Planning for summer is as difficult to understand as the anniversary of a year in a global pandemic. Information about what options are ahead of us and what we’ve already done seem to appear and feel dizzying at the same time. That same day, I saw a social media post stating that Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems, an early bright spot in quarantine, would be back with episode 00 to “mark a fresh start,” and I received too an email from the city of Lynnwood Kamp Kookamonga was already 70% full after one week of registration. So let’s talk about both and a few other local options for outdoor, entertainment, and live high school sports.
On Monday, March 15th at 1pm, Elephant and Piggie book author Mo Willems will have an “exciting special episode” of Lunch Doodles, a series designed to help children and their families with activities that should actually take place a much shorter time away from school. The original 15 episodes and related activities will still be available if you are interested before the episode airs. Willems told a story about one of his books or about someone he had met and had an activity or two to follow. We did a few of these together in early quarantine and it felt so good to have something light to look forward to. For more information and previously aired episodes, visit kennedy-center.org/mowillems.
I’ve always been someone who signed up for camps very early. This is less a sign of my general willingness and more a sign of my fearful personality. While I’m still as concerned as ever, I feel much more reluctant to sign up for summer activities when the news of what’s next seems to change daily. Kamp Kookamonga, through the town of Lynnwood, is filling up faster and faster every year that we have registered (about six summers ago), but when I read the email from Kelly Schudde, the recreation manager, the camp was already after 70% full. One week I was surprised at first. After a second thought, it makes a lot of sense. Kamp Kookamonga is well organized, has pre and post care and offers a variety of daily activities, from arts to sports, scooters to playground times. The email also explains that a week you are interested in has a waiting list that you can definitely add your name to as they “anticipate a lot of sign-up changes by summer”. I’ve had success on their waiting lists in the past and it’s easy to cancel if necessary (a $ 10 transaction fee is required). For more information or to register, please visit PlayLynnwood.com.
It has been exciting for many students and the people who love to watch them play to welcome students back to the sport. Although participation is limited, there are now options online that you can view remotely. We do this for my son’s hockey and while it can be fun to be there in person, it’s warmer on the couch than on the rink. I just saw a post this week from a family who gathered to watch their students play on a live stream. The Edmonds School District has provided a website with links to high schools’ sports schedules and live streams for them. You can find the link HERE.
One of the best parts of my weekly mom walk is right after we walked into Yost Park and hit the first bridges – it’s behind the Main Street entrance across from Olympic Avenue. The water that flows under the first bridge makes me think of the quote from John Muir: “Every walk with nature you get far more than you look for.” I had a similar feeling this week as my youngest son and I planted some crocuses that I had bought. We need to be outside together and get a little dirty while planting something that is often the first sign of spring. It was a short assignment that helped us a lot. With the Edmonds Kids Garden, children can spend some time outside and plant their own plants. Following the success of the first Edmonds Kids Garden last month at the Krukeberg Botanic Garden, another event is planned for March 20-21 every day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free to teenagers and their families in Edmonds and the coast, this event includes a scavenger hunt and a take-away kit with “all the supplies you need to grow a goblin’s favorite food.” Spring strawberries in your home! “You can find more information at Kruckeberg.org/Edmonds-Kids-Garden/
Dani Tirrell
If you still want to have fun indoors, the Edmonds Center for the Arts is hosting Kidstock! @ Home: Dani’s dance party. This free, live, streaming, interactive dance party, held on Saturday, March 20th at 10:30 AM, is aimed at “movers and dance lovers of all ages and abilities”. This event is hosted by Seattle-based artist Dani Tirrell, who will guide you through movements based on black ballroom dancing, which originated in American culture with enslaved Africans. ECA will ask you to register for one ticket per household and the link will be emailed for viewing 24 hours before the event. For information and registration for Dani’s Dance Party and the future Kidstock! For Home Events, you can go to EC4Arts.org.
– From Jennifer Marx
Jen Marx, an Edmonds mother of two boys, is always on the lookout for a fun place to take the kids that makes them tired enough to go to bed on time.
