FAMILY TRAVELS

Art of the Brick at the Pacific Science Center in SEattle

Why visiting ART of the Brick is a good idea for families

June 4, 2016

Remember when Lego used to be only bricks?  I didn’t have a ton of it as a kid but I remember building a bunch of square shaped colorful houses that look a lot like all the modern architecture that is popping up in Seattle neighborhoods recently.  We didn’t have specific pieces or sets like the […]

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Souvenirs from Japan

Travel Reading to inspire trips or to help you when you get home on a Monday

May 25, 2016

In the next few weeks you’ll hear about our recent trips to San Diego, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo on the blog-we literally just flew in from our travels and back to a world of baseball and soccer practices, piano and school.  It makes me realize how precious family time on trips is in all […]

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Imperial Beach with Kids room at Pier South Resort

A Fun Family trip to Imperial Beach thanks to Expedia

May 19, 2016

I’ve said it many times before but I’m a total fan of booking through Expedia.  This site allows me to consolidate my bookings in one place, cancel many hotel bookings without penalty and I’ve had some pretty great upgrades because of my VIP status.  I’ve booked so many times with Expeida that I know what […]

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hello kitty Seattle at the MoPop museum in Seattle

Super cute Hello Kitty Cafe Truck rolling into Seattle

May 11, 2016

If you are in Seattle May 14th and 15th and you LOVE Hello Kitty, you need to get yourself to the EMP Museum. The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will be parked outside the museum selling adorable Hello Kitty treats and it sounds like it will be rolling in from 10am-5pm on both days.  I was […]

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Kids arriving at Legoland hotel

Lego Dreaming at the Legoland Hotel California in San Diego

May 4, 2016

I almost didn’t book the Legoland hotel.  I had planned a beach vacation for the family and Legoland wasn’t even on my radar.  I thought we’d laze on the beach, visit some museums and eat yummy food.  But then we were invited to a Legoland event at our local Science Center and I realized my […]

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Pro flowers Mother's Day flowers

Mother’s Day Shopping on a Monday

May 2, 2016

Yes, life should be about presence not presents, but I do love a beautiful bouquet of flowers or a fun experience gift and I’ve found some fabulous ones in Seattle if you’re looking for a tangible thank you for your mom or other influential ladies in your life.  I’ve had an exciting week so far […]

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Earth Day Every Day on a Monday

April 25, 2016

The nice thing about most people in life is that we talk about sports, the weather and nice places we like to eat.With kids you get: “Hey mom, we’re going to be dirt one day!” Pardon me?!!! “I guess we better treat the earth a little better then….” Thanks to my kids unabashed willingness to […]

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Kids baseball in Seattle at Ella Bailey Park

A Book to read for Baseball Season in Seattle

April 15, 2016

It’s baseball season again and now that we’ve played a few years, we’re starting to get serious.  Practices are longer and we now have kid pitchers who throw the ball for part of the game.  Coaches take notes on little pads of paper and I look around wondering which of the neighborhood kids might play […]

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Jujubeet Cafe in Bellevue

More than juices at Jujubeet Cafe in Bellevue

April 12, 2016

I first noticed Jujubeet Cafe in Seattle a few months ago.  I was on my way home from getting my nails done at Julep nearby and I was hungry and thought I’d stop at Uvillage for something but didn’t have a ton of time.  I thought maybe I’d grab a juice or smoothie to tide me over-everyone […]

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Farvahar Persian Cafe is a hidden gem in Pike Place Market

A meal worth waiting for (Farvahar Persian Cafe, Seattle, WA)

April 8, 2016

Pike Place Market in the spring and summer can get quite busy and navigating the market when you’re in a rush is not always the easiest.  Being a local means I don’t need to knock off a bucket list of famous market places in these time periods and I try and use this opportunity to […]

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procopio gelato in pike place market on the hillclimb

Procopio Gelato and so much sunshine (Pike Place Market, Seattle)

April 1, 2016

(PS. I think Procopio gelato might be closed now in 2019.  We have a lot of restaurant changes recently in seattle.  Shugs, Gelatiamo or Bottega Italiana are all near the market and serve ice cream and gelato. I have walked by Procopio Gelato more times than any person ever should walk by a gelato store […]

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Three Girls Bakery in Pike Place Market

A Warm and Uplifting Reuben Sandwich at Three Girls Bakery (52 weeks of Pike Place Market, Seattle

March 25, 2016

Just when you think it’s spring in Seattle, we get a few chilly blasts that remind us to give weather the reverence it deserves.  The day I was lunching at Seattle’s Pike Place Market for this week’s market lunch entry it was so blustery that I wanted to be somewhere cozy but I wasn’t craving […]

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cyclebc rental in vancouver

An Electric Car, Scooters and Yummy Food in Vancouver BC

March 24, 2016

Living in Seattle we are SO lucky to be equidistant between Vancouver and Portland which are two excellent food hubs in the northwest and both cities are only about a 3-hour drive away.  This makes Seattle such an excellent starting point if food is a reason why you travel.  It is also pretty convenient to […]

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cherry blossoms in seattle

Tofu, Blossoms and other things that can be fleeting on a day after Monday

March 21, 2016

Oh Seattle, how obsessed are we with cherry blossoms?  I can’t tell if we’re all smiling lately because the sun is shining past 7 pm or if it’s because of all the pink confetti drifting all over the city.  Underneath all of our rain gear and rubber boots, Seattleites must be total hopeless romantics.  I […]

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Honest biscuits in Seattle

Biscuits and Gravy made of chocolate (Honest Biscuits, Seattle)

March 17, 2016

Every week since the start of 2016 I’ve been eating at a new-to-me restaurant in Pike Place Market and I didn’t realize how many amazing places I would find.  This week, for my 10th restaurant out of 52, I decided to eat at Honest Biscuits (it’s in the Chinook Book too, by the way-do you […]

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Gifts and books that can inspire little travelers

March 2, 2016

My guys have loved travel since our first trips up to see family in Vancouver when they were teeny tiny babies.  Because Vancouver is about a three-hour drive from Seattle, it meant a van-load full of stuff and drives conveniently timed between naps.  Back then our travel needs were totally different than they are now […]

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japonessa 52 weeks of pike place market

Japonessa (near-ish Pike Place Market, Seattle)

February 26, 2016

When I started my 52 weeks of eating at Pike Place Market project, I never thought about the actual physical boundaries of Pike Place Market and I am not sure where it starts and where it ends.  Do the restaurants have to BE where the market stalls are?  And how far away from the market […]

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japanese gourmet in pike place market with a local

Japanese Gourmet in Pike Place Market (Seattle, WA)

February 20, 2016

A long time ago my husband was interviewing for a new job and I found myself wandering hungrily through Pike Place Market and into the Japanese Gourmet restaurant where I had my first meal in Seattle alone.  That was a momentous day for us because the interview went well and we ended up back in […]

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seattle skyline at Ella Bailey Park a great place to take pictures with the family in Seattle

When you think you might make Seattle your home on a Monday

February 15, 2016

Before we had kids we didn’t really think about WHERE people with kids lived in Seattle and when we first moved with kids we were still new to parenting and didn’t think too much of the long-term. We were just desperately in need of space because the space we picked pre-kids was not suitable for […]

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Eat Fish in Pike Place Market

Grilled Salmon Special at Jack’s Fish Spot (52 weeks of eating in Pike Place Market, Seattle)

February 4, 2016

Pike Place Market in Seattle is famous for fish throwing, and I’ve bought fresh fish from the market before, but for some reason I’ve never eaten fish IN the market so I made it my mission this week to make my meal one from under the sea.  I have always noticed a big line at […]

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