Modern Treasure Hunting – Geocaching

Signal the Frog - Official Geocaching Mascot

The world around you is full of hidden treasure. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game in which you us a GPS or GPS-enabled device to locate hidden containers called caches.  The containers come in every shape and size, from a huge treasure chest to micro containers as small as my thumbnail. The larger containers usually have an assortment of toys and tchotchkes that you can trade with and all of them have a log to sign to show that you have found it.   The best part about Geocaching is that you probably already have the tools you need to do it.  If you have a Smartphone there are several great apps that you can use to get started: NeonGeo , GeoBucket , and the Groundspeak Geocaching App available for iPhone, Android and Windows 7 phones. You’ll also want to create an account at Geocaching.com. There are both free and paid accounts, with the paid account giving you access to more caches. Beyond the traditional cache, there are multi-caches, puzzle caches, travel bugs and more… but I’ll post more on those later.  Happy Hunting!

Create- 8-bit Sticky Note Art

I try to take every opportunity to introduce my boys to art in every form. Some experiments work better than others.  When my oldest saw 8-bit video game art created from sticky notes on some windows downtown he instantly wanted to create some at home.  After looking at several amazing creations online (see above picture) we decided on the aggressors from Space Invaders.  We started recreating the menacing 8-bit aliens by simply counting the number of squares in the first row and duplicating them. 

 After the initial row was finished, we matched each subsequent row to the previous and watched as our pesky Invader came to life. 

 After finishing the first Invader, other windows in the house were soon the subject of interplanetary interlopers. 

Through our self-imposed invasion, we talked about pixels and how they are the rudimentary building blocks of what we see on our computers. After the final Invader was created we looked at more intricate sticky note art including one Mona Lisa that had us thinking hard about where we could recreate The Scream…possibilities. 

Show Some Pride – Pride Parade

My kids love parades.  They love the sounds, the sights and the colorful people involved.  And there isn’t a more colorful, lively parade than the Pride Parade.  In its 38th year, the Pride Parade brings together a wonderful, supportive community to celebrate being, and loving, who you are.  The Parade begins at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 24^th and winds through Downtown Seattle for over an hour, providing plenty of time to take in all the sights.  http://www.seattlepride.org/

Big Shoes

This being Father’s Day I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about my dad.   The saying of “big shoes to fill” doesn’t begin to establish the sheer measurements we’re talking about here.   Being the father of twelve kids couldn’t have been an easy task. Through it my Dad not only managed to retain his sanity, he also, along with my Mom, imparted some very important lessons to us.  First: Be Yourself.  All the times I came home with a shaved head, colored hair, piercings and even tattoos, my Dad may not have been happy about it, but he never once told me I was wrong.  Second:  Live Life.  It seems like a long time ago that I called my Dad to tell him the Niki and I were planning on selling our house in Seattle to buy an RV and see the country.  I fully expected my father, the financial advisor, to tell me how bad a decision we were making for our future.  Instead, he told us to do it while we were young and to have fun.  Which brings me to the third, and possibly most important lesson: Have Fun.   Raising such a large, diverse family had to be a daunting task, but our parents had fun.  I’m not talking card tricks and juggling, but the little things everyday: Bonfires, camping, backyard volleyball, cooking  and, my all-time favorite, the spontaneous singing and dancing in the kitchen.   All of these lessons helped make me who I am today and I hope I can pass them on to my boys with the same strength of conviction, integrity and love that my Dad gave me.  Happy Father’s Day Dad.   

Celebrate The Solstice - Fremont Fair

 

Every year around the Summer Solstice the Fremont neighborhood throws one of the best events of the year.  The Fremont Fair has an amazing array of events, activities and people watching to entertain everyone.  The major festivities kick off with the annual Solstice Parade and continues through the weekend with music, street performers, crafters, artists, food, art cars and more.  The Fair is a great family event.  (Insider tip: parking in Fremont during the fair is difficult, save yourself some time and park at BF Day Elementary.  100% of the proceeds go to the school and you may save yourself a bit of sanity as well.)

Go For A Hike - National Get Outdoors Day

With summer fast approaching, the weather is quickly encouraging us to get out and hike.  And like an open invitation, National Get Outdoors Day happens to be Saturday, June 9th.  On Saturday, many State Parks and Recreation Areas will be free of charge with special events.  Even more impressive is free entrance to every National Park in the country.  So get out and go for a hike, or swim, or walk or whatever your favorite outdoor activity is...just get out and get moving.
www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org    National Parks - Washington  

Flip Out - NW Pinball and Arcade Show

 

If your family is as into Pinball and Video Games as ours, you have to check out the  NW Pinball and Arcade Show at the Seattle Center.  The Show brings together game designers, game related vendors, and other guest speakers along with over 300 Pinball and Video Games.  The best part is, the cost of admission includes free-play on all 300+ games!  My family can't wait and maybe we'll see you there!  The show is June 8-10 so you'll have plenty of time to try all the games. http://nwpinballshow.com/

Science Expo Day!

Saturday June 1st, 2012 is the first annual Science Expo Day at the Seattle Center.  Sponsored by the Pacific Science Center, The Seattle Center and the Next 50, the Science Expo Day is part of the Seattle Science Festival which runs from June 3-10.  The Expo Day will be full of activities and events for the whole family - Including ROBOTS!