Friday 82914 Pacific Science Center

We had so many choices of things to do on Friday and the kids chose the Pacific Science Center.  They were showing a special 3d IMAX about Lemurs in Madagascar and the kids really wanted to see it.  We walked over to the museum and sat down to eat lunch outside when a seagull swooped down and took Noah's WHOLE sandwich!  He was so upset and angry and was cursing seagulls all day.

There was a spy exhibit....

And we were hidden by our cool 3D glasses.

After the IMAX movie we toured the science center which involved a large butterfly habitat.  We loved the different kinds and colors, though Maeve was melting in the 80 degree heat.

Noah desperately wanted a butterfly to land on him and he waited for a VERY long time.  They were landing on everyone around him and he was so patient until it finally happened! He was super excited.

On our way out we saw the Axolotl which was a special animal we learned about in VBS this year.

It was a great museum and one we hope to visit often!

Thursday 82814 Discovery Park

Today we drove out to Discovery Park which is an old naval base that is now a park. I thought the kids and I could hike to the beach and have a picnic. We hiked for a while and enjoyed some familiar berries along the way. 

We got to a place where we could see the water bit we were on a cliff and couldn't figure out how to get down!

We stopped and are lunch and I thought it was best to turn back. Noah insisted we keep trying and so we did. We found a path down the cliff with hundreds of steps and I was really worried about getting the kids back up!

When we got down to the beach it was really cool. It was full of tons of driftwood and am insane amount sea life. Noah quickly made some friends and they started digging for crabs together. 

There were snails, sea anemone, crabs, fish, ghost jellyfish, sea urchins and many other interesting things!

I spent some time chatting with the nanny of the other children and she offered to give us a ride back to our car (I think that was the best part of the day!)

Here's the map...we parked from the East lot to the red dot. The papers I read said only people with disabilities could drive to the beach. Apparently children under 8 count! I'll remember that next time!

Then we stopped at the famous Molly Moons ice cream on the way home. Everything there is all natural so the sprinkles are naturally dyed and the whipped cream is fresh. We even watched then making the waffle cones right there. I had Earl grey and nectarine blondie. It was great!

Oh and there aren't any trashcans!! Everything can be composted. Bowls and spoons too!

Gas

This is for 87. 

Listening

It's hard work. If I would only listen. 

Ps. I find it smirk worthy when God says things like this. Besides being true it is amusing to think of our stubborn nature and also how much our Almighty must sit there shaking his head. 

Fairies

There are real live roller skating fairies in Seattle. 

Ponies

We didn't bring many toys. The ponies are a staple. 

Rookies

We haven't mastered shopping and city living 

Wednesday 82714

I woke up today rejoicing in this apartment building because I can roll out of bed and just go down a few levels to the gym.  No car rides, no mental arguments about whether the drive is worth it at 5am. Paul doesn't leave until after 8 so a nice 6:30am workout is easy and still lets me sleep!

Noah finally slept in today which was much needed as the kids have been up very early every day.  We got ourselves together and planned a long walk (10 blocks each way) to the Seattle Public library.  I read online that with a library card you get get free admission to the museums so I had ulterior motives.  I let them get a doughnut at Top Pot on the way and though the walk was long Maeve and I enjoyed window shopping at Macy's and Nordstrom's along the way.

Creative signage:

When we got there we were all in awe of the size and shape of this place!!!

We enjoyed signing up and picking our books and just relaxing in the library. 

Even the flooring was hip

And the oboks!

We set up a lunch date with Daddy on the way back at Westlake Park to let the kids play a little.  He just enjoyed a free concert at Amazon -- Cage the Elephant and headed to meet us.

The park was small but very friendly and the kids climbed for almost two hours.  Noah got to walk through the fountain wall as well (still keeping Maeve's cast dry!)

So far today is amazing.  And still 85 and perfect weather.

Tuesday 82614

Today was a rough day.... but that happens every now and then, huh.

I started off with a great morning run/walk along Elliot Bay for a solid 90 minutes of sunrise and waterfront.  It was so beautiful and so energizing.

When I got home the kids got up and got ready to go and register for school and I finally had all of the paperwork and documentation I needed to get the kids settled.  I drove to the office building which was in a dubious neighborhood and we went inside to find pure chaos.  We got in the enrollment line which was 50 people deep and waited.  Almost 2 hours later we made it to the front of the line.  While waiting the kids were a mess!  Noah kept knocking over the line markers, Maeve laid on the ground screaming and much fun was to be had.  The best part was when Maeve in her best 5 year old whining voice screamed across the room to a muslim family -- WHY CAN'T I HAVE ONE OF THOSE HEADCOVERINGS?  I WANT A PURPLE ONE!

It was pure bliss.

I was praying the whole time I had all of the right paperwork when we got to the front so that we wouldn't have to come back.  We got checked in and entered into the system and then they came to tell us that the school zone we thought we were in was changed and redistricted in May.  Instead of being in a  10/10 school we are in a 2/10 school.  In Seattle you can request to go to another school which I did but we are on a wait list.  I tried not to get too upset in front of the kids and quietly left the building having a meltdown internally only.

We stayed on course and headed to get school supplies in the University District which was cool (I love college kids).  I got a much needed pick me in in a Pumpkin Spice latte and off to buy colored pencils we went.

After the store I remembered I had seen another cool ice cream place and we walked to that was called Full Tilt.  They turn every cone of ice cream upside down and it stays in.  It was a super hip hole in the wall place and I loved it.

Yum.


Paul got home to a grumpy trio and we took our marinated flank steak to our awesome mezzanine deck and grill area and just took deep breaths in the cool evening Seattle breeze while the kids played in the "yard." So grateful for the 7th floor.

Because the weather has been insanely gorgeous the mountains were super clear tonight.

Jesus Calling today said "Trust me in the midst of a messy day...."  I didn't do so well with that.  

John 14 --  Do not let your hearts be troubled.... do not be afraid.  I'll keep working on that.  

I needed the evening reminder of beauty. 

The digs

We are currently staying in Paul's swanky apartment in Belltown.  Every neighborhood in Seattle has a name and an identity.  Belltown is a cool place and is bordered by Amazon's empire in the city.  A lot of the Amazon buildings have orange stripes in the windows to let you know they belong.  40,000 people are employed here by Amazon... pretty amazing!  Belltown is not a super family focused neighborhood but it does have it's share of parks and is very close to the space needle and the Public Market as well as Elliot Bay.

The apartment building is called via6 (we are in the right tower of the building on the 8th floor) and is beautiful and very hip, but also quite compact.  Our place is about 800 sq. ft.  The building has it's own restaurant, bar, grocery store, bike shop, gym, game room, and mezzanine floor with grills, fire pits, and party rooms.  I'm terrible at parking in the miniature spots in the garage and not so great about using the complex elevator security system either!  But there is an amazing cool breeze that flows through the place in the evenings and as we look around we certainly have everything we could ever need.

There is a little deck with city and mountain views and we are certainly close to lots of things.  

ABC's

The kids and I are doing a little end of summer school recap since we have done virtually nothing all summer.

Maeve is writing her letters (left handed) and gets to C.

Maeve:  You know what looks like a c?
Me:  What?
Maeve:  A cookie if you bite into it. Do you know what else looks like a letter c?
Me:  What?
Maeve:  A donut if you bite into it.
Me:  That's right.  What does the donut look like if you don't bite into it?
Maeve:  A donut.

Day 2 82414

We were a little off with time changes today and the pigeons were squawking at 6AM.  I was up and out for some quiet time and soon enough Maeve joined me.  Once we were all awake Paul made pancakes and I swiftly fell back asleep!

It seemed like an incredibly long day, but it was a day with no car transportation and no electronics or tv for the kids -- something they desperately needed.

We took a walk down to the Seattle Public Market and got tons of fresh fruit and veggies (purple peppers, white champagne raspberries and more),

(I have no idea what this is)

lunch at a Mexican market vendor (YUM) and ice cream at the creamery -- hello black licorice ice cream! I'm in heaven here.

We walked back to the apartment to regroup and Paul took the kids over to the space needle while I unpacked our 8 suitcases and had some head clearing moments. I went for a long run along the Olympic Sculpture park and the Elliot Bay and was mesmerized by the views.

We managed quite well to put everything away in our 800 sq. ft. place and it's kind of nice to be so close.  The coffee table is filled with ponies and animals, puzzles and trains and it's nice to be in the mix together.

Some leftover salmon and organic chicken nuggets for dinner and everyone was tucked quietly in to bed.

Night.