Timely Scavengers and Disney Fans

This week’s activities were well timed. Part of that timing was happenstance, and part of it was planned. As a result, the kids have two new-to-us school desks, and we all have brand new Mickey Mouse ears.  

The week started off with regularly scheduled and improvised activities. While Landon and Mom were out, Eliza and Dad played Eliza’s unique version of jumping memory and made Play-Doh figures.

We experienced unusually high humidity, which made things somewhat unpleasant given that we have no A/C. Then again, why complain? Eliza kept cool and demonstrated her unique fashion sense.

She also found ways to look after her little family of toys.

She’s every thread the prima ballerina of our home.

Landon and Dad built battle bots, and Later Eliza joined the party with a helicopter/biplane/bus to observe the carnage from overhead.

She appreciates having the bar swing to practice her budding acrobatics.

Landon is now tall enough to have moved from door frame splits to hallway splits, complete with sword.

The out-of-the-ordinary happenings started Thursday morning. Eliza got up bright and early and so joined Dad on his morning walk around the neighborhood. This time he took her over to Valle Lindo Park near CAPE Charter School.

As they were heading back home, a garbage truck arrived at the school, pouring into its maw several school desks and chairs. Mike paused to take in the sight, thinking that it was a shame that the school had not been able to find new homes for all that equipment. Turns out, he and Eliza were themselves being observed by the facility manager. He called them over and asked if Eliza could use a school desk, as the school had been trying in vain to get the word out so the school could distribute them to the community. Apparently, sharing gently used classroom furniture can be quite difficult, and even scrap and recycling companies have guidelines and restrictions for what they can use. Who knew? Anyway, Landon and Eliza got two new-to-them desks chairs. Hooray for scavenging! If you’re local and interested, we know a guy.

The desks were an immediate hit and got put to use right away.

Mike had to work the night of Pioneer Day, so we missed out on the stake barbecue. We are grateful to those who forged the road for us to follow!

Sad to say, that road seems to lead straight to the mall. We made deliberate plans to get up early on Saturday morning to go to the grand opening of the Disney Store at The Oaks mall. We go there early enough that only a few people stood ahead of us in line. We do not think ourselves crazy fanatics or anything, although we do seem to like store openings (the LEGO Store opening at the Somerset Collection back in 2010 comes to mind).

Waiting is the hardest part.

I mean, seriously. Boooring! 

We weren't the only fans out early.

Getting the prize for waiting: . . .

. . . exclusive Mickey Ears! 

Landon answered an obscure trivia question and won another prize as we waited. 

Almost time. Celebrate! 

After we came home (we bought nothing. Can you believe it?!), the kids played out front. 

Yes, the girl is learning how to roller blade. 

Later in the evening they went to a kids’ night out California Cartwheel Center while the grown-ups went on a date, first out to Stonefire Grill and then later back to the mall.

That's one hot mama! 

Look what we found at the mall: Sanders chocolate sauce by the bottleful! 

On Sunday, Eliza showed how she is learning to write her name: One letter at a time!

Mike and Hallie co-taught the third-hour lesson at church based on Elder Hales’ April 2015 General Conference talk titled Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom. This highlight of the talk speaks to the importance of religious freedom to preserving moral agency:

What is religious freedom anyway? It's the freedom to believe, to share our faith and our beliefs with others, to form a religious organization (i.e., a church) to worship peacefully with others, and to freely exercise faith not just in the home and chapel but also in public places. It is a fundamental principle of free societies:

To protect religious freedom, he advised the following:

“First, we can become informed. Be aware of issues in your community that could have an impact on religious liberty.

“Second, in your individual capacity, join with others who share our commitment to religious freedom. Work side by side to protect religious freedom.

“Third, live your life to be a good example of what you believe—in word and deed.”

Several resources are available to help us become informed, join with others, and be a good example in word and deed, such as the Mormon Newsroom and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society Religious Freedom Committee Website.