December 2019 by seattleschild

Making Holidays Happy R S E AT T L E S C H I L D.C O M

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H ow s e i l i m a f f i ve r e n t co-pa gh t h ro u y s a d i l o h e th WHAT PARENTS ARE TALKING ABOUT

BREAKING THE GIFT CYCLE

Adama Seck and Sydney Swonigan, co-hosts of the podcast “Two Exes and a Baby,“ with their son

ZOOLIGHTS p.22

>>Contents Seattle’sChild

December 2019 // Issue 479

WHAT PARENTS ARE TALKING ABOUT....... 5 DAD NEXT DOOR................ 9 ROMP........................................... 11 CHOMP......................................15 SHOP..........................................17 FEATURE MAKING THE HOLIDAYS HAPPY IN TWO HOMES...................22 MAKING HOME....................27 CALENDAR............................29

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Seattle’sChild December 2019 // Issue 479 “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 really talking about. Seattle’s Child reflects real Washington families and their broad range of parenting experiences. ANN BERGMAN Publisher, Founder abergman@seattleschild.com BOO DAVIS Art Director bdavis@seattleschild.com SYDNEY PARKER Managing Editor sparker@seattleschild.com JULIE HANSON Website Editor jhanson@seattleschild.com JENNIFER MORTENSEN Things To Do Editor jmortensen@seattleschild.com LEAH WINTERS Calendar Editor calendar@seattleschild.com MIKE MAHONEY Copy Editor JEFF LEE, MD Columnist KATIE ANTHONY, ERIKA LEE BIGELOW, FIONA COHEN, HALLIE GOLDEN, JIAYING GRYGIEL, KATE HAGAN, BRETT HAMIL, JOELY JOHNSON, JILLIAN O’CONNOR Contributing Writers JASMIN THANKACHEN Admin Coordinator/Project Manager ADVERTISING KIM LOVE Ad Production Manager klove@seattleschild.com MELIA WILKINSON Advertising Sales Manager mwilkinson@seattleschild.com 774-253-2219 RACHEL NEVARIL Sales Account Manager rnevaril@seattleschild.com

Seattle’sChild Seattle’s Child has provided useful information to parents since 1979. In addition to our monthly magazine, look for our special themed publications — Explore, FamilyPages, School and SummerTime — distributed free throughout the Puget Sound area. Seattle’s Child is published monthly with combined issues in January/February and July/August.

ONLINE seattleschild.com Facebook facebook.com/seattleschild Twitter @SeaChildMag Instagram @seattleschildmag MAIL c/o Postal Plus 1211 E. Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98112 VOICE 206-441-0191 TO ADVERTISE advertise@seattleschild.com MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION distribution@seattleschild.com STORY IDEAS editor@seattleschild.com CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS calendar@seattleschild.com Deadline is first of the month, one month prior to publication (Feb. 1 for March publication). Include date, time, cost, appropriate ages, address, contact information and description.

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Are Talking About Education, health, development and more

The Strick family sources their gifts from the Roosevelt/ Ravenna Buy Nothing group.

Breaking the gift cycle When it comes to the consumption craze this holiday season, you can just… not by K A T I E A N T H O N Y / photo by J O S H U A H U S T O N

It always starts so promisingly. My husband and I sit down to make

the Christmas list. We check it twice. We commit to our budget. And promptly begin to destroy it. The kids’ gifts accumulate under the tree like love letters, the kind of love letters that I will fish out of the vacuum tube, step on in the middle of the night, hide to avoid changing their batteries, or wash every week until my sons grow or I drop dead... and some

weeks it’s a tight race, people. A $20 token for a cousin, plus shipping and gift wrap, turns into $30. Neighbors I’ve never met stop by with a platter of homemade cookies. I say, “Oh, how kind!” I think, “Oh, crap.” Another name goes on the list. Boxes arrive, objects pile up in the closet, plastic wrap fills the trash, and I wonder if CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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Discover the history and culture of the Tulalip Tribes

«What Parents Are Talking About CONTINUED

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any of these presents will mean anything at all. Truth is, I can barely remember what I gave my family last year, much less what they gave me. On Christmas morning, my kids tear into 40 gifts and leave 39 of them scattered among torn paper and ribbons, slashed by baby teeth when we couldn’t get there with scissors fast enough. I open the gifts from the wish list I made by clicking glumly around Madewell and Amazon, searching for things I wanted and settling for things that were fine. I’m an adult, a mother, and a voter, and the things I wish for can’t be bagged and decorated with curly ribbons, yet every year I make the list and my loved ones buy from it, and nobody feels anything close to magical about it. My family is trapped in a gift cycle that feels like a month-long Thanksgiving dinner: an exhausting amount of labor and care, leading up to an explosion of consumption that leaves us all feeling vaguely ill. Which brings me to the question that my husband and I ask every year as we make the list and sigh, already exhausted: What if we just… didn’t? Thankfully, many families have already figured out how to successfully reel in the holidays. Whether you want to save money, make more responsible choices, or rediscover — yes, I’m saying it — the

magic of the holidays, check out these alternatives to the gift bloat so many of us have come to dread. If you love traditional gift exchange but the prices are killing you, join a Buy Nothing group. These hyperlocal Facebook groups operate on a simple value system: Buy nothing, give freely, share creatively. Members can request specific items from the group and finally rehome items that have been collecting dust in the closet for years. One year, I made a datenight calendar for my husband comprised entirely of random gift cards from the junk drawers of my Buy Nothing community. When you Buy Nothing or even buy used, you make a great choice for your wallet, your community, and crucially, the environment. Speaking of community and environment, skip the bath bombs and stuff a stocking with a charitable gift instead. If they don’t already have an organization they support, hop on DonorsChoose.org to find classroom projects that speak to the passions of your loved ones: theater costumes in honor of your 5-year-old method actor, plush reading mats in honor of a voracious reader, sports equipment in honor of your Seahawks fan. Secret Santa is a workplace favorite for the budget-conscious, but if it feels shabby to buy only one family member a gift, try “Conspiracy Santa” instead. All the members of the group or family conspire to decide on the best gift for the recipient. Unlike a Secret Santa gift, a Conspiracy Santa gift is from the whole gang, a culmination of shared love, shared resources, and good old-fashioned holiday sneakiness. Patti Thibodeaux of Orting found a CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 >

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S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

A Healthier FamilY

Staying healthy during this holiday season

The holiday season is upon us. This is evident by the crisp in the air, the color changes of the leaves, and the quickening of night. This time of the year is also cold and influenza (flu) season. There will be many religious and non-religious gatherings this holiday season. So, whether you celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas as I do, or you celebrate Bodhi Day, Chhath Puja, Kartik Poornima, Geeta Jayanti, Dhanu Sankranti, Kwanza, Milad un Nabi, Milad un Nabi (Shia), Hanukkah, or the birth and martyrdom of Gurus Nanak and Tegh Bahadur Sahib; we have you covered. Cold and flu season sees a ramp up during the holidays because we spend more time around more people. The typical cold and flu are both caused by a virus. These viruses are spread by respiratory droplets; coughing, sneezing, talking, and touching items with contaminated hands. As you see, it spreads easily and quickly. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A COLD: • Nose stuffiness • Runny nose • Sore throat • Congestion • Mild headache • Cough with or without phlegm • Sneezing • Fever SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU: • Nausea and vomiting • Fevers • Muscle and body aches • Tiredness and malaise • Kids can also present with a sore throat, abdominal pain, or a headache REMEMBER THESE IMPORTANT FACTS: • A cough or cold is usually caused by a virus, and does not respond to antibiotics. Antibiotic use is also not risk-free. • A cough can linger for 4 to 6 weeks after the resolution of all your other symptoms. • Do not give children under the age of 6 over-the-counter cough or cold medicines. • If you suspect the flu, or have been

•

• •

exposed, treatment is best if initiated within 72 hours of symptom onset. The sooner you are seen, the better. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. If you are not near a sink, hand sanitizer is the next best thing. Cover your mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. If a tissue is not available, sneeze into your elbow, not your hand. Remind your child to not share personal items such as drinks, food, or eating utensils. With the ﬂu, children should be fever free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

OVER-THE-COUNTER OPTIONS AND REMEDIES TO HELP REDUCE THE INTENSITY AND DURATIONS OF SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: • Tylenol or ibuprofen for fevers or body aches. DO NOT give ibuprofen to children under 6 months • Cool mist humidifier in the bedroom • Vicks Vaporub to the chest • Honey helps with a cough. DO NOT give honey to children under 12 months old • Drink lots of fluids and stay well hydrated • Rest YOU CAN HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE COLD AND FLU VIRUS BY: • Getting your yearly flu shot, and making sure your kids get vaccinated too. We start giving the flu vaccine at age 6 months! • Keeping hands and surfaces clean. Remember, when in doubt, be sure to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician or family doctor. That’s what we are here for. So, this holiday season, remember to have fun, keep up old traditions, and wash your hands.

by L O L A O L U YITA N - O KE Z E , MD , MH MS T he Everett C l i ni c Lo la O luy itan, M D, M HM S, is a f a m ily med i ci n e p h y s i ci an w i t h T h e E v eret t Clin ic a t Bot h e ll. Dr. Olu y it a n be lie v e s in t ak i n g care o f h er p at i en t s as i f t h ey we re f a m ily a n d look s t o e s t a blis h s t ron g, l i f e- l o n g rel at i o n s h i p s w i t h h er p at i en t s . S h e is c u rre n t ly we lc om in g n e w p at i en t s t o h er p r act i ce.

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«What Parents Are Talking About CONTINUED

wonderful way to gift the great outdoors. “Get a Mason jar and write names of different hikes on scraps of paper. Fold them up and toss them in, then pull one for a new adventure destination!” Patti’s “adventure jar” also works for city slickers: jot down parks, museums, indie bookstores, or a game of Uno at the coffee shop. To make memories that last longer than an AAA battery’s shelf life, give yourselves the gift of travel. When you add up all the dollars you might have spent on holiday trinkets, you might even be able to take the trip of a lifetime. “This year, my wife and I decided to forego Christmas decorating and gifts altogether. We’re taking our 17-year-old daughter to Germany to experience the Christmas markets,” says Ann Christiansen of Puyallup. Sara Alexander of Sammamish says, “We are taking our kids to Vietnam and Thailand for two weeks as their Christmas present. They are 10, 16, and 19.” If international travel feels daunting, you can still get away like Missy Alleman of Snohomish, who frequently rents cabins near Leavenworth for the holidays. “We have often skipped gifts and taken a trip instead. We take a tabletop tiny tree with us. We started this when our kids were very young… our kids are 26 and 28 now and still get excited.” Another popular gift framework is the singsongy “One thing you want, one thing you need, one thing to wear, one thing to read.” Our family asked the Easter Bunny to adopt this philosophy last year, and the Hopper-in-Chief gave our sons wanted Mariners tickets, needed water bottles, ball caps to wear, and programs to read. We spent a blissful Easter at the ballpark. If you continue to joyfully exchange a truckload of gifts with your nearest and dearest, rock on and do you, boo-boo. But if you, like me, feel a creeping sense that among all this bounty, something is still missing, remember that when it comes to gifts, you can just… not. You don’t have to buy; instead, choose to explore, learn, and connect.

„ Read all of Jeff Lee’s columns on seattleschild.com

»DadNextDoor

A little encouragement from across the fence

Boys& Girls& Safe Places& Mentorship& Opportunities

by J E F F L E E , M D

The season of giving We have enough to be grateful and generous; let’s choose to be both Lately, Pippa has taken an interest in how much things cost, but her 8-year-old’s grasp of economics is a little hazy. One day, she announced that a house in Palm Springs would cost a lot of money — at least $6,000! Even more if you want a swimming pool. I’m sad that she’s already focused on the price of things, but it seems inevitable when everything in our culture is up for sale. People make fortunes peddling nothing more than their own notoriety. I’m told that the hottest new get-richquick career is Social Media Influencer. That’s when people accumulate a bunch of online followers and then make money off those relationships. I just read that there’s an 8-year-old who made $2 million last year reviewing toys on his YouTube channel. Until recently, my reaction to all this was grumpy resignation, but then I read the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Native American botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer. In it, she describes two philosophical frameworks for creating and assigning value: The gift economy, which once flourished in every corner of this continent across hundreds of indigenous cultures, and the market economy, which gave us the Kardashians. A market economy is based on ownership. Objects come with property rights: the right to keep, sell or even destroy something as its owner pleases. What increases value, and therefore

drives the market economy, is a feeling of scarcity. Scarcity creates demand, which increases value, which makes owners rich. A market economy depends on people wanting more, and never being content with what they have. A gift economy, on the other hand, is based on reciprocity. Objects carry the responsibility of further giving. Something only gains value when it’s passed on — if you hoard it, it’s worthless. Each time something is gifted, it creates value for the giver and the receiver at the same time. In that way, the gift economy creates a sense of abundance. It depends on people being grateful for what they receive, and willing to share. When Europeans first came to the Americas, they brought the market economy with them. They “purchased” vast tracts of land with beads and trinkets, in transactions that meant something entirely different to the Native Americans with whom they traded. And when they asserted the property rights that they had paid for, they did so with a righteous sense of ownership, heaping reproach and retribution on any “Indian givers” who tried to renege on those deals. That market mentality came to dominate American culture. Everything can be treated as a commodity — not just physical objects, but identities, relationships and ideas. And because the market economy is all around us, it seeps into our value system from all sides. There’s a price for everything, and everyone CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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Celebrate your child’s next birthday at –

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has their price. How do we measure the status of jobs and careers? By salary. How do we rank educational institutions, from preschools to universities? By their exclusivity, and their tuition rates. How do we evaluate the success of a book or a movie, a musician or an artist? By gross sales and box office earnings. If we let the market economy permeate our lives, we also absorb a pervasive sensation of scarcity. We become less and less content with what we have, and we resent others who have more. But there is an alternative. All around us, there are natural gift economies just waiting to be found. We could start with the easy stuff. The time you spend with your child isn’t a commodity, it’s a gift. Likewise, a gesture of kindness for your partner, your workmate, or the checker at the grocery store. Then move on to slightly harder ones: the person who you let into traffic at the intersection, or the tolerance you show for an uncle who launches into political diatribes over Thanksgiving dinner. Eventually, you realize that we’ve turned things into commodities that don’t really have to be: work, learning, nature, art. Suddenly, the idea of giving without losing, and of feeling that you have enough to be content — or even share — seems possible again. The next time you find yourself thinking that you don’t have enough — enough money, enough time, enough love, enough stuff — remember that two things of great value are always yours for the taking: gratitude and generosity. With those in our possession, each of us carries the seeds of a gift economy wherever we go. We have enough to be grateful. We have enough to be generous. That’s all it takes, really, because one leads to the other and abundance grows. Every family has its own economy, with a unique set of rights, responsibilities and rules. This holiday season, many things will pass between us, not all of them wrapped with ribbons and bows. Will we treat them as commodities or gifts? Will they give us a sense of scarcity or of plenty? We get to choose — but only if we remember that we have a choice. ABOUT OUR COLUMNIST

Jeff Lee is looking into Palm Springs real estate, just in case, in Seattle.

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5 things to do

„ Find more things to do on seattleschild.com

Model train watching

Right under your nose!

Xmas Kung Pao and a flick The Stroum Jewish Community Center marks the statutory holiday on Wednesday, Dec. 25, with a Chinese food dinner and a movie. This year’s film, Abe, stars Noah Schnapp (best known as Will Byers on Stranger Things) as a Brooklyn 12-year-old who tries to bring peace to his half-Israeli, halfPalestinian family by cooking a special meal. — Fiona Cohen

It doesn’t take much to get train enthusiasts to show off their stuff, and holiday nostalgia inspires many a play railway. Here are one big train and a bunch of tiny ones to brighten your holidays:

Dinner and movie (order by Dec. 17) $35 for adults. Movie only: $14.

»Romp

Snoqualmie Valley Santa Train Ride the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad from North Bend to Snoqualmie and back, with a festive Santa visit on the way. Weekends through Dec. 21. 3 trainmuseum.org

Things to do with kids

Washington State History Museum Model Train Fest

The museum becomes a paradise for model train enthusiasts, with layouts galore and a freight train simulator. Dec. 20 to Jan. 1. 3 washingtonhistory.org

Volunteer Park Holiday Express Train

Watch a model train make its way through lush poinsettias and a vintage winter layout at the conservatory at Volunteer Park. 3 volunteerpark conservatory.org

Jo, Ellie and Carly get to know their city making “The Adventuring Sisters” podcast.

Podcasting with kids The Suastez family created a podcast and a lifetime of memories; you can too by S Y D N E Y P A R K E R / photos by J O S H U A H U S T O N

Producing a podcast might not be the first activity that comes to mind when you’re cooped up with the kids this winter, but it shouldn’t be the last. Take it from First Hill dad Abraham

Suastez (aka Papa Abe). Over the past five years that Suastez has been podcasting with his three homeschooled daughters, the kids have had the opportunity to interview professional athletes, local artists and civic leaders,

all while building confidence and learning life skills. “It can be overwhelming to have people watching you speak or ‘perform,’ but the girls have learned that they can be themselves without worrying what people think about them,” says Suastez. Inspired by the “Create a Podcast” chapter of Mark Frauenfelder’s book Maker Dad, Suastez CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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Winterfest Train and Village

For a suggested donation of $2, your kid can operate the model train as it whirs around the festive diorama at the Seattle Center Armory. 3 seattlecenter.com/ winterfest

5 Bloedel Reserve Holiday Village

The residence at the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island hosts a detailed model village, patrolled by a model train. Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. 3bloedelreserve.org — F.C.

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«Romp CONTINUED

and his eldest daughter Ellie, now 9, began podcasting in 2014 under the name “Ellie’s Podcast 11.” When her sister Carly, 7, joined in on the action, they updated the name to “The Adventuring Sisters Podcast.” Now even the youngest, 4-year-old Jo, chimes in on special episodes. The sisters have interviewed everyone from Steve Zakuani (Seattle Sounders) to Elisa Barston (Seattle Symphony) to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “I was really nervous at first,” says Ellie. “But now when I make mistakes it helps me loosen up a bit. Now I’m less nervous and more just having fun.” Whether your kids want to broadcast their show to millions of listeners or just grandma,

it doesn’t take too much to get started, says Suastez. All you need is a voice recorder (such as the voice memo app on a smartphone) and a computer with an audio editing program. Try the GarageBand program available on Mac computers or Audacity for PCs, which you can download free from the internet. If you want to get fancy, Blue’s Snowball is a $50 USB microphone that’s a great quality for beginners. Create the conditions for a quality podcast by recording in a carpeted room with drapes, or if you have a laptop, in the back seat of your car. Cars are designed to be acoustically quiet. The Suastez family has three criteria for choosing an interview guest: Someone who is following their dreams or going out and pursuing their passion; someone with an interesting job; or someone who is doing something positive in the community. The kids conduct online research and prepare a list of questions. “They have learned that they can speak up about what is important to them, and that their voice and what they are learning matters,” says Suastez. The hard work paid off. In 2017, they were voted Best Podcast in Western Washington in a KING 5 Evening Magazine viewer poll. The podcast doesn’t currently make money, but they are actively seeking sponsorship. q You can start an interview-style podcast like The Adventuring Sisters, or help your child create a podcast about animals, science, food or any other passions. For more tips and tricks, visit seattleschild.com.

Escape from Seattle!

Wintertime water slides Road trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, 20 miles south of Olympia, for an indoor water park resort that has something for everyone. Slides, story times, an arcade, pizza and ice cream for kids, plus a spa and bars for the grownups. Watch for earlybird deals and discounts. greatwolf.com/grand-mound

— Jillian O’Connor

Create unforgettable holiday experiences for the whole family: • Explore the majestic landscape of Saturn’s largest moon in our multiplayer virtual reality experience, Expedition Titan • Enjoy a planetarium or laser show • Catch the latest Star Wars in IMAX

• Hang out with butterflies and naked mole rats • Plus festive events bringing the winter spirit to life

NEW WINTER HOURS › Visit pacsci.org 12

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pacsci.org/holidays

Festive holiday fun

Special Santa sightings Searching for St. Nick? Look here by F I O N A C O H E N

Santa isn’t just for shopping centers! Here are some notable spots around Seattle where you can get a picture with the man in the red suit: Space Needle Santa: Have your kid photographed sitting with Santa in his glass sleigh on the glass floor of the Space Needle. Weekends through Dec. 22, plus Dec. 23 and Dec. 24. Check times before coming. The digital picture is included in the Space Needle ticket price. (Space Needle, 400 Broad St.) Scuba-Diving Santa: Come to Seattle Aquarium at the right time and you can have a professional photographer take your picture with Santa, who will be behind glass, blowing bubbles through his beard as he scuba-dives in the Windows on Washington

Celebrate the season from on high atop the Space Needle.

aquarium. Noon Fridays and Mondays, noon and 3 pm Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 24. (Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way) Wing Luke Museum Santa: Take photos with Asian-American Santa from noon to 3 pm. Saturday, Dec. 7. To get a spot, you need to RSVP to the Wing Luke at wingluke.org. (719 S. King St.)

Museum of Flight Santa: Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by plane to the Museum of Flight’s annual holiday party at 9:45 am Saturday, Dec. 14. They’ll be available for visits inside the museum until 2 pm. Also attending: kindie-rock favorite Caspar Babypants, who performs at 2:30. (Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S.)

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Challenging K-12 students in an intellectual community through early entrance, online, and outreach programs Transition School • UW Academy Saturday Enrichment • Summer Programs Online Program • Professional Development

Festive holiday fun

Oh, Christmas tree!

Schedule a

Campus Tour! shorelinechristian.org

Release your inner Clark W. Griswold at a U-cut tree farm

Ph: 206.364.7777 2400 NE 147th St. Shoreline, WA 98155

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Jewish Family Programming at Temple De Hirsch Sinai

Parent/Child Education Family Engagement Shabbat & Holiday Fun www.templedehirschsinai.org/young-families/ contact Madeleine Biller, Young Family Relationship Manager (206) 693-3048 or mbiller@tdhs-nw.org

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Finding the right Christmas tree can be an interesting exercise in family decision-making. Dad might be worried about taking up too much space. Brother may be focused on maximizing the height. Mom might have ideas about ideal branch distribution. So it’s important to get everyone’s opinion. One way to allow adequate space for the discussion, and add some beautiful scenery and maybe some hot apple cider, is to take the debate to a U-cut Christmas tree farm. You get an outing, support local farmers and come home with a lush, lovely and completely fresh tree. How to find a farm? The Puget Sound Christmas Tree Association website (pscta.org) is a good start. Dress for the weather. Though there may not be a hint of snow in town, you could find drifts on the ground where you go, and if the temperature is above freezing, mud is a certainty. Come ready to work as a team and enjoy whatever the tree farm has to offer. Some, such as Pfaff’s Old Time Christmas Tree Farm in Auburn, come with amenities, such as Santa visits, farm animals you can admire, and the aforementioned hot drinks. Others, like Serres Farm in Redmond, offer a more straightforward “just the tree” experience. A few have pre-cut trees, in case your family is interested in the farm visit but doesn’t want to engage in any actual sawing. Whichever farm you choose (after consulting all the family), call ahead, because many run out of trees.

S H U TTE RSTOCK

by F I O N A C O H E N

n the „ Joi er Club Supp Kids on the app

„ More on feeding your family at seattleschild.com

Right under your nose!

Cocoa and crumpets for good Every time you sip on a unicorn hot chocolate (white mocha and raspberry with sprinkles) or munch a Nutella crumpet at Queen Bee Cafe, 100% of your purchase proceeds go to local charity. Bee-lieve it. Kids can try cookies named after the cafe founder’s grandchildren (Kennedy’s Confection, anyone?) and snack on cheesy egg and veggie bites. 2200 E. Madison St.;

hild /app C s ’ e l tt a Se .com child

ttles » sea

223 W. Galer St.; 8805 Points Dr. NE, Clyde Hill; queenbeecafe.com

»Chomp Eating with kids

Jack and Colton love their mom Jenn’s cookies.

by K A T E H A G A N / photos by J O S H U A H U S T O N

Firm enough to dunk in milk, but chewy enough to fall apart as you take a bite, West Seattle mom of two Jennifer Ensign has perfected the sugar cookie. What began as a heartfelt batch of lumberjack-

themed cookies for her son Jack’s first birthday party grew into Jenn’s Cookie Jar, a home-based, custom cookie catering business. To master her technique, the home baker watched YouTube tutorials and mixed up countless

Earthfriendly sushi to go Portland-based Bamboo Sushi, the world’s first certified sustainable sushi restaurant, is now open in Seattle. Everything from the nigiri to the seating fabric is responsibly sourced. Nonsushi kid favorites include the chicken and mushroom karaage, a hoki poki box that looks fun and colorful, and veggie tempura. Busy families can even order ahead and pick up from a “to-go” window.

2675 NE University Village Lane, bamboosushi.com — Sydney Parker

Cookie jar dreams This West Seattle mom designs custom cookies that taste as good as they look

New in town

batches of cookie dough for practice. Jack, now 3, and his brother Colton, 4, were more than happy to taste-test and offer constructive feedback on her royal icing. Once she started sharing cookies with neighbors and friends, the word of her sweet treats spread and she was inundated with cookie requests for birthday parties, baby showers, and special events. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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www.sammamishmontessori.com • 425-883-3271 16

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«Chomp When it comes to custom, kid-friendly cookie designs, Jenn is ready to try anything. She’s baked robots, dinosaurs, unicorns, LEGO Star Wars characters, PAW Patrol doggies and more. Gender reveal cookies are popular; parents simply break the cookie open, revealing the hidden icing inside. For adults, she’s created countless cookies for corporate events, fundraisers and parties. Design requests have ranged from “I quit” cookies when someone resigned, to Seattle SuperSonics throwback cookies to fancy handbags and everything in between. The vanilla-bean sugar cookies are almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. Although the recipes do not include nut products, the cookies and icing are made in Jenn’s home, which is not nut-free. Cookies include common allergens such as eggs and dairy, but gluten-free cookies are available upon request. Custom-designed cookies begin at $45/dozen and can increase in price depending on the intricacy of the requested design. Most orders are available for pick-up at her house, but she’ll deliver for an additional charge. For the winter holidays, Jenn likes to make eggnog-infused and butter-pecan-flavored cookies. This year, she’ll offer personalized individual cookies and orders by the half and full dozen in seasonal designs. “I have a fun Snoop Dogg design I’ll be featuring this year as well,” she says. For aspiring home bakers who would like to learn Jenn’s tips and tricks for cookie decorating, she offers classes for parties and private events. You pick the theme, she brings all the cookies and decorating supplies. Classes are $60 per student for a minimum of five students. “There’s a big learning curve, so be kind with yourself and have fun,” she says. “You don’t need all the tools and gadgets to have a good time.” q Find Jenn at jennscookiejar.com or follow her on Instagram for behind-thescenes decorating, special offers and information on cookie decorating classes open to the public.

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„ More shopping local on seattleschild.com

Q&A

Where do you get the most bang for your buck in the city? Jen Schill parent educator, South Seattle Cooperative Preschool

Ours is a family of book nerds, so we were thrilled with the opening of Paper Boat Booksellers here in West Seattle. I love perusing the shelves with my two sons, finding new and interesting reads, and supporting an independent bookstore in our own backyard!

5 places to shop

Holiday markets If you’re on the hunt for handmade artisan crafts and locally sourced specialty foods, or just looking for family-friendly, festive fun, these markets have it all:

1 Native Art Market

»Shop

Find gifts made by Native artists including jewelry, woodworking, clothing, drums and art prints. Dec. 20–22 from 10 am to 5 pm. FREE. Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, Seattle.

2 European Christmas Market

Lively + locally made

Enjoy French and German holiday foods and music while shopping for handmade art, crafts and products from local artisans. Sat., Dec. 14 from 10 am to 2 pm. FREE. Chapel at Good Shepherd Center, Seattle.

3 Westlake Holiday Craft Market Find gifts created by Urban Craft Uprising artisans at a market that boasts both convenience and old-school charm. Fri.–Sun. through Dec. 23 from noon to 7 pm. Westlake Park, Downtown Seattle. Cutline here cutline here cutline here cutline here.

Giselle Fuerte created Real Life Artist, an inclusive art activity subscription box.

Artspiration… delivered New subscription box delivers inclusive art history activities to your door by K A T E H A G A N / photo by J O S H U A H U S T O N

West Seattle parents of three Giselle and Josiah Fuerte wanted to support their 4-year-old son’s growing interest in making art with a little art history. But when Giselle searched for a few

examples of artwork by famous artists, she was dismayed by the limited information available on artists of color. “I couldn’t, at that time, think of even one black or brown abstract artist who is touted as a master,”

says Giselle, who earned her master’s in education. “I realized then that the art classes I took in high school and college, and even what we learn about art through popular media, focuses, almost exclusively, on European art.” The couple, who had successfully launched Real Life Bricks (reallifebricks.com), a monthly subscription box of racially/ CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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4 Edmonds Holiday Market Farmers-market-style event with 50-plus vendors selling cured meats, cheeses, baked goods and artisan crafts. Saturdays, 10 am to 3 pm through Dec. 21. FREE. Downtown Edmonds.

5 Winter Solstice Night Market More than 150 local vendor booths and food trucks. Fri., Dec. 20 from 4 to 10 pm. FREE. Magnuson Park Hangar 30. — Leah Winters

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HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

«Shop CONTINUED

WINTERCATALOG CATALOG WINTER WINTER CATALOG

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ethnically diverse LEGO minifigures, decided to design an art subscription box more fully reflecting our world’s diversity. Enter the Real Life Artist subscription box. Each month, kids receive a box with a history guide and art supplies thematically connected to a different artist from around the globe. One month they may learn about Indian Mahajanapadas relief art in 600 BCE, another, the contemporary South African artist Nelson Makamo. The Creator Box is designed for one child, while the Family Box includes materials for up to four kids. Kids can experiment with creating abstract art, mixed media, painting on canvas, and combining found objects. The clay, pens, paintbrushes, colored pencils, markers, acrylic paint, watercolors and pastels necessary for each lesson all come in the box. Children can share photos of their artwork with other kids online as part of the private Real Life Artist community. In addition to providing a fun, creative experience, the Fuertes hope their Real Life Artist box can broaden horizons and be a source of pride for kids of color. “Not learning about and taking inspiration from masters, past and present, from across the entire globe does us all a disservice. The resulting holes in our knowledge don’t allow us to have pride in the contributions of our ancestors, to truly be global citizens,” says Giselle. “The world of art education generally and woefully falls short when it comes to diversity and inclusion.” q To order a subscription box visit reallifeartist.com. Boxes arrive on the 21st of the month.

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Gift guidance

10 amazing local holiday gifts

Make your kids smile and support your community, one locally made gift at a time by J I A Y I N G G R Y G I E L

The adorable panda from Nolen Lee’s books now comes in squishable, plush form. The Panda is Fat and its sequel Panda is STILL Fat are collections of haikus featuring Panda and his furry friends. Little readers will love the beautiful illustrations; adults will appreciate the clever verses (just 17 syllables each). Book $18, stuffie $35. punchingpandas.com

Style with a purpose These hair clips aren’t just a pretty accessory; they help refugee and immigrant women in the Seattle area build a new life. Crafters for the nonprofit Refugee Artisan Initiative hail from countries all over the world, including Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Vietnam. All the profits from sales go directly to the workers. The RAI line also includes fabric flower necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Barrettes $16. refugeesarts.org

Panda is fat, and cute and funny

Just try tripping over his bridge Shake, rattle and roll These pocket sprite rattles are truly one of a kind. Beth Grimsrud, the PNW crafter behind Green Grin, upcycles sweaters into cuddly creations. Each rattle is individually designed and the features are hand-embroidered. Keep them clean by hand-washing and air drying. Rattle $23.50 at Momo, 600 S. Jackson St., greengrin.yolasite.com

Celebrate the center of the universe with a Fremont Troll onesie for your babe. “F is for Fremont” is designed and hand-printed by Little Orange Room. The onesie is made of 100 percent cotton and comes in sizes 3-6 months and 6-12 months. “F is for Fremont” onesie $28. portagebaygoods.com, 621 N. 35th St.

HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

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snap oo l toys co D e c e mbe r 2 0 19

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HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

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Splurge-worthy kidswear Need the perfect thing to wear for that very, very special occasion? Flora and henri’s luxury children’s wear is designed by lifelong Seattleite Jane Hedreen and made by a women’s collective in Madagascar. Browse the flora and henri boutique in Pioneer Square for her clothing line (newborn to size 12) and a curated selection of European toys. Baby silk candy-stripe dress, 18 months, $298. florahenri.com, 401 1st Ave. S.

Commission a family portrait Immortalize your family with a custom portrait by Seattle artist Julia Ugarte of Rather Puckish. Ugarte works from photos of the people, animals and lovies you’d like to have drawn, as well as detailed descriptions of each. Frame the finished print, use the digital image for cards, or even turn it into stickers or temporary tattoos. Illustration of families of four starts around $150. ratherpuckish.com

Fabric flowers inspired by Japan Susan Ishii-Yin, the Bellevue mom behind Two Squirrels and a Nut, started her Etsy shop because she wanted to create something for her daughter incorporating her Japanese heritage. Ishii-Yin puts her own spin on kanzashi, a traditional art form from Japan, folding squares of fabric into flowers. Headband $13. twosquirrelsandanut.etsy.com

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Bringing visibility to pronouns Sam Grey, a nonbinary single parent in Seattle, created Perfect Pronouns to bring visibility to pronoun usage and support the transgender community, and encourages starting conversations about gender with children early to set up a safe environment for dialogue. The pins can be worn as collar pins, cuff links and earrings. Choose from They/Them, She/Her, He/Him and the genderneutral Mx. Single pin $8, classic set $15. perfectpronouns.com

HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

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Food you can snuggle Since 2007, the husband-and-wife team behind Nice Rice shop has traveled to conventions, fairs and bazaars to spread cuteness and fun everywhere. Devin Fujimoto and Son Yong Yu’s handmade plush family includes onigiri, baos and dumplings with faces. Nice Rice, based in Kent, can even create a custom 3D plushie for you. Rice roll $16, bao $8 and dumpling $8. nicericeshop.com

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Unplug & Reconnect! Build a miniature metal sculpture SeaTac-based Metal Earth makes intricate metal sculptures for you to assemble: everything from dinosaurs to the Space Needle, Star Wars to Looney Tunes characters. The amazingly detailed models are cut from 4-inch-square steel sheets. Pop the pieces out and bend tabs to connect them; no glue required. Kits range from easy to challenging. Hogwarts Express $32.95. Metal Earth, metalearth.com

BOARD & CARD GAMES FOR KIDS & ENTHUSIASTS

2203 Queen Anne Ave N. www.BlueHighwayGames.com D e c e mbe r 2 0 19

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PUTTING THEIR JOY FIRST The holiday season should be one of the best things about childhood. But for many kids, the adult realities of separation, divorce and remarriage, where families split up or expand, can make this time of the year something less than joyful. Six local parents share how they deal with domestic disruption and provide the best possible holidays for their children.

Making the holidays happy in two homes

Co-parenting doesn’t have to ruin the season’s merriment, as long as you’re willing to put your children’s joy first by J O E L Y J O H N S O N / photos by J O S H U A H U S T O N

Jennifer Picinich, center (holding baby), keeps the holidays jolly for her blended family of 10.

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Families can change over the years, losing members or adding them. Divorce and separation are wildcard situations, where families sharply divide, then sometimes continue to grow in different directions. For parents and kids, all of this change can make the winter holidays, normally some of the best parts of childhood, seem like a festive ribbon wrapped around a time bomb. It doesn’t have to be that way. “If you were born in the ’70s or ’80s,

there was a lot of divorce — but it was not done skillfully,” says Karen Bonnell, collaborative divorce coach in Kirkland and author of The CoParenting Handbook. “We have the opportunity to do things differently now and show up as good parents to our children, even though it takes work and commitment.” The holidays can be the perfect time to practice. Separate is OK. Uncoupling can negatively impact an adult’s ability to focus CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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Jennifer Picinich of Gig Harbor has three children from her first marriage. She married a man with two sons, then gave birth to twins. She has a week-on, weekends-off co-parenting schedule.

we’ve been able to line up the holiday schedules so we have all six kids at the same time,” says Picinich. “One year we have them on Christmas Eve, and they leave Christmas morning. We switch the next year.” Celebrating separately can mean that one parent has to go it alone when others are gathered together. “The first holiday season apart was very hard,” says Dorey Miller, Wedgwood mom of a son and daughter in elementary school. “Everything pretty much shuts down on Christmas Day, and if you are out, it’s painful to see people with their families.” Miller discovered a way to make December 25 less lonely that year: “I found out that one of my favorite yoga teachers was actually leading a class that morning, and it was wonderful.”

Joining a family holiday in progress: Including new partners

Adama Seck and Sydney Swonigan co-host the podcast “Two Exes and a Baby.” They share a blended religious background with a large extended family, and try to include their son in both of their holiday events.

Divide the time, gracefully. After the first few years post-divorce, Bonnell actually recommends alternating where children spend the holidays, which may strike fear into many single parents’ hearts. Seen from the children’s perspective, however, alternating holidays may allow children to relax and not feel constantly in transition at those special times. In their parenting plan, Miller and her children’s father each get half of the winter break: “He gets the kids during Christmas week, and I get them the following one.” Miller was

< Making

the holidays happy in two homes CONTINUED

on the act of parenting. In cases where emotions are high and adjustment has not yet taken root, it may make sense to celebrate holidays separately. “If parents are unable to be in the same room to light the first candle of Hanukkah or hang stockings, it might be hard on the children,” Bonnell says, “but that is preferable to making them experience a pool of distressing adult emotions.” Magnolia photographer Lydia Brewer remembers one Christmas when her young daughter’s father showed up unannounced on her doorstep, and she had to make a choice. “The little communication we had at the time was harsh. Thinking of my daughter, I decided to turn my house over to him,” Brewer says. “I let them have the Christmas dinner and gave them space to open presents. When they were finished, he sent me a message. I returned, he left, and I was able to enjoy the rest of the evening with my daughter.” When a single parent recouples with

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another single parent, holiday co-parenting schedules can get complicated. Jennifer Picinich of Gig Harbor has three children from her first marriage. She married a man with two sons, then gave birth to twins. During the year, Picinich has a week-on, weekends-off co-parenting schedule, while her husband’s agreement with his children’s mom is 50-50. “Fortunately,

Dorey Miller splits winter break. The kids celebrate Christmas with their father, and Hanukkah with Dorey.

raised honoring both Jewish and Christian holidays, and enjoys celebrating Hanukkah with her children. The Festival of Lights presents unique holiday co-parenting challenges, however — it lasts for eight nights and sometimes overlaps with Christmas. “This year, I’m missing most of Hanukkah with my kids,” Miller says, “It was disappointing, but ultimately, I’m OK with it. We’ll just really live it up on the last two nights.”

For parents with large extended families and broad religious traditions, the winter holidays can mean multiple opportunities for celebrating, requiring more cooperation from co-parents. Adama Seck, Central District dad of a 5-year-old, comes from a blended religious background and follows Islam and other spiritual traditions. “We try to make sure that each of us has the chance to include our son in holiday events,” says Seck. He and his co-parent Sydney Swonigan (together CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

Even the most amicable co-parenting relationship may suffer when one person re-couples and a new adult is added to a still-stabilizing family system. “The slower we go, the faster we arrive,” says Karen Bonnell, collaborative divorce coach and co-author with Patricia Papernow of The Stepfamily Handbook. “Pushing a new partner on your children and your co-parent will only create more resistance and distress. Hearts don’t work that way.” Humans need time. Around the holidays, when we try to “force-feed” happiness, family culture and memories surface, making it difficult for children to feel secure and new partners to fit in. These are not relationships of choice between the kids and their other parent and the new partner. “Step-parenting is a challenging place to be,” says Eileen Underhill, stepmom to two boys in Magnolia, “even if you thought you knew what you were getting into.” Taking care not to harm each other, while being flexible, can go a long way toward healthy co-parenting. “This year, my husband and I will have a lot of holiday time when his kids are not with us,” says Underhill. “We are going to reconnect, which is something that parents who are not divorced don’t always have time for.” Reflect on what your children are used to at this time of year, and remember it’s also OK to create new traditions separately, while staying open to changes for future holidays. “Family structures settle over time,“ says Bonnell, “and then things renormalize. That is where the spaciousness can happen that makes wonderful things possible.” — Joely Johnson

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the holidays happy in two homes CONTINUED

they co-host the podcast “Two Exes and a Baby”) schedule events in a way that works for both of them: “That means sometimes our son will have two family celebrations in a day.”

Preschool through Middle School

Spruce Street School

< Making

Share if you can. Some co-parents, regardless of the turmoil they feel inside, have the capacity to separate their uncoupling challenges from their ability to show up fully as mom or dad. “These are the ones who can put on their parenting selves and be together to help their child hang a special ornament or sing the prayers, and give their kids the best of both worlds,” says Bonnell. “These parents are able to keep their interactions with each other short and sweet, and their children get to create happy holiday memories.” Evan Reynolds, Queen Anne dad of a tween and a teen, shares Christmas Day with his children’s mom. “We have a standing invitation for each other,” Reynolds says. “This year, I’ll go there in the morning to see them open her gifts, and she and the kids will come back to my house in the afternoon to open gifts from me.” The key to this kind of continued family celebration is staying amicable: “If we didn’t work to get along, it would be different. We’re still human, of course, but maintaining a respectful relationship gives our kids an advantage.” Swonigan and Seck also make the effort to share Christmas with their son. “The first year was a little awkward,” Swonigan admits, “but now we share the morning with no drama, just doing what we need to do for our son.” Celebrate with care. Rather than smoothing interactions, the effects of alcohol on judgment, aggression, and even flirtatiousness can make awkward situations worse, says Bonnell. When spending time in the same room with your co-parent, their new partner, and maybe even your former in-laws, it’s best to avoid relying on alcohol to cope through holiday stress. “Some people get sad and others get angry when they drink,” she says. “If there was one thing I wish co-parents would do, it’s realizing that using alcohol to relax does not help.” If you are facing co-parenting challenges this winter, just remember you are not alone, and the holidays don’t last forever. “Married, single, or divorced, everyone feels that way about getting to January 2nd,” Bonnell says. Here’s to a respectful and cooperative New Year!

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»MakingHome

„ Find more nest-making ideas on seattleschild.com

Living large in small and unique spaces

Once homeless, Andrin Kouame and her daughter now have home furnishings thanks to Humble Design.

Humble homemaking Humble Design furnishes homes for families transitioning out of homelessness by H A L L I E G O L D E N / photos by J O S H U A H U S T O N

Andrin Kouame and Louanges Kouassi, her 8-year-old daughter, had been living in a Bellevue homeless

shelter for three months when they finally received some good news. A low-income apartment was open and ready for them to move in. With the help of their case manager, along with funding from the shelter to cover the deposit and first month’s rent, they settled into the two-bedroom apartment in Bothell last summer. Kouame moved to the U.S. from West Africa in 2010, but became homeless when her

car broke down and she lost both of her jobs. She was forced to move with her daughter from an apartment to the shelter and give up most of their belongings. Since they didn’t have money for replacements, the family found themselves living in a bare apartment and sleeping on blankets each night. That’s when their case manager told them about Humble Design, a nonprofit that CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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furnishes homes for families and veterans transitioning out of homelessness. The organization relies on donated furniture and other household goods to transform these homes into more welcoming spaces. Kouame, who now works as a preschool teacher, submitted an application and by September received word that she had been accepted. She said she expected the organization to simply bring over two beds, a couch and maybe a table. When representatives from the nonprofit started asking her about her design preferences, she was confused. She told them she liked the color blue and her daughter really wanted a pink-andwhite room. She said she’d love the living room to have a type of “rural hotel” feel, with wooden furniture. For her own room, she knew exactly the type of space she was looking for: “I told them that I want my room to be like a retreat, a place where you go and you feel safe and you feel away from all thinking,” she says. Kouame handed them her keys on a Friday morning, and by the time she returned to the apartment a few hours later, the space had been completely transformed. “When we came back, oh my Lord, I don’t

Humble Design granted 8-year-old Louanges Kouassi’s wish for a pinkand-white room.

have the words to tell you in English. It was more than I think. It was wonderful,” she says. The formerly bare space now had a dining room with a wooden table and matching chairs, along with place settings and an arrangement of bright flowers. The small kitchen was filled with everything from pans, bowls and plates to a coffee maker, toaster and slow cooker. And the living room had a beautifully ornate grey couch with an assortment of throw pillows, while the walls were decorated with framed art, including a striking image of sheet music. Louanges’ room fit with her proposed color

scheme perfectly. It had a pink lamp, comforter, pillows and curtains. The space even included an elegant white canopy over her bed, and a toy hedgehog, because that’s her favorite animal. Kouame’s room seemed to exude that calming sense she was hoping for. Its color scheme was a mix of whites and blues, and there were an assortment of images of birds and framed family pictures lining its walls. “I couldn’t recognize my own house,” says Kouame. “My daughter doesn’t go out from her room anymore. She doesn’t come to the living room. As soon as we get out, she says ‘I miss my room, mommy.’ ”

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Our picks for December

by E R I K A L E E B I G E L O W

Dec. 6

Dec. 7-8

Dec. 8

Dec. 14-15

Dec. 25

Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition Bundle up for this fun annual event. Teams of carolers compete for a chance to perform on the Figgy Pudding Stage at downtown’s Westlake Center.

Celebrations of Light Puppets from Thistle Theatre perform songs, stories and dance about traditional light festivals from around the world at the Sunset Hill Community Club, using the bunraku style of puppetry.

Hanukkah Community Concert & Celebration Join the holiday concert fun at Stroum Jewish Community Center, featuring Elana Jagoda and Chava Mirel, with games, latkes, and hands-on activities.

The Steadfast Tin Soldier: A Story Ballet Introduce your little ones to ballet through this delightful show, adapted from the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, at the Shorecrest Performing Arts Center in Shoreline.

Fiddler on the Roof Sing-Along Who doesn’t love live klezmer music, kosher Chinese food, and a sing-along? Head to SIFF Cinema Uptown for a screening of this classic 1971 film. Food and music at 11 am; show starts at noon.

»Calendar

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What’s happening around town

12/19 by L E A H W I N T E R S

Sunday, December 1 S E AT T L E A R E A

A Christmas Carol. A Seattle tradition, Charles Dickens’ classic returns to ACT Theatre. Ages 5 and older (no babes in arms). 1 and 4 pm today; various dates and times through Dec. 28. $$$. ACT’s Allen Theatre, Downtown Seattle. www.acttheatre.org

P H OTO CO U RT ESY OF H A N DS O N H A N U K KA H

Mrs. Doubtfire. Adapted from the 1993 hit film, this heartwarming story of a father disguised as his own children’s nanny hits the 5th just in time for the holidays. 1:30 pm today; various dates and times through Dec. 29. $$$. 5th Avenue Theatre, Downtown Seattle. www.5thavenue.org Enchant: Mischievous. Once a year, Safeco Field becomes a holiday wonderland with a light maze, ice skating trail, holiday market, visits from Santa and nightly entertainment. 4 to 10 pm; ticketed arrival windows vary: check website. Today through Dec. 29 (closed Dec. 2 & 9). $$, FREE for children 3 and younger. Safeco Field, Seattle (SoDo). www.enchantchristmas.com George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Pacific Northwest Ballet presents the Tchaikovsky classic, a true holiday tradition. Best for school age and older. 7:30 pm tonight; various dates and times through Dec. 28. $$$.

Hands On Hanukkah

McCaw Hall, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne). www.pnb.org Gingerbread Village. Seattle architectural firms and Sheraton Seattle culinary staff team up to design, bake and build fantastic gingerbread creations. This year’s theme: Elves! 24 hours daily through Jan. 1. FREE, donations accepted for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Sheraton Seattle Hotel lobby, Downtown Seattle. www.gingerbreadvillage.org

Diving Santa. See a scuba-diving Santa at the aquarium. Noon and 3 pm on weekends, plus noon on Fridays and Mondays, through Dec. 24. Included with admission. $$ to $$$. Seattle Aquarium, Downtown Seattle. www.seattleaquarium.org Seattle Men’s Chorus: ’Tis the Season. Hear holiday favorites infused with a “pinch of sass” and partake in a caroling celebration of festive rock ’n’ roll. 7:30 pm tonight; various dates

EVENT S ARE SUBJE CT TO C H A NG E Please call ahead or check the venue’s website before you go.

and times through Dec. 22. $$$. Benaroya Hall, Downtown Seattle. www.seattlechoruses.org Holiday Carousel. Ride the Holiday Carousel at Westlake. Various times through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 25) Suggested donation ($) benefits a local nonprofit organization. Westlake Center, Downtown Seattle. www.downtownseattle.org Reindeer Festival. Visit with Dasher and Comet, see an elaborate model

E VE N T P R I C I N G $: Under $10 / $$: $10–$20 / $$$: $20 and over

D e c e mbe r 2 0 19

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

HOLIDAY FUN

train layout and meet Santa. 9 am to 3 pm through Dec. 24. FREE. Swansons Nursery, Seattle. www.swansonsnursery.com

Summer Camps & Retreats | Est. 1919

GIVE THE GIFT OF

Corduroy. Welcome the holiday season with this classic story. Don Freeman’s beloved picture book comes to vibrant life in this fun and highly physical adaptation, sure to delight all audiences. Ages 3 and older. Today at 11 am and 2:30 pm; various times through Dec. 29. $$. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Lower Queen Anne. www.sct.org

LIFE-LONG MEMORIES Summer Registration Opens January 13th

sambica.com/camps

WINTER AT BLOEDEL RESERVE

WildLights. Winter lights festival featuring wild animals and places re-created in thousands of LED lights. Indoor and outdoor displays, some animals (including reindeer) on view and more. 5:30 to 8:30 pm most nights through Jan. 5. $$, FREE ages 2 and younger. Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle (Phinney Ridge). www.zoo.org Winterfest. Connect to the spirit of the season with activities and entertainment through Dec. 31, including the Winter Train and Village, performances, ice skating and more. See schedule online. FREE, small fee for skate rental. Seattle Center Armory and Fisher Pavilion, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne). www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest ArtVenture: Hidden Panels. Learn printmaking techniques and use textiles to create beautiful and artistic stories. 1 to 3 pm. FREE. Henry Art Gallery (University District), Seattle. www.henryart.org EASTSIDE

Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink. Skate, glide and slide into the holiday season at the region’s largest open-air ice skating experience. Various times through Jan. 20; check the website. $$. Bellevue Downtown Park. www.bellevuedowntown.com Twelve Days of Christmas. A prince brings his town back to life with Christmas joy and cheer. 7 pm tonight; various weekend performances through Dec. 15. $$. Bellevue Youth Theater. www.parks.bellevuewa.gov

HOLIDAY VILLAGE DISPLAY DEC 14–JAN 5 AT THE RESIDENCE

Intricately handcrafted tiny houses are festively decorated and surrounded by a miniature railroad with a working train. Enjoy hot cider and a bit of nostalgia designed to delight the young and the young-at-heart.

SOLSTICE WALKS FRI & SAT, DEC 20 & 21, 4 & 6 PM Take a guided walk on the trails of Bloedel Reserve lit only by fairy lights and enjoy the stillness of the forest at dusk. Please note: The 4 PM walk is geared for families and children; the 6 PM walk is a silent walk.

GIFTS INSPIRED BY NATURE THE SHOP AT BLOEDEL RESERVE

Discover unique, seasonally curated art, toys, books, jewelry and much more. Become a Bloedel Reserve member and enjoy a 10% discount on your purchases. Memberships also make great gifts.

For tickets & more information about all of our winter events, visit bloedelreserve.org.

Garden D’Lights. Stroll a winter garden with half a million mini-lights in three-dimensional plant and critter shapes. 4:30 to 9 pm through Dec. 31. $; FREE ages 10 and younger. Bellevue Botanical Garden. www.gardendlights.com Issaquah Reindeer Festival. Visit Santa and his reindeer, enjoy story time with an elf, face painting, animal feeding, candy-cane making and more. 10:30 am to 4:30 pm through Dec. 23. Included with admission. $$. Cougar Mountain Zoo, Issaquah. www.cougarmountainzoo.org Santa Train. Board the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad at the decorated depot in North Bend and ride to the Snoqualmie depot for a Santa visit and refreshments, then return to North Bend. Trains depart hourly starting at 9 am; last departure at 3 pm. Today and weekends through Dec. 21. $$$, FREE 23 months and younger. North Bend Depot. www.trainmuseum.org Snowflake Lane. It snows nightly on a parade of live toy soldiers and other characters. Plus holiday music and a light show. 7 pm nightly through Dec. 24. FREE. Sidewalks of Bellevue Way and Northeast Eighth Street, Bellevue. www.snowflakelane.com ’Twas the Night… Infamous mother-inlaw Vera is back for this family musical

OPEN YEAR-ROUND, TUESDAY-SUNDAY. RAIN OR SHINE. 30

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Decem b er 2 0 1 9

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that puts a quirky spin on the classic holiday poem. Ages 4 and older. 11 am, 2 and 5 pm on weekends through Dec. 22. $$. Studio East, Kirkland. www.studio-east.org Winter Wonderland. Ride the carousel or skate on a covered, synthetic ice rink daily through Jan. 5 ($). Enjoy a holiday train, Santa photos, a carousel and more. Ice rink 11 am to 7 pm today, various times through Jan. 5; carousel and train during mall hours. FREE. Redmond Town Center. www.redmondtowncenter.com Kirkland Winterfest. Performances, bonfires, llamas, games, kids’ activities, food, Santa and a tree lighting. 3 to 6 pm. FREE. Marina Park. www.kirklanddowntown.org

Tuesday, December 3 SOUTH SOUND

Christmas Classics Movie Night: Home Alone. Bring your friends and a cozy blanket, and head to the Sundae Bar for a customized ice cream treat to enjoy during the show. 6 to 8 pm. FREE. Maple Valley Community Center, Maple Valley. www.kcls.org

Wednesday, December 4 SOUTH SOUND

The Shoemaker and The Elves.

This short, interactive performance engages children of all ages with the story of the shoemaker whose kindness leads to lots of surprises in the workshop. 10 am today through Dec. 8. $. Olympia Family Theater, Olympia. www.olyft.org

SAM Lights. Enjoy art activities, music and hot drinks as you stroll the park lit with hundreds of lights and luminaria. 6 to 9 pm. FREE. Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne). www.seattleartmuseum.org

Thursday, December 5

Nordic Stories: Christmas & Norway. Preschool-aged children can listen to Nordic-themed story The Polar Bear Wish and make a fun craft project. 10 to 11 am. FREE. Nordic Museum, Ballard. www.nordicmuseum.org

S E AT T L E A R E A

Free First Thursdays. Participating museums all around Seattle have free admission today. Check museum websites for details. FREE. Various times and locations.

Holiday in the Park. Live music,

NORTH SOUND

The Lights of Christmas Festival. Experience the largest Christmas festival in the Pacific Northwest. More than 1 million lights, live entertainment, children’s activities, food, gift shops and more. 5 to 10 pm today; various dates and times through Dec. 29. $$. Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center, Stanwood. www.thelightsofchristmas.com Music for the Imagination. Everett Philharmonic Orchestra presents a family-friendly concert filled with familiar holiday songs. Afterward, meet the musicians and their instruments. 3 to 5 pm. $$. Ages 12 & younger FREE. Everett Civic Auditorium. www.everettphil.org Tanks Giving. Celebrate this season of giving with Santa’s arrival on a tank, fun crafts set up around the hangar and holiday treats galore. 10 am to 3 pm. $$-$$$; free ages 5 and younger. Flying Heritage Collection, Everett. www.flyingheritage.com SOUTH SOUND

Oly on Ice. Head to the ice rink for some winter-themed family fun. 10 am to 8 pm today; various dates and times through Jan. 20. $$. Isthmus Park, Olympia. www.olympiawa.gov. The Polar Express™ Train. Wear your pajamas and ride a historic train as you enjoy story time, treats and a gift from Santa. 5:30 and 7:30 pm tonight; various dates and times through Dec. 31. $$$, free ages 2 and younger. Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad, Elbe. www.mtrainierrailroad.com A Victorian Country Christmas Festival. Victorian marketplace, live entertainment, a living nativity andkids’ activities. 10 am to 6 pm today; various times through Dec. 8. $ to $$. Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup. www.avictoriancountrychristmas.com Zoolights. See the zoo transformed into a colorful winter wonderland with more than a half-million lights. Ride a camel or the antique carousel. 5 to 9 pm through Jan. 5. $$, FREE ages 2 and younger. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma. www.pdza.org Robin Hood: A Holiday Panto. Enjoy the classic tale with a touch of comedy, dancing and pantomime. Today at 2 pm; various dates & times through Dec. 22. $$-$$$. Knutzen Family Theatre, Federal Way. www.centerstagetheatre.com

Holiday Fun for Everyone! 2019

HOLIDAY FUN

Fantasy Lights. Drive through 2.5 miles of animated displays at Spanaway Park. Tune your radio to FM 95.3 to hear holiday music performed by a local high school. 5:30 to 9 pm through Jan. 1. $$. Spanaway Park, Spanaway. www.co.pierce.wa.us

Annual Issaquah

Re i n d e e r Fe s t i v a l December 1-23

10:30am - 4:30pm (or dusk)

December 26-30 10:30am - 3:30pm

All festival proceeds benefit the Reindeer and their animal friends at t h e Cougar Mountain Zoo

www.CougarMountainZoo.org A non-profit, tax exempt, charitable 501(c)3 organization. D e c e mbe r 2 0 19

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

cookies and cocoa, kids’ activities, and hundreds of luminaria illuminating the park. 6 to 8 pm. FREE. Volunteer Park, Seattle (Capitol Hill). www.volunteerparktrust.org NORTH SOUND

Christmas with the Gothard Sisters. Contemporary Celtic music and holiday favorites, dancing and sibling banter from Edmonds’ Gothard sisters. 7:30 pm. $$-$$$. Edmonds Center for the Arts. www.edmondscenterforthearts.org Wintertide. Enjoy train rides, crafts, entertainment, hot cocoa and cookies by a bonfire, and Santa’s arrival at 5:30 pm. 4 to 7 pm. FREE. Everett Performing Arts Center. www.everettwa.gov SOUTH SOUND

Wind in the Willows. Follow Toad and his love of motorcars through a story of adventure, discovery and friendship. 7 pm tonight (“pay what you can” performance); various dates & times through Dec. 22. $$. Olympia Family Theater, Olympia. www.olyft.org FA R T H E R A F I E L D

Friday, December 6 S E AT T L E A R E A

Giving Marketplace. Find unique gifts from vendors and organizations that support causes such as empowering women and girls, protecting the environment, and responding to the refugee crisis. Kids’ activities and live music, too. 10 am to 5 pm today and Sat. FREE. Gates Foundation Discovery Center, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne). www.discovergates.org The Brass: The March of the Toys. Seattle Symphony’s Tiny Tots series for birth to age 5. Musical games, stories and songs with a holiday theme. Pre-concert activities 30 minutes before showtime. 10:30 am today, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 am Sat. $$. Benaroya Hall, Downtown Seattle. www.seattlesymphony.org Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition. Zany annual event with dozens of teams of carolers competing in various categories, in and around Westlake Center. 6 to 8:30 pm. FREE, donations benefit Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank. Pine Street between Fourth Avenue and Seventh Avenue, Downtown Seattle. www.pikemarket seniorcenter.org

HOLIDAY FUN

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. Based on the classic story, Matilda, with her sharp mind and special powers, changes her own destiny using wit, music, laughter and a bit of magic. 7:30 pm tonight for “pay what you can” preview; various

times through Dec. 22. $$$. Bainbridge Performing Arts, Bainbridge Island. www.bainbridge performingarts.org

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

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Ensemble Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker. Follow Clara’s adventures with her nutcracker as they battle the Mouse King and visit the Kingdom of Sweets. 7 pm tonight; various times through Sun. $$ to $$$. Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center, Renton. www.ebtballet.org Gingerbread Event. Holiday crafts, music and a magnificent gingerbread house construction zone. Materials provided, just bring your imagination. 5 to 7 pm. $. Magnolia Community Center, Seattle. www.seattle.gov/parks EASTSIDE

Christmas Sounds in Bellevue. Holiday carols performed by ChoralSounds Northwest. 7:30 pm. $$; FREE ages 17 and younger with paid adult. St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Bellevue. www.nwassociatedarts.org Evergreen City Ballet: The Nutcracker. Enjoy the Balanchine classic. Choose the complete 2-hour performance, or a kid-friendly 1-hour matinee. See schedule online. Tonight at 7 pm; various times through Sunday. $$$. Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue. www.evergreencityballet.org Frozen, Jr. A story of love and acceptance between siblings, this show brings the favorite Disney movie to life with all of the memorable songs, plus five new tunes. Tonight at 7 pm; various dates &

times through Dec. 21. $$. Redmond High School Performing Arts Center. www.redmondacademy.org Water Dance. Stories and crafts inspired by water during the wintertime, often meaning ice! Learn about winter water’s part in the water cycle. Two sessions today; 11 am and 1:30 pm. FREE (must pre-register). Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center, Bellevue. www.bellevuewa.gov SOUTH SOUND

Festival of Trees. Professionally decorated trees on view before being sold to benefit Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, plus entertainment, games and Santa. 9 am to 1 pm today and Sat. $, free ages 5 and younger. For FREE admission, bring a nonperishable food item to donate. Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Tacoma. www.multicare.org/festival Des Moines Holiday Tree Lighting. Enjoy festive cookies, kids’ art corner, hot cocoa, caroling and a visit with Santa. 6 pm. FREE. Big Catch Plaza, Des Moines. www.destinationdesmoines.org NORTH SOUND

Tree Lighting. The Mountlake Terrace ‘tree’ sits atop the city’s water tower. The event features music, refreshments and Santa arriving by fire truck. 6:30 pm. FREE. Evergreen Playfield, Mountlake Terrace. www.cityofmlt.com

Celebrating 70 Years of Holiday Magic on the Water

Nov. 29–Dec. 23 Cruising to new communities select dates with Santa, carols, and crafts. Join the Tradition at ArgosyCruises.com Kid’s Crew crafts hosted by Seattle’s Child D e c e mbe r 2 0 19

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

HOLIDAY FUN

EmErald BallEt thEatrE presents

with

EBT Orchestra

Viktoria Titova, Artistic Director

December 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 2 p.m.

Holiday Tour of Lights. Hop aboard the 20-minute Merrysville Express Rotary Train and see 30 winter scenes done in lights. 5:30 to 9:30 pm through Saturday, plus Dec. 18-21 and 23. $. Cedarcrest Golf Course, Marysville. www.marysvillewa.gov

Saturday, December 7 S E AT T L E A R E A

Celebrations of Light. Puppets perform songs, stories and dance about traditional light festivals from around the world. Presented using the bunraku style of puppetry by Thistle Theatre. 1 and 3 pm today and Sunday; various times and locations through Dec. 30. $$. Sunset Hill Community Club, Seattle. www.thistletheatre.org Urban Craft Uprising. Seattle’s largest indie craft show. 10 am to 6 pm today, 10 am to 5 pm Sun. FREE. Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, Downtown Seattle. www.urbancraftuprising.com

orthshorE

P ErformiNg a rts C ENtEr

Tickets at npacf.org and emeraldballet.org

Nutcracker + Chocolate = Joy. Enjoy sweet samples of Fran’s hot chocolate and Sugar Plum Fairy tea while Pacific Northwest Ballet presents costumes and tiaras direct from The Nutcracker. Hear from a ballet storyteller, accompanied by live classical music. Noon to 3 pm today. Fran’s Chocolates, Georgetown, 5900 Airport Way S. Tickets $15, children under 2 get in free. RSVP please. www. pnb.org/nutcracker/land-of-sweets Jack and the Beanstalk. The Fremont Players present their unique take on this classic tale in a panto play for all ages. Tonight’s performance at 7:30 pm is “pay what you can.” Various dates and times through Jan. 6. Hale’s Ales Palladium, Seattle (Fremont). www.fremontplayers.com Breakfast with Santa. Family breakfast with Santa, games, prizes, and photos. 9 to 11 am. $$. Shoreline/LFP Senior Center Dining Room, Shoreline. www.shorelinearts.net Choir of the Sound Holiday Show. Choir of the Sound performs classics and songs by local composers. 3 pm. $$. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, Shoreline. www.choirofthesound.org Drawing Jam. Annual event features figure, portrait and gesture models, food, music, and art activities for the whole family. Supplies included. 9 am to 6 pm. $$, FREE ages 12 and younger. Gage Academy of Art, Seattle (Capitol Hill). www.gageacademy.org Santa Photos & Local Artist Craft Fair. Take a photo with Asian-American Santa, meet local artists and find unique gifts. Noon to 3 p.m. FREE. Wing Luke Museum, Seattle (Chinatown-International District). www.wingluke.org Holiday Craft Party. Make holiday crafts and decorations, and cards that will be handed out to residents at Richmond Beach Rehab. 10 am to noon. FREE. Richmond Beach Library, Shoreline. www.kcls.org Northwest Girlchoir: Generation to Generation. Holiday music features the singing talents of 270 girls in grades 1 through 12. 2 pm. $$ to $$$. First Free Methodist Church, Downtown Seattle. www.northwestgirlchoir.org Winter Festival and Crafts Fair. Artist and craft booths, plus food and entertainment. 10 am to 5 pm today and Sun. $ plus a (suggested donation) can of food. Phinney Neighborhood Center, Seattle (Phinney Ridge). www.phinneycenter.org

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

Decem b er 20 1 9

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barn light up with holiday cheer. 4 to 5 pm. Pre-register. FREE. Kelsey Creek Farm, Bellevue. www.bellevuewa.gov Redmond Lights. Tree lighting and entertainment at Redmond City Hall Plaza, followed by the Luminaria Walk with entertainment and light displays along the Redmond Central Connector Trail, ending with ice sculpting, kids’ crafts and entertainment at Redmond Town Center. 4 to 8 pm. FREE. Redmond City Hall. www.redmondlights.com SAMBICA Christmas Carnival. Indoor carnival with games, treats and Santa photos. 1 to 6 pm today and Dec. 14. FREE. SAMBICA Camp and Retreat Center, Bellevue. www.sambica.com NORTH SOUND

Merrysville for the Holidays. Craft show, family activities, Santa, Electric Light Parade (6:30 pm) followed by a bonfire and water tower lighting. 5 to 8 pm. FREE, food bank donations and unwrapped toy donations welcomed. Comeford Park, Marysville. www.marysvillewa.gov Mill Creek Tree Lighting. Train rides, photos with Santa, holiday tree lighting (4 pm) and other festive activities. Santa’s Coming to Town Parade starts at 3:30 pm. 2 to 8 pm. FREE. Mill Creek Town Center, Mill Creek. www.cityofmillcreek.com

Garden D’Lights

Luminaria Walk. Sip cocoa while walking around the beautifully lit pathway of Meadowbrook Pond. 5:30 to 7:30 pm. FREE. Meadowbrook Pond (Lake City), Seattle. www.seattle.gov/parks

2 to 4 pm. FREE. Central Library, Seattle. www.spl.org

Make Holiday Cards & Ornaments. Use stamps, stencils, washi tapes, glitter markers, and more to make holiday cards for friends and family.

Holiday Barn Lighting. Meet farm animals, have hot cocoa, do holiday crafts, and visit with Santa. Then sing holiday carols and watch the

EASTSIDE

Holiday on the Bay. Cookie decorating, ornament making, face painting, crafts market, live music, Santa, fire truck rides, tree lighting and lighted boat parade. See schedule online. 11 am to 6 pm. FREE, Toys for Tots donations accepted. Waterfront Center, Everett. www.portofeverett.com The Nutcracker. Emerald City Ballet performs with the Rainier Symphony featuring professional and youth performers. 2 pm weekends through Dec. 15. $$$. Northshore Performing Arts Center, Bothell. www.npacf.org

PH OTO COU RTE SY OF BE L L E VU E BOTA N I CA L G AR DE N

HOLIDAY FUN

FIRE UP YOUR HOLIDAYS Inspire them with art. Experience the warmth and beauty of the season with family-friendly holiday programming and events.

LOCATED AT THE BASE OF THE SPACE NEEDLE, SEATTLE CENTER

CHIHULYGARDENANDGLASS.COM

D e c e mbe r 2 0 19

S E AT T L E ’ S C H I L D

Take the

no! Oh out of Let’s go! ndly id-frie k d in F the fun on

hild a Seattle’s C

Gingerbread Workshop. Decorate a freshly baked gingerbread house. Bring a platter and the candy of your choice. Also enjoy other Cama Beach Winterfest activities, including a tree lighting. 10 am to 1 pm today and Dec. 14. $$, Pre-register. Discover Pass required. Cama Center at Cama Beach, Camano Island. www.camabeachfoundation.org SOUTH SOUND

Christmas Regale. Experience the Christmas season as it would have been in the mid-1800s, with games, crafts, a yule log, Father Christmas and more. 11 am to 4 pm. $. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Tacoma. www.fortnisqually.org Jingle Bell Brunch. Brunch, crafts, entertainment and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 10 to 11:30 am. $$. Pre-register. Federal Way Community Center, Federal Way. www.itallhappenshere.org Lighted Santa Parade. Parade includes Santa arriving on a fire truck, followed by the tree lighting ceremony. 5 pm. FREE. Downtown Puyallup. www.puyallupmainstreet.com Discovery Days. Tour the MaST Center, the marine biology and aquarium facility of Highline College, which displays more than 250 native Puget Sound marine species. Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm. FREE. Marine Science and Technology Center, Des Moines. www.mast.highline.edu Seattle Men’s Chorus: Jingle All The Way. Hear holiday favorites infused with a “pinch of sass” and partake in a caroling celebration of festive rock ’n’ roll. 3 and 7:30 pm. $$$. Rialto Theater, Tacoma. www.tacomaartslive.org Breakfast with Santa. Pancake breakfast, crafts and activities, music, and a downloadable photo with Santa. 9 to 11 am. $, FREE younger than age 2. Pre-register. Goodman Middle School, Gig Harbor. www.penmetparks.org Holiday Recorder Concert. Local quartet the Cascade Recorder Consort plays folk music and more, providing the sounds of an old-fashioned Christmas. 7 to 8 pm. FREE. Enumclaw Library. www.kcls.org FA R T H E R A F I E L D

Jule Fest. Market with crafts (10 am to 4 pm at Sons of Norway), Scandinavian food and entertainment, followed by the lighting of the yule log, procession of Vikings and Lucia, and a visit from Santa. 4:30 pm. FREE. Waterfront Park, Poulsbo. www.poulsbosonsofnorway.com Greening of Coupeville. A Christmas parade and visit from Santa, plus hot cider, caroling and a tree lighting ceremony. 4:30 pm. FREE. Historic Downtown Coupeville, Whidbey Island. www.coupevillechamber.com

Sunday, December 8 S E AT T L E A R E A

Children’s Christmas in Scandinavia. Santa Lucia pageant put on by the children of the Swedish School, plus dancing and holiday crafts. 1 to 2:30 pm. FREE, $5 suggested donation. Nordic Museum, Ballard. www.nordicmuseum.org Gift of Dance. Students ages 6 to 17 from Kaleidoscope Dance Company perform their own dances inspired by world proverbs. 3:30 pm. $. Shorewood Performing Arts Center, Shoreline. www.creativedance.org K9 Candy Cane Run. 5K fun run/walk, with or without dogs, plus prizes, refreshments and Santa. 9:15 am. $$$, bring canned dog food donation. Renton Community Center, Renton. www.buduracing.com Jingle Bell Run/Walk. Run or walk to help the fight against arthritis includes 5K run/walk and 1K children’s dash (ages 10 and younger). 8 am. $$ to $$$. Westlake Park, Downtown Seattle. www.jbr.org

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

Decem b er 2 0 1 9

EASTSIDE

Hanukkah Community Concert & Celebration. A holiday concert featuring Elana Jagoda and Chava Mirel, with games, latkes, and activities for kids of all ages. 11 am to 2 pm. $-$$, FREE for kids 2 and younger. Stroum Jewish Community Center, Mercer Island. www.sjcc.org Christmas Carol Junior. An original, familyfriendly adaptation of the Dickens classic told by Mrs. Claus. 1 and 3 pm today and weekends through Dec. 22. $$. SecondStory Repertory, Redmond. www.secondstoryrep.org Christmas in Sammamish. Hear popular holiday music played by the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra. 2 pm. $$. Eastlake Performing Arts Center, Sammamish. www.sammamishsymphony.org The Dickens Carolers. Holiday favorites are performed by the Carolers, adorned in Victorian dress. A true holiday tradition. 1:30 to 2:15 pm. FREE. Mercer Island Library. www.kcls.org NORTH SOUND

Chase the Grinch Outta Snohomish Fun Run. Run or walk this festive, mostly flat 5K or 10K route, with treats and entertainment at the finish. Half-mile kids’ dash, ages 13 and younger. Strollers allowed. No pets. 8:15 am kids’ dash, 9 am 5K and 10K. $$$. Historic Downtown Snohomish. www.databarevents.com SOUTH SOUND

Red, White and Blue Holiday Concert. Hear patriotic and holiday music played by the 133rd Army Band of the Washington National Guard. Canned food donations accepted for the Auburn Food Bank. 2 pm. FREE, advance tickets required (limit 6 per family). Auburn Performing Arts Center, Auburn. www.auburnwa.gov Hark the Harbor. Sing carols by candlelight while awaiting the arrival of the Argosy Christmas Ship. 6:15 to 7:15 pm. FREE. Skansie Brothers Park, Gig Harbor. www.gigharborwaterfront.org

Tuesday, December 10 S E AT T L E A R E A

Caspar Babypants. Sing silly songs along with this kindie-rock star. 10:30 am. FREE. Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park. www.thirdplacecommons.org

Wednesday, December 11 S E AT T L E A R E A

Holiday Coloring Time. Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere for making art; try out the supplies provided or bring your own. 3 to 4:30 pm. FREE. Auburn Library. www.kcls.org EASTSIDE

Winter Holiday Sing-Along. Join friends and neighbors in singing holiday classics to get into the spirit of the season. 11 to 11:45 am. FREE. Issaquah Library. www.kcls.org

Thursday, December 12 S E AT T L E A R E A

Ebenezer’s Christmas Carol. Stone Soup’s Youth Conservatory performs in this classic story about the spirit of Christmas. 7 pm through Fri, 2 pm Sat. $$. Stone Soup Theatre (Fremont). www.stonesouptheatre.org Gingerbread House Decorating. Each child age 12 or younger will get a house to decorate along with a night of fun activities. Must pre-register by Dec. 5. 6 to 7:30 pm. FREE. Delridge Community Center (West Seattle). www.seattle.gov/parks SOUTH SOUND

Cookies with Mrs. Claus. Enjoy beverages, music and cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus. Parent participation required. 5:30 to 7 pm. $.

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Performance. Breakfast, door prizes, balloons, pictures with Santa and Nutcracker characters, and a mini performance of The Nutcracker by DASSdance professionals and kids. 9:30 am and noon today and Sun. $$$. Pre-register. Washington Hall, Seattle (First Hill). www.dassdance.org A Celtic Yuletide. Magical Strings’ annual show features Celtic music and instruments, Irish step dancing and special guests. 7:30 pm. $$. Seattle Town Hall. www.magicalstrings.com The Snowman. See Raymond Briggs’ classic book come to life in an onscreen adaptation accompanied by a live orchestra. Ages 6-12. Pre-concert activities 1 hour before showtime. $$ to $$$. 11 am. Benaroya Hall, Downtown Seattle. www.seattlesymphony.org Green Lake Pathway of Lights. Listen to holiday music as you sip refreshments and stroll through the warm glow of luminaria. 4:30 to 7:30 pm. FREE. Green Lake Park, Seattle. www.seattle.gov/parks

ACT Theatre’s A Christmas Carol

Pre-register. Federal Way Community Center, Federal Way. www.itallhappenshere.org

ton Center for the Performing Arts, Olympia. www.balletnorthwest.org

Friday, December 13

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PhinneyWood Phestivus. Make your way down the Phinney/Greenwood business district as you look for LED-lit monkeys and take part in the monthly art walk. 6 to 9 pm. FREE. Phinney Avenue North, Seattle (Phinney Ridge). www.phinneycenter.org Solstice Stroll. Enjoy exploring gardens adorned with lights and art pieces. 4:30 to 8:30 pm through Sat. and Dec. 20-22. FREE, donations encouraged. Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, Shoreline. www.kruckeberg.org Christmas Ship™ Parade of Boats. Ships twinkling with holiday lights illuminate the waters of South Lake Union as they move toward the Fremont Cut. Gather along the shores to watch them sail by. See website for shoreside viewing parties. 7 to 9:30 pm. FREE. Various viewing points around Seattle (South Lake Union). www.argosycruises.com Community Holiday Party. Join friends and neighbors to celebrate the holidays at this festive neighborhood affair. Pre-register to receive a toy at the event. 6:30 to 8 pm. FREE. Garfield Community Center, Seattle (Central District). www.seattle.gov/parks Winter Wonderland Party. A night of fun surprises for children and their families. Arts & crafts, holiday photos, treats, and a visit from Santa. 6 to 7:30 pm. $. International District/Chinatown Community Center, Seattle. www.seattle.gov/parks

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Evergreen City Ballet: The Nutcracker. Enjoy the Balanchine classic. Choose the 2-hour performance, or a kid-friendly 1-hour matinee. See schedule online. Tonight at 7 pm; various times through Sunday. $$$. Auburn Performing Arts Center, Auburn. www.evergreencityballet.org A Celtic Yuletide. Magical Strings’ annual show features Celtic music, storytelling and Irish step dancing. 7:30 pm. $$ to $$$. Urban Grace Church, Tacoma. www.magicalstrings.com Ballet Northwest: The Nutcracker. Annual production of the holiday classic features a cast of 200. 7:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 2 pm weekends, through Dec. 22. $$ to $$$. Washing-

Planetarium Show: Wonders of the Universe. Learn about the wonders of the night sky while you sit back and marvel at its mystery. Shows at 6, 7 and 8 pm. Pre-register. FREE. Geer Planetarium, Bellevue College. www.bellevuecollege.edu Google Lights. Choreographed light show at the Google Kirkland campus features 10,000 lights. Photo booth, hot chocolate, animals to pet, and more. 5 to 6:30 pm. FREE. Google Campus, Kirkland. www.kirklanddowntown.org

Saturday, December 14 S E AT T L E A R E A

Harborview Holiday Party. A family-friendly party with fun activities for the holidays, hosted by Harborview Medical Center. 10 am to noon. FREE. Yesler Community Center, Seattle. www.parkways.seattle.gov The Dickens Carolers. Adorned in elegant Victorian dress, an a cappella quartet sings holiday favorites. 2 to 3 pm. FREE. Lake Forest Park Library. www.shorelinearts.net A Gift of Song: Seattle Girls’ Choir Holiday Concert. Annual concert features all five levels singing traditional and contemporary holiday songs. Noon. $$. Seattle Town Hall. www.seattlegirlschoir.org The Steadfast Tin Soldier: A Story Ballet. Adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen tale, this short, family-friendly version offers narration and a cast of young dancers ages 7-17. Today at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun. at 2 pm. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, Shoreline. www.dancefremont.com Santa’s Fly-In. Hear live music by Caspar Babypants and see Mr. and Mrs. Claus land! Watch Santa arrive by airplane (9:45 am). 9 am to 2 pm. Outdoor activities FREE, indoor activities included with admission. $$ to $$$, FREE ages 4 and younger. Museum of Flight, Seattle (Boeing Field). www.museumofflight.org Street Scramble at the Market. Urban orienteering event; search for checkpoints on foot within two hours. 9:30 am maps issued, 10 am start. $ to $$$, FREE ages 5 and younger. Pre-registration advised. Rain or shine. Pike Place Market (off Post Alley near Pike Street), Downtown Seattle. www.streetscramble.com Santa Breakfast and Mini Nutcracker

European Christmas Market. This Seattle market features handmade crafts, art, and products from local artisans and businesses. Discover French and German food and drink while you shop, watch performances, and youngsters receive gifts from Santa. 10 am to 2 pm. FREE. Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center (Wallingford). www.afseattle.org Northwest Youth Harp Ensemble Concert. Members of this diverse musical group perform holiday favorites from around the world. 2 to 3 pm. FREE. Ballard Library, Seattle. www.spl.org EASTSIDE

Crafts & Carols. Make greeting cards, bookmarks, bracelets, and snowflake ornaments. At 2 pm, the Dickens Carolers arrive to sing holiday favorites. 10:30 to 2 pm. FREE. Newcastle Library. www.kcls.org Solstice Concert: Seattle Pro Musica. Enjoy warm, traditional favorites from winter traditions around the world, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and solstice. Today at 3 and 7:30 pm. $ to $$$. Chapel at Bastyr University, Kenmore. www.seattlepromusica.org SOUTH SOUND

The Christmas Revels. Annual show features traditional music, dancing, and storytelling from cultures around the world. This year, hear holiday stories and traditions from Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia and more. 2 and 7:30 pm today; various times through Dec. 18. $$ to $$$. Rialto Theater, Tacoma. www.broadwaycenter.org Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy breakfast, family pictures with Santa and holiday arts and crafts. Two sessions, at 9 and 11 am. Pre-register. $$. The Center at Norpoint, Tacoma. www.metroparkstacoma.org ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. A comical take on the classic holiday poem, this holiday mystery is fun for the whole family. Today at 11 am and 2 pm; various times through Dec. 28. $$. Tacoma Little Theatre, Tacoma. www.tacomalittletheatre.com Salmon Saturday. See the spawning salmon, take part in hands-on activities, and learn about protecting the watershed through earth-friendly practices. 10 am to 2 pm. FREE. Swan Creek Park, Tacoma. www.metroparkstacoma.org Lighted Boat Parade. Festively lit Yacht Club boats will circle the harbor. 5 pm. FREE. Gig Harbor Bay. www.gigharborchamber.net Santa Runs Tacoma. 10K and half marathon (8:30 am), 5K (9 am), and Tiny Tim’s 1K kids’ run for ages 12 and younger (10:15 am). Costumes encouraged. 7 am registration. $$$. 909 A St., Tacoma. www.santarunstacoma.com Victorian Holiday Festival. Frolic and folly at this festival honoring Tacoma’s historic Victorian-styled conservatory. Live music, crafts and refreshments. 10 am to 3 pm. $. W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, Tacoma (Wright Park). www.metroparkstacoma.org

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Port Gamble Country Christmas. Santa’s workshop, horse-drawn hay rides, and fireworks (5 pm today), all in an 1850s mill town. 10 am to 6 pm today, 11 am to 3 pm Sun. FREE (small fee for Santa’s workshop). www.portgamble.com Winter Wonderland. Crafts, treats, music, live reindeer, face painting, prizes and more. 4 to 6 pm. FREE. Waterfront Park, Bainbridge Island. www.biparks.org

Sunday, December 15 S E AT T L E A R E A

Hands-On Hanukkah. Families of all backgrounds can come experience Hanukkah fun, including edible dreidels, crafts, games and prizes. 11 am to 1 pm. FREE. Northgate Mall, Seattle. www.sjcc.org EASTSIDE

NORTH SOUND

Holiday Magic: Rockin’ Around. This one-dayonly holiday performance celebrates various winter holidays through song. 3 and 7 pm. $$-$$$. Edmonds Center for the Arts, Edmonds. www.edmondscenterforthearts.org Olympic Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker. Annual production of the traditional favorite. 10 am and noon today; various times and locations through Dec. 23. $$$. Everett Performing Arts Center, Everett. www.olympicballet.com

S E AT T L E ’S C H I L D

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Hands-On Hanukkah. Families of all backgrounds can come experience Hanukkah fun, including edible dreidels, crafts, games and prizes. 11 am to 1 pm. FREE. Crossroads Shopping Center, Bellevue. www.sjcc.org Christmas in Sammamish. Hear popular holiday music played by the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 pm. $$. Meydenbauer Theatre, Bellevue. www.sammamishsymphony.org The 12K’s of Christmas. 5K or 12K run/walk and free 1K kids’ dash (ages 10 and younger, 10:40 am). Food, music, a holiday costume contest and a holiday celebration in downtown Kirkland afterward. 7:45 am registration, 9 am start. $$$. Marina Park, Kirkland. www.src12ksofchristmas.com

Thursday, December 19 SOUTH SOUND

Science Meets Art: Create a Floral Holiday Centerpiece. Make a holiday arrangement using biodegradable materials and locally sourced plants. For ages 11 and older. 4 to 6 pm. FREE. Federal Way Library. www.kcls.org

Friday, December 20 S E AT T L E A R E A

Native Art Market. Handmade items from Native American artists, including clothing, drums, art prints, woodworking and more, plus food vendors. 10 am to 5 pm today through Sun. FREE. Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, Seattle (Magnolia). www.unitedindians.org Holiday Fun Night. Eat candy-cane cookies, watch a holiday movie, decorate gingerbread houses, and sip cocoa. 6 to 8:30 pm. FREE. Queen Anne Community Center, Seattle. www.seattle.gov/parks SOUTH SOUND

Evergreen City Ballet: The Nutcracker. Enjoy the Balanchine classic. Choose the complete 2-hour performance, or a kid-friendly 1-hour matinee. See schedule online. Tonight at 7 pm; various times through Sunday. $$$. Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center. www.evergreencityballet.org Cocoa & Carols at the Conservatory. Hot cocoa, cookies and singing holiday favorites. 6 to 8 pm. $. W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, Tacoma. www.metroparkstacoma.org Model Train Festival. Elaborate model train layouts, along with the state’s largest permanent model train layout. Take free pictures with Santa

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(Dec. 21-23, 11 am to 3 pm). 10 am to 5 pm through Jan. 1, closed Dec. 24-25. Included with admission. $ to $$, FREE ages 5 and younger. Washington State History Museum, Tacoma. www.washingtonhistory.org FA R T H E R A F I E L D

Solstice Walk for Families. The whole family can enjoy a quiet, candlelit walk through the Bloedel Reserve. 4 or 6 pm today. $$, FREE ages 4 and younger. Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island. www.bloedelreserve.org

Saturday, December 21 S E AT T L E A R E A

Holiday Fun Run. Magnuson Series fun runs including 5K, 10K, 15K and kids’ dash with prizes, hot cider and cocoa. Kids;’ dash at 9:45 a.m., all others at 10 a.m. $ to $$$. Magnuson Park, Seattle (Sand Point). www.magnusonseries.org South Park Winterfest. Enjoy a hot, homecooked meal, complete with cocoa, family and friends. Afterward, watch a traditional Mexican folklorico performance and perhaps spot Santa. Noon to 3:30 pm. $. South Park Community Center, Seattle. www.seattle.gov/ parks EASTSIDE

Create LED Light-Up Hanukkah Cards. Learn how to use LED lights to create a card to take home, just in time for the holidays. 10:30 am to noon. FREE. Sammamish Library. www. kcls.org NORTH SOUND

Holiday Hooray Sing-Along. Former Seattle Symphony performers and twins Lisa and Linda Shine lead a holiday sing-along featuring trumpet, tuba and trombone. Move around and sing along! Two sessions today at 10:30 and 11:30 am. $$. Camano Center, Camano Island. www.camanocenter.org

Sunday, December 22 S E AT T L E A R E A

Light the Menorah. Kick off the 1st night of Hanukkah with Chabad of Capitol Hill and the Central District at a grand Menorah Lighting & Celebration. 5 to 6 pm. Volunteer Park, Capitol Hill. FREE. chabadcapitolhill.org Jingle Jammie Jam. Wear your PJs and make holiday crafts, dance and sing to favorite tunes, and support FamilyWorks by donating a nonperishable food item and/or new baby item. 10:30 to 11:30 am. $. Music Center of the Northwest (North Seattle). www.musiccenternw.org EASTSIDE

Holiday Concert: The Seattle Mandolin Orchestra. A very special holiday concert complete with many of the season’s classics. 2 to 3 pm. FREE. Bellevue Library. www.kcls.org

Monday, December 23 S E AT T L E A R E A

A Festival of Lessons and Carols. Northwest Boychoir’s concert includes holiday readings, carols and sing-alongs. Ages 5 and older, no babes in arms. 7:30 pm. $$$. Benaroya Hall, Downtown Seattle. www.nwchoirs.org

Tuesday, December 24 SOUTH SOUND

Jingle Bell Run. 3-mile chip-timed run or walk with holiday music, jingle bells and a costume contest. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome. 8:30 or 10:30 am. $$. Wright Park, Tacoma. www.metroparkstacoma.org/jingle

Wednesday, December 25 S E AT T L E A R E A

Fiddler on the Roof Sing-Along. Live klezmer

music, kosher Chinese food, and a sing-along screening of the 1971 film. 11 am food and music, noon showtime. $$$. SIFF Cinema Uptown, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne). www.siff.net

Thursday, December 26 S E AT T L E A R E A

Winter Fishtival. Hands-on activities, special talks and opportunities to learn more about the aquarium’s fish, birds, tidepool animals and marine mammals. Each day highlights different animals and activities. 9:30 am to 5 pm through Jan. 6. Included with admission. $$ to $$$, FREE ages 3 and younger. Seattle Aquarium, Downtown Seattle. www.seattleaquarium.org Game On! Get out of the house during winter break and enjoy crafts like origami and beading, or board and Wii games. Refreshments provided. 2 to 4:30 pm. FREE. High Point Library (West Seattle). www.spl.org

Sunday, December 29 SOUTH SOUND

Winter Wildland. Watch as animals enjoy holiday-themed treats. 9:30 am to 3 pm through Sun. Included with admission. $$ to $$$, free ages 2 and younger. Northwest Trek, Eatonville. www. nwtrek.org

Monday, December 30 S E AT T L E A R E A

Burke Museum Pop-Up at the Library. Drop in for fun, hands-on displays from the Burke Museum. Today, dinosaurs are featured. Tuesday features mammals. Today and Tuesday from 1 to 3 pm. FREE. South Park Library, Seattle. www.spl.org SOUTH SOUND

Preview New Year’s Party. Kick off 2020 a bit early with fun activities, crafts, and a countdown at noon. 11:30 am to 12:15 pm. FREE. Renton Library. www.kcls.org

Tuesday, December 31 S E AT T L E A R E A

More Dumplings, Please! To celebrate the New Year and Lunar New Year, learn about the history and technique of making dumplings! Pre-register. 1:30 to 3 pm. FREE. Kenmore Library. www.kcls.org NORTH SOUND

New Year’s Eve Pajama Party. Wear your pajamas and enjoy live entertainment, handson activities and an early New Year’s Ball drop (9 pm). 7 pm. $$. Imagine Children’s Museum, Everett. www.imaginecm.org SOUTH SOUND

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First Night Tacoma. Ring in the New Year with live entertainment on multiple stages, a kids’ tent with hands-on activities, the “World’s Shortest Parade” and a humanpowered sled race. $$, FREE ages 11 and younger. 6:30 pm. Multiple venues, Downtown Tacoma. www.firstnighttacoma.org Happy “Noon Year” Party. Ring in the “Noon Year” with a unique ball drop and learn about holiday traditions around the world at this musical celebration. 11 am to noon. FREE. Kent Library. www.kcls.org Bingo Ball Drop. Play the library’s version of Bingo and do the Bingo Ball Drop Countdown at noon. There will be prizes! Pre-register. 11 am to noon. FREE. Covington Library. www.kcls.org

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