Happy Mother's Day! - Week of May 7th

It was a special week for Jane, celebrating a day dedicated to moms.
When Grandma was in town, the cooking crew- Grandma, Katherine and Cam- made some delicious low-fat applesauce muffins!  Cameron did a great job stirring the ingredients and couldn't help but giggle when his Grandma stirred so quickly, her hand was a blur.
From cooking to clever...Chris always comes up with the most ingenious hiding places for Elmo.  This may be the best one yet as Elmo was wedged between the screen looking in from outside.
The family had a very busy weekend complete with an outing to a furniture store to find a mattress for Cam's trundle bed.  Jane was working with one of the salesmen while Chris and Cam perused the store.  When Jane went in search of her boys, it turns out they were enjoying a little siesta!

We celebrate Cameron's grandmas and all of the moms out there, making a difference in so many ways.  Cam is so fortunate to have many role models in his life and a Mom who's very proud to call Cameron Jackson her sweet, wonderful son!
Happy Mother's Day everyone!!



Making a decision to have a child--it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
  ~Elizabeth Stone~

Starbuck's Anyone? - Week of Apr. 30th

Cameron lives in a great neighborhood where people know each other and frequently congregate in the street to chat.  Just a few houses away, Cam has a new buddy named Eli.  The boys hung out in the yard and played in the nice green grass.

From play outside to inside, Cameron hadn't used his Elmo tent in quite some time.  Katherine and Cam decided that it would be much more fun to work on a puzzle while also camping out!

It seems that it's time for Cam's Mom to make a confession...

Turns out she visits Starbuck's possibly a bit more than "on occasion" and frequently takes Cameron with her.  Although the big boy isn't ready for coffee, he definitely enjoys their cold ice water, which it turns out, they happily serve him.

When Jane asked Katherine in conversation if she wanted something from Starbuck's, Cam immediately asked for his water!  A big thanks to our favorite coffee shop for proving that some things in life still are free!!

Work and Play - Week of Apr. 23rd

Cameron met with his favorite professor this week at Grand Valley, Miss Lisa.  While she worked on some physical therapy moves with Cam, she was gathering information and pictures to use for her advanced graduate students.  Even though it's hard work, Cam always finds time to smile and laugh...

One of Cam's buddies celebrated his 4th birthday this week.  Cam and his parents attended Liam's party complete with homemade Elmo and Cookie Monster cupcakes! Jane and Liam's mom, Betsy, have an inside joke that in every picture of Cam and Liam, one kid usually looks great while the other is looking away or goofing off.  Turns out neither one of the boys was too excited about a photo shoot, especially in the chilly weather.
The sun did show itself on Sunday, however, when the family ventured over to Reed's Lake to meet up with cousins Coco and Libby.   They enjoyed a delicious lunch at Rose's and hanging out in the park.
Cam's good friend Emma spent some time playing with Cam and even shared a blanket when it felt a little cold.

It is with heartfelt thanks and a pang of sadness that we said goodbye to one of our all-time favorite Cam sitters this week.  Sarah is moving away from Grand Rapids after completing her graduate work in the physical therapy field.  She has known Cam for nearly 3 years and has had a lasting impact on his life and ours.
From the wise words of Winnie the Pooh: “We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.
Even longer,' Pooh answered.”  We look forward to seeing you again soon, Sarah, our forever friend, and we thank you for everything!

Working on Numbers - Week of Apr. 16th

There was a time when it seemed Elmo would always be the only choice for Cam in regards to screened viewing.  But as Cameron continues to grow, so does his taste in learning shows.  Due to Netflix, Cam has gravitated towards the purple dinosaur, Barney.  Barney's shows always have a purpose and a review of things learned during that time.  One of Cam's favorite ones concentrates on numbers.  A boy brings ten cut-out numbers to show his friends and the wind carries them away, then all the children help find them.  When Grandma spent the day with Cam this week, she cut out numbers, hid them around the living room, and Cam had to find them.  He was one excited boy!

While Katherine was on vacation this week, Sarah spent a couple of days with her buddy.  They had fun playing outside and making different crafts.

Over the weekend, watching the neighbor's soccer game was on the agenda.  Much to Cam's surprise and delight, neighbor and friend Emma made Cameron his own sack lunch, complete with all of his favorites.  Although it was a little chilly, the sun was shining and the soccer game was exciting!

“Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting thing to have.”  ~ A.A. Milne

Children's Museum - Week of Apr. 9th

While Cameron enjoyed his second week of spring break, he also enjoyed extra time with his best buddies.
Katherine and her friend Jill took Cam to the GR Children's Museum and met up with Auntie Jo and Will. There were so many things to explore!
A train was set up on a large table that the boys could play with. An over-sized vat of bubble solution provided an opportunity to create the biggest bubbles Cameron had ever seen! The boys were quite intrigued with "the boy at the dentist" display which featured a large puppet for kids to put braces on, brush the teeth, etc.
Many activity building tables allowed Cam and Will to put different pieces and parts together.
To top off the venture, Cam enjoyed a tasty lunch at Olgas...

Neighbors Megan and Emma stopped by to play on the weekend and arrived in time to see Cameron about to enjoy a pancake breakfast. The pancakes in the Weatherford household are becoming pieces of art!
"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be." ~Douglas Pagels

Happy Easter! - Week of Apr. 2nd

For I remember it is Easter morn, And life and love and peace are all new born.
~Alice Freeman Palmer

Cameron's first week of spring break turned out to be filled with lots of fun activities! On Wednesday evening, Cam attended his last spring term session at GVSU. As a surprise treat, one of Cam's PT's, Edi, made some very specially decorated cupcakes for the last meeting. We will miss the weekly sessions and hope to keep in touch with our new friends!
Katherine and Cameron made their first visit to Sundaes at the Cottage, our local ice cream shop. Cam thoroughly enjoyed his oreo ice cream sundae.

In anticipation of Easter, Cameron was excited to color eggs this year. A small whisk made the task much easier. Cam was intent on dipping the eggs and taking them out to dry. Cam, with Katherine's expertise, also made some Happy Easter plates for his parents and Grandma- what a sweet surprise!!

It's no surprise how much Cam adores his nanny Katherine! She even put together a bucket of Easter treats for her buddy.
Grandma outdid herself with Easter baskets this year. Knowing Chris and Jane are watching their calories, she brought a huge fruit basket filled with all of their favorites. Cameron's basket contained yummy chocolate and other tasty treats (since he's not watching his waistline).
Sunday included a beautiful Easter service, brunch with Cam's Grandparents and Auntie Jo as well as a very special visit with the Schulze family.
When Jane asked Chris to get a picture of Cameron in his Sunday best, this is what the boys came up with....and Jane....thought it was perfect! We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!!

First Spring Bike Ride - Week of Mar. 26th

As the grass becomes greener and more flowers are blooming, spring activities are in full force.
Chris and Cam enjoyed their first bike ride of the spring! Luckily, the bike seat we purchased for Cameron holds up to 48 pounds and is adjustable. The big boy now likes to lean over to see what's up ahead...

The weekend was filled with different ventures. Jane's good friend Karen and cousin Libby drove in from Chicago. Cam and the girls drove to Saugatuck to check out a houseboat rental that Karen wanted to see. Cameron had fun on the top deck of the boat looking out at the water. We hope to see more of Karen this summer if she takes the rental!
Ventures continued on Sunday, when cousins Libby and Coco went out for Sunday brunch with Cam and his parents.

Topping off the weekend was some hot tub action complete with splashing, floating, and pushing buttons for the jet bubbles.

Cameron, it seems, has always been a photogenic kid. Edi, Cam's buddy and GVSU grad student, snapped this pic and provided some appropriate photoshop edits: "Things are never quite as scary when you have a best friend" and "Smiling is my favorite exercise!"

Many thanks Edi for these adorable photos!!

1 Birthday, 2 Buddies, and Countless Butterflies - Week of Mar. 19th

Cameron loves birthdays! This week, we celebrated Katherine's birthday. Cam's nanny always thinks of fun activities and we are so thankful for all that she does!

From one birthday to two buddies... Liam and Cam met up at Frederick Meijer Gardens.

First stop was to check in with the butterflies. There were too many to count- different varieties, sizes, colors. Some flew right in front of Cam and others fluttered around his head. Such a beautiful sight.

Due to the unusually warm weather, the outdoor children's water fountains opened up early this year. Cam and Liam maneuvered their sailboats through the water. It was difficult to determine what was more fun for them- pushing the boats over the "waterfall" or splashing themselves and each other.

Next stop at Frederick Meijer was the treehouse tea party area. Other kids sat with the boys for a "tea party" and one little boy cried when he had to leave the "party" with Cam and Liam.

With the continued warm weather, Chris decided it was much too nice to play trains with Cam inside, so the problem was easily solved by bringing the track outside! What a lucky boy with an most ingenious Dad!!