Bellevue Strawberry Festival

It was another busy weekend for us. After cold & rainy June, summer has finally arrived! After working for most of the week, I really wanted to spend time with my family doing something fun. As long as we get out of the house by 11 am to do something it's good enough for me. As usual, I probably did too much, but went to work on Tuesday morning happy & relaxed.
On Saturday my husband had to interview a few people for our rental property in University Place. I convinced him to take Sophia to grandma's house on his way there, so Gerritt & I could have more flexibility in our day. With Sophia gone, Gerritt & I made a spare-of-the-moment decision to go see the newly released Cars-2 movie. Just like the 1st one, Cars-2 didn't disappoint & we were on the edge of our seats the whole time.


Gerritt & his doggie posing at the entrance to the Festival


Gerritt & Sophia playing with the water pump (one of the antique tools from the Eastside Heritage Center)


A funny clown who made balloon animals for both of the kids


Gerritt's sword


Kids jumping in the bouncy house


Gerritt's first time getting an airbrush face painting


No surprise there - he picked a bat picture


Last photo before leaving

On Sunday morning, we all headed out to the annual Strawberry Festival. This festival has been been occurring since 1925 to originally honor Bellevue's bountiful strawberry crops. Nowadays, the Strawberry Festival is the Eastside Heritage Center's Signature Event, celebrating the region's agricultural heritage as well as it's diverse cultural past, present & future.
The kids had a blast eating ice-cream, receiving balloon animals from a clown, jumping in giant inflatable Carnival Bouncer, Obstacle Course & Super Castle, & playing with an old-fashioned water pump from the Heritage Center. Gerritt even got his first face painting. Of course, he recognized the superhero action figure Batman's logo bat right away & chose to have it painted on both of his cheeks.


Sophia riding the tractor


A picnic outside


A beautiful rose garden at the Woodland Park Zoo

 

A variety of roses in the garden

On Monday my husband went to work while Sophia, Gerritt & I visited the Woodland Park Zoo again. We even bought an annual membership since we go there so often. We've decided to deviate from our usual routine & after riding the Historical Carousel, had a relaxing picnic outside. We finished our outing with going to the Woodland Park Rose Garden. After almost loosing my mind trying to keep the kids away from the big fountain in the garden (Sophia almost fell into it), I buckled them into the stroller & was finally able to enjoy viewing & photographing beautiful roses. What a nice finish to my 3-day weekend!