MANITO PARK (also known as the most pictures I've squeezed in a post. Ever.)

Cole is working towards earning his world conservation award in cub scouts. One of the requirements is visiting a greenhouse/conservatory. Today we met my friend Amanda and wandered around the conservatory at Manito Park.

Gracie and Amanda....Gracie's BFF in the whole wide world! (Sorry Amanda, its too cute not to share!)

Afterwards, we walked to the Rockwood Bakery (my first time there...love it!) and had coffee and treats. Yum. Cole was such a kind brother and carried his sister nearly the whole way there.

the evidence aftermath....I'll never tell you what was on that plate! Ha!

Then, we walked back over to the park and let the kids play and burn off some of the sugar. Amanda and I visited about how impossible frustrating weight loss is. As the rain began, we made a beeline for our cars. Spring weather in Spokane is crazy! By the time we got to our car the sun was out again, so the kids and I did a bit more exploring. I gave Cole the camera and he did some photography work of his own...

It was a fun day, and educational as well. We can't wait to go back when the lilacs and rose garden are in full bloom!

HIKING WITH DAD

Yesterday, the kids were out of school for a built-in snow day. Needless to say, we've had next to no snow this year!! So, Paco took the kids hiking/exploring at Liberty Lake. I've lived here all my life and never knew there were trails and waterfalls to be found at Liberty Lake. It was a beautiful morning for some outside adventure!

POLKA DOT POTTERY

Today we went to one of our favorite places ever....Polka Dot Pottery. We met up with some friends from Gracie's Daisy Scout troop. Cole and Gracie always enjoy it when we get to go there.
We used this time to finally get our traditional Christmas ornaments painted...yes...one week AFTER Christmas! Hey, its been a busy season! We have these for every year since the kids have been born. For their first Christmases we had their handprints put on the ornaments (these are the two on the very top in the photo) and after that we have let them paint them however they wish. Here are just a few from over the years....Cole preparing to work on his newest masterpiece...Gracie spent alot of time on hers....she's a perfectionist like her Mama.... Cole.....well he just slaps some paint on it and calls it good! I was proud that he wrote "God is the one" on his ornament. I love that he understands that!

We will get the finished product next Saturday...I'll post pictures then!

AN EVENING DOWNTOWN

Earlier this week I signed the kids up for a "Polar Express" party at the Mobius children's museum downtown. http://experiencespokane.com/mobiuskids/

Last night was the big night, and they loved it! They got to have hot cocoa and snacks, watch the Polar Express movie, make gingerbread houses and ornaments, and explore all the wonders of the kids' museum after hours! While they played their night away, I wandered around downtown, pathetically texted a friend about how lonely I was and guilted her into meeting me, treated myself to bath and body works goodies, Starbucks coffee AND a sea salt truffle from Boehms. Paco met us after work and wandered with us.

I'd share pictures of the kids' adorable gingerbread houses if they hadn't already eaten most of them. Part of the fun, I suppose!

PUMPKINS N' STUFF

This past weekend my family came in from Yakima for their Fall visit. It was a great weekend and as usual we hated to see them go. We made our annual trip up North to get stuck in traffic, wait in long lines, use porta-potties (ewww) and pay too much for pumpkins simply marinate in the fall rituals of the Greenbluff festivities.A friendly scarecrow...Great picture of Daddy and his kids!One of my all time favorite pictures with the kids!!Grandpa, Daddy and GraciePaco and the kids spent 45 minutes in the corn maze to get to the castle in the middle..a break of sunlight....waiting to scare Grandma when she opens the car door....Yep, the Greenbluff trip is a ritual around here, like it is for most people who live in this area. One ritual that we skipped this time? The annual pulling-over-of-the-car-on-the-way-home-because-Cole-is-carsick-and-will-be-throwing-up-on-the-side-of-the-road-which-completely-grosses-Grandpa-out routine.


Some traditions are gladly broken. Just ask Grandpa.