Living on the Edge

I'm Always Learning Something New

As a mom who works outside of as well as inside of the home, free time is fleeting. 

There's the laundry,

the forgotten homework project Sunday night due Monday,

the sudden accident the dog had all over the carpet (from the basement all the way up to the kitchen door),

the little pre-teen problems to settle (I hear one brewing right now as I type),

the 4 phone calls in one evening (nobody EVER calls my house)

paying the monthly bills

and so on....well the list is probably similar in your house.

At some point I get to do one of my hobbies.  And sometimes I forget my train of thought...just like right now.  My thougths derailed somewhere between the quibbling kids and the phone calls.

Oh yeah, I just looked back at the title of the post and remembered what I was talking about...learning!

I love to learn something new....sources of information can be limited Living out here on the Edge.  But from time to time some new bit of information makes its way into the cells still active within my mommy brain.  This week I learned something new at church.  I learned where the phrase "Doubting Thomas" came from.  The pastor this past Sunday shared the story about the Apostles learning about Jesus' resurrection.  Thomas the Apostle was not there when Jesus visited the other Apostles and since Thomas didn't see him, he didn't believe it.  I'd heard the story before about Thomas the Apostle who didn't believe in the resurrection of Jesus (John 20:24-29) but I had never put the saying and the bible story together.  Yeah, sometimes you have to hit me over the head with a 2 by 4. I know. 

I was a teenage product of horror movies--the original Friday the 13th and all--I wouldn't watch one now if you paid me $100.  Well maybe if it came with heavy duty earplugs and a mask.  I could possibly get a good nap in for once...dark theater and all.  So while I was listening to the sermon last Sunday, I was trying not to get too grossed out with the thought of Thomas sticking his fingers into Jesus' wounds to quell his doubts.  I was ready to raise my hand and interrupt and say..."I believe!  Let's move on to the rest of the story please." But I behaved myself and the sermon concluded without any embarassing outbursts on my part.  My mind wanders like that you know.  Does anyone else have wandering mind syndrome?

So now I know where Doubting Thomas originated.

Even Snowmen Are Tired of Winter

A friend of mine sent me this email.  I had to share the picture.  I'm sure many of us in the Inland Northwest are finding this one in the email box!  2008, the winter that would not end! We've had over 80 inches of snow this winter--so says the weather man the other night!

Quote to start your Sunday

I liked this one...it kind of describes the past week of my life!

“Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find that you have crossed the mountain.” 
           —Unknown Author

It's Spring In Spokane!

So my calendar hanging in the kitchen said SPRING on March 20th.  It is one of the many days we celebrate in March in our house.  It's the beginning of the warmer weather and a time when I can begin to plan my garden and get my hands dirty again.

The girls are doing the happy dance on the trampoline--which finally doesn't have snow on it!  Once their homework was finished they played on it for hours.  (Mom, we bought the trampoline because I was deprived as a child and never could have one...LOL!  We bought Q a skateboard too!  I believe that was also on the "sure to send you to the ER" and "guaranteed to give mom gray hair" lists!!)

Plus we have Aflac now!  So although I've spent hours in the ER with one or the other of my girls (mostly one of them) it is a relief to know I have the feathered white bird on my side!!

So back to spring....

My bulbs are coming up (please ignore all the leaves that need cleaning out. Thanks!)

The Easter dresses were purchased.  Yes!  Those are our girls wearing dresses...with stockings none the less!  Of course there isn't a bit of pink showing.

And the eggs are colored.  Notice the glitter.  That was our new thing this year.  It was so much fun, I think we will do it again during Spring Break just for fun!  Plus the egg salad has been very yummy!

So....the next step would be to start working in the yard...right?  Well, according to Phil the groundhog we were going to have six more weeks of winter....

THE RODENT WAS RIGHT! We've had snow every day since Spring showed up on the calendar!  2 inches yesterday morning and at least that much tonight!  They have even forecast more for tomorrow!

If the Budster could talk, he'd be saying:  "What the @%#! Not again"

I'm sure Global Warming will find us.  Maybe in July or August...or do they just call that Summer?

The MAC in Spokane

Although the Inland Northwest doesn't have too many museums, the ones we do have are pretty darn cool!  The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, or MAC as it's called for short, not only focuses on a variety of arts, but also local history.

During Spring Break the MAC is having another one of its Living History Days.  On April 3rd, from 11:00-3:00, you can enjoy live historical reenactments of the Civil war and the early fur trade era.  You can explore exhibits on early firefighting, law enforcement, and the Hillyard neighborhood.  Participate in fun make-and-take art activities and meet "Billy the Kid" at this family-friendly open house.

Admission is only $10 for the whole family and includes. 

Many area schools take field trips here during the year.  They do a wonderful and active living history tour for school groups.  If you're asked to be a chaperone for your child's class field trip, don't miss it!  You'll enjoy it as much, if not more than the kids!

Paint Up Some Fun!

One of my girls' favorite things to do is arts and crafts. If I'm scrapbooking they are scrapbooking. If I make cards, they are next to my elbow using my scraps and making their own cards.  When I paint a room...they run the other way. (Can't fool them that it's an artsy thing to do--oh well!)

But we discovered a really cool thing to do here in the Inland Northwest:  Painting Pottery.  I remember doing this as a little girl.  They were figurines and piggy banks and things like that.  We didn't have a place to do it where we moved from, but quickly we discovered that there are many places to do it here.  And the assortment of things to choose from is so much better!  Plus they fire the piece now and make it look really professional!

One of our favorites--it's the closest one to our home--is Polka Dot Pottery.  There are no studio fees and there are many paints for you to choose from.

They have two locations now, one on the North side of Spokane and a second one now in Spokane Valley. 

The location in Spokane Valley is offering fun kids classes.  Give them a call to find out more....and we may just see you there!

2714 W. Northwest Blvd. Spokane

509-327-5437

118 S. Pines Road  Spokane Valley  509-924-2292

Hours:  Wed-Fri  10-8pm (Pines location opens at 11) Sat: 10-5   Sun: 12-4

www.polkadotpottery.com

Although our we have our favorite studio, there are a number of others in the area, both in Idaho and Washington.  If you know of one that I haven't metioned, let me know.

Color Me Mine

River Park Square, 808 West Main Suite 225, Spokane  509-838-3037

Hands-On Art Studio

3115 N Government Way, Ste 3, Coeur d'Alene  208-765-8203

Here are some other studios I've found.  I haven't been to these places, but if anyone knows anything about these places, let me know.

Thrown

1109 1/2 E. Sherman Ave, Coeur d'Alene  208-651-5735

Whimsical Wheel

2718 E 57th Ave ste 103b, Spokane  509-443-6719

Glazed by Design

Spokane Valley, 509-891-4179

Custom Clay Prints by Kathy Taylor

Coeur d'Alene, 208-691-3811

Pottery in Motion

Sagle, Idaho  208-265-8212

The Garland Theater

We love to go to the movies.  It's fun now that the girls are older, we don't have to go to only the animated films anymore.  I can actually get out to see a 'chick flick' from time to time.  But it is amazing how expensive it is to go to a movie these days.  We tend to just rent something from Blockbuster with our monthly free coupon and pop some popcorn in the microwave.  No lines for the bathroom in our house--well at least they're shorter.

But Spokane does have a good discount theater.  There used to be one over in Hayden, Idaho too, but I read recently that that theater had to push its prices back up (oh well).  The Garland Theater in Spokane manages to keep prices down, even with the pressures of Hollywood.  And right now on Wednesdays they have $1 day where all the movies are only $1!  Now that makes it easy for a family to get out to the big screen.  They also have FREE popcorn Tuesdays.  You get a free small popcorn with every paid admission.

The Garland Theater 

924 West Garland, Spokane  509-327-1050

To add to their bargains...during Spring Break they are even offering a FREE MOVIE! Yup, from March 31 through April 4th you can see the newest veggie tales flick: "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" (rated G)for free.  The show starts at 9:30 am each day and the doors are open at 9:00.  They just ask that you don't bring any outside food in with you.  I think that's fair!

The other movies showing during spring break are:

Alvin and the Chipmunks (PG)

27 Dresses (PG13)

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG)

and coming April 4th is JUNO!

Mobius Kids

Mobius Kids is a very fun hands-on children's discovery museum.  Right now they have a traveling exhibit called "It's a Nano World."

It includes twelve fun and interactive stations that introduce kids to the biological wonders and tools of the 'nan-sized' world!  Did you know that a nanometer is 100,000 times thinner than a strand of hair.  Now that would be an easy ruler to keep in your back pocket wouldn't it?  With this exhibit, kids as well as their parents can discover the nanotech boom from Berkeley, where researchers there are working to unlock the potential of nanoscience to battle global warming and disease.

It's not just in the science fiction movies any more!

Spring break is a great opportunity to come visit Mobius Kids!  My kids still like hanging out there on a rainy day....and they are 10 and 11.

They also have a schedule of creative classes at Mobius throughout the week.  Be sure to call Mobius for class times and prices.  509-624-KIDS

Spring Break 2008 Camps

March 31 -  Crystals Week!- Make sparkling pattern pictures

March 31 - Creative Concoctions:  Flubber, goop, or slime. Make this fun goo that goes by many names.  Also create ooblek, a fluid that acts as a solid and a liquid!

March 31     Stuck on You! - Come and see the amazing things you can do with glue! Make goop and create a fun art project with some colorful glue. Parents stay with their little ones during this class.

Ages 2-4

April 1    3-D Collage Camp - It's a jungle out there! Create 3 dimensional Jungle or Ocean collage using paints, shells, leaves, and more! Parents stay with their little ones in the 2-4 year old class.   

two classes:  Ages 2-4   and  Ages 5-8

April 2    Finger Painting Frenzy! - Throw the brushes out! Budding artists can explore their creativity using just their hands. Take the art home, leave the mess here! 

Ages 2-4

April 3    Put a smile on that mug! - Create a fun & useful masterpiece when you paint your very own mug that you can use for your favorite drink. Paint is safe & non-toxic.

Ages 5-8 

April 3    Balloon-a-palooza! - Have you ever wondered how to make a balloon animal? Find out how when Ryan from Balloon Bonanza teaches you how to transform balloons into animals, flowers, and much more. Take some balloons home to make more animals for your friends!

Ages 5-8

April 4    Bubbleology! - Is that you in a bubble? Have a blast as you create bubbles of all shapes & sizes, put your arm through a bubble with out popping it, and even stand in a giant bubble!

Ages 3-6

April 4  Super Sleuth Camp - Sharpen your private investigation skills during this hands-on detective camp! Learn how to lift and examine finger prints and use clues to figure out "Who done it?"

Ages 5-8

Ski FREE During Spring Break

The snow has continued to collect at the area ski resorts even though spring has officially arrived.  So here's the perfect opportunity to save gas money and do a local vacation.  GO SKIING!  Mt. Spokane will be having its last day on March 30th, but Silver Mt., Schweitzer, and 49 Degrees North will all be open. 

Silver Mt. and Schwietzer both have ski and stay packages that include free lift tickets for the family.  Check out their websites for more details.

49 Degrees North in Chewellah, Washington has the best deal around.  FREE skiing for everyone, ALL WEEK!  And there's no limit to how many times you head up there!  They just had over a foot of new snow last weekend, the days are still cool and the nights too so the snow isn't going anywhere too soon.  Lifts run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily through April 6th.

See you on the mountain!!

Are the Kids Climbing the Walls?

If the kids are literally climbing the walls for something to do, here is a place in Spokane that is a lot of fun.   

Wild Walls

It's located at 202 West 2nd Avenue in Downtown Spokane. 

Phone: 509-455-9596

Call for their special Spring Break activities.  They regularly have Rock Climbing classes for kids, College Night for the 'starving' college students, Women's Nights, and an Armed Forces discount.  The prices vary depending on the activity you choose and they have discounts if you buy multiple visit punch passes.  They told me that Gonzaga and the Air Force Base sell discounted passes as well.