Surrounded by Love - Week of Aug. 8th

Always be... Surrounded by love and filled with gratitude.

It feels as if Cam is surrounded by love every week and we are in turn, filled with gratitude.  This week it was Cam's turn to surround his parents with love, literally.  He and Michelle made this homemade sign for Chris & Jane to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary on August 9th.  The two sign designers looked up online and found that lace was the gift to honor 13 years so the sign was adorned with the delicate material and they picked a bouquet of Queen Anne's Lace from the backyard.  What an awesome surprise for Cam's thankful parents!

New explorations were on Cam's list of things to do.  He visited Indian Trails Campground with Michelle where they toured the area and found the cool colored map of the U.S. painted on the pavement.


The Grand Rapids Public Museum was a fun outing with Michelle and friends.  They found an Olympic display, robotics and even a smelly animal just like one that Cam had seen in his backyard one morning, far away from the house at least!  A picnic lunch with downtown GR in the background was a new experience for the museum visitors too.

 Another day included a repeat visit to Millennium Park's splash-pad on a warm morning requiring some welcome relief.

Amanda and Cam kept the fun going with biscuit-making and a lunch outing.

Saturday marked the annual Cousin Harper's Baseball Game held in Montague, Michigan.  Cousin Harper is an avid ball player and family and friends come each summer to join in the fun.  It was a cloudy day with a bit of a drizzle in the afternoon, just perfect for the game because it wasn't too hot.

Chris and his son built an automatic bat box for Cam to use (modeled after a similar one created by May We Help) and although it may require some fine tuning, it was a hit, actually, for its first outing.  Just as the last inning began, the sun broke through the clouds.  The kids all had one last turn at bat and then rounded all of the bases together.

Of course, trying to gather a group of kids to pose for a picture at the same time is asking quite a bit after a couple of hours of baseball.  Nevertheless, most of the younger cousins are all pictured with a few of the adult cousins who attempted corralling others.  Many thanks to the organizers, of whom there are many, to pull this event off!

We dined as a group at Pekadill's and Cam enjoyed a new ice cream flavor, Michigan Pot Hole.  As you might expect, it is chocolate ice cream with large "pot holes" of dark chocolate rounds embedded in the dairy goodness.

We were thankful Michelle joined us for the afternoon, partaking in baseball, dinner and watching a beautiful Michigan sunset.

On Sunday, the day was spent beach side with Oma.  She and Cam are experts at making sand buildings, sand cupcakes and pizza.

We played for a couple of hours in the water, enjoying the mild temps and gentle waves.  With the Cam Mobile being buoyant, Cam likes to pretend that different swimmers have to arrive to fill up his gas tank.  Meanwhile, back on the beach, Cousin Maya buried us all in the sand, making for fun attempts at escaping, otherwise known as jail breaks.

And speaking of arrests, summer should get a speeding ticket for going way...too...fast!

Camology Quotes:
While Cam and Michelle were busy gathering a surprise bouquet outside, Jane walked out to get in her car and then saw the pair tucked behind a tree.
"Mom, we are doing nothing!" 

Cam had many questions about his parent's wedding anniversary.  Our favorite one by far:
"Is it the law that you kiss all day long on your anniversary?" 

Beaching It - Week of Aug. 1st

"You can shake the sand from your feet, but not your soul..." ~Author Unknown (yet known by all those who are connected to the shoreline)

There is a sign that hangs in our living room: "The Beach is My Happy Place" given to us by our dear, awesome friend known as 'Auntie' Karen.
It reminds us of the place we go to feel at peace, to breathe in fresh air and put our toes in the warm sand and bodies in the unsalted water.
We enjoyed a couple of awesome beach days with Oma, Opa, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Cousin Eric was kind enough to take us for a boat ride Saturday afternoon.  The water was fairly choppy when Jane & Cam took their place at the bow of the boat.  Due to their up front vantage point, a couple of big waves made a huge splash right over the top of them simultaneously causing them to get drenched, surprised and laugh about the entire scene.  Even with the somewhat bumpy ride, feeling the waves guide us through the whitecaps was exhilarating. We're definitely considering a waterproof camera for future outings.

Not only was the beach great for strolling, but the sandbars are so shallow!  It was easy to push the Cam Mobile through the water, especially when its wheels are actually on the sand versus floating as they normally are that far out in the lake.
Many sand muffins, pies and pizzas were made on the shoreline when we weren't all hanging out right in Lake Michigan.
The following day brought calm waters and kayak rides.  When asked if Cam preferred the bumpy ride or the quiet kayaking, like any boy, his response was an exuberant, "the boat ride!"

We thoroughly enjoyed some VIP visitors this week- Ms. Sarah, all the way from Colorado to spend time with her fam at Stony Lake and see us for dinner one evening.  She's a speech language pathologist and was very impressed by Cam's increased vocabulary.  Her boyfriend is a month away from being a police office in training which Cam was super excited to hear about.  Sarah was introduced to Sergeant Cooper (shown on the tv behind Cam) to be certain to let her boyfriend, Josh know all about it.


Cousin Steff gave Cam an early birthday present- a police speed boat to race in the water!   Cam thought it was so cool!  Our entire fam enjoyed a tasty dinner at Old Channel Inn, compliments of Opa and Oma- many thanks!

We had the pleasure of hosting Oma, the world's best grandma (according to Cam and Steff) and premiere applesauce maker.

As summer continues to travel at a record pace, it's hard to believe August is already here.  And with summer comes the realization that there's nothing quite comparable to the sand in your toes, your bed, the car and anywhere else you landed.  It's a small price to pay for a front-seat view of the best sunsets anywhere around!


Camology Quotes:
Cam is very observant and always seems to notice if something, anything is out of place.
Oma thought she may have done something wrong when Cam announced:
"Oma, I need to talk to you." 
What is it Cam? asked Oma, rather nervously.
"You left your slippers in the bathroom!"

*please note- it may not sound funny until you hear Cam's super squeaky giggle-speaking when he thinks something is beyond hilarious!

Making Crafts, Muscles, a Movie and Michelle - Week of July 25th

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Working out is tough, for anyone.  As adults, we easily push exercise aside for other activities waiting for us.  It should be a priority for all, but it seems to be one of the list items that falls by the wayside.
Michelle and Cam ventured over to our local Y one day this week.  The membership director, Ms. Tara, never misses an opportunity to say "hi" to Cam and to always have one of her teammates talk to Cam over her walkie-talkie.  It's really a highlight of every visit.

 Michelle and Cam found a trainer who tried out some adaptive equipment with him.  No complaints from the boy who loves trying new things and accepts challenges.  We are excited to have this option available to us in addition to swimming in the pool at the YMCA.  A big thanks and shout out to Michelle who investigated this with Cam on her own.

From making muscles to making crafts, it was a busy week.  In preparation for Katherine's baby shower we were hosting on Sunday, Cam had an idea to make a photo album for Katherine's son (arriving in less than 2 months) so that her baby boy would know all about the adventures Cam had with her when he was little.  Cam helped Jane pick out the pictures to print and tell a story about each one.
It was a labor of love and
we hope it is read over and over again.

Another joint crafting effort was Ms. Ann's idea.  Since the baby shower's theme was Peter Pan, she thought of creating a handmade sign indicating the distance to different places.  The result was awesome thanks to the efforts, of Ann, Chris, Cam, Molly and Jane.  There's already a place picked out in the baby's room for the sign showing distances from Katherine & Paul's house to the respective place.  Can you see which part of the sign is the indicator to Cam's house?

Michelle keeps the activities moving each week by monitoring the local library schedule and local events.  She and Cam were able to check out a superhero, aka fresh food fairy, who talked about trying different fruits and vegetables.  Cam tasted some purple goodness.  While at the library, they saw a flyer for a fair sponsored by an organization called Disability Advocates of Kent County.  They held an event where Miss Wheelchair was signing autographs and Cam was able to meet her.  There was a blind man drawing caricatures and different activities for kids and adults.


The Ernest and Celestine movie was a "thank you treat" for Cam being such a good listener and working hard all week long.  He and Michelle really liked the movie.  One humorous notation...during the flick, all of a sudden there were sirens and police arriving.  Cam exclaimed "who called 911?"  A very good question that apparently wasn't covered in the film.


Camology Quotes:
Cam and Michelle made a trip to the Culver's drive-thru for a sundae.  They give you a plastic number sign to put on your window.  Michelle went to close the window and it caught the plastic sign and snapped it in half.
"Are they going to call the police?  Will you get arrested?!"

Cam was asking about taking his multi vitamins and hadn't had one in quite some time: 
"Mom, are my vitamins expired?"
And when a mother is asked such a specific question, one cannot fib.  They were, in fact, quite past their date of freshness. So, Cam's mom went to the store that very day to replenish her smart son's vitamin supply!

A Camping We Will Go - Week of July 18th

All packed and ready to roll!

“A great many people, and more all the time, live their entire lives without ever once sleeping out under the stars.” ~ Alan S. Kesselheim

To some, the word "camping" may invoke a variety of descriptive words...bugs, repellent, outdoors, fire, s'mores, relaxing.  Whatever it may mean to you, for Cam, it is a chance to experience living in nature for three whole nights.
Three whole nights...this has been his request since we departed Fisherman's Island last year after staying 2 nights.  He has remembered and reminded his parents every so often over the course of 2016.  Wednesday afternoon after checking our list and squeezing camping supplies and our family into the van, we were finally on our way!

Pulling into the campground!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by Ms. Ann, Katherine & Paul, Christopher & Cassie, Zach and the great outdoors.  We were able to borrow Molly & Gordy's tent this year and what an upgrade- our palatial abode for the duration was roomy and comfortable.  The rustic camping experience lives up to its meaning- plain, simple, rural.  Cooking on the campfire, outhouses and no electricity rule this state park campground.  It is quiet, serene and nestled under a canopy of trees.

Of course, the big bonus of this 2500+ acre area - you're right next to Lake Michigan!  We all took part in sunset viewing and it seems no matter how many you see on the big lake, each one displays its own unique artwork.

With the warm water temperatures, we spent a great deal of our time during the day beach side, soaking up the sun.  We took our baths in the lake and Cam enjoyed a train of inner tubes behind him in the Cam Mobile.  He was filling up his tank at imaginary gas stations and stopping at different ports.  We've also noted how friendly our fellow campers are.  Many commented about Cam's ride and how cool it is!
Using a frisbee, there were endless pie creations being served sand side.

Cam is an early riser and since we didn't want to disturb our fellow campers, he and Jane went on an excursion every morning.  Now, in true confession, Jane may have used her Starbucks app to discover that one of the coveted coffee houses was less than 20 minutes away.

Due to this diversion, Cam and Jane found the Ironton Ferry!  At first, they thought it was so silly that the GPS told them to board a ferry, so they waited until the next day to take Chris along too.  Only four vehicles, and a handful of bikes and people can board to cross the southern part of Lake Charlevoix.  Its operation began in 1876 and it can make up to 100 trips a day!  The trip across is less than 10 minutes and the $3 ticket is totally worth it.

Back at camp, we enjoyed having Oma & Opa with us for dinner one night which was such a treat.  Cam showed them around the campground and somehow food always seems to taste better around a campfire.  Since Oma used to work for The Girl Scouts of America, she felt right at home.

A stay near Charlevoix wouldn't be complete without heading into town for ice cream one evening.

We can't thank Katherine and Ann enough for all of the prep and planning and for helping us start a new tradition of Fishy Island camping. Because of Katherine first taking care of Cam when he was just a little guy, our families are forever a part of each other's lives.  It's easy to see these two will have a special connection for life.

Cam highly recommends you do yourself a favor and sometime soon, be sure to sleep out under the stars!  (The car works too...especially if you're just plain tuckered out!)

Camology Quotes:
It was later in the evening when the decision was made to head into town for ice cream ...
"They should really deliver ice cream to our campsite!"

As we were driving out of camp on our departure day, Cam was asking why we had to leave at a certain time.  We told him other campers were going to stay in the site we were at: 

"I don't want to leave, but we have to follow the rules."

Driving home, we realized it was past lunchtime and we weren't seeing any places to stop in sight.  The GPS has an option to find places to eat nearby. Cam was excited to learn the nearest place was McDonald's.
"Whoever invented this GPS is a genius!"