Last Saturday we took Lex to the rose parade downtown.  We usually avoid this annual event (due to the torrential rains that are common on this day), but the weather was good and our schedule was clear.

Lex was a real trooper.  We ended up having to wait at our intersection for over an hour before the parade made its appearance.  There were tons of people, but we managed to get a good viewing spot on a corner.

The floats were beautiful, but I think Lex liked the marching bands the best (and there was definitely no shortage of bands during the parade!)  I think every school in the surrounding three states was marching that day.  But I didn’t get a picture of any of the bands.  I think we all know what they look like…feathered hats and all.

We left the parade before it was over, and while walking through Pioneer Square we stopped at a gorgeous floral display of all the continents of the world.  My picture would be better if taken from a helicopter hovering above the courtyard…but it was an impressive sight!

Last weekend we finally toured the Japanese Garden in Washington Park.  It was definitely beautiful, but I also felt that it was a bit of a let-down compared to the huge rhododendron garden we visited when my family was here a few weeks ago.

The weather has finally been cooperating, so our play group was able to meet outside at a park on Wednesday. We called the playdate, “Bikes, trikes, and scooters,” and everyone brought various wheeled vehicles with them to share.  Lex was in heaven! (he’s in the blue helmet below)

Then on Thursday it was around 77 degrees, so Lex and I hit a local splash park.  The water was freezing, but that didn’t deter my boy.