Ice Skating, Wax Museum, and Penny's Play

Cameron had this past week off. We usually head off to Montana, but we just couldn't make the logistics of it all work this year. And the lake didn't freeze over to get into the cabin which was a bummer. So we started the vacation week with breakfast out at the Otis Grill and then headed to Post Falls to visit Grandma and then headed ice skating. 

The three oldest hold their own really well. I'm always amazed at how easily they pick up on things. They loved every minute of it. Aubrey spent a good chunk of the time trying to learn to skate backwards. 

We were able to rent this cool little seal. Paige could sit on it and Penny pushed her around. It was a win for both of them!

Paige did get tired of it after awhile. Little pill. 

Overall a fun adventure! We can't wait to get back. 

Penny's kindergarten class put on the play, "The Mitten" by Jan Brett. Cameron got off work just in time to come with us to see her perform. 

Her class did great. I was amazed at how well her whole class reads. 

In fourth grade here you participate in the wax museum. You pick a person to research and then dress up and memorize a speech about their life. Aubrey picked Julia Child. She did amazing. They have a few months to work on this project and I felt like Aubrey was procrastinating. Thinking I would teach her a lesson I told her one afternoon to stand in front of me and give me her speech. (We had done the research but she hadn't written or memorized her speech.) Without a pause, she immediately rattled off an A+ speech and finished it off with "Bon Appetit!" I guess I can be grateful that school comes easily for my kids. 

They spent three hours giving their speeches to other classes and then all the parents got to come and watch all the speeches. Once again Cameron was off work just in time to come watch her perform. Great job Aubrey!

Love our cousin days! Our new goggles for the girls got delivered while we were out riding bikes and of course we had to try them out right away. 

Hot chocolate!

Visiting the OR

We finally got to see where Dad works! We have bugged before but the hospital setting isn't the easiest place to bring kids to explore. When Cameron took the Priests from church a few months ago, we knew we had to make it happen for our family. Thanks Dad for working out the logistics so that we could go. 

We were able to visit the Medical Park, which is near our house and an outpatient facility that pretty much shuts down on the weekends. So we were able to go in and learn about the machines Cameron uses, see the dressing rooms and clothes he wears, and then tour the actual operating room. 

Checking out the anesthesia machines and the drug dispensers. 

In order to go into the OR you have to be in scrubs and a hair net. So we did our best to outfit the girls so we could go back. 

So exciting!

Learning all about the OR and surgeries, and anesthesia. We saw where Dad sits and what machines he uses and where all his supplies are. 

Watching the "lung" work

Filling up the machine with anesthesia gas!

And Ada got hooked up so we could see her vital signs. 

What a cool experience for all of us. 

Winter Fun

It has been a weird winter here. A few small snowstorms that have brought us a couple inches of snow, and then it begins to rain. So we try to take advantage of any snow we have gotten!

Paige asked to build a snowman one day. She had fun with it!

And we built a big snowfort!

Penny wanted a roof so we had to pull out the tarp!

Pretty cool! And also worth the investment of my time. To be honest, I built most of it, with little help from the kids, but the next day they spent all kinds of time fixing it up. 

We added on a dining room and slide a few days later. 

And we found a sledding hill near our house that was pretty fun. The girls loved it. 

Love these memories we can make with our kids. 

Paige pulling Daddy up the hill. 

The girls had Martin Luther King Jr. Day off from school and we spent the day sledding with cousins. 

This winter our family has become obsessed with the Rubik's cube. Cameron, Aubrey and I can all solve the 3x3 pretty easily. We bought a 4x4 and Cameron and I have almost become experts at that as well. It is a fun activity. I would recommend it!

Santa brings each kid a gift card in their stockings to go on a Dad date. Aubrey went to Panera. Paige went to Wendys. Penny to Red Robin, and Ada to Applebees. I'm hoping to plan some Mommy dates soon because the girls just savor this one on one time. 

Ada and Cameron got a rolled ice cream and she came home so excited to share it with us!

Same with Penny and her donut tower!

And more juicing!!

And we have had a couple good attempts at Spanish Paella. It has been delicious. 

Aubrey and Ada had activity days one night so I had to find something fun for Penny and Paige. They were so excited to write letters to Grandma and Papa and drive down to the mailbox. 

Cute bubble bath. 

And our girls just love our time with Great Grandma. 

We had dinner and did a donut puzzle so then we decided to go get donuts. We happened upon the end of bingo night and were able to jump in for the last game...the blackout round filling the whole board. Ada ended up winning! She won a $24 gift card to go get more donuts again! It was a perfect night. 

And cousin time is always the best!

And just a few cute pictures to finish the post. 

Love these girls! We are ready for longer and warmer days though!