Seattle Mom Blogs

I am scared to death of school.

Not ME going to school… I was always rather irritatingly good at school.

No, what worries me is the thought of having a child in the public school system. And I keep reading things that reinforce my fears.

You see, there’s a few things that I cannot stand.

1. Small-minded people who make rash and uninformed decisions and then refusing to back down on them, just because they can.
2. Mean kids
3. Loss of control

And it seems like, when you send your precious child into the great void of schooling, suddenly issues in these three areas start to pop up like dandelions in my newly planted lawn.

How does a parent survive? How do you keep your cool in the face of stupidity? How do you be involved without obsessing?

What do you do when the principal suddenly starts to enforce a random and unpublished dress code?

How do you respond when you find out your child is being bullied?

How do you keep from freaking out when you learn that the school has banned tag because it’s too dangerous?

HOW am I ever going to survive this parent thing?!

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Yesterday we paid a visit to a Seattle institution whose acquaintance I hadn’t yet had the pleasure of making: the Center for Wooden Boats. Located at the very southern end of Lake Union (directly across the lake from Gasworks Park), the CWB is definitely worth a visit.

The center itself is quite small and packed with pictures, model boats, and interesting boating paraphernalia like a brass telescope, charts, and old ropes.

CJ enjoyed exploring the cluttered upper room, eyeing the model boats, and looking at some of the books.

We had the most fun walking on the docks (careful you don’t fall in the water!), seeing the place where they repair boats, and looking at the interesting old boats lined up. I also loved the view of Lake Union, which is superb.

Bottom-line: This is definitely not an all-day destination, and probably not a good idea for toddlers who are into everything. But for a kids who are a bit older, and who are interested in boats this is a great afternoon stop. The price is right (free!) and there’s plenty to look at.

More info: Website
Location: (South Lake Union)
Hours: 10am-6pm
Admission price: FREE!!

They also offer free classic boat rides every Sunday from 2-3pm.

Visit Bananas’ Personal Blog

Try this recipe when you’re ready for a break, have family in town, or just want to make sure that your afternoon is top-notch.

Start by mixing together the following ingredients (do not over-stir):

• Ample amounts of Sunshine (no substitution will suffice)
• Heavy sprinkling of blue skies
• A handful of fluffy white clouds

Next, stir in the following, to taste:

• sandy beach (Golden Gardens brand works well)
• 6-8 boats (sailboats, freighters, fishing boats- whichever you prefer)
• 3 kites
• A few gulls (be careful not to add too many; they can be overpowering)
• A dozen or so children (again, keep quantities limited)

Bake at comfortable temperatures, approximately 67 degrees, until warm and content.

For extra fun, add:

• a smattering of seashells
• assorted buckets, shovels, and other beach toys
• sunglasses, sunscreen, and a good book.

And, enjoy! This recipe is a sure winner… make sure to make plenty, cause everyone always wants more!

Visit Bananas’ Personal Blog

CJ’s soccer class is struggling. Full of 3 and 4 year old “high-energy” (e.g. out of control) boys and one girl, it’s typically rather painful to watch the coach try to coerce the unruly ragamuffins into a) listening, b) following instructions, and c) not wrapping themselves up in the net (their FAVORITE activity).

So it probably shouldn’t be a surprise that the first coach quit, followed by the second. The kids are chewing ‘em up and spitting ‘em out.

Note to 20-something men: you may be good soccer players, but you’re no match for a handful of preschoolers.

This week, when I saw the latest victim… I mean COACH, I was really worried. He looked to be no older than 16. Oh boy, I thought, they’re going to EAT HIM ALIVE.

Shockingly, he actually proved to be a match for the task. Maybe it was all the youthful energy.

At the start of the class, the coach had the kids sit in a line and one-by-one state their name and what they want to be when they grow up.

Matthew: A firefighter AND a jet pilot

Tommy: A firefighter

Joey: A race car driver

Emma: A ballerina

David: Batman

CJ: (quietly) Super CJ.

Coach: What was that?

CJ: SUPER CJ!!

Yep, that’s my boy. Never one to follow the crowd!

Visit Bananas’ Personal Blog