Monday, March 31, 2008

Seattle Day 3

On Saturday, our third day in Seattle, we had another full day of activity planned. As soon as Jeff and Shanna realized it was a clear day they brought us up to the roof of their building. The view was awesome.



Afterwards we headed to a local park near Jeff and Shanna's apartment. The park was beautiful and very old. We went into a historical water tower and I snapped some really cool shots of the light coming through the windows. They just may be my favorite pictures of the whole trip.









Tobey loved getting on his Uncle Jeff's shoulders when he got tired of walking. Jeff and Shanna got new names while we stayed at their place. They are now Jess and Nanners or Neena. After the park we headed back to the Bed & Breakfast to pick up Mimi and PawPaw. We were supposed to go on a tour at a local chocolate store but when we got there they were booked up for the day. But we got to sample lots of chocolate anyway. Then we headed down to the harbor where we spent the rest of the day. I loved walking on the pier and looking out at the water.



We took a cruise around the harbor on a boat called the Spirit of Seattle. Tobey had a really good time on his first boat ride ever. The view was great and we got to listen to some fun Seattle history and trivia.









Then we headed over to the Seattle Aquarium. And we found Nemo and Dory. Tobey didn't want to leave them and he kept asking for Nemo. So we made several strolls past their aquarium.







The last stop for the day was the Farmer's Market again. This time we bought some salmon, halibut, and fresh vegetables. Then we went back to the apartment and Jeff cooked some really yummy fish for us along with fresh corn on the cob and sauteed mixed vegetables. It was better than our dinner the night before. Tobey ate two cobs all by himself. We just sat around and talked the rest of the evening. Tobey fell asleep in my arms in the midst of our conversations. This was my most favorite day of the whole trip.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Seattle Day 2

Our 2nd day in Seattle was very touristy. We all loaded up in the minivan to make our way to the Space Needle. Our first stop was REI though. A certain someone (Pat) did not pack a jacket and she was freezing. We had alot of fun walking around this store. Jeff and Shanna are REI members so Pat was able to get a 30% discount. In the kids section they had an indoor play area and Tobey had his 1st traumatic playground experience. Some kid came up and grabbed his face and squeezed really hard. I was not there because I was over looking at the toddler hiking shoes but Rodney said he got on to the other kid and told him that wasn't nice. He said the kids parents didn't seem to be around or they didn't care or maybe they were embarrassed. Anyway I could hear my child screaming from the shoe section and I ran over. One side of his face was red and blotchy and it looked like a fingernail had scraped right under his eye. I am kind of rambling off here but we went to the park this past Wednesday and Tobey was terrified of the other children on the playground. I had to walk him up the stairs so he could go down the slide. One little girl got really close to him on the stairs and he looked at me frantically and said mommy, mommy. This is the same park we always go to. I couldn't believe how scared he was but once the other kids left the playground he was fine. So yes I am calling his playground experience at REI traumatic. Although Rodney and I have commented to each other that maybe it was a good but hard lesson for him because he has had some bullying tendencies lately. 

Anyway back to Seattle and the Space Needle. The Space Needle was our first stop. We hung out in the gift shop while Phil and Jeff drove around looking for a parking place. The parking in Seattle is very scarce. Jeff and Shanna have one car but they usually just ride the bus everywhere or walk. Tobey picked out a stuffed toy shaped like the Space Needle. I didn't want to buy it for him but then Rodney asked him what it was and he said "space eedle". I was so impressed that I forked over the $10 bucks and then another $20 bucks for a hooded sweatshirt with the Space Needle on front. Tobey wore it the rest of the day. We finally went up in the Space Needle and it was very cool. It was kind of a cloudy day so we could not see Mt. Rainier. Jeff and Shanna found there apartment building through one of the telescopes and we all took turns looking at it.

















After the Space Needle we ate lunch. Jeff had packed our lunches so that we could splurge on dinner later. We found a table in the food court and spread our stuff out. There was a children's museum underneath the food court. Tobey and I spent about an hour down there playing and exploring. He had so much fun. I loved this little museum and could not help thinking that it would be an awesome place for our play date friends. There was a toddler play area for children under age three only. A music section where the kids could play with different instruments. Tobey loved the drums. There was a section set up like a little town with a house and stores and the kids could play pretend. My favorite was the create your own artwork section. Tobey painted an awesome picture that I had to leave there because it was too wet to carry around with us. But at least I got a picture of it. 









Next we strolled over to the singing fountain. It doesn't really sing but it is choreographed to music. There were a few crazy kids running through the water and it was freezing outside. I bet there parents were not happy with them. Here is a little video of the fountain. That is Jeff and Tobey and Rodney standing in front. Right after I stopped videoing 2 jets of water shot out of the top of the fountain. It was very cool.



Then we went to the Pacific Science museum and Tobey saw his first Imax movie and it was 3-D! He kept his glasses on maybe 10 minutes so I am glad I got this picture. He fell asleep about half  way through the movie. He was really good on the trip. He just fell asleep whenever he got tired. He slept alot in the carseat.

We stayed at the museum until they closed at 5pm and then made our way to the market. Jeff was really excited about showing us the market. We sampled some smoked salmon at one of the fresh fish vendors. Since it was past 5pm all the vendors were closing up for the day. We did buy some fresh daffodils though. They were beautiful. We found a little restaurant overlooking the harbor and had some fish. It was so good.  Then we walked down Pike Place a little ways and found the first Starbucks ever built. It was very crowded so we decided to not get coffee. I was pretty worn out at this point since I had been awake since 6:30am. We went back to the apartment after this and the Fann family were all in bed by 10pm. We were exhausted and felt much more rested on our 3rd day.


The beautiful daffodils!


Hanging out in Mimi's and PawPaw's room at the Bed & Breakfast.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Seattle Day 1


We woke Tobey up early Thursday morning and he was so excited as we sat in the living room and waited for Mimi and PawPaw to come and pick us up. When we arrived at our gate he perched himself in front of this window so he could watch the airplanes. He was in awe. He was such a good boy on the plane although he did not care for his seat belt. That was a major struggle. About 30 minutes into the flight Tobey decided to fill his diaper with some not so good stuff. I had to change him while he stood on the toilet in the airplane lavatory. That was an experience. We arrived in Seattle around noon and then met up with Jeff and Shanna at Dick's Drive-In. If you ever make it to Seattle you must get a hamburger at Dick's. Very tasty! Then we headed to their apartment where Rodney, Tobey, and I stayed. They have a little studio apartment and we were all very cozy but comfortable. Pat and Phil stayed right across the street in a Bed & Breakfast. It worked out perfectly. That evening we all went and saw Shanna's play while Tobey hung out with Jeff back at the apartment. The play did not start until 8pm and was 3 hours long. Our bodies were still on central time so even though we were in bed by midnight it felt much later. Then Tobey decided to wake up at 6:30am the next morning. I convinced him to snuggle up with me for almost an hour but we never really went back to sleep. That was rough. Rodney and I both were very tired that day and we had a full day of activity which I will get to in my next post. I have so many pictures and stories to post that I decided to spread it out in 5 posts. One for each day of our trip. So I am signing out for tonight and will pick up with day 2 tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Packed and ready to go!



We are on our way to the Space Needle bright and early in the morning. We are traveling with Rodney's parents to see his sister Shanna and her husband Jeff who moved to Seattle this past summer. We are very excited about seeing them and visiting a new and beautiful place. Tobey got in bed early this evening. We have to wake him up at 6:30am in the morning. That is early for my boy. I am sure he will be a tad cranky. But he is excited about riding on an airplane with Mimi and PawPaw so I am sure he will perk up once we get to the airport. Here's a little run down on the agenda. We arrive in Seattle around noon and tomorrow evening we will go see Shanna in a play. It is the last night of the play so she will be free to hang out the rest of our trip. Friday and Saturday we will just hang out in Seattle and see as much as we can see. The Space Needle being the top priority for the hubs. Sunday morning we will attend a sunrise Easter service that takes place outside. It is very casual and Shan said we can dress as we like. I will be in jeans. Can I get an Amen. After the service we will drive to Vancouver and take a ferry to Victoria where we are spending the night. The next day we will hang out in Victoria particularly the Butchart gardens and then head back to Seattle. Then we head for home on Tuesday. It is a kind of a quick trip and we are going to try and cram as much fun and excitement as we can into those five days. I am sure I will take tons of pictures that I will share in a week or so. Hope you all have a blessed Easter weekend!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Some new pieces

I still have not found a kiln so it may be a while before I can post a truly finished piece of pottery. But here are my newest pieces. A mug and a honey pot.


Mid week boredom resulting in random home videos

I have just spent over an hour trying to figure out how to upload a video from my camera. I finally got it after several outbursts of frustration. Not much has been going on for us this week. We went to the park today just to get out of the house. Rodney was working tonight and we were bored so we made some home videos. The first one is Tobey helping me sing Little Red Caboose. He is chiming in with choo choo between the verses. It is one of his favorite songs right after The Wheels on the Bus and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I wish I had gotten a video of him doing his motions to both of those songs but I will save that for another time. We have started singing all three before he goes to bed or down for a nap or in the car when he is so very restless. The second video is Tobey making all of his animal sounds. I love how he got the parrot sound confused for a duck but then corrected himself without me saying a word. His parrot sound is my favorite animal sound. The last video is about his friend Boz that he denies being friends with in the video. I know the truth though. They are pretty good pals. Boz goes hand in hand with Tobey's blanket of the day. Where ever the blanket is that is where Boz will be. He is readily available for cuddling in bed with Mommy in the mornings or watching cartoons from the couch. And he is always there for bedtime. He's pretty reliable. I guess Tobey doesn't want to admit how much he needs Boz. I am glad that Mommy and Daddy are his friends. And Jesus too! He said Jesus for the first time the other night when we were singing Jesus loves me. He said it almost as if he were singing the word. It was very sweet. Take note at the end of the video when he kisses Boz good night and quickly wipes it away. He is such a boy!