Summer Field Trip

Last week for our field trip we decided to take a ride on the Light Rail (train) into Seattle.  From a mom's perspective the great thing about the Light Rail is it is such an easier and cheaper way of getting into Seattle-no fighting traffic, no trying to find a parking spot, no crying kids by the time you get parked.  Kids six and under ride free and adults are on $5.50 for a round trip ticket.  We decided to stop at the International District and let the kids check out the local cuisine.

 We moved some car seats over and went to the train stop in Tukwila with the Ballards.  It was nice to have another adult to talk to during the drive and the boys were happy to have friends in the van.  Blake in particular loved having Kelsey as a buddy.  They held hands by Blake reaching up for one of Kelsey's fingers most of the ride over (very cute!).

 We found a parking spot, met up with our other friends, got tickets and headed up the escalator to the platform to wait for the next train.  Well, the stroller riders went up the elevator and at the last minute Tate decided he wanted to go up the escalator with Spencer and managed to get on by himself.  He tripped a bit and the guy that got on behind him did nothing to help, but we all made it!

Some snacks for the train ride over.  It was about a 25 minute ride to our stop.  I couldn't get Blake to look at me for the picture so Kelsey started holding up mini marshmallows to get him to look up.  It worked--he looked up and smiled, just not exactly at the camera.

 Tate showing me how tasty his crackers were.  Luckily, there weren't too many other people on the train to bother while we were moving seats around and spilling crackers everywhere.

In front of China Town. 

 Lucky us!  Karrie joined us during her lunch break.  She's much more familiar with the area since she works down here and gave us a great tour.  With all the kids we brought along:) it is always nice to have extra hands to help out.

 We found a store that had lots of big, clear jars full of all different kinds of spices I think.  Tate went in and kept asking me "what's in this one? What's in that one?"  ummmm, no labels.  I guessed.  I asked the owner if any of them had candy and he pointed me to a box with these jello squares in them.  Tate picked some out and ate them up!  The candies were wrapped in rice paper which you eat too.  He thought that was pretty cool.

 Our last stop was the market place in Uwajimaya's.  We were quickly losing "happiness" so we made a quick trip checking out the different veggies and meat offerings.  Tate was so excited to see a pigs head.  He said we should "bring it home!"  I replied, "what would we do with a pig's head?"  "Eat it!"  Unfortunately, this mom doesn't cook pig's head, so it did not come home with us.

 After getting some lunch at the market, we walked up to this little park area and tried to get a picture of all the kids. 

 That picture went as usual . . . Tate not wanting to join in, kids looking in all directions . . .

We wore this kiddo out!  It was a pretty quiet train ride back to the station.  Us mom's were pretty proud of ourselves for venturing into Seattle with just us and all the kids. 

We did it.

All kids accounted for.

A good time had by all.

Minimal breakdowns.

Fun time on the train!