August 2006

Publisher's Note: Celebrate the Fullness of August!

This summer we continue to explore and expand ways to connect with the many communities of Puget Sound. We’ve been delighted to participate in Seafair – and we met many of you at the Baffle Gab Milk Carton Derby, the Hispanic Seafair, the Triathlon and the Torchlight Parade, up in Seattle. For those of you who haven’t yet heard of Baffle Gab, I recommend that you check out this cool new family game. I spent a week with my grandnieces (ages 6 and 8), who loved to write out their imaginative stories, learn new words and collect “bone-bucks” as we sat around the kitchen table laughing together.

Next we look forward to seeing you also at the UP Fest 06 on Aug. 5 at Curtis High School in University Place. You’ll find pancakes, fireworks and entertainers – another fun-filled August day to enjoy with your family.

In this issue that traditionally focuses on “back to school,” we are still holding on to summer fun with our article on Water Play – places to play in the water from Wild Waves, Tacoma’s Stewart Heights Pool and Auburn’s Rotary Spray Park to fountains and pools with extra features. To prepare for back to school, we offer information on exactly what you need to do as parents to get your children physically ready for school, including well-child checks, eye exams, hearing screenings and vaccinations.

Our article on “Good to Grow” shares information on this national toy research program for children with special needs – a program that was started locally by Joan Machlis, one of the owners of the “Wind Up Here” toy store in Olympia!

And back to enjoying summer – we share “Summer Fun on Southern (Washington) Beaches” with information on beaches, towns to explore, museums, lighthouses and the Long Beach International Kite Festival.

All of our families and communities make up the larger community that is the Pacific Northwest. It is our intention to serve all of the community with information that all parents can use to raise healthy, happy and well-educated children. It is my belief that peace comes from understanding that we are all “we” – that when we let go of separating ourselves from “them” and “they,” we create wholeness within ourselves and throughout our community.

Linda Watson
Publisher

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Northwest Parent Media
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