February 2007

And the Golden Bootie Goes To …

by Karen Irwin

We at Puget Sound Parent know that when it comes to getting good advice on raising kids, the best information often comes from you, our readers. It is why we enlisted your help to put together the re-introduction of our annual Golden Bootie Awards. In order to find the “best of the best” we asked readers to tell us about their favorite restaurants, stores, family vacation spots, and more.
And the Golden Bootie goes to…

FAMILY FRIENDY RETAILERS AND SERVICES

1. Best Children’s Bookstore

Borders Books
2508 S. 38th St., Tacoma; 253-473-9111; www.borderstores.com

Have a light lunch or cookie in the downstairs café, and then work your way up to the children’s section on the second floor. Kids can spread out and read on the three-tiered stage or act out their favorite stories. There are also plenty of headphones in the music department, making it easy and fun to introduce your children to different kinds of music.
Also recommended: Half Price Books.

2. Best Toy Store

Chain Store:
Toys R Us
Stores in Tacoma, Puyallup, Olympia, Silverdale and South Center; www.toysrus.com

Independent Stores:
Learning Sprout
809 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; 253-274-0136; www.learningsprout.com
Wind Up Here
121 5th Ave. S.E., Olympia; 800-531-2616; www.winduphere.com

Toys R us won hands down for easy accessibility and sheer volume of toys, but if you are looking for a fun store that is light on corporate logos and heavy on imagination, you might want to check out these other readers’ independent favorites. Whether you are searching for a bumblebee kite or another member to add to your puppet show cast, these stores are for you. Be warned: Even the most serious of grown-ups won’t be able to resist playing with some of the toys in the hands-on displays. Wind Up Here’s “Good to Grow Program” matches tested toys to children with special needs.

3. Best Party Supply Store

Party City
32021 Pacific Hwy. S., Federal Way; 253-945-7310; www.partycity.com

Looking for a tailor-made party for your little sports enthusiast? Or how about a party fit for a princess? It shouldn’t be hard finding supplies to fill any party theme in this warehouse store. With party streamers, balloons and tableware in every color of the rainbow, this store can help you run with any theme from the invitations all the way through to the thank-you cards.
Also recommended: Party World, 1565 S. Center St., Tacoma; 253-272-2181; www.partywedding.com.

4. Best Children’s Clothing Store

The Children’s Place
Tacoma Mall, Tacoma; 253-476-0943
Supermall, Auburn; 253-333-1109
Capital Mall, Olympia; 360-709-9738

Recently purchased by the Disney Corporation, this company designs and contracts to manufacture high quality, value-priced clothing. The stores are divided into halves: one side for girls, the other for boys. Sizes range from newborn to pre-teen. You can also shop The Children’s Place online at www.childrensplace.com.

5. Best Maternity Store

New Clothing: Motherhood Maternity
Stores in Tacoma, Lakewood, Auburn and Silverdale; www.motherhood.com

Gently Used: Heaven Sent
1200 S. 324 St., Federal Way; 253-946-2229

Motherhood Maternity is a national chain and sells its own line of clothing. It was a clear favorite when it comes to finding maternity wear. The stores offer both casual and professional looks at affordable prices.
For high quality, gently used maternity and infant wear, readers also recommended Heaven Sent.

6. Best Children’s Photographer

Yuen Lui
4020 S. Steele St., No. 108, Tacoma; 253-475-1303; www.yuenluistudio.com
Karie Hamilton Photography
Lakewood; 253-973-0200; www.kariehamilton.com

Although the Yuen Lui portraiture company is a franchise, it is still family owned and operated with 14 studios in Washington, Oregon and California. Portraits are a bit pricier than other chain studios, but the quality is visible. Watch for periodic sales and coupons.
If you are looking for natural pictures taken outside a studio setting, Karie Hamilton Photography comes highly recommended. This award-winning photojournalist lives in Lakewood and enjoys capturing special family moments.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

7. Most Kid-Friendly Grocery Store

Fred Meyer (three stores in Tacoma, also in Federal Way, University Place, Tumwater, Lacey, Bremerton and Port Orchard); www.fredmeyer.com

Maybe it is the well-staffed play centers that allow you to shop while your little one is safe and entertained, or maybe it’s the complimentary cookie in the bakery department. Whatever the reason, Fred Meyer was voted the kid-friendliest grocery store, hands down.
Also recommended: Trader Joe’s, 3800 Bridgeport Way W., University Place or 32073 Pacific Hwy. S., Federal Way; www.traderjoes.com.

8. Restaurant with the Best Kids’ Menu

Red Robin
Locations in Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Olympia and Silverdale; www.redrobin.com

People come for the variety of burgers, but they stay for the all-you-can-eat French fries and tall, frosty milkshakes. Every day is a party in this restaurant. The atmosphere is upbeat and friendly. Toe-tapping tunes play in the background and kids get free balloons. What’s not to like?
Also recommended: Anthony’s Homeport, 5910 N. Waterfront Drive near Point Defiance in Tacoma; 253-752-9700; www.anthonys.com. Pasta and fish round out the usual children’s fare of chicken strips and burgers, and there is the beautiful view of Puget Sound.

9. Best Place for Healthy Take-out

Subway (multiple locations)

Endorsed by the American Heart Association, Subway was a clear winner when it comes to eating on the go. Kids are happy because they can get a sandwich made to order, and parents are relieved that nothing is deep fried.
Also recommended: Marlene’s Market and Deli, 2565 S. Gateway Center Place, Federal Way; 253-839-0933 or 2951 S. 38th St., Tacoma; 253-472-4080; www.marlenesmarket-deli.com.

FAMILY ADVENTURES AND ENTERTAINMENT

10. Best Weekend Getaway

Ocean Shores, Washington

Six miles of wide open, sandy beaches allow for myriad activities. Some families choose to go for just the day, while others stay for a week. Families enjoy everything from a simple walk on the beach to having fun in a bumper boat or go-cart. Choose from several choices of accommodations. Visit www.oceanshores.org for details.
Also recommended: Oregon coast and Canada.

11. Best Local Park, Playground or Beach

Point Defiance Park, Tacoma
Wildwood Park, Puyallup
Tot Lot, Fircrest
Owens Beach, Tacoma
Steilacoom Park, Steilacoom
Anderson Point, Port Orchard

Sometimes the best park is the closest park, as is the case here. All of these winning parks offer children and their parents an opportunity to run, stretch and play. As testament to the beautiful area in which we live, there is no shortage of places to get outside and take a deep breath.

12. Best Birthday Party Location

Home

Not even Chuck E. Cheese himself could beat home when it comes to a favorite birthday party location. Bowling alleys and game facilities are popular venues, too, but they can also be expensive. Average birthday party prices are about $14 per child. For value and fun, home turf seems to be the best place to entertain.

13. Best Family Attraction

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N. Pearl St. Tacoma; 253-591-5337; www.pdza.org

This award-winning zoo and aquarium greets thousands of visitors each year. In addition to a wide variety of animals, this zoo offers sweeping vistas of Puget Sound. Kids can come face to face with a walrus or sit and watch otters play – everyone has a favorite critter. The zoo recently added a Kids’ Zone with plenty of splash opportunities on warm days. Kids can also ride on a beautiful new carousel for $2.

14. Best Local Children’s Entertainer

No favorite

For ideas, please check our “Marketplace” section at the end of this magazine or look at our annual birthday party guide in the April issue.

15. Best Annual Festival or Event

The Puyallup Fair; www.thefair.com

When it comes to annual events, most of you prefer to “Do the Puyallup.” For the past 100 years, Western Washington’s State Fair in Puyallup has been a family tradition. In early September, the fairgrounds come alive with gravity-defying rides, professional and homespun exhibits, and lots and lots of animals. There are concerts with big names on the marquis, and local talent performs daily.
Other favorites: Taste of Tacoma, Point Defiance Park (mid summer), Meeker Days, Puyallup (early summer).

16. Best Camp

YMCA Camp Seymour
Gig Harbor; 253-884-3392; www.campseymour.org

Founded in 1907, this summer camp is everything you’d expect a camp to be, bugs and all. The camp serves more than 13,000 youth and adults per year. Kids especially love the climbing wall and saltwater touch tanks. Camp Seymour even has family camps, so every member of the family can sit around the camp fire and sing goofy songs. Meals are served family style in Rich Lodge and all activities are well supervised. You do not have to be a YMCA member to participate.

FAMILY HEALTH

17. Best Pediatric Dentist

Jeffrey Camm, DMD
1501 Regents Blvd., Suite 200, Fircrest; 253-564-2222

Dr. Jeffrey Camm’s office in Fircrest caters to children. From the moment new patients enter, they are in a no-fear zone. The kids are pampered with a play area, games and toys. While undergoing treatment, children can enjoy overhead videos and music. Dr. Camm has more than 20 years of experience in the military caring for service members’ children and has worked for eight years here in the Puget Sound.

18. Best Pediatrician

Dr. Julian Ayers
316 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Suite 212, Tacoma; 253-383-5777

Dr. Ayer’s care is summed up by Andrea Goodale, a mother of three of his patients, who states that he is very friendly and informative. “He always takes the time to answer any questions I have, and also talks with my daughter about how she is doing, and answers her questions as well!”

19. Best Hospital or Clinic

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center
317 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma; 253-403-1400; www.marybridge.org

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center has been serving the south Puget Sound area for more than 50 years. The staff provides family-centered care with a full compliment of kid-required support services like pediatric nurses, child life workers and specialty physicians. The new health center opened recently at the main clinic, and in 2005, Mary Bridge recorded 59,000 clinic visits for children with problems ranging from ear infections to heart disease and cancer.

Karen Irwin is a University Place writer and mother of four.