Busy day off with daddy.

The last 24 hours have been awesome! Amber came over last night so Paul and I could go out to sushi for dinner after I put Eli down to bed. She worked on her lesson plan for the kids club thing she leads and Paul and I got an awesome solo 1.5 hour date of sushi and ice cream. I forgot what going out to eat without a baby was like. So much peace, so much conversation, no one screaming at me for another bite. I think we need to make a habit of this, especially while Eli is going to bed so early (asleep by 6 usually). Amber, we so so so appreciate you! 

Today when Eli woke from his nap we went to the Childrens Museum of Tacoma. Becca, so sorry it didn't work out to go with  you, we will definitely have to do it again, it is definitely a super fun place to go! I saw a nursing school friend there and got to catch up with her a bit. I had no idea she moved over here and has an 18 month old daughter. She lives in Kent (so pretty darn close) and does a mama's play group from 10-11:30 every tuesday (during Eli's awake hours!) and invited me. I am definitely going to take her up on the offer. Probably no every tuesday but it will definitely be fun to get together with some other mamas. 

Eli loved having his daddy around today, and I think Paul liked doing lots of activities and getting to play with Eli. Usually we stick closer to home and I think Paul has a hard time playing with the same ol toys for hours with Eli. Eli also tends to get more fussy at home so being out and about was super fun.  

Eli was shy and very observant when we first got to the museum.  It was fun to watch him observe other kids, you could see his brain turning.  

He would have stayed at the water table for the entire 1.5 hours we were there if we let him. He never got bored. .Of course most toys made their way into his mouth but what are you going to do. 

I definitely want to take Eli here more often. I think once a month would be super fun. It of course would be more fun to go with a friend but even going solo with Eli would be fun. There are so many moms around and it is easy to talk to people. Eli loved it and was napped quite well when we got home! 

We went to the Bass Pro shop in Tacoma so Paul could spend his gift card. They have a huge tank with a bunch of fish. I basically fed Eli the entire time we roamed the huge store. This kid can eat! He ate a ton of cracker puffs, 20 grapes, some strawberries, and an entire banana. He then ate lunch with us when we got home. We packed up and went to license Pauls "new" 1993 Honda civic hatchback that he got as a commuter car (40mpg) and Eli ate another banana and another huge handful of grapes while we were at the DOL and then the park after. Yes we went to the Museum and the park in one day, Eli was exhausted by bedtime! He also ate a good dinner. He did move a ton and expend a lot of energy today but man, I am not going to be able to keep up with this boy when he is a teenager! 

It was fun practicing my photography at the childrens museum because Paul was there to help keep an eye on Eli. This lens is a 50mm so it is pretty zoomed all the time and I have to stand farther away from Eli than I would like to get some images. I don't mind him being that far from me, but if it is just me he usually wants to run to me. So nice having Paul as a helper and distraction! 

It was so good hanging out with you the other day Becca.  Once you are done with school this summer I definitely want to make a trip up to you during low tide. We can spend the day at the beach. :) Candice I wish you lived closer, we need a baby playdate!