We had our first play-date the other day with a local homeschooling mom with two girls. She took us around Lincoln Park. West Seattle has some amazing parks. Lot’s of them have nature trails and playgrounds. Lincoln Park happens to have a pool, on the beach. Skylar was pretty excited about that!
We’re babysitting my niece, Reagan, for the holidays. She’s kind of a pain in the ass, but Linky Soda seems to like her. I know this because they spend a fair amount of time humping each others heads. I even caught them engaged in some sort of *double hump*. At the very least, we are entertained!
Gramma Chrissy sent up some goodies from The Popcorn Factory. The kids made monsters.
Mine looked more like a sad birthday boy that I can’t seem to stop giggling at.
On Christmas Eve we certainly missed the usual family festivities. We wanted to make the day special so we took the kids to the Seattle Aquarium. I was definitely most interested in learning that there was a pod of Orca’s in the Puget Sound. It may be too late to see them this year, but I am definitely hoping for us to go on a whale watch next season.
Last night was fairly clear. On the way to South Center we were able to get our first look at Mt. Rainier. It is a dormant volcano, 54 miles southeast of Seattle. It boggles my mind that this volcano looks like it’s right in front of us, but is an hour away. This is our first time seeing ANY mountain quite this large, and obviously our first look at a volcano. It’s breathtaking. This is a picture I’ve only seen in books, and I got to snap the photo. Truly Amazing. If you click on the on the photos you can see them larger.
For dinner, we went over to the Rainforest Cafe at a mall in South Center. Yes, we went to a mall, and it actually had stores in it. LOTS of them (fellow Rutlanders will understand that). We went to one of these restaurants in Florida, when we visited Animal Kingdom, and Milo was *TERRIFIED*. He was excited this time around! This one was also a bit smaller and not quite as loud and overwhelming. Phoenix took it all in stride. I think he enjoyed the noises and the blinking lights. Usually, I like quiet… but I have to say that I REALLY appreciate loud restaurants.
We are spending our holiday this year alone. But not alone in the *lonely* sense. Alone in the *we are the only ones here*, sense. We miss everyone a lot but, it was still nice to have the most relaxing holiday we have ever had. We were up late last night. Having night-owl unschooled children means they sleep in. Late. Way too late for my taste! I was up around 7:30am Facebooking, “Where are my children?”. I coaxed TJ out of bed with some coffee and slowly, one by one they all got up. Well, except Milo, who Skylar could not wake up no matter how hard he tried. We could have hung him over the railing by his ankle and he probably wouldn’t have batted an eye! Eventually he managed to open his eyes… and enjoy the festivities. He’s also not much for photos these days.
The big hits were the stockings! They got caps, and snappers, and those balls you clang together and they spark. Some fart whistles, and a lot of candy! By the way, you can get 5lbs of Yummy Earth organic lollipops from Amazon.com for a REALLY good deal. They are REALLY expensive in the grocery store. Phoenix about lost his mind when he saw them… so he had at least 3 in a 5 minute time period!
I must have been good, because Santa filled my stocking too! See?
It’s fairly cloudy around here most of the time. Our view of the Olympics is usually blocked. This morning, we were so blessed with warm sunlight and a view that takes my breath away. (Click to enlarge)
This was our Christmas Card photo if you haven’t seen it yet… So MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of our family and friends from Seattle!!!
Love the card picture you picked! And it is so much fun to read about all you are experiencing out of Rut-Vegas, where I spent X-mas day, but quickly left (I do manage to hit Gill's when I am there, but little else).
I missed you guys! I am glad you are back to posting so I can get my SAW fix anytime I want! The guys look so happy and you are doing all sorts of cool stuff. Pheffers eats lollis like Zola.
We don't live in downtown Seattle. We live in West Seattle, which IS Seattle but seems more like a suburb. It's small townish-ish. But WAY cooler. LOL There seems to be no end to things to do and we haven't had any issue finding anything we need. Our house is at the end of a dead-end street and is nestled in some trees. We can barely see any of our neighbors. It's just perfect!
I'm not missing Rut-Vegas AT ALL. But Shhh! Don't tell anyone ok?
Pheefers has a total meltdown if he so much as sees a lolli and can't have one! I needed to make sure I had lolli's on hand at all times. 5lbs oughtta last them, a week or so right?
Beautiful pictures, beautiful family. Thanks for sharing
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My name is Heather and I'm a pro-liberty, unschooling advocate and speaker, gluten-free, artist, writer, realist, loving wife and mother. Welcome to my blog. I blog about mindful parenting, unschooling, and living a radical life.
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We’re babysitting my niece, Reagan, for the holidays. She’s kind of a pain in the ass, but Linky Soda seems to like her. I know this because they spend a fair amount of time humping each others heads. I even caught them engaged in some sort of *double hump*. At the very least, we are entertained!
Mine looked more like a sad birthday boy that I can’t seem to stop giggling at.
The big hits were the stockings! They got caps, and snappers, and those balls you clang together and they spark. Some fart whistles, and a lot of candy! By the way, you can get 5lbs of Yummy Earth organic lollipops from Amazon.com for a REALLY good deal. They are REALLY expensive in the grocery store. Phoenix about lost his mind when he saw them… so he had at least 3 in a 5 minute time period!
I must have been good, because Santa filled my stocking too! See?
It’s fairly cloudy around here most of the time. Our view of the Olympics is usually blocked. This morning, we were so blessed with warm sunlight and a view that takes my breath away. (Click to enlarge)
This was our Christmas Card photo if you haven’t seen it yet… So MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of our family and friends from Seattle!!!
I so look forward to reading your blogs! You guys look like you are adjusting quite well to 'city' life!!
Gail
Love the card picture you picked! And it is so much fun to read about all you are experiencing out of Rut-Vegas, where I spent X-mas day, but quickly left (I do manage to hit Gill's when I am there, but little else).
Happy Holidays from your former home:)
We don't live in downtown Seattle. We live in West Seattle, which IS Seattle but seems more like a suburb. It's small townish-ish. But WAY cooler. LOL There seems to be no end to things to do and we haven't had any issue finding anything we need. Our house is at the end of a dead-end street and is nestled in some trees. We can barely see any of our neighbors. It's just perfect!
I'm not missing Rut-Vegas AT ALL. But Shhh! Don't tell anyone ok?
Pheefers has a total meltdown if he so much as sees a lolli and can't have one! I needed to make sure I had lolli's on hand at all times. 5lbs oughtta last them, a week or so right?
Beautiful pictures, beautiful family. Thanks for sharing