Cherry Blossoms in Tacoma and Beyond

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Cherry Blossoms in Tacoma and Beyond

Isn’t it so wonderful to walk or drive around town and see all the cherry blossoms?! Ahh, I love it!! It’s such a welcome sign after the cold, wet days of winter. I point out every tree as I drive around. I’m sure my family is tired of me doing that, but I can’t help myself.

If you share my love for cherry blossoms, then let me give you a few tips on where to go see them. The season is at peek or on the downward end of the season right now, so jump off your computer and get out there!

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Rose are Red: It's Valentine's Day Date Night

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Rose are Red: It's Valentine's Day Date Night

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

You need a date night,

It's Valentine's Day, lucky you!

Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse for going out for a date night. As a parent, I know getting a babysitter, making reservations, and leaving the house can be tough. Let me make this easier for you and break these challenges down.

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An Indoor Birthday Paradise: Ocean5

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An Indoor Birthday Paradise: Ocean5

I am here to talk about birthdays...again. It feels like my kids have back-to-back birthdays. Oh wait, they do! My younger son has an early December birthday (see post), and my older son has a birthday at the start of January. It's wild. It's hectic. We have a birthday, we have the holidays, we have another birthday. Once January rolls around, I am ready to be done. But I have to power through that last birthday. 

I need something easy but fun. And indoors because, hello, it's January. Oh, where or where can his birthday be? Oh (light bulb), Ocean5. 

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Birthday Fun at the Children's Museum of Tacoma

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Birthday Fun at the Children's Museum of Tacoma

Let's talk about kids' birthday parties. Our parent wish is to:

  • Celebrate our child. 

  • Keep costs down. 

  • Get their wiggles out.

  • Not have it at home, and to clean up. 

  • Make memories. 

  • Have fun! 

Yet, everywhere seems expensive, the packages are confusing, and it gets complicated fast. 

I know. I am right there with you; the struggle is real. But now that I have had my son's birthday parties at the Children's Museum of Tacoma (both boys!), I can confidently say that it is a great option. 

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Start the Year Fresh in the Great Outdoors

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As a kid, my favorite thing to say in the New Year was, "I haven't done this all year!" At the start of the year, I still feel a new enthusiasm, motivated to get out and do things "we haven't done all year." Avoid getting hung up on resolutions and instead focus on quality time with your family in the great outdoors. Here are a few of my family's favorite winter outdoor activities nearby.

Snow Tubing at the Summit

Picture this: no hauling a sled up the hill, smooth slopes, easy parking, and tons of fun. Where do you find this magic? The Summit at Snoqualmie. Before you go, you must pay for your session pass for a select date and time. This pass gets you 1.75 hours of snow tubing. As part of the tubing, there is an awesome covered surface lift (like an escalator) to the top, so you don't have to trudge your kids' and your tubes up the hill every time. Also, there are 7+ tubing lanes at the top and loads of tubes available for you to use. It's worth the price with all the amenities and fun! 

Read More: Here is my past blog post all about Snow Tubing at the Summit!

Prairie Line Trail Urban Hike

Sometimes, getting to a trail is tough with kids and the weather. The solution: an urban hike! As luck would have it, the Prairie Line Trail is a perfect Tacoma urban hike. The Prairie Line Trail is about a mile-long stretch through downtown along the retired, historic Prairie Line railroad corridor. 

You can start the hike near the Children's Museum of Tacoma. You will see the old train tracks to follow through your urban hike. Walking (or scootering...because kids), you'll pass some cool art structures like the "Shipment to China," a bronze, antique train truck sculpture. 

You will continue up toward the Tacoma Art Museum. My family tends to stray off course, cross over to the other side of Zeek's Pizza, and walk along the tracks through the University of Washington campus. 

There are more sculptures along the way. We enjoy the Terminus, which is granite that references travelers' suitcases. Inspiration is from this being the end of the Northern Pacific Railroad. 

Cross over the Chihuly Bridge of Glasss to the Foss Waterway Marina area to extend the urban hike. Otherwise, head to the Brewery District and grab lunch or a snack at Camp Colvos or 7 Seas Brewing. 

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium 

We are so lucky to have the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in our town. It makes for a great way to spend time outside. Those of us with little ones can motivate them to keep moving to see the next animal. They are also safe to run around and be free. You can head to the aquarium for indoor time when you get cold. There are a few other things to consider: the carousel, the goats, and the playground. It's an enjoyable outing for the whole family. Check out their hours before going since they have less time open during the winter season.

Start 2024 outside with the family. It will refresh you and start the year off right.

Dash Away to all the Holiday Magic

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Dash Away to all the Holiday Magic

'Twas the month before Christmas, and all through the North End, all creatures were stirring to get out of the house. It's the holiday season, and there is so much to do; the children are excited, and the parents are, too. 

It's true; December is full of seasonal activities and events. Here are a few local events to add to your holiday list:

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Fall Family Walks and Trots

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Fall Family Walks and Trots

Fall is in the air. The breeze is crisp, the leaves are turning colors, and pumpkin spice is in your coffee. What better way to embrace the fall than enjoying a cool, colorful afternoon stroll?  

Let us all get outside and have some fun! Here are some great spots to catch the fall spirit here in Tacoma. 

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All the Pumpkin Patches, Sorta

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All the Pumpkin Patches, Sorta

I love October. It's the beginning of a season full of fun things to do with your family. And by that, I mean there are a million and one pumpkin patches to visit. I'd go to a pumpkin patch each weekend if I had my dithers. Although my energy, homebody-minded family members, finances, front porch, health, and the weather sometimes make that an impossibility. 

The number of pumpkin patches is a bit overwhelming. I want to see them all, do them all, and report back to you on the best. However, I can't do it all. Yup, that's a shocker. Also, I get stuck deciding whether to have a family tradition and go to the same patch every year or try somewhere new. I'm balancing it all this year by doing a new patch with the kids on the day off (parent-teacher conference day FTW) and then going to our usual patch as a family over the weekend. If the stars align, then one more. I don't know, time will tell. 

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Pumpkins, Ghosts, and Tractors--Oh my!

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Pumpkins, Ghosts, and Tractors--Oh my!

October and the last few months of the year are my favorites. They are full of holidays and cheer and, better yet, fun activities to entertain the family. My kids love Halloween and all the excitement surrounding the holiday. What kid doesn't love candy, dressing up in costumes, rolling through leaves, and carving pumpkins?

It's prime activity season! There are often so many activities and events it can be tough to choose. Let me help and break it down into three great things to try this month.

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Raising Tacoma in Print

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Raising Tacoma in Print

If you live in Tacoma's North End, you might receive a neighborhood magazine called Greet North End Tacoma. It's a charming magazine with local articles and sponsors. It recently went through some changes, and it's aiming to provide more content and photos. You can guess who they asked to take on the family column. Yup, Raising Tacoma!

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Squeezing into Fall: Apples!

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Squeezing into Fall: Apples!

September is a transitional month—shifting from summer to fall and from summer break to school. We're not quite fully launched into pumpkins (although you might find a pumpkin spice latte already), but we are ready to leave strawberries and watermelon behind.

Cue the apples. Apples are here to help with the transition.

Set down your lemonade, and grab a delicious cider. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are lucky to have apples locally for picking, squeezing, and playing. You can do so many fun activities with apples. Make September all about apples!

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New Moms and Where to Find Them in Tacoma

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New Moms and Where to Find Them in Tacoma

Motherhood. It’s without a doubt, the biggest, most life-changing thing that’s ever happened to me. Your world completely goes upside. You try to prepare for it, and you hear all the advice and stories from others, but there really isn’t any way to know what it’s like until you actually experience it for yourself.

I was working in the corporate world, commuting on a bus, going out to dinner on Saturday nights, staying up on Netflix binges. Then, boom: we had a baby. I decided to be a stay-at-home mom, and life hasn’t been the same since. Honestly, it was such a challenging transition in my life. There were smiles, for sure, but there were definitely tears. The thing that helped me the most was talking to other moms and making friends.

As a new mom, it’s hard to know where to turn to meet other moms and make friends. I get shy and uncertain in new environments where I don’t know anyone. I get nervous texting and calling people. I often re-think every word I say to every person. So how did I do it, you ask, here’s some ways!

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Summer Bucket List 2023

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Summer Bucket List 2023

June 21st….it’s officially summer! And the sun is shining!

I have been hiding something from you. I’ve had this bucket list tucked away and have not shared it with you. Shame! Shame! And yet, I had good intentions. I made this one for my MOPS group and thought I would updated it for this Raising Tacoma. But time kept passing and then I started using it myself and realized I should just share this one!

Am I going to go off script and do some other activities?…yes. Will I do some from this list?…yes. Will I share the other things I do with you?…also yes.

This bucket list is just a motivational piece. You don’t have to do it all. My tip: look at it when you’re kids are yelling and you are about to lose it. Pick something and GO.

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Summer Camp at Snapology

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Summer Camp at Snapology

Summer is around the corner. Today the sun's rays are shining, and I am starting to feel that summer excitement. I do love the low-key nature of summer without the morning hustle. Yet, I sometimes need a break in the summer: enter summer camp.

We have a few camps lined up: the First Presbyterian VBS (Vacation Bible School), Camp McCullough, and finally, two Snapology camps. That's it. We need some time for Raising Tacoma activities, too. Wink wink.

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Snow Tubing at Snoqualmie Summit

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Snow Tubing at Snoqualmie Summit

What kid doesn’t love some time in the snow?! You know what’s even better? When you can slide down it super fast. At least, my boy’s opinion…and frankly, I love myself a good thrill down the hill as well. It makes for a fantastic family outing.

In the past, we’ve gone to Hyak for sledding. Here’s my post about our adventures there. It’s a great option if you’re looking to do something a bit more frugally. This time, we went for the more premium experience at the Summit at Snoqualmie.

If you follow me on Instagram, you already got some inside to our tubing adventures. Here’s the highlight for your viewing pleasure. However, you might not be an Instagramer, and that’s cool. Let’s talk about it here on the blog.

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What do to with Tacoma Holiday Visitors

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What do to with Tacoma Holiday Visitors

I'm picturing this: you're all sitting in the living room looking at your phones with the kids poking you, saying they are bored.

That's a sign to put your phone in your pocket, grab a jacket, and scramble to your car to get out! But, the big question: what to do? It's tough! Sometimes it's hard to know what to do because you might have a range of ages visiting for the holidays. Maybe a grandparent that can't go for long walks or a young singleton that is up for more adventure. Here are some ideas that can help guide you this season.

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Shoutout LA: Meet Heather Brown of Raising Tacoma

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Shoutout LA: Meet Heather Brown of Raising Tacoma

When I was a kid, I loved to snoop. I always opened up my grandma’s purse and looked at everything inside. A curious kid, ya know! I’m gonna guess some of you are like me…very curious. So, if you’re curiosity extends to me, the developer of Raising Tacoma, then I have something for you!

I got a little feature on Shoutout LA, and online publication that shares the stories of entrepreneurs and creatives. A friend passed my name along, and now here we are with a little piece of my story.

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2022 Fall Bucket List

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2022 Fall Bucket List

Fall is coming up and is official on September 22nd. We’re preparing to bring in the window A/C units and break-out the pumpkin recipes. Of course, we’re also ready to grab all the pumpkin lattes out there in town. My husband proposed get a new pumpkin latte every Friday. Ha!

Fall is my favorite season. The flavors, the colors, the smell, and even the weather is usually pretty great—yup, sweater weather! Do you love this season? Either way, this bucket list will get you in the fall spirit. See the download button below to get your own PDF.

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Oregon Coast Getaway

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Oregon Coast Getaway

Our Seaside Trip this June was celebrating so many things in my family. Mainly, we celebrated my parent's 50th anniversary. While their anniversary is in November, summer was the best time to get the whole family together. Getting the family together was their number one priority for celebrating. We also celebrated my 40th birthday, father's day, and my sister and BIL's anniversary. We were a big group of six adults and two kids. We had a great time together!

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