Date Day at Adventura

On Saturday, Eric and I ditched the kids (aka hired a sitter) and went on an incredibly fun date at Adventura. Oh. My. Goodness. Such a good time!

What is Adventura? Basically, it is a ropes/obstacles course that is a playground for adults. There are a variety of ropes obstacles that are suspended from a structure of telephone poles. A reservation is for 2.5 hours of play time... actually less than that once the equipment is distributed and the safety part of the training is complete.

That said, when we first arrived and saw the structure, we both said, "That's it?" The structure was smaller (in terms of its footprint, not height) than we expected and I couldn't imagine we'd be up there for 2+ hours and not feel bored after a short time. Boy, was I wrong!!

The course

Getting ready for our adventure to begin

Once we got up on the structure (with 20-ish other people), we quickly understood that the course wasn't something you quickly pop through and then stand around twiddling your thumbs. Each challenge is just that ... a challenge. Every path between two poles was different and could be made more or less difficult based on how it was approached. That said, a few of the obstacles were difficult, no matter how they were approached. We used so much core strength while we were up on high!!

By far, my favorite parts were the two zip lines. I had been anticipating them from the day I made our reservation to go to Adventura and they did not disappoint. So... much... fun!!

The really neat thing I took away from the experience, aside from having a few hours of fun with Eric, was how everyone on the course started rallying for each other as time progressed. We were a group of strangers, but that didn't stop us from whooping and hollering when someone conquered a challenge, cheering people on as they struggled, and laughing together as we talked about our blunders and falls. Some people were there to conquer a fear of heights, others were there for a bit of fun, yet others were there to spend time with someone special ... once we got up there, we all became a bit of a team pulling each other up and helping each other through the course.

Yes, we have a few bruises from our adventure, but so many more good memories and moments to laugh about. Even a few days later, Eric and I are still recounting our experiences ... learning from them, laughing about them, and grateful to have shared them with each other.

Eric on his way up to get the fun started

Us on top of the world (or about 40 feet up ... whichever)

Eric the balancing man

The zip lines were AWESOME!!!

Nothing like your wife making you stop mid-challenge for a photo op!

And a few videos for your viewing pleasure!

New Year's Day Play Date

Our new year's eve was incredibly low-key this year, and for that, we are truly grateful! We counted down to the new year at 7 PM with the kids a the four of us toasted 2014 with 7-Up and cranberry juice served in plastic champagne glasses. The kids were in bed by 8 and the grownups were in bed by 10:30. Yes, we are WILD party animals!!

This morning, we met up with our friends the Russells at a great indoor play area called PlayDate Sea. The best way to describe this place is a habitrail for people. The use of space is incredible and the variety of activities is impressive. Plus, there is a great deal of climbing and movement involved throughout the play area. There are big slides (Eric discovered you get some serious speed if you go on your back instead of sitting up!!), air-powered nerf canons, balancing activities, and interactive electronic floor games. Seriously, someone was thinking when they came up with this place's design!

On top of that, there is free wi-fi and a coffee/food/beverage bar that the parents can take advantage of while their kids are playing. (Parents are allowed in the habitrail with their kids ... and we're so glad that was the case. We had a great time playing, too!) We spent about 2 1/2 hours at PlayDate and even then, the kids were exhausted and anything but interested in leaving. They LOVED it!

Conor on one of the slides

Is this a happy kid or what?!!?

Anne, Eric, and Dave

Annika playing an interactive floor game (I think she was jumping on frogs as they appeared)

Anne and Nic before they plunged down the slide

Conor in "The Claw"

Annika in "The Claw"

St. Edward State Park Visit

Last weekend was one full weekend, but so much fun! On Saturday, we had a play date at St. Edward State Park with our friends the Minnichs and the Hoglunds.

When we arrived at the park, Conor immediately noticed the men who were setting up a cricket game on the lawn by the parking area. He was intrigued by their VERY bright yellow uniforms and that they had a ball. I tried to explain what cricket is, but considering I have a very limited knowledge of the sport, I wasn't a very good resource. I think we'll have to do a little research on the Internet ....

The park is amazingly fantastic; someone really thought about keeping kids occupied and moving when they designed the play area. The structures have turrets and look like an old fort or castle, and the play area is entirely surrounded by lawns and trees. There are also lots of paths/trails in the park, but we just stuck to the play area, which is huge and fenced in with a nice wooden fence that keeps kids from wandering too far. There is a low climbing wall, tire swings, regular swings, a digger toy, a sand area, slides galore, and more!

The kids had a blast!! It was fun to have the ability to let them run around, knowing they wouldn't get very far. It was a bit nerve wracking to not have them in my sights 100% of the time, but I made sure they always knew where I was. Plus, I knew Elaine and Rachel were two more sets of eyes keeping an eye on the kids. We definitely had each others backs.

After playing ourselves silly, we called in the troops (aka the dads) and trekked to Elliott Bay Brewing Co. on Lake City Way for a mighty tasty lunch. With the number of little kids that we had, naturally, there were more bathroom visits than anyone imagined. Such is life and par for the course with six kids who are six and younger! :)

Would definitely vote for returning to St. Edward Park for another play excursion!!

Conor really liked these colorful blocks ... they made great sounds as they clanked together

More colors

Liam swinging away

Grace enjoying the red swing

Annika mastering the monkey bars

Run, Conor, run!

I think they reached the max. occupancy limit on this tire swing

Ethan and Annika taking the tire swing out for a spin... literally

Ethan was the last remaining tire swing hold out... he eventually was splayed
out in the wood chips because of being overly dizzy... poor kiddo!!

High flying and adored

Wheeee!

Nathan was too small to play, but sure enjoyed watching all of the kids run around

Conor keeping closer to the ground than his big sister tends to

Spring Heat Wave

What we deem to be a heat wave here in Seattle is probably nothin' compared to what people in other parts of the world consider worthy of being called a heat wave. I tell those people, deal with it ... we're usually soggy here, so anything over 60 is a heat wave, darn it! :)

Last week, we had a play date scheduled with Annika's little buddy Allison. Fortunately, the weather was stupendous and the kids were able to have a play date that included running through the sprinkler in our front yard. They had a ball with the new sprinkler that I picked up for just such an occasion.

I'm pretty sure the kids' feet hardly touched our lawn most of the afternoon. As I look back through the pictures I took of them playing, hardly any of them included land based children. Instead, most pictures had leaping, jumping, hopping, or running little ones. So much fun. So many smiles.

After they tuckered themselves out, the kids headed to our deck, which was still bathed in warm sunshine, and enjoyed a picnic snack of grape popsicles and refreshing water. They set out towels (aka the tablecloth) as well as plastic plates, cups, and silverware on our kid-size picnic table. I'm not sure why they insisted on plastic forks, knives, and spoons, but who am I to judge what is and what is not proper popsicle picnic protocol??

Around and around and around they went

Up and over

Right on through

One of the few feet-on-ground moments of the afternoon

Allison leaping through the water

Airborne Annika

The girls enjoying their water and popsicle picnic

Popsicle boy

Slides are Fun

On Sunday, Annika and I met one of her school chums at a local park for a play date. The kids had a great time playing on the swings, going up and down the slides (especially the salmon slide), playing on the beach, and chasing each other.

(Side note: We went to Carkeek Park, which Annika continually called either "Car Key Park" or "Parky Park.")

Even with all of that fun, nothing compared to the big blow-up slide that was at the park. Apparently, a local church was having its summer picnic and had rented the slide and they were kind enough allow any kids in the park who expressed an interest in playing on it have a go at it. Our kids were beyond thrilled!! I can't even begin to count how many times the went up and down that thing. I knew it was a hit when Annika resisted leaving it to go down to the beach, which is one of her favorite places of all time.

Thank you to the generous church that gave our kids an added bonus level of fun on Sunday!

GRRR!

This morning, Annika's BFF Allison came over for a few hours. The girls had a wonderful time playing and we got a kick our of eavesdropping on their conversations; they truly are a hoot together and have amazing imaginations!
A few days ago, Annika got it in her craw that she wanted to have her face painted and I figured it would be a good activity for the girls to do while they were together.

Eric, the artist of the family, picked up the required face paints yesterday and took up the brush today to transform the girls into orange and black tigers. After the paint was done, they had a marvelous time running around the house playing and growling with each other.

ROAR!!!!

Their version of "pretty tigers"

Having fun

True friends!