From the highest of heights

Our middle child has a mild obsession with the Space Needle. She calls out whenever she spots it, be it in a book, on a billboard, the side of a truck or live in person. Though I'm sure the idea wasn't hers originally, she's been asking for months to go up it. Too bad her sister has be utterly petrified of elevators since Christmas. We had a Groupon that was about to expire so we decided to use it this past weekend. Unfortunately upon closer examination of said coupon, we realized it was for the Columbia Tower, not the Space Needle. Same difference. We quickly talked up how cool it would be to get up HIGHER than the Space Needle to Emma (she remained unconvinced). Meanwhile, Isla asked if we could please take the stairs.

Eventually we did all make it up to the top of the tower via elevator with only some mild yelling by the eldest 

anytime Emma went as far as to even look in the direction of those sliding silver doors. We all held on to each other lest someone accidentally take a solo ride up 75 floors...

 The views at the top were amazing and the girls ate it up.

 We had a fun time spotting the cars and buses below and even spotted some rooftop parking that the girls thought was hysterical. 

 Emma LOVED seeing the Space Needle and couldn't get enough of us picking her up to let her peer over the edge. Each time we did, she would stiffen up and lean back until we touched the glass and reminded her there was a window there. Who knew a fear of heights could develop at such a young age? 

 Love this capture of the middle one enamored by the Needle.

So fun to play tourist every once in a while!

Teddy Bear Suite

 What could be more fun that visiting a hotel room decorated for Christmas and packed to the brim with teddy bears? We couldn't think of anything better so off we went to the Teddy Bear Suite at Seattle's Fairmont Hotel. Everyone was SO HAPPY!

 We actually did have a really good time despite the impression these first few pictures might imply.

 It just took a little warming up to the situation (& an extra dose of patience for the parents who were reminded for the 237th time that pushing through nap time isn't always the wisest choice - seriously, why don't we learn!?)

 Once Emma realized there was a RADIO, she was golden! I mean, who cares about teddy bears when there are buttons to press!?

 The Christmas stories were also a hit

 

The decor was pretty cool too

  

 

 Before we knew it, she'd gone from crying to kissing...

 

 Total heart-melting-mommy alert here!

Emma sported the one-eyed look. She's so ahead of her time.

After we were teddy beared out, we popped over to Pike Place for a piroshky or two and then the best hot chocolate in Seattle from Fran's for the adults (their cocoa "mix" is basically just dark chocolate shavings). Oh and Isla got a candy cane and couldn't have been happier!

Gingerbread Castles & the Christmas Carousel

 

 We've been keeping busy with Christmas activities around here! We took the girls on our annual trip to the Sheraton Hotel downtown Seattle to see the amazing gingerbread houses on display. This year there were some real awesome ones - The Little Mermaid, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Aladdin and Alice in Wonderland.

 Emma was in borderline spirits and soon made it clear that all she wanted to do was this:

 Or this:

 Unfortunately the gentleman in front of us was using a cane and so being knocked in the back of the knee with a giant double stroller was probably not his favorite. I had to remove Emma from the premises after she threw a room-silencing-all-eyes-on-us tantrum in the middle of the lobby when I wouldn't let her "help" with the stroller anymore. Once outside, she laid face down on the pavement and screamed. Wow. She's barely one but already going on two!!

 Isla on the other hand was quite interested in the gingerbread houses (and the candy cane!) Alice in Wonderland was her favorite.

 I love going downtown at Christmas time! It's so festive and somehow I find it less stressful than going to the mall (probably because I have a husband with mad parking skills who always seems to be able to find a spot).

 This photo was not photoshopped. The trees were just that cool!

 Emma cheered up again once she was cozily back in the stroller.

Next stop: the Christmas Carousel at Westlake. Isla loved it! Her only issue was that the ride was too short and I'd have to agree. I would have enjoyed another spin or two.

 Emma was skeptical, as she is with most new things these days. At first it was ok.

 Then she wanted OFF!

 

 

 

 What a fun way to spend the first day of December!