You Have to Try the Gyros

This weekend was the annual festival at the Greek Orthodox church.  I've taken the kids there in the past, but they didn't remember and so I decided to go again this year.  We enjoyed gyros and souvlakis, listened to traditional Greek music performed on traditional Greek instruments and watched Greek dancers of all ages.  It was a fun, although crazy hot, day.  

I went over to the band and talked to one of the performers about his instrument.  He plays a cimbalom and is one of only 6 people in all of North America that play one.  It was very fun to watch them all play.

I loved the dances the most.  The music had a lot of fun energy and a great beat.  I loved how every dance was a group dance with lots of clapping and synchronous tapping, jumping, and moving.  It created such a feeling of community and friendship and really made you want to join in the fun the group was having.  I can see how a big Greek wedding with dances like that would be a blast.

Little Boy's Dream Day

 Today we went to "Touch-A-Truck."  It was a community event in which every truck you could possibly imagine was all in one place and open to all the excited toddlers in the area.  They had everything from the usual police and fire vehicles to garbage trucks, army tanks and hummers, cranes, all the construction vehicles you can think of, a school bus, jeeps, golf carts, an animal control truck, and even a massive helicopter.  It was a HUGE variety and the whole thing was open to exploration.  It was honestly a bit overwhelming for Peter at first.  I brought him and Christian there and told Peter, "Go where you want to go and we'll follow."  He just stood there and stared unmoving.  So, I said, "Do you want to see the helicopter or the fire truck?"  Again, zombie stare.  So, at that point I gave up, plopped him in the stroller, and started walking.  He wouldn't get out of the stroller to explore the first several things we visited.  After about 30 minutes of dumbfounded gawking, he finally warmed up when he saw the police horse.  I handed my phone to Christian and asked him to take a picture of me and Peter with the horse.  This was the picture he took.

Not exactly the angle I was looking for, but it's all we've got.  The next thing that really excited him was the school bus.  He's gone with me to get Christian off the school bus his whole life and he was really excited to get on one himself.  Christian came in the first time because he wanted a chance to sit in the driver's seat.

Peter wanted to go through it again, though, so I sent Christian outside to get a picture of Peter at the window.  This is the picture we got.

How he managed to take such a ridiculously dark photo on the hottest, sunniest day we've had all year, is beyond me.  That was when I stopped giving my phone to Christian.  Trust me, Peter was really cute looking through that window.

After that, enough people had arrived at the event that the lines at each truck became unbearable.  20 minutes in line with a 2 year old in the heat to sit in a garbage truck?  No thanks.  So our choices of where to go next were based solely on length of line.  As a result, we ended up at the jeep, the front end (the part that doesn't control the crane) of the crane truck, the animal control truck, and the police golf cart.  Haha!  The funny thing is that Christian later said the jeep was his favorite and Peter seemed happiest in the golf cart.  My favorite was seeing the AirWolf helicopter circle over head and land next to me.  I'd never been that close to one landing before.  I was so intrigued, I completely forgot to take a picture. Even though the line to see it up close was way too long, I'd already seen all I was interested in.  Everyone left happy and looking forward to next year.

Service and Fun

 On Saturday, I took the kids to a service project that we've done for many years - the annual float down the river and clean up the shore by canoe.  It starts at Kensington group campsite and the organizers shuttle you up to the head of the river and then you can float back down to the campsite, picking up trash along the way.  It's always a lot of fun and my kids have loved being able to play in the water and do service at the same time.  Sadly Benjamin had to be at the marching band fundraiser carwash so he couldn't come, but I took the other three.  It was supposed to start at 7:30, but thanks to Peter, we got a late start and didn't arrive until 9.  By that time, everyone else was already on the river.  We arrived to a smattering of people sitting at a picnic table.  No registration table, no shuttle bus, etc.  I walked up to the table and asked if it was too late.  One lady said, "Well, yes, everyone had gone already."  Then an elderly man at the table said, "No, that's fine.  I'm Chester Heavner.  I'd be happy to give you a ride up there and get you a canoe."  Chester Heavner, as in the founder and owner of the giant company that provides all the canoes for this service project every year.  We got into his van and off we went.  That was a fun ride getting to know this great man.  We talked about scouting and about the Mormon church and he told me his favorite thing to listen to was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! 

Then we had a wonderful 2 hour float down the river.  I was nervous that Peter would get sick of it and start to cry, but he loved it the whole way.  When we reached a really shallow part and Bella and Christian got out, he jumped into the front seat, grabbed Bella's paddle and was ready to go.  He rode like that for quite a ways with the older two in the middle.  It's so fun to see how he's growing and changing.  He loved seeing all the birds and other animal life on the river.  We saw heron, turtles, ducks, fish, dragon flies, etc. etc. and he loved and pointed excitedly at all of them.  We didn't see a whole lot of trash because we were so far at the back of the group, but it wasn't for lack of trying!

After it was over, we enjoyed a delicious lunch they provided and had a really nice time at the campsite.  I always love this service project.

That afternoon we went to a party put on by the city of Livonia.  Just like we'd stumbled upon in Kirtland - food trucks, bands, lawn games, etc.  They had some blow up bounce houses but Peter was a bit too afraid of those.  He went in with Christian, but as soon as another boy started jumping too, he quit and wanted out. They had some fun crafts and coloring things that he and the others liked, so that's where we spent the most time. However, his favorite table was the one with the large water coolers.  "Wa!" he kept yelling.  (His word for water).  He kept leaving what we were doing and going over to the water coolers and getting himself more to drink. I  wasn't allowed to help him.  He's fiercely independent.  He had to be the one to hold the cup under and push the little button on the spigot.  It wasn't easy and he spilled a lot, but luckily the lady manning the table didn't seem to care.  It was his main source of entertainment for the afternoon.  Mostly it was a bit too hot and humid to spend too much time there.  Christian and Bella got tacos and churros at one of the food trucks and then we went home.  It had been better on the river in the cool water and shade of the trees.  A really fun day, altogether, though.

Our Trip to Kirtland, Ohio

 This year in Sunday School, we've been studying the revelations received by Joseph Smith and about the history of the church.  I wanted the kids to see where these events occurred.  Since we live so close to these locations, I felt like we couldn't pass up the opportunity.  I found a hotel with a pool close to the area and figured we could make a fun overnight trip.  It was perfect.  We left right after breakfast on Tuesday, drove 3 hours and were there.  It felt like 20 minutes compared to driving to Utah!

Before we even checked into the hotel, I wanted to see some of the sites.  We toured the ashery where the saints made pot ash and pearl ash to generate revenue for church needs.

We toured the sawmill where they made the materials to construct the temple and their homes.

We toured the Newell K. Whitney store and home where the first bishop of the church lived and worked.

 

(His house is behind the tree.)

Then we went up the hill to the temple, but it was closed due to Covid.   I got to tour it the last time I was there and it made me sad the kids couldn't see inside, but we'll be sure to go again.

After that we got lunch and went to the hotel.  Everyone was excited to swim and relax.  

When we were done, I thought it would be nice to find a playground to let Peter play since he'd put up with all our historic home tours.  We randomly chose a park and discovered upon arrival that it was the site of a major festival.  Food trucks, live bands, and tons of people were all around.  It was so much fun!  We enjoyed great food, ok music, and a wonderful playground for Peter.  The other kids decided the crowds were too much for them and ate in the car, but Peter and I had fun outside for a while.

After a night in the hotel where everyone got less than ideal sleep, we swam and ate and then drove out to the John Johnson farm.  It's an hour from Kirtland and we were the only ones there, so we had the whole tour to ourselves.  Peter was mighty sleep deprived and pretty sick of the whole thing by then and so we had a struggle with him.  I'd love to say the farm house was a better experience, but it was definitely unideal trying to go through a spiritual, reverent tour with a wild, cranky 2 year old.  At one point the tour guide missionary said, "We're going to just sit quietly here for a moment and reflect on what occurred here and pay attention to what we're feeling."  Peter looked at her and said, "Uh, NO!" and proceeded to climb up and slide along the bench.  All  in all, though, he could have been much worse.  He was a good kid most of the time.

After the Johnson farm, we headed back home.  We made it about 1/2 way when Peter started to lose it and he cried the rest of the way home.  When we arrived home, I picked him up and he felt very hot.  He had a temperature of 102.9.  No wonder he'd been cranky.  I guess two days of early mornings and no naps had done him in.  I put him to bed early and he woke up this morning fever free and acting much better.  After a long nap today, he was back to his normal self again.

I'm really glad we got to go.  It was fun to hang out together, fun to play in the hotel, and especially wonderful to see the places personally the we've been reading about.  I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he saw Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.  It was so special to stand where those things occurred.  Christian and Bella seemed to really enjoy it too.   Benjamin came along out of duress and didn't seem to care about it at all, but to his credit, he hardly ever complained and was in a pretty good mood most of the time we were there.

Service Project

 I have a friend who is suffering from a rare cancer and so I have been trying to do what I can for him and his family.  (It was his kids that I took to the trampoline park.)  Due to his cancer, he hasn't had any time or strength to deal with his yard.  I decided to help.  I called a bunch of people who know him and asked them all to show up at his house at a certain time.  I figured the more people, the faster the work will go.  Amazingly, everyone I asked, showed up.  It was great.  The kids all worked hard and weeded, picked up sticks, cut down overgrowth, raked, etc.  On the way home, everyone wanted to go get ice cream, but no one could agree on where to go!  Bella wanted Dairy Barn, Christian wanted Baskin Robbins, Benjamin wanted Ritter's, Kelly wanted Guernsey, and I, of course, didn't want ice cream.  So, an agreement was never reached and we ended up back home.  However, all was not lost.  I pulled a 1/2 gallon of our favorite vanilla ice cream out of the garage fridge and everyone loved it.  Christian ate his in a cone, Bella melted it down and ate it by pouring it into a cone and drinking it like a cup, Benjamin ate many, many servings - one in a bowl, one in a cone, etc.  Kelly got out the blender, oreos, and candied nuts and made a milk shake which he and Benjamin shared. It was the perfect ice cream night for such a diverse family. It was really fun working and playing together.  Hopefully we can find more chances like this to serve.

My friend took a few pictures of us working and posted them on his FB as a thank-you.  I didn't get any pictures of the event, but here's one he took.  You can see me with Peter on the far left. Most of us are in this picture.  Christian was working in the front yard with another group of people.

Pre-Birthday Party

 Christian's birthday is in two days and this week has felt eternal for him and for me.  He because he wants to get his presents.  Me because I can't wait to see him get his presents.  I'm just so sure he'll love them, it's killing me to postpone giving them to him.  So, we decided today to have a pre-birthday party-ish thing and invite a friend for a day of fun.  He decided to invite Marcus, who has been the one friend with whom he's had the most contact during covid.  They were in the same class last year and so he regularly did zoom school at Marcus's house and the two of them get along really well.  Marcus came with us to Defy, MOD pizza, our house, and the rec center.  The boys had a wonderful time.  Marcus did so much jumping at Defy that he upset his stomach and vomited all over the floor at MOD.  That was a bit of a downer.  We were all standing in line waiting to order when I looked over at him and noticed he didn't look well.

Me:  How are you doing?
Marcus: Not good
Me: Is your stomach upset?
Marcus: *nods*
Me: Are you still up for having pizza?
Marcus: *vigorous head shake as his cheeks start to puff out*

An instant later he vomited right there in line.  I could see that wasn't going to be the end of it, so I yanked his arm and dragged him as fast as I could out the front door where he lost the rest of his stomach contents.  The manager came with napkins and a trash can.  Then she came back out with a cup of water.  She was super nice about the whole thing.  She cleaned up the mess and kept asking if we needed anything.  I just sat him down in the outdoor seating area, which thank heavens, was empty, and he rested and sipped.  I went back inside and got Peter and handed my credit card to Christian.  He was worried about buying his pizza alone and paying for it with my card without me, but he was super proud of himself when he came out with his pizza all by himself.  It was a great growing up moment.  Poor Marcus left without pizza, but he left feeling better, so it was a win.  He was fine the whole rest of the day and greedily ate lunch at my house thereafter.  It was a full day without screens and with a great friend and it was wonderful for everyone involved.  I did learn, however, that Christian really needs some lessons on how to play better pool! Those boys really struggled.  Pool is a game that looks  a lot easier than it is.

Peter started to get tired after a while and he decided to lay down and rest.  When I advised him to lay somwhere else, he replied, "No, I sleep."  So I scooped him up and assured him he could sleep on the couch.  I laid him flat on it and he moved to sitting up and then declared,  "I sleep" and laid like this:

Cooling Off in the Water

 We've had some hot, muggy days this past week - 85-95 degrees with 85-90% humidity.  As a result, we've spent most days indoors and then gone out at night after dinner and played. That's been really nice because we have a no screens after dinner rule and so even Benjamin and Bella will come out and join us.  However, a few times this week, I set up the sprinklers during the day and Christian and Peter and I took full advantage of the cool spray.  Last year Peter was still terrified of the sprinklers.  This year he still hated the rainbird with its stinging spray and loud "clack clack clack" as it rotates and then shoots back.  I held him as we ran through it and he screamed and cried at every drop that hit his face.  He loved the slow arc one, though.  I turned the water pressure down really low so it was a very short spray and he loved it.  It was so fun to see him play.  

Christian preferred the rainbird and his favorite game was to skate back and forth dodging the spray.  When he got too hot, he let it hit him.

When Peter noticed me taking pictures. He came right up to the camera for a better look.  Little cutie.  It really highlights his eczema, but he sure is adorable.

He's also so curious.  Kelly has been working on drywall downstairs, walling off a bedroom.  When he comes up and mixes the mudding compound, Peter pulls up a chair to watch.  (By the time I got my camera, Kelly had moved to the sink to rinse out, but he was in the main area where Peter could watch).

He also loves to be a part of Christian's piano practicing, which makes things hard sometimes.  Today Christian found a compromise.  He can listen, but he can't reach the keys to mess things up!  

This Little Boy is TWO!

Our cutie pie turned two today.  So glad that he's unaware of what a birthday really is because it was a crazy busy day and no one had time for a party.  Bella had young women's (church) camp, Christian and Kelly had tickets to see the Blue Angels air show, 

and Benjamin had to be color guard and a speaker in an eagle court of honor.  I took Benjamin to the court of honor because it happened to be at my favorite park and Peter and I alternated between the court of honor when we could be there and the park when Peter became restless.

It worked out perfectly.  He had a wonderful time and when we came home, he laid down on blankie in the kitchen and said, "I nap" and shut his eyes.  So funny.  He was wiped out.  I took him to bed and he went right to sleep.  After his nap, we shared banana blueberry pancakes in the tree fort and played with his water table until it was time for dinner.

Peter is a constant source of entertainment, laughs, joy, and love.  I can't describe what a light he is in all of our lives.  He has an adorable sense of humor, he's a bit mischievous and naughty, and he loves to show love and make people happy.  He's just the perfect kid.  He loves water most.  He also loves music, reading books, playing around in cars and seeing big trucks, play-doh, animals, and playing with the doll house.  He can name all the major colors, can count to three, and is a climbing fanatic.  No fence, ladder, or staircase remains unscaled in his presence. His language skills are exploding and we get new words every day.  Today it was "What? No way!" spoken as one word.  He must hear us all using that when we're surprised about something because today we shot off a toy spinner and it went much farther than I expected.  When I said, "Wow, look how far that went!" he responded, "What? No way!" and ran after it.  My jaw just hung open.  Where did all these words come from??!  It's been so fun.

 Favorite Peter stories from recent days:

I have mason jars that I use as chore jars.  I fill them with slips of laminated paper that have chores written on them.  I have 3 jars - to do, in process, and done.  The kids move the slips around as needed.  Today Peter emptied all the slips out of one of the jars and took the jar over to the fridge to fill it with water.  I took it away and told him not to do that because I didn't want the jar to get wet.  He became so upset and said, "Dada! Wa!"  (wa = water).  That's when I realized that he was trying to bring his dad some water because Kelly also uses mason jars as water glasses.  When I offered him one of Kelly's to fill, he was so excited and he filled it and brought it to Kelly, sloshing all the way.  So sweet.

Peter was stung by a hornet a few days ago.  It was on the patio and he decided to pick it up.  It may have been injured or else I don't know why it was on the ground and docile enough to be picked up by a slow, bumbling toddler.  In any case, it wasn't too sick to sting and it dug in.  Peter screamed at a pitch I've never heard before and became absolutely hysterical.  He shook his hand violently but the hornet hung on.  I didn't know what to do.  I hadn't seen him pick it up.  My back was turned to him and I turned around to see him shaking his hand all around and screaming.  I saw the hornet on him and thought, 'he's going to shake that thing into a frenzy and then it's going to fly off and sting the next thing it sees - me!' So, as awful as it sounds, I didn't rush in.  I figured it's already stung - I can't stop that.  Hopefully it gets off soon and then I'll help where I can.  Sure enough, it fell off after a couple more seconds and I scooped Peter up and rushed him inside.  

Kelly and the rest of the family had come running to see what in the world was making Peter scream like that.  We ran his finger under cold water and put a numbing cream on it.  After that, Peter told the story of the "bee" that "sting" his finger (pointing to finger) and how it hurt (sad face).  Benjamin and Christian shared their wasp sting stories and after that, he added their plight to his.  For the next 72 hours, he repeated the words, "bee, sting, me, Christian, Benjamin" while pointing to his finger and his neck (where Christian had been stung) and making pained gestures.  Non stop.  It consumed his conscious and he told every new person he came across.  Each time we had to console and commiserate again.  It was hilarious and so pitiful at the same time.  On the fourth day he found a wasp drowned in his water table.  It was time for our hero to exact his revenge.  He grabbed a stick and beat that wasp again and again and again.  He smashed the stick into the water so fiercely, the wasp broke into several pieces and still he whacked at it.  After that he was appeased.  Justice had been served.  Since then I've tried to teach him the difference between bees and wasps/hornets.  Also between stinging insects we should avoid and bugs we can pick up (ants, ladybugs).  It seems to be sinking in.

Peter's one true love is blankie.  He calls it "bee-hee."  If blankie goes missing, he will walk all over the house moaning, "bee-hee, oh bee-hee!"  When he finally finds it, he'll yell, "bee-hee!" with the sound of pure, unending love and throw himself down upon it.  However, bee-hee has a sinister side.  He doesn't just cuddle blankie, he sucks on blankie, specifically on its corners.  So all the corners of blankie are dark and nasty from spit and mouth germs. I wash and bleach it regularly, but it takes only a day before it looks the same again.  As gross as that is, if that were all, we'd be fine.  However, having that wet cloth around his mouth every nap and all night long, has led to a constant, never ending case of eczema around his mouth.  He perpetually looks like he's just finished a large bowl of spaghetti with marinara sauce. We've all tried to break him of this habit, but it's rock solid.  In the last call with my mom, she encouraged him to drape blankie over his shoulders so it could be close but not in his mouth.   Since that call he has rehashed that advice a hundred times.  Always something like this: "Mimi"  "beehee" indicates neck "no" shakes head and points to the sores around his mouth.  I usually always said, "yes, you're right, mimi told you to put it around your neck and not in your mouth.  However, one time I said, "so are you going to do it?"  "No," he replied and stuck blankie in his mouth.  There you have it.  A teenager already.  The cute thing about blankie is that he perceives it as a panacea for all in the house.  If you ever get hurt or seem sad, he'll rush and bring you blankie to cuddle.  

We love you, Peter.  As Christian reminds him everyday, "you're the best!"