September in Seattle!

[bjorker]

I thought I'd start a new thread now that the FYT forum is back up. What did you all do this past weekend?

[425lisamarie]

I am really going to plan a packed week since it's supposed to be nice all week and then I'm sure the rain will come!

We hung out at my parents house yesterday and ate too much. DS got to play most the day with his friends around there and they are all starting school today.

I really want to go to the aquarium one day this week, or next week probably. I've got to look in to some kind of pass for SEattle things, because I have an Everett museum pass but you can only go there so much

[applecider]

It's : this morning!

We went camping with family up at Newhalem off of highway 20. It was freezing cold and rainy almost the whole time! We did go on a 2-mile round trip hike and also spent some time in the North Cascades visitor's center. It was fun but it's good to be home. Today is marathon laundry day to wash EVERYTHING we brought with us. I was so tempted to turn the heat on this morning, but I resisted.

[OMama]

We mostly hung out at home. Had some friends over for dinner. And then went to the fair yesterday. We had a nice time despite the cloudy and cooler weather. DD and I went on the roller coaster together and DS loved all the animals. I felt good too because I've been "dieting" and I was trying to lose 5 lbs. last month. I did it! And my reward to myself was to have funnel cake at the fair. But I've been feeling so good eating so well that I didn't even want to eat the whole thing (like I thought I would). We all shared it. I didn't stuff myself on other fair food either and didn't leave feeling ill -- so that was nice.

DD was back at preschool today so that was a VERY good thing too. We had a LONG week together last week. She seemed to have a really nice time today too. DS and I start his co-op next week. It will be just one a day a week for two hours. I think it will be good but I'm a little nervous too about how people will respond to him (and to me) with his special needs. I talked to his teacher though and I think she will be very supportive. Wish us luck!

[Keeta]

We visited my folks this past weekend outside of portland, which was really fun. It was DH's birthday, and all he really wanted to do was to be able to go see a movie in the theater - something he hasn't done since the first weeks after DS was born (we all went to the movies then and DS nursed and slept the whole time!). This time my parents watched Silas and we got to go see Indiana Jones and have lunch at this great little cafe. It was really nice to have just us time, without having to divide our attention to see if DS is running into the road or something. We've only been on about 3 "dates" in the 2 years he's been born, and we need more alone time!

This week we're heading up to Everett on Thursday and spending the night and coming back Friday afternoon. Kind of ridiculous, but we only have one car and it's over an hour away. And did I mention DH's work is paying for the hotel? Yay. So any recommendations for cool things to do in the area are most welcome. I think we will definitely hit the children's museum and I'm going to go see last month's thread for that coffee shop rec. Oh, and in particular if anyone has any veg-friendly food recs, they would be MOST appreciated (we're vegan).

[DahliaRW]

The museum in Everett is great. My ds really loved it! The coffee shop is called Zippy's. I haven't been there yet, but want to go when I get a chance to with other mamas!

We hung out at home most of the weekend. It was actually quite nice to do so. I took Lorinc down to visit my mom an step-dad for a few hours Saturday while Eric took Will to the Science Center. And then yesterday Eric took both boys on a hike with his parents and left me at home for 5 or 6 hours to get some cleaning done that I desperately needed to do. It's funny as a mom to really enjoy cleaning because you're actually ALONE! I would never have cleaned in my alone time before kids!

[goldfawn]

School starts tomorrow for my 9yr old and I am kind of looking forward to long walks with baby and getting out and meeting other new mamas. I am even excited for fall even though the summer was pretty lackluster weather wise... Something about the fall makes me want to sit around sipping tea & coffee for hours.

[darciedoodle]

We had colds (the kids & dh). I've somehow been spared (knock on wood). We had a nice low key day in the garden, picked some tomatoes. I got some rocks out for Lily to play with, she discovered fossils. I'm feeling kinda lame because I didn't sign her up for preschool, I'm thinking they'll call when another kid drops out since she's on the "wait list". But I'm not really sure she's even ready for preschool, she likes the idea of the "wait list".

[bjorker]

Originally Posted by Keeta

I think we will definitely hit the children's museum and I'm going to go see last month's thread for that coffee shop rec. Oh, and in particular if anyone has any veg-friendly food recs, they would be MOST appreciated (we're vegan).

Zippy's has a number of vegan/raw items on their menu, which is nice for me too because it makes it much easier to find something that is gluten-free. I've had their raw vegan pizza, and while it was different, it was really pretty good! It comes with a salad, too. Probably the healthiest eat in town.

Originally Posted by OMama

DD was back at preschool today so that was a VERY good thing too. We had a LONG week together last week.

um, yeah. I hear ya there, big time. My dd definitely is a lot happier when she gets her preschool time. We had plans to stay busy last week when there was no school, but they all fell through when she got the nasty cough. Neither of us much like to stay home, so it was a difficult week. Bah. She's finally going back to school today, since there was no school on Monday either. Eep! She was very excited to hear that.

[lisalulu]

Both our babes got colds over the weekend too. DH almost finished getting the trellis up on our fence-this has been a project that just never seems to get finished!

Oh I also made the trek down to H&M in hope of some great preschool clothes for DS1 but what a disaster! He hadn't slept well so ran around the store the whole time. I was kind of disappointed in the store too after all the hype I'd heard from friends. They had a couple cute things. Maybe the women's stuff is better.

We're hoping to get outside this week to enjoy the sunshine!

[angelpie545]

We had one busy weekend and past week! First we went to our beach cabin in Cannon Beach, Oregon at the end of August, came back, barely got unpacked in the next couple of days, and then our neighbor, who was moving out, gave us a whole bunch of furniture he didn't need anymore! So basically, we re-did nearly our entire house and now it's like we just moved in all over again. The kids started school yesterday, so they are gone six hours a day and dh just got a new contract job with a family friend, so I'm all alone a lot. The good thing is though, I'm going to get this house sooo organized! Or, ha, I say that anyway. As I'm typing away on MDC.

[MarchMummy]

Wow, sounds like you all had fun this past weekend! My sis was in town all last week and left on Sunday, so I spent Sunday afternoon and Monday feeling depressed about her being gone. The fact that DH spent all day Monday at Bumbershoot with a friend only added to the self pity party. Whenever my mom, sister and I visit each other, it always takes a couple of days for us to recover afterward because we get all sad that we live in 3 separate states and can't see each other all the time. I am dreaming that they will both move here someday (cuz I'm not moving to where they live, that's for sure!).

Yesterday afternoon we were at Carkeek with a friend, enjoying the lovely weather. We even stuck our feet in the water. The playground was deserted, it felt so strange (and kind of nice)! We're not in the school stage yet, so I didn't realise everyone was starting school this week. Maybe I will actually go to the playground at Green Lake again...

Originally Posted by DahliaRW

It's funny as a mom to really enjoy cleaning because you're actually ALONE! I would never have cleaned in my alone time before kids!

I know what you mean, I am the same way! It's amazing how just about anything that I'm used to doing with a "helper" around is so much more enjoyable when I get to do it alone.

Originally Posted by lisalulu

Oh I also made the trek down to H&M in hope of some great preschool clothes for DS1 but what a disaster! He hadn't slept well so ran around the store the whole time. I was kind of disappointed in the store too after all the hype I'd heard from friends. They had a couple cute things. Maybe the women's stuff is better.

Where is H&M? I didn't think they even had H&M in this country!

[lisalulu]

Originally Posted by MarchMummy

Where is H&M? I didn't think they even had H&M in this country!

They just opened one in Southcenter and there will be one in U-Village-supposed to open on the 12th of this month. Sooo did I just have a bad trip? My friends would all come back from NYC raving about the stuff they got there.

[MarchMummy]

Well, you learn something new every day!

I have no idea about kid's clothing there, I've only bought for myself. We used to live in the UK and it was one of the few places I could find decently priced (new) clothing for myself (without having to bus out to a mall somewhere!). I'm wondering what the prices are like here, especially when you've got places like Old Navy which are fairly cheap too (though the stuff I got from H&M was more funky than Old Navy type stuff). I also got some great maternity tops there for good prices.

I'm going to have to check it out. Think I'll wait for the U-Village one though!

[Vortexing]

Originally Posted by MarchMummy

Where is H&M? I didn't think they even had H&M in this country!

haha, DH and I were surprised too. We'd gone to Sweden once and ended up having to buy something (yes, we went all the way over there w/o a watch or alarm clock) and liked the store. Then we get back, and there's one in the small town we used to live in and we'd never realized it was there!!! They choose weird places to put them in the US.

BTW all, I'm changing my username, just in case anyone wants to get a hold of me. It should be changing to "vortexing". Less of a long story than how I ended up with Bamboomama, but nerdier. One day I'll put some effort into coming up with a good one. The best one I've seen is "becoming"'s. I don't know why it strikes me as such a good one, but if I could pick hers, I would.

[simplehome]

We went to Bumbershoot last Saturday, and it was a GREAT time! We finished the day with dinner at I Love Sushi on Lake Union, and everyone ended the day fat and happy. It was one of the nicest days we've had as a family in a long time.

Sunday was another story, and I seemed to have blocked it from my memory!

We spend Labor Day at my parents' house, where my sister, her two 3-year-olds, and two of my dad's sister were visiting. We could only handle that pot-o-crazy for about 24 hours. My family slept on the living room floor, while the kids took turns being awake and crying. Officially my worst night of sleep ever!

DS started preschool for the first time on Wednesday, and really seems to be enjoying it. It was just the new kids this week, and only one hour. Next week all of the kids will be there, and the day will be slightly longer. He was so bummed that it was so short, so I imagine the longer time will suit him.

DH is on parental leave this month and next (yes, my baby is 7 months old, but we're just getting around to his leave) so we're working on house projects that never seem to get done. So far I've arranged chimney cleaning, carpet cleaning, plumber, deck replacement bids, and a whole host of other tiny projects that have been grating on us. Lots of Craigslisting, which is going really well!

I start working again in another week or two, just 10 or so hours a week from home. I bought my new computer today, but I think I'm in denial because I haven't even taken it out of the box yet.

DS is sooooooo sad tonight because DH is away climbing The Tooth with his intern and another friend. He wanted to do something really fun with the intern to try to convince him that WA is a great place to live. I guess the guy is doing a great job, because they want him back next year. DH promised to take DS camping Sunday night, just the two of them. I think DS' real fear is that our routine lately is that both kids go to sleep in the kiddo room (DS on a twin that is pushed against DD's full which is against a wall, both on the floor). When I'm ready for bed I crawl into the full with DD. In the middle of the night DS runs as fast as he can (afraid of being alone) into the other bedroom to crawl into the very tall king with DH, and we finish the night two and two. With DH gone there's no one to crawl in with, and I don't want to take both kids into the king because it is so tall (DD likes to fall on her head). Poor kiddo.

On a lighter note, DH got the kid a climbing harness this weekend, and he fell asleep tonight wearing his climbing harness and snow boots. He is SO ready to get out into the mountains!

Okay, I should stop writing before the kiddos wake up!

[simplehome]

Shall I start a fall clothing/gear/toy swap thread? Anyone interested? Again, I'm happy to host. I'm thinking about Thursday the 18th of September, 10:30AM. Any objections from those who wish to attend? I totally picked that day and time out of the air and would be happy to change it. I have a bag leftover from the last swap, plus some new stuff my kids have outgrown.

[Vortexing]

Originally Posted by simplehome

Shall I start a fall clothing/gear/toy swap thread? Anyone interested? Again, I'm happy to host. I'm thinking about Thursday the 18th of September, 10:30AM. Any objections from those who wish to attend? I totally picked that day and time out of the air and would be happy to change it. I have a bag leftover from the last swap, plus some new stuff my kids have outgrown.

Sounds like you guys have been busy busy. The sleepless night sounded pretty hellish. How'd you end up on the floor in the living room - was there no more comfortable real estate available b/c the house was packed?

I'd like to do another swap too - I started saving clothes, so I'll have more to bring this time. However, we actually have a doc appt at that exact time you picked otherwise it'd be perfect for us.

Could we do it the next week at the same time? Sept 25th at 1030am?

[darciedoodle]

I could come to a swap on the 25th! I've got tons of stuff, I don't know where it all comes from. That would give me some time to get organized. We need to encourage someone with a new baby (or one on the way) to come and get all the small things.

[lisalulu]

We could also do the 25th!

How was everyone's weekend? We went to the Northgate Festival yesterday and saw Recess Monkey which was fun for DS1. And dh is still working on the fence! At least its beautiful out