Folk Life Fest-For the REAL PNW

Ava on the Bus

 Today we decided to get out of the house and enjoy a day without rain.  We loaded up the "littles" and jumped the bus to the Folk Life Festival at the Seattle Center.  The teens less than politely declined to attend, with eyes rolls and looks of disgust.  Psssshhhhhh.  what's wrong with a little folk in your life???

Burning up

After an uneventful bus trip (which is always a good thing) we were greeted with a 3 block walk straight up hill and a giant sign at the beer garden reading "NO ONE UNDER 21".  Oh snap.

Before we could even begin to take in the culture the kids were mesmerized by  

beautiful dread locked girl offering up face painting.  Irresistible and I must say the best at the festival and well worth the wait.

Ava-Aloha

On Fire

 The lengthy line gave us more than ample opportunity to people watch and take it the true flare of the Pacific North West.  Tiered skirts, hiking boots, Teva sandals (which have replaced Birkenstock), head scarves, dread locks and ethnic food.  Everywhere.  The kids were especially interested in the "legalize Marijuana Team" which all happened to be wearing variation's of fur costumes.  I'm down with legalizing pot, but it just looks like a bunch of whacked out nut jobs instead of people who wanted to address the real issues at hand.  Funny non the less.

Next was on too food which there was plenty of!  Any thing from Africa, deep friend PB&J (my personal fave) and giant ears of corn.  I also feel in love with organic booze filled chocolates.  YUM

Elephant ears as big as your head

MMMM with butter and Parmesan

Delish with extra butter and pepper

Next we were off to shopping.  drooling mostly but the kids did each get a t-shirt, Ava a fun ring, an awesome poster for the boys room, my first henna of summer and a bitchin hat.

• Luckily after some begging and bribery Amonte picked up the littles and Erik and I enjoyed a round in the beer garden.  Luckily I had my cute hat since the temps had dropped dramatically.  We finished off with some yummy Ethiopian food and African tea.  Took the bus home and enjoyed the peace of a sleeping house.  Heaven.

Beer Garden and cute hat!

Vikings on the Loose

Seattle Finest

Ballard is traditionally the center of Seattle's ethically Scandinavian seafaring community.  Each year the entire neighborhood comes together on May 17th for Norwegian Constitution Day or Syttende Mai-to commemorate the signing of the Norwegian Constitution.  Not a big deal right?  Wrong.  Huge deal here with a full day of parties ending with a huge parade.  Attending the parade isn't really optional.  It's mandatory.

All of the local schools participate in one way or another.  The boys school has a unicycle troupe.  Yes a unicycle troupe.  In the 3rd grade unicycle training begins.  Thankfully they get helmets.


Anyway I rushed out of work early to beat the traffic and make it to the party.  I quickly realized I left my purse at home so we scrounged up quarters, loaded my tote bag and headed to the bus stop.  Slight detour because bus route IS the parade route but we made it just in time.

The parade had all the usual.  Bands, flags, a large number of clowns, a pancake brigade chasing giant pancakes with skillets.  Awesome right?

At the end of the day we waited with a friendly drunk man who shouting "everyone is Norwegian today!!!". And I think we did feel a wee bit Viking.

The Power of Negative Thinking

I'm sure all of you have been on the edge of your seats waiting to hear about our mini spring break get away:

As you know this has been a very difficult winter for my family. Even though we certainly could not financially afford to do anything magical for break-I felt as if we all deserved a little break and hoped it would lift our spirits.

Thursday am started with a quick trip to the beauty shop to make me a little more presentable. After the Marilyn Manson do was tamed we set off to The Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky Ohio-about a 2 1/2 hour road trip.

As most of you know traveling with small children can be challenging, infuriating and disappointing. I have found that expecting the worst makes it much more bearable. I am less irritated when Peyton barfs in the car-I knew it was coming. I don't want to plug my ears and scream at the 100th "are we almost there". I accept the fact that they will whine and complain despite the effort and expense we have put forth. Then when they actually enjoy themselves or god forbid behave it's like a little gift. Putting away the unrealistic expectations of the "perfect family vacation" allows the mayhem to be...dare I say...enjoyable?

After the usual fighting, potty stops, snack spills, vomiting and temperature complaints Ava and Cade fell asleep and stayed that way for the last hour on the road. They woke when we pulled into the lodge and they were all oozing with excitement.

Since the whole draw of the lodge is the water park we quickly headed that way. The boys were amazed (as was Mark). However, Her Majesty was less then impressed. In the center of the park is a giant bucket. As the water level in the bucket reaches the top a bell begins to ring. Then gallons of water pour down on to the waiting crowd. This is followed by a heavy mist that blasts the surrounding area. She was totally freaked out. We spent the entire day with her clinging to me like a baby monkey while I downed Pina Coladas. After dinner I did not even attempt to take her back. Mark and the boys went and stayed till close.

Suggestion of entering the water!


The bell is ringing!

The water's dumping!

The mist is blowing!


We spent the whole next day at the water park. After several hours and much pleading I managed to convince Ava to get in the hot tub. That seemed to make her a little more willing to explore. I was then able to get her into the kiddie area to at least splash a bit. She staunchly refused to go down even the tiniest slide. So again I spent most of the day people watching, drinking Pina Coladas and calming her when the bell would start ringing.

The boys were crazy little fish that I hardly saw either day. They went down every slide, had the bucket dumped on them to many times to count and found girlfriends. Huh. Come to think of it I hardly saw Mark either...maybe he had a bikini babe too.

Best Buddies!!!



That evening we went to the clock tower to watch a "bedtime show". The boys were a little bored but Ava really got into it. She put on just as much of a performance as the figurines did. She was dancing and singing up a storm. At bedtime Cade told me it "was the best day ever" and Peyton thanked us for bringing them! SHOCKER!

We headed out early Saturday since Mark had to work. They each picked out something special. Peyton choose a shirt and Cade and Ava grabbed up stuffed wolves. Ava's has been dubbed Willow and it is her constant companion. Too bad the damn thing is-or I should say was-white.

Amonte elected to stay home which I had mixed feelings about. He would not have been able to swim and I think he would have been bored to death. But I missed him and spent the whole time worrying about him. I'm sure I called too often for his liking. I was impressed that when we got home the house was still standing and he had taken care of the dog. I think he really enjoyed having a break from the kids.

We are now suffering the financial consequences of our excursion. But you know what? It was worth it. We all had a good time and my kids exceeded my more realistic expectations. I look forward to our next great adventure.

Oh Bother

Why do I bother? Really? Mark didn't work tonight so we decided to take the terrorists out to eat. Yeah all four of them. I know what am I crazy? Well, yes. Actually I am. Occasionally I get this misguided belief that maybe, just maybe I could sit down to a meal with my lovely children and be spared public humiliation. I know your all laughing at me. Stop it.

So we ventured out to one of Hicksville's fine dining establishments. By fine dining I mean we had a waitress, there was no buffet and the plates weren't paper. In less than five minutes Amonte had his I-Pod on-Ava had thrown all her silverware on the floor and was trying to pull my shirt off -Peyton and Cade were beating the crap out of each other. Surprisingly, we didn't have to ask for our bill.

After attempting to eat my meal with both Cade and Ava mauling me, Peyton crying to sit with me and Amonte permanently damaging his ear drums I was more than ready to head home to bed. Mark took Peyton to spend the night with my mom and I ventured out into the snow with the three remaining darlings.

Ava is down to only having her pacifier (her "boo") in the car and in bed. Of course "boo" was no where to be found so she SCREAMED the entire way home. This greatly upset Cade and his ultra sensitive ears so he had to scream too. Oh, plus I could hear Amonte's crap rap like I had the head phones on. James Blunt at full blast is not relaxing. Who knew.

Now Ava and Cade are sleeping in my bed with their arms wrapped around each other. Amonte still has his I-Pod on. Mark has assumed his position on the couch and Norm is snoring in his crate. I hope my mom is having as much luck with Peyton Church.

Sweet Dreams.

Family Fun

Saturday afternoon we went to Flavor Fruit Farms with my moms group in spite of my anxiety about dragging my fat ass out in public to meet new people. It was moderately stressful but the kids actually behaved fairly well and they did not ask us to "never return again". Of course I was the spoil sport mom and wouldn't let them ride the elephant P-"I know elephants aren't for entertainment" or drink the unpasteurized apple cider P-"I know my kidneys will die". We ate a ton of donuts and all in all it was a nice day. Thought I would share a few photo highlights:

Ava looking at the elephant. No that is not my fat ass in the background...I am taking the photo. OK?


Peyton hanging out in a tractor tire.



Cade in some stunna shades.



And finally, the picture of my boys that melts my heart and fills me with pride:


No, Peyton really wasn't flipping me off and yes Cade can touch the bottom of his chin and his nose with his tongue. I am so terribly proud.