Got a sneak peek of the new Lego exhibit at Museum of History and Industry, which runs May 25 to Sept. 22. Here's my story for The Seattle Times.

I loved researching this story about Pioneer Square for ParentMap!

Food appreciation post, because the best way to explore a neighborhood is through your stomach.

1. OHSUN Banchan cafe and deli
Fresh, bright ingredients; delicious homey Korean cooking. The thing I love most about Korean food is the banchan, and they had plenty of it there! This picture is $100 worth of food — you get a lot of bang for your buck. Really friendly and welcoming place.

2. ?al?al cafe and gallery
Indigenous food, where the net profits go to the Chief Seattle Club. We had rabbit stew for the first time, and it was warm and filling. Everything in the pastry case is good.

3. Smith Tower observatory restaurant
The menu leans heavily on cocktails, which isn't my my thing. The smoked salmon rice bowl, however, was very much my thing. You're paying for the experience, so expect prices to be a bit steeper. (The three dishes here were $100.)

Link to my Pioneer Square story for ParentMap:
https://www.parentmap.com/article/best-things-do-kids-seattle-pioneer-square

19 years in Seattle and I finally went up Smith Tower for the first time. It was INCREDIBLE. Well worth a look inside and a ride to the top. At 42 stories, Smith Tower isn't particularly tall now, but it was the 4th tallest in the world when it opened 110 years ago.

I loved researching this story about Pioneer Square for ParentMap: https://www.parentmap.com/article/best-things-do-kids-seattle-pioneer-square

Views from the observation deck:

When you live in a place, you wind up taking stuff for granted. I admit it has been years since I'd been to the Klondike Gold Rush Museum and I'd forgotten how nicely done it is. Super fun and super FREE.

Paul went on a school field trip to the ID — for some of the kids in the class, it was their first time in this neighborhood. (It's 15 minutes away.)

Paul came back raving about the restaurant where all the third graders ate. "Mama, it was so delicious! It was beautiful inside! And huge!" His glowing review convinced me go try Ocean Star, and see it through an 8-year-old's eyes.

Passionfruit and Yakult fruit tea from 一芳水果茶Yifangtea. Unexpected combination, really yummy!

Calla lily, rock rose, roses and iris, taken under a cloudy sky.

A Taipei-in-Seattle day: Din Tai Fung and Don't Yell At Me!

We inherited a yard full of roses from our home's previous owner. The largest are the size of an open hand; these are as small as a thumbnail.

Happy Mother’s Day from T-Mobile Park! Perfect weather for an M’s game. The Mariners hit a couple of home runs and won the game.