This year was a challenge. It was exhausting and draining, but also had some beautiful moments and times that I will always treasure. The highs were high, the lows were low, we're all eager to move forward. But I want to share some of the joyful highlights of the year and give myself a place to look when I want to remember the good things.
First of all, most important of all, we were able to watch Arthur grow from a tiny little squish into a babbling, walking terror. He is so adventurous and curious and full of joy. His smile is contagious. In addition to being an excellent walker, he also climbs (stairs and ladders are his favorite. Thanks, I hate it!) and he loves dancing to music.
We celebrated his first birthday with family all around and he loved opening presents and playing with new toys.
Each kid approaches that 1st birthday cupcake a little differently. Arthur kind of skipped actually eating the cupcake and just went full "Hulk smash" on the thing.
We had a little birthday celebration at Boondocks on Laszlo's birthday. We played arcade games, laser tag, mini golf, and go karts.
He also got the ultimate worst birthday present ever this year: he was sick for his birthday and really just slept the day away. What's more, the rest of us got sick quickly thereafter. Can you guess? Wanna know what it was? Did you guess COVID? Well, if you did, then you guessed right! Paul was only ever knock-out tired, never got a positive test, but the rest of us did, so I make my own assumptions there. Our quarantine ended the day before Thanksgiving, a tender mercy for which I am profoundly grateful.
He asked to have his Uncle Jordan baptize him, and we were able to have some family members be there to support him.
It was a very special day, and let's just say I'm glad I had tissues and waterproof mascara.
Looking back at the year, it is surprising and a bit overwhelming at the many, many great things that happened for our family. If I only focused on the world at large and judged the year based on the headlines, I would be buried by ennui, nay, weltschmerz! But when I judge the year based on what was happening in my kitchen, in the playroom, in my own backyard, it is hard to call it anything but terrific.
Here are some things I've especially enjoyed this year:
Whenever Arthur is dressed up in his nice Sunday clothes, Paul and Laszlo go crazy over how cute he looks and call him the "little gentleman". They will do just about anything to get him to laugh and their zany antics usually do the trick.
I got to see ALL of my siblings this year, which is quite exciting after a real noticeable lack of family gatherings in 2020.
Even in a normal year, I may not get to see everyone who lives so far away, but I had so much fun spending time with them on their visits.
Taking our kids hiking, even when they complained SO MUCH that I questioned every life decision I'd made that led me to that point. It was a real work out for both the body and my patience, and heaven knows I need the exercise!
We got to see 3/5 of Utah's National Parks this year, as well as 1 National Monument and they were all pretty darn cool!
The absolute highlight of our year was traveling to Iceland. We saw glaciers, puffins, waterfalls, swam in hot springs, and hiking to a freaking erupting volcano. After years of wanting to go there, it did not disappoint. And Paul and Laszlo love to tell people about Iceland and what they say and learned there.
Top Paul-isms of 2021:
Paul (mimicking Lee's voice): I'm being you.
Lee: well be better than me.
Paul: fine. I'll be Mom! She's bossy AND trashy.
Paul: No! Don't dance, Arthur! It's the Devil's music!"
*Making green eggs, Laszlo wants to add the food coloring*
Laszlo: may I do the honors?
*Now he wants to scramble the eggs*
Laszlo: may I do all the honors?
Laszlo, when shown a picture of a walrus identified it as a "whale beaver" and I just think he's pretty much correct.
Us grown ups got to do a few things of our own this year as well. Lee did the Spartan Trifecta: all three of their different obstacle races in one year! It required lots of training, a bit of traveling, but Lee would proudly tell you that he didn't have to pay an entry fee at a single one of them.
I sang finished out the 2020-21 season with the Salt Lake Vocal Artists. We didn't get to do any live concerts, but we did do a zoom concert. Singing with a mask on is a real challenge, but one that I was happy to accept to be able to sing with so many lovely musicians and learn from a really great conductor.
I also got to go back to my improv roots to join my friends of Comedy Cares to write and produce murder mystery dinner and raise money for charity. It really flexes all my creative muscles, and it's nice to have it back after a year long hiatus.
Well, I think that sums up a truly wild year! And here's to the next! May we cherish the best times, learn from the worst, and share both with those we love.
