Sun Returns to Seattle

SUNNY SATURDAY: Saturday started out with blazing blue skies and the sun shone brightly all day. We were determined to get out in it.

We wanted to do something outdoors and something different. Christian suggested we check out Lincoln Park in West Seattle for the first time. It was a good idea. :)

We parked in the northernmost lot and, feeling adventurous, we struck out with no map. Fortunately, it turned out OK.

Our first stop was a playground where Annabelle and CJ tried to recapture their youth on equipment that was much too small for them.

After that, we hiked down a trail through the forest

Oftentimes the path was on the face of a rather precipitous drop off down toward the Sound. We watched our steps.

It was a windy day - so much so that there were whitecaps on the water and the lone sailboat we saw was darn near tipping over.

Other than the lone sailboat and a few ferries, we didn't see much water traffic, but we couldn't help but notice this one cargo ship and it's interesting lines. It was attracting a fair amount of attention from beach goers.

I did a little online research and found out Mermaid Ace flies under a Panamanian flag. It was built in 2010 (making it considerably newer than most of the cargo ships we see). Have to love the Internet - as I post this, I can report as of 16 minutes ago (about 8:23 p.m. my time), it was in California, and its last port of call was Tacoma. It's headed for San Diego and it looks like it will arrive soon - likely while I sleep tonight.

Right on the waterfront, but fenced off for renovations, is an outdoor heated salt water pool. How cool is THAT? Clear Plexiglas walls surround the pool, so when you're in it, you can see the Sound and the Olympic Mountains, but not be subject to the stiff breeze so often blowing at the beach. The pool is set to reopen this June. You know we'll be back to check it out when it does.

Along the waterfront we checked out some tidal pools and the kids made some constructs in the sand.

From there, we headed back uphill, and found a playground at the southern end of the park. And what a discovery that was! The standard clamber on playground equipment was nothing spectacular, but there was a fantastic zipline with a lot of giddy up and a phenomenal view to boot. The kids totally dug it.

HOP DIGGITY: Easter was pretty low key around here. We didn't even dye any eggs. :0. The kids did, however, leave a note and a snack out for the Bunny.

And it's worth noting that the snack was no ordinary treat. Rather, it was a one of a kind taste sensation created first in CJ's brain and then his test kitchen. He announced that he wanted to make something he'd invented called "Christian Sticks." They were to be squared off carrots coated in peanut butter, rolled in mini chocolate chips and raisins. Fortunately, we had all the necessary ingredients.

I must report, the "Christian Sticks" were delicious. I think CJ's on to something. He has grand plans of getting them introduced to school cafeterias across the nation.  

SUNNY SUNDAY AND MONDAY: Mercifully, the sunshine peristed throughout the weekend and through Monday. We took the opportunity to do a whole lot of yard work. Some of us did more than others. For instance, this was Annabelle's 'reporting for duty' get up for Sunday's yard work session.

Cute, but not so practical.

We found so many wonderful worms while digging this weekend. This particular one was the size of a small snake.

Weed pullin' and worm diggin' wasn't the only thing going on outside today. I had the kids bring their schoolwork outside, too. Math is always best enjoyed with a view!