Tag: 2015

Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, WA

Earlier this month Baby L and I went to Seattle and Bainbridge Island for sister’s weekend. Actually it’s sisters-in-law weekend, but Mountain Dad’s sisters are as much mine as his.

The weekend happened to be the hottest on record with temperatures reaching 90 degrees every day we were there. That wouldn’t be a big deal in most places but Seattle-ites apparently don’t own air conditioners and Baby L was strapped to my body the entire time. Walking thirty minutes from the Bainbridge ferry to the Seattle Center was hot and sweaty, but what we saw once we got there made it all worth while.

 


The Seattle Center is home to several Seattle attractions including the The Children’s Museum, Seattle Repertory Theater, KeyArena and the iconic Space Needle. Truthfully I wasn’t excited to see that, but right next to it was a real attraction – Chihuly Garden and Glass.

After the hefty $23 entrance fee, the sisters, Baby L and I explored a whimsical world of colorful glass. The artist, Dale Chihuly, has made his career by creating unique blown glass sculptures. His work has been on display all over the world and several museums house his pieces. This permanent collection at Chihuly Garden and Glass has many beautiful sculptures made completely from colorful glass.

The full size ocean room was my favorite featuring blown glass jelly fish, sting rays and octopi. The detail was amazing.

Having seen blown glass workers in action, I know what they do is not easy. Between heating and blowing they have seconds to create the shape they need before the glass begins to cool. It’s fast, hot work, but the results are beautiful.

I felt like I was Alice in Wonderland, especially in the garden room where glass reeds and flowers sprouted up in a dizzying array of color. I also enjoyed the gardens and atrium, as the glass was the perfect compliment to the plants.

After exploring the Chihuly Garden and Glass the sisters and I enjoyed cold sodas in the shade of the patio. Chihuly Garden and Glass was stunning, even if the entrance fee was steep.

You’re Jealous of Me?

I have a confession to make. I’m nothing special.

Most of my days are spent wrangling small children, cleaning up messes, breaking up arguments and feeding people. I clean up poop several times a day, and it’s rarely my own. Despite my best efforts I live in a perpetually messy house. Occasionally my entourage and I go on short hikes or spend time outdoors. I wish I did that more.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s my life.
So last week when I went to the Outdoor Retailer trade show I felt out of my comfort zone by a lot. The biggest companies in the outdoor gear world are there. Thousands of dollars are spent for brands and people to connect. Sales are made, fortunes gained or lost. Actually I’m not sure about that last part, but suffice it to say people have their professional game on.
What did I have on? A baby.
Baby L is not quite five months old. Her only source of nutrition is breast milk meaning that wherever I go, she goes. While Big E was at campOR (loved it) and little g was playing with cousins, Baby L was strapped to my body all day long.
She was there when I checked out new products, talked to new people, even when I went to the bathroom. I fed her in a stairwell, storage area, even in the parking lot. It wasn’t pretty, but it was the only way I could’ve gone to the show. Side note: would it be that hard to leave a chair in the womens restroom so a breastfeeding woman can feed her baby in peace?
I was very nervous when I arrived at the show. Obviously I was out of my league. Carrying a baby on me is a far cry from the professional persona I tried to portray. 
But here’s the thing. Professionals don’t always act professionally. Instead of people looking down on my for bringing a baby along, Baby L became a rock star garnering attention everywhere I went. Strangers would smile, coo and talk in baby voices. Random women asked to hold her or keep her at their booths all day. But what surprised me most was a comment someone made in the bathroom.
Baby L was in her MobyWrap smiling at people in the mirror while I awkwardly washed my hands (it’s not easy to have a 15 pound child strapped to your front). A woman two sinks down looked in my direction and sighed. 
“What am I even doing here? I should be home with my three year old.”
That’s all she said. That was enough. 
I couldn’t tell you how many times I have felt just a little worthless being a stay at home mom. Not a lot worthless, but enough to think I’m not cool enough or somehow I’m not on equal footing with women in real careers. But in that moment things changed. Here was a career woman jealous of my messy, unglamourous life. The tables had turned. I had something desirable – the freedom to spend every day with the best kids in the world. My own.
I know many women out there with strong feelings on this topic and I would love to hear them. For me, I’m just a little more grateful for my life and I can’t wait to try that next great adventure with the tots. Being a Mountain Mom is the best job I could imagine. 

LifeStraw Go Review

Mountain Dad used our new LifeStraw Go on his daily hike to Stewart Falls yesterday and wrote up this short review. This is a first here at Mountain Mom and Tots – Mountain Dad doesn’t usually write reviews so you know the LifeStraw Go must be pretty special.

Continue reading “LifeStraw Go Review”

Top Ten Summer Products from Outdoor Retailer

Last week I spent a few days at Outdoor Retailer – the largest trade show for outdoor gear in the country. Every six months companies from coast to coast come to show what they’re all about. This summer I got to check out some really cool products, some of which I had seen before and some that were totally new to me. Here’s my list of favorite finds from the show.

photo from www.gosunstove.com

1. Go Sun Stove – This tube of insulated glass can cook food using only solar power. Plus it’s light (only 3.5 lbs) and eco-friendly.

photo from www.fieldcandy.com

2. Field Candy – I loved these kid friendly designs from British company Field Candy. So hip it hurt.

3. luminAID – A solar charged lantern that floats, blinks and lights up pretty.

4. ChicoBag – Packable, reusable storage bags including snack and produce options and many are made from recycled material.

5. Velo Bling Designs – Jewelry made from recycled bicycle parts. It even inspired this unique tattoo.

6. FireBuggz – Adorable roasting sticks for kids of all ages!

7. Monkey Mat – A portable floor for Baby L. I used it within an hour of getting it!

8. Bubi Bottles – So squeezable, these bottles are like a friendly squirty blob.

9. Stower – I didn’t know you could make electricity with fire and water. Live on Kickstarter.

10. Chapul – I dare you to eat cricket! These bars are made from cricket flour, a sustainable source of protein.

11. Pakems – Packable boots that come in a variety of colors, including a color your own pair!

12. BlackFire – So much more than a flashlight.

13. Lunatec – I love the aquabot. Mister, shower, 25 foot squirt gun and water bottle all in one.

OK, so that’s a few more than ten. I just couldn’t decide what was best!