Grandma G goes to Islandwood

We had so much fun at last year's Backyard Habitat Fair at Islandwood, that I wanted to bring Grandma G there this year.

Grandma helped Silas make bookmarks (above). Then, we took Grandma to see the hydrological water filtration system:We took a short break...
...before touring the beautiful gardens (mainly vegetable):

I love Islandwood, and I think Grandma does too!

PS. Click on the Islandwood label below to see last year's trip to the Habitat Fair.

Mochi Festival

Yesterday, we went to the Mochi Festival at Islandwood. The Japanese American community on Bainbridge Island hold this festival every winter. The video shows them pounding the cooked rice into a paste. Below is an image of them cooking the rice. I didn't take any pictures of the finished mochi. We were too busy eating them. Yum!
The event seems to have made an impression on Silas. On the way home, he kept repeating "cook rice, pound rice, mochi, mochi!"

Here's an article about the event.

Islandwood and fun with a garden hose

Today we braved the heatwave in order to attend the Habitat Fair at Islandwood, which is an environmental learning center. Luckily, as the name would imply, the area is heavily wooded, and the shade offered a respite from one of the first true scorchers of the season. Doesn't he look like he's about to melt onto Drew's head?
While we were there, Silas got to meet an owl, plant a sunflower seed, and check out their hydroponic water recycling system. Very cool.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Silas explored the joys of the garden hose:
Every time he accidentally sprayed himself with water, he looked absolutely shocked. But he loved it all the same. Brings back fond childhood memories...
We set up a sprinkler that whirled water around and thought he'd love it, but it made a funny noise and freaked him out. Turns out, the hose was enough to keep him happy for a very long time :)