(500) Degrees of Summer

It's hot. Really hot. Driving home with the little man, my car's external temperature gauge measured 98 degrees today, and while it's generally pretty inaccurate, I saw similar numbers on the news and weather-related websites. My work even put out an e-mail advisory to turn off extra computers, unplug refrigerators, and still be prepared for buildings unable to sustain normal working temperatures. And this is just the start; tomorrow we may hit triple digits - yikes!

Readers in much of the rest of the country are probably flashing a big 'W' our direction, but you've got to understand that these temperatures are uncommon enough here that most homes don't have air conditioning. Thankfully we invested in portable units for both bedrooms, but the downstairs thermostat is still reading 86 at 9 pm, and Zachary's unit was working hard to hold at 78 earlier today (ours is meagerly struggling at 83; I hope it isn't about to break or something). At least it isn't too humid, but this is still pretty darn yucky.

All of this severe weather means two things: maximizing time indoors, and finding water activities when outside. Today we did both -- first we met visiting London friends N & S (and their sons J and R) at the excellent and never-before-explored Seattle Center Children's Museum. The place is enormous, and like other 'museums', boasted a wide array of vehicles, arts and crafts areas, and play areas. Meh's favorite was the grocery store, which had a dizzying array of canned and boxed goods, scanners, and about thirty kids pushing miniature shopping carts around. I liked the giant central 'forest' path/cave, which Zachary ran through several times before climbing into the camping tent at the center of the path area. Zachary also spent quite a bit of time behind the wheel of a livery-appropriate King County bus, as well as sitting in the back seat waiting for it to 'gooo!'.

We then walked outside to the giant Seattle Center fountain, which was on in full force; J had a wonderful time running around in it, and there were even a few synchronized musical numbers launching spray hundreds of feet up into the air, just to come crashing back down on the happily screaming kids. Finally, we all headed to the air conditioned confines of a new kaiten sushi place and enjoyed a lovely lunch together. It was so good to catch up, and it sounds like they're extending their visit to further enjoy Seattle - hope we get to see them again in the coming days!

When we got back this afternoon, it was water, shade, and indoor play with a fan going full blast. Here's how Zachary prefers to keep cool:

(not pictured: servants waving fans while feeding him grapes)