D's Birthday Party's

Feb 19th was D's 3rd birthday!


On the 16th we had a birthday party for him per his request. He had said he wanted a Thomas Birthday Party with all his friends. When I asked which friends exactly I was only told 2 of them. One of which we did invite but the other we don't see anymore so we couldn't invite them. We did invite one of his other friends and one of the boys from down the street (14 but comes and plays video games and things with the boys all the time). We also invited a few adult friends since they have just as much fun as the kids and the boys love having them here.

They played with poppers, bubble wands and silly string. They had such a blast with the silly string fight that next time we are going to purchase a flat of silly string and just have different silly string events. All the kids (big and small) had a blast with the silly string...who would have thought?

After all the silly string was gone everyone headed into the house for presents and cake. D got a lot of wonderful things. A few of the things he recieved were: lego, bath toys, transformer things and other things. J gave him Legos in wrapping paper he made himself as a school project.


D was so happy to see the cake and he was equally happy to eat the cake.

Oh...did I say he was happy to eat the cake???? Maybe that should have been wear the cake!

On the 17th...he PLAYED and had another party!!!!

Other Fun Places

Odyssey 1
http://www.odyssey-1.com/
Sun.-Thurs.: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri.-Sat.: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
$4.95 for kids 2 and over
$1.95 for kids under 2
FREE for kids under 2 with a $4.95 admission
FREE for supervising adults

Seattle Center Monorail
370 Thomas St # 2
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 905-2620
http://www.seattlemonorail.com/

Soundbridge Music Discovery Center
http://www.seattlesymphony.org/soundbridge/index.aspx
Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 4pm
Sunday 12pm to 4pm
5 & under – FREE
6 to 18 - $5
Adults - $7

Zoos and Gardens

Rhododendron and Botanical Garden
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 661-9377
http://www.rhodygarden.org/page/page/1083572.htm

Northwest Trek
http://www.nwtrek.org/page.php?id=9
During the winter season, tram tours begin at 10:30 a.m. and leave every 90 minutes.
October 29 - December 24 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Dec. 26 - January 1, '07 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily.
Jan. 2 - Feb. 18, '07 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday
(Exception: Kids 'n' Critters Naturefest ends on Monday, Jan. 15.)
Feb. 18 - April 1, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily
Adults $12
Seniors 65+ $11
Youth 5-12 $8
Tots 3-4 $5

Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection
http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/aboutus/whereweoperate/bonsaicollection/visitus/
March 1 – September 30:
Friday – Wednesday: 10am – 4 pm
(Closed Thursday)
October 1 – February 28:
Saturday – Wednesday: 11am – 4pm
(Closed Thursday & Friday)
FREE to all

Kubota Garden
http://www.kubota.org/
Open all daylight hours
FREE to all

Woodlawn Zoo
http://www.zoo.org/zoo_info/planning/hours.html
September 18 to October 15: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
October 16 to April 30: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Adult (13-64) $10.50
Child (3-12) $7.50
Toddler (0-2) FREE

Museums

African American Museum
925 Court C
Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 274-1278

Steilacoom Historical Museum
112 Main St
Mcchord Afb, WA 98438
(253) 584-4133
http://www.steilacoomhistorical.org

Pacific Science Center
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 443-2924
http://www.pacsci.org

Children's Museum (Seattle)
305 Harrison St
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 441-1768
http://www.thechildrensmuseum.org

Kids Discovery Musuem
305 Madison Ave N # C
Bainbridge Isle, WA 98110
(206) 855-4650
http://www.kidimu.org

Hands On Childrens Museum
106 11th Ave SW
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 956-0818
http://www.hocm.org
Homeschool Tuesdays - Half-price admission for homeschoolers all day Tuesday

Children's Museum of Tacoma
936 Broadway
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 627-6031
http://www.childrensmuseumoftacoma.org
1st Friday FREE Admission for families

Kids Quest Childrens Museum
4091 Factoria Blvd SE
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 637-8100
http://www.kidsquestmuseum.org
Friday evenings from 5:00-8:00: Free

Museum of Flight
http://www.museumofflight.org/Portal.asp?Flash=True
7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm
4 & under – FREE
5 to 17 - $7.50
Youth Groups* - $6.50
18 to 64 - $14.00
Adult or Senior Groups* - $13.40
*Groups are 10 or more paying as one transaction

EMP
http://www.emplive.org/
Mon, Wed, Thurs 10am – 5pm
Fri to Sun 10am – 6pm
Closed Tuesdays
6 & under – FREE
7 to 17 - $14.95
18 to 64 - $19.95

MOHAI
http://www.seattlehistory.org/visit.cfm
Daily 10am – 5pm
First Thursday s 10am – 8pm
First Thursdays FREE
0 to 4 – FREE
5 to 17 - $5
18 to 61 - $76
2+ - $5

SFM
http://www.sfhomeworld.org/visit/index.asp
Mon, Wed, Thrus 10am – 5pm
Fri to Sun 10am – 6pm
6 & under – FREE
7 to 17 - $8.95
18 to 64 - $12.95

Bellevue Arts Museum
http://www.bellevueart.org/info/index.html
Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat 10am – 5:30
Friday 10am – 9pm
Sunday 11am – 5:30pm
Closed Mondays
First Friday Evenings are FREE (5:30pm – 9pm)
6 & under – FREE
Adults - $7Students and Seniors $5

Tacoma Art Museum
http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/page.asp?view=174
Tues to Sat 10am – 5pm
Sunday 12 – 5pm
Every Third Thursday 10am – 8pm
Third Thursday – FREE
5 & under – FREE
Family - $25 (2 adults & 4 kids)
Student - $6.50
Adult - $7.50

Seattle Asian Art Museum
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/visitSAAM.asp
Monday Closed
Tues to Sun 10am – 5pm
Thursday 10am-9pm
First Thursday – FREE
First Saturday – FREE
12 & under – FREE
Adults - $5

Nordic Heritage Museum
http://www.nordicmuseum.org/
Monday Closed
Tues to Sat 10am – 4pm
Sunday 12pm – 4pm
5 & under – FREE
6 to 18 - $4
Adults - $6

SAM
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/visitSAM.asp
Opens May 5 & 6, 2007
Check web site for fees

Olympic Sculpture Park
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/OSP/default.asp
Opens January 20 & 21, 2007
FREE to all

Museum of Glass
http://www.museumofglass.org/visit/hours-and-admissions/
Wed to Sat 10am – 5pm
Sunday 12 to 5pm
Third Thursday 10am – 8pm
Third Thursday – FREE
6 & under – FREE
6 to 12 - $4
Adults -$10
Families - $30 (2 adults & 4 kids)

Henry Art Gallery
http://www.henryart.org/visit.htm
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun 11am – 5pm
Thursday 11am – 8pm
Sunday & Monday Closed
Thursdays – FREE
13 & under – FREE
adult - $10

Frye Art Museum
http://www.fryeart.org/pages/findus.htm
Tues – Sat 10am to 5pm
Thursday 10am to 8pm
FREE

Burke Museum
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/visit/hours.php
Open daily 10am – 5pm
First Thursday – FREE
4 & under – FREE
5 to 18 - $5
Adult - $8

Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center
http://www.ody.org/information.htm
Wednesday - Thursday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Adults $7.00;
Seniors $5.00
Students 5-18 years $5.00
2-4 years $2.00
Children under 2 free

Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum
http://members.aol.com/smpmuseum/admissio.htm
Tue to Sat 11am – 4pm
12 & under – $1.50
Adults - $3

The Wing Luke Asian Museum
http://www.wingluke.org/
Tuesday – Friday 11am – 4:40pm
First Thursday FREE
4 & under – FREE
$4 Adults
$3 Students
$2 5 to 12

Washington State History Museum
http://www.washingtonhistory.org/wshm/index.htm
Monday Closed
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10:00am-5:00pm
Thursday 10:00am-8:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Thursdays 5pm-8pm FREE
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday—FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY
Child (under 5): FREE
Adult (18 & over): $8.00
Senior (60+): $7.00
Student (6-17 yrs): $6.00
Military: $6.00
Family (2 adults and up to 4 children): $25.00

Klondike Gold Rush
http://www.nps.gov/klse/planyourvisit/hours.htm
7 days a week 9am – 5pm FREE

Log HouseMuseum
http://www.loghousemuseum.org/VisitorInformation.html
Thursday – Sunday 12- 4pm
Adults $2
Children $1

Suquamish Museum
http://www.suquamish.nsn.us/museum/
Winter Hours, October-April
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
(Closed Monday through Thursday)
Summer Hours, May-September
Seven Days a Week 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
$4.00 per adult
$3.00 for seniors (55 and over)
$2.00 per child (12 and under)

White River Valley Museum
http://www.wrvmuseum.org/information.htm
Wednesday - Sunday Noon to 4:00 pm
Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Saturday & Sunday Noon to 4:00 pm
$2 for adults,
$1 for children and seniors
Wednesdays - FREE

Hyroplane & Raceboat Museum
http://www.thunderboats.org/
Tuesday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday: 10 am to 4:00 pm
Check web site or call for fees

Fort Lewis Museum
http://www.lewis.army.mil/DPTMS/POMFI/museum.htm
Check web site or call for fees and dates open

Coast Guard Museum
http://www.rexmwess.com/cgpatchs/cogardmuseum.html
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Closed Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
Always FREE

The Center for Wooden Boats
http://www.cwb.org/VisitCWB.htm
Oct. 16, 2006 - March 17, 2007 - Tuesday - Sunday -- 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
March 19 - May 25 -- Open every day -- 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
May 26 - Sept. 3 -- Open every day -- 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sept. 4 - Oct. 29 -- Open every day -- 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Admission: Free!
Donations graciously accepted.
FREE classic boat rides every Sunday 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Some Fun Classes

Homeschool Bowling
Narrows Plaza Bowl
2200 Mildred Street
University Place, WA

Practice is at 10:45.am and league begins at 11 .am. Two games per week for bumper league costs $5.75 per week. Three games a week for older children costs $6.50 per week. This includes shoe rental a certificate of completion that lists hours attended and completion of physical education course an end of class bowling party.

This is a great place for children to meet new friends, develop bowling skills and have fun. It is a great place for parents to either bowl or socialize with other homeschool mothers/fathers. If you are interested please contact for further information or to register Lee Greenfield 253-565-1007 ext 101 or Debbie Leighton 253-565-1007 ext 103 or Sandra Cooper 253-565-1007 ext 104

Group Games and PE
YMCA - Morgan Family Center
1002 South Pearl St.
Tacoma, WA 98465

$30/month membership for youths and with the membership includes PE classes, Creative Movement Classes, Gymnastics, Swimming, Group Sports (current is basketball), and Karate Classes.

Budding Scientists
Adriana Hess Audubon Center
2917 Morrison Rd. W
University Place, WA 98466

Ages 5-7, $8 per child
10:30 am - noon or 3:15 pm - 4:45
Young homeschoolers and other children begin science and nature exploration through games, walks and crafts. Register at least two days prior to the session.

Homeschool Science
Tacoma Nature Center
1919 South Tyler Street
Tacoma, WA 98405

Homeschool students explore science through hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning. Register early, these classes fill quickly! Topics are repeated during the month, so select the class appropriate for your child's knowledge and abilities. Contact Margie for more information at 591-6439, or marjories@tacomaparks.com.

Beginning Science
Ages 8-10, $10
9:30-11:30 or 1-3 pm
To participate in this class, students should be able to add and subtract numbers.

Intermediate Science
Ages 10-12, $10
1-3 pm
To participate in this class, students should be able to multiply and divide numbers, add and subtract fractions.

Advanced Science
Ages 12-15, $12
1-3 pm
Older homeschool students will continue their science studies with challenging and engaging experiments and activities. To participate in this class, students should be able to calculate averages, percentages and solve simple equations.

Advanced Science Lab
Ages 12-15, $12
1-4 pm
An expanded science class for Advanced Homeschool Science students which includes an integrated laboratory session as an extension of the two hour classroom session. Students get greater in-depth investigation of the monthly topic, practice in problem-solving and research skills and hands-on experimentation. Attendance in the class session is required for participation in a lab session. Lab sessions are not required for participation in class sessions.

Gymnastics
Auburn Gymnastics Center, Inc
1601 Boundary Blvd
Auburn, WA 98001

Now is a great time to sign your child up for an after school activity. Auburn Gymnastics offers a wide range of classes for children of all ages and abilities. Please call the front desk at (253) 876-9991 or visit the gym to sign up and learn more about our classes.

Circus & Aerial
Metropolitan Gymnastics
6822 S 190th St
Kent, WA 98032

This program focus's on various disciplines of the Circus & Aerial Arts. They offer gymnastic classes and open gym also.

Rock Climbing
See "Places to rock climb" post...most places that allow you to climb also offer classes.

Swimming
See "Places to swim" post...most pools offer lessons also. I have found the YMCA to be the cheapest.

Amusement Park

FunForest
Weekdays starting June 25th
$23 per person unlimited rides
12 pm to 7pm Monday - Friday Only!
http://www.funforest.com/FS_park_info.html

Wild Waves
June to Aug
Adults $35
Children under 48" $30
Under 2 FREE
http://www.wildwaves.com/parkinfo.php

Video Gaming Places

Gameworks
Open daily
Located in downtown Seattle
Numerous video games for all ages
about $25 per person for all day (I think)

Family Fun Center
Located in Tuwila
Numerous activities (not just video games)
about $25 per person for all day (looks like could spend less)
http://www.fun-center.com/WA/

FunForest
Located in Seattle Center
Numerous video games and other things
not sure on pricing.
http://www.funforest.com/FS_Pavilion.html

Places to go rock climbing

Federal Way Community Center
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
11am - 1pm
Tuesday - Thursday
4pm - 7pm
Children $3.50
Adults $7
Equipment rental $3

Edgeworks Climbing
Monday - Friday
10am - 10pm
Youth $7
Adult $15
Equipment rental $8
http://www.edgeworks-climbing.com/

Places to go swimming

Centre at Norpoint Pool
Open Swim
Children under the age of seven must have an adult in the water within an arm's length at all times while the child is in the water.
M-F 8 - 9 am (zero-depth side only)
M/W 2 – 4 pm
M/W/F 6:30 – 8 pm*
T/TH 1 – 5:30 pm
Fri 2 – 4:30 pm
Sat 1 - 4:30pm
Sun 1 - 3:30 pm

Non-Member Daily Pass Fees:
Adults (age 18+) $9
Senior (62+) $7
Young Adult (9-17) $5
Youth (8 & under) $2
Family $16

*Non-Member Special Mon/Weds/Friday Only:
Adults (age 18+) $3.50
Youth (age 5-17) $2.00
Tots (age 4 and under) FREE
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=376

Weyerhaeuser Aquatic Center
Monday - Friday
11:30am to 12:30pm
$3.25 per person
http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/KCAC/index.html

Renton Pool
Monday - Friday
noon to 1pm
$3.25 per person
http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/pools/renton.htm

Fife Pool
Recreational Swims:
Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult in the water at all times.
Monday - Friday
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Family Swims:
Children under16 must be accompanied in the water by an adult at all times.
Monday - Sunday
Noon - 1:00 p.m
Family $8
http://www.cityoffife.org/index.php?page=departments&dname=swimcenter

Marine Hills Pool and Tennis
currently $500 a year per family
http://www.marinehillspool.org/default.aspx

Federal Way Community Center
Monday - Friday
11am - 1pm
Monday - Thursday
4pm - 5pm
Children $3.50
Adults $7

Wading Pools:
There are 5 parks with wading pools
They are operated in conjunction with the Summer Playground Program. The wading pools are open during Summer only.
• Franklin Park map
• Wright Park map
• Portland Ave Park map
• Jane Clark Park map
• Manitou Park map

Spraygrounds:
4 parks have spraygrounds
They are open during Summer only.
• Jefferson Park map
• McKinley Playfield map
• South Park map
• Wapato Hills Park map

Happy Birthday D!!!

Today is D’s 3^rd birthday! Happy Birthday my little boy!

Family Music Nights

Last night was our first family music night and it was blast. The kids had so much fun playing all the different insturments. This weekend we are going to go look at a few more and maybe even come home with drums and mics. It is definally something the whole family is enjoying.