Commmunity Centers.

Oh, the winters of Seattle. I never really hit the Community Center circuit last winter, but this year, with a crazily energetic child, a newborn and rain, rain and rain, I have started making the circuit. funny, they are all pretty similar, but I have made it my goal to visit a different one each time we go, just to mix it up a bit. So far, here is what I have found.

Queen Anne: a good one, nearby to a plethora of coffee and pastry options. I think there was a bouncy house here, lots of balls and ride ons.

Ravenna: the best one, but also the most crowded. an air hockey table in the lobby was quite the draw for my son, who kept running out of the gym to watch the air hockey. jumpy house, cool roller coaster thing for the ride on toys. lots of balls and ride ons...and a drive through espresso nearby. Muddy Waters. (they only take cash on orders less than 10$)

Ballard: not bad, not too exciting either. the plus, not too crowded. I usually hit up Firehouse Coffee on the way.

Meadowbrook: not bad, bouncy house, fewer ride ons and balls. not crowded at all, and the gym was FREEEEZING. for some reason, this place seemed a little more depressing to me than the others, not quite sure why though. food nearish by: Top Pot Donuts, Grateful Bread Cafe

Stay tuned, so long as the rain continues, we will be checking out a few more of these spots! A couple others that I have heard good things about are the Northgate and Magnussen Toddler Gym.

Arena Sports, Magnuson Park, 60th St Desserts.

Ok, so I am cheating a little bit on this post. I have been to Magnuson a number of times, but each time I try to go to the 60th Street Desserts, I pick a Monday. and, it is closed on Mondays. I noticed this place recently because it has a drive through and it is located right near the North entrance to the park, right near the playground, which I recently discovered, and also Arena Sports, which I have yet to discover but will soon on a rainy day in our near future. (phew, long sentence) But, I really enjoy this park. a nice big playground, a dog park, lots of green space and a beach on the waterfront of Lake Washington. This used to be my go to park during the summer before kids. I would scope out a piece of waterfront property and lay in the sun and read. It was always fairly easy to find a place without a ton of people around and to have a little solitude. Those days are behind me, but I can still go now, with my kiddos and enjoy the park in a different way. And, next time I go, I will check out the Arena Sports Fun Zone, which is supposed to have a great play area for kids and an open playtime daily.

**update: I have since visited the fun zone, and I have to be honest, I wasnt a huge fan. it was hard to see my son in many of the bounce houses/slides and I couldnt go in with him to help him if he needed it. and, the older kids were so rough, I felt so paranoid he was going to get smashed. it was just a little crazy for both of our tastes. not sure we will go back there, but Lil Kickers is also headquartered at the same location, if your little one likes soccer. And, 60th street desserts is worth checking out. going through the drive through was a bonus, but then, you cant see all the goodies, you have to rely more on their descriptions. I ended up with a pumpkin cookie that looked a little like a hockey puck. had I seen it in the case, I might have opted for the chocolate chip. not a bad latte though, and friendly service.

A place to sit. and ship. and sip. Sip and Ship.

I think that I need to devote a little time to those places where you can go and just have a coffee while the kiddos play. I know that I have mentioned a couple of these places in the past, but I dont want to forget about this place in Ballard and in Green wood. Sip and Ship. This place was perfect for today. I have been meaning to ship some holiday gifts to friends and a few holiday cards too. yes, holiday, as in Christmas. you heard me correctly. I am that overdue. Having a newborn is a good excuse right? And, so what better place than this to knock off an errand, have a treat and a latte AND visit with a dear friend while our kiddos play? I dont come here often, but I am always really impressed with the service when I do. They were extremely accomodating to me as I tried to mail my things, order a coffee, and chase my toddler around. I never used to be one to accept help, but these days its hard to juggle it all. I find that anything even as small as the barista bringing me my latte while I settled in with my stroller and its faulty front wheel, my behemoth diaper bag and my squirrelly toddler is worthy of a little praise. Did I mention that they have a little kids area? not big, but its separate, and it has a few toys. good enough for me! And, the coffee is good. and, come to think of it, so was that big fat scone.

And, she is back....Twirl Cafe, Le Reve Bakery.

My God, has it really been this long? Time flies when you are pregnant with a toddler and then all of a sudden you have two kiddos..
But, I miss the blogs, and now, I am out to find the great cafes/parks and places in which I can keep an eye on my toddler while tending to my newborn if the need be. this has proven to be a bit of a challenge for me. well, I admit, I have yet to really venture out without reinforcement, or for a lenghty outing solo with the 2 kids. Its all about timing and lately, granting most every wish of my toddler as he makes this transition to big brotherhood.

A place that I went while pregnant, but that I will venture back to with both kids is Twirl Cafe. And, since you are in the neighborhood, you must check out my fave new bakery, Le Reve. First, the bakery. This place actually brought tears to my eyes. I worked at a bakery on QA not too far from this place a while back and I have such fond memories of living on the hill and walking to work everyday, not to mention the comraderie among my co workers and the blast I had baking bread on a daily basis. When I walked into this bakery, just down the street from my old place of work, which is no longer, I felt it. I could tell the folks there were happy. it was cozy. the pastries looked wonderful and it smelled so good. it is perfect. a place I picture myself. and, the pastries were to die for. I recommend hitting up this place...not on Tuesdays though, as they are closed...and taking your treats to Twirl. Twirl has food, which I have yet to try, and I suppose a real luch is better for an amped up toddler than a sugary delight. but, you need to treat yourself too, right?

Twirl is a cute little spot. I have gone twice and the one time that I went right at opening, I was glad I did, because it gets crowded come 11. They have a cute play area, offer some classes for kids and adults alike and it has a nice new ambiance. Like I said, it does get crowded and sort of bottlenecked in the play area corridor, but it is worth a visit....

Madison Park Playground and Beach & Madison Park Bakery.

Summer is gone, pretty much officially, but I didnt want to forget to post about this great duo. Most Seattleites know of Madison Park, but I hadnt been there in ages, and since the last time I had visited, they have redone the playground. Its a great play ground set just above the lakefront beach and also just across the street from the bakery. It was a hot day when I went in, but I still wanted that donut. The apple fritter called to me, but I settled for Z's wish, the one with the sprinkles, instead. a reason to go back I suppose. but, just dont try to head there on a Monday. I have done that once before, gotten Z out of the car seat, carrying him 3 blocks while pregnant, only to find that indeed, they were closed.

On a hot August day, the beach was such a treat. I am only sorry that I didnt bring my suit.

Carkeek Park and oh geez, here goes.. Chicka Latte.

I cant believe that I am going to do this. but, sometimes, things get desperate. I love Carkeek Park. just love it. I have been trying to figure out which coffeehouse to pair it with, and so far, I have stopped at Starbucks and Neptune on the way. The problem with both of these places is that I have to park, sometimes, not nearby, and get my son out of his car seat, only to have to force him back into to it 5 minutes later. not always the easiest task these days. Many times, I am delayed in going anyplace as he loves to 'drive,' and I usually try to honor his request for 20 minutes or so. SO, on the days that I want to have a coffee and to get anywhere in a timely fashion, a drive thru is so ideal. Really, this should be where I invest my money. can you imagine, a nice drive thru, with great coffee, really good pastries, some good sandwiches etc? There ARE a lot of mommys (and stay at home daddys) around, you know. So, today, I tuckered out my little guy at the beach, and on the way home, he promptly fell asleep. what to do, what to do. I could drive the extra 5 miles into Ballard, OR, geez, turn right at the light and voila, eek...cringe...pull into Chicka Latte. gulp. I swore I would never do this. never say never, I guess. Of course, I pulled up to it facing the wrong direction and had to get out of my car to approach the window. there I was in plain view. at the Bikini coffee stand. but, the barista was nice enough, and she could definitely pull off the bikini, so I guess it could have been worse. And, the coffee, it was passable, not bad. I know that I am not the only Mom with the idea to venture here. As I was leaving, I spotted two minivans in line behind me and I had to chuckle.

note: there might be another option coming soon. on Friday, July 16th, Green Bean Coffeehouse is opening in their new location on 85th and Greenwood. AND, it looks as if they might, just might, have a drive up window. I will certainly keep you posted.

Fresh Flours and Woodland Park Zoo.

I cant believe it has taken me this long to write about 2 places I probably frequent more than any other. We live blocks away from the zoo, so going there is such a lifesaver. Its easy, a great park and zoo in one and so convenient. I especially love going there in the afternoons after Z's nap. more so in the summer when you can stay on the grounds until 7pm! Summertime is busy at the zoo, but if you go at between 4 and 5pm, you may almost have the place to yourself. I highly recommend a membership too. that way, you dont feel like you have to make a full day of it. you can just pop in and out when the fancy strikes. for us, it is at least once or twice a week. My lack of posts as of late is in part due to the fact that I have given up coffee. (gasp) Its for good reason though, as I am pregnant again, and honestly havent craved it up until this point. so, we were on hiatus a bit from coffee seeking, but I am slowly getting myself back. While on coffee strike (again, gasp), I still have been frequenting places, but more for the food. I have a real sandwich craving these days, and so I was pleased to see that along with delightful pastries, Fresh Flours also offers a few really great sandwich options. and, let me tell you, they beat the zoo fare, hands down. I admit to have eaten a few zoo cafeteria burgers in the last 3 months, but as of late, I am much more satisfied with the BLAAT sandwich from Fresh Flours. It is a Bacon, Arugula, Avocado, and Tomato sandwich on this thick Brioche bun. something about it, could be the perfect ratio of mayo, hits the spot every time. And, since I dont do much coffee, I opt for their iced green tea latte. powdered matcha with a little sugar and milk. good stuff, but I do admit, sometimes the powder sits unmixed at the bottom of the cup. if they just used a cocktail shaker....

Then, there is the zoo. I cant rave enough about this place. I have been to a few lamo zoos in my time, but WPZ is not one. I admit, some exhibits could use a little more updating and more space for the animals, but the ones that they have renovated are pretty great. Its also a nice park too. lots of grass for running, picnicking and paths for walking. it really is a beautiful space.

If zoos arent your thing, there is also a nice playground just north of the zoo and just south of Fresh Flours. perfect.

and, dont forget to try their pithivier. sausage, cheese and mushrooms encased in a flaky pastry. a few of my favorite things.