I may live to regret these words, but we are having a great spring break. Long time readers know we've had some dreadful spring breaks that resulted in cursing and my signing them up for several weeks of camp.

I made the same plan I make every staycation: ask them what they want to do, make fun activities happen every day, insist on outdoor exercise every day. This time though we had the added benefit of their being able to stay home alone for extended periods, so I could work, exercise, and get the groceries without helpers. That has made me way more relaxed. And the home alone thing is still such a novelty that they end up tidying the house, playing together, taking care of each other and not abusing their t.v. privileges.

The Moisture Festival

The Moisture Festival, a vaudeville show held in a brewery storehouse, can be hit or miss. This year it was definitely hit. I love seeing artists do their art, whether it's trapeze, juggling, or blowing bubbles. They have obviously put such effort into learning their craft and take such risks sharing it with us. I have no idea how the magician found the word in the newspaper or how the clown with the mask could show such emotion. For the first time, we went to an evening show and didn't get home until 10:00.

two zip lines

Sunday we went to the Ballard park zipline with Rose's friend Amelia and her father. So, the kids had another person in the mix, and I got to chat with a fellow English teacher. That zipline is not one of our regular parks. It was cold out, so there was no line, and my kids are old enough not to bonk their heads even if I'm talking poetry with David.

Monday I had promised the kids bowling and suddenly realized there was another zipline park (Lincoln) far away from our house and near the bowling alley. I had made it so clear there was not a weather exception for the outside play time, that they didn't blink at the rain. Again, rain meant no line. The zipline was fast, and they had a great time inventing new tricks and playing together.

bowling

Rose used to be a pain in the neck when we went bowling because if she didn't win, she sulked. I don't know if she's better, but she won this time, so she was very cheery. She still uses the bumpers, but she had some good bowls even without them. I am a very inconsistent bowler and got several gutter balls and then two strikes in the 10th frame. David did fine and had fun. The best thing about modern bowling is the no smoking rule. The second best thing is the bumpers.

Pike Place Market

David went on a tour of the Pike Place Market with his class a month ago, and he's been gung ho to get back. We let him plan our itinerary with a few additions. He loved being tour guide. We went with Mom, Deirdre, and Maggie and all had a great time. A weekday in spring was not crazy crowded. The tea shop owners chatted us up about Swarthmore (Rose was wearing a shirt) and so did the earring person. We got grapes, cinnamon lip balm, condolence cards, porcini pasta, dried apples, fudge, and cheese. David showed us the gum wall (ugh) and the sculpture lamps (cool). The rain held off until we slipped into the hill climb gelato store, a place of beauty and deliciousness.

bike around Green Lake

The kids and I are not big bikers, but somehow a bike ride had made our to do list. We were all excited about the big swoop down the hill, a bit nervous about the return. It was our first nice day in a week--sunny and mid-fifties. The lake was glistening, the dogs on leashes glowing, and the babies in strollers adorable. We made it around the lake so fast that I had us do it again. Then I took the kids to Ben and Jerry's. I think everyone appreciated my being the last in line pushing my bike up the hill, but we all made it.

Stay tuned for Great Wolf Lodge and Mt. St. Helens.