Saturday, August 30, 2014

Seattle Saturday

Seattle returned to the weather it is known for today - heavy gray skies and light rain.  It was refreshing after so many days of plus 80, and because it was not a heavy rain it didn't spoil the fun of going into the city for a Sounders soccer match.

Tom and I went in early enough to do the March to the Match, which forms in Occidental Park and goes about five blocks to the stadium through old Seattle.

Jill and the kids drove in and pre-funced at Starbucks along the march route.

At the stadium we met up with Jill and the kids.  Jill joined her supporter group in the north end 100 level seats, and we had seats next to us for the kids in the 300 level, out of the rain.

 Listening to the band from the stadium ramp.
 Issac stayed with his mom until just before the match.  We took Irene for a view of the stadium from the 12th Man flag pole, flying a Sounders flag today.
 The score was 0-0 at halftime when we went out to the concourse for some fortification.
 The sky was heavy but not raining.
 Back in our seats for the second half.  Isaac is giving me the evil eye.
 VICTORY! A hard fought 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids. 


 We were quite taken with this after match entertainer, a unicorn playing buckets and bowls. 

 The crowd dispersed into a rain washed city.
 That structure in front of the north gate ↓ is a stage being set up for the Thursday night opening of the NFL season, when the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks take on the Green Bay Packers.
 Jill and the kids were walking back to Occidental Park where she had parked her car, so we went along before catching the light rail back home.
 They were studying the beautiful hanging flower baskets along Occidental Street. 



 The park was much quieter now than pre-match. Tom and I wandered around a bit enjoying this beautiful part of our city.

 Is it time to get the rain slickers out, or will summer return?


Jill and the kids are on the island by now.  I have finished making the potato salad.  The chocolate cake is baked and frosted.  Tomorrow we join Tom's family for the annual Phosie-Gertie Picnic.  

Friday, August 29, 2014

Grandma Camp

We are very fortunate to have our grandchildren living near us, and they are equally fortunate to have us near, even though there may be times that they don't think so.

This week Jill went back to work, attending meetings and training sessions, in preparation for the new school year to start next Wednesday.  We picked up the kids each morning and and had the pleasure of their company each day.

They had recently spent several weekends with us, and decided that the old toys we had here were not sufficient any more, so on Monday they brought some of their own and set them up in the bedrooms.  



As long as I allowed them some screen time each day they were happy and we spent Monday at home.

Tuesday we went on a field trip to Olympia, the state capitol.  "Why do we have to go there?  How long will it take?".  Yes, we are now in the pre-teen years, at least with 11 year old Isaac.  Irene, at 9, is rushing it, but don't tell her that.  Anyway, I "made" them go.  Irene really liked the capitol building and Isaac asked good questions. 
 World War II Memorial ↑

 The Great Seal of the State of Washington ↑

 Tour Director Tom pointing out important stuff ↑


 Learning about the legislature and roles of government ↑

 Our state namesake has a shiny nose because for some reason it is traditional to touch it when visiting.



 Irene took a few photos too.↓
 The kids found acorns on the ground under that big tree in the background and were as intrigued with them as anything else.
 We moved on to the Temple of Justice
 and the kids played with their acorn "tops" in the lobby of the state supreme court.


 We had lunch at a Subway in Olympia and then drove over to Tumwater Falls on the Deschutes River, site of the first American settlement on Puget Sound, where there was water power to run mills. 
 The kids were ready to mutiny "Not more walking!", so we let everyone play in the park for a while.



 The large building on the right is the Olympia Brewery, now out of business and for sale.
 The Upper Falls and the grating covering the rushing water of the fish ladders.


 The lower falls - there were middle falls too.
 These rubber duckies were apparently left over from a run called the Duck Dash.

 Irene found another tree to climb.  She analyzes trees based on how good they would be for tree houses.  
 Isaac was now, as usual, doing everything possible to avoid my camera. 
It was a very warm day and when we returned home, we all sought our quiet time, which for all of us involved some kind of screen.

Wednesday morning we loaded up the kids bikes and went to Fort Dent to walk and ride along the Green River trail.  Isaac declared he was tired and wasn't having any of it, and refused to budge, so we left him sitting on the curb with his bike and the three of us set off.  After about a mile and a half we turned around, and he came riding down the trail to join us.  

 When we got back to the parking lot the Sounders were coming out of the training facility and heading to the practice field.  
 Tom and I were wondering a few weeks ago whatever had happened to the old Hat and Boots that were a relic of an old 1950's gas station along Route 99.  Then we found an article in a AAA magazine, so we went to find them.

 "No more photos!" ↓

We had a snack and then the kids played.



 Back home there was more screen time, and in the afternoon the kids played "rugby" in the shade on the lawn and we played a game of Skipbo on the patio.

Thursday morning the kids were happy to hear we wouldn't be going anywhere, but I went out walking and Tom dropped the kids off with their bikes after picking them up, so they rode around the neighborhood park while I walked. Then they spent the rest of the morning here. 
In the afternoon we went to Jill's school to help set up her classroom and then we all went out for ice cream. 
This morning Jill went to school to spend a few hours doing some lesson planning and we picked the kids up and took them to Friday morning breakfast with us.  
Isaac loved his bacon ↓
 Jan and Lela were the only two other regulars with us this morning.

We took them home after breakfast and Jill returned home shortly thereafter.  When Tom took the bikes back over a bit ago Jill reported that she had suggested they go check out a new park. She was met with "Why do we have to go there?  We've been going places all week!"  So I guess they went to the mall.

Grandma Camp is done.  Of course we will see them tomorrow when they go to the Sounders match with us, and Sunday when we are all at the family picnic on Whidbey Island.  But I won't be in charge.