Seaside Oregon

Hi guys, how's it going? Me? Well, I'm doing pretty damn GREAT!!! Why might you ask, because I am in the home stretch of my much anticipated vacation. OK, fine call it what it is, a weekend getaway, during the week. I don't have much vacation time since I was out of work for so long on bed rest and maternity leave so I can't afford to take the entire week off but we are making the most of my birthday week and I'm just too excited about it!!

We are headed to Seaside, OR on Tuesday! Growing up I actually never went, or even heard of Seaside. We spend our ocean side vacations either at Ocean Shores or Westport. I loved those places growing up and really developed a deep rooted love for the ocean or any water front location really. But as I got older and ventured out on vacations with my friends I discovered Seaside, OR and it was love at first sight.

I have always dreamed of spending the day on a California beach and Washington is nothing in comparison. The Washington beaches are full of rocks and they are freezing cold. I would never dream of actually going into the water.

The first time I went to Seaside was on a girls road trip and we literally just drove through the town, seeing the beach only briefly. I was amazed at how smooth the sand was, knew I wanted to come back!

Can't resist at least putting my feet in!

I came back a couple of times here and there, never staying the night in the actual town of Seaside. My favorite trip to Seaside was with my friend Tara. It was also just a day trip into town but it was one like no other. We explored the town, ate a lot of yummy food and then ended our trip by full on body surfing in the ocean, something I never thought I would do and something I hope to do again! I hope we can make this trip just as memorable.

The last time I came was just about a year ago. Mat took me to Portland for my birthday and he agreed to take the long way home and swing through Seaside, even though he had never been.

 

 We were only there for a couple of hours but we enjoyed the beach, took in the sights and had a drink. I think he was in love as soon as we got there also. While we were leaving he asked me why we hadn't come before. At that moment I knew that this would be our family vacation destination from now on!

Mat's first time to Seaside

 

It's such a perfect location! It has fun activities for the whole family that range in prices. You could spend $20 a day or $200 a day and still have just as much fun!

We booked our hotel a little late for the summer season so everything that is really nice on the beach was all sold out so we booked the Best Western (not ideal), but is right on the beach and will do just fine for our little family.

I can't wait to see Sloane's reaction to the ocean for the first time. I can't wait to enjoy all the little shops with my family. I can't wait to relax in a place so far from my reality.

This vacation will be our first "just us three" vacation and I know it is just going to be perfect!!

 

 

Me... 6 months prego... on the beach at Seaside

 

Mommy Monday: Adventures at the Children's Museum

Sloane turned 6 months old last week and to celebrate we thought it would be a fun idea to check out one of the many children's museums we have in our area. As it turned out I needed to stop by my work in Bellevue that day so we decided to check out Kids Quest children's museum in Bellevue located in the Facoria mall. It's also a check mark to one of the items on my summer wish list!!

I had originally heard about this children's museum from a Seattle magazine saying this was a highly rated children's museum. I was especially eager to check out the area that was designed for children under 3 years old.

We arrived a bit before 10am and learned that members are able to go in a half hour early but general public weren't allowed in until 10am. A membership cost's $99. We decided to kill time around target until it opened.

(Sloane checking out this things in the play house)

 

(Making friends where ever she goes)

At 10am we paid at the front desk, $9 per person, Sloane is free until she is a year old. We made a bee line to "the back yard" which is the area designed for children under 3 years old. Sloane of course took a little bit of time to grasp the whole area but once she warmed up she was crawling all over the place. It's a fun area that has little play houses, fish tanks, a big train track set, tree's to play in, puppet show area, play tables, a big open play area with block and other toys plus a lot more!


We started our playing in the play houses where they had fun sensory play things that Sloane could touch and explore. She even made friends with a 9 month old baby in one of the play houses. We made our way around the rest of the back yard and finally landed in the big open area where Sloane could crawl around. She liked this area the best cause she has tons of freedom and she could watch all the older kids. Our only struggle was trying to get her to not put everything in her mouth.


Once done with the backyard we decided to check out the rest of the museum. Next stop, the water play area. We knew Sloane would love this too cause she just loves splashing. She just loved the running river and was splashing up a storm. We did have to hold her which made it a bit difficult for her to reach the water well so that is something she will enjoy more when she is older. The rest of the museum was a bit too old for her but Mat and I had a blast finding out our height, playing with the scarf wind tunnel, and trying to make a target with a big air drum.

Overall I think the museum was a blast and I think it would just get better as Sloane got older. They offered a story time but we didn't stay for that. I liked that it was small so not too overwhelming but still offered a lot of fun things. One thing we didn't notice when we first came in were the lockers, which would have been nice to use, they are located in the back on the museum. I don't think we will be getting a membership to this museum but I think we will defiantly be back. We will scope out the other two children's museum and see which we want to get a membership to!