The Perfect Spring (Break) Day

No, we're not in Hawaii unfortunately but we are thoroughly enjoying Sofia's spring break from preschool, especially today when we ventured over to Bainbridge Island to go to the children's museum. We met friends at the ferry line in downtown Seattle and caravanned over to the charming island west of Seattle. Our first stop was Pegasus Coffee House, an island institution. I always try to hit Pegasus when I visit Bainbridge for tea, a latte, a croissant (for Sofia!) or lunch. Everything is so good there and it instantly sets your watch and your mind on island time.

Our next stop was KiDiMu, the wonderful  children's museum just a few blocks from the ferry. It's not a big place, but it's new and the play spaces are great. They kept our kids' attention for a good two hours - especially the bank with "real" money, the grocery store, the ATM machine and hoola hoops! Fortunately for us, the place was deserted because Bainbridge schools aren't on spring break. But I managed to run into someone I know there, an old friend from Starbucks who also recently left to spend more time with her kids. It was wonderful to see her and to reconnect. Before we left, we had a picnic lunch outside in the sun (yes, the sun!). It was wonderful. 

Sofia (left) and one of her best friends, Sienna, pose as a bee and a flower at the entrance to the children's museum.

Then we headed off the island to Suquamish on the Olympic Peninsula to go to the beach and soak in some more rays. Suquamish is a special place for us as my husband's grandfather lived there and it was Geoff's home away from home during college. It's a beautiful waterfront Native American reservation and the site of Chief Sealth's grave. A great place to take your city kids for some beach time and some NW culture.

The girls getting their hands dirty on the beach at Suquamish.

Our last stop was at one of my favorite places in the world - Bainbridge Gardens. We went their to get flower seeds to plant tomorrow and we ended up exploring the nursery and gift shop for about an hour.

 And enjoying tea in the sunny garden.

 The cafe tables, chairs and umbrellas in the garden were an eclectic mix of colors, which I loved!

 I couldn't resist snapping a few photos of spring blooms.

 After exploring every aisle at the nursery, Sofia said she had one more thing to show me. She lead me back to this huge orange pot. My girl knows what I like!

 Finally back on the ferry, we shared a bag of popcorn. It's a tradition every time we ride the ferry to get popcorn. YUM!

On the drive back to the ferry, Sofia exclaimed "Mom, we had a big day!" Indeed we did. As if that wasn't enough, after dinner, Sofia wanted to finish making the invitations to her butterfly birthday dance party next month!

So much for a "break" but it sure was fun. If the weather holds tomorrow, maybe we will head up to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. If not, I'm dying to see the Nick Cave: Meet Me at the Center of the Earth exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum.

What's on your spring break agenda? Maybe a ferry trip to Bainbridge? I highly recommend it.