New Years 2012

Polar Bear Dip
Since New Year's Day was on a Sunday and we try to keep our Sundays low key to honor the Sabbath, we planned our polar bear dip for Saturday at noon.  I looked it up, we celebrated the New Year at the same time at Moscow, Russia!

Moscow, Russia at the turn of the year,

thousands gathered to welcome the new year

I'd invited the whole produce co-op as well as everyone local in my email address book. We ended up with our kids and Dode's sister Janice jumping in.  I have a vision that some day, our polar bear plunge will have hundreds of people joining us but it doesn't seem to be happening.  Where are the other brave souls?  How do I get the word out to them?  I refuse to give up!

same time, different place in the world

Lake Goodwin, WA

a few hardy souls

I wasn't able to get a photo of all of the polar bears because one was too fast for us. 

Janice approached her plunge at a run 

She's in, 1st one to take the plunge

Janice was in such a hurry to get in that she didn't pay attention to what side of the dock had a ladder for getting back out.  Dode kindly pulled her out when she realized her mistake.

Janice says next year she'd like to run around Lake Goodwin (5 miles) before jumping in.  I'm  sure we'd get more participation if we advertised a 5 mile run followed by polar bear, right?!

Isaac Colson went next, followed by Anastaya 

Isaac goes next 

doesn't he look warm?!

Elizabeth's 1st year to go all the way under 

William went in to his belly button, also a 1st for him

He made sure he was ready to swim, notice the goggles?

They gave him bravery.

What about Miriam?  She made it half way down the dock.  When she saw Janice running back from her plunge, she decided to join her.  She kept warm cuddled up with her pillow pet and blanket.  Can you find the girl hidden in the fluff? 

What about me?  I wasn't up to it this year (see below), but I'll be back at it next time.

After the plunge, the kids warmed up with hot chocolate and cookies

Ellie in the background was NOT impressed with being outside on a cold day.

She didn't like that her hands got cold and stiff. 

Treats for everyone.

We had more people watching than jumping. 

Look like a warm day?

Huddled around the propane stove that is heating up the water for hot chocolate

New Year's Day, sort  of

Since New Year's Day fell on a Sunday, Dode got Monday off as the holiday.  But did the kids?  No, the school district elected to hold school on a federal holiday.  Which means that the our public schoolers were absent, "parent excused".  We did our traditional winter break activity, ice skating followed by a meal at the Grand China Buffet.  Dode and I think it might be time for a new tradition, the kids didn't enjoy ice skating as much as they used to.  Isaac suggested skiing but it's not in the budget and we don't like to ski the with the holiday crowds.  At least we have a year to come up with something! We already can't get Jacob to get out of bed and participate with the family.  Isaac isn't far behind.  He told us over and over again in the morning that he didn't want to go ice skating and he didn't want to go out to eat.  We still paid for him to skate but he just couldn't find a comfortable pair of skates.  He'd made up his mind that he was not going to enjoy our activity and he was right.  He spent his time doing this.

Elizabeth circled the ice listening to her audio book.

the 3rd Percy Jackson book

Isaac Colson was our skater with the most endurance.  His attitude was, "I don't know what all you peoples problem is, we're here to have fun so let's do it!" 

Ice skating or chariot racing?

They had these blue plastic chariots for the small children to balance on.

The blue chariot gave William the confidence to get out on the ice.

William is our least coordinated child and often isn't able to enjoy physical activities with us.

After 20 minutes with the chariot, Miriam was ready to go it alone.

Anastaya had no problems going around and around.  She only fell once, at the end when she was racing Isaac Colson.

The littlest Dicksons didn't have much stamina and were soon tired out.

After skating, we filled our bellies with Chinese food

(or pizza and hamburgers if you're Miriam or Isaac).  Do you know how hard it is

to get everyone sitting at the table at the same time?  Nearly impossible!

Vegan Yum!

Finally on the mend
After watching me suffer with my cold all Christmas weekend, Dode insisted that I go to the doctor.  They diagnosed me with a sinus infection and with the help of antibiotics, I should now be on the road to recovery.  If it ever happens to me again, I'll know the symptoms and won't suffer for over two months.  Curious?  A runny nose that doesn't get better, facial pain especially the middle of the forehead and over the cheek bones, dizziness/light headedness.  Now the question is, why did I allow myself to suffer for so long?!  With such a sore face, I missed out on the polar bear dip this year.  The thought of that cold water getting into my sinuses was not pleasant.  Driving away, I felt really left out from the revelry.  I'll be back next year, sinus infection or not!