I was all set to blog about Harrison's mishap with his newly purchased "Air Hog" when I realized Jonathan had already told the story on Facebook! So without further ado, here is the tale in his own words...
This past Friday, Harrison eagerly tried out his newly purchased, allowance paid for, remote controlled helicopter. Unfortunately, on its maiden flight, it zoomed up on the roof and tumbled into the gutter. He frantically called me at work, however, his pleas for me to leave early to retrieve the lost helicopter were met with a “you’ll have to wait ‘till I get home” response.
Arriving home after work, I realized that the gutter was way out of reach of my extension ladder. A more creative approach was needed. I climbed up the porch roof, pulled the ladder up behind me and then climbed up to the next level. As I straddled across the roof line toward the suspected gutter location, I came to realize that asphalt shingles can get hot– frankly, too hot as the 2nd degree burn blisters on my hands would attest. Carrying on, I didn’t see the helicopter and even if I did, I remained unsure as to how I was going to be able to retrieve anything out of the gutter while clinging for life with blistered hands. I returned to the ground to a disappointed 7 year old, copter-less and a little queasy. The only consolation to be had was to assure Harrison that tomorrow we would purchase a new copter to replace the one that was “lost”. (I’m sure we would be chastised by Dobson or “Supernanny” regarding our bypassing a “teachable moment” to explain “consequences”, but it brought peace in the house for the rest of the evening).
The next day Harrison headed out for his replacement purchase and I contemplated the possibilities of a better way. Calling upon my inner “MacGyver” I used duct tape to rig up a paint roller with a mirror. I then leaned out the top portion of a double-hung window and was able to locate the section of the gutter in which the helicopter was trapped. I then taped a minnow net to the end of the mirror and after multiple attempts, was able to scoop out the helicopter from the crash site, much to the cheers of the boys below.
The only person happier than Harrison, was Sawyer who got a new helicopter, without having to spend his allowance.
This year Sawyer was tall enough for all the rides, and Harrison was tall enough to be the "responsible rider" to accompany him. We all breathed a collective sigh of relief when we realized we'd be spared the nauseating spin on the Tilt-a-Wheel.
Most of the rides at Dutch Wonderland are old school.
The prizes are pretty impressive though. I mean we practically had to strap these to the roof for our ride home ;)
Harrison graciously chose to ride with me, noting that Sawyer always snubs me for dad. 
Except for this one time...
At the dive show. It's the same every year, but it never gets old.
Sawyer actually pushed me out of line at the roller coaster. 
Graham liked riding with dad, too.
A favorite for everyone was the water area, especially with the hundred degree temps that day!
Until next year!
