Everett Playdate & Mukilteo Beach Time

What a happy crisp clear day it was, and time to do some family stuff! First we went to the Imagine Children's Museum, in Everett, then to the beach and play area near the Mulkiteo Ferry, It was our first time at the Imagine Children's Museum, and we LOVED it. Each exhibit seemed more fun than the last, and being in the rooftop play area was like heaven. The Water Play Room was full of spinning wheels and trickling streams, the Neon Room was dark and glowy (very Halloween!!) and the Treehouse, the Theater (act out your own plays!) and the Vetrinary Clinic were intriguing to say the least. I also loved the Farm Patch with a horse and tractor to ride, and the Airplane where you could pretend to piolet it... and the Fireman's room for under 5's. Right across the street was a great Goodwill with lots and lots of Halloween costumes... found a perfect Stitch costume (cute space alien with 4 arms, from Lilo & Stitch) for Daniel for $6...fun! He was going to be a Gladiator for Halloween but that plan is now out the window. I'm glad as the Stitch costume will definitely be warmer.

It was a bright sunny day, high blue skies with puffy clouds, and nothing could have been more fun than the beach park just south of the Mukilteo ferry terminal. There were kayaks, speedboats, the ferries of course, and one glorious ocean liner passing, kids and their parents playing on the new space age playground climbing equipment, dog walkers, log sitters, photographers, and some strollers enjoying the beauty of the scene. We jumped from log to log and made it from one end of the beach to the other without touching the sand.

Last of all we stopped by the Rose Hill Chocolate Company for a truffle and some samples of their famous fudge. I liked the Chocolate Ammeretto, Daniel opted for the Walnut Chocolate Fudge. Probably the most decadent was the black current truffle with white chocolate! Dan Straub, the owner, was behind the counter and we learned a lot about where the world's best cacao beans come from (Tierra del Fuego) and some chocolate making trivia. There were a lot of other temptations including gummy spiders and numerous Halloween goodies available. Yum! We thought next time we'll leave the kids at home and stop by the Leely's Day Spa & Wine Tasting next door to the Chocolate Factory to sip some local vintages.

Imagine Children's Museum, 1502 Wall StreetEverett, WA 98201(425) 258-1006

Rose Hill Chocolate Company, 700 3rd Street, Mukilteo, WA, (425) 353-1183

Leely's Day Spa & Wine: 700 Third St., Mukilteo; 425-268-6004, leely@ahanmail.net. Wind tasting available with spa services anytime; regular tasting 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, $5.

City of Mukilteo's "About Mukilteo" webpage offers a great introduction to this delightful destination.

Edy Kizaki

Realtor & Team Leader

www.SeattlePowerSearch.com