The Packing Begins - Week of May 28th

It's official!  Cameron will be moving into his new house in mid-July.  It's quite a long trek- we can see our new abode from our current backyard.  Since our existing home will be up for sale next week, the packing has already begun...

In the meantime, Cam kept busy with activities other than packing.

Katherine took him to one of our nearby parks on a beautiful sunny day.  Cam loves the swings and besides the slide, is his favorite park activity.

Since he's grown so much this past year, he discovered that if he leaned over, his feet would touch the ground- surprise!

These next few weeks will be very busy ones for the Weatherford family, but we will still keep you up to date...

Cam is very excited to show everyone his new home!!

If I'd known how much packing I'd have to do, I'd have run again.
~Harry S. Truman~

1st Holiday Weekend 2012 - Week of May 21st

Preparations vary for Memorial Day weekend.  Cam's neighbors, Ken and Mickie, prepare their modern camper for a trip up north each year.  Chris and Cameron tried to help out by checking out the storage areas.

Cam and his parents, along with cousin Libby, headed up to the family cottage on Saturday to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa.  Of course, the CamMobile had full-time usage over the weekend.  Cam's Dad successfully made it across the log over the creek without getting them both wet!
An added bonus was walking with cousin Coco's dogs- they had almost as much fun as Cam!  The dogs, Olive and Lucy, always try to keep up with the CamMobile, and Cam continuously makes certain they are close by.

Grandma and Grandpa made some delicious meals and the entire family went out for ice cream.  Cameron played with his cousins and felt the chilly Lake Michigan water.

Many thanks to Cam's grandparents for an awesome holiday weekend and to Libby for all of the extra help and hanging out!  Summer for our family has officially commenced!

While the Parents Are Away... - Week of May 14th

While Chris and Jane spent most of the week in Costa Rica, Cameron had the privilege of hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa (O-Ma & O-Pa) for the duration.
It's difficult to determine who had more adventures- the vacationers or the grandchild!
A trip to the Cascade Library, Heidi's Farmstand, Old Navy were just a few of the highlights...

One fine day, possibly while Cam's parents were exploring the Costa Rican jungles,  the lucky boy headed off to the zoo with his grandparents and Katherine.  Apparently, the goat thought Cameron's feet may be quite tasty!

Cam's favorite animals were the monkeys and gorillas.

Trying to mimic those monkeys, Cam convinced Katherine to climb up in the tree with him back at home!

Over the weekend, the social agenda included a soccer game, playing in the park, a visit to Costco (can't miss out on those tasty samples!) church, and a yummy brunch.

Chris and Jane cannot begin to thank "O-Ma" and "O-Pa" for their generous gift of time and patience to stay with Cam while Cam's parents enjoyed a memorable trip to a place they hope to return to one day with the entire family.

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old.  ~Mary H. Waldrip

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