Bouncy House, Get Paid

Once a year for work (Sarah rolls her eyes and uses air quotes at my use of the term "work"), my organization has a family picnic day.  The idea is to grow camaraderie among the members and families and show appreciation for the "work" we do.  As Sarah was out of town, I took the kids down to the gathering at Russell Landing on Lewis North, and they had the privilege of enjoying a bouncy house for the first time.

The amazing thing about bouncy houses is that kids can stay in them, practically... well, for ever.  Even after smashing heads with a fellow resident of bouncy-ville, a child will somehow work through the pain just to continue enjoying the mega-bouncy fun time.  I wish brussel sprouts had the same allure.  

I don't know why, but it took me about 5 minutes to realize there were ways of getting photos of the kids without having the bouncy containment net in the foreground.  Alas, it didn't make the junky old iPhone photos much better.  The two kids spent about 90% of their time rolling around on the bouncy floor, so it didn't matter much anyway.  

If you have a keen eye, you may notice that the kids outfits changed in some of the photos.  That's because we had such a good time at the park, I ended up taking them back today.  (long story about daycare being closed)  Strangely enough, there was another party and they rented the bouncy house too!  Grace asked politely and they were kind enough to let the two buggers enjoy some more time bouncing their brains out.  The kids also enjoyed the MASSIVE playground.  I'll have to take Sarah one of these days.

Little Free Library

Yesterday, Sarah and I had the day to ourselves.  Sarah said she wanted to ride bikes around Tacoma, and I had recently read an article about a Tacoma pocket library bicycle tour.  It's as if someone put peanut butter in your right hand, jelly in your left, and then asked, "What amazing kind of sandwich could you make with these ingredients?"  

The Little Free Library (aka - pocket library) idea is new to us, but not new.  The concept is kind of like the penny jar at the store register.  Take one if you need it, leave one if you can, don't expect it to be a reliable income stream.  You really don't know what you are going to find.  We brought 4 books from our home we no longer used, and after visiting 5 pocket libraries, returned with 5 new books.  Great success.  Use the LINK to find one near you.

As you can see from the photos, the Little Free Libraries are not large, generally in the front yard of a private residence, and many times constructed to look much like the homes near which they reside.  Most libraries are constructed from old kitchen cabinets or pieces of furniture which have been weather proofed to protect the books.  In the photo on the right, as the house got a new roof, so did the library.  The roofers were quite inquisitive about the whole process too.  

Our last library of the tour happened to be just 3 blocks from our house!  We mentioned to a neighbor our plans for the day and they directed us to this newly constructed library maintained by the local elementary school.  Jackpot.  The largest library we found and truckloads of kids books.  We will be going for walks with the kids and stopping by here regularly.

No need for that copy of "Parenting for Dummies," that's way too advanced for us.

Tinkertopia

Wanting to find something new for exploration this past Sunday, Samuel and I headed out to the recently opened Tinkertopia, a self described "creative reuse center, plus alternative arts and crafts supply" destination.  I wasn't sure what all that meant until Sam and I spend just short of two hours perusing and playing with pretty much everything on every shelf.  I won't get into the weeds on how it all works, that's what the LINK is for, but I will say a couple of proud and creative Tacoma locals have surprised me again with just how awesome this city can be.  You really have to see the place for yourself.

We were met at the door by Darcy, one of the creators/owners of the shop.  She has to be one of the nicest people I've ever met.  She spent quite a bit of time taking Sam around to different baskets, buckets, and bins and helping him play with all the various knickknacks. She even swept the floor with a smile when he threw a glass bead ornament on the ground and smashed it to bits.  I think having a blast is really what the place is all about and Sam was doing that to the max.  I can't wait to take Grace.

Short Hike

Sarah and I love hiking and backpacking.  We have done very little of it since Grace has been born.  Kids are no excuse.  I know at least two families who have taken children under age 2 for week long backpacking trips.  We have not been so brave.  We did finally brave the trails of Point Defiance park, just one mile from our home.  After only 20 minutes of rambling in the woods, the complaining started. The best we could manage for photos was Samuel pulling on Sarah's hair from the kid pack and Grace sitting on the ground exclaiming, "My legs hurt.  I just don't think I'm going to make it."  Sarah took it all in stride.

BamBam

I heard loud banging coming from my bedroom. I knew Sam was in there, but he shouldn't be making that noise with anything in that room. I decided to go check on him. He smiled at me as I rounded the corner, watched him pick up the camera again, and proceed to drop it from shoulder height. This act brought him great pleasure. When I wrestled the camera from him, I could hear pieces rattling. Not good. As of now, it looks like the only thing broken is the UV filter - the rest of the camera appears to be functioning normally. Thank goodness since we use our iPhones for 98% of the photos we take of the kids anyway...

Mom Strikes Back

I'm constantly bragging how I take the kids out for fun while Mom is working and then text her the evidence.  This past Sunday, the roles were reversed - except for the texting part.  I heard all about the adventures the two trouble makers enjoyed at the Children's Museum but not a photo was passed along to my phone.  It wasn't until just before bed time I sneaked a peak at Sarah's phone to see what they had been up to.

Grace is on at least her second outfit.

 

I can assure you, although it looks like Grace has the upper hand, Sam will change the circumstances quickly.  

Snacks....

Sam & the Glass

When I said Sam and I were back to our old routine, I wasn't kidding.  We have been to the Point Defiance Zoo or Tacoma Children's Museum every chance we've had since my return home.  We know what time these establishments open, we pack snacks and lunch, and we get there when they open, before the crowds show.  Fun is best had when you don't have to share it with 800 other school kids at some summer camp taking a field trip to your frequent stomping grounds.

In this series, Sam is pressing the glass, literally.  Above, at the children's museum, there is construction on Pacific Ave and Sam stared at the crew and the large tractor for up to 10 minutes.  I think ever since being exposed to the equipment that got our back yard in order he's really been into the more classically "boy" trucks and 'dozers.  Below, as much as Sam didn't look at the animals last week when we were at the zoo, he did nothing but practically lick the glass of the enclosures today.

Warning: all photos taken with afore mentioned 4 year old iPhone - most of which were texted to Mom letting her know just how much fun she was missing out on... again.

The latest clouded leopard cub (sorry, forgot his name) and Sam seemed to have a thing.  They followed each other back and forth across the cub den several times and even played peek-a-boo.  The zoo staff on hand was quite amazed and mentioned to me they hadn't seen anything quite like it before. For Sam, I thought it was pretty standard.

Sam didn't have nearly as much luck with the mature Sumatran Tiger male who really only wanted to sleep while we ventured by.

I ask Sam what sound a tiger makes and he goes into a full on claws and growl demo - again, standard Sam.  

The Asian River Otters were friskier than usual today.  This one gnashed his teeth at Sam a few times.  Somehow, didn't get a snapshot of that.  

If you ask me, the cutest thing about the youngest Sumatran tiger cub is how Sam is trying to interact with her the way he did the Clouded Leopard cub.  She was sleeping, but that didn't stop Sam from trying to enticer her awake for some antics.  

I know it's not technically "glass" but a barrier between animals none the same.  Camel rides are only offered during the summer when there are enough visitors to the zoo to warrant manning the station.  Sam hasn't seen the camels much so he stops to take a peek.

Awe shucks.  Guess it's time for lunch.  

Ballet

It was bound to happen.  Grace has been fascinated with ballet cartoons and ballet books for quite some time now, possibly a year or more.  She has asked to go to dance class for several months but the class times weren't "convenient" for her parent's schedules, until now.  Last week was her first class of ballet (instead of swimming... again) at the YMCA.  The teachers know this is the first class many of the children have ever had where the parents do not accompany the kids during the class, and aren't even in the room during instruction.  At the beginning of class the teacher keeps the door to the dance room open, partly for the kids to peer out to make sure their parents are still there, partly for the parents to peer in and slowly let go of their own separation anxiety.  Grace let go of my hand as if it was natural to leave a parent for something else so wonderful - and she never looked back.  She was ready.  I bet it feels like that when they go off to college. 

We have been to two classes now and each time Grace wore a different borrowed leotard.  (Thank you neighbors.)  She is the only one in class without pink or black.  I love this fact probably as much as Grace loves the class.  Another thing that makes Grace stand out at ballet is she is the only little girl who has her Dad drop her off and pick her up.  Sarah would like to go, but her schedule hasn't allowed it yet.  Below are a few of the photos I've texted her while Sam and I raise a ruckus out in the halls waiting for class to end. (The mom's definitely do not raise ruckuses while they wait)

BACKYARD COMPLETE!

What was suppose to take 4 to 6 weeks ended up taking 6 days short of 4 months.  I could complain, but we are so thrilled with the final product that we will forgive the gross error in estimated completion date.  The guys at Titan Enterprises and New Horizon Services are stand up individuals, but apparently all too familiar with Parkinson's Law.

I will say, since I've returned home, every dinner we have eaten at the house has been outside on the deck or out in the yard.  We really do enjoy our new sanctuary.

Here are a few shots of the before, during, and afters.

View of the shed from below:

View of the side steps:

The Lower Yard:

From Above: