As another blast from our past lives, for the memory of the younger kids, we are back at This Is The Place to volunteer. When we volunteered last, EV was 2. So I suppose the only kid with a memory of it is Kai. And it was the memory of it that drew him back for one more volunteering shift on Memorial Day, May 27. It so happened that Kai did not have ballet, and we had Q get clothes when we were fitted for our costumes, just in case he wanted to do a shift with us. So Kai put on Q's clothes, which fit quite nicely, and had a day at the park with us.
We picked Kai up from Kaysville and he changed in the car. We'd left early that morning, so I brought breakfast and we dined in our version of pioneer style when we arrived at our location: the Rich home. It was our first time there, and we had chosen it for one strong benefit: it is the only property that can be hosted by two volunteer families. This year we are supposed to be volunteering with my long-time friend, Ashley Noonan Copas and her kids which my kids call cousins. But despite our best scheduling efforts, we have only been there once with her family. And we understand! Family schedules in the summer are INTENSE! So we had to make due all on our own, me acting as BOTH polygamist wives!
Just kidding! I didn't act like any wife. In fact, we've served twice in this location now and both times I didn't have more than one guest! It is a bit off the beaten path at the TITP park, and there aren't really kid activities to do there either. In some ways, the slow traffic is something to LIKE. AND there are no employees, who I always feel cramp my hostessing style. EV really enjoys weaving rugs at this location, and it keeps her occupied for hours. Otherwise, there is also a lot for kids to do now, compared to 10 years ago. There is a kid service/game/competition called This Is The Place Chase, where the kids go do service or go on a treasure hunt for a prize. They also can go to school. When the Copases are there, they play together. And playing on the playground and getting donuts to eat are other hits.
So we had a nice time with Kai, and he was helpful to have around for Arthur's sake. And I think he liked doing all the things he remembered. He also noted a few of the changes, like paved roads instead of dirt ones, and didn't appreciate the modernization (purist!) but after an hour or so, I think his nostalgia wore off and he found things as dull as the rest of the kids. He hasn't been back - hasn't really had the opportunity to BE back. But it was so lovely to share THIS day with him.
And of course, we'll have many more shifts this season. Eight are required to volunteer. And the volunteers get the costumes free on loan from whenever you get them until whenever you are done. That means we've been able to wear them to Golden Spike and we'll wear them on Pioneer Day too.
But back to This Is the Place.
During out last 4 hour shift at TITP, one of the staff members at Gardner was deaf. For the guests' sake, it may have been a bummer as she was EXTREMELY difficult to understand. However, Arthur, as often as he could, found me to help him communicate with her and wanted to learn sign language. We learned a bit, AND learned that because of our signing time videos (which I have had Arthur and Eloise study as their "second language"), they already knew a decent amount! I think Arthur really enjoyed putting it all together, so we hope Anne is there again when we go back. Though thankfully, for the heat, our next shift isn't until the end of August!
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