Seattle family

A trip alone with my two nine year old boys to Legoland California

It is not impossible to take two boys to Legoland California on your own and be a STEM learning champion too!

April 26, 2018

With avid Lego fans in the house it is a no-brainer that Legoland would be one of my guys’ favorite places in the world. On a recent trip to Carlsbad I was excited when Legoland gave me tickets for the boys and I to go while the hubby was at a conference. I was a […]

Read More
If you need to get a passport in 24 hours in Seattle

Always check your passport expiration before you book an international trip

April 22, 2018

Better yet, why not go and check your passport expiration now and put a little reminder maybe 6 months before it in your calendar to make sure you review it in time.  Even if you’re always responsible and always do these types of things.  Even if you never forget.  Because we were the people who […]

Read More
Papaya and granola topped Açaí bowl in Kauai at Kalalea Juice Hale in Anohola

Eight Tips for Seven Days in Kauai with kids in tow

April 11, 2018

If traveling to Kauai with your family is on your radar then you need to start thinking about accommodations soon-especially if your holidays happen during President’s Day or Spring Break.  Here are eight tips we have from booking a recent trip we took for seven days in Kauai with kids in tow: Sign up for […]

Read More
Chuoa Chocolates quote at the chocolate factory in Carlsbad near Legoland and the flower fields

A chocolate factory in Carlsbad I didn’t know I wanted to tour until it was too late! (Chuoa chocolates, California)

April 7, 2018

If you’re a Seattleite and shop at Metropolitan Market, you might notice the enormous selection of chocolates right by the checkout stand. It’s nearly impossible to miss, especially if you love chocolate like I do and the last time we visited Met Market there was even a sample stand to tempt us with delicious treats! […]

Read More
Using Nest or Arlo Video Alarm monitoring systems in Seattle for your house to prevent robberies

Why you might need a Nest Doorbell Or Arlo Camera or other Video Alarm Monitoring in Seattle

April 2, 2018

In the next couple weeks I have a feeling my family and I will be buying all the video alarm monitoring things for our houses in bulk.  We live in a quiet Seattle neighborhood with not a lot of happenings, but lately we’ve seen more and more suspicious activity in the area and what happened […]

Read More
review of Osh Kosh spring clothes style on a trip from Seattle to vancouver with 9 year old boys

Spring Clothes from Osh Kosh that can transition from Park to Party and Bring the Fun

March 27, 2018

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  There are two things we look for in clothes for my family-are they comfortable and can we wear them for multiple events?  It’s even better if the clothing we buy travels well too because […]

Read More
Eating in with kids at Plaza Garibaldi but you can also order delivery using Amazon Restaurants

My favorite take out food delivery apps for Seattle (and when you travel)

March 25, 2018

PS it’s 2024 now and while I love using my smartphone for pretty much everything, lately in Seattle, it’s felt really expensive to get delivery through food delivery apps.  I haven’t had anything delivered in months now but just the other day I had a late meeting and my husband was out of town and […]

Read More
How to take Instagram photos on your phone - tips from An Emerald City Life

Iphone Photography tips for Instagram

March 2, 2018

How much do you love the Instagram App?  I remember when I first saw the app I was so skeptical-I asked my bestie who gets me into all things social media-people really just want to see pics?  Isn’t it just Twitter in picture version?  But yes.  WE WANT ALL THE PICTURES! And suddenly Instagram is […]

Read More
Testing out the LimeBike Ebike in Seattle

E-bike sharing in Seattle and where to get a foldable helmet

February 21, 2018

Try and not find the yellow, green and orange bikes popping up on every corner in Seattle. I often see them parked near the kids’ school and at community centers on sunny days. Maybe you’ve also seen them being pedaled around South Lake Union and Green Lake too. We have become a biking family-my husband […]

Read More
You can find Kiehls in Seattle University Village an outdoor shopping mall with trendy shops and pretty flowers

Kiehls Apothecary Preparations and finding youthful skin in real life

February 17, 2018

The other day I was asked if I was expecting (I’m not) and I got I.D.’d (thankfully in a different place than where they thought I was pregnant) and although one event made me happier than the other, I’m just going to put it out there that maybe, just maybe this might have a little […]

Read More
Visiting the Pacific Science Center with kids in Seattle and learning about what eats styrofoam

When you worry that styrofoam is taking over the world, stop by the Pacific Science Center in Seattle

February 14, 2018

There are many reasons to visit the Pacific Science Center in Seattle.  Maybe you have kids who like science or you have kids you want to get interested in science (or STEM which seems to be all the buzz word in education right now unless you believe the world is flat and want to remain […]

Read More
Tesla Model X at Seattle Auto Show

A new Tesla electric car charger in Lynnwood and pondering going completely gas-free

February 13, 2018

A couple years ago when we first got our Tesla we were a little apprehensive about buying an electric car for a family car.  We had one option for charging on the way between Seattle and Vancouver and with all the long-driving we do to see relatives between here and there we didn’t know if […]

Read More
Hanging out in the rain at the Crocheted Net Playground at Whoa Studios in New Zealand with kids

How far would you travel for the most perfect playground and a family-friendly meal?

January 25, 2018

There are many reasons to travel to New Zealand’s North Island.  The scenery shouts “take photos of me” every where you turn, the food is delightful and the people are absolutely charming and friendly.  There are bubbling geysers, mountain adventures and sheep dotting the lush green hills.  And there is Hobbiton.  (I’m sorry we didn’t […]

Read More
Old Gundam Robot statue in Odaiba

Low tech and high tech toys that are faves in my house right now

January 22, 2018

  The holidays are over, the decorations are packed away and we’re about a month into all the fun toys that have arrived at our house. (I can’t take credit for the decorations being down…that’s definitely the hubby’s doing. I would have them up all year round but not because I’m festive….) And of course […]

Read More
Where to eat in Seattle with kids, the

A restaurant that’s been cooking here a little longer than all the poke, and it’s not just for tourists in Seattle

January 13, 2018

Do you know which Seattle restaurant I might be talking about?  Although Seattle seems smitten with poke these days and new trendy restaurants are popping up daily, I love a Seattle restaurant that’s been cooking awhile.  And we’ve eaten so many great meals at Ivar’s Salmon House in South Lake Union that I thought this […]

Read More
Stop in Squamish for Family Friendly activities and restaurants

Whistler Canada with kids and a fun place to see bald eagles and eat along the way

January 4, 2018

When I was a kid, I grew up in a small Vancouver suburb and we used to be able to drive to Whistler and back for a day trip.  We had our favorite places to eat, like Ingrid’s which is still in Whistler, and we would always stop at the McDonald’s in Squamish along the […]

Read More
Where to eat at Seatac Airport-this is Lady Yum

Five delicious places to eat at Seatac Airport

December 15, 2017

Are you headed through SeaTac airport any time soon? I totally wish I was! We are finally getting our air travel plans for the new year together but until then I need to travel vicariously through anyone who gets to go on a trip in the next little while.  I recently visited the airport not […]

Read More
A place to play with STEM building toys in Seattle with kids

A place to see all the computers in Seattle (The Living Computers Museum and Labs)

December 8, 2017

I had a year’s membership to the Living Computer museum and I didn’t even know this museum existed. Because we had a MoPop membership we kept seeing information that it included a year to the Living Computers Museum and Labs. For some reason I thought it would be just a place that grownups could go […]

Read More
Tacoma Museum Pass for families in Tacoma to see museums

An experience gift idea for families in Tacoma with the Tacoma Museum Pass

November 18, 2017

Who else is trying to find more ways to give the gift of an experience rather than something tangible this year?  As someone who gets a lot of joy from adventuring, I’m always on a quest for a way to share this with the people I love too.  I was really excited when I heard […]

Read More
Hotel Andra Lobby in Seattle

A tech filled lunch that helped me with my holiday shopping and might help you too!

November 14, 2017

I was a guest at a Techlicious and Consumer Technology Association event In Seattle to lunch and learn about tech gift ideas for the holidays and as always the ideas and opinions in this blog are my own. I’m not always the earliest adopter of tech.  Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed and feel like […]

Read More