I feel like I’ve gotten sharper. You need quick hand/finger reflexes to react and build quickly. – Angus
So far, since July, I have read over 1600 minutes! – Lucas
We took care of our neighbour’s flowers and earned some money so so we went to Toys R Us and bought Nerf guns. – Grady
For the seventh post in a Summer of Stories (you can see the first six as well as the introductory post here), I had the opportunity to hear from three young gentlemen about what they are up to, the things they enjoy most and the reasons why.
This post is a bit of a combination of styles because the information has come in different modes. You’ll see as we go along.
We’ll begin with Angus, 10 years old but edging closer to 11, who I have the honour of having as a nephew😊. I’ve had a lot of fun with Angus over the years, camping, tobogganing, reading stories, playing games, especially getting beaten in Peanuts Memory. Angus is a helpful and compassionate guy who was always quick to lend a hand delivering newspapers on our paper routes. He bakes with his Gran and from the time he was little, the Christmas dessert plate has always featured their sugar cookies with icing. He lends a hand to his Nana to assist her up the stairs and in and out of the car and they have a shared interest in watching old detective shows such as Murder She Wrote and Columbo.
Angus and I had a telephone conversation rather than an interview and chatted generally about some of the ways he likes to spend his time.
We’ll begin chronologically, stretching back to winter, which seems longer ago to me this year, and outdoor ice hockey, which also seems long ago, as we’ve just come out of a very hot few weeks.
Angus enjoys sports, both as a spectator and as a player. He enjoys baseball and soccer, and through the fall and winter, he really likes hockey. In the fall, hockey obviously has to played in the arena, but through the winter months, he has an opportunity to play outdoors as well.
He told me about the community rink that he skates and play hockey on. It’s created and maintained by volunteers and is open both day as well as evening with outdoor lights. There is a campfire for warming up and an outdoor canteen where you can buy a hot chocolate, a hamburger or hot dog. There is a small zamboni. He mentioned that there is also a hill behind and people could go sledding if they like.
There are two ice surfaces that are maintained and hockey tournaments to play in. Angus explained that you can wear whatever sweater you want to wear because teams are just made up at the ice and it’s really a lot of fun.
If he had to make a choice between playing hockey indoors or out, he said he’d prefer the outdoor ice because, as he said, “Well, it’s outside!”
Each time I chat with someone about what they enjoy, it links to something neat that someone else is up to. I enjoyed reading about the people involved in keeping it going (see here) and building community spirit (see here), especially since I realized one of the key people was someone I’d grown up with:).
Angus also described the memes he worked on for quite a while several months ago. He found the app Mematic and describes it as being very helpful and easier than using Photoshop. He enjoyed coming up with the up with words and matching with a photo, favouring ones with a bit of insulting humour. The one that was on his mind in our conversation was, “ When your little brother deletes all your saved Pokémon files, so you delete his kneecaps with a crowbar…” OUCH!
His Uncle David received a surprise personalized hoodie with one of his memes for Christmas last year.
Angus mentioned the book, “Holes” as something he’d read recently. He also watched the movie version. He recommends the book to other kids, offering the following review:
I enjoyed and would recommend the novel “Holes” which I recently read. It is a story about a young boy, I’m thinking around 12-14 years old, who gets falsely accused of stealing a pair of shoes from a charity donation box. As a consequence, he is sent to a type of work camp which seems like a cross between sleepaway camp and juvie. The kids there have to spend all day digging holes that are 5 ft long and 5 ft deep. They are told this is solely for punishment but a different reason for the digging of the holes is revealed at the end of the book. I can’t disclose this as it would ruin the book for future readers. After reading the book, I then watched the movie which I actually enjoyed a lot as well. The only complaint I’d have about the book is that it was a bit of a slow start and I found the cover a bit off-putting as it made the book look a bit cheap and tacky. Otherwise I think it was a great book!”
And finally, the thing Angus is enjoying most right now is playing Fortnite. He just started a very few months ago and enjoys playing online with friends. It’s been a particularly good way to stay connected to each other these last few months. His reaction time in the game has improved. He commented, “I feel like I’ve gotten sharper. You need quick hand/finger reflexes to react and build quickly.” He also likes the team effort. Whereas he feels comfortable with his skills at the beginning of the process, others might be stronger at the end and they can team up so they can all be successful.
I so enjoyed chatting with him. He had so much information and insight that I didn’t even have an opportunity to really get written down.
Thank you, Angus!
Now, onto a written interview with Lucas and Grady, two brothers I’ve had the opportunity to spend lots of time with at church over the last few years and who I’ve missed seeing. Grady is 5 and was a “right hand man” when he was with me in the church nursery, often welcoming new people by inviting them into any kind of physical game like catch or beanbag toss. He often spontaneously chimed in to help quietly lead the snack-time prayer. Lucas is 8, heading toward 9, and was an assistant we could count on at our “Messy Church” get-togethers the last couple of years. Lucas was an original and continuous volunteer for our Messy Church Celebration Time and put in lots of hours helping set up and take down all of the props and materials, alongside his family.
They have done a written interview, filling in some gaps of what they’ve been up to since I’ve seen them.
Hi guys!
It seems like a long time since I’ve been able to see you. What kinds of things have you been up to?
Lucas: We’ve been in the pool a lot and going on a couple day trips when mom and dad were on vacation. Today we went to the zoo. Tomorrow we are going mini golfing. We went to Mono Cliffs and went for a long hike.
Grady: We took care of our neighbour’s flowers and earned some money so we went to Toys R Us and bought Nerf guns. We have been having Nerf wars with Daddy. I had swimming lessons and practice in our pool.
I’m sure that most of the regular activities you were doing have been cancelled. Did you find other things to do instead?
Lucas: Yes, we played Nerf. I also rode my bicycle but then fell at the park and broke my collarbone so now I have a sling on my arm. We have been on Amma and Papa’s boat many times and it is a lot of fun.
Grady: I play Lego, learned how to ride my bicycle without training wheels and some indoor crafts and experiments. I like to take walks with mama.
It has been hot this summer, but knowing you guys, you’ve probably still wanted to play outside! What are some of your favourite things to do outside?
Lucas: The boat and the pool
Grady: the boat and pool
I’m curious whether you have any favourite games that you would recommend to other kids?
Lucas: Minecraft. I love to make different maps on Minecraft. We play Chutes and Ladders and Sorry.
Grady: We play Candy Land, Twister and a Richard Scary Piggy Game.
What about books? Do you have any favourite books you’d like to mention? If so, what do you like about them?
Lucas: Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I have read them all. I also just started reading the I Survived series of books. I have joined the Oshawa Public Library TD Summer Reading Program and so far since July I have read over 1600 minutes!
Grady: I like mama or daddy to read to me. We can now get books from the library. I like Five Minute Marvel stories. Normal Norman. The Disney Collection. Goodnight Construction Site. I also have a Lord’s Prayer book we read together.
Do you and your brother have any toys or imaginary things you like to play? If so, maybe you could describe them a bit.
Lucas: I like to play Nerf. We also got these outdoor rockets that you step on the foot pump and they shoot up. They also light up at night. They go really high.
Grady: I like to make things up with Lego. Lucas and I sometimes play Lego together. I like to play with all my stuffies.
What do you usually choose to do if you’re at home and there’s nothing else going on?
Lucas: We like to go in the pool. I also like to have screen time but I have only have certain time in the day for that. I will go play Nerf. Also I am always hungry. I like to read too.
Grady: I like to play with Lego.
Is there anything special that you’ve been focused on or interested in finding out more about lately? A new skill or information about something you’re interested in?
Lucas: more swimming but I can’t do it as much right now. Same with my bike.
Grady: more swimming. Some dancing.
Do you know of any websites you think other people might like to know about so they can try them themselves?
Lucas: Prodigy for math games (online). Minecraftskins.com
Grady: Prodigy
Last question!
If you could have a whole day to do anything you wanted and nobody would interrupt you, what do you think you would choose?
Lucas: Screen time and eat
Grady: Play with my cousins all day. I would bring my Nerf.
Thank you, guys!!
I really appreciated Lucas, Grady and their parents taking time to describe all the things catching their interest these days:)! I love that Grady is so into the Nerf guns and that Lucas’s broken collarbone doesn’t seem to be holding him back.
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So great to hear about Angus, Lucas and Grady’s interests, thanks to them all for sharing. I have fond memories of watching Murder She Wrote and Colombo with my Nan. Loved reading about the outdoor rink here and through those links, sounds wonderful especially lit up, thanks Erin. And that is one fab hoodie, lucky Uncle David 🙂
I love hearing what books people are reading and good recommendations for games and websites always much appreciated, thanks guys! Wishing Lucas well with the collarbone, hope it’s on the mend 🙂
Thank you for your comment, Hayley:). That’s funny that you also have fond memories of watching those two shows with your Nan! I will pass on your compliments to all.
I absolutely love your article. You certainly have a way of capturing the insight of young people.
Thank you, Carol! It was fun to hear from these three … all very interesting:).