Beyond Binkies, Code and Make-Believe

The Tea Cups are still my favorite ride - I think because I'm a fan of spinning.

We recently visited the Happiest Place on Earth for our son's 4th birthday. I'm amazed that I still love spinning the teacups so fast that I'm on the brink of puking. It's still fun and I'm so glad my son is the same way. We did the teacups a few times AND the Ladybug spinny ride in Bug's Life at California Adventure. 

I really enjoy the sensation and the bold laughter that comes with trying not to puke.  It's how most of my days are - spinning round and round from project to project and task to task.  I think I would be bored if it were too orderly.

This trip to Disney was all about what they wanted to do. I made it to Big Thunder, but the rest of the rides were exactly what they wanted to do. We bounced back and forth between the lands.

If it were my birthday, we would have meticulously exhausted one "land" and then moved on to the next to be efficient. I'm glad it was their day. It was a lot of fun. We ended up with a light up pirate pistol that shines a skull and crossbones when you shoot it and another Star Wars blaster to replace the pooped out one from three years ago. Replacing batteries doesn't help - it's just tired.

Countdown to California via Paper Chain

Our children hit the floor running this morning with creativity.  Before 9 they had each made a paper chain to count down the days until our trip to see family and friends in California; they had made birthday cards for a favorite cousin, tried to make their own breakfasts and managed to let me sleep until 8 and their dad until 9.

I appreciate their innovation with the paper chains. They realized yesterday that asking me several times a day, "When are we going to California?" was going to put me over the top.  But as Jay says, "What doesn't put you over the top?"  These days, that seems to be true. 

We have more toys in time-outs, clothing that is in boxes because SOMEONE thought it was too hard to clean up her stuff.  I'm hoping we can all get through this back-talking, attitude-filled period quickly and without injury!

Counting down the days to see friends and family. I like the paper chain.  It helps me see that a great adventure is coming soon.

Wildlife Safari Winston Oregon

Our daughter saw the website for Wildlife Safari 10 months ago and decided that was how she wanted to spend her next birthday.  Instead of a party with a bunch of children at our home - YOU BET!  I'm all for it.  The attraction was the fact that she would be able to feed giraffes - her favorite animal!

California Academy of Sciences

Recently I had a glorious 30 hours with my best friend in San Francisco.  We spent a fantastic day at the deYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park.  We looked across the gardens and saw another building.  We had no ideas what it was and somewhat blew it off.  WE blew it!  I opened Sunset Magazine and this was the story in the issue: http://www.sunset.com/sunset/travel/article/0,20633,1839698,00.html  Actually, we didn't blow it - it's not  open yet - but we could have explored a bit more.

Dale Chihuly Exhibit at the DeYoung Museum - San Francisco

Do you like blown glass?  Are you fascinated by color and light?  Do you know the name Dale Chihuly?  Then drive, fly - GET TO SAN FRANCISCO!  The exhibit at the de Young Museum is breathtaking.  It is running through September.  It is not to be missed.

Scooby Doo is better than Daiwa

We had our first experience fishing as family.  This didn't just involve the day we fished, but the days leading up to it with selecting the rod, talking about bait, practicing at the campsite and then buying the worms that morning.  Our children were practicing with their rubber fish dangling from their Scooby Doo and Spiderman rods.  We had our spinner off our Daiwa entry-level rod.

Seattle Science Museum - a better choice

We let the children choose the activity for Sunday.  Their choices were:  Seattle Aquarium, EMP, Sci Fi museum or the Science Museum.  Hands down - no hesitation - SCIENCE won!  We had a friend with us so we all enjoyed this last stop before heading back home.  We dropped him at the ferry to go to Bainbridge Island after the museum outing.

Duck Tour - Silly and fun!

We did the total Seattle tourist thing, including the Duck Tour.  It was a blast and we learned more about the city were were spending 48 hours in.  The tour aboard the amphibious World War II vehicles included a view of Seattle from both land and water! We had a quick spin through downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market, historic Pioneer Square, Funky Fremont, then, SPLASH into Lake Union for a spectacular view of the city skyline, luxurious yachts, and Sleepless in Seattle Houseboats!  We were even given local real estate info. It felt like a living brochure for the city. 

Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle - part of SAM

We had fun being tourists in Seattle this past weekend.  One of the favorite spots was the Olympic Sculpture Park - part of Seattle Art Musuem.  I love the public art rules up there.  Here are a few of the favorites.

Still getting used to driving through snow to get to the beach

A day trip was in order today.  My husband is still hacking so violently we haven't had much of a conversation in weeks.  Poor guy.  His abs are getting tighter, though.  We decided to head to the coast.