The Hazard Chronicles

Earlier today we watched “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as a family. We figured it was appropriate for the season. During the course of the movie though, Evelyn made a surprising announcement:

Evelyn: I don’t believe there is a Santa Claus

Me: (totally blindsided) What? Why not?

E: Well- first of all, people can’t really go down chimneys because most chimneys are too small for a human. Also, some people don’t even have chimneys. Besides this, a person can’t really live all year in the North Pole- it’s too cold. And a bunch of little people making toys that are delivered to the entire world in one night? Come on! It’s impossible. That many toys couldn’t even fit on a sled. Also, reindeer can’t really fly.

Me: (Mixed feelings of total pride in my daughter’s skepticism/supported arguments and sadness about a childhood illusion being lost) Wow- it seems like you have thought about this a lot. Those are some really good questions.

E: Yeah. Santa Claus can’t be real. I think that instead, he is just a nice person who flies around in an airplane and drops presents out the window for whoever happens to be on the ground.

Me: (Thinking about the negotiation phase of the Kubler-Ross model) Hmm. That could be true- It’s definitely an interesting idea.

E: Well I don’t think he’s real…but I do think it’s a really neat story.

Me: Evelyn, I sure love how you think about things. Let’s keep watching the movie.

Wow-that came out of nowhere! Luckily, our other kids were too engrossed in the film to pay any attention to our conversation. I hope.

This week, besides getting a small glimpse into Evelyn’s amazing mind, we also had a great time celebrating Autumn. Since I didn’t work all week, we had lots of time to do this (I’m in the middle of a big job transition that I’ll write more about next time). Anyway- we took the ample time that was on our hands to decorate for Halloween, enjoy the Autumn air, go on field trips to the pumpkin patch (for the older kids), and PICK APPLES.

For those who have been following this blog for a while, you will recognize apple picking as a distinct Hazard Family tradition. We have done this every year since Rachel was pregnant with Evelyn, and it is now hard to imagine the Fall season without at least one trip to an orchard.

This year did not disappoint. The place where we go always has a fair-like atmosphere, with good music, food booths, and vendors to vie for our attention. We got in line and took the tractor ride out to the orchard, gave a bag to each kid, and gave them instructions about how to pick the best apples. And then the fun began. This year was especially good because the workers only had to tell our kids to get out of the trees one time, and nobody threw any apples at anybody else during the entire time excursion. Our family is growing up!

After we paid for the apples, we went home and enjoyed apple dumplings and sparkling apple cider. Later that day, the kids and I made an Apple Crumble pie that we will eat later this evening for Dessert Night (another Hazard Family tradition that takes place each Sunday). Other apple things we have done are apple pancakes and applesauce. Of course, we also have lots and lots of apples for eating. I think that over the next few weeks we will definitely get our fill of apples.

There is something else I want to mention as well. At the church we go to, there are a few Deaf people who needed an interpreter. Rachel, of course, volunteered for the position. Now, with interpreting there are tons of laws and stuff that make it almost impossible to ever watch Rachel while she does her thing, so I was really excited about this as well. Let me just say- my wife is awesome! It is something special to watch a person who is extremely confident and skilled while they are “in their element.” It is even more special when that person is the love of your life. Church just became a whole lot more fun for me.

Also- I have to say that I am loving Idaho’s Common Core curriculum. Wow. Evelyn is doing math in 1^st grade that I wasn’t doing until I was in 4^th, and the English stuff is challenging her not only to read, and not only to comprehend, but to really think about things and develop “active reading” skills. I guess time will tell whether actual results will be any better or worse than what they were a generation ago, but I can’t help but think that the focus on critical thinking will empower her to apply herself more as she gets older. Anyway- that’s just my two cents about that.

This next week I am looking forward to finishing up with the merger our business is going through and re-establishing a routine. That will be nice. I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep lately. Like I said- I’ll write more about this next time.

Well- have a good week!