Heaps and Mountains of Fun

One thing this year is teaching us is to be creative in our pursuit of entertainment and gathering.  We haven't had family dinners for months, but it is hard to give up our holidays!  So, along the same lines as our Memorial Day get together, we needed to think outside of the box for Fourth of July.  It is way too hot, like Hades hot, to just chill outdoors with the family. 

So, we had our festive food indoors, while annexing the elder family members to their own table so no covid droplets were potentially being shared during the meal!  ha!

Riverton City did not hold the Freedom Fest where we always go to watch fireworks, understandably.  Hundreds of people packed into the park like sardines could potentially be a super spreader event.  Because we weren't going to the park, we parted ways with family after our dinner and fourth of July fashion prep and spent the evening at a friend's house to swim and watch whatever pyrotechnics surrounded their place.  It was pretty amazing.  

So, big thank you to the Martin's for letting us enjoy our holiday in a new way!  

While we were sad not to spend the entire holiday with the fam, the kids got lots of family time at Spruces campground for a campout!  Because Shannon is a camping guru and super Aunt extraordinaire, she offered to let the kids sleep up there with her-Dave and I wouldn't even have to go.  Don't get me wrong (or Dave for that matter) we both love love love the mountains, hiking, spending time in nature, the views, the fresh air, the disconnecting with the fast pace of 'real life.'  But...we also really like showers and a bed that includes a mattress.  I took Shannon up on her offer and helped set up camp, spent the day, then came back to sleep at home.  

We had never been masked in the mountains before, never thought we ever would need to be, but now we can check that off our of bucketlist...

It was a special occasion treat because Haley and Gage drove over from Colorado to join in the fun too.  

There is nothing like camping out- I bet!  Ha!  Really, there is nothing like the great outdoors.  It is refreshing and fun, a time to bond, 

a time to let it all out.

Mountain Magic

The girls were lucky to spend more family time in July-this time with the McArthur side in the blazing heat of  Arizona.  Dave met Kimber half way, dropped of our little ladies and they spent 5 days with cousins and grandparents swimming and summering just as it should be done every year!  

The boys stayed home with me.  Grant worked (he got a job at Iceberg Drive Inn in May), hungout with friends and bummed around.  Harrison spent one of the days at  Lagoon with Porter and Jaylee, Paige and Shannon.  Really, it was the people mentioned minus Jaylee most of the day.  

Jaylee wasn't having the Lagoon atmosphere.  It was our first time trying Lagoon a Beach.  I wish I could say it was our last time, but I am afraid my kids will drag me more.  There are few things I despise more than water parks- the pruney fingers and toes might be the number one reason.  Shrively digits are the textures of my nightmares.  Anywho... it was so fun to spend the day with them there (once we got to the rides)!  Harrison loved the water slides and I am sure he will want to take the other kids there soon.  I will endure the agony.  

I am actually not a huge water play fan, in general.  I would regard myself as brave, but deep ocean makes me a little leary, if someone is trying to swim in open water without a life vest, I am on high alert. I don't want to go scuba diving, like, ever.  Harrison has become fascinated with ocean travel lately, particularly the Titanic disaster.  Why?  who really knows?? He is constantly looking up facts about it, printing off coloring pages, and explaining what went wrong.  Here is a lovely diagram of what happened that he illustrated.

He did do marvelously at swim lessons this year, so he has no fear of water.  It has been nice to have things to break of the routine of the every day.  

 We have all been home a lot doing the same old things...you know, lockdown and all that.  

We had a lot of trips planned this year, Girls Camp, EFY, youth conference, family vacation, Ireland/President's Club...can't even hardly talk about that one!  It has been a tough pill to swallow to give those adventures up.  We were yearning to hit the road and wanted to do it in a safe and quick way, so we packed up the sanitizer, masks, wipes and took a long driving, quick road trip to see Blake and co.

Wow, people weren't exaggerating with the whole Coeur d'Alene is breathtaking description.  

We drove all day, arrived at night and in time to take a stroll at the lake.  Wading revolved into self inflicted wedgies, apparently, and frightening the ducks that were trying to enjoy their evening.  

We stayed in a hotel, but fully sanitized the room, hardly went through the lobby, wore a mask through our entrance and stairway and pretty much isolated in the accommodations.  We ate at some fun restaurants, took the kids with Blake and Grace to the lake to swim and jump in from the rocks, met up with Suzanne and Caitlyn for food, and the girls slept at their house one night. 

 By far, the best thing we did was the bike ride on the Road to Hiawatha. It was incredible and unforgettable.  Picture a mile long dark tunnel, a dirt path down a mountain, train trestles, trees and lush scenery, and you can almost imagine what it was like.  

We weren't sure if Harrison would be able to bike the entire 15 miles-it is downhill, but he is a newbie to the whole bicycle feel in general.  So, we decided to rent a bike that was pretty much Dave pedaling and Harrison connected on the back to a small bike, but he couldn't steer or regain balance.  At the  beginning, when those two tried to attempt a ride, Harrison jumped off and screamed that he would not be joining us.  That sums up his dialogue.  We had to send Blake and the rest of the crew ahead while we coaxed Harrison back onto the bike and encouraged him through his loud screaming that he was going to be great and love it! Eventually, Master Harry got on the vehicle, but every time Dave stopped to check on someone, or if they ended up in the last spot, the tantrum ensued.  Despite the yelling and crying, he loved it!  Haha!  We all finished up muddy and looking like a diaper exploded up our backs, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Next time, we would just get Harrison his own bike! 

It's funny to me how we see our own behavior as perfectly reasonable, but when someone else may be exhibiting similar reactions, we find them to be irrational.  When Brenna was yelling at me, Harrison turned and said, "um, mom, is she having a breakdown?!"  It is nice to know other people go through our emotions and experiences.  We have one person leaving the braces camp at our house ...(David-30 lbs lighter, teeth straighter, shortened and whiter-hopefully preventing any gum grafts)

and little miss Katelee is embarking on her orthodontic journey.  

Before shot..

to picking junk out of her teeth...I swore I took a pic right  out of the ortho office, but this will have to do because I can't find it.  

We are so grateful for these fun things we have been able to do this month!  It's amazing how the little things start to matter so much more.  This may be a bit crude for some, but Harrison ran into the bathroom the other day and had a really long pee...then he exclaimed, "that was heavenly."  Isn't it funny how things we don't think twice about become heavenly??  I think that mind set is one I want to always keep and we can thank this year for teaching us that.  

Transporting Ourselves

So our "summer" began.  I mean, we have been home together for months without stepping foot in a school, but summer break is no official.  We aren't really traveling anywhere, you know that Covid-19 situation and all.  But we are going to find fun things to do to keep us busy and transport ourselves to other places- some literal, some quite imaginary.

Grant is taking the literal route here and learning to transport himself via automobile!  Here he is after passing his learner's permit test, holding the coveted paper that proves his eligibility to operate behind the wheel.  

Dave took the kids to a park to run and roll down the hill.  Isn't it so great that rolling down a hill has been a favorite past time for ages!  Keepin it simple-that has to be one of the lessons of 2020.  Those simple things tend to be the things that last.  

All camps/EFY's/youth conferences, President's Club, etc have been officially canceled for this year.  Thus, there would be no transporting ourselves to other lands on vacation.  But,  we found we could still feel like we are on top of the world...

We took Kate Cowley with us on a hike of Ensign Peak.  It is nice to be around friends (we try to stay outside).

Harrison, whose imagination eclipses mine stood atop that hill and transported him self right to Rio de Janeiro. 

 

Most 6 year olds like to impersonate world renowned statues, right? Ha!  

He may be unique in his love for famous architecture and art, but Harrison has fallen into the very popular with the kids (and many adults) Star Wars club.  Because sports have been off the tv (with the exception of some riveting Corn Hole competitions on ESPN- for real hahahah), Harrison has had to spend his time in other ways.  He hasn't been asking to look up logos and make schedules.  He has begun to watch Star Wars.  Grant has enjoyed that-bringing back memories of his childhood.  Harrison has even shifted his career goals.  I no longer hear about which professional sport he will begin with, but he declared that he would like to rule the galaxy when he grows up.  He will give his kids a chance to join him, he said...or they can die.  Well...I am not sure if we are going to encourage that path of employment.  Hopefully sports resume so I don't have to worry about intergalactic terror headed by my child.  

When Caleb was down for a visit, he let Harrison use his extra special light saber.  It was an epic battle.  

This past Christmas we gave the kids season passes to Lagoon. We thought with the virus outbreak we wouldn't be able to use those passes.  Lagoon decided to open up with limited capacity, social distancing and mask rules-so we thought we should do something this summer.  I already took them every week in June, I think I need a small pause on the Lagoon fun.  

It has been somewhere we could be transported to new speeds, heights and adventure.  Harrison, however, will not give the Cannibal another chance this year. We asked him to try it, he screamed while on it, yelling,"Why am I doing this?"  He got off saying he would never try it again.  When we met up with Caleb the following week, we thought we could talk Harrison into it.  He got all the way to the front of the line when he fell to the ground and refused to board the roller coaster even while the rest of us were sitting in it.  It was quite the scene and I wanted to transport myself to another place, immediately!   Harrison said the ride is a thing of his nightmares, so we will hope for better luck next year.  

Shannon and Brenna had been talking about playing Clue and making it a whole murder mystery night.  So, Shannon made it happen.  We were transported to a crime scene right from our kitchen.

The best part was we all took on a character.  Harrison was known as Monsieur Brunette for the evening and he took his accent very seriously.  It was exceptional.  

Miss Peach was a doll and her friend Madame Rose also showed up.  

It was intense and fun!  

While we haven't been able to travel much or transport ourselves to places we thought we would be going this year, we are still trying to get out of our regular routine.  We have learned a lot and while discussing scripture stories we have loved the videos that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made to accompany the chapters.  Our kids have anticipated watching them, so much that Harrison even cheers and has big plans to imitate it.  We watched as a scripture family took a difficult journey in the desert and now he thinks our family should also have a desert wilderness hardship to teach us and use it as a vacation.  My ideas of vacations next year will be different.  Harrison also said he has plans for his future family-desert journeys included. He said that will teach them about the pioneers.

 He told me he is going to be a really, really good dad.  But, once a month he said he will "be really hard on his kids, because it is good for them.  You can't be nice all the time. That's how they learn.  They need to step it up."  I will be interested to see how the once a month schedule works out for the Harrison McArthur family.   We can't necessarily transport ourselves wherever we want to go while we are on desert journeys, pioneer-like treks, or covid caused isolations.  But, we can transform ourselves to see the good and make it good-for now, that's what we are going for.  Also, praying hard for Harrison's future children!  Haha!

 

Congratulations and Accolades to Us All

I mean, no two years can be exactly the same anyway, right?  We may get into a routine of the same old end of the year wrap ups, but they can't ever be precisely identical.  Lets just hope this finish to the school year is one of a kind with nothing like it again!  

Huge pat on the back to the resilient McArthur kiddos!  All finished school with high marks and big accomplishments!  I would also just like to recognize my time as a full time teacher that was thrust upon me was indeed successful as well.  Harrison finished his first year of school!! Kindergarten as a blast and a breeze for that kid.  I need to revise that-in person school was a breeze.  The struggle to focus and finish was real for Harry boy.  He would get going on his curriculum and be moaning about how long it was 30 seconds into the video or assignment.  He barely started work one day and then stood up for a break.  He turned to me and said, "Don't judge me."  Well, excuse me.  It took hours to finish what should have taken minutes.  At his exit interview, Mrs Chandler, his teacher asked him what he did and didn't like about school.  He told her the subject he enjoyed and then said, "I don't mean to be rude, but some of your videos were SOO LONG.  I mean, seven minutes??  Come on!"  We are all praying for in person learning in the fall...and forever.  

Brenna finished grade 4.  Wahoo!  While they didn't get to do a final recital, she showed off all of her dances to us many, many, many times.  I think we got a good taste of how it would look on stage.  

She had some socially distant dance photos.  They photo shopped all the girls together (not these ones, some a professional took in studio).  It is impressive how the world is being creative to make life move along, where we can. 

Grant and Katelee had their final classes at South Hills Middle School.  Katelee has to transfer to Oquirrh Hills Middle next year due to boundary changes and Grant moves on to High School. 

 What the what?  He will be a Riverton Silverwolf!!!  He will not be a "true" Riverton Silverwolf because that involves a kiss on the field under a full moon or some strange school tradition.  I actually wouldn't be surprised if he was a premature true wolf before he even gets to the school.

I took them to the school to walk the halls reverently one last time (and collect locker items).  You had to make an appointment, so that hardly anyone would be in the school at the same time.  I think Grant will miss those smelly walls.  I, for one, would like to forget his middle school years, so yay for being done!!

As we were leaving, the counselors and some teachers had envelopes with awards, their memory books, etc.  We told his counselor his name and she handed him a few things and then told him that was it.  We noticed a Science Olympiad certificate honoring Garth McAdams in the "M" pile and we started laughing.  Mr Talley, the teacher of all teachers, had started calling Grant that right when he was a cute little sevie.  The counselor had no clue that award belonged to Grant, but in the end he was able to take it home. 

We are so excited to have some nice weather since we all need to spend our time outside and slow the flow, stop the spread, whatever you want to say.  

We can't wait to spend our days lounging around in the sun in the a rigged up duct taped trashy make shift hammock.  Just kidding, no way would Dave let that stay up in our front yard long.  I was amazed it never dropped!  Way to be clever and creative, girl. 

Hopefully next year, we get to do our traditional Memorial Day extravaganza.  This year, in true 2020 fashion, we had to make adjustments.  We hosted breakfast at our house so we weren't in public or a crowd, but we were still able to stay outside with family.  This is the first family gathering we've had since it all hit the fan.  It was so fun to see everyone! 

We ate  yummy food...

played outside games (where Harrison dressed as wild west sheriff and spoke as a cowboy all game), 

some people avoided the fun...

some others also found their divinely appointed niche even in these circumstances...

so you could almost say it was normal! 

We finished at Paige's house for a BBQ and outdoor movie.  It was a Memorial Day to remember.  

I would like to congratulate us on making it through the two months of online school! I think a slow clap is deserved for the grit and endurance we are all developing.  We are coming to know better who we are, who each other is and what lasts.

We experienced another accomplisment- our 18th wedding anniversary!! That deserves a standing ovation!  I gave Dave a gift I knew would impact our lives now and in the future.  It is one that I never knew would bring the home so much joy, but that's what is fun with a long going (eternal) marriage.  You become comfortable with the unexpected.  You expect to be changed and surprised.  You know it takes effort and it pays off.  So, in honor of our covid resolve, our marriage dedication and growth, we clap and we play BINGO.

 

Covid Chaos

This is the face of COVID 19-

Life on a screen...

It is incredible how quickly life can get turned upside down and now we live on ZOOM calls.  Who even knew what ZOOM was before the middle of March?  No one at our house.  But alas, now it is one school, church, dance, family call after another because we are yearning to stay in touch, but are all supposed to be isolated.  It is hard.  We are not supposed to leave our homes except for essential trips. No social gatherings are to be happening and everything keeps getting cancelled-games, performances, recitals, trips, camps, life...ugh.

We are really trying to keep the rules of social distancing, which means we are home all the time.  We have decided to support small business and eat out twice a week-the kids are loving that.  We are doing puzzle

after puzzle

after puzzle.

Thanks to Shannon for dropping a bunch off and keeping us supplied!!

 I think we are up to 9 at least.  The Avengers one is completely appropriate for our home because we took the Marvel challenge.  We've been watching every Marvel movie in order of when they took place.  So, Captain Marvel, while a newer movie, was watched as one of the beginning shows as it takes place in the 1980's.  What we enjoy the most is how Harrison completely embodies the characters of the movies we just watched. When we finished Spiderman, he's somehow in the door frame of our pantry, if it was Captain America, he's throwing shields across the room.  None have been quite as impactful as Black Panther.

As we were watching Black Panther, the kid was already running up and down the stairs to try and tape jewels to his chest, he was acting out the fight scenes, etc.  When the film wrapped up, Harrison crossed his arms and exclaimed, "Wakanda forever."  He insisted that I perform the ritual where the new leader (Panther) of the Wakandan people had to drink some colored liquid.  I went to the kitchen where he had poured milk into a bowl and colored it with food coloring.  After I served my king his ceremonial beverage, I thought we could start homework.  Well, I had the kindergartener write his sight words that had been assigned for the week.  I took a look at his paper that he told me was completed and I was absolutely confused.  I couldn't read a thing he wrote.  He told me then that the words were in Wakandan, but his homework was done.  He said he could read it.  Of course, I have to completely trust him, he is my supreme ruler, but the question is...can his teacher read Wakandan??  

 Speaking of school- they  are officially shut down FOR THE YEAR.  Heaven help us.  We are finishing out the school year at home and it will conclude middle of May.  We feel so bad for the graduating seniors so there are lots of plans to help them finish off their formal education years on a good note.  It's hard to miss performances, graduations, competitions, dances etc that you've been working on all year.  Katelee had a her first big part in a play that she was supposed to perform.  She was cast as one of the main orphans in Annie and had been doing all her rehearsals.  Those are cancelled for now...maybe they will get to perform in the summer.  She was so excited to have a part. 

We are putting forth a big effort to look for the good and count our blessings.  So far, no one in our family (immediate or extended) has contracted the virus.  Shannon's exposure caused her to be tested and quarantined, luckily she was negative.  We were sooo happy to have General Conference at the beginning of the month which brought so much peace as our prophet gave an apostolic blessing, new temples were announced (including one in Dubai and China! I couldn't help but let out a little sob for that news), a new proclamation to the world was read, the saints around the world gathered to declare a Hosanna Shout from across the globe-but the unifying spirit was INCREDIBLE.  I could feel the millions of people in unison praising God and pleading to be saved.  There was a rush of the spirit to our home and heart which was so needed.  The Hosanna shout was memorable not only for me, but Harrison too.  I heard him chanting it as he marched around the room.  It may be sacrilegious but he is 6 so he gets a pass.  

And so, we look for the SUN and to the SON in our days right now.  We made the most of our spring break...

no fruity beverages in a tropical location, but hey, why not some apple juice and bread?!  It's pretty much just as good. 

That boy's skin nearly glows in the dark.  It's remarkable.  hahaha

The middle school principal (in the Tiger suit) along with one of the VP's came to our house to visit Katelee because she had just been awarded student of the month before we were shut down.  

We loved how much they went the extra mile and are reaching out to students and our family in particular.  We are all trying to see what we can do to lift spirits.  Harrison's cute kindergarten teacher celebrated a birthday and so many people showed up to drive by her house in a parade fashion.  It was adorable.  I love seeing things like this.  Everyone is trying to be creative to create unity and bring some joy.  We can't technically do YW/YM activities together yet, so we decided to have the youth make cards that we could mail to a care center.  Care centers aren't allowing any visitors, so their poor residents must be so lonely.  We had the kids put the cards on their porches and we told them we'd come by to pick them up.  But of course, we had to make it exciting...hence the 80s clothes, songs and sites coming at them from the street...

I am so glad these ladies are good sports and made it fun!  We broke the rules in this picture by standing by each other, so we had to post one that was socially distant and acceptable on the ward page!  shhh...

And so, we are hanging on.  Coping with food...

movies, puzzles, walks-we've discovered we like to walk to Sodalicious-it takes some time and it results in a delicious treat! We are hanging on to the uplifting messages from conference.  I particularly liked a bit from our prophet when he said, "Why do we need such resilient faith?  Because difficult days are ahead...how you deal with life's trials is part of the development of your faith.  Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth."  He also said "You will have days when you will be discouraged.  So pray for courage to not give up!!  I promise as you follow Jesus Christ, you will find sustained peace and true joy."

So, the days that we just keep feeling knocked down or beat up...

(Black eye, courtesy of the wrestling match of the day)...

we are going to keep our heads up and develop that resilient faith and have courage! When we can't go to the movies, we will rent them, when we can't see our friends, we will facetime We will make our fun!  When we can't swim at pools, hey, we have bathtubs...

when we can't dance at the studio, we zoom call in and let everyone see your moves.

Life is anything but "normal" right now, but we have been healthy and for that I am grateful.  Now, back to a zoom call....