Our home in Seattle

On May 21st we flew out of Chicago on a plane not unlike this one. Konrad, who was already tired from the three hour drive to Chicago and lots of waiting around at the airport and on the runway, decided one hour into the flight that he wanted to get off. For the rest of the flight, he nearly drove us to distraction not to mention the poor person whose seat he kept kicking. Twenty minutes before landing he fell asleep. Jazz and I were so glad we had three weeks to recover before flying back. Once we had settled in, I pointed to a plane in the air and reminded Konrad of his crazy idea to get off. He thought it was very funny that he had been so silly and kept retelling his story with a hearty laugh every time he saw a plane. . . which was very often.


We were fortunate to be able to stay in this beautiful craftsman style 1920s home in the Ravenna neighborhood. It was so nice to be able to have a 'home' to go home to everyday. The neighbors were all so welcoming that by the end of the vacation, we felt like part of the neighborhood.


Our friends who own the house, left this easel at the house for the kids to use. It was a fabulous hit.


Konrad all of a sudden decided to start practicing writing his letters and by end of our stay he was writing MAMA and VAVA with ease. Here he is practicing the letter L.


Here the kids decided to make a picnic in front of the house.


Walking though the neighborhood on the way to the park. It is such a green city and even looks good on gloomy days such as this one.


A typical Seattle house, built into the hill with a garage below. I just could not get enough of looking at the fine craftsmanship of these house!


The community center and playground where we spent many hours. Below you can see a community garden that was just getting started.


Although this was not a dog park, lots of people come down to this field to let their dogs run and most people don't seem to mind. Our kids really missed their dogs Syd and Scoot and loved to talk to the dogs. This is Ella who was very good at catching balls. In the back ground you see a little hill which Konrad loved to just run up and down.


I guess the hill made them feel big!


This was really intended for bigger kids but Konrad always took a shot at it when we visited the park.


The main playground.


"Look, Mama, what I can do!"


Slip sliding away.


And, of course, a touch of sibling rivalry.