September also included a 2 day getaway with us returning to Seattle. We had an opportunity to stay for free at the Maxwell Hotel and jumped on it! A hotel room isn't really optimal for 2 little toddlers, but we made do for 2 nights. The Maxwell really is a very nice hotel and it was very conveniently located to many kid friendly attractions. Tallan and Elisa were still in fairly good spirits when we arrived despite the 2 and a half hour drive down to Seattle - they got right to testing the beds :)
We couldn't resist not going to have Mexican while we were down in the states because Mexican food is plentiful and absolutely delicious there! Here the kids break open their chicken strips leftovers. Mike and I didn't have any leftovers :)
Right after checking in, we decided to head out to see the public market. But not before stopping by the giant fountain by Key Arena near the Seattle Centre. It is an awesome fountain that has water works choreographed to music. It also shoots giant water cannons in the air near the end of big musical numbers - it probably goes a good 200 feet in the air and falls down like heavy rain :) It is so cool.
Our kids had no anxieties about playing within its spray!
Or climbing back up the steep wall to get out :)
We rode the Monorail to downtown Seattle - which is really only 1 stop. We were still stuffed from lunch, otherwise we would have loved to eat at the many food stands by the Seattle Centre monorail station where the Hawaiian festival was taking place. It looked so delicious!! But, we had plans already to check out the famous public market in downtown Seattle. So here it is!
They had lots of fresh flowers, and produce. Lots of junk souvenirs and paraphenilia to be bought. We almost bought a crib board made in a set of antlers until we found out it was $65 USD! It was so crowded, it was difficult to get about with our stroller, but it was worth a look while we were there. We wanted to check out the famous cheese factory, but again were still so full! Here, you can see a bunch of gorgeous hanging peppers! Really, peppers!!
On our way back, we bought some ride tickets so the kids could enjoy some kids' rides but again poor Elisa didn't meet the minimum height requirements and had to stay with us while Tallan got to ride. Fortunately, one ride attendant really didn't care so she got to go on this SUV ride called "Snow Fort". She shrieked with joy and hit daddy in the face numerous times when he had to remove her from it at the end of the ride.
She liked it so much, we had to put them on it again. This time she opted to ride in the back so Tallan didn't cramp her space.
We also rode on the carousel and the roller coaster and then ended the night with the dumbo ride. And that was the best $20 spent in 30 minutes ever. It turned out to be a gorgeous sunny evening and we felt like we did so much within just a few hours of our arrival. We then returned to the hotel, had a swim, fed the kids some leftovers and then went downstairs to the lobby while they were falling asleep (which they can't do with us in the room). Mike went off to get some Indian food and we feasted on delicious Chicken Korma and Goat Curry. Yummers!!
The next day we went to the zoo again as promised to Tallan. It was as expected - much like our first visit. A very good zoo, but got a little boring after a while. On the Tuesday before we left, we went back to the Children's Interactive Museum at the Seattle Centre and the kids loved it! Truly hands on fun with many, many exhibits.
Here is Tallan crashing on a lion pillow in the reading room where kids can go enjoy a book in a quieter setting away from the other bustling exhibits in the museum.
Then Tallan and Daddy creep outside of the reading room with a book to see the climb-through whale.
Tallan got a chance to drive a bus (we're all sitting in the back of course) and a firetruck...
Picked out some baked goods and groceries at the "supermarket"....
Elisa tested some out herself....the bread was cool and squishy!
Then checked out a boat. Pretty safe I think!
I am not sure what is happening in the background here...it looks like I am trying to stop baby Esa from telling a monster secret, but I suspect the real story involved wiping snot.
And then both Tallan and Elisa put on some aprons for arts & crafts fun!! So adorable.
We then visited a bookstore downtown, did a little shopping at the outlet centre, and headed home to no waits at the border. What a fantastic little get away. Every time we spend time together as a family, I wonder where all the time goes! I wish Daddy could spend more time at home!! This picture is really just because I am in love with this adorable sweater I bought for Elisa and wanted a picture of her in it before she grew out of it :) I can't get over how beautiful she is!
Elisa gets really excited about taking over both sippy cups, but unfortunately, her brother has already drained them both of juice.
"Uh oh. I guess this one is empty."
"Good thing I have two! Better give this one a try."
"Nope. Hmmmm...hey, maybe this one!"
"Oh. Still empty."
So she goes over to give her brother a head massage instead.
Major disappointment ensues when she tries to take his head with her.
Since she has no luck with that, she decides to destroy his puzzle instead. Edit screams and tears.
She's really a feisty little one. Definately trouble :) We'll have to keep a close eye on her. This picture says it all.
Something scary is happening on the Backyardigans...
But of course, Tallan is not always one to practice self-control :) That's our armchair he just turned into a trampoline. Kudos for the creativity, though. 
And Elisa is not always tearing things up. "What me? I'm an angel."
On Sunday, Tallan picked out ties for him and Daddy. He got some cows. Daddy got some pink pigs. There were no more farm animals in Daddy's tie collection or else Mommy and Baby would also have ties on.
This is what we got when we asked him to smile for the camera. 
Tallan couldn't decide which comb he wanted to use for his hair.
So, he did the logical thing.
Then he kindly offered to do Daddy's hair, too. Not bad!
Elisa helped get Daddy's belt, but was disappointed that there wasn't a dog at the end of it...
Well, that's it! This post includes the pics we took just yesterday, so you are up to date!!
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