Date day

So last time we tried a date day we got called back to pick up some sick kiddos.  We thought we'd try again. 
We started at top pot for donuts and coffee...ugh so good.  We thought we'd try our luck with a sailing tour company called Let's Go Sailing.  Nick's been before but in an effort to convince me that we need a boat in our future life he wanted to get me aboard.  There were plenty of day-of spots left so we ran up to the market for some wine and set sail for an hour and a half.  It was so awesome.  We finished with a late lunch at The Fisherman (the restraunt closest to the new Farris wheel). 
Once we were totally relaxed watching other mamas and daddos negotiate a Seattle outing we figured it was our turn to head back and see how our kiddo's days went.  After leaving dev at school mid tantrum you can understand that we were hesitant.  Of course though, he was a beaming white haired little man (no traces of his 7th consecutive day of intense tantrums to be seen) and Tova was a little sleeping beauty, so almost all guilt about leaving them at home while we had a freakin' blast was gone. 
We definatly recommend the tour.  You can buy tickets online except on the day of but Nick and I had no problem grabbing tickets an hour before we sailed.  Here is the web site: www.sailingseattle.com.

Date Day

This is my last week of working part-time so Nick and I decided to take one of my off days and have a date day.  Our school Country Dawn was able to let us start Tova a week early so we could make this happen.  Nick and I haven't spent grown up time and/or time with just the two of us in longer than I can remember.

Our date day was bitter sweet in that it was also Tova's first day at school.  I talked myself into being OK by noting that if all hell broke lose I would be able to race right back to her as opposed to a day when I would not be able to because I was at work.  She gave her new teachers a huge smile and was not crying when we left so we drove South with optimism.

Of course we chose to head down town and make our favorite rounds.  Pastries and coffee at Le Panier, walking the Pike Market for spices, browsing Pacific Place, a quick stop at Frans, cocktails at Cutters, a visit to the map store, and lunch at Cafe Campagne.  We even tried to visit SAM but of course they are closed on Tuesdays!  No matter though, we had a blast and were so full of yummy food and treats that dinner was completely unnecessary. 

When we picked up the kiddos Deven was in a good mood and Tova was so calm and happy.  It was a perfect end to one of most relaxed days we have had in too long.

Thursday is my last day of leave with Tova, cross your fingers that it will a good one!

A couple pics from our day.

walking the pike market first thing in the morning

a cyprus marg from Cutters (peach with black rock salt)

The Market

Perhaps the last time we get to the market before we have a new addition?  Who knows.  Either way we wanted to get out of the house, Though I can't seem to remember why.  It was an unusually tough outing.  Deven is generally a bit a handful (being 2.5 and all) but today was down right difficult.  Nick and I have come to the conclusion that he must still be getting over a little cold and is getting in some new back teeth.  Something that would make any of us grumpy, but no less difficult to handle when nick and I are freaking out about having baby sister soon.
Freaking out may be an over statement but we did drag car seat, baby bag and momma hospital bad down with us today just in case...you never know, right?  So to help us cope we are giving Deven liquid food and letting Tylenol and Disney help us handle his mood this evening! 
These pics are from the market today...his tough guy face, his desire for alone time and some comfort food explain a lot in hind-sight!! 

President's Day - aka Seattle Aquarium Day

Daddo had to work and Momma was feeling the need to be OUT of the house with a crazy kiddo so we made the trek down to the Seattle Aquarium. It was about the time I noticed the 10 family deep line to pay for public parking that I realized it wasn't just Deven and I that had the day off. Either way we had nothing better to do and Deven was too stoked to see the fishy museum to care about waiting in line(s) - this is a first. Once we were able to pay for parking there was still about a half an hour wait to purchase tickets. I am not sure how he kept it together but there were only two instances of the 'momma chases toddler' game. Deven being under three was still free, score! This isn't the first time Deven has been to the museum but it will be the first time he will be able to participate in all the fun.

We made it in just in time for the first group activity which involved a huge parachute with an octopus on it. Yes, it was octopus week at the aquarium. Deven was a crab, which is a type of food that octopus love to eat...just so you know. We touched star fish and sea anemones galore. We saw huge fish, tiny fish and even sea horses. The seals, sea lions and otters were a hit but the Octopus and the scuba diver were the ultimate show stopper.

It was getting close to lunch time and Deven had requested hamburgers - I am 34 weeks pregnant so I cannot say I have any sort of will power to resist this type of request. I looked at the schedule and noticed that there was going to be a presentation in the main tank area so I asked Deven if he wanted to stay for the talk or go get hamburgers...he chose the talk...GOOD BOY!! It ended up being the only time of year they let an octopus in the main tank and the scuba diver had a speaker to talk to the kids while she was in the tank...I have to say it was pretty awesome!!

After the talk we grabbed some burgers on the Pier and had a peanut butter ice cream cone which he refused to share with me...how can I blame him honestly. When we got home he was too exhausted to resist a long nap and thus my ultimate goal was achieved. :) A great day.

A night away

We had a great excuse to take off for the night this weekend.  Our friend Codie turned 30 and we were celebrating down south so we called in the grandparents for back-up.  September was pretty rough for the Johnston family what with our latest section of siding construction project, my silly shoulder developing tendonitis, not to mention just the normal every day stuff of making sure Deven eats and sleeps normally!!  So I decided that Nick and I needed to relax for a bit.  I found this fabulous bed and breakfast on Capitol Hill in Seattle.  If you ever need to stay in Seattle book a room here - http://www.11thavenueinn.com/.  It's close to down town, a great park, the new location of the Elliott Bay book store, fun restaurants and what looked like some pretty cool bars!  After a fabulous homemade breakfast (omlet stuffed with spinach, cherry tomatoes, green onions and goat cheese topped with homemade pesto and grated parmesan) Nick and I walked all around the area and found a great cafe recommended to us by a friend called Odd Fellows.  We decided...why not eat again and got some yummy pastries and amazing espresso.  Just next store was the Elliot Bay Bookstore where I bought a baby name book and a new book about Otis the tractor for Deven.  We had such a great time.  These pics are of our room, our walk and of the place setting at Odd Fellows.  A night out well spent!!

Sunny Seattle

We decided we had to get out and use the weather to the best of our ability just in case this was a one time thing so we chose one of our favorite spots, the Seattle pike place market.  We started with piroshky pastry and le panier coffee then we took Deven on his first public bus down to the epic toy store in pioneer square finishing up with a walk down post alley.  A perfect sunny day spent!!

Hanging down town

Last Sunday we attempted to see the Picasso exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. Along the way we had fun but with the time change proved to much for all of us. We did get a small peek though. We (Nick and I) will need to go back before its gone! Here are some pics before the family melt down!