Toddling Along

IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN: As I contemplated this blog post, I was going to say how today was all about fun and how we didn't do much "schooling," but as I took a moment to reflect, we actually did a fair amount of learnin' today.

Our top priority was enjoying a visit from a friend of mine and her adorable soon to be one-year-old. (In fact, his birthday is the same day as CJ's - just a couple of weeks away.)

They arrived around 10 a.m. and CJ and Annabelle proceeded to play host and hostess. They hovered over the youngster rather smotheringly, making sure he didn't get in any kind of trouble. It was pretty funny to watch as the toddler explored with his eyes, hands and yes, of course, mouth. CJ was AGHAST at the baby putting so many things in his mouth. Of course, the baby's mother and I explained that for babies, that's an important part of learning. CJ wasn't buying it. And that made me recall that even as a baby, CJ really did not mouth things much. He's always been (and still is) very particular about what he puts in his mouth.

After playing here for awhile, we decided to strike out for Seattle Center. We were sooooooooo happy to have blue skies overhead. Our first stop was the International Fountain, which was just turned back on this week after a long winter's nap. CJ and Annabelle were clearly thrilled it was back and they were absolutely mesmerized watching the water dance to good ol' Northwest grunge music - Soundgarden and Nirvana.

CJ was bemoaning the fact that he didn't have his bathing suit so that he could splash around in the fountain. I reminded him that although it was sunny, today was nowhere near warm. The bathing suit will have to wait until another day.

Next up, we made our way to The Children's Museum. We haven't been there in months and months. Despite the fact we've done it dozens of times before, CJ and Annabelle insisted I take their photo with the painted plywood outside its entrance.

I'm glad I heeded their request. :)

Once inside the museum, our first stop was the orca. The kids just had to clamber through it. Here are CeeJ and Bee, spouting off. :)

After the orca, they wandered over to a serene room, with books for reading and places for nesting. Little did they know, within about five minutes a storytime was starting. Though they both read chapter books, CJ and Annabelle still love a good picture book, and so they enjoyed the four titles the Children's Museum staffer read with an "It's a Jungle in There" theme.

Thanks to the books, CJ and Annabelle learned dozens of facts about various critters found in the jungle.

After story time concluded, we headed for the kids' favorite spot, Cog City. It's where there are hundreds of pingpong like balls that can be shot through tubes and batted about in various ways - basically it's big time fun with physics. We were in there quite awhile. We also checked out the community section (where there were more reading and climbing/playing attractions), followed by a grocery store mock up. In all, we were in the place nearly two hours.

Late afternoon, it was back home, where they each did more reading and some independent research. And tonight, we're enjoying the first stateside Mariners regular season game. One week from tonight, we'll be sitting at Safeco Field, enjoying the home opener. Let's go Mariners!!!!