Leavenworth, WA 2014 - Day 1

“My son is in a high school marching band and today he marched in a parade” is a sentence I never imagined forming. But here we are in Leavenworth, beaming with pride for Jackson and the rest of River Ridge High School’s marching band after an excellent performance in the Autumn Leaf Festival Grand Parade. We decided that instead of having Jackson ride a bus to Leavenworth with the rest of the band, Chad and I would make it an overnight getaway. Ashley is at Seabrook with my sister and mom this weekend, and this is our first family trip without her. Leah sent me pictures of her playing with fire though, so I'm sure she’s fine.

We drove to Auburn for breakfast at Sun Break Café. Chad and Ali spent the first fifteen minutes researching “hamsters in their natural habitat” on Chad’s phone and squealing with delight each time they saw an adorable hamster (most of the squealing was from Chad). We ordered breakfast and the portions were so huge that none of us could finish and we left stuffed full, and a little ashamed for throwing so much food in the trash. Our leftovers probably could have fed three hobos. Now that I think about it, they still might.

We had a wonderful drive listening to comedy albums and then switching to the Eagles for the last leg of the trip. We met the band just after 9:00 and Jackson changed into his uniform. This is when I learned that saying “You look like a nutcracker” is not very much appreciated.

Chad and I were chaperones so we filled a backpack with squeeze-bottles full of water and were instructed that our job was to squirt water in the kids’ mouths whenever they wanted a drink. I was really excited about this task, but a lot of the kids wanted to squirt the water in their own mouths. But if I allowed that, then I'd just be serving kids water. It was much more fun to squirt it in their mouths and sometimes "accidentally" get it all over their face. At 11:00 they lined up in position and performed for the judges. And at noon, the parade started.

The chaperones were told to situate ourselves along the parade route in case kids dropped out and needed help. I asked if this happens often and the band director told me that a couple years ago twenty-six kids dropped out due to lack of hydration, not eating before the parade, and wearing the nutcracker marching band uniforms in ninety-degree weather. It was in the high seventies today and some kids were already sweating profusely. I went into full paramedic mode, planning how I would throw a band kid over my shoulders and carry them to the end of the parade while the spectators stood and applauded my heroic effort. In the end, only five kids dropped out and that was towards the very end of the route. And there was no way I was actually gonna carry them.

Getting the uniforms back in the garment bags and the instruments checked in was a fiasco that nearly sent me into a blind rage. I will spare you the details. We kept our cool, collected our boy, and went straight to our hotel to unwind.

We are staying at the Icicle Inn and as I was in line to check in, there were two sets of guests in front of me. Neither of their rooms were ready and I knew that when I got to the counter that ours wouldn't be either. It wasn't. I chatted with the hotel employee, Jade, as she ran my credit card. Because there was a crowd in line behind me, Jade slid a piece of paper across the desk that read, “Want to try a 2-bedroom condo @ same rate?” Gee. Let me think. Um. Yes. Fast forward ten minutes and a whole lot of “thank yous”…

The kids' room

Our room

Our condo is beautiful. The kids got the apartment with a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Chad and I took the connecting bedroom with a fireplace and huge Jacuzzi in the bathroom. We have separate entrances and the pool and hot tub are right outside our patio door.

We collapsed on the couch and rested for a few minutes. Then Ali reminded us she was starving so we went to Andreas Keller Restaurant which was recommended by Jade. I ordered schnitzel with noodles and as I was eating it hit me: This is one of Maria’s favorite things! I think it just might be one of mine now, too. Chad ordered goulash, Jackson had a different type of schnitzel, and Ali ordered a soft pretzel and ate off our dishes. I drank a grapefruit hefeweizen which was a first for me. Everything was delicious and super healthy as you can see in the photo. Don't judge--there's green on that plate.

We walked around town for a bit and bought ice cream cones which we ate by the Front Street gazebo where men in lederhosen played accordions. This was the perfect place to people-watch until Jackson reminded us that he had to take the hot sauce challenge.

Every year, the band kids have a tradition of sampling the Mad Dog hot sauce at “A Matter of Taste” and Jackson wanted to give it a shot. Something about if you don't do it, you're not cool... I encouraged him to not give into peer pressure and do the exact opposite of what everyone else does, but my exhortation fell on deaf ears. Chad took him in the store and minutes later, Jackson came out eyes watering, a look of panic on his face, and he sat on the ground rocking back and forth while mouth breathing to find relief. One look at my poor boy on the ground and I walked straight into that store and sampled the hot sauce. So much for not giving in to peer pressure. Twenty minutes later, my mouth didn't feel like it was full of blisters and we were able to get on with our day.

In case you're wondering, it was hot

Perfect autumn day

Back at the condo, we crashed. I think the kids were asleep by 7:30, but I wouldn’t know since they have their own room. I think I could get used to this.

Gute Nact,

-The Niemeyers