Polar Bear Plunge

What is a Polar Bear Plunge?  The first recorded one took place in Boston in 1904.  It occurs in many Canadian communities each year generally as a New Year's tradition.  It has become an international activity branching out into fundraising events and is sometimes even toted as a healthful cold water plunging therapy for athletes.  

All that aside, this year, we introduced the little boys to the idea of a polar bear plunge.  I suppose technically their Canadian cousins introduced them.  If it wasn't for the 2020/Covid 19 they may not have been as familiar with their cousins and subsequently with the idea of a Polar Bear Plunge.   

It was New Year's Day and mid-day this video came in on the family group chat.

All the Karlsson's took their plunge also.

We watched the videos and then the conversation from the boys of why?  What are they doing?  and then... Can we?

To which I replied... "Why would you want to???  Besides all the water around here for at least 100 miles is all frozen solid.  No. can. do.  The best we could do would be to go jump in a snowbank."

And then... we posted that Duncan was going to go do snow angels in the snow bank.  He had said no such thing but .... he's a good sport. 

So...  Emerson and Whittaker joined him and out they went.

Into the snow drifts they went.  

Whittaker standing in the cold and watching had a change of heart and decided snow angels were not for him...  He says in the video, "I don't want to."  So we said .. Okay, that's fine.  But minutes later he said, "If I don't have to take my shoes off I could do it."... 

Reassured that he could do it or not do it... Do it with his shoes on or off... It was his call... off he went.  I almost didn't have my camera ready.  

Of course his shoes filled with snow and fell off so he ended up doing it with them on and with them off.  

Then....

erghhh... those children..... "What about you Mummy?" 

So, wearing Patrick's swimsuit and a t-shirt since my swimsuit is packed in storage somewhere with other SUMMER clothing, I headed out.  It wasn't a delightful experience.  Oh so cold... 

Ava went a few more times... Eden a month later went again and Duncan and Caleb did also.  

I say... been there, done that!

Frozen Lake Play

We heard a rumor that the lakes around here had frozen.  Frozen all the way across.  It was totally believable since the temperature hasn't been above 32*f/0*c for many weeks now.  At first my reaction was... ok soo... doesn't this happen every year around here.   

Apparently while the lakes do freeze over here all the time, they don't always freeze over... CLEAR.  As in you can walk across the lake and look down at the bottom of the lake.  

I'm not sure if I'm in awe or a little freaked out.  And truthfully about both, walking across a frozen lake and looking at the bottom while doing it.  

Duncan had an opportunity to be in town and went to see this phenomenon.  He was in awe.  

He and his friend were sliding all over and amazed by the lake.  

It was even featured in the local 'paper'. (it's online)

Photo Credit to Dave Bell of the Local Online Paper

Better go check out such an awe inspiring event when it occurs locally.  

So, while friends were here, we went adventuring.  

However in the week between when Duncan saw the lake as the local paper showed it and when we arrived....

well...

it snowed.

In some ways I think it was less intimidating for me since it was covered in snow.  

Just a tiny bit though.

We'd brought ice skates to test out the ice.

So... obviously the first thing to do is to clear an ice skating arena.

Using resources at our disposal.... we attempted to sweep the powdery snow off an area... by holding Emerson's arms and using him as the plow.  Everyone got down and tried snow angels and sliding with their arms and legs open wide.  It was going to be quite a process.

We looked around for anything that might be useful at clearing the snow.

Low and behold at the boat dock, there was one paddle and a broom in the hollow of the metal pilings by the pier. 

The new implements were far more effective at clearing the snow.  

The ice was black... but clear....  so hard to describe the incredible sight and to try to wrap our heads around the massive scale of the enormous lake being frozen solid.

I encouraged keeping the skating area near the shoreline.... 

After a while... clearing the snow from a large area was less appealing and instead a skating track was devised.  With figure 8 patterns and circles; it was grand.

Then the skaters went rogue.  They had discovered that although clearing the ice allowed us a cool glance at the ice... they could actually just skate through the powdery snow atop the ice.  They took off.  I held my breath... and called out, "How about coming back... closer to shore!" It would have been more encouraging if there had been signs posted regarding the safety of the icy lake... or perhaps pylons to let us know where it was thick enough for skating... or if there had been even one other soul out on the lake... maybe ice fishing... but no, not another person.  We were the only ones on the vast icy lake.  

I was relieved to have them turn and return to Emerson and I.  We hadn't brought skates and stayed with out skating course... sliding around.  It was a really incredible experience but there was a definite element of anxiety with it as well.

The band of brave icy lake skaters.

The sun was setting and the temperature was dropping so it was time to head back to shore... and then home.  (And probably some more hot cocoa)

About twenty feet from the shore we noticed a series of rocks covered in thick ice.  It was rather reassuring to see how thick the ice above the rocks was after having walked all over the lake.  Perhaps I wouldn't have been as anxious if I had noticed the thick ice on our way on, instead of on the way off of, the lake.  

I suppose these rocks were also there in the summer...

Yes... the rocks have always been there.

Such a difference.

And then...

Duncan flipped the ice from the rock over.  Instantly we knew it was an ice throne.

It was there for a photo shoot.  

So we complied.

Strike a pose.  "I'm ready for my close up."

Just chillin'

"This is great... but it would be better with snacks."

Such dramatic poses...  An Ice Queen?

Perhaps a larger ice chair would be more comfortable...

P.S. I was also there... not just a camera taking photos!

"That's enough"

Winter must be taking its toll.... we've begun to dress up poor Jim as a sleepy time lumberjack!

 

Minor Setbacks

 

At first glance this is just the space behind the fridge.  A few weeks ago this was a delightful sight.  It meant that the fridge was in its new location and the waterline has been hooked up to the fridge so there is now water and ice available from the fridge.

However... this particular view at this moment is not such a delightful sight.

It is only a minor setback... a bump in our road to renovations.

The kitten, in a frisky mood, discovered the coil of hose behind the fridge and it's tendency to wobble when touched.  Irresistible to a kitten... a wobbling hose.  She pounced.  We are not certain if she bit at the hose when it wobbled back at her or if it caught on her claw, but we do know that a tiny hole created a large wet mess.  Had I not been standing on the other side of the fridge at the time and heard an 'odd sound', I wonder how long this tiny prick of spray would have gone unnoticed.  It could have been so very much worse.

I called out... HELP... how do I turn the water off to the fridge.  Faster thinking than I had, Jim just turned the water off to everything in the house... then we mopped up the mess and realized there must be a valve under the sink.

All is well that ends well.  Patrick repaired the hose.  The water has been restored.  The fridge is now pushed back closer to the wall with items blocking a kittens entry.  We will be more aware of this hazard when we need the fridge moved for drywalling and painting and for flooring.  

Happy Love Day

I have always maintained that spelling is important.  But it is also important not to embarrass or shame someone for spelling or typo's.  

Perhaps this is going to make me hypocritical.  

But.   

I love this valentine. 

I'm not usually a huge proponent of giving valentine cards... I prefer homemade with a handwritten message and generally would prefer acts of service/kindness.  

But.   

This valentine.  

This was given out to over 50 primary age children.  (a mass, form letter style Valentine if you will)

I can't help but say this with a deep southern drawl! 

Our Valentines was delightful this year and we enjoyed our Valentine shrine of happy loving thoughts and even a few goodies that were shared.

Followed by ice cream and strawberries with chocolate!

January Art

New Month.

New Year.

New Art.

Eden continues to dazzle. 

Our African sunset art

Top: L-R Caleb, Eden, Nova, Caleb

Bottom: L-R Emerson, Whittaker, Sadie (up), Ava

Sarah is at work now during art class... but it didn't stop her from creating this delight.

Our animal art creations.

Top: Whittaker, Emerson, Alyssa

Nova, Eden, Ava

Sparky, Whittaker, Emerson, Whittaker

Ava, Whittaker, Nova, Emerson

Duncan used a totally different medium for his animal art.

Ava was impressed and tried it with Rolando.

We recently learned that Sparky is also a painting creator. 

He even met Bob Ross!!  (cardboard cut out at the craft store.)

Sometimes our canvas wasn't limited to tabletop size.  

Jim was moving into what will one day become the dining room/school room, however flooring won't be happening in there for quite some time...

So..

We painted the floor, cheerfully. 

Seashore Art

Top:Sadie, Ava

Whittaker, Caleb

Sparky, Eden

Eden (remastered), Duncan

I wasn't too excited with how my water, clouds or rocks turned out... so after 'finishing', I painted over them.  It's a learning process after all.

(however I have been chastised for not caring about my finished product enough... I casually mentioned that I could just paint over a painting instead of getting a new blank canvas... that was unacceptable apparently)

So... 

I don't paint over them anymore... I have an endless supply of spare drywall (from somewhere!!) so I have a stack of primed drywall canvases.

Now with a huge stack of canvases, I determined to figure out why I couldn't seem to master blending... so I spent a week doing some extra paintings.  

Some other random art from this month.

Top: Whittaker, Emerson, Alyssa

Emerson, Emerson, Sadie

Emerson (self-portrait), Ava

Even friends who visit are inducted into the art classes.  

Esther and Elowen.

Lighthouses

(Esther and Elowen took their's home and I neglected to get a photo)

Top:Nova, Duncan

Caleb, Whittaker, Emerson

Ice Rink

 Last year at Christmas time we decided that an ice rink was a grand idea.  I did a bit of research and was convinced that it was a simple task.  So I ordered the plastic liner and said... make it so!

Building an ice rink in freezing weather after we already had a foot of snow on the ground wasn't a well thought out plan.  Aside from the unlevel ground, the hoses kept freezing for some reason.  We were only able to create a rink with about 1/3rd of the liner, which made it more susceptible to damage so we were really cautious.  We also learned that getting on and off the rink wasn't simple.  

So.. 

In July the following year, we took a break from construction for a day. We laid out the liner and staked out a new location of flatter ground.  Oh how I wish we'd had a camera rolling when we were finished staking and folded up the liner again.  Our still, calm morning suddenly became blustery and the liner, with us holding only the corners, became a kite in flight.  It literally lifted Duncan off his feet.  It took everyone to wrangle the liner until we had it rolled back up so it could be stored until just before winter.  Satisfied with our 'surveying' and prep, we returned to our construction projects.

Then...

In mid-November since the weather forecasted a snowstorm we took a quick break that we didn't really have time for from our Construction and built the frame for the ice rink and pounded in the posts in preparation of the freezing temps and snow.  Then we filled the rink.  The ice formed overnight!  We topped it up the next day.. which we later learned was not wise but fortunately it didn't tear the liner as it said it might.  

We didn't have long to wait.  

The boys tested it out.

Hockey and Skating.

La piece de la resistance. 

LIGHTING

After a year, we had our ice rink.  It didn't seem to have the same call for the boys that it did the previous year.  They skated and improved their hockey skills and spent most of their time skating while shoveling off snow, but it was missing something.  

January provided the missing something.

It needed.. 

the girls! 

They had been part of the original rink the year before and now they needed to be here for the new rink.  It's just not an official ice rink until Esther has done an unprecedented figure skating spin. 

Or perhaps.. my favourite.. the moonlight skate. 

 

Big Day

Things are a little different these days.

But some things never change.

Boys keep growing up and older and milestones are met.

Emerson turned 8 in July but with Covid, and construction and general life running amuck we waited to arrange his baptism.

And waited.

With cases of covid lower than they have been and Caleb now living here we seized an opportunity.

And then I had a migraine for a few days and wondered if it was wise. But in a few moments without an aching head I knew I needed to send out the link/announcement.  I wasn't feeling terribly inspired to make him a tasteful, reverent announcement of this decision to take the first step on the covenant path...  

So this is what was sent. 

It really captured him though.  And effectively got the important info. across.

Then Saturday morning dawned, overcast, snowing and blizzard like... see last blog post for the adventures in snow and trucks!!

But we made it to the church.  Bishop (Uncle James) and Aunt Tina were there waiting for us.  We spent more time trying to find large enough white jumpsuits for our big 8 year old and his big dad, than we spent setting up chairs. 

We snapped a few photos.

I couldn't resist a Covid Baptism photo.  We were prepared in case there were others in the building and we had to mask up but it was only us.  (we had been told there were 3 baptisms scheduled that day, so I didn't know if we'd be sharing the building, but they were spread out through the day)

So we hooked up the zoom link and began.

(I wasn't able to capture a screen shot of everyone who attended... some didn't have cameras on also. Miles was there for a bit and Schmidt girls, and the Ranch)

He chose 'Jesus want me for a Sunbeam' for his opening song and then Grandma gave an opening prayer (via zoom)

Tina bore her testimony of Baptism and commented that his choice of song was ideal.  Emerson has always had a joy about him and that song showed his personality and his testimony of the simplicity of choosing to be a sunbeam for Jesus.

Then he was baptized by daddy... with Whittaker and Caleb as witnesses.

Then Miles bore his testimony in Spanish (via zoom)

Caleb then confirmed him a member of the church and conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Whittaker next.  He chose to have Duncan ordain him to the office of a Deacon in the priesthood.

We sang, I hope they call me on a Mission and then Whittaker gave the closing prayer. 

It was short and definitely sweet.

I don't think I'd realized until it was happening how many little touching events were taking place.  All five sons were involved in some way, even via technology.  

(The spiffy boys... didn't get a photo with all the handsome men)

It was over and it was perfect... and Emerson was still visiting with the zoom guests on the phone as we climbed in the truck to head home. 

I had planned to give a talk on the Holy Ghost but it had been forgotten... so I gave it in the truck on the way home.  It was more relaxed and informal... but I prefer that anyway!

Finding these images on the zoom... helps me to know that I still need to work on giving more succinct talks... I struggle with being a tad long-winded... and this format didn't keep me in check time wise.... I ended up carrying on for 22 minutes.  yikes.  

Summary of talk... (condensed for 45 seconds of reading)

Parable is a greek word for comparison

This is the modern day Parable of the cell phone

The Holy Ghost is like a cell phone.  

* You always have access to use one, but when you own your own it's more accessible

- Everyone can have the Holy Ghost, but when you have the gift of it, it's more accessible

*You have to charge a cell phone for it to work

-You have to live righteously and do things like prayer and scriptures to 'charge' your spirit

*There are dead zones where cell phones won't work

-There are places and times that the Holy Ghost can't be... Stand in Holy Places (create holy places)

*Some places have full bars and better service

-Learn where your full spiritual signal strength is..  (when you study scriptures, in temple, in a certain room or spot...)

*Personalized ringtones 

-Recognize how the spirit speaks to you.

*Cell phones have GPS, phone and texting(communication/connection to people), google access to info., notifications and alerts, entertainment/music/, access to prophets words and scriptures

-Holy Ghost gives guidance, messages from heaven, revelation, warnings/protection, comfort/peace and joy, testifies of Christ