Climbing Mount Battie

This morning we went to Camden Hills State Park and climbed Mount Battie.  Phineas had fun hiking and walked much of the way himself.  On the way down he rode on Dad's shoulders.  Phin's highlights were the view from the top, the tower on the summit, and seeing the holes in trees made by woodpeckers.

A cookie break at the top.

 Up in the tower.

 Riding down.

 Checking out woodpecker holes with Mom.

Taking a water break.

Happy Birthday Phineas!

Phineas turned three on July 13th.  Mom made him a chocolate cake with butter cream frosting.  For months Phineas requested a firetruck cake but, despite major efforts, we couldn't quite get a dark enough red food coloring to make it work.  Instead, we put a truck on top driving along a chocolate road and then had Phineas help it put out the candle flames.

He got lots of truck toys, including a Hess truck and many Matchbox toys.  He got a play car mat that has streets laid out on it that is the perfect size for the Matchbox cars.  And he got a balance bike, which he helped Dad put together and then took for a test drive in the house.

Mayflower

May passed away today after short but debilitating illness.  From the day we brought Phineas home to their last hug, May was a great family dog.  She was patient, tolerant, kind, and very loving.  She would let Phin do just about anything with her, from riding her to bracing for over-exuberant hugs.  She even kept watch over him if he was outside and she didn't think we were close enough.  Phineas knew that May was sick and he gave her lots of pets and hugs over the last few days.  We will all miss her very much.

Mount St. Helens

One day we took a trip south to Mount St. Helens.  We went to the Johnston Ridge Observatory and learned all about the volcano.  Then we went outside and explored the paths around the Observatory.  Phineas liked running on the paths!

Taking the City Bus to the Library

 One morning, we took Phin to see "Goldielocks and the Yellowstone Bears", a puppet show which was playing at the Seattle Public Library.  Phin was very exctied that we took a city bus to get to there!

 

 Sitting with Mom on the bus, looking out the windows.

 Checking out the skyscrapers downtown, outside of the library while we waited for it to open.

 Phineas and dad reading a firetruck book at the library before the show.

Phineas was very tired after the show and the plan was to explore Pikes Place Market after, but he was too tired so we took the city bus back to Oma's house for lunch and a nap.

Zootunes

After we finished looking at the animals we went to an outdoor concert at the zoo.  We picnicked with Oma and then watched the music. 

Woodland Park Zoo

We visited Seattle's zoo one afternoon.  There were lots of animals there, from elephants to birds to a farm animal petting zoo.  

Watching the hippo, who only poked his nose out of the water.

Watching the elephant.  At another place, we watched an elephant use his trunk to get hay out of a high bucket.  Watching the elephant reach his trunk up really high, wiggle it inside the bucket, and then put the hay in his mouth was Phin's favorite part of our visit.

The orangutans were being fed dinner when we watched.  They were really active and swinging close to the windows. 

Meerkats!  They stood so still they could have been mistaken for statues.

Outside the meerkat house was a little boy sized burrow.  Phin had fun running through it and exploring the fossils embedded within it.

Mmmm...doughnuts!

One of our favorite stops was at Top Pot doughnuts, where Phineas had his pick of their flavors.  He picked a frosted doughnuts with sprinkles.  After eating that, he decided it was time to eat Dad's doughnut!

 After our breakfast treat, we went to a nearby park that overlooks the skyscrapers, Mt. Rainier and to Phin's excitement, the Space Needle.

Audrey

Phineas had fun with Audrey the cat.  He tried to pet her but she was usually quick to scamper away.  Then he would follow her around, hoping to find her, but usually without luck.  But sometimes she let him pet her, which was great!

Flying to Oma's House

Our trip to Seattle began in Portland, our departure airport.  Phineas has been on a plane before, but he didn't remember it, so looking at all of the airport activity was great fun.  He especially liked the little tugs that pulled the baggage cars.

 After leaving Portland, our layover was in Detroit.  There he got treated to moving walkways (wow!) and lots of escalators.  There was a really neat tunnel with moving walkways and crazy colors.  The best, though, was the intra-terminal train that we rode on.  Phineas laughed and squealed with delight when we got on; then he watched the train go back and forth while we waited for our plane to board.

And, if you're curious, Phineas flew well.  The best part was taking off (which he also like the last time he flew) and he liked the free cookies they gave out.  He also got to high-five a pilot!