Inspiring Impressionism

I took Alyssa to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) this last week. We went with her grandmother and her great grandmother. I wasn't too worried about her because she is very good in public and it was time for her nap, which she hadn't had all day. I was planning on her falling asleep in the car and sleeping for awhile. I was very excited because I had never been there and Fine Art was my minor in college and I absolutely love doing stuff like this. So we were on our way. I really don't think the two grandmas knew how excited I was, because I don't show my emotions all that much. My family has even joked that I have ice water running thru my veins. Nice huh! Anyhow Alyssa had fallen asleep in the car and was asleep for probably the first ten minutes or so and that's probably being generous.

The exhibit there right now is Inspiring Impressionism.

Impressionist painting include visible brush strokes, open composition, emphasis on light in its changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passage of time), ordinary subject matter, the inclusion of movement as a crucial element of human perception and experience, and unusual visual angles.

Since being out of college for eight years, yikes, I have lost touch or have forgotten a lot about art and such. Before we went I went back and I guess researched it. It's like falling off a bike, it all came rushing back to me. I realized that Monet, one of my favorite artists, would be on exhibit. I was thrilled to death on this. So we got up to the exhibit and everything was going great. I was listening to the info they have and looking at the pieces and I look down to see Alyssa is wide awake and staring at me smiling. OK so know I can feel my blood pressure somewhat start to climb. I continue to walk around and whisper quietly it's OK. I don't know exactly at what because she wasn't making a peep. I think it calmed me down a bit tho because it was so quite in there you could here a pin drop. Anyways we are making our way around and Alyssa decided she was bored and wanted to talk and be held. So I took her out of the stroller and started walking with her. She spit up a little. Which normally is no big deal, right? Well than I started having all these images of her getting this projectile spit up and going all over the paintings. What would I do?! What would "they" do!? So anyhow I found some couches for us to sit on and was waiting for her to calm down. I think she enjoyed making noises in there because it echoed. Not to make matters any worse for me! After awhile it become somewhat comical. After a few minutes we decided to take her down stairs and get something to drink. Great Grammy finished her rounds and would meet up with us.

Now I normally don't worry about taking her places because she is always so good. Not that she was bad but in those circumstances I guess I was just uncomfortable. Especially from some of the looks some of the up tight people were giving me. I guess I just don't take places like that as serious about taking a child to as a movie theatre or a fine restaurant. Needless to say we had a good time and I can't wait to do this again and share this with Alyssa in the future. Hopefully she has a interest in art as much as I do.

For those out there I would definitely recommend going to see this exhibit. It's well worth the time and money!

Parties in L-town

What a busy weekend! Friday after Cory got off of work we headed down to Longview. We left around one o'clock and went and picked Grammy up eventually leaving Seattle around quarter to two or so. The car was packed to the hilt. Traffic was horrid even for a Friday. It took us about four hours to get to Longview which is normally about a two and half hour drive. It was awful, I was driving and it was stop and go until around Olympia. Grammy got to ride in back with Alyssa and fed her twice. We had to make a stop at a truck stop and change Alyssa's diaper. It was quite comical. She was on the trunk of the car getting her diaper changed. I wished I had my camera ready. It was funny with all the semi's in the background.

On Saturday was Nolan's first birthday! It was a great day of hanging out with family, good food and Nolan! It's amazing how fast this last year has gone by. It just seems like yesterday he was born and how much he has changed is amazing. I can't wait to see where Alyssa will be at on her first birthday! On Sunday I just hung out with my family while Cory went golfing. That evening we went to a movie and saw The Dark Knight. It was a good movie, long but good. The one thing that was awful was the air conditioning was out or not turned on in the theater and it was miserable. For approx. two and a half hours we sweated our butts off. It made time go by soooo slow.

Monday was Gails retirement party that some of her friends put on. It was very nice. They have a beautiful house in Castle Rock with an amazing garden. I would try and describe it but words just don't do it justice. Anyhow they had Gail sit down and rip up a planning book, reading sheet, and the WASL. I think she took a little too much enjoyment in all of that. We all got some good laughs watching. It was kind of crazy to see some old teachers that we used to have. I will be going back down to Longview in a few weeks to go see Phantom of the Opera with Amanda and Gail. Us kids got her tickets for her retirement. I am very excited about that. I have never seen it but hear so many great things about it. We will see!

Alyssa is growing like crazy! I started feeding her apple sauce this week and she is loving it. She does that thing where she shakes her head because you don't get it in her mouth quick enough. It's so funny! The best thing I ever bought so far I think is her "Little Miss Sunshine" bib. I was going thru so many cloth ones and decided that was crazy!! So I went and got one of the plastic ones it's also nice because it has a little pocket that is supposed to catch crumbs and such. Not that that will be a problem for awhile.

She has also started to play on her ladybug toy. She is able to turn herself around and play with the toys. She has been in her exersaucer and playing with those toys but at this point she is a little more interested in getting them into her mouth! She isn't sitting up on her own yet but is trying to pull herself up into a sitting position from on the flour and enjoys being like that on your lap. I'm going to be redundant but it's just amazing to me at how quickly they change and the littlest things that she couldn't do yesterday but is doing them today. She has learned how to take off your glasses and likes to play with them. She has also started taking her toys and throwing them. Although not far but still annoying especially when she gets upset afterwards.

Next week Alyssa will go spend the week with her grandmother while Cory and I head out to the Lake Tahoe area for my nephews wedding and a mini vacation. I can't wait for that! Although it will be nice it will be weird being away from her for such a long time. We have left her over night before but never for this long. It's weird at how quickly they become such a big part of your life and how you want to go away but there is a part of you that wants them with you at the same time. Oh well I know it will be good for her and for us as well.

Woodland Park Zoo

Today Alyssa and I went to the zoo for the first time with my good friend Katie and her son Ian. We had a great time. The weather was perfect, cloudy and cool in the morning but not too cold and nice and sunny in the afternoon but not too hot. It was great I haven't been to the zoo in years! Not too sound cheesy and I'm going too but it's great that they have a place that you can go and see animals that you probably would never get to see otherwise. Anyhow I knew Alyssa probably wasn't going to get really anything from the trip, except her stuffed elephant, but still thought that it would be a good time and nice to get out of the house and in the fresh air for awhile. I got some great pictures of the animals that I didn't think would turn out that great because of the glass but you can't even tell. I guess my camera isn't that bad after all! The animals that I think Alyssa saw were the Komodo dragon, giraffe, and the elephant. It was kind of funny because he/she was walking back and forth and when he/she passed us Alyssa's eyes got big. So I think she saw the elephant or she was having something big in her pants going on. The animals that I liked were the monkeys, I've always liked them, and the bears. They weren't as cooperative today as I would have liked them to be but at least I got to see them. The lion was great to see. It's amazing how big they are. I definitely wouldn't want to get stuck alone with one. Katie was telling me how the last time when she was in the den the lion actually roared and shook the glass and all. That would be incredible to hear. It was great because the lion stuck his head up as the lioness walked by and she opened up her mouth, I think they were flirting, and had the biggest teeth! Anyhow it was great to take her there and I can't wait for us to go again.

This week we had a little devestating situation. Well it was more devastating for me than anything. Harley ate Alyssa's Little Duck book. It's her favorite and her Grandma Richter had got it for her. She laughs everytime I read it to her and grabs on to it etc. So the next day I had to go out and find another one. This is something that will NOT become a habit whenever Harley ruins something because I am sure this is not the last! Anyhow I found one and got four more in the series. They are really cute and simple books but I enjoy reading to her and she appears to like it as well.

This weekend we are headed down to Longview for Alyssa's cousins first birthday and her grandmother's retirement party! It will be another good weekend seeing the family!

A relaxing vacation

We've had a busy week. Tuesday July 1st Alyssa attended her first Mariner's game. Unfortunately Cory didn't get to enjoy it with us, we was working it. We had great seats in the Club section, had two fly balls hit right by us, and we sang and danced in the seven inning stretch. Alyssa fell asleep about the 8th inning. I forgot my camera which never happens but luckily my friend Joy had hers with her. The Mariners actually won so I think she might have been good luck!

On Thursday we ended up going over to Grammys house for a great dinner. She fixed ribs, potatoes and cole slaw with ice cream and strawberries for dessert. She is a FABULOUS cook! It was a very good time. We got over there and she watched Alyssa for an hour or so and Cory and I went and got a drink at the Magnolia Pub where our friend is the cook. We visited there for awhile. We then went and checked out this baby store in the village that had the most adorable things. We didn't buy anything but I'm sure I will be back. When we got back to the apartment Uncle George with there with his friend Phylis. It was great seeing them and having them spend some time with Alyssa.

For the 4th of July we stayed around the area for the first time in a long time. We went to a friends party and hung out for awhile and had great food. Cory and I ended up coming home early and not watching the fireworks there but it ended up being a good thing. When we got home we watched the Tulalip show from our front porch and the Everett show. We forgot that you can see them from the front of our house and we don't have to deal with all the crowds so we decided next year the party is here. The "shows" were great they went on for quite awhile. The Tulalip one never seemed to end. Alyssa missed out on it all. She was sleeping and didn't seem to be bothered by all the noises going on around her.

The next day we headed down to Longview for my dad's birthday. We had a great day. We hung out with my brother, parents, and Cory's parents were even able to come by. My mom cooked a great meal and on my sisters break from the hospital she snuck over for a few minutes to see her niece.

On Tuesday we headed out to Kayak Point for a picnic and some sun. Cory and I love going out there it's so peaceful and that's usually the place where we go crabbing. Alyssa enjoyed it but not as much as our dog Harley who played in the water and got to walk along and see all the kids and the chipmunk who was stealing food from people. Harley was making us laugh because this was the furthest that he has ever got into the water. He kept batting at it to see how deep it was. He was exhausted that night which was good because he only has two speeds so anything to wear him out.

Cory and I took Alyssa for her first trip to the park we brought dinner out there and ate it by the lake and then went and swung for a little while. It brought back memories for both of us how we used to see how high you could get on the swing and then jump off. I don't think I would do it now, falling hurts a lot more when your older! Cory's on vacation for a few more days and we have some fun things planned. Tomorrow we are having a seafood cookout at our house and Friday we are having a date night and going out to dinner at the Melting Pot. Which I can't wait for it's the best restaurant ever!

July 4th, 2008

Happy 4th of July! Everyone have fun and be safe!