Chihuly Glass Garden

TRAVELS WITH KID  |  SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Spud's birthday request was to drive down to Seattle to have dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Sounds a little crazy but we did it! We wrapped it all up with a visit to the EMP, which was amazing, and to the Chihuly Glass Garden, which was jaw dropping, and called it an "experiential" birthday present. The cherry on the cake was going with good friends. Here's a sample of what we enjoyed at the garden.

Multi-generational Overnight Camp

SUMMER FUN PASSPORT ENTRY  |  TICK!

Our first overnight camp. As a family or otherwise. It was centered around art ... more specifically performance art. Anyone who knows me would say, wuh?! A performance camp? Really? But Spud's aunt is on the board of the organization behind this camp and she was VERY persuasive. And we are all grateful for that.

Imagine one week, 40ish people from babes to seniors, coming together to perform an original play, including singing and dancing ... all original music ... building a full-on set ... in just 6 days! Sounds impossible. But it's not! It was a brilliant, no pressure, purely inspiring week that we hope we can do again next year.

Our Highlights:
· The theatre! In the woods. Incredible setting. Built in the 1920s. Jaw dropping.
· Meals, "Free Time" and "Social Hour" spent with interesting and incredibly talented people
· 7 am polar bear swim
· 7 am giant bubble blowing off the bridge
· Kids improv and comedy night
· Making masks
· Salmon bake on the beach
· Trying to learn how to read music to sing in harmony!
· Watching the kid take risks, at his own pace
· The kid and Hubs being a part of the band
· Candy store runs

Another entry in our Summer Fun Passport

We took the Summer Bucket List Challenge. Our working list is here.

Theo Chocolate Factory Tour

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON   |   TRAVELS WITH KID

BOTH INSPIRING AND DELICIOUS: Planning a trip to Seattle and looking for something a bit off the beaten path? May we suggest a chocolate factory tour? Theo is an adorable little chocolate factory that is totally organic AND fair trade — and they exude commitment and a happy passion about what they do — it's contagious. And we all learned a lot!

And the store? You know, where you exit through after the tour? A-mazing.

Here are a few of our tips ...

Tip #1: The tour can fill up really quickly. If you are serious, book ahead online.

Tip #2: If you are planning a trip to Seattle with the kids for any reason, definitely pop over to Delicious Baby to get the what's-what. That's how we found Theo.

Tip #3: Don't try to pull a Lucy and Ethel.

Photo Friday #35

BOEING TOUR, NEAR SEATTLE  |  TRAVELS WITH KID

Our last trip to Seattle, Washington included the much anticipated tour of Boeing's The Future of Flight Aviation Centre, where we saw the detailed assembly line of commercial jets. Since we were not actually allowed to take cameras on the tour itself, these photos here are in the Materials Zone, which was a fun way to wait for the official tour to start.

Thanks to Delicious Baby for hosting Photo Friday each week. Share your travel pics there or check out what other people have been up to.

Photo Friday #34

CONSERVATORY IN SEATTLE  |  TRAVELS WITH KID

In Seattle for a few days recently we went to Delicious Baby for some advice on things to do. Day 1: the Conservatory in Volunteer Park. We spent the better part of an hour spotting various plants for the mini scavenger hunt. The cactus section was particularly alluring.

Thanks to Delicious Baby for hosting Photo Friday each week. Check it out!

Photo Friday #21

SEATTLE SCRATCH PATCH  |  TRAVELS WITH KID

A few weeks back, when I had very little time to post, I had a wee business trip in Seattle and brought the fam. Of course I went to Delicious Baby to see what sorts of kid friendly fun we could get up to in my off time and we found this! A scratch patch. A tradition in South Africa apparently, where one roots around a giant patch of various polished stones. Right up my kid's alley.





Identify them.





Roll around in them.



Pick your favourites.



And pay for the ones you leave with.

For other travel pics, check out my favourite family travel site Delicious Baby. Or go there to share your travel photos on Fridays too.

Quick Stop in Seattle

TRAVELS WITH KID | FOODIE SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
On our trek down to the Oregon Coast we stopped for some sustenance along the way in Seattle. As recommended by a work buddy ["Hi Nicole"] we stopped at Serious Pie. And oh, is it seriously good!



For the wee ones with a simple palette, Buffalo Mozzarella and San Marzano Tomato is where it's at. The crust is thin and almost melts in your mouth.



Next time I'd like to also try their Cherry Bomb Peppers with Sweet Fennel Sausage. Whatever you get, it will be the finest quality and oh so delicious.

This was our view: the kitchen of the Dahlia Bakery which is around the corner and also run by Tom Douglas, maybe Seattle's most famous foodie.





And we found these gems ... Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes.

Seattle: Half Day of Trundling Around

TRAVELS WITH KID

We found this hotel, Hotel Monaco on hotwire which is great for finding last minute hotel deals. We got the room for one night for $99, saving over $100.



Our adventure began with a map from the hotel. Where's the library?



It's kitty corner to our hotel! On 4th and Spring.


View Larger Map.

Killer architecture.



Fantastic kids section. We brought our laptops and squeezed in some quality adult time using their free wireless, while the little one played with the puzzles, toys and computer games.




After a 10 block-trundle, we browsed Pike Place Market.





Watched the famous fish tossing ...



Crossed the street to watch them make cheese and bought a small tub of squeeky cheese for the road trip home.



Watched them line up out the door for freshly baked piroshkies. We'll hit that place on our next visit here for sure.



Settled on brunch at Etta's in the next block.



The kid quesadilla wasn't very cheesy but the fries were great and the platter was smartly garnished with crisp apple wedges which were a hit with Spud.



Mmm. Chipotle hollandaise benny with spinach and crab.



And a fine huevos rancheros.