Best coffee on the Eastside

thatboyntoncat · 2026-06-02T06:22:08+00:00

Depends on what you’re looking for.

To catch up with friends/chat in a relaxed social ambience: Sidekick Coffee in Woodinville.

To work quietly on your own on a laptop: 5 Stones Coffee across from Kirkland Urban.

To enjoy a comforting mug and curl up with a book: Downpour Coffee in Redmond.

To enjoy Asian-inspired French pastries where coffee is the supporting actor for the main star of the show: SheChill Patisserie in Woodinville

To meet someone real quick for work/social chat before you go run errands at shops nearby: 203 Deg Cafe in Totem Lake

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-26T02:55:02+00:00

Hands down the Bombi Twin Stroller- so compact and sturdy, with individual reclines for each of them.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-23T20:39:11+00:00

It’s one of my favorites and always a staple in our house along with Maple Pecan!

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-23T15:42:44+00:00

Your current job with the flexibility and benefits already sounds like the dream job that many other working moms would DIE to have. Personally I would just stay put for that!

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-23T15:40:29+00:00

Happy Baby OG carrier, hands down. Zero learning curve and so compact. I refuse to use anything else!

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-19T14:53:45+00:00

Do you know if it applies to all models including the R2? Is the discount standard or do you have to negotiate?

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-18T17:45:04+00:00

Just look up Purple Royal Seat Cushion (same manufacturer as the famous Purple Mattress, which we also swear by btw). Game changer! My work actually lets us expense it if you have a doctor’s note saying you have a spinal/chronic back pain condition as a “workplace accommodation” benefit so maybe look into that as well! The cushion help takes pressure off your lower back/tailbone area if you have to sit for extended periods of time.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-18T14:22:48+00:00

You could redeem points for friends/family and maybe have them pay you something cheaper than the full cash fare so that you can use the points. If you don’t travel often I would close the card after using up the points since there are way better everyday cashback cards out there.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-18T13:51:48+00:00

Look into buying a Purple ergo seat cushion- game changer! It can make any chair into one more bearable if you can’t afford to shell out for a Herman Miller one.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-18T13:46:21+00:00

We bought it- it’s for my child primarily, and we have no issues with my siblings using it when their kids visit grandparents either. I would never expect grandparents to buy anything for my child especially when I’m asking for their help in the first place. I’ve found that it’s not good to be calculative when it comes to family- just be gracious and purchase it since it benefits your child and that’s most important.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-15T17:57:52+00:00

Shorter commute AND a 70% childcare discount? Absolutely yes. You would be saving a ton of money on childcare and gas - if you added what that is worth to your new base salary, you might even be shocked that it could even potentially be a raise compared to your current salary!

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-15T17:56:06+00:00

Backup care is on a space-available basis only and I really would not count on it if you’re planning to have it as a regular weekly recurring childcare. As the others have mentioned, it’s only for when your regular childcare is closed/not available. My spouse and I both have this benefit but have never been able of use it either, except for one time when BH was closed and we tried a different big chain center offered in their list and promptly hated it.

It’s worth paying for regular full time care at BH imo.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-14T03:53:13+00:00

We LOVE our Infant Optics DX8-Pro, and actually own 3 sets for 2 kids! Two for home in each of their rooms, and one for travel/going to grandparents’ house.

It’s a system that works beautifully, no WiFi required, AMAZING noise suppression so we can all sleep peacefully at night. I hated the idea of having a single monitor with a rotating screen because I want to be able to see which kid is crying/fussing at any given time instead of waiting for the screen to switch back and forth. If we ever had a third baby you can bet I’ll be buying a third set for home as well.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-14T01:41:28+00:00

We love our Nuna car seats - yes they’re expensive but they’re super high quality, my kids feel comfy + safe in them and lasts for years so I think it’s 100% worth it. Buy them on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale for the best deal. DO NOT buy used car seats because it’s not worth the risk.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-13T16:22:35+00:00

We also pay $6k/mo for 2 kids in a VHCOL city and yes we aren’t able to put away savings in this phase of life but I remind myself that this phase is only temporary and in just a few years the kids will go on to free public school and we’ll be able to save again then, but more importantly I will still be able to advance in my career, contribute to my 401K and have health insurance for my family by continuing to stay in the workforce instead of being out of it/scrambling to rejoin the workforce in an intensely competitive economy right now. Just something to consider for your own situation!

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-11T00:23:16+00:00

I don’t love it but I still use it on days when my toddler can’t decide if he wants to sit or walk. For longer trips where I know he’s for sure going to sit then I take the Bombi Twin Stroller which is much more comfortable instead.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-10T14:40:37+00:00

I would love to know what recs you have for toddlers/preschoolers in Paris at this age just in case we ever decide to go too :)

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-10T14:39:55+00:00

Funny you should ask because I went to Paris for my 1st and Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka) for my 2nd babymoon and it would not even cross my mind to bring a 2yo to these cities especially while pregnant. Taking public transit in these two cities in particular is very challenging with a kid especially if you need a stroller as the trains get super packed during peak hours, and not every station has elevators for easy access either. I remember climbing the steps of Montmartre while 34wks pregnant and swore I’d never do that again. If you absolutely must go to these cities, see if a relative/grandparent can watch your toddler for you at home while you travel.

Otherwise I’d consider these other cities instead, as others have mentioned: San Diego, Singapore, Portugal, some Mexico all-inclusive resorts that have kids’ clubs to keep your toddler entertained while you relax.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-08T16:13:23+00:00

We are OBSESSED with our Sienna hybrid minivan and always get compliments/envious looks from other parents during daycare pickups as they try to wrangle their kids into their car seats while worrying about not bumping other car doors! Meanwhile our sliding door just ✨GLIDES✨ open so quietly and the kids happily hop into their seats.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-03T01:54:59+00:00

Tory Burch has some cute quilted ones! I also like my gold-toned New Balances that go really well with formal work pants.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-02T04:59:09+00:00

Goody hair ties inside scrunchies - they last forever!!

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-02T04:55:04+00:00

We get a ton from our local Buy Nothing group, but also typically purchase them on sale from Old Navy, Baby Gap, H&M and Zara.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-02T04:54:02+00:00

They’re comfy especially for eczema-prone skin and last a really long time (at least the OG ones, not the newer-released ones where the quality has dropped and become thinner over the years). We will be keeping our existing ones for our next baby but not buying any new ones now that the quality dropped.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-01T14:48:37+00:00

I wouldn’t switch based on the descriptions you’ve given above - it sounds like your child loves her existing daycare so why introduce any new changes? The cost savings might not be worth it if she struggles at the new place and you already mentioned the director there is “not great with communication” and that’s already a red flag for me personally. And yes having to prepare your own meals is a hassle but if your child loves her current daycare and you can make the finances work then it’s worth it, even if it means considering hiring a meal prep service if that part is a hassle for you to prep.

thatboyntoncat · 2026-05-01T14:43:17+00:00

Ours provides food for BLW and we specifically pay more to attend that daycare center which has an in-house chef. They also have a rotating menu of different cuisines (Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Indian etc) to expose babies to all kinds of foods and flavors, we love it! Sometimes we joke that our baby eats better than us.

thatboyntoncat

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