Archives for October 2017

If you have a tween or a teen, I’m sure you’re concerned about how they use social media and the internet. If you have younger kiddos, you likely have concerns about screens as well, and there is a good time to think about how you’re going to handle them in your house.

If you haven’t had a chance to see Screenagers, I really recommend it, and you can see it in Tacoma Thursday courtesy of our friends at Tacoma Waldorf. It’s a must watch for all families-even if you feel a long way from the teen years (They do come fast)!

I really do encourage you to make this one a priority, especially if you’re struggling with this issue at your house (You are not alone). Here’s a bit more about the film:

This documentary began when physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston saw how screens were affecting her own children and started to ask tough questions. Here’s a bit more about the film.

Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and also offers solutions on how adults can empower their kids to best navigate the digital world to find balance.

SCREENAGERS addresses the most pervasive parenting issue of our time head on—depicting teen struggles over social media, video games and internet addiction. The film empowers kids to best navigate the digital world and provides practical resources to help them do it.

Btw, Waldorf Education discourages the use of electronics in the early grades. Yes, it’s possible to get a world class education without, “Plugging in,” your kids. That’s just one way that Waldorf Education is truly unique.

If you have a sensitive, creative or gifted child, I’d encourage you to attend the open house period during this event, or contact the Tacoma Waldorf enrollment team for a tour. Ongoing enrollment is available in their early childhood classes.

You can read more about them here!

More info. about the Screenagers Event is here.

Wondering how kid friendly this weekend’s Jet City Comic Show in Tacoma is? Contributor, Amy, has a family friendly guide to this fun event.

Just because Halloween ends, doesn’t mean that fun with your favorite characters has to! Here’s the perfect opportunity to get one more use out of those costumes and have a great time with the family at the Jet City Comic Show! This Tacoma event has something to offer everyone in the family.

Photo Ops

Your kids will love meeting their favorite super heroes and villains at Jet City. In addition to some staged photo-op areas with costumed characters, event-goers in cosplay will be all around! Usually those in costume are prepared to be photographed, but best etiquette is to always ask first. Most are happy to pose!

Costume Contest

If your costume is at least 60% home made, you can enter the Jet City costume contest on Saturday. Cash prizes are awarded to winners! The kids contest for those 12 and under is at 1:30, and the adult contest for those 13 + is at 4:30. If you plan to participate in the adult contest, be sure to register by 1pm and be available for pre-judging at 3pm. Go here for more details and FAQ on the costume contest.

Exhibitors Galore

You can count on a sea of exhibitor booths offering comics, collectibles, and much more.  A few booths that are sure to be family favorites include 501st Legion Garrison Titan, where storm troopers and costumed Star Wars characters will be waiting, and Costumed Characters for Causes, where kids can get their photos with their favorite Marvel characters! 

Also worth checking out is Comics 4 Kids in the lobby. They’re dedicated to fostering literacy and imagination through free comic books for kids! Go here for a full list of exhibitors.

Special Guests

Artists, animators, and actors will all be stopping by throughout the weekend. Among them is former NFL star and actor/producer Fred “The Hammer” Williamson, and local actor Jeremy Palko who plays “Andy” on The Walking Dead. Check the schedule to see when your favorites will be there!

NEW THIS YEAR are two celebrity cars which will be located on the event floor near the food court. Come take your photo with replicas of KITT from Knight Rider or Baby from Supernatural!

Know Before You Go

• Food
  A food court area with snacks, nachos, sandwiches, and other concession stand fare will be on the event floor, along with a seating area. If you want to go out to get food, The Old Spaghetti Factory, The Rock, and Freighthouse Square are all nearby. Your bracelet will grant you re-entry when you return!
• Special Considerations There is van accessible parking in the Parking Lot A garage. There are also elevators in addition to stairs and escalators to take event goers to each floor. Family/ Unisex/ Single-User restrooms are available near the main restrooms. The event floor has low-carpet, over which wheelchairs and strollers will have no trouble navigating. This facility is great for keeping the noise level reasonable, but it is still a busy event, so sound-sensitive folks may still want their noise-cancelling ear wear handy. It is typical for people to ask for photos with those in costume. If you or your child are uncomfortable with this, be prepared to politely decline as that’s a comic-event norm.

Event Profile 

• Date:    November 4-5 2017 (Saturday-Sunday)
• Admission: $15 Saturday, $10 Sunday, $20 Weekend Pass
  **Children 10 and under are FREE with a paying adult-See link to Groupon below to save a few bucks.
• Hours: Saturday, 10:00am – 6pm Sunday, 10:00am – 5:00pm
• Location: Tacoma Trade & Convention Center (1500 Commerce, Tacoma, WA 98402)

Update from SFM-We included an offer from Groupon in an earlier edition of this post. Apparently, Groupon was not authorized to offer that deal. If you purchased it, contact Groupon for a credit or refund. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Amy Rogers

Are you looking for somewhere for the kids to sell back their Halloween candy? We’ve rounded up candy buy back locations around the South Sound in case you can get your kids to trade their sweets for sweet cash! This list is current for 2017

Is this new to you? Basically, the idea is that area dentists will give your kids cold, hard cash in exchange for their candy!  Now that’s a Sweet deal!

All of these providers are donating the candy-the majority to our troops through Operation Gratitude.

Here are candy buy back options around the South Sound for 2017. We’ve provided links so you can confirm details before you head to swap our your treats for dollars!

Molen Orthodontics, Sumner, Auburn, and Enumclaw

Wednesday, November 1st 2:30-6:30

Molen Orthodontics is Accepting Your Wrapped Candy for Cold Hard Cash!

Molen Orthodontics Announces Halloween Candy Buyback – November 1st from 2:30 to 6:30pm In our Auburn, Enumclaw and Sumner offices.

On Tuesday, November 1st, between 2:30 and 6:30 pm, children can bring their wrapped Halloween candy to any of our three office locations and in exchange we will pay them $2 per pound for their candy (10 pound maximum).  We also pay an extra dollar to the kids that wear their Halloween costumes and an extra dollar to the kids that bring in 2 or more canned food items.  We donate all of the candy and canned food items to local charitable organizations, military personnel overseas, local churches, outreach groups, and food banks.

Last year, Molen Orthodontics collected over 2,500 pounds of Halloween candy and 1,500 canned food items.  We are hoping for an even larger success this year.

Please come visit any of their 3 offices.  

• Auburn – 1110 Harvey Road Auburn, WA 98002
• Enumclaw – 1771 Farrelly Street Enumclaw, WA 98022
• Our NEW Sumner location – 16209 64th Street East (Suite 101) Sumner WA 98390

For more information on our Candy Buyback event, please contact Nicole –  nicole@molensmiles.com or (253) 939-2552.

Read on for more participating dentists in Puyallup, Auburn, Lacey, Port Orchard, Burien, Bremerton, and Covington!  [Read more…]

We’re so excited to tell our South King County friends about this great program for preschoolers in Auburn (it’s open to all; you don’t have to be an Auburn resident).

It’s at the White River Valley Museum, which is a little treasure right in downtown Auburn. It’s a regional museum, so it’s not huge, but it’s just the right size for kids with lots they can touch! Plus, it’s a bargain, and the volunteers are always thrilled to see you. It’s a great rainy day destination with your preschoolers.

This new program is called, “Museum Tots,” and it sounds so cute! Here’s the scoop:

Program Details

Every Tuesday in November at 10am bring your 3 -5 year old tots to the Museum for a 40 minute exploration of history, culture and art. Sessions will include story time, games, crafts and more. 

Sessions are 6.00 per child, and more information is here! 

I know this will fill fast, so if you want in, go here to register! 

If Tuesdays don’t work for you do make a point of visiting another time. You can go here for visitor information! 

Looking for a special dress up day?

How about Cinderella’s Tea Party?

The Roger’s High School Drama Department is putting on the play Cinderella, and after the 2PM show on the 28th you can attend tea with Cinderella! It’s FREE with your admission from the show! This sounds darling to me, and I think it’s an especially nice option if someone at your house wants to wear a fancy costume more than once or just isn’t into scarier, night time Halloween events.

We’re checking on whether they think you’ll need tickets in advance, or are o.k. at the door. More info. is at their Facebook event page here. 

Do note the tea event is only after the 2PM show on the 28th.