Train to Portland!

Can there possibly be anything better than a train ride to Portland!? If you are a one year old or four year old little boy, the answer is NO WAY! On Friday morning we met up with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Kathi and boarded the train to Portland. We had discussed it, obsessed over it, planned it, and counted down the days. Evan couldn't believe the day was finally here!  As the train approached, we saw grandma and grandpa waiving out the window. They had boarded in Bellingham and headed down. We were able to board right in Edmonds, but had failed to figure out the parking situation (please note, I was in charge of children - check!, packing - check!, food/snacks - check!, Kelsey's homemade, sewn with love, paperless towels birthday present - check!, Ben's butter (limited edition pasture raised, grass fed, organic butter out of stock everywhere but Arlington) - check!, Steve was in charge of figuring out parking - epic fail!)

After we drove around for a bit, we realized that the Internet was in fact true. There was actually no over night parking at the Edmonds station. After quick calculations, we figured Steve could drop us off and then quickly bike back. Luckily for him the neighbor was outside and offered to bring him back and with that, the trip was ready to start!

As the train pulled up true, childhood excitement was cheering and clapping as they saw grandma and grandpa waiving from the window.  We boarded the train with Evan dragging his little red suitcase. When we got on the train we were lucky to find out we had seats with a table! Totally a train experience necessity!

After card games, coloring, mind puzzles, snacks, and lots of walking around with grandma and grandpa we pulled in the station in Portland.

Once there we quickly became masters of the public transit and made our way to the hotel, to dinner, and all over town. Evan had his own map and was so excited to figure out which train was needed.  Both boys did mostly fabulous. However, Wesley was a maniac at dinner and managed to throw bread, chicken and noodles into my water. He threw a boot and some asparagus. During all of this Kathi kept saying how well behaved the boys were and how she was so impressed with them. Um, maybe she was eating dinner with some other demon child? Well behaved? Not mine!

After dinner Evan got to swim in the pool and I took demon boy to bed.  In the morning we ate breakfast at the hotel. I closed my eyes and hoped for the best as their clean little systems were filled with plenty of GMO's and corn syrup.  I could have tried to insist on them eating the food I had brought, but our supply was down to almost nothing but butter and the truth of the matter was that the butter was Ben's.

After chemical-fast (aka breakfast), we headed out to meet my dearest friend, Courtney, at her husband's fire station. Sean had mentioned that he could show Evan the fire trucks a little while ago and it was also something that had become a small obsession. We had gone to see a fire engine with Evan's preschool, but to his disappointment the fire engine was not at the fire station and could have been a phony as far as he was concerned. He said multiple times that this time he would see a real fire truck and it would be by real fire guys!

Seeing Courtney was fun. She brought Wesley's future wife, Lily, and as expected, Wesley was IN LOVE with her. She is 4 months of fabulous and I love seeing Courtney with her. 

At the fire station, Evan got to sit in the fire truck, ring the bell, swing on the rope, and see the fire suits (that smelled strangely like smoked BBQ). Sean gave him a plastic fire hat and he would not take it off.

 (He gave one to Wesley too, but his got crumbled and torn into 3 pieces.)

After the fire station we headed to the children's museum. The boys had a wonderful time and were able to run wild. 

After the children's museum, we met up with Ben, Kelsey, and Rylee for dinner at Mother's Bistro. The reviews and suggestions from Courtney did not disappoint! The biscuits were to die for!  After dinner, we bussed it back to the hotel for more quality swimming. Well, quality swimming for most until Wesley had a poop explosion which caused the pool to be closed for a little while... Sorry other guests!! We had a swim diaper on him, but it didn't stop the extreme leakage!! (On our end of things I wrapped him in two towels and ran him upstairs. I thank my lucky stars that I ran into Kathi in the elevator. She came into the bath with me and Wesley and kicked into nurse mode as she swiftly and efficiently  cleaned up what would have taken me forever and probably made me throw up a time or two!)

After Wes was clean the cousins ran crazy with Rylee until Ben had to go. It was good to see them. Ben is doing well and is coming up on his last set of finals for his first year if law school. Kelsey is looking as cute as can be with her pregnant tummy and I couldn't get over Rylee's curly hair! After seeing Court and Ben I was grateful for Bob and Kathi for letting my hijack the trip to see my people!!

This morning we got up and Steve and I went for a run along the river. How amazing life is with grand parents that truly love your kids and give you absolutely NO guilt! After packing, we headed out to find a toy store to get a thank you toy for Owen and Ivy. They had taken great care of rainbow while we were gone and would definitely be entitled to a new stuffie!

After multiple bus rides, stuffed rabbits in hand, we headed back to the train station. It was a whirl wind tour of Portland, no naps for a grumpy kid, an adventure for Evan whose legs were finally getting tired from all the walking, and a wonderful trip with Grandma and Grandpa. As I have said before... Everyone needs a Bob and Kathi and I am so lucky to have my very own!!!