PDX Parent December 2018

FREE

for the long days and short years

The Sweetest Season 19 places to play in the snow ✦ 27 great gifts for kids 35 can’t-miss holiday events

PDXPARENT.COM

PORTLAND | VANCOUVER | DECEMBER 2018

Adventure Club FOR KIDS

IT’S FREE!

1st TUESDAY of EVERY MONTH • 9AM - 10AM Inside the Food Court

Kids will enjoy meeting a new character each month, fun activities, dress up, snacks and more!

2018 SCHEDULE

December 4th Elf Workshop

Events are best suited for kids up to 8 years of age.

Exit 17 off I-84 • Troutdale • (503) 669-8060 • ShopColumbiaGorgeOutlets.com

Contents

FEATURE STORIES: The Snow Pack..............................................................14 Where to take your crew to play in the snow, in Oregon and beyond. Plus, what’s new for 2019 at local ski resorts.

By Sarah Vanbuskirk.

All Wrapped Up............................................................22 Our annual holiday gift guide has picks for all the kiddos on your list, plus gifts without the bow. By Denise Castañon and Julia Silverman.

IN EVERY ISSUE: Editor’s Note...................................................................... 6 Play Room............................................................................ 8 Holiday help for foster families, new songs from an old favorite and best stops for kid ear piercing.

Field Trip............................................................................ 26 Next-level immersive game experiences at the VR Cafe in Beaverton.

By Julia Silverman.

Hands On.......................................................................... 28 Make a nature-inspired ornament, for your tree or the front window.

By Julz Nally.

Family Supper............................................................... 30 Cozy up at the brand new Rose City Book Pub in Northeast Portland.

By Julia Silverman.

Recipe File..........................................................................31 A decadent chocolate pie, so good they won’t believe it’s vegan. By Judith Rich.

Time Out..............................................................................34 Santa spottings, Hanukah happenings,

WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT/CRAIG MOORE GLACIERWORLD.COM

and New Year’s at Noon.

RESOURCES Holiday Gift Guide................................................................. 20-21 Holiday Highlights................................................................ 32-43

* cover stories

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

5

Editor’s Note for the long days and short years

I

n our family, I am the travel planner. This has proved to be both a blessing and a curse.

On the one hand, I get to dream up the trips that I want to take. On the other hand, it’s a lot of pressure. I always feel fully responsible for everyone else’s good time, or lack thereof.

It’s a balancing act, really, especially as kids grow older — we want our precious time off to be both a chance to rest and recharge, and also to have some adventures, and expand their cultural boundaries.

Those two goals, as I’ve found out firsthand, can be at odds with one another. That’s why I’m so grateful to live in the Pacific Northwest. The family trips we’ve taken over the years that have been most successful at blending relaxation and new experiences have been in our own big, beautiful, shared backyard, whether camping at a remote national forest or kayaking off the Washington coast BETHANY ANTIKAJIAN or digging for fossils in eastern Oregon. If you’re your family’s de facto travel agent, writer Sarah Vanbuskirk is here to help, with our story about where to stay and play in the snow with kids this winter, on page 14. There’s plenty more in this issue, too, from all the holiday events you could ever want, to our annual gift guide, this year with an expanded section on gifts of experience, that your whole family can share. Maybe one of them will even be a trip? Wherever you go, whatever you do, may 2019 be a year for both peace and adventure — and if you figure out how to have both in one go, please tell me your secret!

—

PDX Parent P.O. Box 13660 Portland, OR 97213-0660 Phone: 503-460-2774; Fax: 503-331-3445 Publisher Rose Caudillo, 503-460-2774 publisher@pdxparent.com Editor Julia Silverman, 503-922-0893 julia.silverman@pdxparent.com Managing Editor Denise Castañon denise.castanon@pdxparent.com Art Director Susan Bard Web Director Michelle Carew, 503-914-6151 michelle.carew@pdxparent.com Calendar / Newsletter Editor Amy Conway calendar@pdxparent.com Customer Accounts Manager Christie Kline, 503-810-9817 christie.kline@pdxparent.com Distribution Coordinator Melissa Light melissa.light@pdxparent.com Senior Account Executive Ali King, 503-331-8184 ali.king@pdxparent.com Account Executive Kristy Olsen, 503-914-6481 kristy.olsen@pdxparent.com Account Executive Jill Weisensee, 503-309-8272 jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com Web Administrator Casey Rhodes casey.rhodes@pdxparent.com President Keith Goben, 503-460-2774 keith.goben@pdxparent.com

This month, only on pdxparent.com: » Volunteering opportunities with kids » Family-friendly New Year’s Eve parties

For distribution issues, e-mail us at distribution@pdxparent.com For calendar submissions, e-mail us at calendar@pdxparent.com PDX Parent is published monthly by Metro Parent Publishing, Inc., and is copyright 2018 Metro Parent Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

PDX Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA metropolitan area.

PDX Parent reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised herein.

On our cover: Local photographer Caitlin Forster of Wild Poppy Photo took a whole series of shots of her adorable daughter making a gingerbread house, complete with icing, sprinkles and plenty of lovely mess. But our favorite was the “after” shot, with the universal kid move of sneaking a taste when you don’t think you’re being watched. See more of Caitlin’s evocative work at wildpoppyphoto.com.

6

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

PDX Parent does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

Although every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of published material, Metro Parent Publishing, Inc., and its agents and employees cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of any information contained herein. The contents of PDX Parent and its website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or treatment.

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

7

Play Room

Marshall Bex, a Portland father of three kids, ages 8, 11, and 13, saw a gap in the market for digital books that did a great job of simply telling a story. He’s the founder of Mode Adjust, a creative agency that represents big-name companies such as Nike and Pepsi, but decided to launch a new venture called Vooks, which is based in the Pearl District. We asked him to tell us more.

Q: So all the videos are kid-friendly?

A: Yes, all the videos are 100 percent kid-safe. We work with top publishers like Scholastic, DK, Chronicle Books and Kidsbooks.

Q: How is Vooks different from other types of screen time?

A: The pacing of

Q: What is Vooks?

A: Vooks is simply

Vooks is similar to a

storybooks brought to life.

They are animated versions of children’s storybooks.

We’ve created a fun way for kids to engage with books and enjoy all the benefits that they offer.

book to their kids.

Q: What inspired you to

fun watching kiddos

parent reading a We balance the pacing and read-along aspect to keep engagement high and allow time for imagination. It’s

start this company?

watch the same

A: I have three children and

stories over and over

NATASHA HIRTZEL

To subscribe, visit vooks.com.

Take Five: Marshall Bex

and begin to learn when they were young, I saw story structure, visual e-books and digital books thinking, and basic that were gamified. They language skills while never actually paid attention Vooks co-founder Marshall Bex with his wife April and their kids Marshall, Brynnan and Laci, and their dog, Bailey. having fun. to the content of the books when they were on their own, they usually just played the games Q: Do your kids have favorite stories on Vooks? or touched all the objects that made sounds. I wanted something A: My kids love the Vooks videos even though they are aimed at different that captivated them when I wasn’t around and nurtured children ages 2 to 8 years old. In fact, both of my girls have helped me a love of reading. I saw how kids loved to watch videos and realized write a few stories for Vooks and are excited to see their creations come that a streaming service dedicated to animated storybooks could be a

game changer.

to life. — Denise Castañon

Playlist: Kid’s

Best Friend

Raffi. The name can be hurled as an insult by non-parents. But parents of small kids know it’s a name that’s been revered for decades, and for good reason. Kids get magically lulled into a calm, happy state when Raffi’s tunes are spinning. So us parents can be thankful that the 70-year-old has released his 25th album, Dog on the Floor. Canine friends are a big theme of this 15-song album. Need more evidence that Raffi’s still got that preternatural connection to preschoolers’ brains? My 3-year-old son Cruz excitedly pipes up, “It’s a doggie song, mama!” every time the title track and Luna’s Song start playing. Available at Target and via iTunes. — D.C.

8

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

Gear Guide:

listen up PSA: Headphones designed for grownups won’t cut it for kids — turning the volume all the way up can damage a kiddo’s developing ear canal. A good pair of kid’s headphones should limit volume to no more than 85 decibels. (And don’t even try earbuds — experts say kids should be using over-the-ear sets only.)

Here are a few of our favorites.

Puro BT2220 The top pick

We Recommend:

from The New York Times’ panel of consumer products

Zara in Portland

experts, my own kids have this pair and we’ve been really pleased. The sleek look means they will be a hit with

Portland fashionistas and their mini-mes, rejoice! The Spain-based fashion giant

older kiddos, plus they’ve

on-trend duds for men, women and kids delivered fresh to the store twice a week

Bluetooth compatible. From $69.99.

Zara has opened their first Portland location in downtown’s Pioneer Place. Expect

PURO

got volume control and are

— and super affordable prices. We love the color palette in the toddler boys section that goes way beyond gray and blue. Pro tip: When your kids have outgrown their Zara gear, bring it back to the store for their “closing the loop” program, which aims to keep clothes out of landfills by reusing and recycling. — D.C.

JLab JBuddies Studio A much gentler price point than the Puros, which is important if your kids, like mine, have a nasty habit

Apps We Love: map

of leaving headphones

it out

on airplanes. No Bluetooth, but good

Okay, yes, these days everyone has GPS and paper maps are (increasingly) going by the wayside. But basic geography knowledge is still invaluable. Here

Carmen

Stack the

Returns You

nice blend of

Sandiego played the classic Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego as a kid, right? Us too! This next-gen update

States A FREECLOUD DESIGN INC.

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

are a couple of apps to get your littles started down that road.

gameplay and learning, kids must match the states with their capitals

sends kids on a mission to capture the

and other important landmarks. Kids

elusive Carmen and her henchmen

can unlock more mini-games and play

as they hopscotch through world

against family members. Ninety-nine

capitals. Free on Apple and Android

cents on Apple devices. Best for ages

devices. Best for ages 8-11.

6 and up. — Julia Silverman

sound quality with easily regulated volume levels.

JLAB AUDIO

From $19.99.

Onanoff Buddyphones An easyfolding model that comes with a long-lasting plastic frame to withstand, say, a tug-of-war between your kids. Plus, there’s a built-in wire-splitter (so no need for that tug-of-war) and the volume limiter is always on, topping out at 82 decibels. Starting

BUDDYPHONES

at $24.99 — J.S.

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

9

Play Room

➊ With locations on both sides

of the Willamette River, and an extensive online FAQ section about kids and pierced ears,

Adorn Body Art is many parents’ first choice. adornbodyart.com

➋ Vancouverites swear by the

pros at Studio X Tattoo and Ear Piercing. studioxtattoo.tumblr.com

➌ In outer Southeast Portland, the

owner of TLC Piercing specializes in children and infants (and also offers an assortment of offbeat gifts, like handmade Victorian lampshades).

TOP 5 ...

JULIA SILVERMAN

Kid-friendly spots for ear piercing

tlcsearpiercing.com

➍ Ritual

Body Art and Tattoo will pierce the ears of kids over the age of 6, and offers titanium jewelry for extrasensitive skin. ritualartspdx.com

➎ Black Hole Body Piercing and

Tattoo is a great option for families in Beaverton and other westside

suburbs. Blackholebodypiercing.com — J.S.

Chalkboard: 70: 6:

Let it Snow?

Percent chance that Oregon’s headed for an EL NIÑO WINTER.

INCHES OF SNOW forecast to fall on the valley floor this season

²/ : ³ CASCADES.

Percentage of NORMAL snowpack expected for the

31:

Dreaming of a white Christmas for you and the kiddos? Local weather forecasters say you might need to keep dreaming. It’s very, very rare for Portland to get three winters in a row with snowfall of more than six inches (the last time it happened was nearly 40 years ago). So if you want to go sledding this winter, chances are looking good that you’ll need to pack up the car and head for the hills. But what about snowfall in the Cascades? The National Weather Service is calling for an “El Niño” winter, meaning that it could be a warmer, drier winter than normal in these parts, due to warm waters in the Pacific Ocean, around the equator. That’s good news if our gray winters get you down, and certainly good news for kiddos who love to play outside — but it could make for a tough wildfire season next summer, and exacerbate drought conditions across the

INCHES OF RAIN

state. Still, predicting the weather is as tricky as trying to convince

predicted to fall in Portland during

a 3-year-old not to give up their daytime nap, so take heart.

this year’s RAINY SEASON.

Peak snowpack in Oregon usually happens sometime around spring break — last year, our biggest snowfall didn’t arrive until midFebruary — so we’ve got lots more winter weather to go. (Find out where to take your kids to play in the snow, on page 14.) — J.S.

10

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

Good Deeds:

Help for Foster Families

Ask Dr. Doug: The All-Too-Common Cold

Q

:M y child started preschool this year, and it seems like he’s constantly

A

WITH LOVE, OREGON

The holiday season can be an especially hard time for the kids in Oregon’s foster care system, who may be missing their birth parents and their traditions. Help support them, and the families who generously open their doors to offer them shelter, by volunteering at With Love, Oregon, a Tigard-based nonprofit founded by Lake Oswego mom Allie Roth. With Love collects all kinds of necessities for foster kids, including clothing, shoes, bedding, baby gear, toys, personal items and toiletries. You can find an Amazon wish list for the organization via their website, at withloveoregon.org, and when you drop off your donations at their Tigard warehouse (8178 SW Durham Rd., check website for open hours), kids of all ages are encouraged to stay and help parents sort through and inspect donations.

Kids can also help with cleaning donated items, folding and packing clothes into bags, and matching up shoes, among other tasks. And if they need a break, With Love has a play room right next to the volunteer area, so kids can have some free time while parents finish off a shift. (If you can’t make

sick. What do you think about over-the-counter remedies for kids with colds? Do any of them actually work? Or do we have no choice but to wait it out?

: There are few things in parenting cuter than a parade of preschoolers with

little backpacks off to make new friends. But with that comes the parade of runny noses. I tell parents that within a week to 10 days after the first day of school or daycare, expect your tyke to have a drippy nose, cough, and sometimes fever.

Kids 6 and under have an average of six to eight colds per year, which usually happen between September and April. That’s about once a month. And symptoms from routine colds usually last 10 to 14 days, which means he’ll basically be congested off and on until about March! Usually kids handle the symptoms pretty well, and we have to trust their bodies to fight off these common viral infections.

The best way to feel better is to try and prevent colds in the first place. (Sounds easy, right?) Teach your little one to wash his hands after coughing or sneezing, before eating, after using the bathroom, and when you get home. Hand sanitizer doesn’t work quite as well for stomach viruses, but use it if that’s what you have. Teach your child early how to cough into his elbow. Sleep and good nutrition are musts to keep our bodies healthy, so get plenty of both. And don’t forget flu shots — they are the best protection we have against influenza, a specific virus that can make kids miserable and very sick.

Once your child gets sick with a common cold, you can help him feel more comfortable while his body fights off the virus. Start with trying to get the mucus out with nasal saline and suction (like a NoseFrida) — although if that’s turning into a wrestling match, don’t fight too hard. Steamy baths and a humidifier can help.

Ibuprofen (for babies older than 6 months) and acetaminophen can treat fever and body aches. Make sure they are drinking, but don’t worry about their appetite — none of us want to eat much when we feel crummy.

Cough is usually the most bothersome symptom for everyone. Over-the-counter cough and cold preparations are not safe for kids under 6 and should not be used.

Last year the FDA recommended against any cough medicine with codeine for kids as it can stop their breathing. A study a few years ago found honey was better than Robitussin at treating nighttime cough, and I regularly recommend it for children older than 1 year. Herbal tea or warm water with lemon and honey works well. Our grandmothers were right!

We may need to tweak these recommendations for specific viruses (like croup, which comes with a barky cough and noisy breathing called stridor), or if your child has other issues such as asthma. For fever lasting longer than three to four days, concerns about dehydration, any breathing difficulty, a cough lasting longer than four weeks, or if you’re just plain worried, call your pediatrician. And remember, antibiotics don’t kill viruses. But cuddles and soup boost our immune system, so I’ll prescribe those year-round.

it in for a long shift, they suggest putting laundering donated clothes. Every little bit helps!) This December, they are especially looking for new toys and books as part of a “Season of Giving” drive; find out more info on their website. — J.S.

Dr. Doug Lincoln practices general pediatrics at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Happy Valley. He is board certified in both pediatrics and preventive medicine, with special interests in helping parents meet their breastfeeding goals, caring for neurodiverse children with behavioral health needs, and advocating for children via teaching and policy. As a dad of two boys, he understands the joy and hard work that comes with parenting. Find out more about Dr. Doug and Metropolitan Pediatrics at metropediatrics.com.

pdxparent.com

DR. DOUG

your washing machine at home to work by

|

December 2018

11

The PDX Parent Picks readers’

poll opens January 2! Get ready to

vote for your family’s favorite people, places and

Celebrate the winners with us at Oaks Amusement Park on June 22!

12

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

RENT P PA I

S CK

And save the date:

PD X

spaces.

CELEBRATE THE CITY 2019

LANGUAGE IMMERSION │ INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) │ PRESCHOOL - 8th GRADE Do you want your child to develop the lifelong skills to succeed in a global, interconnected world?

Discover why families believe their child’s future begins at FAIS: the only IB school in Portland for preschool-8th grade.

JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE — OR SCHEDULE A CUSTOM TOUR LOWER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE (Preschool-5th grade, French immersion) Friday, January 18, 9 am

MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE (6th-8th grade, multiple language tracks) Wednesday, January 9, 6:30 pm

admissions@faispdx.org │ 503.292.7776 ext. 310 │ www.faispdx.org

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

13

A bluebird day on Mount Hood at Timberline Ski and Snowboard Area.

TIMBERLINE LODGE

The mountains are calling and your family mu

The Snow

14

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

ust go … play in the snow.

P

ortlanders dream of powder. That’s why we may smile, or even dance, at the winter rains. In town, we get drenched, yes, but at higher elevations, those same rains paint our mountains white. Whether your family gets its snowy kicks on skis, snowshoes, sleds or from hurling snowballs, the Pacific Northwest has a dizzying number of winter wonderlands from which to choose. Here’s our guide to the best kidfriendly snowy day trips, overnights and longer getaways the region has to offer.

Snow Days Your family can easily get knee deep in powder, with an hour or two drive — just don’t forget to buy an Oregon or Washington Sno-park permit or you may end up with a ticket. Go mid-week if you can to beat the weekend crowds.

If you seek no-frills, no-fee sledding or tubing, or simply want to enjoy the snowy scenery, try Mount Hood’s perennial favorites (and sometimes overrun on holidays, Saturdays and Sundays) White River West Sno-Park, Little John Sno-Park, Multorpor Sno-Park (part of Ski Bowl East) and Snow Bunny Sledding Area, which is at a relatively low elevation so best later in a year with lots of snow. In Southwest Washington, check out the Oldman Pass Loop in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

For high-octane tubing, you’ll pay to play, but get amenities like a lodge with hot chocolate and snacks, organized runs, a kiddie play area and a conveyor belt to lug the tubes back up the slope at Skibowl East. Thousands of bright, colored and black lights, and hopping music turn Skibowl’s dedicated slopes into Cosmic Tubing — a regular weekend night-tubing party. Summit Ski Area also has groomed tubing runs, as does Cooper Spur

w Pack

BY SARAH VANBUSKIRK

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

15

Snow Tubing Park, which boasts a free Snow Carousel for children 42 inches and under.

For close-to-the-city downhill skiing and snowboarding, take your pick of Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood Meadows, Cooper Spur, Mount Hood Ski Bowl and Summit Ski Area. All offer lessons, gear rental, a range of terrain, and proximity to Portland.

New this winter, as added incentive to avoid peak times, Mount Hood Meadows has implemented dynamic pricing,

I

f you are looking to stay overnight at

Where to Stay and Eat

a Mount Hood

ski resort, Cooper Spur and Timberline Lodge both have well-appointed, family-friendly accommodations and restaurants onsite. At Cooper Spur, choose from lodge rooms, condos or homes and dine at The Crooked Tree Restaurant and Tavern which specializes in home cooking and locally sourced ingredients. The iconic Timberline Lodge has multiple dining options, from gourmet to casual, including the Cascade Dining Room and the Ram’s Head Bar and Restaurant, an outdoor hot tub, and an impressive variety of sleeping arrangements (with or without private bath), from twins to queens to bunks.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for online deals that combine free lift tickets with your

16

MOUNT HOOD MEADOWS

Majestic snowshoeing and cross country skiing trails can be found at Trillium Lake, Pocket Creek, White River, Bennet Pass and Cooper Spur. Twelve miles of prime cross-country-only terrain are found at Teacup Lake Sno-Park. Teacup Nordic offers the excellent Youth Nordic Skiing Education Program for youth age 8 and up.

Mount Hood Meadows also accommodates snowshoeing excursions as well.

Joe’s Donut

farther to stay at Sunriver Resort, the

Shop.

ever-popular planned resort community

Or, stay

offering both hotel and home rental

at Collins Lake Resort in Government

stays, with multiple shopping villages,

Camp in multi-bedroom chalets that will

restaurants, pools, tennis courts, and

comfortably fit a family or two and take

miles of paved bike and walking paths

a dip in the steamy, well-heated outdoor

through picturesque forest at the base

pool and hot tubs. For a quick bite in

of the Cascade Mountains. Or book a

Government Camp, try the Mount Hood

room at one of the many hotels in Bend,

Brewing Company, a family friendly brew

such as Riverhouse on the Deschutes,

pub serving pizzas, burgers, salads and

a pet-friendly hotel located right on the

more, which opened in 1991. (If you want

river with one-bedroom suites that easily

to revisit your meal off the mountain,

accommodate six. When in Bend, try

check out its new sister location at

the Boise pizza transplant, Flatbread

Tilikum Station on Southeast Caruthers

Pizza, where kids can make their own

in Portland, which just opened earlier this

pizza at the table and McKay Cottage for

year.)

creative comfort food. Then, indulge in

When skiing on Mount Bachelor, stay

yummy treats at Goody’s Soda Fountain

at the Mount Bachelor Village Resort,

& Candy Store. Base your visit to Hoodoo

which is 20 miles from the slopes, has

Ski Area from a home rental at Black

rates starting under $200 per night

Butte Ranch or a room at The Suttle

room price. On your way up the mountain

for two bedrooms and boasts indoor

Lake Lodge and Boathouse. Head to

be sure to stop in Sandy at the red and

and outdoor hot tubs, an indoor pool

Sisters for grub at the Cottonwood Cafe

white checkered doughnut landmark

and fitness facilities. Venture a little

and Sisters Meat and Smokehouse.

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

which ups the price for any given date as more tickets are purchased. The expected range starts at $49 for quieter midweek days to upwards of $99 or higher for prime holidays and weekends.

Vista Experience,” a dedicated, more substantial pathway with

Summit, the second oldest ski resort in the nation, which is now owned by Timberline, and Cooper Spur, on the north side of the mountain, particularly cater to beginners and families. Both tend to have a more relaxed energy, lower prices and smaller crowds.

December 22 and 23.

Officials at Timberline say they’ll maintain Summit’s focus on terrain for beginning skiers and snowboarders and, in an effort to address winter sport affordability and accessibility, ticket prices will stay low. This season, Summit visitors can enjoy expanded food and beverage options as well as cosmetic upgrades to the lodge building.

Snowboard school kids getting a hand off the chairlift at Mount Hood Meadows.

Timberline, Meadows and Ski Bowl offer a faster pace, a greater variety of runs and more frills — think terrain parks, numerous top of the line, multi-person lifts, night skiing, more types of runs, (particularly more challenging ones), expert instructors for group or individual lessons, and more special events.

In an effort to make its terrain more exciting for beginners, this season Meadows has launched “The New

exceptional views, from the top of the Vista lift that feeds into the complex of beginner terrain below. Another fun perk for families at Meadows this winter is a fireside breakfast with Santa, available

A Night or Two Away All the above Mount Hood ski areas are worthy of an overnight or two for multi-day visits. When you’ve got sleepy and/or antsy young kids in the backseat, cutting out the early am commute up the mountain, which gets more congested with each push of the snooze button, makes an overnight well worth it. Plus practicing snow sports back-to-back days definitely boosts ability.

Meadows has an excellent child care facility that can handle babies on up, with the option for children 3 and older to add in a partial day ski lesson. There is ample space for sledding on the Cooper Spur resort grounds and lots of board games to play in front of the fire while sipping hot chocolate to round out your snowy getaway. Visit Timberline Lodge on December 14 at 6 pm to watch the lighting of their 30-foot tree, then help decorate, or stay over on Christmas Eve to see Santa come down the chimney, followed by carol singing with Saint Nick.

to whichever snowy activity your family desires. Check their website for great family deals, which often loop in lift tickets. You’ll be floored by the range of Whistler Blackcomb dining options; standouts include the Garibaldi Lift Company

SUN VALLEY

Bar and Grill for familyfriendly aprés ski dining on the slopes and delicious Swoon-worthy outdoor pools at Sun Valley, with Idaho’s mountains in the distance.

barbecue at Dusty’s Bar and Grill.

Sun Valley boasts a range of accommodations from the luxe condos

on over or take the gondola up to enjoy fondue or a handmade Bavarian pretzel

and rooms in the historic lodge to

and the majestic winter wonderland

charming cottages. Recent guest room

view at Averell’s from its mid-mountain,

and fitness center remodels as well as

slopeside perch.

the re-building and expansion of the Warm Springs Day Lodge (which burned down last season), two heated outdoor pools, a bowling alley and local movie theater all add to Sun Valley’s appeal. Ski

Whistler Blackcomb offers every type

Whitefish Mountain Resort also has numerous mountainside lodging choices, from townhouses to cozy cabins, which put guests steps away from the slopes. Refuel with your crew after a few hours on the snow at the newly

of lodging you can imagine (from house

remodeled Ed and Mully’s Bar and Grill,

rentals and condos to five-star hotels)

conveniently located near the bottom of

scattered over the base of the mountains

the terrain park and intermediate

in several villages, most easily accessible

skiing area.

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

17

FIND OUT MORE AT

» timberlinelodge.com » skihood.com » skibowl.com » summitskiarea.com

Cooperspur.com »

» mtbachelor.com » skihoodoo.com » sunvalley.com

WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT/CRAIG MOORE GLACIERWORLD.COM

whistlerblackcomb.com » skiwhitefish.com

Powder for days at Whistler-Blackcomb in British Columbia.

Other outstanding family snow fun destinations are Hoodoo Ski Area and Mount Bachelor. Just under 2½ hours away, Hoodoo sports 34 runs, five lifts and one of the largest tubing parks in the West. New this season, Hoodoo has expanded its night-skiing capability to 23 runs and over 500 acres of terrain and added operation to three nights (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) per week starting mid-December. Mount Bachelor, that beacon of dry powder, is another hour’s drive, but offers a deluxe resort with all the amenities and tons of bonus activities, from snowshoe tours and dog-sled rides to skiing with a ranger or taking a helicopter tour of the frozen Cascade range.

Farther Afield Sun Valley is Idaho’s classic, upscale ski resort oasis, drawing winter sport enthusiasts from across the West Coast. There you’ll find all the expected basics dialed in, from stunning scenery to awesome runs groomed to perfection, family-friendly amenities and a totally walkable village. On-site activities include horsedrawn sleigh rides, an ice rink and fat biking, which uses wide tires on designated groomed Nordic trails and along the Wood River Bike Path to let participants (from beginners on up) experience the thrill of biking through the snowy landscape. The resort’s much lauded SnowSport School will work with students of all ages and abilities,

18

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

including those with disabilities. Extensive recent and ongoing terrain upgrades and expansion to Cold Springs Canyon increases skiable area by 380 acres and this winter “Experience Cold Springs Canyon” tours will be available for advanced skiers.

Another can’t-go-wrong winter sport destination is Whistler Blackcomb, located in Canada, about an eight hour drive due north from Portland, which consistently wows with its beauty, European ambiance, snow conditions, top-notch facilities and runs that last for days. New this season, enjoy major lift upgrades, including faster lift speeds, a new high-speed six-person chair servicing the resort’s Family SkiZone and a new 10-person gondola. Kids will also love exploring the snowy play structures of the Magic Castle on Blackcomb Mountain in the Children’s Adventure Park and the Treefort on Whistler Mountain.

Montana’s Whitefish Mountain Resort is also fantastic for families. Much of the terrain has been organized and groomed with families in mind, so that beginner, intermediate and expert options are all closely accessible together with easy starting and meet-up points. Proximity to the gorgeous, and not to be missed, Glacier National Park is another plus.

Sarah Vanbuskirk is a writer and mother of five based in Portland, Oregon.

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

19

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

21

All Wrap

This year, resolve to shop local, and find great gifts for all the sugarplums on your list.

Babies love binkies.

Babies love stuffies. But the two combined in

BLADE AND ROSE

Two moms who

one? That’s what

wanted to see

Apple Valley’s

more Spanish-

organic

speaking

farm buddy

These adorable tights from UK brand Blade + Rose will keep chunky

Deck your little

in books for babies

hipster out in this

teamed up

retro-style trucker

to found the

hat from oh-so-

adorable Lil’ Libros

SoCal Grom Kids.

line. Learn to count

They’ll be all ready

with iconic artist

for that #vanlife.

Frida Kahlo, or about

$22.50. At the Bull

the parts of the

and the Bee.

body with the Lucha

lovies do. Pure genius. $13. At Juniper + James, Posh Baby and EcoBaby Gear.

APPLE PARK

BLADE AND ROSE

representation

Libre, the heroes of

baby legs warm all

Mexican wrestling.

winter long — and

From $9.99. At

that tushie flap!

Green Bean Books

We’re dying. (Plus,

and A Children’s

it’s easy access for

Place Books.

those who are cloth

The rattle is an alltime baby classic.

At Colton,

diapering.) $17. At

Oregon-based

Kids at Heart.

Waylive Rattle Com-

h ages 0 3

pany, they’ve modernized

MICHAEL LYMAN

the concept, with sustainable rattles made from satiny local woods. $30. At Black Wagon and Bella Stella.

LIL LIBROS

Where to Buy: All locations in Portland, unless otherwise noted: A Children’s Place Bookstore: 1423 NE Fremont St. The Bull and the Bee: 1540 SE Bybee Blvd. | EcoBaby Gear: 7980 SW Stark St. | Green Bean Books: 1600 NE Alberta St. |

The Heathman Hotel: 1001 SW Broadway | iSpark Toys: 925 NE Orenco Station Loop, Hillsboro | Kids at Heart: 3445 SE Hawthorne Blvd. | Mother Earth’s Nail Bar: 4361 N. Williams Ave. | Music World: 612 NE 81st St, Suite B, Oodles 4 Kids: 7727 SE 13th Ave. | Oregon Children’s Theatre: 1939 NE Sandy Blvd. | Oregon Zoo: 4001 SW Canyon Rd. | Piccolo Posh Baby: 916 NW 10th Ave. | Powell’s Books: Multiple locations | Trade Up Music: 1834 22

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

pped Up

BY JULIA SILVERMAN AND DENISE CASTAÑON

The Discover with Dr. Cool Ultimate Dual Microscope allows future scientists to look at both slides and 3-D objects.

An Ashland-based

Durability is

company makes this

and Hammer and Jacks.

The

this age group. And

sturdy

the rugged, smooth-

Kala

rolling Micro Maxi

Color

Deluxe Kickboard

Chord

Scooter fits the bill.

Ukulele

The adjustable handle

features

and 150-pound weight

chords marked in colors on the neck for easy learning via included

limit makes

a modern twist. And while it promises big fun, it will only take up a small footprint. Another ♥ : You have the option of getting a doll family of color. $80. Dolls ($30 for a family of four) and furniture are sold separately.

At Hammer and Jacks.

this a ride. Best

online lessons. (And

for ages 5

your kiddos can color

and up. $140.

the exterior with chalk!)

At Oodles

$60. At Music World

for Kids,

and Trade Up Music.

Kazoodles

h ages 3 6

House gives the doll house

long-lasting

booklet, Kala app or

DISCOVER WITH DR. COOL

We love how Djeco’s Color

DJECO

$70. At iSpark Toys

a big theme for KALA

durable microscope.

What’s better than sneaking a fondness for STEM into their dress-up play? The cool Aeromax Astronaut Helmet lets their imaginations soar to infinity and beyond. $24.99. At the OMSI Science Store and Hammer and Jacks.

and Piccolo Mondo.

AEROMAX MICRO KICKBOARD

| Annie Bloom’s Books: 7834 SW Capitol Hwy. | Bella Stella: 2751 NE Broadway St. | Black Wagon: 3964 N. Mississippi Ave. M udpuddles Toys & Books: 2305 NW Kearney St., and 16420 SW Langer Dr., Sherwood | Hammer and Jack’s: 6416 SE Foster Rd.

| Juniper + James: j uniper andjamesgifts.com | Kazoodles: 13503 SE Mill Plain Blvd., B-3, Vancouver, Wash.

Vancouver, Wash. | Northwest Children’s Theater and School: 1819 NW Everett St. | OMSI Science Store: 1945 SE Water Ave. Mondo: 4768 Bethany Blvd., C5 and 12345 SW Horizon Blvd., #43, Beaverton | Portland Children’s Museum: 4015 SW Canyon Rd. NE Alberta St. and 4701 SE Division St. | Thinker Toys: 7784 SW Capitol Hwy. pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

23

LEGO-loving kids will dig the chance to graduate from plastic bricks to the plaster, ceramic, glue and cardboard materials in Aussie company Wise Elk’s Dragon

WIS

EE

LK

to start over, just put the bricks into water, and they’ll separate easily, ready for another go. $49.99. At Oodles 4 Kids.

Inspire your kids toward a Many kids gravitate toward fiction at this age, but facts matter, too.

Whoever their hero is, there’s probably a book in the Who Was/Who Is series about their lives.

FEITZKY LLC

YELLOW SCOPE

Castle. If you finish building and want

career in STEM with the new Paper Chromatography kit from the mad geniuses at Portland-based Yellow Scope.

It explores art and the science of color with hundreds of activities. (And FYI, while the kit is marketed towards girls, boys will like messing around with the experiments, too.) $39.99. At iSpark Toys, Mudpuddles Toys & Gifts, the OMSI Science Store and Piccolo Mondo Toys.

Read alongside them to get inspired. From $9.99 at Powell’s and Annie

Many Portland kids

Bloom’s.

will recall the massive Women’s March in 2017 as one of their earliest moments of civic awakening. Keep the message alive with this fab Nevertheless, She Persisted puzzle. $18. At Thinker Toys.

MUKIKIM

Help your kids get their groove on with the Rock and Roll It Piano from Wisconsin-based MukiKim, which can be rolled up and tucked into a backpack, powered by a battery or a USB charge. Great for those just starting to play piano (and they make a drum kit, too.) $49.99. At Thinker Toys.

a ages 6 up

We love to give back! Check out PDX Parent staffers favorite nonprofits to support this holiday season at: pdxparent.com/favorite-nonprofits/

Julia Silverman is PDX Parent’s editor. Despite her best efforts, her twins start making their holiday wish lists on January 3, every year, without fail. Managing editor Denise Castañon has kids who are little enough to not completely grasp the concept of a wish list. She knows that next year the jig is up.

24

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

A ll T ogether G ifts Sure the kids make a list of their must-have toys, but what they really want is to spend some time with their parental units where the focus is on fun all together, not homework or housework or screens. (Even if they won’t admit it.) Surprise them with an outing that you’ll all remember long after the holiday gifts are opened, played with and outgrown.

PACK MENTALITY Great Wolf Lodge at Grand Mound is

PINKIES UP Don your fanciest

kiddie paradise: Indoor water park, IRT puzzle-solving game, a

duds and hit Russian high tea

new mining-themed maze and panning for semi-precious rocks

at the Heathman Hotel. The

activity, and sugar everywhere. You’re sure to come home with

kid tea plate offers a tasty mix

some swag, but the family-time experience of all the thrills

of classic snacks and soon-

together is what will stick with the kiddos the most. Reserve

to-be new favorites. Best for

your room at greatwolf.com/grand-mound.

DENISE CASTAÑON

ages 4 and up. Pro tip: Stroll

THIS LITTLE PIGGY Spend one-on-one time with your child doing something you really want to do! At Mother Earth’s Nail

off those delicious treats with a visit to the Portland Art Museum just behind the hotel.

Bar they offer kid (4 to 10 years old) and parent pedicures. Plus it’s a gender-neutral establishment, so all are welcome.

BLAZER NATION Get that Rip City pride started early with a trip to the Moda Center for a Trailblazers game. Be sure to swing

THE PLAY’S THE THING Our terrific kids’ theater companies

by Kid City on the 300 Level for face painting, sign making and a

offer shows for kids as young as 3. Getting a season subscriber

special “my first game” souvenir. Pro tip: Sunday games start

package means you’ll get discounts on tickets and preferred

a little earlier, at 6 pm. Check out schedules and prices at

seating at both Northwest Children’s Theater and Oregon

nba.com/blazers.

Children’s Theatre.

LIVE ONSTAGE Teach your kids that classical music is fun with the Oregon Symphony’s kid concerts — because it really is at these short concerts. Last season our kids giggled like crazy when red-sneakered conductor Norman Huynh disappeared and a giant T. Rex took his place. Get tickets now to this spring’s Green Eggs and Ham and Peter and the Wolf. Find tickets at orsymphony.org.

RACES TOGETHER Getting covered in mud + mom and dad getting muddy, too = best day ever.

Sign up the whole

SUNNY DAYS ONSTAGE It’s one of life’s mysteries that even and abiding love for Elmo. Take her to The Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! show at the Moda Center on Friday, January 25. Shows at 2:30 pm and 6:00 pm. Tickets

Muddy Valentine Race at Lee Farms.

The adults can slip and slide through

TERRAPIN EVENTS

family for the My

a toddler who doesn’t get any screen time can have a deep

FELD ENTERTAINMENT

THE FAMILY THAT

the 5K obstacle race while the kids cover 1.1 miles. More info at: terrapinevents.com/event/my-muddy-valentine-5k-mud-runportland-oregon.

ASK THE GRANDPARENTS We’ve got some great options for year-round fun in Portland. Annual memberships to the Oregon Zoo, OMSI or Portland Children’s Museum can help

start at $20.

the kids get their wiggles out on rainy days. Memberships are

Grab yours at

a great suggestion for out-of-town grandparents who aren’t

sesamestreetlive.

sure what to gift your kiddo. (Plus you’ll have a fun place to go

com.

together when they come for a visit!) — Denise Castañon

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

25

For more ideas for fun outings, visit: pdxparent.com/field-trip

Field Trip

Get Real O

kay, so let’s get this out of the way first. The owners of the new VR Café at the Washington Square Mall in Beaverton clearly intended to open an interactive gaming emporium where kids could play all kinds of immersive video games while their parents made themselves comfortable on the long, low couches that are placed strategically in front of each gaming station, and sipped lattes or smoothies.

Now, I like smoothies, lattes, and getting a few minutes to chill out while my kids are happily occupied as much as the next keepit-real parent. But! When you get there and see how much fun your kids are having, you’re going to want to play, too.

At least, that’s what happened to me on a recent rainy Saturday when I took my gaming-obsessed son, Ben, and his buddy Soren to try it out. (A word on screen time — my husband and I have decided that resistance is somewhat futile, as the more we tried to keep Ben away from screens and video game culture, the more desperate he grew to participate. We do draw firm lines — hard time limits; playing only in common spaces, never behind closed doors; no shooting games; no sexist depictions of women, and definitely no chatting with strangers on servers.)

26

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

Checking out Portland’s new virtual reality experience STORY AND PHOTO BY JULIA SILVERMAN

The VR Café, which has been open for about five months now, takes gaming to a whole new level. For $15 for 15 minutes, $25 for 30 minutes or $45 for 60 minutes (plus a free, interactive and pretty hilarious five-minute tutorial guided by a bot with a British accent who bears a strong resemblance to BB-8 of Star Wars fame), you get your own station and your choice from a bewilderingly huge menu of games. We didn’t have advance reservations, but when we came in at around noon on a Saturday, there were plenty of available stations. I also spotted a long table at the back of the room, and made a mental note for future birthday parties.

I was a little surprised that there wasn’t much of a chance for the kids to be in the same virtual world at the same time, but this might have been because I asked the friendly, proudly feminist owner and her employee sons to recommend games that didn’t feature heavy artillery. (I didn’t have to worry about games that objectified women; “We don’t do that” the owner told me.) The kids didn’t care that it would be an individual experience — they were too busy getting carefully fitted into VR goggles and getting controllers strapped around their wrists, and learning how to manipulate between games and screens. All the stations are equipped with

OTHER PLACES TO GET VIRTUAL Uncharted Realities This brand-new virtual reality center opened in November of 2019, and offers games, virtual escape rooms and more.

933 SW 3rd Ave. Superplay The beloved Beaverton arcade has just added five new VR stations, and is adding new games regularly to its roster. 9300 SW BeavertonHillsdale Hwy. VR Junkie Keep an eye on their Facebook page for discounts at their location inside the Vancouver Mall.

8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr. large overhead screens so you can see what players are seeing from their goggles, which is useful if you’re making sure that your 9-year-old isn’t trying to sneak into a shooting game.

I cracked up watching Ben and Soren’s herky-jerky movements as they wielded virtual lasers and ping-pong paddles, clambered aboard hot-air balloons in mid-air and dodged aliens in outer space. Ben was especially expressive — my favorite was his oh-soslangy declaration in the middle of Beat Saber If you go (kind of like Fruit Ninja, but with lasers and Be prepared swerving/crouching down to avoid flying to work up an obstacles) “EPIC — this music is SICK.” appetite. We found When their 30 minutes were up, they Koi Fusion Taco were hot, sweaty and exhilarated, and I was at the food court jealous. So I got them each another 15 minutes, at Washington at a reduced “extension” rate, and booked Square, but I a 15 minute session for myself. It wasn’t as wished I’d known that the light immediately intuitive for me as it was for and airy Nordic the boys (surprise, surprise) and figuring out Northwest Center which button to hit on my controller took was such a short some doing. Still, it was massively fun to drive away. I would have the real, problematic world fall away have taken the for a quarter of an hour, to do nothing but be boys to the Brøder a virtual ninja. At the end, I am extremely Nørd outpost there, proud to say that I got a high score on Beat to have Swedish Saber. (Okay, third highest score. Of that meatballs and particular day. On the easiest level. But still!). decompress in a The kids loved it and are already talking minimalist, calming setting. about when we can go back. After all, we all need a break from reality sometimes, and as parents, it’s fun to peek into a world that will no doubt be all too familiar for this generation of kids.

The VR Café: 9949 SW Washington Square Rd., Tigard (next door to JC Penney). Monday-Saturday, 10 am-9 pm, Sunday 10 am-7 pm.

Julia Silverman is the editor of PDX Parent. Her son tried to teach her how to play Zelda: Breath of the Wild on his Nintendo Switch the other day. She couldn’t figure it out to save her life. pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

27

Hands On

Deck the Halls Collect some twigs to craft nature-inspired ornaments that celebrate the season.

STORY, PHOTO AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY JULZ NALLY

———— — — — — ————— — — ———— — — —— — — ————— — — —— ——— —— —————— — — —— — — ————— — — —— ——

N

ature is full of so much magic.

There are endless possibilities for exploring in nature and discovering the creativity within yourself and your kids.

Take a walk outside, collect some branches and twigs, and then come together to create beautiful decorations.

28

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

Instructions 1. Break twigs into equal 4-inch to

3. Cut three to five pieces of floral wire, 6 inches to 9 inches each.

5-inch pieces.

2. Place twigs on surface to arrange shape.

4. Wrap floral wire around each corner of your shape to hold in place.

For more kid-friendly projects, visit: pdxparent.com / hands-on

Materials Twigs (3 to 5 twigs per ornament)

Scissors

Floral wire

Yarn

Paintbrush

Acrylic paint Glitter, optional

—— —— ——————— — — — — —————— — — ———— — ——— — —— —————— — — — — —————— — — ———— — ——— — ——

5. Now it’s time to pick a direc-

6. Cut a piece of yarn or string and attach to

tion for your decoration. You

your decoration to hang or give as a gift.

can grab your yarn or string and start wrapping your twigs in whatever way makes you happy. Tie off and tuck in ends. Or you might choose to grab your paint and paintbrush and start painting your twig creation. While the paint is still wet, add glitter if you’d like extra sparkle.

Julz Nally is an artist/illustrator and children’s art teacher in Portland. She loves creating, rainbows and finding simple beauty in everyday. Her work can be found on Burgerville’s kids meal seed packets or at julznally.com. You can follow along with her day-today life on Instagram @julznally. For info on her winter classes visit: julznally.com/hummingbird-art-camp. pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

29

Family Supper

For more kid-friendly restaurant reviews, visit: pdxparent.com /family-supper

A Side Order of Books Head to the new Rose City Book Pub for a read-aloud session with the kiddos, plus a menu built for bookworms.

STORY AND PHOTO BY JULIA SILVERMAN

T

he famed author of the Narnia series, C.S. Lewis, put it best when he wrote, “Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.”

That’s the guiding philosophy behind the new Rose City Book Pub, which opened in early November along a supremely kidfriendly stretch of Northeast Fremont Street. Within a few blocks, you’ll find A Children’s Place Bookstore, Irving Park’s cool playground and water feature, Beanstalk Children’s Resale, a Multnomah County Library branch and a Whole Foods.

Owner Elise Schumock’s cozy new spot opened just in time for the rainy season, when gray days are meant to be whiled away while cuddled up with a book and a hot drink, be it a hot toddy or a hot chocolate.

The first thing you notice when you walk in are, naturally, the books. Floor to ceiling built-in shelves are all over the space, stacked with old favorites, and new treasures to discover, about 7,000 books in total, in all different genres. All the books are for sale, and all are from Schumock’s personal and family collection, save for the kids’ section, which she hand-picked for the store. You’re welcome to browse while waiting for your food and while enjoying your drinks (just not while you’re eating, unless you’ve already bought and paid for the book).

The kiddos with me headed straight for the bright, spacious kid nook at the front of the book pub, which has everything from board books for the littlest customers to picture book favorites including the Fancy Nancy canon and Larry Gets Lost in Portland. There’s also a bin of tween-focused chapter books — we found the graphics-heavy Big Nate series, and an original edition of Babysitter’s Club Number 1,

by Ann M. Martin, Kristy’s Great Idea.

The menu is similarly accessible. If you’re just looking for a nibble, there’s a “snacks” section for $3 apiece, including cheese and crackers,

apples and peanut butter, hummus and carrot sticks, or ants on a log (peanut butter and raisins atop celery sticks, for the uninitiated). Everything on the kids’ menu is just $4, including a peanut butter and jelly sammie, a grilled cheese, or plain buttered noodles; you could round that out with a fresh fruit sampler, for $5. For grown-ups and heartier appetites, there’s a puckery chopped salad laced with fresh mozzarella and salami for $10, and a vegan, glutenfree quinoa bowl served with roasted veggies and housemade chimichurri for $12, among other options. As befits a pub, there’s a big selection of well-priced beers on tap, too. (No coffee though, which seems like a bit of an oversight.)

The kids stuck to simple, oozy grilled cheese/tomato soup combos — I appreciated that the sandwiches came on white, wheat or sourdough — and we settled into a cozy booth surrounded by books.

Note that, at least on the Sunday afternoon when we were there, the noise level was, if not library quiet, then certainly a low, pleasant hum, conducive to quiet reading. If your crew is up for a raucous conversation, you might be better off elsewhere.

Schumock said she plans a slew of family-friendly events in the future, including collaborations with A Children’s Place (think readings at the bookstore, then snacktime and performances at the book pub) and an after-school homework club.

This concept seems like such a perfect fit for the Northwest, it’s surprising that no one has thought of it yet. After all, good meals and good books are two great tastes that go great together, especially on a windy, rainy, winter’s day. Just ask C.S. Lewis.

If you go: Rose City Book Pub, 1329 NE Fremont St., rosecitybookpub.com.

Open 11 am-2 am every day (minors welcome until 9 pm).

Editor Julia Silverman thinks you can never, ever have too many books. That said, she would consider parting with some of her daughter’s Dork Diary series, or her son’s endless Wimpy Kid collection.

30

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

Recipe File

K

ids will do anything for dessert! Mine especially ask how they can “earn” it, providing my husband and me with some leverage when trying to get them to eat a healthy lunch and dinner. But in addition to enjoying something sweet, I like to involve kids in dessert preparation.

My daughter Edie and I recently tried a new rendition of a classic chocolate pudding pie — made with tofu and almond milk instead of heavy cream and butter. Aside from the easy and short preparation (10-15 minutes), this pie is packed with lots of protein from the peanut (or almond) butter and the tofu. It’s important to find “soft” or “silken” tofu, which scoops out easily and gives the pie a silky, rich texture. We used a store-bought crust, but you can also make your own if you have extra time.

While this is a no-bake dessert, it does require an overnight chill process, which allows the filling to thicken. You may be tempted to dig in right away, but I urge you to exercise just a little bit of restraint, because, like most great things in life, this one’s worth the wait. But feel free to lick the chocolatey spoon to your heart’s content!

Let the kids help you whip up this easy, no-bake, delicious chocolate dessert.

Super Chill Pie

STORY AND PHOTO BY JUDITH RICH Vegan Chocolate Pie Makes 1 pie Ingredients 1 12-ounce container, soft (silken) tofu ½ cup chocolate almond milk ½ cup peanut (or almond) butter 12 ounces vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life brand)

Directions 1. Mix the first three ingredients (tofu through peanut butter) in a blender until smooth.

2. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave for about a minute and a half (being careful not to scorch the chocolate) or in a double boiler.

Then add melted chocolate to the blender with other ingredients. Blend until fully incorporated.

1 store-bought graham-cracker pie crust

3. Pour mixture into pie crust and sprinkle with sea salt (¼ teaspoon at the most) if you like.

Sea salt (optional)

4. Refrigerate overnight.

Looking for more kid-friendly recipes? Visit pdxparent.com / recipe-file

Judith Rich creates kid-inspired recipes and writes about her family’s dining out adventures in and around Portland at her blog, Eaty Pie. Find her at eatypie.com. pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

31

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

32

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

33

Time Out

NORDIC NORTH WEST

alley-oop!

He shoots, he scores! Fine, fine, if you’re a Trail Blazer. But if you’re one of the Harlem Globetrotters, it’s more like, he flips, he feints, he goes

the nordic way

under the leg, he plays a little leapfrog, he jumps a tall building in a single

Take in the sights, sounds, tastes and traditions of a Nordic Christmas at ScanFair. They’ll also have a Pippi Longstocking craft area for the kiddos.

And don’t miss the chance to get your photo taken with Joulupukki, aka the Finnish Santa. Saturday, December 1, 10 am-5 pm and Sunday, December 2, 10 am-4 pm. Veterans Memorial Coliseum exhibit hall. Adults, $10.

Students and seniors, $9. Children under 12 are free. Visit nordicnorthwest. org for more info.

bound and, oh yeah, he scores!

The Globetrotters take over the Moda Center on Saturday, December 1, at 2 pm and again at 7 pm. Visit rosequarter.com for tickets.

December | 2018

Experience holiday fun from many traditions at the North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District’s

Winter Celebration. There will also be games, crafts and a DIY hot cocoa bar with loads of

✴

toppings! And don’t miss professional storyteller Will Hornyak, who will weave together wonderful

fables and folktales that celebrate the holiday

✳

season. Saturday, December 8, 10 am–noon.

Milwaukie Center, 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Dr.,

34

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

umbrellas in formation

✴

on a cold winter’s day

CITY OF MILWAUKIE

✳

go. play. explore.

Milwaukie. Free.

We don’t know who first dreamed up the idea of the Milwaukie Umbrella Parade, but we tip our brellys to you. Each year, young and old snazz up some umbrellas in the hopes of winning prizes and stroll through the streets of downtown Milwaukie. Afterwards, city officials light the holiday tree and everyone gets cookies from Milwaukie-based Bob’s Red Mill, cider and cocoa, grilled cheese bites, and a chance to take a photo with Santa. Best of all, it’s free. To compete in the umbrella decorating competition, arrive at 11222 SE Main St. by 3:45 pm on Saturday, December 1. The parade starts at 4:15 pm and the festivities continue until 6:30 pm. Visit milwaukieoregon.gov for more info.

lights, lights and more lights The Portland area has a slew of amazing light displays! See a dazzling holiday light display from the warm, dry interior of your car at the Winter Wonderland at the Portland International Raceway. Friday, November 23 to Wednesday, December 26. If you really want to brave the elements, they’ve got a special bike-only night on Tuesday, November 27. Or walk through The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights’ quiet and more spiritual display. You can also stop in the chapel and listen to choral performances, or visit the plaza’s kid-friendly offerings of outdoor caroling, puppet shows and a petting zoo. Friday, November 23 to Sunday, December 30. The decorated and creatively lit-up boats of the Christmas Ships go sailing down the Willamette and Columbia Rivers on selected nights between Saturday, December 1 and Thursday, December 20. Visit ChristmasShips.org to see where and when the parade will be — and find viewing locations from parks CHRISTMAS SHIPS to restaurants. The Victorian Belle, a 19th century mansion in North Portland, gets decorated to the hilt inside and out for The Miracle of a Million Lights display. Santa also appears nightly. Saturday, December 8 to Sunday, December 23, 6 pm-10 pm. And finally there’s the most festive street in Portland — Peacock Lane, where neighbors go all out with light displays that would make Clark Griswold proud. Saturday, December 15 to Monday, December 31. Pro tip: Find parking somewhere else and stroll the street. Cars can drive through, but the display is so popular that traffic’s often at a standstill.

SELLWOOD MORELAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE

shopping with the smalls The Sellwood/Moreland neighborhood is über popular with families — and the neighborhood retailers know how to host a holiday shopping experience for them. At their Decemberville event, stores won’t just be offering discounts, they’ll be giving away treats, cider and hosting craft tables for kids. Plus there’s a free screening of Ralph Breaks the Internet at the Moreland Theatre at 10 am, Santa photos at Oodles 4 Kids from 11 am-3 pm, and a puppet show at SMILE station at 1 pm. Visit decemberville.com for more information. Saturday, December 1.

VICTORIAN BELLE

Find us on iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher.

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

35

Time Out ice dreams If the ice skating scene in A Charlie Brown Christmas has you dreaming of taking the kids skating in the open air, head to Hillsboro’s Winter Village at Orenco Station, where every year for the month of December, the Jerry Wiley Plaza is transformed into the area’s only outside skating rink. Times vary, so check out the schedule at the hillsboro-oregon.gov special events section. Pro tip: On Toddler Tuesdays (through December 21) ages 18 months to 5 years old get unlimited skate time between 1 pm-4 pm. Plenty of food at the

come light the menorah Hanukah comes early this year, so celebrate in style at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. You and the kids can learn Israeli dancing, make Hanukah decorations and of course, nosh on some tasty jelly doughnuts to celebrate the season. Sunday, December 2, 2 pm-4 pm. $10 per family. Sign up at oregonjcc.org/donuts.

surrounding shops, including the obligatory hot chocolate. The rink stays open through January 6.

growing snowflakes

COURTESY HILLSBORO PARKS & RECREATION

Most people’s yards look pretty bleak right about now. But you can build some enthusiasm for next year’s garden at this month’s Al’s Garden Center Kids’ Club activity. Your kiddos can create pretty snowflakes from seed paper that AL’S GARDEN CENTER can be planted in the spring for lovely flowers.

Mrs. Claus will also drop by for a storytime before the project starts..

On Saturdays in December at 11 am. Check als-gardencenter.com for dates and locations, and to register. $7.50 per child.

cindy lou who has nothing on you Oh, you’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch, all right. Now you’ve gone and devised a nasty plan to find all the candy canes hidden around the Glendoveer Golf Course, and turn them green! (Gross.) Kids to the rescue — bring yours to the course to help find the hidden candy canes before the Grinch gets to them, then head inside for hot cocoa and a screening of — what else? — How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Best for ages 2 to 11, limited to 30 kids per day. Free, but you need to pre-register at playglendoveer.com. Monday, December 17, Wednesday, December 19 and Friday, December 21. 1 pm-2:30 pm.

36

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

the german way Light up your holiday with the goodies to be found from the German holiday market at Beaverton’s City Park, at SW 5th and Hall Boulevard. Wear your warmest mittens and hats to the tree lighting there on Friday, November 30, 6 pm-9 pm, and then come back the next day, Saturday, December 1, 10 am-8 pm, for a great selection of German-inspired gifts for all the jungs and mädchen on your list.

COURTESY OF METRO

the season of solstice If the short days and long dark nights have been getting you down of late, we feel your pain. Take the kiddos to celebrate the return of the light (even if it is coming back ever so slowly at first) during a guided winter solstice walk on Saturday, December 15 at Cooper Mountain Nature Park, from 2 pm-4 pm, A naturalist from Metro will be on hand to point out symbols of the changing season. $10 per person, open to all ages. Advance registration required at oregonmetro.gov/events. Later that night, let some warmth back in at the annual Winter Solstice bonfire at Milwaukie Bay Park from 4:30 pm-7:30 pm. Bonus: There’s plenty of hot cocoa to go around and the Christmas Ships will be sailing by during the celebration. Free.

start a tradition

GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

✴

✴

✴

For many families, it wouldn’t be the holidays without a trip on the Portland Spirit’s Cinnamon Bear Cruise. The two hour cruise on the Willamette River is filled with storytelling, carol sing-alongs, plenty of tasty treats and a little bit of holiday magic. Visit cinnamonbearcruise.com for dates, times and to purchase tickets. Another holiday tradition for many families: riding the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation’s Holiday Express train. The vintage steam engine travels through the Oaks Bottom Refuge and OREGON RAIL HERITAGE FOUNDATION provides views of the Willamette. Oh, and Santa and his elves are onboard! Visit orhf.org/the-holidayexpress for dates, times and to purchase tickets.

Get social with us!

! /pdxparentonline ( @pdx_parent % /pdx_parent/ $ /pdx_parent/

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

37

HOLIDAY

Time Out

There are plenty of great performing arts shows in the Portland area to keep the whole brood busy during the long holiday break. Kids ages 2 to 6 will love Highland Stars, a mini Christmas Revels that features three silly clowns, one friendly dragon, a wise raven and plenty of Scottish choral music, all set to the strains of the fiddle. Performances are Friday, December 28 and Saturday, December 29; find tickets and showtimes at portland5.com. The theater mavens at Journey Theater JENNY GRAHAM Group are staging Scrooge, the Musical, a kid-friendly adaptation of the classic Dickens tale, at the Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School. Performances are Friday, November 30 to Sunday, December 2 and again on Friday, December 7-Sunday, December 9. Visit journeytheater.org for tickets and showtimes. Early chapter book readers will love seeing Junie B. Jones come to life in Junie B., Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at the Washington State School for the Blind in Vancouver, by the company of Metropolitan Performing Arts.

Performances are Friday, November 30 to Sunday, December 2; check out metropolitanperformingarts. org for tickets. Kids who love watching Cirque de Soleil will adore the A-WOL Dance Collective’s youth company’s aerial dance performance of Toy Box. Shows are Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9, and again on Saturday, December 15 and A-WOL DANCE Saturday, December 16; check out awoldance.org for more info.

Older kids will love the Artists Rep performance of that holiday staple, It’s a Wonderful Life, recast as a live 1940s radio broadcast. Performances begin on Thursday, December 6 and last through the end of the month; find more info at artistsrep.org. And music lovers of all ages can support a great cause at the Fear No Music concert to celebrate children on Monday, December 10 at 7:30 pm at the Old Church in downtown Portland. Musicians will be premiering new works that include themes for gun violence, homophobia and migration; find tickets at fearnomusic.org.

ARTISTS REP

38

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

HEATHER SKOGEN

holiday shows for the smaller set

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

39

Time Out zany zoo Where can you go to find hippos with insomnia sharing the stage with arrogant anteaters, curious cats cheekby-jowl with acrobatic worms and tricky penguins on the same playbill as self-playing accordions? ZooZoo, of CEDARWOOD WALDORF

course, Imago Theatre’s light-hearted production, which has been touring the world, but is back at home this holiday season. Best for ages 3 and up. Opens on Friday, December 7 and runs through early January.

For tickets, go to ticketswest.com.

winter joys The folks at Cedarwood Waldorf School go all out for the season, and their Winter Faire is one of the sweetest celebrations around, especially if you’re looking for a non-denominational, completely inclusive event. Kids can explore a “crystal cookie cave” and visit with a wishing stone wizard, make wintry ornaments and dip beeswax candles to bring back light into a season of darkness. The fun is on Saturday, December 8.

Best for ages 7 and under from 10 am-1 pm, then ages 7 and up from 1 pm-4 pm. Visit cedarwoodschool.org/events/winter-faire to purchase tickets.

santa represents

IMAGO THEATRE

Kids of color can find it tricky to connect with the traditional image of Santa. Luckily, the Willamette chapter of Jack and Jill of America, a national organization that provides social, cultural and educational opportunities for African American children and their families, is sponsoring “An Afternoon with Black Santa.” Kids can get a framed photo with Santa and play fun games.

It’s a fundraiser for the Jack and Jill Foundation, with proceeds going to Albina Early Head Start.

Sunday, December 9, 3 pm-5 pm. Matt Dishman Community Center. $20, cash only.

WILLAMETTE CHAPTER OF JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA

spoonful of sugar

DAVID KINDER FOR NWCT

40

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

Let’s get real: Who among us would not welcome Mary Poppins into her household? It’s not going to happen — but do the next best thing, and take your kids to see Northwest Children’s Theater’s production of the classic show. Supernanny has nothing on her — after all, she can’t softshoe, or fly with an umbrella. Shows start Saturday, December 8 and continue through Sunday, January 6. Shows are weekends at noon and 2 pm. Best for ages 5 and up. Visit nwcts.org for tickets.

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

pdxparent.com

|

December 2018

41

Time Out visions of sugarplums It’s the time of year to get swept away by magic snowflakes to the sweet realm of the Sugarplum Fairy at the Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. OBT is one of the few companies in the nation with rights to produce this holiday classic — and they go all out. From Saturday, December 8 through Wednesday, December 26. Keller Auditorium.

Visit obt.org for dates, times and tickets.

SARA ASHTON

see santa swim

JAMES MCGREW

This is not your typical Santa photo op. The Oregon Zoo is hosting a “Diving Santa” event. Watch as the Big Guy in Red frolics with the zoo’s harbor seals, Kaya, Atuun, Tongass and Sterling in Steller Cove. Snap a selfie or have your photo taken by their professional photographer so the whole family can be in the picture. December 1, 8, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, 11 am-11:45 am. Oregon Zoo. Free with zoo admission. Pro tip: Make it a super Santa day at the Zoo with the Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 15. Tickets start at $40 for adults.

party at noon, asleep by 8 pm Who says you can’t get wild and crazy on New Year’s Eve with your kids?

You totally can — it

OMSI

just might not be at midnight. On Monday, December 31, Portland Children’s Museum hosts an annual New Year’s at Noon dance party for all those whose drink of choice is still milk and their minders. Or hit up the Northwest branch of the Multnomah County Library on Saturday, December 29 from 11 am-12:30 pm for dancing, balloons, activities, snacks and general pre-New Year’s merriment.

42

December 2018

|

pdxparent.com

gingerbread wonders You’ve probably seen plenty of gingerbread houses, but have you ever seen a gingerbread pyramid? Head to OMSI’s Gingerbread Adventures exhibit and there’s a good chance you will. The theme of this year’s gingerbreadhouse competition is all things Egypt, in honor of their newest blockbuster exhibit, The Discovery of King Tut. This is the competition’s third year and nine teams of architects and bakers will be battling for your vote for top spiced cookie creation. Open now through January 1. Free with OMSI admission.