School Events - Week of Oct. 10th

Every year, Cameron's school hosts an event called "VSA" - Very Special Arts. The kids can visit different rooms where they mold pottery, play music and dance, make crafts, and even get their face or hands painted. Cam liked painting the pottery best and kept admiring the picture that was painted on his hand by one of the teachers.

School fun continued when a field trip to Robinette's orchard was hosted during the week. The school's teachers joked that Cam had his own "entourage" with Chris, Jane, 'Auntie' Ronda, and nanny, Katherine all alongside him. The kids listened to the orchard's history during a wagon ride tour, walked into the huge refrigerator where all of the apples are stored, and watched how the apple cider is made. To top off the day, the kids picked their own apple and were given a homemade doughnut and fresh cider as a treat! (even the entire 'entourage' received the snack:-)

The weekend included another outing - this time to a pumpkin patch with buddy Will and 'Auntie' Jo. Cam picked out his own pumpkin and everyone dined on some delicious McDonald's goodness for lunch.

With the sunshine still smiling on us, the family couldn't resist some backyard photos, and who should appear but Cam's sweet friend, Emma.

Hope your week makes you feel like you can reach for the sky too!!

Picture Day, Picking Apples, Practicing Biking - Week of Oct. 3rd

The unusually warm fall weather provided the perfect excuse to be outside. On school picture day, Cameron looked so handsome in his button-down shirt and new jeans. He was practicing his "cheesy grin" for Jane and Katherine before the bus arrived to pick him up for school.

During the week, after an early evening of playtime outside, Cam's friend, Emma, was helping him color a picture.

Over the weekend, cousin Harry had a super cool birthday party at the Robinette's Orchard. Each guest picked out 3 apples to take home from the orchard! Cam had fun playing games which included finding fake flies in a pan full of sand and making a leaf crown to wear. Harry's party was a treat and so was his delicious birthday cake!

Since the awesome weather continued, it was a great time for Cam to ride his tricycle again. It's a lot of hard work for our big guy, but he doesn't give up. He's learning how to use the pedals all by himself and is very proud of every accomplishment.

The best part of riding bikes is when friends join in the fun. Emma couldn't resist getting a pull from Chris, while Cam kept checking behind him to be sure his buddy was still there.

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.
~John F. Kennedy

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
~Albert Einstein

Elmo & Emma - Week of Sept. 26th

Cameron has been rather finicky in his affection towards Elmo. When he was younger, Elmo was his favorite toy and book. Then, there was a period of time when Elmo fell by the wayside. Now, at the age of four, Cam definitely has Elmo on his radar again.

However, the red character does come in second place when there is a choice between his neighbor Emma and Elmo. Cam's buddy Emma had quite a bit of playtime with him this week. On Wednesday, Jane and the kids were cozy on the chair warming up on a chilly evening.

The kids played together again on Friday evening and then Saturday was the highlight of Cam's week. Emma's sisters, Megan and Sarah, had a soccer game and Chris, Jane, and Cam were all invited to watch. The sun was shining, but the fall wind demanded a blanket to stay warm.

Emma knew another girl at the game and the three kids watched the soccer ball go back and forth. Even though Megan and Sarah didn't come out ahead against their opponents, it was a winning day for Cam!

He definitely felt head and shoulders above the rest!!

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." Nathaniel Hawthorne

Dinners Out - Week of Sept. 19th

Chris traveled to Chicago for work this week, so Cameron and Jane kept themselves extra busy since they knew they'd be missing him.
Cam's nanny, Katherine, created this chalk picture as they waited for the bus one day and Cam did a great job picking out which colors to use.
Wednesday evening, Cam & Jane traveled to Muskegon to meet Grandma, Grandpa, Steffanie and Aunt Tracy to celebrate Tracy's birthday. After a tasty dinner, Cameron was very happy to see an oreo ice cream cake for dessert! It was most delicious.
The very next night, cousin Coco and Carter invited Cam and Jane to Holland to see Coco's place and go out to dinner again. What a treat! At the Boatwerks restaurant, Cam really liked the fresh fruit and some creamy mac-n-cheese. Carter put on a very impressive puppet show for Cam during his dining experience.

Friday evening, Chris arrived home to his family, who were so happy to see him! Cam couldn't stop smiling and laughing.
On Saturday, Chris & Jane took Cameron to see the "Dolphin Tale" movie at the theater. Cam liked the dolphins jumping out of the water and for the first time, ate quite a bit of movie popcorn. Even at 10am, popcorn is still quite tasty!!
Many thanks to our family for the dinners out and gratitude and appreciation to Chris for being the greatest hubby to Jane and Dad to Cam!

My Caterpillar to Butterfly - Week of Sept. 12th

When one of our neighbors stopped by with a caterpillar on a leaf branch for Cam less than two weeks ago, we weren't sure what the outcome would be. Every day, we made certain that Cameron saw the caterpillar and each day, the leaves kept disappearing as the caterpillar ate. One morning, we noticed the cocoon, which was quite small. The cocoon was green and then on Wednesday, turned black. Thursday afternoon, a beautiful monarch butterfly pushed its way out and the remnant of the cocoon could still be seen. Cam was quite fascinated!

Katherine, Cameron's wonderful new nanny, helped him release the butterfly in the backyard. The monarch was quite content and actually stayed on the back porch until the next morning.

Since Saturday was such a sunny day, the family headed up north to the cottage. Grandma's favorite flower nursery was hosting wagon rides for the day. Jane, cousin Coco, and Grandma all rode on the tractor/wagon with Cameron and listened to the history of the farm.

After an afternoon rest, Chris decided to "pour" blocks on Cam and then proceeded to build many towers. Playtime with Coco, Grandma, and Grandpa, Annie, Aunt Joyce and Uncle Joe rounded out the weekend.
A perfect Lake Michigan sunset topped off the evening.

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." Richard Buckminster Fuller, An American engineer who authored over thirty books and became the second president of Mensa International, a society of people with high IQs.

First Day of School! - Week of Sept. 5th

The warm fall weather provided the perfect excuse for a park outing! Cameron's Dad introduced him to the "swing chain twist"- twisting the chain so that it releases and twirls you around and around.

Cam went down the slide solo and then wanted to wait at the bottom for any other kids to go! Such a sweet boy...

Before Cameron attended his first day of school this fall in a new pre-school classroom with a new teacher, he had to have a haircut. Chris took Cam over to Snip-Its and the school-bound boy sat in the chair by himself and had a great experience.
When Jane arrived home from the gym, there was her handsome son proudly showing off his new do.

Thursday was Cameron's first day of school and he anxiously awaited outside for the big yellow bus. He decided that Elmo should wait with him, even though Elmo doesn't travel on the bus ride to his class. He was excited about riding the bus again and since he's a "seasoned" student now, it didn't phase him at all.

Cousin Coco couldn't wait to see her buddy after his first day back at school!
And Cam was definitely happy to see her and show off his first day of school smile!

Last Days of Summer - Week of Aug. 29th

It seems impossible that we welcomed in September this week. An appropriate quote to sum up our last few months ..."Summer should get a speeding ticket!"

An end of August task was handled by Cameron and his dad this week. It was time for the drainage and re-fill of the hot tub. Cam was an eager helper, helping Chris hold the hose.
Other chores included getting the backyard ready for the annual neighborhood picnic, which Cam and his parents hosted this year.

On Saturday, it was off to buddy Will's 3rd birthday party where Cameron met some new friends. Auntie Jo and Will made delicious cupcakes, complete with sprinkles. Cam went for a ride in Will's car in the playroom and he made sure to look both ways before crossing.

After celebrating with Will, it was off to see Grandma and Grandpa at the lake. Chris, Jane and cousin Coco decided to take Cam and Coco's puppies on an extra long walk. They ventured all the way to Meinert Park (4 miles round trip) and Cameron thought the puppies provided the best entertainment!
Although one of the pups was a little tuckered out and wanted to hop on the Cam Mobile for a free ride.
The family watched some kiteboarding, played at the park, and had a most relaxing weekend...goodbye summer...you will be missed!
From Sarah Jewett: "This was one of those perfect days in late summer where the spirit of autumn takes a first stealing flight, like a spy, through the ripening country-side, and, with feigned sympathy for those who droop with August heat, puts her cool cloak of bracing air about leaf and flower and human shoulders."

Wings and Water - Week of Aug. 22nd

This week, on a beautiful Saturday morning, Cam could almost touch the sky, literally!
Cameron successfully completed his first prop plane flight and was given a certificate and his first set of wings.
Through a program called "Dreams and Wings, Inc." each child and family reaches a cruising altitude of 1500 ft. for a 20-minute flight above Grand Rapids.

The program encourages kids to learn about aviation, challenge themselves and reach for new horizons. When Cameron is old enough, he'll be able to take the controls and fly the plane as co-pilot for a few minutes!

As if that wasn't enough fun for one day....the family ventured to the cottage on Lake Michigan where the Raisch family met them for an afternoon and evening of swimming and sun. Playtime in the water, digging out underground tunnels, and walking the beach made for a busy afternoon.

After dinner, the girls built towers with Cam. He has just as much fun building as he does knocking them down.

All of the families had a sunset walk strolling along in the warm Lake Michigan water. Cameron had lots of helpers ready to push Cam-mobile!

As a special treat, Cam's buddy, Emma, rode home in his car Saturday night. They listened to kids music, shared a few snacks, and to the surprise of Chris and Jane, stayed awake!

Big thanks to the Raisch family and to Cam's Grandma & Grandpa for a memorable day!!