Green Halloween

That time of year is upon us, and every year for the last few years, I've been trying to spread the word about a local trend turned nation-wide. I love the ideas I have heard from all of you parents, too! Below is a blurb I contributed to Red Tricycle, and I hope it helps make your Halloween 'greener'... Besides, I had to share another press mention of our own Mamaswap mama!

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For many of us, Halloween conjures up memories of orange and black decor, and sticky-sweet treats. True, Halloween is a holiday heavy on sugar, not to mention waste, but what if it didn’t have to be? Thanks to Seattle-area’s Corey Colwell-Lipson, founder of Green Halloween®, Seattle is abuzz with ways to make your Halloween a little easier on the environment. Start by escorting your goblins to one of Seattle’s thrift stores—or visit a virtual swap (http://www.mamaswap.com/) to pick out their haunting attire. Feeling crafty? Help Junior whip up a handmade costume, from, say, treasures in the kitchen junk drawer or remnants of your old costumes.

Green Halloween’s Web site offers many resources, including their own marketplace (new this year), where you can purchase costumes, decorations, treats, and more. There are also downloadable action kits to help spread the word. One option is  to organize a playdate to visit a participating local vendor, such as Bellevue’s Whole Foods.

Like the idea, but can’t give up the treats? Tasty organic lollipops (http://www.yummyearth.com/) are better for children and the planet and some come in compostable wrappers. A complete list of greener treats is available too, natch.

RRR tip: When your kids toss aside this year’s costumes, pack them up in reusable bags (http://www.reusablebags.com/), and have a recycled but complete costume ready to hand down to the next little ghoul.

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I was lucky enough to run into Corey at this year's Zoo Pumpkin Prowl! Still a few days left to see her!

Pumpkins for your Punkin's

Love the idea of picking pumpkins and Fall-ish photo ops amongst the Halloween and October images you see everywhere, but hate the idea of a full-day event and way too much slogging through mud and bales of hay? Enter Fairbank Farm -- the perfect solution for all your pumpkin patch needs, just north of Seattle. This farm is very small, easily accessible, and for those of us with more than one child -- very stroller and yes, even double-stroller friendly!

Fairbank features affordable weekday tours (minimum 8 students), led by wonderful staff who speak to the children in their most preschool-teacheresque voices, asking simple questions and providing tiny bits of kid-friendly information. Weekends are open for anyone to visit.

The day I visited the Farm, we ventured through animals a plenty, petting some, feeding others, and even saw newborn piglets!

The tour ends in a 'pumpkin patch', which is a delightful field with tiny tot-friendly pumpkins just the right size to carry home and carve, or simply display as a happy memory of this event. Did I mention you'll be home in time for nap?

Our very own 5th Avenue

Some of us are familiar with the area near our Preschool, known as Northgate. But just in case you're not, I thought I'd share a little piece I did for Red Tricycle (parenting newsletter) that happens to sum up a few of my favorite things to do in this area, for those days when our fantastic co-op doesn't meet. Right along 5th Avenue...(ok, so it is really 5th Avenue NE), we have a ton of fun things to do with our kids.

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Time to tote a tot or two up north -- at least as far as Northgate Park, where you'll find ample parking and oodles to do in the threesome combo of Library, Community Center and fantastic fenced park. Whether you've just dropped off the big sis at school, or if you've arrived with the whole gang, there's plenty to entertain and delight.

Those oh-so-grown up preschoolers can show off their daredevil skills by tightrope-walking along a low cement wall that winds cleverly amongst smaller play structures, a sandbox and bigger climbing areas and slides. Should the kiddos stray, you'll feel safe with the mostly fenced area and sturdy new play structures. Ample swings for both babes and big kids round out the adventure. Look both ways and across the street to Northgate Mall's choice of food fare, from Red Robin burgers to Bluefin Sushi's fantastic kid-friendly buffet! Stop by Barnes & Noble, Motherhood Maternity or Toys "R" Us if you’ve got time before the kids’ nap. Tip: hit the drive-thru Starbucks on your way home, and you'll be ready to tackle that pesky laundry pile.

Bonus: Northgate Library and Community Center both offer indoor story times and kids playroom adventures on those drizzly mornings.

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I'd love to hear suggestions of other areas you all love to visit.