Choo Chooin' Seattle

Grammy and Papa Reid came to stay with us one perfect day in Seattle and we took Kian into town. Downtown, that is. The only way the day might have been more perfect for Kian was had we shuttled to the train on a motorcycle.

We caught the train here, just down at 4th and Jackson, which put us right
into the tunnel and only a 15-minute wait between trains.

The other train ride: Monorail!

Last stop: After lunch at Westlake Center was the Seattle Center
fountain, amazing! Kian and I dropped down in for a run around.

Fountain, you will soon be mine, prepare to meet your greatest challenge.

Blue Day, Zoo Day

Yeah, what a morning. Just the kind of weekday without work that we were looking for to hit the zoo. Apparently the rest of Seattle was waiting for a Monday too because every new and expecting mother in Seattle was there -- I've never seen so many prego women in my life. The zoo used to be a 5-min bike ride from home but now its 35-mins which just means more bike time for me. The entire ride over Kian pointed out every motorcycle, scooter and bicycle that we passed whether it was moving or parked.


Unhooked Chitty-chitty from the bike which we then locked outside, changed my riding shoes to running shoes, flipped down the stroller wheels and we were off, running, cutting, dodging through the zoo. We started with the farm animals this time and got to smell the pigs the goats the chickens and the rabbits before heading counterclockwise past the flamingos, spiders bugs and snakes, the espresso stand for a quick shot, then we caught the feeding frenzy of the penguins before diving into the tropics to see ocelots, monkeys, colorful birds, turtles, where we sat and ate lunch then took a right turn into the meerkat bat and two-toed sloth pavillion which was near the jungle domain of the giraffes, elephants, orangutangs, wildebeasts, tapirs and then finally the south gate of the zoo where we reconverted into a bicycle to head back home for nap time. No crib necessary: Kian was out in the first mile and slept despite all the bumps and turns, and I got to carry him up the stairs to his bed with only a few mumbles and squeaks of protest. Putty.

Scootin'

For his 2nd birthday Kian scored big. Train set, play table, tons of hipster clothes, cool rubber boots, and a new bike... yeah, he's catching up to daddy and now has three bikes (trike, 12" wheel bike and his new scoot). The first few days he was a little tentative on the new bike because its a balance bike, the latest new thing for kids getting into bikes: the idea is that without pedals they learn to balance and glide first. I tried taking the drive-train off his "fatboy" (the bike that I bought for Kian's cousin Reid 10-years) so that he could use it as a scoot, but the stand-over height was too much so I broke down when I saw the lines on this 2011 model Specialized Hotwalk. Pretty racy.

After about a week he started coasting on his own and now he's a little daredevil, rippin around. Last week we took him over to Greenlake and he got so daring he accidentally rode right into the kiddie wading pool: it shook him up for a few minutes but we dried him off and he was right back at it.

Scootin' around at Greenlake.

Daddy's turn to scoot, so hang on!

If only daddy had some cool red shoes too.

Thanks, Oma!

After over 2-months of living with us this summer, Oma finally had to go back home to Flagstaff and now our guest room is strangely empty. Kian still calls out "Oma, Oma" every day, and now its way busier and crazier around here. When Carol was here things got done and Kian was always entertained. Now dishes pile up. Kian doesn't always have a playmate. Things just don't always get done. Something has got to give when there is too much to do and too few people to do it.

Even after all my 3rd world travels where extended families living under one roof was the norm, I wasn't sure that I could actually handle it, but now I'm pretty sure. Its hard at times, no doubt, but once you get over that excessive and unreasonable sense of space and privacy that we Americans have you realize what an amazing gift it is to be so close to family. Its best for the youngest and the oldest of us, and so it must be the selfish middle-aged of us who guards that sense of space.

On Thursday morning after we drove Carol to the airport, Kian and I did some airplane chasing. We found a park near the end of the runway and watched 30-minutes of airplanes taking off as we sat on the warm hood of the car. Kian kept saying, "more airplane", and they did at a rate of almost 2 per minute.

Oma, we miss you, thanks for everything!

Oma, Don't Go

So, on Oma's full final day with us, Kian and I took her out to breakfast and for a stroll around Pike Place Market hoping to lure her into staying longer. Surely after seeing the bounty of Seattle and experiencing the vibrant lifestyle she would postpone that flight. Oh yeah, she was here for most of June and so she wouldn't be fooled: drat the weather.

Kian appointed himself guide: I think its this way.

Oma, here's where they give out free money in open guitar cases and
large jars and they always serenade you to it with live music.

These critters make the most deliciousest Seattle Benedict.

Breakfast at Lowell's.

I'll have mine sunny side up, please, coffee black.

Hey Kian, can you show us his snout?

No, not his, the piggies!

And what a fine snout it is!

**Oma is German for Grandma.

Yabadabadoo, I'm Two! And Happy Anniversary Too!

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!

Happy Birthday Kian (and Annie)!

... Bout time. Kian had been showing signs of terribleness for months and so either he's an early bloomer or we're really in for it. Anyway, he's finally two and there have thankfully been no drastic sudden changes in his terribility levels.

We've been celebrating for 3-weeks, the lucky dog. Party one was unofficial: we were at the cabin with the clan and we let him unwrap his new bike -- I figured there is no sense in sitting on something that he might so soon outgrow, so give it to him now. Party 2 was on his actual birthday, and Annie's too, of course, and we celebrated it with Mexican food at Alki and then with Cupcake Royale's and bonfires on the beach. Grandma and Grandpa and Oma were there, so it was a family affair. Pics anyone? Party three was the biggie at the cabin with all the family, the cake, and tons of presents. Seriously, a ton of wood and plastic makes a lot of toys.

The birthday celebrations coincided with Grammy and Papa Reid's 46th Wedding Anniversary so there's was lots of partyin goin on. Fun times, great weather, awesome people, if I say so myself.

Nuther round of Arnie Palmers please.

Piggy back.

After 130-miles: Seattle to Chiwawa door 2 door.
Not quite too pooped to party.