Low key spring break

Anya's school is on Spring Break this week. We decided to stay in town for a few reasons 1) Chris doesn't get much vacation at his new job and we're using most of it for our NC trip this summer 2) we're saving up to do a major remodel of our kitchen and a trip now would cut into those funds.

Unfortunately, all of Anya's school friends are out of town this week and public school friends aren't on Spring Break until next week. So, it's been a quiet, mom-kid week.

Monday, we went to Carkeek Park for the entire morning. We played on the beach and collected rocks (for the next round to go in the rock tumbler) until we could no longer stand the icy wind. Then we took a long hike through the woods and then ended up back at the playground. Out to lunch and then to another local park.

Tuesday, we headed to Woodinville for a few errands and then went to St. Edward State Park. I love that place. After a good hour of hide and seek at the (awesome) playground, we took a trail through the woods down to the water and hung out for awhile. Roaring Mouse late afternoon, with a play date and dinner here with her new friend, Owen.

Wednesday, we walked to Froula Park, then down to Roosevelt Square, had lunch, and then walked to Cowen Park. Bummer that the zipline (which was the whole reason we went there) was either out for repair or stolen. Probably stolen, considering. Kiddo played for awhile and then we walked the Ravenna Park trail home. She socialized over the fence for most of the afternoon with our next-door neighbors and after dinner we headed to the Fremont Troll for a short time to let Anya climb around.

Anya channeling her inner Japanese tourist

Thursday, we took the bus down to the UW with the intention of having a picnic under a blooming cherry tree in the Quad. Unfortunately, the trees were past bloom (sad Anya), but we still had a picnic. It was a gorgeous day and some classes were being held on the grass, so it was fun for me to listen in on them. Anya climbed many a cherry tree and we wandered (Anya ran) around campus for quite awhile. We eventually walked up to the Burke Museum and spent about an hour there. On a whim, we decided to walk home from there instead of wait for a bus. I was pretty amazed at what a trooper Anya was. She enjoyed the walk, no complaints (except to note that the bottoms of her heels were feeling hot). We stopped at Vios for a well-earned treat and continued home. I expected her to fall asleep from exhaustion, but she ended up staying up late (overtired, perhaps).

Today, we drove out to Bellevue to have lunch with Chris. Anya and I walked around Bellevue Square for a bit and she was entranced by the Lego Store and a Rubix Cube at another store. I ended up buying the game Simon, with fond memories of playing it as a kid. After walking back with Chris to his office, Anya and I walked over to the downtown park and she played (with real elementary-aged kids since they are on Spring Break on that side of the lake!) for quite awhile. Eventually, we headed back across the bridge. This evening, she's going to Moonpaper Tent for a few hours while Chris and I get a short date night.

This week was surprisingly fun and I've enjoyed all the walks and connecting with the kiddo.I wish there were more kids around for her to play with (probably not as much as she wished for it), but it was still a nice week.