Seattle

We spent part of Saturday downtown Seattle. First we went to the International District for Chinese Food. David wanted to go to a place he remembered going as a kid. He found the place but it had been gutted and had none of the "atmosphere" he remembered. Where did the red carpet and the dragons go? It was very sterile feeling (except for the flies swarming around). Let's just say the kids definitely preferred the more Americanized version of Chinese food we get in Maple Valley. We then headed over to Pike Place Market where we had some gelato and then looked around. Alec always likes to go to the magic shop to get a new trick and Hannah got a cute little ring from a vendor in the market.

Addition: Alec and Hannah read this blog and are not satisfied. I need to add their highlights:

• "The House Special" - chow mein noodles with unidentifiable veggies and fish on top. I was the only one to taste it. The others were lucky. The waiter couldn't figure out why we wouldn't get it boxed up to go (since it was virtually untouched). "Why?" he asked. David said we were going to be in the car all day. But really what he wanted to say was "because it is nasty!" Now the kids are constantly asking if we can have the "house special."
• A guy racing down a busy Seattle street in his wheelchair.
• Just about getting in the middle of a kicking fight between two men at the Pike Place Market.

Those were just a few things that stuck out in the kids' minds and made us realize how sheltered they are here in Maple Valley (I think that might be an okay thing!)