The Farm Stand

After school today, Mom and the boys and I walked to the produce stand. It's fall...there are pumpkins and sunflowers and cabbages and onions and and apples and kale and all kinds of seasonal veggies and fruits. Just a few pictures...

A Trip to Tillicum Village at Blake Island

One thing I learned in England was how to be a tourist in your own town. No, it's not corny...and I don't know why people have that perception. Even if you don't live in a tourist destination, it's still cool to get out and do the museums and historical sites and restaurants. Of course, when you have company in town, you really have no excuse except to get out there and show 'em what makes your town special. 

I had been thinking that the boys would enjoy this Argosy Cruise to Blake Island to see how the Tillicum Indians lived ever since we first heard about it back in June when Mike's parents were here and we did the Argosy Locks Cruise. With Mom here, it seemed like the perfect time to do it!

Our second Argosy cruise and our second truly excellent
tour guide. They really do train these guys well.

On board the Good Time II.

Looking back at Seattle from our boat, far out in Elliot Bay in the Puget Sound.
What a gorgeous day!

Ollie using his binoculars! 

Mom and I, sheltered from the wind and enjoying the boat ride together.

After about an hour boat ride to Blake Island, we de-boarded
and were promptly welcomed with steaming mugs of
littleneck clams in hot broth. The boys had fun dropping their
clam shells on the ground.

Inside the lodge, salmon was being cooked in the traditional Tillicum way.

Can you even imagine how good this smelled? Probably not, but it was
amazing. We got in line for our meal and show.

The lodge was full of native art. Here's just one example.

The dinner buffet was delicious...There was smoked salmon, venison stew, green beans, rice, salad, and a delicious apple pie dessert. While we ate, the lights went down low and we watched a great little show--part multi-media, part live acting--about the native people of the Northwest and the Tillicum people in particular. I captured just a little of the show on video...

After the show, we had about a half an hour to explore the island before
we re-boarded Good Time II for the return trip to Pier 54 in Seattle's waterfront
district. 

The boys threw rocks in the water. Mt. Ranier is visible on this clear day
waaaaay off in the distance. A gorgeous day! 

Stand-Up Paddle Board Yoga and Consignment Shopping

I bought a couple of Groupons for stand-up paddle board yoga lessons when Dawn first got to town. The classes must book up quickly because we had to book a few weeks out to find openings! This morning was our first of three classes (possibly Dawn's first and last, but more on that later!).

We went with Angie, our partner in crime from yesterday's Warrior Dash. She is an experienced yoga practitioner. I'm a definite beginner and Dawn's opinion of yoga is, and I quote, "I don't like it." But she's a good sport and game for anything (love that spirit!), so she joined in.

We got TOTALLY lost trying to find the surf shop in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. We were about 10 minutes late for the class, but they still let us jump in. We missed the paddleboard tutorial, but did okay all the same.

Cute little surf shop!

Our instructor rolled all the paddleboards across the street to the beach on
this big cart. Love these colors!

After paddling across Shilshole Bay (I recognized this area from our Argosy Locks Cruise with Clyde and Delores), we tethered up to a rope that stretched between two buoys. There were about eight women in our class, plus the instructor who had anchored her paddleboard out in front.

The paddle out was a nice warm up and the yoga on the paddleboard was really something unique. It was slightly more challenging than traditional yoga because of the shifting surface, but it was also so much more sublime because of the environment. The feel of the current and the wake from passing boats beneath you. The sound of birds in the far distance and the sound of the water lapping the board in the near distance. The smell of the salt water. The light breeze and the sun on your skin. I absolutely loved the setting. The yoga practice itself was a really great experience. I'm definitely hooked and can't wait to go back.

I was curious to know how Angie and Dawn liked it but it wasn't until we all had paddled back to shore and were hauling our boards back up the beach that we had a chance to talk. Angie loved it as much as I did but Dawn had been battling nausea and vertigo pretty much since the first Downward Facing Dog. Poor thing. The upside-down view of the skyline with the water flowing past the board was enough to do her in and she never really recovered. I think she couldn't wait to get back on solid ground!

What's the perfect antidote for nausea and vertigo? 

Sushi.

We checked out a conveyor-belt sushi joint called Blue C Sushi, which was really good. Angie, sweet thing, treated us. So nice. 

Shrimp tempura roll. Mmmm.

Must come back. Very good.

Then we walked two doors down to a coffee shop for
a little caffeinated pick-me-up.

Hot coffee. Simply the best.

We spent the next few hours browsing at a high-end consignment shop in Seattle. We all scored at least two pairs of designer jeans (Seven for All Mankind, Lucky Brand, Joe's, Paige, and Citizens of Humanity) and various tops and sweaters. Angie got a bag and I also got a great belt. Score!

Happy Birthday, Donger!

Few people I know take their birthday as seriously as my friend Dawn. :) I knew we'd have to do something special for her "big day," just so she'd know how much we love her! (Spoiler Alert: Our official birthday celebration is happening on Sunday night at the Space Needle.)

We ate a little lunch at home and then headed out to Coal Creek Parkway for a kid-friendly hike. The trail was nice and wide, not too steep, and ran alongside a little creek most of the way. 

Intrepid hikers.

Trailblazing Ollie.

  

Being goofy.

A genuine laugh.

After our hike, by special request on the part of the birthday girl, we made a trip to Baskin Robbins' 31 Flavors. Only the day before, Dawn had changed her mind from "chocolate cupcakes" to "pralines 'n' cream ice cream" as her birthday treat. And what the birthday girl wants, the birthday girl gets. The boys were thrilled, of course. Ollie got chocolate and Merrit got pop-rocks flavor. 

We headed home, rested for a bit, and then geared up for Dawn's birthday-request dinner. I made potato salad and deviled eggs. Then her birthdayness emerged from her chamber (where she'd been resting and watching Netflix) and, together, we pattied out some burgers to grill and got all the fixins ready--plus baked beans. Here's the menu Donger requested: burgers with buns, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion; baked beans; deviled eggs; potato salad. 

Happy Birthday!

After dinner, we got the kids in bed and then Mike, Dawn, and I built a campfire in the back yard. The truth is, we really didn't stay out there that long; we were all so tired. But it was a great day all the same. Happy Birthday to an awesome friend, who's 39 one month BEFORE me! :)

VBS and Vasa Park

This week, the boys are in VBS from 9 to 12 every morning. Today, after VBS, we packed a picnic lunch and hit Vasa Park on Lake Sammamish. This is a great park only 1.8 miles from our house. We hung out from about 12:30 til almost 4:00. Awesome! Here are the highlights in pictures...

The park has a cool swim platform about 20 feet out with tube slices
and diving boards. A U-shaped dock makes a kiddie enclosure for the
little guys, too. A great beach!

Merrit received this pool float from our friends, the
McGanns, for his birthday. We tried it out today for
the first time.

Ollie gave it a whirl too.

The temps here are about 79 to 81 degrees. Really nice!

The boys hit the merry-go-round and dried off for a bit.

What fun!

A great park to know about--and so close to home!

Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day. My own mom is on board somewhere in the Pamlico Sound / Intercoastal Waterway in North Carolina with her hubby on a little vacation this week. Though I can't spend the day with her, I really enjoyed reading her blog post dedicated to her mom (my grandma): http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/05/mother-knows-best-i-know-because-she.html

Now that I'm a mom myself, I get to enjoy Mother's Day in a whole new light. Today--after being allowed to sleep in ("Aaaaaahhhh")--I woke to a breakfast of bagel with cream cheese and lox, tea, and fresh-picked flowers from the yard. My two little angels delivered the goods:

Mmmm, my favorite breakfast! Thanks boys!

Isn't this sweet?

After breakfast, we got ready for the day and drove about
20 minutes to the Snowqualmie Falls. Ollie in his peach
shirt beside the peach-colored rhododendrons was too
good to pass up...

The trail to the base of the falls is closed until March
2013, but we enjoyed the view from the upper observation
deck. 

Gorgeous! And so close to home. A perfect day trip.

We could be honeymooners....

In the historic downtown of Snowqualmie, we wandered
into a curio and antique toy shop. 

After we ate lunch at the Snowqualmie Brewery and Tap
House, I snapped this pic of my two cutie-pies
while we waited for Mike to pay the bill and come outside.

In the afternoon, we stopped by Home Depot, bought a very basic, entry-level gas grill ($99) as well as a portable charcoal hibachi-style grill ($39). The gas grill won't be assembled and ready for pick-up until tomorrow, but with out little hibachi, we were able to grill out tonight. Yay.

Before we got the grill fired up, though, we took our neighbor up on her offer to user her paddle boat any time we liked. At first, I just took Ollie out alone but since he couldn't peddle, we just kept going in circles!!! So, I talked Mike into joining us and the kids both hopped on the back. It was great to finally had the chance to get out on the water a little bit and explore. Lots of people were on the lake today (non-motorized craft only), some people on innertubes and rafts, some in kayaks, one in a canoe, a couple of kids on stand-up paddle boards, one rowboat, and two different floating swim platforms. The water is still COLD but getting warmer. People who were swimming had wet suits on. I totally want to try out the stand-up paddle board. It's supposed to be an awesome workout. And, best of all NO SHARKS in the lake! Ha ha. We are also scouring Craigslist for a good deal on a used canoe. Can't wait to spend our summer on the water!

Our little hibachi on top of a rock wall, the hot tub cover standing in as our
buffet. Merrit looking out at the lake. :) 

Waiting for the burgers to cook...

Candy Apples and Other Things You've Been Missing

I've been a bad mommy blogger. Why so quiet? It's partly because I've been super busy with my resume-writing business, partly because I've been really focused on my fitness routine (I'm on Day 44 of Shaun T's 60-day Insanity workout DVD series...but that's another post for another day), and partly because life feels a little more settled, a little less novel, and a little less worth sharing than it did in England. Not throwing a pity party...just saying. But a few gentle prods from family have spurred me back into the saddle again. So, here's some of what you have been missing...

Candy apples for Ollie's preschool bake sale fundraiser.

Ollie is loving preschool, and comes home tired!

Grape hyacinth are blooming all along the rock wall that
circles our driveway.

Ollie and I making peanut butter rice krispie treats (sweetened with agave).
Ollie is practicing his counting skills.

Here's the little guy, helping me out around the house.

For Easter, we were invited to the home of some new friends for a hunt.

Three families with seven kids between us. After the egg
hunt, everyone came back to our house for an afternoon
by the lake.

On Easter morning, Ollie found an Easter basket with his name on it.

The boys at the end of our dock. We have had some nice, sunny weather
over the last few weeks!

Mike and Ollie practicing their cast. We have seen
largemouth bass in the lake...they like to hang out
right under the dead tree by our dock.

I mostly sit in the grass and read while the kids play.

We have also heard that there are trout and catfish in this lake, too, but
haven't seen or caught any.

The water is super clear for a lake. We can't wait for
summer when we can actually go swimming! For now,
wading will have to do.

Over the boys' spring break, we went indoor rock climbing.

Even Ollie got on belay.

I haven't climbed since 1995, when I took two semesters of
rock climbing at NC State. It was great to give it a go again!

Sign at the indoor climbing wall. Awesome.

This certified instructor knows how to belay.
I used to know how to belay and tie all the knots, but
I'm rusty. If we wanted to keep climbing at this gym, though, I could
brush up on my skills and pass their test to be certified myself.

At the Seattle Aquarium, the kids talked through the glass to a scuba diver
on the other side. 

She was wired up to be able to hear them and answer them
through her gear.

Outside the aquarium, with the Puget Sound in the background.

Ollie checks out the Sea Otters.

And that's how they get ya...

The boys watched the ferries come and go from the aquarium lobby.

What do you want to eat for lunch after a visit the aquarium?
Fish.

We ate outside, right on the water. It was a beautiful day. Too bad Mike had
to work!

Sadly, this is what passes for fish and chips here. I should have known better,
but I was missing England. Tsk, tsk....lesson learned.
Here's what fish and chips SHOULD look like.

After lunch, the boys got some ice cream.

We watched a boat builder for a while.

And then found an arcade.

The boys at the Seattle waterfront.

On the recommendation of a friend, I found a hair stylist who will come to
the house and do the kids' cuts for just $10. Awesome.

More fishing. Is it just me, or does this seem straight off the Andy Griffith Show?
C'mon, whistle along...you know you want to.

We've literally been living in the back yard for the last
three consecutive weekends. The weather has been lovely.

Baiting up the hooks.

I'm fishing from the end of the dock. We actually saw some guys in a flat-
bottomed boat catch and release a huge bass last week. He's still out there,
although probably a bit wiser...

What we thought was a grill (it's been under a tarp since
we got here) is actually a smoker. We gave it a go, but
couldn't figure out how to get the temp above 200 F.
We'll be in the market for a gas grill here soon.

As the afternoon wears on, the temps get a bit cooler, but
the boys still love to wade and splash around in the water.

Skippy is really, really starting to dislike Ollie.
We are trying to help him understand boundaries. 

Tulips blooming along the driveway's edge.

Homemade pizza. Mmm.

Getting ready to work out. Ollie likes to watch!

We had some friends over for hot tub fun.

What a funny kid...that's all I have to say about that.

A couple of weekends ago, we drove up to the town of
Mount Vernon for the Tulip Festival and Street Fair.
More ice cream was had.

Tree lined streets and a beautiful sunny day made the
street festival a very enjoyable experience.

The main attraction: field after field after field of tulips in bloom.

After school one day, our boys and one of Merrit's class-
mates played with giant bubble wands in the back yard.

I baked up a dish of Toad in the Hole for dinner one night. Basically, it's
sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter...a proper English dinner.

These next few pictures were taken just last week, when
Ollie's preschool class took a field trip to the zoo in Seattle.

Ollie watching the orangutan....

...then imitating it.

We went for a ride on the zoo's classic carousel. The
last time we rode one, we were in London.

At the penguin exhibit.

Playing near the San Juan Islands exhibit.

Climbing with two school friends on a komodo dragon sculpture.

This past Saturday, we went for a short hike in the woods
near our house. We were able to walk to the trail head
right from our front door. :)

That night, we had a sleepover planned for Merrit.
Mommy needs coffee!

The boys helped Mike collect kindling and start the fire.

Sometimes I can't believe this is our back yard. We are
truly blessed to have found this house on the lake!

Almost time for s'mores!

Instructing Ollie on proper marshmallow toasting technique.

Oh yeah!

I limited myself to just one. Delicious.

I have no idea how many Merrit ate. I think he lost count.

Campfire cuddling.

Merrit and his friend looking for fish. The lilypads are
growing in. We aren't sure how thick they'll get by summer...

Before bed, with a little help from Mike, the boys designed a raccoon trap.
(That's catfood in a small plastic bowl, tied with dental floss to a pencil.)
You may remember this box from our "goodbye friends" treasure hunt.

PJ-clad boys strategize about what they'll do when and
if they actually catch a critter.