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Beautiful fields of lupine flowers in bloom at Van Lierop Park in Puyallup

May 31, 2020 by Maegen Blue

Looking for a wildflower photo op? If you want to take pictures of your kids in front of the flowers, or just enjoy some fields of wildflowers, I know just the place!

It’s the Van Lierop Park in Puyallup, and as you can see, it’s gorgeous right now with fields of lupine in bloom, and yes, it’s open, so you can enjoy the short, paved paths and the eye popping views without breaking any rules.

When we were there there were about six other families, but it wasn’t hard to stay socially distant.

You’ll find it next to Farm 12 and across from the Foothills Trail. There isn’t a lot to the park right now, but there are nice, paved paths for strolling or walking.

You should also know that there are plenty of places where the kids can pose in front of the flowers without actually wading into the fields. While there aren’t actually signs saying not to, it’s just not a great idea to tromp into the actual flowers for your photos.

And, btw, if you’re down there, you may want to stop by Farm 12 for some amazing to-go eats.

Six Ways to Have More Fun On a Short Walk With Kids

April 1, 2020 by Maegen Blue

What to do when you’re staying at home but you still need some fresh air, and the same old stroll down the street is getting a little dull?

Here are some fun ways to take a, “Hike,” with kids that don’t require going further than down the block (or getting too close to anyone)! These will make your daily walks with the kids seem a little more like an adventure!

Penny Hike

At each turn or intersection, your child flips the coin. “Heads,” you go left and, “Tails,” you go right. As a bonus, your neighbors will be scratching their heads wondering why you’re walking in circles!

Pajama Hike

It’s a walk in your pajamas. You’re probably already wearing them, right?

Flashlight Hike

If you and the kids are sleeping in anyway, let them stay up until dark and take a walk around the neighborhood with your flashlights. Just don’t trip!

Bear Hunt

Is your neighborhood doing a bear hunt or putting hearts in the windows? If not, maybe you could start something up! Kids walk and try to spot bears or hearts on the way. We’ve heard some folks are also putting up eggs! Hop to it!

I Spy or Alphabet Hunt walk

Any game you used to play on a driving trip can be converted to a walking game! See if your beginning readers can find each letter of the alphabet in order as you walk, or play, “I spy,” with things on your street.

Scavenger Hunt or Treasure Hunt

See if the kids can find a round rock, or a pointy leaf, and so on. There are lots of printable scavenger hunts online, but you can easily make your own. Or just let the kids decide what, “Treasures,” they want to take home. A clean egg carton is a handy container. When my boys were small we had a big flower pot on the porch to hold those sticks and pine cones that were too precious to leave behind but too dirty to bring in the house!

Where to go? These walks are all designed to be fun with your immediate family in your own neighborhood, but as of this writing there are still some area trails that are open. Obviously, you will want to check before you head out, and make sure it’s a path you can use while still maintaining a distance from your fellow walkers.

I’d love to hear what close-to-home adventures you’ve been having with your family!

South Sound Resources for Families At Home During the Coronavirus

March 17, 2020 by Maegen Blue

Hey, friends, How are you?

Before you answer, let me say upfront that if you just want to scroll down to ideas and resources, they’re towards the bottom where you see the graphic. It won’t hurt my feelings if you skip my musings. Really. I won’t know.

This is a weird, weird time, and for whatever reason I keep thinking of this sticker I got from the oral surgeon one time. It said, “Be nice to me. I had a root canal today.”

It feels like we all need a sticker right now. Like, “Be nice to me. It’s my first pandemic today.”

I’ve actually been pretty encouraged by the messages of support and kindness I’ve seen. Yeah, there are people hoarding toilet paper (Hey, stop that, if you’re one of them, please), but there are also people offering to shop for older folks and people offering free classes online and people ordering more take out than they probably need to support their favorite restaurants.

And that all reminds me of talking to my grandma shortly after September 11th. She reminded me of Pearl Harbor, and WWII, and a bunch of other awful stuff that we got through. And on that note, I have also seen a bunch of memes online about how this is no big deal compared to those things, and how this is really a great opportunity to hang out with your family, and while I think those things are true, I also know that this is a really big deal for a lot of us, and I hope you give yourself some grace here if you’re sitting in your pajamas watching Frozen 2 for the 10th time instead of baking bread and teaching the kids algebra and what not.

Pretend I gave you a sticker if you want.

Moving on…….

You’re invited….

If you are looking for ideas of things to do, local support and resources, or so on, I would like to invite you to join our new Facebook group:

South Sound Fun at Home With Sounds Fun Mom.

We’ll have links to virtual tours, small businesses offering curbside pick up, lists of fav parks that are playground free, and other good stuff. The emphasis will be on local resources, so that when this is all done you can go thank and visit them in person!

If you don’t want to join another group but you do need some ideas, keep reading

If You Want to Do Some School at Home

ThriftyNorthwestMom has a great list of online, educational resources. I know that many schools are also going to be working on getting some things out for your older kids. Do keep in mind that some sites are going to require you to input personal information or will hit you up for a subscription after some period, so proceed with caution!

If You Want to Get Outside

we have a great list of easy nature hikes here. You should be able to enjoy any of these while still practicing social distancing, but I leave the final determination up to you, obviously.

You may also like one of these park or hike posts. Again, I’m leaving it up to you to decide if you can do one while being safe-and if we are asked to just stay home at some point, well, I’d do that.

Sequalitchew Creek in Dupont is one of our most popular hike posts. Most of it is even stroller friendly!

We also have a list of Local hikes that end at beaches

If You Want to Get Crafty

Ben Franklin and The Makery are offering curbside pick up of their craft kits.

If You Need to Get the Kids Online

Comcast is offering free internet to qualifying families.

Internet Essentials from Comcast:

Families who are qualified for Free/Reduced Lunch may be eligible for the Comcast Internet Essentials Program. Cost is $9.95 a month and families may be eligible for a low-cost computer. Check here or call 1-855- 846-8376 for more details.

If You Want Someone Else to Cook

If you can afford it and are comfortable with delivery or pick-up, Sue Kidd has an amazing list of area restaurants offering take out or delivery, and it would be a great way to support them during this difficult time.

If you need other help, you are welcome to leave a comment, and I’ll do my best to offer some suggestions.

xoxo Maegen

South Sound Weekend Kids Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do March 7th and 8th

March 6, 2020 by Maegen Blue

Here’s the weekend list! There have been some cancellations and delays this weekend due to virus fears, so I do suggest you use the links to confirm details before you head out! Have a great one! Saturday All Over Barnes and Noble story time Most area stores offer a story time for children 2-5 at […]