Fall

Things have been pretty busy around here, but I thought the family would appreciate some pictures, since the toddler room doesn't post much on HiMama.

I've been away a bit for work, so Pat and Jasper have had some fun hanging out together.

Biking with Dad.

He still loves hats (that is an adult size hat)

 This fall has been extra warm, so we've been able to spend lots of time outside.

At tiny tots park.

 Jasper didn't go to any Blue Jays playoff games this year, but he did go to Gilley's to watch the games. He preferred to sit on his booster seat on the floor and read a book.

Reading on the floor of the bar.

Sometimes you're feeding your kid cheese pizza at a bus stop.

We've made a bunch of road trips this fall: to the cottage, to Toronto and to visit family. It's nice to have a bit more leg room in our new bigger car.

Playing in the new car.

Hugging True Blue at the Varsity Blues game.

Halloween

Jasper enjoyed the his second Halloween, although he really doesn't understand what's going on. 

Monster playing blocks.

On Saturday, Grannie was visiting and we went to a kids Halloween party at a local school. Jasper had fun playing with the toys and other kids. He even decorated his own mini pumpkin.

Monster in the balls

On Sunday, we carved some pumpkins for the front porch. Jasper liked the outside of the pumpkins, but he was kind of scared of the guts from inside.

Carving a pumpkin

 Tonight we had an early dinner and tried to take Jasper out trick or treating.

Acting the part of monster.

 We drove around town first to visit Jasper's aunts and uncles.

A little happier.

 Uncle Nathan was dressed as a giant creepy baby.

Visiting Nathan.

Next stop was to Uncle Scott on Princes St. Jasper was confused that Grandma and Grandpa weren't there.

All the candy!

Next stop was to Aunt Heather at the hospital.  Good thing the emergency department wasn't too busy!

Monster at the hospital.

 Finally, we went to see Uncle Matt at home. He had lots of candy for Jasper to choose from.

Monster with Uncle Matt

It was already past bedtime when we got home, but we still visited a few neighbours before calling it a night.

Back at home

Jasper started to get the hang of putting candy into the bucket by the end of the night. He still doesn't realize that it's edible. I guess we'll have to eat it for him!

Trick or treating from Grandad.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Science World

Friday, it rained in Vancouver, so instead of going back to Stanley Park, we decide to check out Science World instead. After a mid-morning free bagel stop at a nearby bagel shop, we walked down to the science centre.

Koala family

While Jasper took his morning nap, the adults spent an hour trying and failing to solve mind puzzles. I think we solved about 5 between the three of us.

Jasper solved the puzzles better than us

So many Jaspers!

Science!

All worn out

Vancouver Aquarium

Jasper slept in until 5:30 Pacific time this morning! I think he may adjust to the time difference just in time for us to fly home.

Running around the aquarium

Aunt Pat had to work today, so we decided to take Jasper to the Aquarium. We seem to have hit the sweet spot between summer crowds and school groups, so it wasn't too busy.

Gentle in the touch tank

Jasper was equally interested in the fish, whales and otters as he is in the seagulls and squirrels we saw out in Stanley Park.

Pat measuring his catch of the day

There was a good kids play area that Jasper enjoyed running around in. He especially liked to watch the other kids playing.

Baby seal formula at the animal rescue station

We had planned to also walk around Stanley Park, but ended up staying at the Aquarium until the end of the day.

Staring down a fishy

Back at Aunt Pat's place, we had a nice supper and put Jasper to bed at a reasonable hour for the first time on our trip. Ruby the cat wanted to share Jasper's travel bed. Jasper is equal parts scared and fascinated by Ruby.

Ruby likes the travel crib.

After Jasper went to bed, Pat and I wandered around the neighbourhood at bit. He filled up a growler at one of the many nearby brewpubs, and I got an organic ice cream cone.

Baseball matinee

This morning, we had to pack up and leave our little apartment. It was a great place to stay for a few days. Our host even brought us doughnuts this morning.

Front road seats

We went right down to the baseball park, but instead of going right in, we went for a walk around the Seattle waterfront for a while. We got some Starbucks coffee, but opted not to go to the first location with the giant lineup. It's not hard to find another!

Walking the stairs with Dad

The game today started at 12:40, so we brought in sandwiches for lunch and loaded up on the sunscreen. The game went to extra innings, so it was a long afternoon for the little ones. The Blue Jays ended up losing this one, but they won 2/3, which isn't bad.

Tuckered out

After the game, we parted ways with Aaryn, Stu and Evelyn. It was great to see them again and to meet baby Evelyn. Next time we see her, I'm sure she'll be running around and babbling. We ended up with one photo of the 6 of us at the baseball park. Unfortunately, Evelyn was fast asleep in the carrier.

Group shot at Safeco Field

Since the game went late, we were trying to leave the city right at rush hour. After waiting for 20 minutes just to get onto the on ramp, we decided to abandon ship to have Thai food and wait out the traffic.  Since all of Vancouver seemed to be at the game, traffic and the border crossing were still pretty bad when we did finally leave. Eventually, at about midnight, we made it to Aunt Pat's place in Vancouver.

Discovery Park

It was another beautiful day in Seattle, so we decided to go for a little hike in Discovery Park to check out the views of Puget Sound.

Eating Cheerios (and the occasional rock) at the beach 

It took us a while to find a route down to the beach that was stroller-friendly, but eventually we made it and were rewarded with sparkling waters and mountains in the distance.

Jasper the explorer.

Jasper enjoyed sorting rocks from place to place, just like at the beach at home. Luckily he didn't decide to go for a swim, since we don't have a spare pair of shoes with us.

Hike out to the point

After the hike, we took Jasper to the kids interpretive centre and to play in the park.

Playing at the park

In the evening, it we tried out a local vegetarian diner and then it was off to another baseball game. The Blue Jays won again in front of the "home" crowd.

Green Lake

Jasper had another early morning, but at least he seems to be trending towards sleeping in more. Pat took him for a walk around the neighbourhood and to a local coffee shop before sunrise.

Walking around the block

The AirBnb apartment we rented with Aaryn and Stu is in the Green Lake neighbourhood. It's a nice residential area with lots of kids running around. We encountered two five year old Darth Vaders on our walk around the block.

Neighbourhood explorer

We took the kiddos for a walk around Green Lake, got some groceries and explored the neighbourhood for most of the day before driving down to the baseball park.

Dinner at the ball game.

We arrived very early for the 7pm start, so we sat down in the good seats to eat our dinner. The have lots of food selection at SafeCo field, including veggie dogs and sushi.

Running around in Jersey and PJs.

Jasper was still pretty wired once the sun went down, and he enjoyed running around the upper deck in his PJs. Eventually he fell asleep, and didn't even wake up when the Jays won.

Nap time.