We arrived home from Seattle on Monday July 1st after a 30 hour journey. Yes, it was long but we kept pinching ourselves that we get to make these journeys across the Atlantic; back home to Ireland while making little "stopovers" in Germany, for breakfast. Once we landed in Ireland we met two couples in their late 60s who were travelling to Europe for the first time. I felt humbled by them because their story really is the norm in our world and we're (disgustingly) lucky to be able to travel like we do.
Well we spent three glooorrrrious weeks in Seattle and loved every single day of it. We found ourselves newly smitten with Seattle and many little details we had taken for granted before. We did not feel this when visiting last year (we had been abroad 6 months at that point). Last year, I think we still needed to make Dublin home so we couldn't feel nostalgic for Seattle. This time though, we were in love with every single neighborhood, with having family around, seeing our lovely friends and the incredible beauty that is Seattle in the summer. Oddly, two of my favorite places to visit were PCC and Whole Foods! I love them both - they're like Disneyland for me but I can't be in either one for too long or else I start racking up credit card debt. Also Target. I love Target like you would not believe.
We've been home three days now and Norah has never had worse jetlag. In fact I can't remember ever dealing with any jetlag with her (I'm a different story, coming back to Dublin). Every night, for THREE nights straight, she has woken up, at 2:30 am......for good. It has taken it's toll. Not to mention, every day at 8:30 am, I've walked her to the Montessori Summer Camp that I thought was such a great idea, last month. :) Praying she sleeps through the night tonight. We recognize we've been spoiled on these last trips here but we didn't realize how bad it can really be. Have to sign off now but when my delirium subsides, I'll post more pictures.
Our sleeping quarters for the 3 weeks - Marko's bunk bed with a double on the bottom and a toddler bed for Norah. She loved it!
The view from Mimi & James' front porch in Sammamish
Marko and his militia nerf guns
presents Auntie Sarah wrapped for Norah
Auntie Sarah brought over her "Crafternoon" bin of goodies and we had a blast gluing pom-poms to everything we could find.
Both sisters are Vegans and this was our incredible feast of a vegan lunch on day one - macaroni salad, potato salad, kale salad and a "B"LT with avocado and roasted red peppers. Sarah doesn't play around with Vegan cuisine.
After not seeing him for a year, when Papa walked in, Norah got up from her chair, ran straight to him and jumped into his arms. He was the only person she did this with on the entire trip.
Auntie Sarah made Norah this 3rd Birthday crown!
Norah requested a pig cake 6 months ago and never let me forget it. So, the day after we arrived, I set to work. Mimi found us some chocolate vegan cake mix and I shaped the second layer of the cake to make it into a big mound.
This poor girl was so exhausted from jetlag, she could just barely keep her eyes open long enough for cake. She was falling asleep at the table but kept asking for a piece of the pig cake and her presents.
just barely awake
Norah has also talked about these miniature Japanese toys called Re-Ments for the last year. So, on her birthday we were off to Uwajimaya - Seattle's largest Asian market - (and one of my new favorite places). It's INCREDIBLE!
This was was totally worth it and I get it. It makes miniature, edible ice cream cones (out of water and powdered sugar and, well, scary chemicals).
So....odd..
You mix together the powdered provided with tiny bits of water and...voila! Sugar sushi!
Re-ment sushi made out of chemicals and powdered sugar. Weirdest thing you've ever seen but she loves them.
My favorite view in Seattle - from Uncle Dan's living room.
Uncle Dan loves to help kiddos unwrap their presents. I love that.
On Norah's actual birthday (Monday the 10th) we headed back over to West Seattle and had a small birthday celebration with Uncle Marko, Uncle Dan, Cousin Megan and the three girls.
She can't believe she gets two cakes in 2 days - first the pig cake and then this?!
Plotting something....
Norah with her two favorite "girl cousins" (as she says) - Catherine and Natalie (Veronika will soon join this club but she's "still a baby") :)
Uncle Dan's at sunset on Norah's 3rd Birthday!
Mimi gave Norah her first ever piggy bank and Norah says (touching her cheeks with both hands), "Oh! It's perfect! I love it!!"
Visiting Auntie Shaunna and meeting baby Roya for the first time. Roya and baby Simon are only 2 days apart. (October 12th and 14th)
My oldest friend in the world - we go back to 1989!
Shaunna, Raazi and baby Roya moved to San Jose in May but she came back while we were in town to have a visit. It was so great and will have to hold us over until we are back in the same country together again. We'll work on that first and then try to be in the same state as well. :)
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