleparkingday.htm
EASTSIDE
Salmon SEEson in Issaquah. Watch wild salmon migrate up Issaquah Creek. Trained guides from Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery will give drop-in tours at 11 am and 1 pm on weekends through Nov. 12. FREE. Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, Issaquah. www.govlink.org
NORTH SOUND
Puget Sound Bird Fest. Guided bird watching and nature walks, speakers, raptor show (2 pm Sat.), kids’ activities and more. No dogs. See detailed schedule online. 7:30 pm to 9 pm tonight; 10 am to dusk through the weekend. FREE, fee for some activities. Frances Anderson Center and other Edmonds locations. www.pugetsoundbirdfest.org
Saturday, September 16
SEATTLE AREA
St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer. 5K fundraising walk/run with family activities. 8 am. $$, fundraising encouraged. Seattle Center Mural Amphitheater (Lower Queen Anne). www.stjude.org
Festival of Fruit. Live music, cider pressing, apple pie contest, tours of the orchard, kids’ activities and more. 10 am to 2 pm. FREE. Carkeek Park, Seattle (Broadview). www.pipersorchard.org
Seattle Mini Maker Faire. A family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. Vendors include makers of tiny houses, robots, prosthetics, and much more. Today through Sunday. $$ to $$$, FREE ages 4 and younger. www.seattle.makerfaire.com
Living Voices: Island of Hope. Living Voices combines live theatrical performances with archival film, turning history into a moving personal journey. Island of Hope is about a young girl who escapes oppression in the Old World to make a new life in America. Recommended for ages 10 and older. 2 and 3 pm. $$. MOHAI, Seattle (South Lake Union). www.mohai.org
Seattle Fiestas Patrias Parade and Fiesta. Parade begins at 14th Avenue South and South Henderson Street in South Park. Afterward, a fiesta takes place at South Park Community Center with food, dancing, music, kids’ activities and information booths. Parade at 11 am, festival 1 to 6 pm. FREE. www.seattlefiestaspatrias.org
Seattle Fiestas Patrias. Latino dance, music, art, food, health fair, boxing exhibition and kids’ activities. Noon to 9 pm today, noon to 6 pm Sun. FREE. Seattle Center (Lower Queen Anne). www.seattlefiestaspatrias.com
Bike the Bluff. Walk or ride a 5- or 7-mile loop around Magnolia in this fundraiser for the Catharine Blaine K-8 School 5th graders’ class trip to IslandWood. New this year: 1-mile training-wheel loop. Helmets are required. 10 am to 2 pm. $$$. Catharine Blaine K-8 School playground, Seattle (Magnolia). www.bikethebluff.org
EASTSIDE
Hands-on History. The Fraser Cabin, built in 1888, comes to life with activities and interpretation. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities that relate to 1880s settler life: agriculture, dairy, household tasks, log cabins, games and Eastside history. 11 am to 3 pm. FREE. Kelsey Creek Farm Park, Bellevue. www.eastsideheritagecenter.org
Goodnight Moon. In this new musical adaptation based on the popular book by Margaret Wise Brown, the objects and characters jump off the pages, and the bunny’s bedroom comes to life. All ages, and special showings for ages 4 and younger on Sundays. 1 and 3 pm today; various times through Oct. 8. $ to $$. Second Story Repertory, Redmond. www.secondstoryrep.org
NORTH SOUND
Schack-toberfest. Shop for unique blownglass pumpkins or make your own (ages 8+, $$$, pre-register), plus enjoy kids’ activities. 10 am to 4 pm today; various times through Sept. 24. FREE. Schack Art Center, Everett. www.schack.org
SOUTH SOUND
Run Wild. Choose from a 5K or 8K run or a 5K walk and explore Northwest Trek’s unique race setting. Registration includes park admission. See online for rules. 7 am check-in, 7:50 am entrance road closes, 8:30 am start. $$$. Northwest Trek, Eatonville. www.nwtrek.org/runwild
Pioneer Days. Enjoy live music, storytelling, hands-on demonstrations of pioneer life, heritage crafts, panning for gold, and old-fashioned games. Noon to 4 pm. Free, donations accepted. Job Carr Museum, Tacoma. www.jobcarrmuseum.org
Community Kids’ Day. Families are invited to explore the 10-acre garden and learn more about nature from interactive stations. 10 am to 2 pm. $. Lakewold Gardens, Lakewood. www.lakewoldgardens.org
FARTHER AFIELD
Whidbey Island Kite Festival. Features colorful and impressive kite-flying displays, kids’
GeekGirlCon
Calendar
kite making, beginning sport kite lessons, and a teddy bear drop (ages 9 and younger, 1 pm). 9 am to 8 pm today, 9 am to 5 pm Sun. FREE. Camp Casey Conference Center, Coupeville. www.whidbeykites.org
Thursday, September 21
SEATTLE AREA
Luminata Lantern Parade. Celebrate the autumnal equinox with a parade at Green Lake featuring music, lanterns, lights, costumes and more. 7 pm. FREE. Boat House on the south shore of Green Lake, Seattle. www.fremontartscouncil.org
SOUTH SOUND
Take a Spin. Ride in classic vehicles from America’s Car Museum. Vehicles, which will vary, may be a selection of antiques and pre-war classics through to the 1950s. Included with admission. 11 am to 2 pm. $$. America’s Car Museum, Tacoma. www.americascarmuseum.org
Friday, September 22
SEATTLE AREA
St. Demetrios Greek Festival. Traditional music and folk dancing, Greek food, marketplace, kids’ area and more. Noon to 9 pm today, 10 am to 9 pm Sat., noon to 7 pm Sun. FREE. St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Seattle (Montlake). www.seattlegreekfestival.com
Bite of Broadview. Food and craft vendors, carnival games and rides, live music, car show (9 am to 1 pm Sat.), kids’ activities and more. No pets. 4 to 10 pm today, 10 am to 10 pm Sat., 10 am to 4:30 pm Sun. FREE. Christ the King Catholic Church, Seattle (Broadview). www.biteofbroadview.com
EASTSIDE
Caspar Babypants & Indoor Play. Dance to a 45-minute concert (10:30 am) followed by indoor playtime for kids ages 5 and younger. 10:30 am to 1 pm. FREE. South Bellevue Community Center, Bellevue. www.parksbellevuewa.gov
SOUTH SOUND
Renton Multicultural Festival. Celebrate diversity with live music, food, storytelling, dance, and hands-on activities for all ages. 7 to 10 pm tonight at Carco Theatre, Renton and 3 to 7 pm Saturday at Renton Pavillion and Event Center (Renton). FREE. www.rentonwa.gov
Footloose the Musical. A new musical adaptation based on the famous film presented by Tacoma Musical Playhouse. 7:30 pm tonight; various times through Oct. 15. $$$. Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma. www.tmp.org
Saturday, September 23
SEATTLE AREA
DIY Origami Bookmarks & Book Swap. Learn about the art of origami & make your own bookmark.10 am to 1 pm. FREE with gently used book to swap or donate to local nonprofit. Swansons Nursery (Ballard). www.swansonsnursery.com
Fishermen’s Fall Festival. Celebrate the local fishing fleet with musical entertainment, children’s activities, fishing-industry-related exhibits and competitions, food and more. 11 am to 6 pm. FREE, fee for some activities. Fishermen’s Terminal, Seattle (Magnolia). www.fishermensfallfestival.org
Italian Festival. Celebrity chef demonstrations, food, music and dance, grape stomp, pizza toss, soccer clinic, Italian dog breeds, marketplace, children’s activities and a puppet show. 10 am to 7 pm through Sun. FREE. Seattle Center (Lower Queen Anne). www.festaseattle.com
Museum Day Live! Enjoy a FREE trip to one of many museums all over the country. Thanks to the Smithsonian and Microsoft, visitors can grab a free ticket online and exchange it for admission to a museum including Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Glass, MOHAI and many more. See online for rules and participating museums. FREE.
Various locations. www.smithsonianmag.com/ museumday
Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Two-mile walk for families affected by autism; includes kids’ area and resource fair. Strollers, wheelchairs and wagons welcome; no pets. 9 am registration, 10:15 am walk. FREE, fundraising encouraged. Seattle Center (Lower Queen Anne). www.autismspeakswalk.org
FARE Walk for Food Allergy. Family-friendly walk raises funds for food allergy research, education, advocacy and awareness. 9:30 am check-in, 10:30 am start. FREE, fundraising encouraged. Magnuson Park, Seattle (Sand Point). www.foodallergywalk.org
EASTSIDE
Sammamish Arts Fair. Art market, entertainment, kids’ activities and more. 10 am to 5 pm through Sun. FREE. Sammamish City Hall, Sammamish. www.sammamishartsfair.wordpress.com
SOUTH SOUND
Hawktoberfest. See Seahawks-themed cars in this annual car show. 11 am to 3 pm. FREE. Meek Street, Kent. www.downtownkentwa.com
Sunday, September 24
SEATTLE AREA
Fremont Oktoberfest, All Ages Day. Kids and dogs are invited to celebrate Oktoberfest today. There will be inflatables, giant slides, zucchini races, and root beer tasting. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Noon to 6 pm. $$$. North 35th Street and Phinney Avenue North, Seattle (Fremont). www.fremontoktoberfest.com
Studio Ghibli Fest 2017: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. The debut film from Hayao Miyazaki, this 1984 classic anime film is considered by many to be his masterwork. Rated PG. 12:55 pm today (dubbed in English), and 7 pm Monday (English subtitles). $$. Varsity Theater, Seattle (University District); Thornton Place 14, Seattle (Northgate); and Lincoln Square Cinemas, Bellevue. www.fathomevents.com
Run of Hope. Take part in a 5K run or 3K walk to raise funds for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund. Live music, food and family activities after the race. Leashed dogs and strollers welcomed. Parking limited. 8 am registration, 10 am start. $$$. Seward Park, Seattle (Seward Park). I Dig Dinos. Bring your budding paleontologist to the Burke for monthly fossilized fun. Enjoy three prehistoric activity stations ranging from touching real fossils and making discoveries in the dino dig pit to solving dinosaur mysteries, dino dress-up and more. Recommended for ages 3 to 7. 11 am to 2 pm. Included with admission. $$, free ages 4 and younger. Burke Museum, Seattle (University District). www.burkemuseum.org
FARTHER AFIELD
Harvest Festival. Local food, music, pony rides, hayrides, demonstrations and more. 11 am to 5 pm. $ to $$. Johnson Farm, Bainbridge Island. www.friendsofthefarms.org
Monday, September 25
SEATTLE AREA
Tot Trot to Fall. Kids ages 2 to 5 are invited to run in their own race, complete with numbers, T-shirts, snacks, and a ribbon for crossing the finish line. 6 pm. $$, pre-registration required. Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, Seattle (Ravenna). www.seattle.gov
Thursday, September 28
SEATTLE AREA
Go, Dog. Go! A stage adaptation of the popular book of the same title presented by Seattle Children’s Theatre. Recommended for ages 3 and older. 7 pm tonight; various times through Nov. 26. $$$. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne). www.sct.org
Friday, September 29
SEATTLE AREA
Kidz Bop. The KIDZ BOP kids tour the country performing kid-friendly versions of today’s biggest hits. They’re on the road with their allnew “Best Time Ever” tour, featuring the biggest stage and set design in the group’s history. 7 pm. $$$. Paramount Theatre, Seattle (Downtown). www.kidzbop.com
Saturday, September 30
SEATTLE AREA
National Public Lands Day. Visit one of Washington’s many beautiful state and national parks today for free, including Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Park. Day use only; additional fees for overnight. Various locations. www.discoverpass.wa.gov
GeekGirlCon. This convention celebrates and brings together women and girls interested in gaming, science, technology, role-playing, comics and other “geeky” endeavors. All ages and genders are welcome. 9 am to 8 pm today, 9 am to 6 pm Sun. $$ to $$$, free ages 5 and younger. The Conference Center at the Washington State Convention Center, Downtown Seattle. www.geekgirlcon.com
Robothon. See robots of all types and sizes compete in a variety of challenges. 9 am to 5:30 pm. FREE. Seattle Center Armory (Lower Queen Anne). www.robothon.org
Family Fitness Day. Magnuson Series fun runs, including 5K, 10K, 15K, duathlon and a kids’ dash. Kids’ dash at 9:45 am; all other events at 10 am. $ to $$$. Magnuson Park, Seattle. www.magnusonseries.org
Caspar Babypants. Jam to tunes new and old with the release of his 13th children’s album, Jump for Joy! 10:30 and 11:30 am. $. Phinney Neighborhood Association, Seattle (Phinney Ridge). www.townhallseattle.org
EASTSIDE
Michelmasse Festival. Step into the 14th century with cider pressing, puppetry, music, crafts, archery and an optional feast ($$$). Noon to 5 pm, today through Sunday. $$, FREE ages 5 and younger. Camlann Medieval Village, Carnation. www.camlann.org
NORTH SOUND
Snohomish County Buddy Walk. Event promotes the inclusion and acceptance of people with Down syndrome. Short walk (4 pm), food, games and other family fun. 2 to 5 pm. $ to $$, fundraising encouraged. Harvey Airfield, Snohomish. www.dasc.org
Skagit Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival. Pumpkin weigh-off, food, music, games, pony rides, the Bat Lady and more. 11 am to 4 pm. FREE. Christianson’s Nursery, Mount Vernon. www.christiansonsnursery.com
SOUTH SOUND
Cider Swig. Taste local hard ciders, plus enjoy food, music, art, kids’ activities and an apple pie contest. Noon to 5 pm. $$ to $$$, free younger than age 21. Pre-purchase recommended. Sehmel Homestead Park, Gig Harbor. www.gigharborfoundation.org
Community Harvest Festival. Fundraiser for Greenplay Cooperative features nature play, face painting, animals, music, refreshments and more. 10 am to 2 pm. $$ suggested donation per family. Lake Wilderness Park, Maple Valley. www.greenplaycooperative.org
Thea Foss Waterway Family Paddle. Kids ages 7 and older with a parent can paddle past the landmarks of downtown Tacoma. 10 am to noon. $$$. Pre-register. Thea Foss Dock, Tacoma. www.tacomanaturecenter.org
TravelDispatch
by Steve Lewis
Making the leap
I am sitting on a old wooden dock watching my children, Noah, 4, and Anya, 6, play in the reeds along the shores of Lake Atitlán. They wade in the shallow water and balance on the remnants of buildings swallowed by the enigmatic, beautiful lake in recent floods. Nearby, lanchas (small boats) sidle up to the dock to drop their cargo: women carrying Mayan weavings, turistas and local fishermen.
You should know that I’m not the type of person who sits on a lakeshore in Guatemala. I rarely find time to walk around Green Lake. And the notion of bringing my children on such a trip was equally foreign up until the day we arrived. I assumed that I had missed my chance to travel, learn a second language and live in the developing world when I got my first “serious” job as a teacher at 23.
I married my wife, Sarah, soon afterward, and as 10 years of marriage passed and Noah and Anya joined our lives, the possibility seemed more and more out of the question. Amid the busyness of everyday life, our dreams of travel were left to collect dust in the closet with the worn Birkenstocks and woven Baja sweaters of our youth. But earlier this year we were hit with a renewed sense of urgency to expose our children to new languages, cultures and a fuller view of the world while they’re still young.
I left my job, we drew up a tighter family budget, and Sarah, a physician, arranged for a leave to volunteer in rural Guatemala. We now find ourselves spending a month in language school while scoping out a more permanent location to return for three months in early 2018. As we make first tracks in this country, the little-known secret we’ve discovered is that extended international travel can be even better as fully realized adults with young children in tow.
We’ve found that having children along connects you much more closely to the local community. It is a common occurrence for someone to stop and tousle Noah’s hair while sharing stories of his or her own offspring. In a place where family values are strong, children create an immediate connection.
While such connections can occur naturally, we needed a place to start. For us, the advice of parents who have already forged these paths has been essential.
We made our plans with the guidance of a mother from Bellingham, a veteran of eight Guatemala trips. She recommended a specific language school to attend, a family to stay with and even travel-appropriate building toys for Noah. With young kids, the margin for error becomes smaller and trusted advice is crucial.
Even with sage recommendations and advance planning, any travel experience requires — and is enriched by — embracing uncertainty. This has required us, among other things, to adjust to different cultural perspectives on safety. Our kids marvel at the people stacked alongside luggage atop chicken buses. We explain that the rules are different here. The truth is, this trip has taken each of us far out of our comfort zone in many ways. But it has absolutely been worth it.
Last night I played futbol with my son on a concrete field with locals and some scattered expats. Noah furiously entered every scrum, to the surprise and delight of the players. Afterward, we wandered up to a street vendor and ate a plate of food for $3. We sat and watched the stars and the lanchas racing across the lake. I cannot remember a time I was happier.
I can’t say that taking this type of leap is for everyone. But I can say that if we — a family thoroughly preoccupied with work, security and safety — have been able to do it, it’s possible for most anyone.
Steve Lewis is figuring out his next move in Seattle. New Mom Dispatch will return in October.
The Lewis family in Antigua, Guatemala, last spring.
