Joining Forces . . . Finding Light

SAVE THE DATES 2017 ’cause parenting is a trip! PRESCHOOL Previews PAGE 14

Joining forces . . . finding light DECEMBER 2016 SEA • SOU SNO SEARCHING FOR A A-TO-Z EXPERIENCE MILITARY MOMS AND SPIRIT OF CONNECTION GIFT GUIDE DUTY-DRIVEN DADS With a rabbi, an imam, Leave the stuff behind Reflections on the tests and a priest and a Buddhist 11 and give these 36 rewards of military family life 16 HOLIDAY Over 40 plays, concerts and ‘Nutcrackers’ add sparkle to the season 26 a rts JAN 17- ParentMap-FullPage.pdf 1 11/11/2016 1:43:30 PM

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4 • December 2016 • parentmap.com 1216_LS_1-2v.indd 30 11/17/16 3:18 PM inside

DECEMBER 2016

16 Parenting 46 INTERVIEW Gift Guide Lego Dan: A career built brick by brick 6 PARENTMAP.COM 36 EXPERIENCE Allergy-free food; Hanukkah and Feature GIFTS holiday crafts; ga-ga for Gilmore!; An A-to-Z guide parenting amid the refugee crisis 16 MILITARY MOMS, for kids: Leave DUTY-DRIVEN DADS the stuff behind 6 PLAY LIST Reflections on military life from with these ideas December is a good month to . . . local families that navigate it for fun, learning 8 DEAR READER and giving back Leading by example Out + About Advertising Sections 11 SPIRITUALITY 24 DECEMBER CALENDAR 10–13 Faith-Based Schools Reflecting and connecting: 26 HO-HO HOLIDAY SHOWS 15 Foreign Language Schools A rabbi, an imam, a priest and a Light up your December: 19 NWAIS Schools Buddhist walk into an interview More than 40 plays, concerts 21–23 Schools + Preschools 43 TEENS and ‘Nutcrackers’ add sparkle 39–41 Gift Guide Hey Dad: Can my boyfriend sleep over? to the season 44–47 Arts + Activities

46 26 43

parentmap.com • December 2016 • 5 navigate great stuff daily! play list

Enough with the stuff! Traditions don’t have to mean more things. For guaranteed memories this holiday season, consider one of these non-material activities. A favorite: Have the kids make holiday cards to send to your local retirement home. parentmap.com/holiday-traditions

Happy Hanukkah! Celebrate the Festival of Lights with these December An allergy-free holiday crafts and recipes. This year, the holiday is a great month to . . . What do we want this December? No allergic reactions, begins the evening of Dec. 24 and goes please! Whip up party-worthy dishes that all can enjoy through Jan. 1. parentmap.com/hanukkah l1 SNAG SOME CHEER More with this roundup of festive recipes. Includes food free Snow flurries, ice skating, carousel rides, of dairy, soy, gluten, nut, corn and or eggs. parentmap. Take singalongs: All this magic can be had com/allergy-free for next to nothing. parentmap.com/ comfort in holidaymagic this food l2 SWIM AWAY Dig in to two tasty Skip holiday craziness and book a recipes — one for weekend away at one of these fabulous latkes, the other for pools (that are attached to a fabulous pancakes — from hotel). Your little swimmers will thank the recent rerelease you. parentmap.com/swimgetaway of Cynthia Lair’s classic cookbook, Feeding 3 GET QUIET the Whole Family: Recipes for Babies, Young l A little drizzle doesn’t keep ParentMap Children and Their Parents. parentmap. readers out of the woods. We round up com/pancakes great winter hikes for adventure and nature connection at parentmap.com/ Parenting amid the winterhikes refugee crisis l4 SEE SANTA An American expat living in Germany These days, there’s a red-suit experience reflects on the refugee crisis: “My second for every kind of family, from pet- grader came home from school with a friendly Santas to sensory-friendly big Ga-ga for Gilmore! new assignment: Draw a picture of her guys. Find your Santa at parentmap. Whether you’ve already binged on the Netflix reboot greatest fear. My daughter drew a bee with com/santa of Gilmore Girls or haven’t even started (yet), celebrate a giant stinger. Most of her classmates l5 TRIP THE LIGHTS FANTASTIC the magic of Stars Hollow with a fellow fan. drew pictures of war.” parentmap.com/ Add some sparkle to your December parentmap.com/gilmore refugees with our guide to holiday lights — from huge zoo displays to local mom-and-pop facebook.com/ParentMap @ParentMap pinterest.com/ParentMap instagram.com/ParentMap shows. parentmap.com/holidaylights

6 • December 2016 • parentmap.com TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HOLIDAYS

As the holidays approach, here’s some practical advice to reduce stress and make the most of the season. Start with plenty of the following: sleep, laughter, sunshine and exercise. Be realistic about what you can do, and don’t over schedule. Stick with normal OUR CLINICS routines for meals and bedtime. In Capital Eastside short, do less but enjoy more. Family Practice Capital Family & To find a provider, visit us at Sports Medicine capitalphysicianservices.com Capital Hawks Prairie Clinic Capital Westside Internal Medicine Olympia Family & Internal Medicine LOOKING FOR EXTRA Accepting new patients & help this season? most insurances, including Medicaid & Medicare WE’VE GOT YOUR HOLIDAY BREAKS COVERED! NANNIES NEWBORN SPECIALISTS HOUSEHOLD MANAGERS

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Leading by example “You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.” unedited — Exodus 23:9 fter the election, I have an absolute need to understand what I didn’t know, that I clearly didn’t know about “the stranger,” our neighbors in Athe red zone. I’ve been labeled a pathological optimist, but I am sure these 61.5 million Americans are not racists or haters. But what don’t we know about “the stranger” down the street? In times like these, I turn to the great wisdom in our religious traditions. They anchor how we show gratitude, connect, empathize and treat the stranger. Every Jewish kid who attends a Passover seder learns her ancestors were slaves in Egypt. We were oppressed for more than 400 years, just as so many people today 0516_peps_1-8h.indd 1 4/13/16 7:40 AMhave been oppressed for many generations. The Exodus narrative teaches the importance of optimism, gratitude, how to embrace challenges, take action, ask questions, responsibility for each other and the meaning of freedom. As parents, we are our children’s first and most important teachers. Do we need guidance from traditional religion in this less “church-going” town to help with our obligation to guide their strong moral compasses (“A rabbi, an imam, a A family priest and a Buddhist walk into an interview,” p. 11)? The wisdom shared by this like yours beautiful cross section of our religious community may inspire us to “love thy neighbor” and name a few New Year’s resolutions. needs help. Learning about our neighbors and understanding the stranger, near or far, is essential to peace. Just 33 miles south of SeaTac, where so many of us fly We help youth and off during these holidays to visit family or hop out for a sunny vacation, live families recover from thousands of military families. They sacrifice their lives for our freedom, and depression, trauma, face inconceivable challenges. To hear their stories (“Military moms, duty-driven substance abuse and more. dads,” p. 16) is to honor them. Freedom, to many, means being able to do what you want, when you want. Support our work. Learn more. I fought it for a long time, but today, I am grateful for being raised, and for 425-747-4937 raising my three children, within a religious tradition and finding our way. www.youtheastsideservices.org For us, freedom is the ability to create a meaningful life with authentic values, living a life of constant growth and striving to live up to our potential. We’ll never get there but we’ll keep trying. May your holiday season be filled with joy, peace, health and love!

8 • December 2016 • parentmap.com ParentMap December 2016, Vol. 14, No. 12 PUBLISHER/EDITOR Alayne Sulkin EDITORIAL EXECUTIVE EDITOR Natalie Singer-Velush OUT + ABOUT EDITOR Elisa Murray ASSISTANT EDITOR Elisabeth Kramer CALENDAR EDITOR Nancy Chaney PROOFREADER Sunny Parsons CONTRIBUTORS Nancy Schatz Alton, Bryony Angell, Tiffany Doerr Guerzon, E. Ashley Steel PARENTMAP.COM DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Lindsey Carter PUBLISHING ASSISTANT Nicole Persun ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER, ADVERTISING SALES AND PARTNERSHIPS Ida Wicklund and Dani Carbary AD OPERATIONS MANAGER Elisa Taylor ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES SPECIALIST Jessica Collet ADVERTISING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Amanda Brown MARKETING/EVENTS EVENT OPERATIONS Tara Buchan EVENT + MARKETING COORDINATOR Mallory Dehbod EVENTS ASSISTANT Zoe Bloom COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Christina Boyer ART + PRODUCTION DESIGN + PRODUCTION, PRINT MAGAZINE Emily Johnson PRODUCTION DESIGN Amy Chinn ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Sonja Hanson OPERATIONS MANAGER Carolyn Brendel ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT + DISTRIBUTION Angela Goodwin ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT Lorraine Otani PARENTMAP EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Benjamin Danielson, M.D. ODESSA BROWN CHILDREN’S CLINIC Joan DuffellCOMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN John Gottman, Ph.D. THE GOTTMAN INSTITUTE PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Laura Kastner, Ph.D. PSYCHIATRY + BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Bea Kelleigh VICE PRESIDENT AT DOVETAILING, LLC Yaffa Maritz, M.A. LISTENING MOTHERS + COMMUNITY OF MINDFUL PARENTS Ron Rabin THE KIRLIN FOUNDATION Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MINDSIGHT INSTITUTE

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spirituality

A rabbi, an imam, a priest and a Buddhist walk into an interview Reflecting on common values and points of connection this season By Nancy Schatz Alton e all want our children to grow into Dolejsi: I encourage people to pray for wisdom: adults with strong moral compasses, yet knowing what to do and when to do it, what to say and Whow do we teach them to be nice, kind when you say it. We can have disagreements, but we and caring? Our kids won’t do right just because we are not called upon to disagree, we are called on to be tell them to do it, so for guidance that might light charitable. A heated exchange isn’t the most prudent the way for us (and help unite us after a divisive time to speak your truth. We need to dialogue from a political season), we brought our questions about calmer place of respect with each other. raising empathetic children to four local religious Rahman: Every religion states a person’s behavior leaders. We spoke with Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum might be unacceptable but his or her essence is sacred. from Kavana Cooperative (kavana.org), a Rabbi Rachel Nussbaum Protect yourself. Don’t allow yourself to be abused. nondenominational Jewish community group on But as you take the right action, remind yourself the Queen Anne; the Rev. Bryan Dolejsi (parish.stbens. person’s being is divine. This discernment can shift net/people/father-bryan-dolejsi), parish priest at St. heaven and earth. In South Asia, people often say the Benedict Catholic Church in Wallingford; Imam best way to overcome polarization is to share three cups Jamal Rahman (jamalrahman.com), a Muslim Sufi of tea: listen, respect and connect. minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary in Nussbaum: My Rosh Hashanah sermon was about Ballard and an “Interfaith Amigo” (interfaithamigos. training ourselves to listen to voices that are harder to com); and Anita Feng, a Zen Buddhist master and hear, the ones that push against the grain. This summer guiding teacher at Blue Heron Zen Community while I was in Israel, I spent time in the West Bank (blueheronzen.org/about/teachers) in Northgate. meeting with Palestinians because I want to understand Children naturally gravitate toward stories, routines Imam Jamal Rahman a perspective that I had heard less of. Listening and and rituals. Organized religion is just one way that connecting starts really small: Help kids think about people find connection and a way to ground individual how they interact with their siblings, other relatives, stories within a bigger story, says Nussbaum. Parents teachers and friends.

can create their own traditions, drawing (if they like) How does your community discuss the issues on religious frameworks. For example, the Jewish that are causing tension in America: violence, Shabbat dinner often becomes the basis for a weekly racism, sexism, exclusion of immigrants, etc.? family check-in that includes sharing highlights or Feng: Our religious community meets weekly to “gratitudes.” In the following interviews, you’ll find talk about issues within our community and world, more ideas from traditions and practices that speak to knowing these issues are based on dualistic thinking. the complicated world we live in today. We practice applying mediation techniques to our Rev. Bryan Dolejsi Within our current political climate, it’s helpful dialogue, remembering our common humanity and to remember that listening matters. What role using love and compassion. Yet as we talk, it doesn’t does your religious tradition play in listening, take long for dualism to creep in! uniting and connecting? Dolejsi: I like to give ways to focus prayer not only Feng: Practicing meditation teaches us what goes on on people who are experiencing difficulties, but also in the head and the heart, yet meditation is a 24/7 on those who are perpetrating violence. Because we proposition. We use the acronym FACE: ‘focus’ on ourselves need constant conversion, we shouldn’t look counting our breaths; ‘accept and acknowledge’ the down on others; instead, accompany people along the present moment; ‘clear,’ as in let it go; and ‘engage’ now way. We are all called upon to take care of each other. in reality in a helpful way. We can teach our children to Rahman: The Quran says that God has created accept what is being experienced right now. It’s up to us diversity for one primary reason: that we might Anita Feng — within our families first — to let it go and be clear. come to know the other on a human level in spite of

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Interview continued from page 11 our differences. Can we share human stories? Children are taught to touch their heart to Dolejsi: The foundational starting point for Can we listen to the other? Do we listen to express thanks for blessings little or big. This us is that we’ve been loved by God. From our children and allow them to ask difficult practice connects us to the Source of love and that full place, we can love and serve other questions, including those on religion? compassion: God resides in every human heart. people. Our good acts are not based on self- Nussbaum: In the Talmud, we learn all human By connecting to the Source in gratitude, we are worth, productivity or trying to be better than beings were created in God’s image from a humble and kind with others. anybody else. single human being to teach us a lesson. No Nussbaum: Prayer (or reflective moments) Rahman: Islam’s main spiritual teaching is to one can say my ancestors were greater than can be a powerful practice for kids and parents practice compassion for self and others. With your ancestors. When confronted with societal to do together. In the Jewish tradition, we sacred naming, children choose a word or issues, I guide my community to look at others say a prayer of gratitude upon waking up, sentence to use with their names that evokes and try to see the essence of God in them. thankful for another day of life. We also compassion. I chose ‘Brother Jamal.’ When I From the perspective of your religious pray at bedtime, and this prayer is about am self-critical, I do a spiritual intervention by tradition, what everyday actions lead to forgiveness, release and winding down. We saying, ‘But Brother Jamal.’ Immediately the better connections between people? think, ‘Tomorrow I will try to do better and be energy changes; a negative inner conversation Feng: Using FACE in everyday interactions the best person I can be.’ becomes merciful and gentle. leads to better connections. Take a pause What are the best values and virtues Nussbaum: Our most fundamental Jewish to breathe, accept and acknowledge what’s that come out of being part of your values stem from the story that our ancestors happening right now, clear and let go of religious tradition? were once slaves in Egypt, so we can relate to what isn’t helpful and then engage in what’s Feng: In Zen Buddhism, our most being the underdog. Biblical texts instruct us happening right now. important direction is to help everyone to take care of the ‘widow and the orphan,’ but Dolejsi: I encourage parents to pray with awaken to their own realized self. As a Zen today I would extend that obligation to trying to their kids in a simple way: blessing meals, and teacher, I say don’t be attached to words, help anyone who is vulnerable in our society. n prayers in the morning and before bed. We which are a finger pointing at the moon. pray for what we need and then move outward, The moon is the metaphor for awakening, Local author Nancy Schatz Alton was raised as praying for others. Parents can pray with their which can happen in a moment and then a Catholic and loves learning from all religious children in a way that feels right to them, in another moment. In these moments, traditions. Her tween and teen attend Catholic whether that’s praying the rosary or meditating. dualistic thinking disappears as we feel our schools while her husband and dogs practice Rahman: Gratitude opens the heart and oneness. From here, it’s possible to be of daily walks. Her entire family participates in a increases the capacity to love God’s creation. service to others. daily gratitude practice. Faith-Based Schools

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feature Military moms, duty-driven dads Reflections on military life from local families that navigate it By Bryony Angell

16 • December 2016 • parentmap.com w

See pictures of the families in this story: parentmap.com /military families SEE THE ZOO BRIGHTER THAN EVER! Over 600,000 LED lights recreating wild animals and wild places! ismatched family schedules, her own career and identity in the long work trips, financial off-base, civilian world when her NOVEMBER 25 Mstress and crazy work husband is deployed. The reality is through JANUARY 1 hours: sounds like modern American that the military is not simply a job; 5:30 – 8:30 P.M. NIGHTLY family life, right? But add in the risk it’s an all-encompassing lifestyle that Free parking in zoo lots every night! of injury or death in the workplace both isolates and unifies. Closed December 24 & 25 and a strict culture of conformity, and Military families, despite you’ve got the life of a family in the common challenges of a life in armed forces. service, remind us that they are not Tickets and information at: WWW.ZOO.ORG/WILDLIGHTS Many jobs carry risks and require homogenous. Their stories, politics, travel, but what other group of struggles and experiences vary employees commit as much of wildly, just like all families. And yet, themselves and their families to an family life in the military is different. at times structured, at other times They urge the rest of us not to forget erratic, lifestyle — one that often about them. seems to inhabit a near total blind spot in the eyes of their civilian Military life in the neighbors? Pacific Northwest Unless we are “at war” (the The United States military is made up prolonged war in Afghanistan of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines officially ended in 2014), the general and Coast Guard. The current public has little reason to think about national active-duty population is the experiences of families that make about 1.3 million total, according to up the U.S. military force. Not just 2016 Department of Defense (DoD) the service members but the spouses, data. Washington state hosts seven partners and kids living this life. military bases, with the seventh- “It’s a lonely place to be,” says largest military population in the Rachel Starnes, the wife of a Navy country, totaling nearly 66,000 active- pilot and mother of two young sons, duty and reserve members. currently living in Key West, Florida. And the military is full of families Starnes’ book, The War at Home: A with kids. Fifty-six percent of those Wife’s Search for Peace (and Other serving on active duty are married, Missions Impossible), was released and 44 percent have dependent in July and explores the challenges children. While women make up of marriage and motherhood in a only about 15 percent of active-duty military family. forces, they comprise 95 percent of “Your spouse is gone, not just their military spouses. person but their heart and soul; their Whether serving or supporting mind is consumed with the mission,” her military spouse or partner, a Starnes says. She writes of a life on woman with children is challenged various bases while trying to define by the obligation of her partner’s

parentmap.com • December 2016 • 17 feature

Military families continued from page 17

months-long training, deployment and the couple I approached for the toll that it has; our job isn’t mobility needed for military career advancement. this story would speak 9 to 5. But that we did volunteer For a female soldier who is a single parent, her about their experience “Civilians need for it.” options are even more limited, as her duty may on the record for fear of to understand Matt and Alaina met at take her away from family networks that provide additional visibility. They Washington State University, child-care support for civilian single parents. both say they feel that the toll that it where Matt joined the For military spouses, frequent moving might discrimination against gay ROTC in his sophomore mean underemployment compared to their people is still persistent in has; our job isn’t year. Although he grew up civilian counterparts (43 percent unemployed the military, and they say 9 to 5. But that in a military family, he says, versus 25.5 percent unemployed for civilian they do not want to make his joining the service was spouses). Yet despite these challenges, the themselves targets. we did volunteer primarily a financial decision. Washington families we met share a common In time for this season of He could finish his degree commitment to the military, which has given reflection and community, for it.” and then know his career them both purpose and a community over the we set out to meet military trajectory once he started flight long run. families in our region school. He has since become a that represent a range of experiences, diversity steadfast enthusiast for his mission: “I like that Creating connections of demographics and different career stages. We my job is to keep our guys on the ground and in Fostering strong community among the military’s spoke to spouses, service members, children and the air safe. And the fact that I get to do it from a families creates better outcomes for morale. Each two mothers who were formerly in the military. jet is pretty awesome.” base or post organizes spouse groups, which are They all have stories to tell; we invite you to meet The Bezolds appear to live the ideal life affiliated with a specific unit. A group’s purpose them, too. of a military family. Matt is a commissioned is to assist families throughout the deployment officer and earns a good living to support his process. Many of the activities are on base, Alaina Bezold family. He and Alaina love the peripatetic life however, so those who live elsewhere might not and Lt. Matt Bezold, his job affords them, and they each find strong have easy access. Oak Harbor, Whidbey friendships within his squadron. And despite Some military spouses are creating social Island being in an aviation sector, Matt’s job is safer groups of their own: Anne Cone is the The Oak Harbor home of the Bezold family is than ever. “There have been advances in gear and coordinator of the Fort Lewis Mothers of situated on a quiet cul-de-sac several miles from technology to reduce fatalities,” he says, “plus the Preschoolers (MOPS) meet-up and Facebook the naval base where Matt is a weapons systems fact that we’ve pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan, groups, which serve all types of families, officer, or “goose,” as he explains. He is the officer so there aren’t as many bodies to get shot at.” including ones with mom service members, dad sitting behind the pilot of an EA-6B Prowler, The family will be moving again soon as part of service members and families headed by same- controlling the electronic shield that protects Matt’s career advancement, which will take them sex couples. a squadron. The complex lingo of the military away from family in Washington, and possibly “We are a military MOPS, and almost every becomes a running joke during the interview abroad. “We are really hoping to get the assignment base around the world has (or has had) a group with Matt and Alaina, both 33 and parents of to Japan,” says Alaina, smiling. That ROTC like ours,” she explains. “We serve anyone twin 7-year-old boys, Lucas and Bradley, and scholarship Matt committed to more than a decade who holds a DoD ID card — any branch of 2-year-old Henry. As I arrive, the boys are sitting ago has given the Bezolds a life they love. the military [and] retirees. We don’t ever ask down to lunch, stealing glances at me with for rank in our meetings because we are all smiling eyes, as their welcoming dog, Pongo, licks Kimberly Sablan, mothers and that is what connects us. Rank has my hand. former staff sergeant, no place with us.” The Bezolds were neighbors of Starnes and Air Force Intelligence, Other parents’ groups at Joint Base Lewis- her husband at Naval Air Station Lemoore in Spanaway McChord (JBLM) specifically serve parents of California and feel Starnes’ honest portrayal of The exchange of military service for academic children with special needs, and another serves military family life is important for non-military scholarship does not always go according to plan. parents of children on the autism spectrum. folks to read. “I love that she shows a candid look Kimberly Sablan’s decision to enlist led her down But not everyone feels totally represented at the military system [in the book],” says Matt. a path that has been distinctly different from among the community. Neither same-sex “We are humanized. Civilians need to understand those of some other service members. >>

18 • December 2016 • parentmap.com SCHOOLS

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Date: 11-9-16 parentmap.comProduction Contact: • December 2016 • 19 Advertiser: Charles Wright Amy Senftleben, 253-620-8870 Pub: Parent Map Live Area: n/a December Issue Trim: 4” x 5” Distributes late November Bleed: n/a Printing: 4c, cmyk feature

Military families continued from page 18

I meet Sablan, 28, and Near the end of her service, She also met her second husband, Randy, 39. her 4-year-old son, Isaiah, Sablan’s leadership allowed Randy is career military; he enlisted out of high at a fast-food restaurant “There is no her to make her own hours, school, has served 21 years and earned a degree in along an arterial that could structured but to this day she still has aeronautics in the process. He has one more duty be anywhere in suburban mixed feelings about her time station tour (from two to three years in length) America, save for the support for in the service. There is no before he retires. Christy left the service in 2007 lumbering din of military structured support for single after four years as an Army air traffic controller. transport planes descending single parents, parents, and living alone on She worked as a teacher before the couple’s now into the wooded fortress and living alone base was impossible with a 3-year-old daughter Amelia was born, and is now of JBLM nearby. We are in baby, she says. “I took basic a stay-at-home mom. Spanaway, between Tacoma on base was housing allowance (BAH) Randy is currently in South Korea until May, at and Puyallup, where many to live off base. But BAH a base close enough to the North Korean border current and former military impossible with only guarantees rent in the that his family cannot accompany him. So far, personnel make their home. a baby” neighborhoods closest to the this deployment to Korea is the longest he’s been It’s where Sablan has lived base, and those may not be gone since Amelia was born. “He’s only missed since joining the Air Force safe to live in,” she says. six months away from us until this post,” says in 2009. Such is the irony of enlisted Christy. “The long separations are hard. Yes, it’s “At the time, I was looking for ways to pay for military pay, which others I interviewed agreed the life we chose, and we’re not complaining, but my education,” says Sablan, who is Chamorro and with. “Life is a lot easier for a single guy on that doesn’t mean it’s still not hard.” originally from the island of Saipan, part of the enlisted pay,” says Matt Bezold. “You can live on Amelia offers me a freshly baked muffin as I commonwealth of the U.S. “The G.I. Bill would base, eat on base, work on base. But that would sit at the kitchen table with her mother. Amelia allow me to fund my education.” not be easy for a family, relying on that one will soon have a sibling: Christy is expecting a Midway through her service, she became income.” second child in February. Randy will fly in for the pregnant and soon after, ended her marriage Sablan feels proud of how she navigated the planned C-section, then return to finish his tour. to her son’s father, a Marine. Unable to deploy struggle of being a single mother in the military. Christy shows me a photo of him on her phone, with her unit because of her pregnancy, she Sablan’s mother helped with her son’s care for a and her voice breaks a little. “I don’t have a recent decided to remain and finish out her contract. year following her discharge. She has amicable photo of us all together,” she says. “If I took an honorable discharge, I’d have no joint custody with her former spouse, a new It’s a reminder of the milestones that military income,” she explains. boyfriend and is now finishing her accounting families can miss, milestones that civilian families She is still in disbelief about how she managed degree at the University of Washington, Tacoma. take for granted. active duty and single motherhood with an infant. There is a feeling of both reserve and mutual Christy Aguirre, former “My compensation didn’t change, no matter that I respect that these three families have for their Army Specialist/E-4, and had a dependent,” she says. The monthly on-base civilian counterparts; while Sablan and Christy Chief Warrant Officer 2 child care cost half of her income. So she found Aguirre are now civilians and Alaina Bezold has Randy Aguirre, Puyallup help elsewhere. “At first, I asked some of my been one all along, all three remain very much For some, the military has meant salvation. That coworkers and my cousin to watch my son,” she anchored within the military community and is how Christy Aguirre, 35, describes her decision says. “All of them did this free of charge.” fiercely proud of their families’ service. Whether to enlist. “I was not where I needed to be at the Although she received custodial relief from her they are on active duty, a veteran or a military time,” she says. “The military was a way to get ex-husband, there still was very little to live on. Nor dependent, the military will remain a part of myself out of a bad situation and start over.” did she qualify for public assistance. “I couldn’t their lives. n believe I was denied WIC and food stamps. I For Aguirre, that meant leaving a troubled first earned $1 too much.” She describes her breakdown marriage and finding a new path in the Army. Bryony Angell loves nature, art and mid-century in tears at the social service office when she learned Happily for Christy, whose direct manner architecture and can find a way to connect all she was ineligible. “At one point, I considered leaves no room for doubt, she met her goals and three to parenting. You can see more of her giving up my son to his dad,” she says. “But I kept found a family. “The Army placed me in flight writing at bryonyangell.com and follow her on going because I wanted to be that role model for school, and I was able to pay off bills and finish Twitter @bryonyangell. She lives in North Seattle my son, for him to be proud of his mom.” school in elementary education after my service.” with her family.

20 • December 2016 • parentmap.com emotional challenges

What are the most common Missing family and everyday life Agonizing over emotional challenges faced by 42 percent of military personnel say erratic communication military families during deployment? they are most sad to miss out on 41 percent say frequent TroopTree, a free private video children growing up while deployed; communication during messaging platform for the military 38 percent are most sad to miss out deployment leaves them and their families, conducted a on everyday “normal life” moments. feeling anxious waiting for a nationwide study of 5,000 veterans, reply or receiving a response active-duty military members and Longing for home overrides that feels distracted or out their immediate families, using a feelings of endangerment of character; 17 percent feel third-party research group. The 53 percent say the hardest part stressed trying to find “safe” study looked at homesickness, of life during deployment is being conversation topics; and 41 communication challenges and away from family and loved ones, percent say coordinating other obstacles military families compared to 44 percent who say time-zone differences is the face during deployment and after it’s the risk and danger of the area biggest challenge with staying returning home. stationed. in touch.

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS

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parentmap.com • December 2016 • 21 SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS These sites help boost grades For those dreading that report card home, consider Challenging K-12 students in an intellectual community one of these research-backed sites.Challenging Vetted by Common K-12 students through early entrance, and Sense Media, each offers a different resource for a outreach learning programs. particular subject. in an intellectual community through early entrance, and Take Bedtime Math, for example. Recommended We offer on the University of Washington Seattle campus: for kindergartenoutreach through learning third grade, programs. this free • Transition School • UW Academy • Saturday Enrichment Online app serves up math problems in the form of • Summer Programs • Professional Development Courses stories. Families sit together and follow along, like a new bedtime ritual. Building math into

For more information, each day? Consider it the happily ever after. visit our website: We offer on the University of Washington Seattle campus: ChallengingAlso K-12of note: students Get the Math. www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu in an intellectual community Phone: 206-543-4160 • Transition School • UW AcademythroughGeared early entrance, toward • and Saturday older grades Enrichment Email: [email protected] • Summer Programs •outreach Professional(seventh learning programs. through tenth),Development this free game answers that eternal question: When am I ever We offer on the University of Washington Seattle campus: We offer on the University of Washington• Transition School Seattle • UW Academy campus: • Saturday Enrichmentgoing to use this in the real • Summer Programs • Professional Developmentworld? With a focus on algebra, Transition School • UW Academy • Saturday Enrichment For more information,Get the Math demonstrates Summer Programs • Professional Development how algebra pays off. For more information, visit our website: visit our website: For students who need help with letters more Challenging K-12 students in an intellectual communitywww.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu than numbers, there are apps like Starfall. It through early entrance, and outreach learningPhone: programs. 206-543-4160 Email: [email protected] Phone: 206-543-4160 encourages kids kindergarten through second Email: [email protected] grade to cruise through words by learning basics Accepting Online and Saturday Program applications now! like letter recognition and skill repetition. It’s also free, though additional content is available via www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu membership. Phone: 206-543-4160 For three more apps that’ll help your young student, Email: [email protected] visit parentmap.com/education-app — Common Sense Media

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22 • December 2016 • parentmap.com

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parentmap.com • December 2016 • 23 1116_bellevue_childrens_academy_1-2h.indd 1 10/12/16 8:54 PM december SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY PICKS MERRILL IMAGES

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Urban Craft Uprising. Celebrate the Meet-up Monday. Meet up with a friend to Black Santa Visits NAAM. Visit the modern arts and crafts movement, shop for receive $3 oﬀ admission. Mondays, 9 a.m.– Northwest African American Museum to handmade goods and catch a craft demo. noon. $7 with discount; adults and under have your picture taken with Black Santa. Saturday–Sunday, Dec. 3–4. Free entry; age 1 free. WiggleWorks Kids, Bellevue. Tuesdays, Dec. 6, 13; 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Seattle. items for purchase. Seattle Center Exhibi- wiggleworkskids.com ONGOING EVENT naamnw.org Magic Season Ice Arena, tion Hall. urbancraftuprising.com OmTots Play Gym. Bounce around, swing Holiday Wreath-making Workshop. Stop Bellevue, through Jan. 8 Fantasy Lights. Load everyone into the from the ceiling and get wild indoors. by to create a personalized wreath while car for this 2-mile drive lined with sparkling Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–noon. $12; enjoying holiday music and light refresh- light displays. Daily through Jan. 1, 5:30–9 discounts available. Ages 1–5 with care- ments. 5:30–8 p.m. $15/wreath. Magnuson p.m. $14/car; half-price nights listed on giver. OmCulture, Seattle. omculture.com Community Center, Seattle. seattle.gov/parks website. Spanaway Park. co.pierce.wa.us ONGOING EVENT

SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION 11 12 13

Unplugged Family Game Time. Let the Toddler Time at the Aquarium. Stop by Issaquah Reindeer Festival. Meet Santa, Green Lake Pathway of Lights, devices rest and play board games with for ﬁ shy fun and marine-themed activities try out his sleigh, feed reindeer and enjoy Seattle, Dec. 10 family and friends; snacks provided. 2–4 for little kids. Dec. 4–6, 11–13; 9:30 a.m.– story time with an elf. Daily Dec. 1–23, p.m. FREE. All ages. King County Library noon. Included with admission. Ages 0–5 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. $10.50–$14.50; ages System, Federal Way Branch. kcls.org with caregiver. Seattle Aquarium, Seattle. 1 and under free. Cougar Mountain Zoo, Santa Train. Ride a vintage train to visit seattleaquarium.org Issaquah. cougarmountainzoo.org Santa and have a treat. Through Dec. 17. Redmond Town Center Skating Rink. Christmas Ship Viewing. Watch the light- $24; under age 2 free. Northwest Railway No ice needed at this nifty synthetic skating ed parade of ships and listen to the choir JESSICA MORGAN Museum, North Bend Depot. rink, outdoors but under cover. Daily sing at the Edmonds Fishing Pier (7:20–7:40 trainmuseum.org through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 25). $7 includes p.m.) and at Richmond Beach Saltwater skate rental. Redmond Town Center. Park (8:20–8:40 p.m.). FREE. nwboatinfo.com redmondtowncenter.com

Carousel at Redmond Town Center, through Jan. 1 18 19 20 Klez Chaos. A motley group of musicians Polar Plaza Ice Skating. Bundle up and Winter Train and Village. Admire the Who’s Got Game? at Wing Luke plays klezmer music in a light-hearted enjoy the sights and sounds of downtown expansive model train display; “drive” the Museum, Seattle, opening Dec. 9 concert, part of Winterfest’s free entertain- Tacoma while you glide across the ice. Daily train during select hours for a $2 donation. ment series. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Seattle Center through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 5–6, 12–13 and Daily through Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 25). DAVE ESKENAZI Armory. seattlecenter.com 25). $5–$11 including skate rental. Tollefson FREE. Seattle Center Armory. Snowﬂ ake Lane. It’s a nightly holiday Plaza, Tacoma. polarplaza.com seattlecenter.com/winterfest parade with lights, drummers, dancers and Swansons Reindeer Festival. Meet a Light the Night: A Solstice Walk. Join a more. Daily through Dec. 24, 7 p.m.; similar real-live pair of Santa’s reindeer and their candle-lit walk through the trails of Bloedel Celebration Lane runs Dec. 26–31. FREE. camel buddy, plus admire the model train Reserve to mark the shortest days of the Bellevue Way and N.E. 8th St., Bellevue. village. Daily through Dec. 24. FREE. Swan- year. Tuesday–Thursday, Dec. 20–22, 4 p.m. snowﬂ akelane.com sons Nursery, Seattle. swansonsnursery.com $15; preregister. All ages. The Bloedel Re- serve, Bainbridge Island. bloedelreserve.org

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Fiddler on the Roof Sing Along. “Tradi- Winter Fishtival. Dive into local marine Festivals of Light. The Children’s Mu- tion!” Sing your heart out with Tevye and life with hands-on activities and special seum explores winter holidays including Zoolights, Tacoma, his family; Kosher Chinese food buff et talks. Today’s theme: plankton. Dec. 26–Jan. Kwanzaa, Pasko, Hanukkah and more. Daily through Jan. 1 included. 11 a.m. $25. SIFF Cinema Uptown, 3. Included with admission. Seattle Aquari- Dec. 1–Jan. 15 (closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. Seattle. siff .net um. seattleaquarium.org 1). Included with admission. Ages 3–10 with OONA COPPERHILL Zoolights. Revel in the dazzling light Hanukkah Celebration. Students of families. Seattle. thechildrensmuseum.org creations — sharks, sea turtles, a polar bear Chabad Hewbrew School present a holiday 30 Americans. Groundbreaking exhibit family and more. Daily through Jan. 1, 5–9 program. 6:30–8:30 p.m. FREE. Crossroads showcases the work of African American p.m. (closed Dec. 24). $8.50–$10; ages 2 and Bellevue. crossroadsbellevue.com artists infl uencing the contemporary art under free. Point Defi ance Zoo & Aquarium, scene. Through Jan. 15. Included with Tacoma. pdza.org/zoolights admission. Tacoma Art Museum. tacomaartmuseum.org

24 • December 2016 • parentmap.com • SSS

1216_PM calendar spread.indd 30 11/18/16 9:34 AM december SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 Photos with Black Santa, Northwest African Teddy Bear Suite. Check out the bears’ Giving Marketplace. Shop for holiday Salmon Tour with Harbor Wildwatch. Go American Museum, fanciful hotel room, a downtown holiday gifts from socially conscious organizations, on a salmon hunt with a naturalist and spot PICKS Seattle, the spawners while learning about salmon in tradition. Daily through Dec. 26. Donations supporting the well-being of people around , it’s all here. Dec. 6 and 13 encouraged for Seattle Children’s Hospital. the world, plus donate your old bike. Friday– the ecosystem. 9–10 a.m. or 10–11 a.m. $2/ Relax Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle. Saturday, Dec. 2–3, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free person suggested donation. Donkey Creek Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Washington’s Cascades, fairmont.com/seattle entry; items for purchase. Gates Foundation Park, Gig Harbor. harborwildwatch.org Nordic Stories. Listen to a story called Visitor Center, Seattle. gatesfoundation.org Redmond Lights. Celebrate a diversity superb cuisine, a luxurious spa and accommodations in The Christmas Wish and do a creative Free First Friday Night at Hands On of holiday traditions with the lighting

MERRILL IMAGES harmony with nature. Plan your winter getaway at craft project. 10 a.m. FREE. Ages 3–6 with Children’s Museum. Have a blast playing of City Hall, a luminary walk and live caregiver. Nordic Heritage Museum, Seattle. indoors on a chilly Friday night. 5–9 p.m. entertainment. 4–8 p.m. FREE. City Hall SleepingLady.com | 800.574.2123 nordicmuseum.org FREE. Ages 0–10 with families. Hands On and Redmond Town Center, Redmond. Children’s Museum, Olympia. hocm.org redmondlights.com

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Urban Craft Uprising. Celebrate the Meet-up Monday. Meet up with a friend to Black Santa Visits NAAM. Visit the Caspar Babypants. Dance and sing along Play to Learn. Last day this cycle for Who’s Got Game? From Duke Kah- Winter Helmet Fitting and Giveaway. modern arts and crafts movement, shop for receive $3 off admission. Mondays, 9 a.m.– Northwest African American Museum to to holiday tunes from this popular kids’ community play and circle time.10–11:30 anamoku to Kristi Yamaguchi, exhibit open- Kohl’s and Seattle Children’s team up to handmade goods and catch a craft demo. noon. $7 with discount; adults and under have your picture taken with Black Santa. performer’s new album. 10:30–11:30 a.m. a.m.; additional weekly times and locations. ing today showcases the accomplishments protect kids’ noggins. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, Dec. 3–4. Free entry; age 1 free. WiggleWorks Kids, Bellevue. Tuesdays, Dec. 6, 13; 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Seattle. FREE. Ages 0–5 with caregiver. Third Place FREE. Ages 6 and under with caregiver. of Asian Pacifi c Americans in sports. 10 FREE. Ages 4–18 (wearer must be present). items for purchase. Seattle Center Exhibi- wiggleworkskids.com ONGOING EVENT naamnw.org Commons, Lake Forest Park. kcls.org Pierce County Library, Lakewood Branch. a.m.–5 p.m. Included with admission. Wing Seattle Children’s 70th and Sand Point Magic Season Ice Arena, tion Hall. urbancraftuprising.com OmTots Play Gym. Bounce around, swing Holiday Wreath-making Workshop. Stop Macy’s Santaland. It’s a holiday tradition playtacoma.org Luke Museum of the Asian Pacifi c American Building. makesurethehelmetfi ts.org Bellevue, through Jan. 8 Fantasy Lights. Load everyone into the from the ceiling and get wild indoors. by to create a personalized wreath while to get your photo taken and tell ol’ St. Nick Bellevue Magic Season Ice Arena. Go Experience, Seattle. wingluke.org Green Lake Pathway of Lights. Stroll the car for this 2-mile drive lined with sparkling Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–noon. $12; enjoying holiday music and light refresh- what’s on your wish list. Daily through Dec. for a spin in this large, open-air rink; check Kruckeberg Solstice Stroll. Wander the path around Green Lake, glowing with hol- light displays. Daily through Jan. 1, 5:30–9 discounts available. Ages 1–5 with care- ments. 5:30–8 p.m. $15/wreath. Magnuson 24. Photo packages $21 and up. Macy’s website for Stroller Skate Thursdays and trails of this hidden garden awash in lights. iday luminaria. 4:30–7:30 p.m. FREE; food p.m. $14/car; half-price nights listed on giver. OmCulture, Seattle. omculture.com Community Center, Seattle. seattle.gov/parks Downtown, Seattle. macys.com other special sessions. Daily through Jan. Friday–Sunday, Dec. 9–11, 4:30–7:30 p.m. drive donations requested. Green Lake website. Spanaway Park. co.pierce.wa.us ONGOING EVENT 8. $9–$12; skate rental included. Bellevue $10 suggested donation. Kruckeberg Park, Seattle. facebook.com/greenlakepath- Downtown Park. bellevuedowntown.com Botanic Garden, Shoreline. kruckeberg.org wayofl ights

SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Unplugged Family Game Time. Let the Toddler Time at the Aquarium. Stop by Issaquah Reindeer Festival. Meet Santa, Conservatory Story Hour. Sit among the SAM Lights. Stroll the brightly lit path, do A Warm Winter Home. Discover how local Model Train Festival. Take in an eye-pop- Green Lake Pathway of Lights, devices rest and play board games with for ﬁ shy fun and marine-themed activities try out his sleigh, feed reindeer and enjoy lovely ﬂ owers for stories and a hands-on art activities, grab dinner from a food truck critters take shelter against the elements. ping array of model trains. Daily Dec. 17– Seattle, Dec. 10 family and friends; snacks provided. 2–4 for little kids. Dec. 4–6, 11–13; 9:30 a.m.– story time with an elf. Daily Dec. 1–23, project. 11 a.m. Suggested donation $3. and more. 6–9 p.m. FREE; RSVP requested. 10–11 a.m. Preregister; $2 suggested Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 24–25), 10 a.m.–5 p.m. p.m. FREE. All ages. King County Library noon. Included with admission. Ages 0–5 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. $10.50–$14.50; ages Ages 3–8 with caregiver. W.W. Seymour Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle. donation at the door. Lake Hills Greenbelt Included with admission. Washington State System, Federal Way Branch. kcls.org with caregiver. Seattle Aquarium, Seattle. 1 and under free. Cougar Mountain Zoo, Botanical Conservatory, Tacoma. seattleartmuseum.org Ranger Station, Bellevue. bellevuewa.gov History Museum, Tacoma. Santa Train. Ride a vintage train to visit seattleaquarium.org Issaquah. cougarmountainzoo.org seymourconservatory.org Singin’ in the Rain. High-energy produc- Hollydaze Float-in Movie. Catch a classic washingtonhistory.org Santa and have a treat. Through Dec. 17. Redmond Town Center Skating Rink. Christmas Ship Viewing. Watch the light- Story Time with Santa. Get comfy and tion features well-loved song and dance holiday family movie from the vantage Menorah Mania. All invited to make a Ha- $24; under age 2 free. Northwest Railway No ice needed at this nifty synthetic skating ed parade of ships and listen to the choir listen to some books read by the big guy in numbers and real “rain” on the stage. point of the pool. Fridays, Dec. 2, 9 and nukkah menorah, decorate cookies, listen JESSICA MORGAN Museum, North Bend Depot. rink, outdoors but under cover. Daily sing at the Edmonds Fishing Pier (7:20–7:40 the red suit and feel free to snap a photo. Through Dec. 31 (Jan. 6–29 in Everett). 16; 8–10 p.m. $9–11.25. Covington Aquatic to the Klezmatics and buy dinner from a trainmuseum.org through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 25). $7 includes p.m.) and at Richmond Beach Saltwater 11 a.m. FREE. Ages 3–7. University Book- $35–$78. Ages 8 and up. Village Theatre, Center. covingtonwa.gov food truck. 5:30–7:30 p.m. FREE; donations skate rental. Redmond Town Center. Park (8:20–8:40 p.m.). FREE. nwboatinfo.com store, Mill Creek. ubookstore.com Issaquah. villagetheatre.org requested. Stroum Jewish Community redmondtowncenter.com Center, Mercer Island. sjcc.org

Carousel at Redmond Town Center, through Jan. 1 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Klez Chaos. A motley group of musicians Polar Plaza Ice Skating. Bundle up and Winter Train and Village. Admire the Live Reindeer. Stop by for holiday The International Exhibition of Sher- Holiday Carousel. Pick your horse and Gingerbread Village. Marvel at a world of Who’s Got Game? at Wing Luke plays klezmer music in a light-hearted enjoy the sights and sounds of downtown expansive model train display; “drive” the shopping, lights and to visit two of Santa’s lock Holmes. Visit historic London to help take a ride to help Treehouse help foster wizardry made of cookies and candy in this Museum, Seattle, opening Dec. 9 concert, part of Winterfest’s free entertain- Tacoma while you glide across the ice. Daily train during select hours for a $2 donation. reindeer pals. Daily through Dec. 24. FREE. solve a crime using Holmes’ ahead-of-his- kids. Daily through Jan. 2 (closed Dec. 25). annual display of culinary creativity. Daily ment series. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Seattle Center through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 5–6, 12–13 and Daily through Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 25). Country Village, Bothell. countryvillage.com time techniques. Daily through Jan. 8. $7–$9 $3 suggested donation. Westlake Park, through Jan. 1. FREE; donations to the JDRF DAVE ESKENAZI Armory. seattlecenter.com 25). $5–$11 including skate rental. Tollefson FREE. Seattle Center Armory. Holiday Train and Horse Carousel. Take in addition to admission or membership. Seattle. treehouseforkids.org Northwest Chapter appreciated. Sheraton Snowfl ake Lane. It’s a nightly holiday Plaza, Tacoma. polarplaza.com seattlecenter.com/winterfest a spin on these seasonal delights. Daily Pacifi c Science Center, Seattle. The Lights of Christmas. See a million Seattle Hotel. sheratonseattle.com parade with lights, drummers, dancers and Swansons Reindeer Festival. Meet a Light the Night: A Solstice Walk. Join a through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 25). $4 (credit/ pacifi csciencecenter.org lights illuminating Warm Beach Camp, plus Garden d’Lights. Plant and critter shapes more. Daily through Dec. 24, 7 p.m.; similar real-live pair of Santa’s reindeer and their candle-lit walk through the trails of Bloedel debit only) for train; $4 suggested donation Ivar’s Clam Lights. Stroll a one-mile path listen to live music and partake in kids’ created from over half a million lights Celebration Lane runs Dec. 26–31. FREE. camel buddy, plus admire the model train Reserve to mark the shortest days of the (cash/check only) for carousel. Redmond with thousands of lights decorating trees activities. Select dates Dec. 1–28, 5–10 p.m. sparkle and amaze. Daily through Dec. 31, Bellevue Way and N.E. 8th St., Bellevue. village. Daily through Dec. 24. FREE. Swan- year. Tuesday–Thursday, Dec. 20–22, 4 p.m. Town Center. redmondtowncenter.com and shrubs in fanciful shapes. Daily Dec. 2– $8–$16; ages 3 and under free. Stanwood. 4:30–9 p.m. $5; ages 10 and under free; snowfl akelane.com sons Nursery, Seattle. swansonsnursery.com $15; preregister. All ages. The Bloedel Re- Jan. 1, 5–9 p.m. FREE. Gene Coulon Memori- thelightsofchristmas.com check website for free admission days. Bel- serve, Bainbridge Island. bloedelreserve.org al Beach Park, Renton. rentonwa.gov levue Botanical Garden. gardendlights.org

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Fiddler on the Roof Sing Along. “Tradi- Winter Fishtival. Dive into local marine Festivals of Light. The Children’s Mu- Winterfest Ice Rink. Take a twirl on Winter Wildland. Resident animals enjoy Community Hanukkah Potluck. Bring a Noon Year’s Eve. Wear your beach gear tion!” Sing your heart out with Tevye and life with hands-on activities and special seum explores winter holidays including the ice at this compact indoor rink. Daily winter-time enrichments such as fruit, tree dish to share and celebrate Hanukkah with for Hands On Children’s Museum’s Beach Zoolights, Tacoma, his family; Kosher Chinese food buff et talks. Today’s theme: plankton. Dec. 26–Jan. Kwanzaa, Pasko, Hanukkah and more. Daily through Jan. 3 (closed Dec. 25). $2–$7 cash treats and snowmen. Thursday–Friday, Dec. the Secular Jewish Circle. 4–7 p.m. FREE. Blizzard Bash with ball drop every hour and through Jan. 1 included. 11 a.m. $25. SIFF Cinema Uptown, 3. Included with admission. Seattle Aquari- Dec. 1–Jan. 15 (closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. only; includes skate rental. Fisher Pavilion at 29–30. Included with admission. Northwest Venue TBA, Seattle. secularjewishcircle.org tropical activities. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Included Seattle. siff .net um. seattleaquarium.org 1). Included with admission. Ages 3–10 with Seattle Center. seattlecenter.com/winterfest Trek Wildlife Park, Eatonville. nwtrek.org WildLights. Experience the zoo after dark, with admission. Olympia. hocm.org OONA COPPERHILL Zoolights. Revel in the dazzling light Hanukkah Celebration. Students of families. Seattle. thechildrensmuseum.org Wondering about Wildlife. Get out of the Edible City: A Delicious Journey. Explore illuminated in a wonder of holiday sparkle. New Year’s Eve Pajama Party. Wear your creations — sharks, sea turtles, a polar bear Chabad Hewbrew School present a holiday 30 Americans. Groundbreaking exhibit house and take part in wildlife-centered how we fi nd, grow, shop for, prepare and Daily through Jan. 1, 5:30–8:30 p.m. (closed jammies for special activities, play and a family and more. Daily through Jan. 1, 5–9 program. 6:30–8:30 p.m. FREE. Crossroads showcases the work of African American activities for all ages. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. FREE. eat our local foods. Daily through Sept. Dec. 24–25). $7.95–$9.95; ages 2 and under 9 p.m. ball drop. 7–9 p.m. Included with p.m. (closed Dec. 24). $8.50–$10; ages 2 and Bellevue. crossroadsbellevue.com artists infl uencing the contemporary art Cedar River Watershed Education Center, 2017, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). free. Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle. zoo.org admission. Imagine Children’s Museum, under free. Point Defi ance Zoo & Aquarium, scene. Through Jan. 15. Included with North Bend. seattle.gov/util Included with admission. MOHAI, Seattle. Everett. imaginecm.org Tacoma. pdza.org/zoolights admission. Tacoma Art Museum. mohai.org tacomaartmuseum.org

24 • December 2016 • parentmap.com • SSS parentmap.com • December 2016 • 25

1216_PM calendar spread.indd 30 11/18/16 9:34 AM 1216_PM calendar spread.indd 31 11/18/16 3:33 PM w

out + about Ho-ho holiday shows to light up December More than 40 plays, concerts and ‘Nutcrackers’ add sparkle to the season

By Nancy Chaney

Good mousekeeping: Studio East’s ‘Twas the Night provides laughs for all ages

PHOTO COURTESY STUDIO EAST 26 • December 2016 • parentmap.com w 161108 Crossroads Holiday ParentMap 4x10 f.pdf 1 11/7/16 7:43 PM

We want the holidays to be about connecting with our families, but holiday-related stress can appear as an unwelcome visitor. Fortunately, our region’s amazing holiday shows, from fun-filled sing-alongs to plays that celebrate the joy of giving, are a wonderful antidote. Our suggestion: Park the shopping list and the devices and make a family plan for a joy-filled outing. See an elegant ballet, listen to enchanting music, ponder the message of A Christmas Carol or laugh yourself silly at a holiday romp. Here is a list of more than 40 joyous shows to choose from; find more at parentmap.com/holiday-arts. Note: Shows with regular adult ticket prices of $15 or less are marked lnba rgain . Musicals, plays and holiday classics Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Warm up in a tropical sea as brave young mermaid Ariel ventures out to explore a new life on land, battling an evil sea witch and ultimately finding her destiny. The show features award- winning songs such as “Kiss the Girl” and dazzling scenery and visual effects. Nov. 23–

Dec 31. $36–$180. Ages 4 and older; no babes MARK KITAOKA in arms. The 5th Avenue Theater, Seattle. 5thavenue.org

It’s a Wonderful Life. Based on the film, this holiday classic spotlights a man in despair who, thanks to an enlightening visit from his guardian angel, realizes his importance to his family and community. Nov. 25–Dec. 18. $19–$25. Ages 6 and older. Lakewood Playhouse, Lakewood. lakewoodplayhouse.org

A Christmas Carol. ACT’s annual production of Dickens’ classic holiday tale traces the Christmastime redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge. Note: This includes somewhat scary characters; consider the age and sensitivity of kids you take to this show. Nov. 25–Dec. 28. $22–$110. Ages 5 and older; no babes in arms. ACT —A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle. acttheatre.org

Stellaluna. A baby fruit bat flits into a sea of holiday-themed shows to highlight friendship, the joy of trying new things and the importance of being yourself. This Seattle Children Theatre’s production is based on the

parentmap.com • December 2016 • 27 FIND WONDER.

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Make us part of your holiday tradition. Escape the busy season and come explore our 150-acres on Bainbridge Island.

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28 • December 2016 • parentmap.com out + about

Holidaycontinued from page 27 shows popular picture book, features delightful Yule Be Rockin’ — A Family Holiday music, dance and puppetry. Dec. 1–Jan. 15; Spice ‘n’ easy: Concert. lnba rgain The popular kids’ sensory-friendly performance Dec. 18. $22– Thistle Theatre’s band Eric Herman and the Thunder Puppies Gingerbread Boy $40. Ages 3 and older. Seattle Children’s (“The Elephant Song”) plays interactive, Theatre, Seattle. sct.org hilarious holiday tunes. Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. $8. All ages. Auburn Avenue Theater, Auburn. A Charlie Brown Christmas. lnba rgain auburnwa.gov Based on the classic television cartoon special, this story finds Peanuts character Gingerbread Boy. lnba rgain Charlie Brown feeling blue about the Performing with Japanese bunraku-style commercialization of Christmas. Taking puppetry, Thistle Theatre presents the on an important job, Charlie Brown, story of a gingerbread boy who goes on a Snoopy and the gang rediscover the true sweet holiday adventure. Dec. 3–18. $10. spirit of the season. Dec. 2–22. $10. Ages Ages 3 and older. Venues in Bellevue and 5–12 with families (Sunday shows are all Seattle. thistletheatre.org ages). SecondStory Repertory, Redmond. secondstoryrep.org A Christmas Story: The Musical. lnba rgain Based on the beloved 1980s nba rgain Fiddler on the Roof. lHeavier movie, this musical follows the hilarious Than Air Family Theatre presents the misadventures of a boy named Ralphie, his beloved musical that follows the life of a quirky family and his quest for a Red Ryder Jewish family in a Ukrainian village in 1905, BB gun. Dec. 9–18. $13–$15. Ages 5 and featuring popular songs such as “If I Were a style, with hilarious twists, corny songs and a older. Auburn Avenue Theater, Auburn. Dec. 9–17. $10– Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” few surprises. Nov. 26–Dec. 22. $15–$35. Ages 5 auburnwa.gov $12. Ages 6 and older; no babes in arms. Green and older. Centerstage Theatre, Federal Way. The Stinky Cheese Man and Other River College, Auburn. heavierthanair.com centerstagetheatre.com Fairly Stupid Tales. lnba rgain Young actors A Charlie Brown Christmas. lnba rgain The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. When star in this parody of tried-and-true fairy tales, Tacoma Musical Playhouse does its own the wild Herdman kids show up at church and a comic show based on the Caldecott Honor production of the play based on the classic 1965 are cast in the Christmas play, chaos ensues in book. Dec. 9–18. $13–$15. Ages 5 and older. television special. Dec. 17–24. $10. All ages. this show featuring a multigenerational cast Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Mercer Island. Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma. tmp.org and favorite carols. Nov. 25–Dec. 18; pay-what- youththeatre.org you-can performance Dec. 2. $13–$19. All ages. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Olympia Family Theater, Olympia. olyft.org The Comic romps staid traditional Christmas pageant at the local ’Twas the Night . . . Belly laughs are in order church gets an injection of new “talent,” and comic and family fun as the classic Christmas Eve poem is spun to mayhem is the result, in a production performed How the Penguins Saved Santa Claus. comical new heights — with surprise twists by youth actors alongside adult professionals. Dec. lnba rgain It’s holiday time, and the big guy every year — as the Big family awaits the arrival 10–24. $5–$34. All ages. Bathhouse Theater at in the red suit needs some serious help. Can a of St. Nick. Nov. 26–Dec. 18. $19. Ages 4 and Green Lake, Seattle. seattlepublictheater.org ragtag group of penguins help get Santa out of a older. Studio East Mainstage Theater, Kirkland. Rapunzelstiltskin. lnba rgain The Fremont jam? Bellevue Youth Theatre’s (BYT) show stars studio-east.org Players and Fremont Philharmonic return with talented kids and is performed in BYT’s new The Elves & the Toymaker. In its annual their annual panto production, full of outrageous Crossroads theater. Nov. 25–Dec. 4. $8–$15. All holiday show, StoryBook Theater presents the characters, original songs and jokes aimed at ages. Bellevue Youth Theatre – Crossroads, heartwarming holiday tale of two generous elves young and old. Expect audience participation, Bellevue. bellevuewa.gov who help out a desperate toymaker and his wife, Rapunzel locked in a tower, a donkey called Little Red Riding Hood. In a beloved just in the nick of time. Nov. 27–Dec. 20. $18. Ages Butterbibb and more fairy-tale wackiness. Dec. annual tradition, Centerstage turns a well- 3–10 with families. Venues in Renton, Seattle 10–Jan. 15. $7–$15. All ages. Hale’s Palladium, known fairy tale on its head, English panto and Kirkland. storybooktheater.org Seattle. fremontplayers.com >>

parentmap.com • December 2016 • 29 FREE ENTREE Enter code at checkout: ONESIE

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Hands On Children’s Museum $5 OFF ADMISSION

DEC. 1, 2016 - JUNE 15, 2017 Limit one coupon per customer. Visit Olympia’s For general admission only. PLU 450 Award-Winning Museum Explore 150 Exhibits *450* 414 Jefferson St. NE Enjoy Holiday Gift Making Live Animals Special Guestsuests Olympia, WA 98501 Countdown to 2017 at “Noon Years” Eve Party (360) 956-0818 • hocm.org Play with Crystal Mountain Snow! - Jan. 21 & 22

30 • December 2016 • parentmap.com out + about

Holidaycontinued from page 29 shows Leapin’ ‘Nutcrackers’ and more dance George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Pacific Northwest Ballet leaps into its second year of staging the Russian dancer and choreographer’s version of The Nutcracker, based on his childhood memories of dancing. Ian Falconer, creator of the kids’ book character Olivia the pig, designed the fanciful sets. Nov. 25–Dec. 28. $22–$170. McCaw Hall, Seattle. pnb.org ©ANGELA STERLING The Nutcracker by Evergreen City Ballet. A period production of the classic ballet features Holiday magic: George Balanchine’s magical sets and costumes. Select one-hour shows The Nutcracker at Pacific Northwest Ballet for young children take place at each venue. Dec. 2–18. $16–$34. Venues in Bellevue, Auburn and holiday performance featuring dancers ages The Nutcracker & The Tale of the Renton. evergreencityballet.org 7–16 who helped choreograph this showcase Hard Nut. Tacoma City Ballet’s annual The Nutcracker by Emerald Ballet of imaginative modern dance, this year with production includes the seldom-told Nutcracker Theatre. The North Sound ballet company live music. Dec. 4, 3 p.m. $6–$10. Shorewood backstory, the story of the magical Krakatuk presents a full-length performance featuring Performing Arts Center, Shoreline. Nut; accompanied live by the Tacoma City a former principal dancer from the Alabama creativedance.org Ballet Orchestra. Note: 2016 is this show’s Dec. Ballet and accompanied live by the Rainier last year at the historic Pantages Theater. Constellation. Amid a passel of Nutcrackers, 9–18. $25–$100. Pantages Theater, . Symphony Ballet Orchestra. Dec. 3–11. $20–$38. Tacoma the Khambatta Dance Company and guest tacomacityballet.com Northshore Performing Arts Center, Bothell. performers take audiences on a global tour of emeraldballet.org The Nutcracker by Olympic Ballet Theatre. dance with a program that includes works inspired Olympic Ballet Theatre presents its annual, full- The Gift of Dance. lnba rgain Kaleidoscope by Korean folktales, performances by the Sergei length performance of the holiday favorite, this Dance Company presents its family-friendly Burlak’s Art Modern Line Dance Theater year featuring a sparkling new backdrop. Special Company from Russia and more. Dec. group matinee performances, for 20 or 9–10. $18–$22. Broadway Performance more, are affordable and one hour Hall, Seattle. khambattadance.org long. Dec. 9–18. $25–$38.50. Venues in Everett and Edmonds. Nutcracker Sweets. This popular, olympicballet.com one-hour Nutcracker by ARC Dance caters to young The Nutcracker by audiences, and showcases International Ballet the talents of Theatre. The beloved ballet is performed in student dancers, traditional Russian style alongside with elaborate sets and youth and costumes from Ukraine, professional company plus Arabian dancers and a dancers. It always sells out, fierce battle scene. so get tickets soon. Dec. 10–22. $25–$50. Dec. 9–17. $12–$39. The Gift of Dance at Theatre at Meydenbauer Kaleidoscope Dance Company Venues in Seattle and Center, Bellevue. Shoreline. arcdance.org PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET ©ANGELA STERLING ibtbellevue.org >>

parentmap.com • December 2016 • 31 out + about

Holidaycontinued from page 31 shows Beautiful music One-of-a-kind shows Willy Wonka and the Chocolate and sing-alongs Factory in Smell-O-Vision. lnba rgain Rob Kapilow’s The Polar Head to the SIFF Film Center for an Express. The Northwest Boychoir aromatic, candy-tastic screening of the Apprentices and Seattle Symphony legendary 1971 film, starring Gene Wilder musicians join talents to present and accompanied by goody bags (prepared delightful musical accompaniment to by Oompa Loompas) to enhance the the holiday classic The Polar Express. viewing. Nov. 25–Jan. 2. $14–$15. SIFF Film GABRIEL BIENCZYCKI / ZEBRA VISUAL PHOTOGRAPHY Dec. 3, 11 a.m. $15–$20. Ages 12 and Center, Seattle. siff.net younger with families. Benaroya Hall, Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Seattle. seattlesymphony.org Competition. lnba rgain Revel in the Sounds of the Season. Dynamic holiday spirit while watching and listening Tacoma Symphony Orchestra music to dozens of caroling teams outsing each director Sarah Ioannides leads the other on downtown Seattle street corners. Tacoma Youth Chorus alongside Dec. 2, 6–8:30 p.m. FREE; donations for Celebrate Christmas with the the symphony orchestra in a varied the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Gothard Sisters in Edmonds holiday program, which includes Bank accepted. Westlake Center, Seattle. a sing-along. Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m. pikemarketseniorcenter.org $19–$80. Pantages Theater, Tacoma. presents this traditional holiday choral work that Sing-along with Santa. lnba rgain tacomasymphony.org includes the magnificent “Hallelujah” chorus. Dec. 16–18. $26–$89. Benaroya Hall, Seattle. St. Nick leads families in singing a selection of Magical Strings — A Celtic Yuletide. Three seattlesymphony.org heartwarming holiday faves with live musical generations of the Boulding family and guests accompaniment. Santa also reads a story and gather to present enchanting Celtic music, Irish Brightest Winter Stars. The full roster poses for photos. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. $10. Tacoma dancing, a guitarist from Dublin, storytelling of Northwest Girlchoir members, ages 6–18, Musical Playhouse, Tacoma. tmp.org and more for the 38th year. Dec. 4–16. $12–$28. performs a family-friendly program that features Christmas Carol. lnba rgain Seattle Radio Venues in Kent, Bellevue, Tacoma, Seattle and international carols, spirituals, pop-music tunes, Theatre performs a live radio production of the beyond. magicalstrings.com a sing-along and more. Dec. 17, 3 p.m. $10–$23. classic holiday story, complete with sound effects. Meany Hall for the Performing Arts, Seattle. Christmas with the Gothard Sisters. Be there to watch (audience tune-up starts at northwestgirlchoir.org This Northwest trio of sisters sings, performs 7:45 p.m. sharp) or listen at home on KIRO-FM, Celtic fiddle tunes and displays dancing talents The Klezmatics. Celebrate Hanukkah with this huddled around the radio like in bygone days. to entertain families during the holidays. Dec. 8, “Jewish roots band” whose songs link traditional Dec. 9, 8 p.m. $5–$15. Ages 6 and older. Town 7:30 p.m. $10–$22. Edmonds Center for the Arts, Eastern European Jewish music to modern Hall, Seattle. townhallseattle.org >> Edmonds. edmondscenterforthearts.org klezmer and Yiddish culture. Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. Tiny Tots Holiday Hooray! lnba rgain $25–$30. Stroum Jewish Community Center, Singing twin sisters Lisa and Linda invite the Mercer Island. sjcc.org youngest of concertgoers to experience delightful New Year’s Eve with The Harmonica holiday tunes in an interactive sing-along — and Pocket. lnba rgain Dance and sing to welcome Dec. 9–10. $12. move-along — performance. the new year with husband-and-wife duo The Ages 0–5 with families. Benaroya Hall, Seattle. Harmonica Pocket, playing its upbeat, whimsical STEPHEN BROWN seattlesymphony.org Seattle Radio Dec. 31, 10:30 songs at a morning concert. Theatre’s Handel’s Messiah. The Seattle Symphony, a.m. $15/family of four. All ages. Mount Baker Christmas Carol along with its chorale and talented soloists, Community Club, Seattle. mountbaker.org

32 • December 2016 • parentmap.com parentmap.com • December 2016 • 33 By CharlesCh l Dickens k Adapted by Gregory A. Falls Directed by Kurt Beattie

Teach your children well. They’ll stop you in your tracks. #StevensPassion

5th GRADE SKI & RIDE FREE PROGRAM Stevens Pass and Carter Subaru want to inspire more youth to get out on the slopes to promote family bonding, healthy recreational activities and an appreciation of our stunning landscape. Any 5th Grader in Washington State is eligible for a FREE SEASON PASS, any time he or she visits Stevens Pass during the 2016-17 winter season. StevensPass.com/5thgrade Photo by Chris Bennion Chris by Photo Nov 25—Dec 28

acttheatre.org | 206.292.7676 | 700 Union Street, Seattle For program details and restrictions, please visit StevensPass.com/5thgrade.

34 • December 2016 • parentmap.com out + about

Holidaycontinued from page 32 shows

holiday cheer on the cheap

The wonderful thing about December is that you can find live holiday performances (often for free) while you’re out and about for other reasons. Find more at parentmap. com/holidaymagic. Winterfest: Seattle Center’s winter celebration features numerous free performances in the Armory, including Northwest Boychoir apprentices, klezmer musicans and youth circus artists. seattlecenter.com/winterfest Pacific Place: After you’ve marveled at Sheraton Seattle’s Gingerbread Village and taken a spin on the Westlake Carousel, stop by Pacific Place for shopping, Cirque Musica snow flurries (nightly through Dec. Holiday Spectacular 24) and free holiday performances. pacificplaceseattle.com/events Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular. This family- Christmas Ship Festival: Bundle up, friendly show stars Cirque Musica’s acrobats and circus gather your crew and spend an evening artists performing breathtaking feats, choreographed to listening to ethereal choral music broadcast beloved holiday music that’s played live by an orchestra. from one of the Argosy Christmas Ship’s Dec. 18, 6 p.m. $32–$78. All ages. Xfinity Arena,Everett . many stops on the Sound or Lake xfinityarenaeverett.com Washington. argosycruises.com Pick a perfect poinsettia or Fiddler on the Roof Sing-along. Get ready to Molba k’s: two, admire the amazing holiday greenery, belt out “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Tradition” with nosh on a kringle and listen to live holiday the inimitable Topol while watching this beloved 1971 music on weekends in December. molbaks.com film. A Chinese food buffet and live klezmer music Exhilarate the kids with beforehand, included in ticket price, are part of what is S n o w f l a k e L a n e: a visit to see the lavish music and light show — Dec. 25, 11 a.m. $25. SIFF Cinema now a SIFF tradition. complete with live toy soldiers — that takes place Uptown, Seattle. siff.net d on the sidewalks around the Bellevue Collection nightly through Dec. 24. snowflakelane.com Nancy Chaney is ParentMap’s calendar editor and a Seattle-based writer.

2017 City of DuPont Holiday Festivities PRESCHOOL Previews Events and Activities in Historical DuPont Nov.19th Dec. 3rd Dec. 10th Holiday Bazaar Santa Breakfast Santa’s Workshop 9AM-4PM 9AM 12PM-3PM Tree Lighting Ceremony 5PM See Find the best preschool program for your child! pg 14! dupontwa.gov // visitdupont.com parentmap.com/preschoolpreviews

parentmap.com • December 2016 • 35

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gift guide

Experience gifts An A-to-Z guide for kids Leave the stuff behind with these ideas for fun, learning and giving back BY E. ASHLEY STEEL

s we all know, the spirit of the holidays can all too easily get buried

in stuff. Too many kids have unopened craft sets, well-intended A science kits, unread books, neglected puzzles and partially built Lego sets literally everywhere. Giving more can seem wasteful or

unappreciated.

So, what can you give your kids, your friends’ kids, your

nieces, nephews and grandkids this holiday season that

won’t end up tucked into the back of their closets? Give

an experience! Older kids are usually mature enough

to appreciate how special a longed-for experience

can be; for younger kids, consider combining the

activity with something tangible that they can

unwrap and touch right away.

We’ve gathered 26 of the best ideas for gift experiences for Puget Sound–

area families. Options range from nearly free to seriously extravagant to

experiences in giving to others. Want to share your favorite stuff-free gifts?

Comment online at parentmap.com/experiencegifts.

36 • December 2016 • parentmap.com w

Experience gifts An A-to-Z guide for kids PHOTO COURTESY BOEHM’S CANDIES & CHOCOLATES ‘ and future.” To keep it completely nroll in a special Adopt’ a child free of stuff, choose books that Deliciousness Esummer camp are available at the library or as Give hope and happiness with a Give young chefs a chocolate- Summer camps can create e-books. personal connection to a child making class at Boehm’s Candies memories and friendships that last in need. Save the Children & Chocolates (boehmscandies. a lifetime. Find a camp that taps (sponsor.savethechildren.org) com) in Issaquah. Classes include a into your kid’s passion, from rock allows you to select a specific child Children’s theater factory tour, a tour of the founder’s ’n’ roll camps to basketball camps around the globe or within the Live theater is always in style and residence and the opportunity to run by the Seattle Storm, sailing United States to support, starting at a fun experience for even very create chocolate masterpieces, such camps and traditional outdoor $30 a month. You are encouraged young kids. You could give tickets as rocky road. Note: Kids have to camps full of campfires and sing- parentmap.com/camps to develop a friendship through to a show or a full subscription at be 8 or older for the class. For a fun alongs. See exchanges of letters and drawings. the Seattle Children’s Theatre tour that includes chocolate tasting, for ideas. One-time gifts are also possible, (sct.org), which will be performing try Theo Chocolate (theochocolate. com) such as a $45 Emergency Newborn Stellaluna over the holidays. Other in Fremont. ly inside The F Care Package, which you can give theaters to check out include Why not give a kid wings? in a child’s name. 5th Avenue Theatre (5thavenue. A coupon for iFly Seattle org) featuring The Little Mermaid (iflyworld.com/seattle), an all- Thistle Theatre ook club in December; glass vertical wind tunnel (thistletheatre.org), Bbonanza which facility, will do just that. A terrific way to spend time with specializes in engaging bunraku Kids as young as 3 can a child, especially one who is far puppet shows perfect for young “fly” at iFly, experiencing away, is to create a long-distance kids; StoryBook Theater free-fall conditions that book club. Choose a set of books (storybooktheater.org), which are similar to skydiving

that you want to read together over stages funny 45-minute musical IFLYWORLD.COM/SEATTLE — but accompanied at the next year and schedule a series versions of fairy tales; and all times by highly trained of phone or video calls to discuss Tacoma Musical Playhouse instructors. Look for a variety each one. Try books with a theme, (tmp.org), which is performing of packages, starting at $69.95 such as “ancient Greece” or “kids’ Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus for two short flights; or book a lives in America: past, present Boycott this spring. family package. >>

parentmap.com • December 2016 • 37 gift guide

continued from page 37 Kids.html) spotlights stories about lass skills idsQuest how science infiltrates everyday life; G K ChopChop (chopchopmag.org) is a A glassblowing or stained- Spark fun and learning in your kids seasonal cooking magazine full of glass class can be the perfect by giving them a membership to glossy photos and healthy eating experience for a child who loves the new KidsQuest Children’s tips; and Wild (cwf-fcf.org/en/news- art or fire. Many locations Museum, which opens in features/magazines/wild-magazine. offer short trial classes in downtown Bellevue in early html) is packed with photos, puzzles which participants create 2017. Aimed at kids 10 and younger, together with their and stories about animals and one particular item. Check families, the new KidsQuest will their habitats. After reading the out Seattle’s Pratt Fine Arts feature exhibits both adventurous magazines, your child can pass them Center (pratt.org/classes/glass) or and educational, from a 28-foot on or donate to the library. Tacoma Glassblowing Studio climbing sculpture in the opening (tacomaglassblowing.com) for gallery to an “on the go” exhibit courses. Marcia Wiley, a local starring a new Paccar truck. Similar ew room glass artist, offers kids’ classes and N gift ideas include memberships to You’ve been meaning to give camps as well as custom family ce cream insanity other children’s museums or passes your kid’s room an upgrade, classes (marciawiley.com). For I to local indoor play areas. so create a gift certificate for the inspiration, throw in tickets to A sweet gift even in the dead of experience. Provide a budget and a Chihuly Garden and Glass winter is a gift certificate to your few guidelines then work together or the Museum of Glass in child’s favorite local ice cream oan shop such as Molly Moon’s L to choose paint colors, design new Tacoma. Give your child the chance to fund Homemade Ice Cream curtains and refurbish existing a deserving small-business owner in (mollymoon.com), Full Tilt furniture. In the process, help a developing country through Kiva (fulltilticecream.com) where you your child sort through old toys istory fun (kiva.org), which makes microloans H can also play pinball and video and clothes to donate to worthy Celebrate and learn about our to entrepreneurs across the globe. games, or one of the serve-yourself organizations, such as Eastside Kids can choose from hundreds region’s history with a museum Baby Corner (babycorner.org) or frozen yogurt shops around of exciting loan requests, such as a membership or day passes that Treehouse (treehouseforkids.org). town. A creative twist is to give a rickshaw for a taxi driver in Pakistan create a special outing. The homemade coupon for an at-home or fabric for a community sewing Museum of History & Industry sundae bar. cooperative in India. As the loan is (MOHAI; mohai.org) boasts many rder up! repaid, choose new projects to fund. O kid-friendly exhibits. Tacoma’s Note: The minimum loan is $25. Go around the world with your child Washington State History Jump throughout the year by giving a Museum (washingtonhistory.org) Rent a bouncy house for your once-a-month dinner “package” has a permanent “walk through favorite young friend from Seattle agazines to 12 ethnic restaurants. time” exhibit packed with large M Bounce House (seattlebouncehouse. Children’s Include a world map with dioramas, interactive exhibits and com), which rents themed bouncy magazines and each country highlighted, videos; special events such as the houses and inflatable obstacle periodicals make a along with menus (which Model Train Festival are also a draw. courses for your backyard. Or buy great, year-long gift can be picked up at nearby Fort Nisqually Living History passes for spots such as Elevated for curious kids. For restaurants or printed from Museum (metroparkstacoma. Sportz (elevatedsportz.com) in example, Ask (Art the internet). Rent movies org/fort-nisqually-living-history- Bothell or Olympia’s huge new and Science for kids, or borrow books about each museum) brings 1855 to life at trampoline facility, Boom Shaka cricketmedia.com/ country to enhance the Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park. (boomshaka.us). ASK-Magazine-for- dinner expedition. >>

38 • December 2016 • parentmap.com g i f t g u i d e

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Holmes for the Holidays An experience for the whole family this holiday season!

Get your tickets at pacsci.org

Media Sponsor:

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parentmap.com • December 2016 • 39 gift guide

continued from page 38 -country’ (cross- Parkour Underwater fun Xcountry) skiing Looking for something Great Wolf Lodge (greatwolf.com), Slide through a winter wonderland both active and creative? just south of Olympia, is wintertime as a holiday-gift adventure. Make Give parkour, the up- swim-party central. It’s a hotel and a gift certificate for a few hours and-coming sport that it’s an epic waterpark (indoor!). Or of exploring the trails at The combines climbing, consider an annual membership Summit at Snoqualmie’s Nordic jumping and acrobatics, to the Lynnwood Pool Center (summitatsnoqualmie.com/ (lynnwoodwa.gov/PlayLynnwood/ using everyday structures mountains/Nordic); or a lesson at RecCenter/Aquatics.htm) with Stevens Pass Nordic Center

such as benches, walls and PARKOUR VISIONS / BRUCE MIYAKE wading areas, spray jets, a lazy stairways. Parkour Visions (stevenspass.com/site/lessons-rentals/ river and a family hot tub. Farther other/nordic-lessons). (parkourvisions.org) offers Include a north, the Snohomish Aquatic classes and camps at its Beacon picnic with winter treats. Center (snohomishaquatic.com) Hill facility, while MoveFree boasts exciting water slides and the Academy (movefreeacademy.com) region’s only surfing wave simulator, ou-and-me time offers classes on the Eastside. wim with Y a FlowRider. sharks Time together is the best gift. S isitor in your Create a custom coupon book Sign up your risk-taking kid for a for shared adventures. Include uirky tours heart-pumping Eye to Eye Shark hometown Q V coupons for making a fancy dessert A gift that will impress the teenager Dive at Point Defiance Zoo and Give a child the thrill of a travel day together, volunteering, going on a who has seen it all is an expedition (pdza.org/ Aquarium in Tacoma (discovering new places, tired feet special hike, taking a bus downtown, Nevertold Casket dive). to Seattle’s Kids ages 8 and older can and afternoon ice cream) without practicing a sport or learning a craft. (nevertoldcasket.com), Company get up close to the sharks via an the hassle of travel. If you choose You can use web tools (try canva.com) Seattle, a sample itinerary is the Gum which curates “the unique, the underwater cage and a specially to design the coupon. curious, the frightening and the designed dry suit. (Note: Dives start Wall, the Great Wheel, the Space overall most beautiful haunted at $75 for nonmembers. Buy zoo gift Needle, the hidden Waterfall goods and antiques collected in cards to pay for the dive or book at Garden Park in Pioneer Square ip out of town and Pike Place Market, which Z one place.” Pair it with passes for a the dive webpage.) A getaway gift can be as simple as a will unveil its biggest expansion in horror movie or an Underground night in a genuine caboose car at the 40 years this summer (pikeup.org). Paranormal Experience erracotta Iron Horse Inn (ironhorseinnbb. Include a map and a guidebook. (undergroundtour.com/about/ Twarriors com) in Cle Elum or as extravagant paranormal.html). Terracotta warriors, life-size statues as a weekend in San Francisco that “guarded” the burial site of hoa! with a CityPass. For an exciting in- China’s first emperor, are coming W between option, plan an overnight Time spent with a horse is a very afting to Seattle in the spring of 2017 in trip to Richmond, British R special gift.Give a trail ride, a Some of the best gifts involve a highly anticipated exhibition Columbia, a paradise of Asian set of lessons or a week anticipation. In the cold of Pacific Science Center culture, where you can at the at a riding summer (pacificsciencecenter.org/terracotta- browse for hours at the December, your kids will love camp. Many stables Aberdeen Centre. n dreaming about a trip down the warriors). Make it a big event by offer onetime trail mighty Wenatchee River that choosing a Thursday afternoon rides as well as lessons, E. Ashley Steel is a you’ve booked for next summer exhibit time followed by a Guest in both English and Bellevue-based scientist with River Rider (riverrider.com), Chef Night dinner at FareStart Western styles of riding. and author; find her a Leavenworth-based outfitter (farestart.org/guest-chef-night), See parentmap.com/ work at familyonthe that supplies professional guides, which supports job-training horsecamps for tips loose.com. wetsuits and a barbecue lunch. programs for adults in need. on choosing.

40 • December 2016 • parentmap.com g i f t g u i d e GIVE YOUR CHILD A LASTING GIFT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Monthly subscription art boxes delivered directly to your door! Available in 3, 6, and 12 month packages for gifts. Largest Selection of Subscribe by Nov. 30th to receive the December Box in time for the holiday! Toys in Seattle www.outsidetheboxcreation.com Open Keeping since Healthy 1987 DIY THIS Play HOLIDAY Alive SEASON... CERAMIC GIFTS Follow PAINTED WITH LOVE! us on Facebook! Ceramic Painting Birthday Parties Golden Teddy Awards Paint the Town at PaCeramicint the To wn University Village | (206) 527-8554 (206) Painting782-0098 toptentoys.com ceramics-painting.com Ever120Birthday N y85th ch Stild’s in Greenwood wi sh come true! Parties... Every Child’s 1116_paint_the_town_1-8h.indd 1 10/13/16 4:37 PM Innovative and educational 1016_top_ten_toys_1-4.indd 1 Wish Come True! 9/9/16 6:11 PM toys, games, arts & crafts, University Village science, puzzles, dolls, (206)Paint 527-8554 the Town trains and books from University Village around the world. ceramics-painting.com(206) 527-8554 | ceramics-painting.com

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parentmap.com • December 2016 • 41

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When Kidsuest opens its bigger, better, and permanent home, visitors will ﬁ nd:

More than twice the space to eplore and play New multi-sensory, hands-on ehibits Outdoor space to eplore the natural environment Additional classrooms Epanded opportunities for children ages 6- years Close proimity to the Bellevue egional ibrary and local parks Check us out at kidsuestmuseum.org

NEW MUSEUM , OPENING EARLY 2017 cause parenting is a trip!

1216_kidsquest_partner_1-2h.indd 1 11/18/16 10:21 AM HOLIDAY SPECIALS Bob the Builder SAT Dec 3 | 6:30a Wild Kratts Creature Christmas MON Dec 5 | 7a Thomas and Friends MON–FRI Dec 12–16 | 12:30p Peg + Cat + Holidays TUE Dec 13 | 11:30a Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas FRI Dec 16 | 8:30a The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas SAT Dec 17 | 7a

more Peg + Cat + PBS kids shows KCTS9.org/kids-picks

42 • December 2016 • parentmap.com w

teens

Hey Dad: Can my boyfriend sleep over? Navigating the reality of a sexually active teen By Nancy Schatz Alton

ou consider yourself a progressive parent, one “Teenagers are Ywho’s always talked openly about the human body with your young people children, priding yourself on your in need of our family’s easy communication style. Long ago, you decided you’d be a guidance [and parent who respects your children, nurtures their independence and they] want [the understands what they face as they develop and mature. adults in their So you’re cool with a romantic lives] to have real teen sleepover, right? Intercourse under your roof? conversations If you’re thinking Whoa, whoa, whoa — I’m clearly not as progressive about sex.” as I thought!, you probably aren’t alone. While we know about one-third of teens say Schalet interviewed 130 parents and teens in says. “In the Netherlands, people become adults in they’re sexually active, the idea of teens having America and the Netherlands, two countries that the context of relationships with their parents with their romantic interest sleepover receives a titanic offer a compelling contrast in healthy sex ed. On no need to break away.” assortment of responses. Some parents figure, one end of the spectrum: the United States, with Why the difference? Schalet points to a major “Heck, we found places to have sex as teens; why one of the world’s higher rates of teen pregnancy; societal shift in the 1970s in the Netherlands can’t our kids?” Others recall young adulthoods on the other, the Netherlands, with one of the that helped normalize talking about sex between with parents who allowed casual sleepovers that world’s lower. parents and kids, a change she hopes to encourage they, now adults, consider too lax. Regardless, What did Schalet find? The surveyed Dutch through her own work. many of us feel caught off-guard by the idea — typically emphasized relationships as being “It can be better for both parents and teens in wide-eyed and open-mouthed with not-my-kid, important and believed a 16-year-old can this country,” she says “Teenagers are young people not-yet, let’s-change-the-subject-please looks remember to use birth control, while the surveyed in need of our guidance [and they] want [the adults plastered on our faces. Americans focused on hormones and the idea that in their lives] to have real conversations about sex.” That’s normal, say experts. It’s also nearsighted. sex is hard to control and can overwhelm teens. “We are sexual, our kids are sexual and our So, how to normalize sex Schalet notes that the average age of first kids are going to have sex eventually,” says Being able to talk about sex is the first step to intercourse is similar in both countries (age 17), but Amy Lang, sexuality and parenting expert and normalize it, and these conversations happen the teen’s level of preparedness varies. For example, founder of Seattle-based Birds+Bees+Kids before any family decides whether or not at the time Schalet wrote her book on the topic, (birdsandbeesandkids.com). “They are going to sleepovers are right for them, says Jo Langford, which published in 2011, 3 out of 5 young women have sex before we are ready. It does not matter if a Seattle-area therapist, sex educator and author they are 47 when they have sex for the first time; in the Netherlands were on the pill by the time they of Spare Me ‘The Talk’!: A Guy’s Guide to Sex, we are still not ready.” first had sex; that number was 1 in 5 in the U.S. That Relationships and Growing Up. Experts like Lang say the decision about number has narrowed in recent years (between “In other countries, it’s just part of the condoning sexual activity at home must be 2011 and 2013, U.S. females using contraceptives conversation, with condom ads on billboards and carefully made, and is directly tied to an by first intercourse reached 79 percent) but there’s in magazines that kids read,” he says. “The more ongoing conversation about healthy sexuality — still work to be done, says Schalet. something is discussed, the less scary, mysterious, particularly as it relates to teenagers. “In the U.S, there’s a belief that teens must break uncomfortable [and/or] interesting it becomes.” Take, for example, the work of University of away from their family and establish themselves Discussion starters include commercials, song Massachusetts—Amherst professor Amy Schalet. as independent and then maybe sex is O.K.,” she lyrics or asking what your teen thinks about

parentmap.com • December 2016 • 43

ARTS + ACTIVITIES Home alone? 3 ways to stay sane Staying home with tots all day can be draining (to put it mildly). If you’re starting to feel a touch batty, deploy one of these strategies to help meet your child’s constant need for companionship and distraction. l1 Keep it visual. We all know the importance of routines but sometimes the delivery is just as important as the message. Create a visual timetable to show your child what’s in store. This will provide her with that much-desired structure and give you a guide rail to follow during the day. l2 Chore time! Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you should do all the housework. Kill two birds with one mop, er, stone by splitting tasks with your children. Even the youngest pair of hands can stay busy with simple housekeeping tasks like wiping down the table or sorting laundry. l3 Encourage independence. Easier said than done, we know, but by stepping back and letting your child lead the way, you’ll both get a much-needed break. One tip: Don’t overwhelm with toys. Instead, keep it simple. More tips for success at parentmap.com/ home-alone — Rachel McClary

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44 • December 2016 • parentmap.com

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teens

Can my boyfriend sleep over? continued from page 41 sleepovers with a partner. Focus on making child’s bed? Seattle parent Beth Tucker* says she For her part, puberty educator Julie Metzger sexuality a comfortable topic, or at least one that taught her daughter about safe sex, but when her doesn’t love the idea of teens spending the night is discussed despite any awkwardness, while daughter told her she was ready to visit the doctor together but believes it’s important to keep talking. also providing your child the necessary tools to to acquire birth control and have sex, Tucker “Aim for the gray space while avoiding shame become a sexually and emotionally healthy adult. couldn’t find any guidance about deciding where or an open invitation,” says Metzger, co-founder Schalet’s ABCDs of adolescent sexuality helps her daughter and boyfriend would actually have of Great Conversations (greatconversations.com), guide these talks: that safe sex. That’s why she offered her house. which offers classes about puberty for parents and • Autonomy of sexual self: Development of “I didn’t want my kid to be having sex in cars preteens. “Speak authentically, seeing your teen their individual sexual self is necessary for [or] up against alley walls,” she says. “It didn’t seem as a healthy, capable, curious, passionate, sexual teenagers. This includes relating to their bodies, right to give her relationship guidance but expect person. Perhaps ‘What I hope for you is a sexual self-regulation, recognizing what they want and her and her partner to conduct the most private relationship that grows over time that is mutual, making decisions. part of their relationship-building in the woods.” satisfying, mature and responsible.’ This invites a While the decision was uncomfortable, Tucker reciprocal response, like ‘Thanks, but here’s where • Building healthy relationships: Teenagers says she knew she had her daughter’s best interests I’m at.’” need the opportunity to talk about what defines at heart. “I know my kid. I know me. I only need That’s the advice Seattle dad Nate Swanson* a healthy relationship: mutual respect, trust, care to agree with myself and my spouse, so I dug in keeps in mind when it comes to his 15-year- and interest. and felt what is really right for my family,” she says. old son. • Connectedness: Maintaining a sense of For other parents, she asks: “What is going to work “My wife and I don’t want to see it, hear it or connection with parents, guardians and other for you, your kid, your family? Think about the smell it, but yes, [he] may have sex in our home,” adults through conversations is vital for teens. practicalities of setting your kid up for a sexual life.” Swanson says of his family’s decision. “I don’t want If parents are too strict, teenagers may lose that Regardless of your family’s decision, all parents there to be one excuse about not having a condom connection. need to talk with their teens about sex, says Dr. and I don’t want him to be at someone else’s house • Diversity: Parents should emphasize differences Cora Collette Breuner. An adolescent physician at and have the parents flip their shit. I want my son in terms of orientation and gender identity, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Breuner says talking to know sex is about communication, respect, culture and when teenagers are developmentally about sex should cover topics including consent, being smart and safe.” n ready to engage in aspects of sexuality. contraception and STIs. As for sleepovers: “If Nancy Schatz Alton is the coauthor of two holistic you allow them, set clear boundaries. Teenagers health care guides, The Healthy Back Book and Is it right for your family? need to know how to be safe and should talk to The Healthy Knees Book. Find her blog at Within After all this, the question still remains: Is your responsible adults about proactive and responsible the Words. family comfortable with allowing your child’s behavior.” And if you don’t to allow sleepovers? significant other to spend the night in your “Say ‘no’ and mean it!” *Name changed for privacy

ARTS + ACTIVITIES Seattle’s Performers production of SUNSHINE SUNSHINE MUSIC MUSIC TOGETHER TOGETHER LLC QueenGreenlake Anne • •Lynnwood West Seattle • Queen • Lynnwood Anne • Redmond • •Madison West Seattle Park www.sunshinemusictogether.com (206) (206) 281-1111 281-1111 TakingTaking registrations registrations now! now! WEEKLY MUSIC CLASSES FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO AGE 5 & THE GROWN-UPS December 16, 5pm • December 17, 1pm WHO LOVE THEM! December 17, 5pm • December 18, 1pm tinyurl.com/spelftix Jet City Improv 5510 University Way Seattle SongsSongs • Chants• Chants • •Movement• Movement •Dance Dance • •Instrument Instrument Play

parentmap.com • December 2016 • 45

1216_seattles_littlest_performers_1-16.indd 1 11/16/16 8:56 AM 1216_sunshine_music_together_1-8h.indd 1 11/14/16 1:04 PM w Ainterview career built brick by brick By Tiffany Doerr Guerzon

any artists work in paint or clay, but Dan Parker prefers what most people think of as M children’s toys: Legos. Since starting his business in his garage nearly “Lego can be 20 years ago, Parker and his Tacoma- based team have created more than 2,000 as pervasive, custom Lego art pieces. These include mosaics, sculptures adaptable and and mechanical pieces, all completely fundamental built from Lego bricks. His work has been featured at the Seattle Center, the as music. Museum of Pop Culture, the Seattle Aquarium and many other private and It bridges public events worldwide. In his portfolio: cultures, a 6-foot-diameter Death Star, a 10-foot- tall Statue of Liberty, a life-sized Nativity generations and display and even a coffin. Lego has been a part of Parker’s life interest groups.” since he was a kid but it wasn’t until his 30s that he began investigating how to monetize his hobby. Already a member of an adult Lego club that created train on the City Blocks Facebook page, facebook.com/ You’ve done so much work over the years. displays, Parker decided to jump full time Do you have a favorite? cityblocks). At such an event, Parker divides an into Lego when he was laid off from his job in I have a 10-foot Statue of Liberty. It didn’t come engineering. exhibit space into zones and anchors each with together in a quick way. In 2000, Lego came out Now one of only a handful of professional a piece of Lego art. The display is surrounded with a 30-inch-tall Statue of Liberty kit. I decided Lego builders in the U.S. offering a broad range by long tables filled with Lego pieces based on I wanted a stronger piece, so I bought several kits of events and services, Parker is a founding the same theme. For a set admission fee, which [and] I built a very large statue in my garage. One member of the Lego Certified Professional differs by event, all attendees, no matter their of the first clients to lease it was the Seattle Center Program, a community-based organization age, can sit and free-build using the provided in 2002, which [has] used it in their naturalization of adult Lego enthusiasts who have turned pieces, consulting with Parker and his team ceremony. Lego into a part- or full-time job. He is also members as needed. During one ceremony, one lady, a newly a co-founder and charter member of the I spoke with the commercial master Lego sworn-in citizen, was so overcome with emotion annual convention NW Brick Con, president artist and father of two to learn more about his that she ran over, jumped the pedestal and threw and design director of Dan Parker Brickable work. Here’s what he had to say. her arms around the statue. As I watched it sway, I Designs (brickabledesigns.com) and operator and nearly had a heart attack. I thought it was going to principal creative artist of Brickable Designs’ What’s typical day of work look like for you? come crashing down! But it didn’t and I later built sister studio City Blocks in Tacoma. There is no typical day! I work like a musician: a better pedestal. Part of his goal: to educate the public about One day you’re composing. Then you’re on your Lego. To do this, Parker created what he calls way to an event. Or I’m doing a school assembly. In your experience, what can kids learn from “Display and Play.” He implements this concept Or I might be cleaning an old collection or kitting building with Legos? at his “Brick by Brick” events, which he offers 10 [making custom kits for clients]. Then there is A whole range of vital, basic skills: visual to 12 times a year (updates for events are posted paperwork. discernment, spatial interpretation, motor and

46 • December 2016 • parentmap.com w w

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It gives kids a place to express Are you seeing an increase in their creativity, which is huge. adults and teens playing with So many kids today have trouble Lego? SM16_saga_1-16.indd 1 1/15/16 11:04 AM finding the proper outlet for Yes, the licensing [of such popular creativity. Lego helps cultivate and brands] as superheroes and Star foster that. Lego can be as pervasive, Wars has fueled more complex WINTERTER CCLASSESLASSES adaptable and fundamental as music. pieces. This draws the teens; it Musical Theatre. It bridges cultures, generations and encourages teens that Lego is Acting. interest groups. still cool. Also, post-adolescent Singing. Have you seen a change in the builders are using stop motion and Dance. VILLAGEKIDSTAGE.ORG way kids play with Legos over minifigures to create storylines. They the years? make videos using anything from ISSAQUAH I’ve seen good and bad trends. The basic digital cameras to sophisticated EVERETT bad is a trend away from open- computer programs.

ended thinking. It’s color in the Did your kids influence your art? lines. It doesn’t allow for creativity or When my daughter was 3, I was personal expression. Yet, in certain Enroll Now for building a European palace. Parts capacities kids are more flexible and of that house were inspired by adaptable. Before, kids would build Winter Classes Cinderella, which was her favorite Ongoing preschool, children’s, a tree or a car; today they tend to movie at the time. My son uses Lego teen and adult classes. Winter classes build more specialized, pop-culture Call for a in ways that still baffle me. I learn FREE Introductory Class and winter break art camp. items, like Mario, Halo, Star Wars from my kids. Having kids added to Birthday Parties and superheroes. They approach my art. My son has encouraged me Gift Certificates Available teamwork in a casual way. to think outside of the box. Downtown Bellevue 425-736-3060 In your experience, do boys and www.bellevuestudio.com Final question: What’s the best girls play with Lego differently? Crossroads Studio 425-643-2058 Lego set to start kids with? www.crossroadsstudio.com When I first started teaching, I Lego Creator is good, old-school expected boys and girls to play with building. Creator works around a Lego in the same way. But that wasn’t theme. Then kids can try variations. true. Boys will build things that 1213_the_studio_1-8h.indd 1 11/13/13 10:39 AM With Creator sets you also get more are transitory; they have to move, pieces for the money; because they whether it be a car or tank. And there don’t commission any new colors, is a degree of confrontation; they tend ProjectFUN | Spring 2017 shapes, all the money is put into a to battle with their creations — go Homeschool, Afterschool, and Weekend higher brick count. They launch new head to head. Workshops for K-12 Students. Offering coursework themes every six months. n Girls, on the other hand, will in Programming, Game Design, Art and Animation, build collaborative things. They Tiffany Doerr Guerzon is a freelance Engineering, and Music and Sound Design. tend to build things like a house or writer and the mother of three children, a tower. But in the last few years, all of whom love Lego. Read more of LearnLearn aboutabout ourour K-12K-K 12 programsprograms at:at: that gender line has blurred, and I her writing at TDGuerzon.com. Learn more at: projectfun.digipen.edu

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