This past week has been a whirlwind of activities. On Tuesday, we spent the day in Tacoma, WA at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. It is a smaller zoo, but with many interesting animals and exhibits. There were two beluga(?sp) whales that could perform just like dolphins. We saw a walrus and there was also a squid disection demonstration. These were all new things to us and was a change-up from the normal zoo viewings.
On Wednesday, we hit a mall and then spent some time in a park adjacent to a beach and some spectacular homes. As a simple girl from Minnesota, I find it so interesting how they stack the homes right on top of each other, especially near the water. I thought that my sub-division lifestyle was kind of close, but I have never seen houses this close to each other, even in the mountains. This beach and other local beaches (from what I understand) was not the typical sandy beach that I expected. There was no sand, only cement steps leading down into the water. The waves were a little rough and no one was swimming. We did see many beautiful boats and they are a whole different breed from the fishing boats that I grew up with.
On Thursday, we stayed close to the hotel and explored Redmond Town Center. It is a great open air mall with wonderful shops. Now, before you start thinking that all I am doing is shopping, let me backtrack and fill in the story with this: On Wednesday, I purchased a bikini. This is the first bikini I have worn since I was 5. I fell in love with this bikini and bought it without trying it on. After I tried it on, I was dismayed because the top did not fit. So, I was on a mission to find a plain white bikini top. There was not one to be found. Talk about dejection.
On Friday, we did a little more shopping because I was determined to find a bikini top. I did find one, but they only had black. So now, I am wearing a mismatched bikini set until I find that elusive white bikini top.
Saturday was a big day for us. Jeff drove us to downtown Seattle and we met Poppy for a day of sightseeing. Poppy treated us to a day at the Pacific Science Center. We didn't plan to stay the day, but there was so much to see and do and the kids had a great time. This is an attraction that I highly recommend. The museum appealed to all of the girls and we could have easily spent another 3 hours, on top of the 3 and a half hours we were already there. After the museum we drove to Pike Street Market. The crowds were unbelieveable, and after entering the market I knew why. We parked along the waterfront and saw cruise ships and many other boats docked at the piers. There were so many seafood restaurants and the smell of the water was thick. The market was jam packed with people and we were able to see the famous fish throwing fisherman and other wares for sale. The most impressive thing for me was all of the beautiful flowers! There were so many stalls that sold flower arrangements. The average price for an arrangement was $5! This arrangement would easily be $25-$30 anywhere else. I also picked up some cherries and have been gorging myself since. These cherries are so ripe, fresh and delicious, I don't think I'll be able to purchase them in a regular grocery store again. Yum!
On Sunday, we did absolutely nothing. Jeff went into work in the morning, and I wanted to just sit and read the Sunday paper. I am so behind on current events and I am behind on all of my comic strips. On Sunday night, we did meet with Poppy again for dinner at one of Jeff's favorite restaurants-Sharp's Roaster and Alehouse. It is a BBQ joint, and I must say, it was very good. Poppy brought us some of the famously delicious cookies from the Doubletree Hotel, so our evening was complete.
The kids have seen more pool time this past week than they did all of last summer. Reese learned how to swim while on our way to Minnesota last month, so she has been having a blast. She and Emily get along better in the pool, as they now have each other to keep company. On Saturday, Noelle jumped into the pool all by herself and did not need anyone to catch her. Jeff stood in the pool while she jumped in and then swam to the surface by herself. She has been using a swim tube to keep herself afloat while she swims, but would let us throw and dunk her in the water, as long as we were holding on to her. Her leap to swimming independence may come sooner than we realize.
Other than that, the kids have been acquainting themselves with the hotel staff and spending their free time in the hotel lounge drinking hot chocolate and watching cartoons on the plasma screen TV. They took over the table that sits in the lounge on Sunday afternoon with sheets of paper and were drawing pictures for Poppy. The staff is so nice to them and it's nice that they feel comfortable enough to stay down there.
We have a few adventures planned for this week. I would like to take the kids to Snoqualmie Falls and Woodland Park Zoo. We are also meeting Poppy again on Saturday for another day trip that he has planned. Some other families are scheduled to arrive this week and next, so there should be more playmates for the kids and I can talk to some grown-ups.
I'll post another update next Sunday,
Windy
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