A Spring Weekend

Spring is finally here! Last week the cherry blossoms bloomed filling the skyline with pink petals and we had a few days with weather in the low 60's, a much needed relief from the gloom and doom of a northwest winter. We took the picture below on a sunny but freezing day in the dead of January (literally it was in the 20's). We took Harrison for a long walk to a playground but when we got there, he couldn't play because his little fingers were red with cold (even with mittens) and we had to carry him most of the way home to keep him warm (look how bundled he was!)

This spring weekend we were able to take walks without fleece blankets, moose hats, mittens and 3 layers of clothes; even if it showered off and on, there was also some sun off and on. After weeks of being indoors we were able to spend some quality time with mother nature.

On Saturday, we went for dinner in the city of Edmonds on a whim and 25 minutes later we were enjoying dinner a few blocks from the Puget Sound. Enjoying a short walk after dinner, we watched the ferries load passengers and cars. At bedtime we read a childrens book about a boy and his dog that visit Seattle, which  goes something like this: "Mom and dad, Pete and Larry, crossed the water on a ferry." I think the real ferry boats connected some dots in Harrison's brain.

We continued the fun teaching Harrison how to draw on the wet shore with a stick, strolling along getting sand in our shoes. Harrison observed seagulls perched on drift wood and dad pointed out a seal swimming 50 yards out. When it was time to go, I had to grab Harrison (who was running away from me) and tuck him under my arm then pass him to dad to quarantine on his shoulders, otherwise I think our kid would have played on the beach forever.

Continuing our sea theme, on Sunday we decided to pack up and head downtown to the Seattle Aquarium; evidently everyone else did too, it was packed and difficult to maneuver but we made the best of it. Harrison enjoyed watching the Harbor Seals swim around from the lookout 20 feet above their tank as well as observe feeding time for the Sea Otters. The River Otters are always fascinating, zooming through the water, jumping onto land, scurrying about then returning to the water.

 

After the aquarium, we had lunch at the cafe at Elliot's on pier 65. Harrison agreed to eat some cod in exchange for french fries (yes, we bribed him with fries - you got to take the wins where you can get 'em) while watching tourists load onto boats in light rain to take the Elliot Bay harbor tours. As we walked 10 minutes back to the car, we veered over to a large, empty pier that is used for concerts during the summer time. Harrison strutted around (seriously, like he owned the place, with a swagger), walking through puddles despite our admonishments his shoes and socks would get soaked.

Fanciful embellishment on a post lining the pier

My boys!

My Silly Boys!

10 minutes later Harrison was asleep in the car, the eventful weekend had taken a lot out of him. I neglected to mention that he went to bed at 10:30pm (!) Friday night since we had friends with a 3 year old over for dinner. What a wonderful weekend!