Leaf Blowing with Dad - Week of Nov. 3rd

The wildlife in our backyard blend in quite nicely with the surrounding landscape.  One has to look closely to spot the beautiful buck in the picture.

The leaves are falling quickly these days, dancing in the wind and swirling around before finding a resting place on the ground.  The weather was still fairly mild this week, but mornings are much cooler and you can smell the crispness in the air.

With so many leaves, Cam requested to be his dad's helper outside.  Chris was walking around the yard using the leaf blower making certain his boy pointed out where all of the foliage was.
In the past, loud noises have bothered Cam quite a bit, but as he grows older, he's been outgrowing some of his old habits.  For the first time, he requested to use the leaf blower and drive around using the powered tool.

Armed with a big grin, he happily assisted with the final push to move all of the leaves out of the yard.  Fortunately, we are able to "push" them down the embankment at the side of the yard into the woods.

At Cam's school, he met some students involved in the LINKS program.  This programs links student volunteers with other kids that have different abilities.  Cam eats lunch with his "linked" buddies and has an opportunity to participate in other school activities with them.

Another happy occasion this week was receiving mail from Cam's Grandma Sue.  Although she's not able to visit in person, she sends her grandson lots of letters in the mail.  Cam loves sending her his artwork and notes too.  As the weather turns cooler, this boy is thankful for the cozy "Cars" blanket Grandma Sue made for him.

Cuddle up folks, winter may be just around the corner...

Halloween or Bus! - Week of Oct. 27th

Ready to drive into school!

Sometimes we underestimate a kid.  Not intentionally, but maybe because we're unsure of a choice or decision they'll make...

Each year we've "helped" Cam decide what to be for Halloween.  This year, when asked, he emphatically indicated he wanted to be a bus.
It may sound a bit strange to some, but Cam has been riding a school bus ever since he was 2 and 1/2 years old.  He loves his bus ride to school and home and we truly believe he's had the best, most caring drivers around!

The lights turn on when Cam
pulls a rope inside the bus!

Cam and Minnie Mouse- Natalie

The challenge for Chris and Cam was creating a bus that was also "drive-able" for Halloween.  Thursday was the big reveal at Meadowbrook elementary school.  This was the first year Cam was a real part of the Halloween parade, able to maneuver by himself.  As our bus driver waited for the kids to come out of their classrooms, each student passing by kept remarking how cool his costume was.  As proud parents, we watched Cam take it all in and expertly drive around the gymnasium as other parents clapped and cheered!  Quite a day to remember.
We were quite pleased when the school schedule called for a record-marking day on Friday, meaning Cam had the day off of school and could sleep in.

2014 Halloween Crew

Oma & Opa arrived in the afternoon and we transported the bus over to Chris' work where they have trick or treating at the office desks.  The kids and adults all stopped to check out the driver steering carefully through the hallways.

Immediately following that fun venture, we headed over to our neighbor's home for dinner and the official neighborhood candy collecting!

Forest Hills Public School Bus
headed to the next house

Cam & neighbor Mickie

The kids were bundled up in the very windy, chilly evening air, but we were all thankful the rain and sleet had stopped.  As we approached each doorway, Cam declared "trick or treat" each time and said "thank you," and of course, was immediately ready to head to the next home.  Unfortunately, Cam's parents were happily chatting away with neighbors and had a tough time keeping up with their expert driver!
(The video below is a "time lapse" taken by Karen- pretty cool!)

'Auntie' Karen & Ms. Ann

Cam's Bus all lit up!

The weekend brought 'Auntie' Karen and Ms. Ann to visit and check out the now-famous Halloween creation.  They remarked how awesome it was that Chris & Cam painted the bus, added the lights, and made a workable "whoa" sign.  The best part was the bus simply "fit over" Cam's powerchair.
Jane's biggest contribution was finding the hat for her favorite boy on Amazon- it had a picture of a school bus with the caption "You Can't Scare Me- I Drive a Bus!"

In a culture where technology can take hold, we're thankful for simple traditions, creative minds, and happy kids who can gather together to head out on a cold Halloween night and participate in the candy trade afterwards!

Perfect Fall Day, Perfect Pumpkins - Week of Oct. 20th

Fall days can be chilly and rainy.  For Michigan, it's been one of the best autumn seasons filled with days that you wish there was a pause button for.
The warmth of the sun on your back, the incredible colors that appear brighter and more vibrant each day, and of course, picnic lunches make us want to hang on to October just a bit longer.

Outdoor activities were a must this week as we enjoyed an unseasonably warm duration of weather.  Emma joined us to dine outside and play "vehicles" in the driveway.  It's funny how parents can make up a game and it's fairly enjoyable, but when a friend/peer creates one, well let's just say that Cam definitely prefers Emma's impromptu events over any adult-orchestrated one.


In the evening, Auntie Jo found a perfect pre-Halloween outing for Will and Cam to see...a pumpkin walk!

There were over 700 pumpkins displayed along a wooded trail. Some were expertly carved and others were just fun to see.  The church where the event was hosted in Allendale was very welcoming with a treat tent, some local firemen and many beacons of light along the pathway.  "George" was definitely Cam's favorite carving in the woods.  Although we couldn't get a perfect pose from the boys, we captured a moment showing that buddy bond.  Many thanks to Auntie Jo for finding a free, fun time for all of us!

Kelsey & Cam hanging out :)

As the leaves pile up and we know the changing weather is right around the corner, Cam's enthusiastic chant of "Yeah, sun!" will be echoed by us all!

"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." ~Winston Churchill

Surprises! - Week of Oct. 13th

Mum from 'Auntie' Karen
now in full bloom

 Color view from our driveway

 The fall colors this year seem extra vibrant!  Everywhere you look, trees are bursting with different hues of red, orange and yellow.
It seems that when you think you've seen the most beautiful one, around the next corner you're surprised once again.

Friday held a big surprise for Cam after school.  He knew Miss Ann was coming to Cam-sit that evening, but he didn't know that Katherine (aka- Ah-Dah) was planning an unscheduled stop as well.  Not only was she greeted by screams of delight from Cam, but she also brought yummy Culver's chocolate milkshakes for everyone!
When Jane broke out the camera, someone couldn't stop sipping the delicious drink long enough to look up...

We've been told on many occasions by different people (via unsolicited opinions) that Cam has the innate ability to brighten anyone's day, especially if it's been less than stellar.  And on this particular Friday, Katherine decided she needed her "Cam fix."  We're happy to report that Cam did his job as we watched a smiling Ah-Dah go on her way.
Ann and Katherine also gave their favorite 7-year-old a cool gift
from their recent trip to Mackinaw Island.  Cam's bedroom door is now adorned with a Cameron St. sign!  He wants to show it to everyone.

We can't give away Cam's choice for his Halloween costume this year just yet, but we will tempt you with a picture of the guys creating something that involves power tools and safety glasses!

We had a quick trip to visit Oma and Opa's on Sunday to enjoy a tasty brunch and play some games.  We kept noting the pretty fall colors everywhere.
Since pictures can't do the beauty justice, we encourage you to go out....and be surprised!

Fall Baseball....Going, Going, Gone - Week of Oct. 6th

Cam is perfecting his negotiating skills these days.  In the evenings, before bedtime, he has the option of watching a show, as in 1...that has now become "Mom, 2 please."  So, as Cam's last fall baseball game approached, he woke up Saturday morning asking for two baseball games!

We were so fortunate to have such a beautiful day for the WMML league to take the field one last time for 2014.  And even though Cam played a single game (not two), we all felt it was one of his most memorable.  The Pirates team was down a couple of players so our boy had an opportunity to clear all of the bases while the crowd cheered him on, chanting his name!  He flashed that winning smile as he crossed home plate.  After the game, each player was presented with a medal which Cam was super excited to show off. As a send-off for the season, each team member picked out a pumpkin and was given a handmade quilt from a community member.

To continue with the winning day, Cameron's favorite buddy Emma stopped by for one their repeated activities, playing school.  There is a system to setting up the school and going through the checklist. And there is real learning going on here with Q&A time, math and reading.  Of course, snack time is built into the agenda as well.

Speaking of snacking, Auntie Ronda stopped by this week to make banana bread with Cam.  It was a most delicious batch, especially with the mini chocolate chips added throughout.

During the baking process, we thought it might be fun to have a little dance party in the kitchen!
Not everyone can dance on the countertop, but Cam thinks it rocks!

Husky Hike & Hiding - Week of Sept. 29th

Our beautiful fall mum
from 'Auntie' Karen

While most people tend to require extra sleep when a cold or virus hits, Cam feels the need to endure interrupted sleep through the night.
Amazingly, though, even when ill, Cameron puts on a happy face during the day and continues to push through.
With so many kids out sick this time of year, Cam took a couple of days and stayed home and felt ready and rested enough to head back to the classroom on Wednesday.
Chris and his boy proudly hung a homemade pine cone bird feeder that Cam made at school.  The birds found it quickly and we enjoyed seeing them pick away at the seeds.
On Friday, the annual Husky Hike took place at the elementary school. Every student received an official t-shirt to commemorate the event.
Kelsey and Cam had fun doing some homework that afternoon.

With the cold virus exiting the Weatherford household, we were thankful buddy Emma could head over for some playtime on the weekend.

One of Cam's all-time favorite activities is still hiding.  He loves the thrill of finding a great spot and 'scaring' his seeker when found.
Of course, sometimes the silliness of it all provides the giggling and laughter we love to hear.

Bill Cosby once said, "Laughter brings out the child in all of us."

In our home, there isn't a day that goes by without laughter and we will be forever grateful to Cam for that daily gift!

Summer Weather in Michigan Fall - Week of Sept. 22nd

There's a common saying in Michigan that you need to walk out of your house with the following items at the ready: sunglasses, an umbrella, winter boots and galoshes because you never know what the weather will be like.  This week, the sun was shining brightly with few clouds in the sky making us think it was summer all over again!

On Friday evening, we hosted cousins JJ, Jeff, Libby and Coco for dinner.  Delicious food and lots of laughs made for an awesome evening.


On Saturday, Cam was a bit under the weather, so he missed his baseball game, but Oma and Opa still came to visit and had lunch at Cam's house so everyone could hang out.
'Auntie' Karen joined us, driving all the way from Chicago to stay for the weekend.  Cam had a tough time sleeping, but rallied during the day, eager to get and do things in the nice weather.  Karen, Jane and Cam headed downtown to explore ArtPrize (Click here to check it out!) on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.  There's always so much to see because the art contest covers three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids.  Art from around the world pops up in every inch of downtown, and it’s all free and open to the public.  The sailboats pictured were hand-carved out of marble.

At the Gerald R. Ford Museum, Cam really liked the train picture which seemed to be coming off the wall.

By far, our favorite find of the day was in the Amway Grand Plaza where there were a series of mirrored kaleidoscopes that offered a glimpse into how one would look inside of the intricate mirrored display.  Karen took our picture from one end while we looked at her through the other opening.

We barely scratched the surface of things to see but were thankful for the time we had.  Many thanks to 'Auntie' Karen for making the trek and staying with us.  At lunchtime on Sunday, we made our way to the Downtown Market where we dined and browsed and couldn't stop smiling because of this awesome boy!

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.  ~John F. Kennedy

Meet My New Buddy - Week of Sept. 15th

Every new friend is a new adventure...the start of more memories... ~ Patrick Lindsay

With all of the recent activity, we hadn't taken an opportunity to introduce you to Cam's newest buddy, Kelsey.  

When a new school year begins, Jane begins the process of seeking out after-school care for Cam.  A seemingly easy task except that it requires someone to work only 10-15 hours per week.
The search this year was resolved by Cam's former teacher, Ms. Kathy, who recommended Kelsey to us....and we can't thank her enough.

Our ideal caregiver is someone who's energetic, challenges Cam, is comfortable with PT, and loves to laugh.  Kelsey is a GVSU graduate, hoping to attend
PT graduate school next spring, teaches swimming at the local YMCA and is beautiful inside and out!  In the short time she's hung out with Cam, they've ventured to Baker Book House, the library, and Robinettes Apple Haus.  We are blessed to have her in our lives and look forward to many Cam & Kelsey adventures!!

Cam rocked out another baseball game on Saturday at WMML.  This week, volunteers from Home Depot took the field with the kids.  We talked with Cam's helper, Sue, after the game and were surprised to learn that the volunteers were from 9 different Home Depot locations ranging from Ludington to south of Grand Rapids.
Cam was not as interested in pics as he normally is since he was holding a rice krispie treat waiting to be eaten and was also told Home Depot was giving away ice cream which translated to "enough pics Mom & Dad!"


On a side note, Stella the cat continues to make Cam laugh and he tells her on an almost daily basis that she is very silly!  Cam decided we should post this picture to prove his statement!!