I took today off to do something fun with Grace and decided we would finally go to the Butterfly House at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle (I tried to take her last month, but then I got the flu).. I contemplated taking her to the ocean or to Portland.. but I knew butterflies would be a hit.. She voted to take the bus (someone I know just told me the express bus from Tacoma to Seattle is the only way to go).. but I voted for the ferry.. (we couldn't bring our little buddy Kipper with us if we rode the bus).. So we headed out for Bremerton, running late as usual.. and I resigned myself to the fact that we were going to miss the ferry.. I thought it was at 12:25..in fact it was 12:35.. and we got there at 12:34.. we were the last car to get on the ferry! Grace was pretty excited to ride the ferry (I liked it too).. I don't think she remembers the last time she was on one. We had a mini-photo shoot..and went out to watch the Seattle skyline grow closer.. Someone even offered to take our picture (the wind was blowing like crazy!)..
Once back on land we headed to Seattle Center.. found a place to park and checked out the butterflies in the butterfly house.. and they also had a variety of cool insects and reptiles..and some naked mole rats..We spent a long time in the Butterfly House- Grace wanted a butterfly to land on her since you weren't allowed to touch them.. sadly, none did.. 
After the Science Center, I really wanted to go up to the top of the Space Needle (I've never been) but Grace wasn't in the mood. We shopped in the gift shop instead. 
By this time I was quite caffeine deficient having not had my normal quota of Diet Coke for the day.. so I convinced her to take a ride on the Monorail.. she was reluctant at first but once we got on she thought it was fun! It dropped us off at Westlake Center.. we were hungry so we got some sushi and soda at the mall. Then we headed out on foot to Pike Place Market..
Grace was pretty tired of walking in the wind but we made it. We bought some blackberries and flowers at the market..The vendors were all packing up for the night.. We watched the fish guys throw a big fish and took a picture on the brass pig. Then we headed back to the monorail and back to our car.. Kipper was happy to see us (his day was pretty boring I'm sure).. we both (Kipper & I) had to pee so we drove back to the Pike Place Market..found a free place to park..and took him for a short walk. Then Grace and I got some mac & cheese at Beechers for dinner.. By this time we were pretty tired but it was rush hour so we headed to the Flagship REI store to kill some time. Grace discovered they have a kid's play area and she got a second wind as there were little girls her age there to play with. I had a dividend burning a hole in my pocket... so we bought Grace some new pink Crocs and got a few other small things.. (I was good and stayed within my dividend. In fact, they gave me $6.00 back and she said "Tonight, we're paying you to shop!") All in all, a very fun day.
