Weeknight Fun

Wind & Waves

Christmas Lights & Music

and Tingalayo (What?)

Yesterday was SO WINDY, winds at approximately 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 40. Whoa! What's the best thing to do on a day like this? Stay inside and watch the tree branches whipping around? Count how many garbage cans roll down the street? No. Go to the lake, of course. Mom and Dad came down and I took them on a tour along Lake Michigan, stopping at different points to see the waves crashing to shore. The water was brown with stirred up sand, and foamy white where it crashed down onto the beach and rocks. Amazing. Our first stop was at the Wind Point Lighthouse and when we got closer to the beach I spotted something I NEVER would have predicted. A person in the water. A crazy person surfing in the freezing cold water! Oh well, I shouldn't judge, it looked like he was dressed for the weather but it sure wouldn't be my idea of fun.

Later in the day I was wishing Archer and Shelly could have been with me to see the spectacular show of wind and water, but it would be dark by the time we could get back to the lake. No matter. I decided to try it anyway. When we got downtown and pulled into the gravel drive along the breakwater, we found other people with the same thought - park facing the water, as close as you can get to the rocks, and just watch. Wow! There was cheering, screaming, laughing, and a few, "I'm scared!!!" The water looked at times like it would come crashing down on our car, but we were just far enough away that it always fell in front of us. Within inches. Crazy! Who does that? I assured the kids were were safe in our cozy warm car and we stayed and watched the waves for almost an hour. Even though it had gotten dark we could still see the breathtaking foaming swells that flew up in front of us.

When the kids declared they were hungry we left, and as we came into our neighborhood we saw the music and light show was on in full force. So of course we stopped to watch and listen for a few songs. A neighbor has orchestrated a Christmas show to marvel at, with flashing lights programmed in time to Christmas music.

Finally, finally, we came home. Hot dogs for supper. (Yeah I know, not so healthy. But we did have carrots!) Followed by a hearty round of "Tingalayo." What, you've never heard of it? I challenge you to listen. But be warned, you'll have this song stuck in your head for days. Shelly learned it at school, so now we occasionally watch it online, and of course I pretended to be Tingalayo. With the kids taking turns riding on my back as I acted out the song. Run and jump? Sure. Dance? No problem. "Again, again!" I don't think so, two times around was enough for this Tingalayo!