Well everyone: it has been A WEEK! Nothing has been too terrible, but a lot of my brain space has been occupied by A’s wisdom teeth adventures (turns out having your kid get surgery, even oral surgery, is a lot!). Did you know that our original date had me ON CALL the day of her procedure? I had planned to stay with her for the procedure itself and then head to the hospital (our nanny would have stayed with her; I did know she couldn’t be left alone). Then she got strep/pneumonia and the whole thing had to be moved forward a month.
I’m so glad I decided to take the (new, rescheduled) day off because we ended up having to rush back to the oral surgery office the same day — a wire from her braces became dislodged by gauze that got caught and was poking her in the cheek. AND ALSO, even if that hadn’t happened, it was just . . . hard. Hard to see her out of it (from anesthesia), hard worrying about keeping her hydrated, and just overall a pretty stressful experience.
I admit I was not expecting this to be as stressful as it was. Somewhat ridiculously, I had all of these things on my to do list for her surgery day, because . . . well, I have a lot of things TO DO, and it was a bonus day away from (clinical) work! But I did none of them. Next time, I definitely would not make a list of that kind on a day any kid of mine is having surgery.
(I mean duh, but hey — it was a parenting first for me! You live, you learn.)
I keep forgetting what day it is and also continue to feel offended that tomorrow is August. I’m sure I’ll get over it eventually.
ORIENTING MYSELF:
- We have 2 days (not including today) left of camp. For everyone. (Well, A missed her last week, but everyone who did not have surgery)
- VACATIONNNNN!!! OMG it’s really on the horizon. We sort of have a tentative itinerary! Some things in Seattle, plus Bainbridge Island, Olivia Rodrigo (of course), and then out to Olympic National Park (hoping to do Hoh Rainforest, Beaches I/II, Hurricane Ridge . . .). We do not have reservations at any restaurants. I need to get on that, like, now. (We like to have dinner plans mostly set because I like going to fun places while traveling and I dislike hangry children.) If you happen to have recommendations for us – please let me know! We’ll be in the city and then in Port Angeles.
- I am going to have to do some creative work on vacation. Not a ton, obviously, but some. I don’t really see a way around it; this is particularly true since I am on call the week we get back so that’s really TWO weeks away from the podcasts/etc — my next creative working day after tomorrow will be 8/20 (!). Before we leave (omg in 3 days) I need to create a priority list of what those things are because I don’t want the objectives to be nebulous.
- SIDE NOTE: MochiThings has a physical store in Seattle!! AHHHHH! (Also Kinokinuya)
- We have to pack!! But we can do that Saturday.
- School sort of starts when we get back, but it will be a bit of a gradual on ramp and I think in the end this will be a VERY good thing. A has orientation on the 12th and her actually school days start on the 14th. G has a half day of orientation on the 16th. On the 19th, everyone will go to school! Hopefully this will allow us all to ease in a bit.
Note to self, as I am about to embark on creating a goals list for August: THIS MONTH IS PROBABLY GOING TO FEEL BONKERS. But at least a good chunk of it will be the fun kind of bonkers.
Here we go! I will leave you with this masterpiece of a self-portrait, which appears to be one of a series. It is a complex work, but sums up very aptly how I feel right now.
33 Comments
I’m sorry A’s surgery was rough! I got mine out when I was 16 and I remember it being a very painful recovery. I think when the wisdom teeth have not emerged at all, it can be a more painful surgery/recovery (as was the case for me). I lost 10 pounds because I was able to eat so little and I did not have 10 pounds to lose when I was 16! Hopefully she is on the mend but it sounds like it was a blessing that you had to reschedule for a week when you weren’t on call. And now you know what to do in the future!
I can’t wait to hear about your vacation! I haven’t spent any time in the places you’ll be visiting but I’ve been to Victoria and ADORED that area. I hope you guys have the best time!!!
Oh gosh, I had mine removed when I was in high school and was miserable. I only had 2 teeth both on one side and I looked like shrek. It’s an intense procedure, and I’m so glad to hear she’s on the mend. Your holiday sounds amazing! My husband is off in September to visit his dad near Vancouver and I’m jealous of the scenery.
August is bonkers here as well – T goes back on the 13th, and between now and then, we’ve got his birthday, a cousins visit, a mother in law visit, a popsicle party I stupidly agreed to, and a fairly full on work schedule. And the garden is a disaster… Luckily the summer school I was supposed to teach got cancelled, I’m not sure what I was thinking.
I wanted to do a big declutter but I realised the thing that would help most was fully finishing one room so I’m tackling our bedroom over the next few weeks. Today I migrated the piles of picture books that ended up in here, as we are mostly reading chapter books for read alouds these days, and started tackling the box of toiletries. Tomorrow, I’m going to straighten up the pictures that have been crooked for actual years…
If you can get to the Daiso store they have lots of paper good, planner, cheap supplies you never knew you needed. Take your daughter, she will love it.
oooh forgot about Daiso! Seattle is like a stationery haven!!!
I don’t think it’s a vacation priority but agree that your girls will love Daiso.
You probably won’t need reservations but I recommend Ivar’s on the Pier in Seattle for an amazing seafood experience. For the most authentic you can order from the outside window and eat at the picnic tables. Otherwise the inside restaurant is great too.
thank you for the tip – we LOVE that kind of place! (especially Josh 🙂 )
Actually, the one in South Lake Union is even better— many fewer tourists and seagulls and you can get closer to the water (you’re eating on the dock). You’re very close to the Fremont Troll as well, which is a ton of fun for kids.
I highly recommend Portage Bay for breakfast/brunch (resevervations recommended)! They have multiple locations, depending on where in the city you’re staying, and an incredible fresh fruit bar that my kids go crazy for (I believe they have all this at all locations but I’m sure you can double check). http://www.portagebaycafe.com
Ooh that sounds awesome!
+1 for Portage Bay Cafe! It’s the one place I will make sure to visit every time I go back to Seattle.
+2 for Portage Bay. If you go to the one in Ballard, you are close to the Ballard Locks and where you can see the salmon going upstream through the viewing windows.
Good friends of ours have a wonderful bakery in Port Angeles. Highly recommend (not just because they’re awesome, but also they have great food!). https://www.buenaluzbakery.com/
Ooh, you’ll be getting out of the Florida heat! I can’t wait to hear all about this vacation. Sadly I’ve never been to that area so I have no recommendations.
My son had his wisdom teeth out freshman year of high school, and it was rough. NOT as rough however, as when I had mine out at the age of 48!!! I do not recommend doing it that late- it’s good A got it over with now.
WOWWW I can’t believe you did it so late!! I was 18 or 19. I just remember watching endless movies and drinking Frappuccinos!!!
Yes, leaving the heat is a major goal of any summer travel we do!!! Super excited. They have highs in the 80s, but the lows are like 60 and Olympic national park appears to be even cooler.
plus, it won’t be HUMID. can’t even imagine lol.
So excited to hear about Seattle and Olympia NP when you get back! Sounds super fun!
Underselling surgical recovery to families and patients is totally a thing (probably not intentionally, but still). Glad to hear A is feeling better!
Oh also — HIGHLY recommend getting Asian food when you’re in Seattle. I had the most amazing Dim Sum on my trip last spring. No specific recs but there are places everywhere.
ooh we LOVE a good dim sum (also, sushi though obviously different type of asian food!)
Yes, TONS of amazing Asian food in Seattle.
A great option could be: Din Tai Fung (definitely make reservations – there are multiple locations – if you’re in North Seattle, the one in University Village is great – it’s in an outdoor shopping area with amazing ice cream (Hello Robin) and plenty of shops, etc).
Our favorite Thai food restaurant is Noi Thai – they have one location downtown, as well as another in Greenlake, which is a great spot to eat and then walk around the lake, play at the park, rent paddleboards/peddle boats at the lake, etc.
I lived in Seattle for 5 years and would recommend Serafina (Italian) and I Love Sushi on Lake Union. Campagne (French) next to the market. And Thai Tom (hole in the wall) in the U District.
Seattleite here! Second the recommendations for Campagne in Pike Place Market and Din Tai Fung. Also love Le Pichet near the market and on Bainbridge Island, Via Rosa 11 is soooooo good. Also my kids (similar ages) LOVE Beecher’s Cheese in the market.
lol at G’s photo!!!
I second the rec for Din Tai Fung at university village! It’s the BEST! My kids rave about it! I also recommend Ray’s Boathouse cafe in Ballard (love their poke bowl) and depending which ferry you’re taking to the Olympic peninsula—if you go in or out of Edmonds, PLEASE go to Market in Edmonds for THE BEST fish tacos in the world. Yum!! We live in Shoreline and I am so excited for you and your trip! I’m too slow of a runner to offer to run with you but I hope you have soooo much fun. We are heading to the Olympic peninsula for a week the week AFTER your trip. Will look forward to updates and tips on that as you have them!!
Also, if you go to U Village, save room for the chocolate chip cookie or the Mackles’more cookie from
Hello Robin. Buy even if you’re too full and need to eat it later. Best chocolate chip cookies ever.
Oh another thing you could do – depending on comfort level – is kayak on Lake Union or Lake Washington. You can rent gear at the Agua Verde paddle club in the U District. Beautiful views and weather this time of year. It can be a bit scary when big ships go by.
Oof, this sound like a week! I am sorry things got so crazy. I do hope you can relax on your vacation soon.
Have a great time in Seattle! Just a note–maybe its obvious to you from google maps–but the Mochi things store is in a slightly weird, warehousy-industrial part of town. Just FYI.
In addition to the Market, you might have fun checking out Uwajimaya in the International District.
Also, couple of other ideas: you can rent electric boats by the hour and toodle around Lake Union if you like (BYO snacks and drinks), and the MOHAI museum is free for kids under 14. OH, and the Brooks Running HQ is right on the north side of Lake Union, across from the Burke-Gilman trail (which is great for running).
Another great running area is Seward Park. Beautiful scenery! Also, it’s Seafair weekend and you can watch the Blue Angels and other cool airplanes on Sunday.
Oh awesome! Good to know!
Hello! I may be too late, but here are some Seattle/PNW ideas…Greenlake is a popular spot where the kids could play and you and/or Josh could run around on the path (this is the neighborhood where the zoo is located).
For the peninsula, I think you’ve been here before, but I always like to let people know that the distances are pretty far and it takes a while to get around the peninsula.
I love Lake Crescent. We’ve done a hike to Marymere (sp?) Falls that leaves from the main lake parking – pretty short/easy, but with a good payoff.
Along the coast there are plenty of beaches – these are ones that show up in pretty Insta photos (Tree of Life, tide pools, etc.). But if you wind up out there, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Rialto, Ruby Beach are all nice options.
Near Port Angeles is the Salt Creek Recreation Area – it’s camping and a park, but if you can make it near low tide, it’s a great place to check out the tide pools.
The peninsula produces a lot of shellfish if that is your jam.
Have so much fun!
Thank you Allison ! Weather has been amazing so far – best summer weather ever!
Don’t miss General Porpoise donuts! (And I don’t even normally like donuts)