Second day of Spring Break and I took the day off from work. We opted to go to the EMP museum to see the Star Wars costume exhibit. I had been wanting to go to the EMP for awhile, and was waiting for a great exhibit. When the signs went up for the Star Wars exhibit last fall, I knew we had to see it.

The EMP is at the Seattle Center (also home of the Space Needle), and this morning was a beautiful sunny blue sky day as the kids and I crossed the street from the parking lot.

I bought tickets, and Steve stuck his admission ticket sticker on his nose.

Redpath children... I am your father.

I loved Han Solo's costume, and had Steve take a photo if we want to build one for Étienne one day (Carl is much more of a Jedi.) There was a note from Harrison Ford noting that the original costume approved by George Lucas had a huge "Peter Pan" style collar on it. Harrison ix-nayed the collar and George never noticed.

Veronica wants Padmé's Chancellor's office gown.

There are many other exhibits at EMP. I particularly liked the Fantasy exhibit, which included Princess Buttercup's wedding gown from The Princess Bride. The kids insisted on going through the horror movie exhibit, then complained that it was too scary. They did enjoy the Scary Shadows.

We also went through the Science Fiction, Nirvana, and Indie Video Games exhibits and enjoyed touring the museum on an uncrowded day. Great second day of Spring Break!

Today is the first day of Spring Break for Seattle Public Schools. Past experience tells me I must make an effort to get out and do things or else I sit around like a couch potato. Last week I announced to my friends that I plan to ride our bicycles to the Aquarium this Monday and finally use one of my discount coupons. I watched the weather closely and sure enough it rained. We set out at 9:30 for the 8 mile trek to the aquarium.

https://www.strava.com/activities/284854430

Veronica rode my Cannondale, Étienne rode the Trek mountain bike with slicks, Carl and I rode the tandem. The ride down was slow but uneventful.

It really is a great aquarium. The first exhibit, as you enter, is a floor to ceiling tank with local sea life.

The tide pool interactive exhibits offer hands on examination of several species. The kids could have spent the whole day here.

Étienne loved the jellies. Aquariums figured out how to display these creatures that live in the dark, must continuously move, and will congregate in in any corners. I have seen several exhibits and the Seattle Aquarium has the best with this walk through tunnel.

I am loving my 10-20 mm lens. The kids could get up close and personal, in the dark, and I get the photo!

The aquatic mammals stole the show. These otters and harbor seals entertained us with jumps and curious looks through the glass. The staff feed the seals and had them trained to allow the brushing of teeth, inspections of flippers, and full body examinations for cuts, scrapes, and injuries. My kudos go out to the Seattle aquarium.

Cari gave a great narrative during Ink's feeding. Ink is famous on YouTube when he crawled up this tank and made an escape attempt. Try the following key words on a YouTube search to see the action: "ink seattle aquarium". Enjoy.

While Cari narrated, Peg stuck shrimp "restaurant quality" on the end of a long stick to feed Ink. The kids enjoyed the show. It turns out that Ink was very hungry today. He made a quick snatch of the stick, flaring his body to envelope the shrimp and work it to his beak. The shrimp "restaurant quality" residue on the stick excited Ink and he would not let go. It took two more shrimp "restaurant quality" and of course sustainability fished, to distract Ink and retrieve the sticks. Good job Peg!

This was a great adventure. I knew we had a Personal Record riding the bikes "down" from Ballard. Now, with a 2:30 deadline to get Veronica to track practice, we had to avoid another PR for the return. I coached Étienne into my draft to keep warm in the light rain, and use his gears to maintain speed. We made it home much faster and got Veronica to track on time. Thank you family for a most terrific first day of Spring Break!

We have been so busy, it's been awhile since the last blog post! Holy Week was also very busy, we had a visit from SIL Erin and nieces Charlotte & Meghan. That afternoon was a Kansas-like storm, with thunder, lightning, and pea-sized hail... we must have had half an inch!

Veronica was acolyte on Good Friday, then Saturday was very busy. Étienne had his musical practice in the morning, so he was not able to go to the Loyal Heights egg hunt. I did manage to finish the Easter garland I have been working on, and we dyed eggs that afternoon.

Ballard First Lutheran has an Easter Vigil, which I always enjoy, complete with the new Easter bonfire in the courtyard and candlelight processional into the dark church. I had volunteered our family to do a skit for the lessons part of the service, and we did the story of Jonah with Carl playing Jonah and Étienne playing God. There was strawberry shortcake, sparkling juice & champagne after the service!

Since Carl is in middle school now, he gets to help with the Easter breakfast Sunday morning. The service started with the Sunday School children singing. Veronica declined to acolyte because she did not want to wear a robe over her new dress!

Happy Easter!