Disney Trip Hunt

For Christmas, Julianne got the snazzy idea of going to Dizzyland after New Years because its less crowded. Sounds good, let's go! Now, this should be a Christmas present, and we would have fewer other presents; but, how do we let the chil'en know what this big neato present is?

Well, have a clue hunt with the final clue at the end describing the big prize - Juls is so cutely smart! But, I (Sean) have to take credit for making up the hunt, which went like this (all done in G&G McKell's house, and think in poetic rhyme & rhythm for the clues):
1. Open a box present with a clue inside saying:
"Andralyn & Kyle, To find your big present, go the white snowy tree where the birds are chirpee."
(this was the white porcelain snowy Christmas tree by the front door)
2. Clue by this tree:
"Next, go to see / The place you will eat today - yummee!"
(the dining room table)
3. From the table:
"Ding Dong! / Someone's here to play Ping-Pong!"
(the ping-pong table)
4. From ping-pong:
"Hey, what's up!? / Go to where you sup."
(the kitchen table)
5. From kitchen:
"Take it to the edge, / In front of me, people like to veg."
(the main TV)
6. From TV:
"As the poet says oft: / Look in the loft for something soft."
(loft up in grandparent's bedroom)
7. In the loft was a big stuffed Micky Mouse with a note on it saying
"Hey, this is something you might like to hear: / Let's go to *Disneyland* next year!
(And, after cheering loud-us, turn this page over for a Bonus) ...
Bonus, hey you: Grandma and Grandpa are coming too!"

How did it turn out and what did the kiddos think? It went just great and they were sort of stunned at what they found out at the end because they didn't jump up and down like crazy banshees - sort of stood there probably processing what they just had read. Then they were happy excited and it was all fun, yeehaw!

So, the phrase to end it all: "Hey kids, you just finished opening presents on Christmas Day, now what are you going to do!?" "I'm going to DISNEYLAND!"

That was a fun family moment, and we certainly hope it ends up good there in So Cal.

- Sean

Fishing Derby - Trophy Fish

Well, this was funny for the ironic-ity of how it turned out. I guess it shows that if you make some effort, unexpected rewards of whatever type may turn up.

On May 9, 2009, I took Adam and Andralyn to a city fishing derby at the pond in front of our Longmont (Colorado) Rec Center. The rec/parks division had organized a fun fishing activity providing instruction and other help to be able to catch some fish in the pond. Andra was not too excited about going, but I figured it would be a good experience getting out there (Mom, Kyle, Nathan were at Kyle's soccer game). We had our little rod, but I had misplaced my simple tackle box, so that was about it. A nice man from a bait shop in Berthoud helped us get geared up at his station, and we went out with our rod and worms to the other side to find a somewhat open spot.



I showed Andra how to cast, but she wasn't too happy about doing it herself and whined some; but, eventually she got a little casting technique figured out, and hook was in the water with a bobber on the surface. Amazingly, and with some reverential delight, we actually caught a cute little fish - a sunfish or other spiky finned one. They had people watching things and noting fish size along with the catcher's name.

So, we kept along with trying to learn to cast and hopefully catch some more water critters. There were a few nibbles and we caught a couple more. Adam was quite interested in the process and was actually pretty good about keeping somewhat out of the way and not getting things tangled up. Andra was pretty content that she actually did catch a couple, though my efforts to get her to learn to cast more were met with squeals of 'nooo!!' most the time. At least she tried it a couple times to get used to it.

Then eventually it was about time to finish. I decided to do one more cast and brought Adam over to reel in. We were reeling in and, wee, exciting things started happening to the bobber and line - it seemed like we had one on our last try! Sure enough, I got Adam to reel in and there was a cute little fish on the line - neato, his first fish. He was pretty intent and seemingly careful about landing this one, and we were able to bring it to shore - a mini-fish maybe 4" long, just Adam's size, heh. Then the funny part happened. Behind us happened to be the event organizer who apparently saw it all happen - a younger guy who was as excited as us. He measured fish junior and said he thought it might be the smallest fish and made a point of writing our info down. Neato!

We all went over to the award ceremony at the other end of the pond and waited to see what happened. They went thru various awards and eventually came to the different fish categories, with pretty cool trophies for the winners. 3rd place was called out, then 2nd, and then incredibly, they called out Adam McKell for 1st place! Andra excitedly took her brother up to get the large trophy that was up to Adam's neck or so - amazing! That was funny as all get out, us winning first place in a fishing derby, not being the big fishing masters. I guess we'll take the novice luck for this day. Andra wasn't too sure about the whole activity at the start, but between catching a couple little cute ones, then ending up with the big 1st-place catch, she was 'hooked', and we should have more fun angling experiences (and hopefully fish 'trophies') in the future.