Parklodge Elementary- a Tri Lake Treasure

We moved to Lakewood mid April of last year and of course had to transition kids schooling at that point.  Our first point of contact was with our neighborhood elementary school, Park Lodge.

Just to be honest I am pretty picky and hard to please when it comes to schooling for our kids.  We have gone so far as to home school if things were not working for our kids with what our options are for schools, and I am sure some teachers at some of the schools got sick of me as I advocated for my kids.  So the fact that we have been totally happy so far with Park Lodge Elementary is saying alot.

The layout of the school seems to really work in terms of the class rooms not being disturbed.  The library is large and also has lots of computer lab access.  The play ground has plenty of room to move as well as equipment that lends well to a number of ages of children.

These things however are not what has me sold on Park Lodge.  Part of it is the smiling faces.  In fact the first time I called, I could hear the smile from Office manager, Terese.  She did not just answer the questions I had about the school, she also helped me obtain information about other local schools and resources I was going to need as we transitioned our older kids to the Clover Park School District.

Our youngest daughter transitioned nicely from her classroom in Tacoma to her new one at Park Lodge.  We were very concerned, and hence very pleasantly surprised since her transition to school in general had not gone smoothly.  However she had friends and really loved her teacher right away.  Her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Faughender was a gift all the way around and "got" our daughter right away. 

Then this September our youngest child started in developmental preschool program also at Park Lodge and our youngest daughter of course entered 1st grade.  We are even happier with Park Lodge now.  The school has high parent involvement, a very acceptable teacher to student ratio and they have so far delivered all the way for us. 

The preschool program is high touch and very involved on the part of the teacher as well as her helper.  Our little boy is thriving there and loves going despite the fact that he had not really ever been anywhere away from home with out his Dad or me.  Mrs. Brown is truly a gem, it is clear she really cares about the kids and knows what she is doing....and having fun doing it too along with the kids.  She seems to have the patience of a saint. She teaches both a standard preschool as well as a developmental preschool.

In our youngest daughter's class her teacher, Ms. Petree seems to know just how to keep the kids working hard, while not burning them out. She rewards them with fun activities when they stay on task and they have so much fun with the fun activities that you really see the class buckle down hard to earn them.  She is also very good at being aware of each of the children's strengths.  In fact our youngest daughter has decided, after being in Ms. Petree's class that she would like to be a teacher herself.  ( I think she will be good. she has already with the help of some things her teacher has sent home begun teacher her little brother at home.)

Excited to know that we will be learning more about the upper grade teachers as the years continue with our youngest two at Park Lodge.

It also seems that this year's new Principal is hands on and good at her job.  She greets the kids on their way into the front door most mornings and she always has a smile.  Recently when we needed an care plan in place for our youngest child after a medical event she quickly co-ordinated the whole thing.  She also seems to have very good communications with teachers as well as parents which makes a world of difference in how a school runs.

.                                                              Ms. Melluzzo, Principal.

Great Cuisine of India- a Tri Lake Treasure

When ever my hubby and I can sneak away for a few minutes to get a bite to eat with out any kids along our favorite stop in Lakewood may well be Great Cuisine of India.

The menu is varied and authentic and well priced.  From what I can tell from the dishes we have ordered they are pretty accurate when it comes to mild, med, and spicy.  I have not had the experience of anything being way spicier than I would like any time I have ordered there.  My favoite is the Lamb Saag,  This dish is made with spinach, lamb, onino, garlic, ginger and tomatoes. 

The Daals ( dishes with lentils)  are wonderful as well just in a soup or as an entire entree.

For those of you who are vegetarian, you will be happy, a large selection awaits you.  15 full entrees that are vegetarian grace their menu, 4 of the appetizers are vegetarian as well.as 3 selections under soups and salads.

If you have not eaten Indian food before you may not have tried Naan.  Naan is a mildly leavened bread with a soft chewy texture.  My hubby's favorite is the plain Naan, which couples well with any of the dishes.  The great thing is at no matter what your tastes are there is a Naan there you will like and maybe you will like several, there are 10 to choose from.  Can't decide?  Just order the bread basket with an assortment of Naans.

You have even more choices with your entr'ees, choose from plentiful choices made with Chicken, Lamb or Seafood in addition to the many vegetarian choices.  Want something a little sweet to top it off.  Here you will not be bored nor disappointed either.  Choices include  Coconut Walnut Ice Cream, Rose Coconut Ice Cream and Mango Custard and more, most of which you have likely never heard of.

On a budget?  Not sure what to order?  Show up between 11am and 2:30pm week days and Noon to 3pm on the weekend and have the $8.99 Lunch buffet.  Try a little of everything and if you don't order a drink you can have lunch for 2 for under $20.

Want dinner instead?  Great Cuisine of India is open again from 4pm on week days and on 3pm on the weekend for dinner, just be sure to get them before it's too late, Great Cuisine is open til 9pm Mon-Thursday and til 9:30 Fri-Sunday. 

See you there!

Great Cuisine of India
9518 Gravelly Lake Drive SW
Lakewood, WA 98498

Near Lakewood Towne Center

P253 581 1333

Scenes from Fall in Lakewood Tri Lake Area

Here are some scenes from recent walks in Lakewood, Fall is pretty everywhere....especially beautiful here with the great variety of trees and the fact that they are abundant even in the areas where businesses are.

So I'm sharing my walk a couple days ago....

 

I call this area the "Temple of GOD"  Pictures really don't do it justice.  It is a grove of awe inspiring White oaks .  The tower over the library and rental management office across the street.  Walking through them feels truly spiritual, I find it a great place to say a prayer whether I am jogging through or walking.

Another view looking up. Find it interesting how different trees turn colors at differing times.

 

 Love how our entire towne center is lined all around with trees.

 

 

Newest arrivals at H and L produce

Want to see the newest arrivals at H and L produce?

Here are some of them!

The Mini Pumpkins are ( and the big ones) are in.

Honey crisp apples ( our family favorite) at about 1/3 what you find them most other places this time of the year.

A new drink in stock....looks interesting.....

Color for your Fall Gardening- Kale.

Tri-Lake Treasures- Vinotique

This business is closed now as the owners retired.  It is sorely missed by me and my family....Thought I'd leave this blog up though for old times sake, surely there are many of you who frequented this business and who fondly remember hanging out there for the Friday night events and music.

Are you are a foodie living in Lakewood, or as many like to be called, an epicurean?  Or do you simply want a place where you can find more exotic cheese than you are likely to find at your local grocery and you'd like some wine with ( or with out) that cheese? Then Vinotique is likely your best destination, even if you don't live in Lakewood WA. 

Our family comes to Vinotique we usually do so to pick up the ingredients for a fondue...which despite the fact it sound quite complicated is actually super easy to make and tastes great with a mix of specialty cheeses. ( and of course wine)  We have found that  cheese fondue tastes good with bread, strawberries, other cheese, meat, apples and more and it's fun to sit around the fondue pot and chat in the evening.  If you'd like to do the same go into Vinotique and ask them for recommendations on the cheeses to use.

Also if you would like a lunch or sit down meal Vinotique offers sit down meals. 

and as you can see a huge selection of finer wines as well.  What ever your taste in wine they will have it for you.

You can drop by and visit Vinotique on the way to or from H & L Produce....get what you need both places for a fine gourmet meal.

You will find Vinotique at-

7304 Lakewood Drive West #12

Lakewood, WA 98499-7920

Phone: (253) 474-1460 

Boulangerie Bakery- A Tri-Lake Treasure

 

The Boulangerie Bakery located inside Paldo World Asian Grocery is one of Lakewood’s treasures.

The bakery carries a large assortment of breads, cookies, cakes and donuts.  This alone does not make the place special. 

 What does is the beautiful touches you will see in the cakes they make and the light while lightly sweet melt in your mouth flavor of their cakes.

 

  You will also enjoy the donuts, not too greasy, not overly sweet and made in part with rice flour for a unique and wonderful flavor. 

Want something a little out of the ordinary?  Well unless you already eat Asian cuisine daily likely the donuts with sweet red bean paste and the coconut and rice sweets ( not sure if we should call them cookies, crackers or what) as well as the Asian style deli sandwiches are definitely a bit out of the ordinary as well as being a treat that you will want to be coming back for.

Couple all this with a great cup or coffee or chai and the convenience of picking up some groceries at the same time and you really are in for a treat.

 

 

  This bakery has fresh baked items every day.  It is also open for a sit down lunch and they also do special orders for special days.  Come check out this Treasure just a couple miles outside the Tri- Lake area.

Where to go-

9601 S Tacoma Way
Lakewood, WA 98499

Want to make a special order? Call-(253) 682-3488

Going in for the first time?   Let them know you found out about them on the blog- Lakewood Living

Tri-Lake Treasures Petsmart in Lakewood Towne Center

Since we moved to our new home in Lakewood, we raised a litter of 3 pups.  This Necessitied many trips to the pet supply store. 

Since we already owned 3 small dogs (make that 4 now, even though my hubby promised all would get homes well...you know how it goes)  AND we have a cat

 plus a pretty little calico kitten that keeps hanging around, we have to make a good many trips to the pet supply store.  Thankfully in Lakewood we do not have to go far, right in the Lakewood Towne Center there is one.  In fact there are 2 pet supply stores close by.  Closest to our home is Petsmart.

It is more like a pet supply MALL than a pet supply store. Pretty much anything you need for a Dog, cat, bird, hamster, rat, mouse, fish or chinchilla or any other (fairly common) house pet will be there and you will likely have a good number of choices too.

In fact once I was inside Petsmart for the first time I realized that it is pretty much one stop shopping.  Want dog food, of course they have it.

  AND want your dog groomed?




 an appointment with a Vet?

 A Dog training class?

  Need any sort of dog supplies at all?  Likely they have it, you can even have a dog tag custom laser engraved with what ever you want right before your eyes in about 30 seconds. 

 

      

If you want to have a new little family member this is a great place to go as well....you can purchase all kinds of small rodents here as well as a plethora or fish, and lots of pretty little birds along with everything they need for food and habitat. 

Want a cat or dog to add to your family?  Well Petsmart does not sell them, however pretty much every weekend you will find one or more adoption options parked right inside with cute pets who need homes.  Last weekend we saw a whole collection of chihuahua's for adoption.
As well as a large assortment of very cute cats.....believe me we had a hard time getting our 3 year old out of the store.


The staff has always been helpful when we come in and I would fully recommend that if you have new pups you purchase the puppy starter pack for just $20 which will give you far more than that in food and supplies you will need.

Need anything for your furry friends?  If you live in Lakewood what you want is very close by.

 

You can find Petsmart at

 

10210 59th Ave SW
Lakewood, Washington 98499

If you need to call them for any reason they can be reached @ (253) 584-7920

 

Tri-Lake Treasures- H and L Produce

Tri-Lake Treasures

Even before we moved to Lakewood WA, our family would drive across town to go to H & L produce.  Now that we live here in Lakewood, we are pretty spoiled with it being just over a mile away.  Year round this produce store that actually could better be categorized as a gourmet food store that specializes in carrying fresh ( mostly local) produce and meats. 





I love going there because we always find a huge variety of fresh fruit and I can stop by when we need to pick up more produce as well as a cut or 2 of meat and any fixings to go with it. 

I do believe that H & L carries the largest selection around for instance of specialty salad dressings.  You can also find a variety of fresh local frozen fruit, a full service meat shop, breads, a very nice selection of wine, original and tasty candies ( which I do my best to avoid) chips and very very good fresh salsa.

Top this off with the fact that seasonally you will find hanging flower baskets, garden veggies to plant, pots for your plants, fall planted pots, wreaths, bedding plants and much more.  Also a nice place to pick up an affordable and beautiful seasonal flower arrangement.

Need to shop early or late? That's ok, they are open from 6am to 10am. 

Tri-Lake Treasures- Pediatric Dental Assoc.

Tri-Lake Treasures….

In the short time we have lived in Lakewood I have discovered that besides the beautiful landscape, there are many other treasures.  Some of these treasures are the local businesses and business people. 

One of these is Pediatric Dental Associates.  From the first step into their 2^nd story waiting room, you feel welcome.  The waiting room is of course very child friendly and is sectioned into 3 areas with lots of fun and inviting toys for many ages of children.  I have appreciated this a great deal since I usually have one child with me who is not getting treatment and we end up waiting in the waiting room.

 Smile from one of Pediatric Dental's Patients.

 What really makes  Pediatric Dental Associates  a true Tri Lake Treasure is their  careful and complete patient exams and friendly and knowledgable staff. When  they work with my children not only do they do a great exam, the also make them comfortable and take the time to explain everything to them in a manner that they can understand .  They also have gone out of their way for our family with getting authorization for a dental surgery for our youngest child with our insurance company and have kept us in the loop every step of the way.  They take most insurance, they are quick and efficient and so far with our family very on time with all their appointments as well. 

 

If you live in Lakewood, or even further away and have to make the drive, I would recommend Pediatric Dental Associates to anyone who has a need for the services of a pediatric dentist.

 To Make an appointment call 253 582 2626

Pediatric Dental Associates are located @ 6015 100th Street SW, in Lakewood WA 98499.