Ada's 8th Birthday

Ada is 8! We had such a fun day celebrating her. We started the day by heading to Couer d'Alene beach to swim and play. She got a new swimming mermaid tail from Grandma & Grandpa Harvey that we let her open a few days early, so the girls had practiced in the pool and were ready to convince everyone that they were real mermaids at the lake. 

Opening a present in the morning! Saving the rest for the evening when Dad is home!

All the presents!

It was good for Ada to be the center of attention. Aubrey struggles with it every year....but Ada felt so important with the day being all about her!

Unwrapped! 

Trying her new unicorn craft from Grandma & Papa Dalton

Mermaid tail at the beach! My pictures are a little out of order....beach then dinner with dad and presents, then cake. 

We arrived at the beach and the girls got right to work building in the sand. Ada wanted to put on the mermaid tail so I had her go to the stairs a little way off. As I was walking back to the other girls I noticed a bunch of beautiful sea shells on the beach. I picked them up so the girls could decorate their castles with them.  I was slightly confused because I didn't think sea shells would be in Couer d'Alene lake but who knows. 

Beautiful sea shell castle

The shells we found. And the magical story behind them. I found the shells and brought them back to the girls. They were so excited and immediately started combing the beach for more. An older couple sat on the beach about 10 yards away from us. The wife was painting a picture and the husband had a book and would occasionally jump in. Then they would walk up and down the beach and then settle in again. They asked the girls what they were looking for, and then wanted to see all the shells. 

As the girls were busy building and swimming and I sat watching, I watched the older couple get up to go on their walk up and down the beach. I watched for a minute and noticed that the man put his hand in his pocket and every few feet drop something in the sand. I quickly realized he was dropping sea shells for all the kids at the beach to find. He would then settle back in and watch as kids excitedly found his treasures. 

Needless to say, our girls continued to find shells over and over again throughout the few hours we were there. I loudly told Ada (so the couple could hear) that I had never seen seashells before at this beach and that she was having an extra special birthday. 

I was just so touched by this simple act of kindness. May we all be able to spread joy as easily as this couple did. And find ways to share small acts of service to bring happiness to those around us and find satisfaction in serving. I'm grateful for our seashell experience. 

After the beach we were able to meet up with Cameron for an early dinner. We tried a buffet we had good luck with in the past, but it really wasn't too good this time. But the girls ate plenty of macaroni, chips, and desserts. We headed to play at the playground as Aubrey had soccer practice, then came home for cake and ice cream. During soccer practice Ada and Cameron were able to bring some fresh fruit to some ladies at the care center in our ward boundaries. She loved having that time with her dad to serve. 

Harry Potter Cake! She did most of it herself!

Playing with the new chalk!

Silverwood

The older girls earn tickets to Silverwood through a reading program at school, so we have made it a tradition to go once each summer. This year we didn't find a great day to go until August. We had perfect weather and ended up staying from open to close!! We began the day at the water park. I think this picture is the only pic we got there because water & phones don't go together! 

It is still a little hard to go as a family as the older girls are tall enough to do all the rides, and Penny and Paige can do half the rides. We tag team and make it work. 

We stayed at the waterpark until about 3 in the afternoon, then changed and hit the carousel and train ride before heading to the magic show. Last year the magic show was incredible, but this year they had someone filling in for the day and it was only okay. But we got a huge ice cream to share and at snacks and it was nice to take a break indoors. 

We then headed to the amusement park. 

All smiles!! Paige loved these little rides. 

Aubrey is our daredevil. She wants the biggest rides and is completely fearless. Ada was barely tall enough this year for the big rides. She doesn't quite feel the same way about the big rides. 

After the ride that brings you up slowly and then drop fast. She didn't think it was fun. 

The small version was perfect! Except a little scary for Paige. 

Driving the puppy

Paige didn't nap all day. She was asleep before we left the parking lot. I ordered pizza to pick up about 15 minutes down the road, and by the time we got it in the car the other three girls all said they were too tired to eat. We convinced them to eat a little and then Penny and Ada were out. Exhausted! We needed a few days to recover from Silverwood. Once a year is enough! Makes me wonder how we did Disney as often as we did!

Beach & More

We decided to head to Couer d'Alene beach one day. Aubrey's friend Amber came with us, as well as our Dalton cousins and new neighbors the Youngs. As we were getting out of our car we heard someone yell "Free Ice Cream!' So of course we had to check it out. A local organization was giving out free ice cream, bracelets, and tickets to ride the carousel. Perfect day to visit the beach!

Aubrey the mermaid

Lewis loves the water. 

Always time for snacks. 

After a few hours at the beach we headed to our carousel ride. 

Paige and our neighbor Collette. 

As if the day wasn't busy enough, we finished it off with some boating with the Daltons at Hauser Lake. 

I was outside playing with Penny and Paige one evening and the snow cone truck came up our street. I couldn't say no. How often do you get that lucky?!

Aubrey and Great Grandma. I said in the car today, "We need to go visit Great Grandma soon" and Aubrey said, "Oh Yes Please!!"

More pool time with friends

Penny asked to play Jenga one evening. She was incredible at it. I didn't want to be the one to knock it down and the game got stressful! Finally we ran out of moves and had to just pull one. 

Someone stealing my phone at church. But cute picture. 

Roller Girls

Working out

Grandma and Papa brought a fun new game. We had a great time playing it with them. 

And Grandma helped with our garden. I am grateful for her help because we have had so many tomatoes ripen since we trimmed back the bushes. 

Aubrey pretending she is a Disneyland mermaid that people wanted to stand in line to meet and get pictures with. 

Paige wanted to be like her sisters and wear shin guards and bring her soccer ball to practice. 

Ada got a bath bomb set from her birthday party last year. We did half of it then and it has sat in my closet since. I decided to pull it out and finish it out. They turned out great. 

Park with friends. 

And ANOTHER stop at the children's museum 

Love it! This time we went on Anna's birthday

And then took the whole crew out for MOD pizza

We all went home for a bit and then came back to eat cake and ice cream with the Daltons. 

More cake!

And the beginning of birthday season at our house.