Let's Play Ball! - Week of Apr. 20th

If you entered our home at any given time, most likely you would hear laughter...not because we are comedic-ally talented, but moreover due to Cam's happy disposition.  

While baking this week with his favorite banana bread baker, Auntie Roe, he proceeded to somehow get flour on his nose, which prompted Auntie Roe to find some on her nose, and then they both had to place a bit on Jane's nose.

Cam's swimming lessons at Mary Free Bed are back in session with the same instructor, Ms. Laura.  He's now much more comfortable and relaxed. His favorite position is most definitely floating on his back!

As the end of the week approached, Cam couldn't wait to go to school on Friday.  Many months ago, our first grader was the winning recipient of a lunch pizza party with friends.  He was able to choose a total of 5 friends to join him for a feast of pizza, breadsticks, fruit and snacks.  Jane was able to assist with the delivery and quietly help set up in an adjacent room.  When she went to say hello to her boy, his happiness quickly turned into a panicked question, "Mom, where is the pizza?"  He was obviously quite relieved when he was assured everything was there.  Many thanks to Ms. Barbara and team for a super fun pizza party!

Jason & Cam

Saturday marked opening day for the WMML!!  Cam is playing for the A's team this spring.  The chilly temps (in the 30's) didn't deter the excitement or smiles.  Zeeland's baseball team volunteered as helpers and Jason hung out with Cam. 

Cam's fan club consisted of his parents, Oma & Opa, Emma and Taylor.  A big thanks for all of the support on a much cooler day...  Here's to hoping our spring season feels more like spring for next week's game!

“It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. It took one afternoon on the golf course.”  ~Hank Aaron

Building Projects - Week of Apr. 13th

"Whatever good things we build end up building us." ~Jim Rohn 

Cam never tires of helping his dad with projects.  He patiently watches, assists, and gives advice- "put it here, Dad."  Chris took a week off of work to build an integrated portable workbench to hold tools, electrical outlets, and of course, more projects.
Luckily, the weather cooperated and most of the labor was completed outside.  Cam wore the headphones due to all of the power tool noise and as head assistant, also has to take part in cleanup duties.

The weekend brought the best weather yet, full of warm sunshine and long hours spent outdoors.  Emma and Cam were the chief architects of a chalk city representing all of their favorite places around town- the Library, Culvers, Starbucks, Costco, Target.  They also gave equal space to all colleges/universities represented by the two families- Calvin, Ferris State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Hope, and Grand Valley.

Megan, Ashlyn, Sarah

Cam, Patti, Chris

The weekend evening included Cam's first introduction to croquet in the backyard.  The mallet was pretty heavy, so Patti helped Cam while Meg, Ashlyn and Sarah cheered him on.

Jane's attempt at a selfie with Cam

As Cam's vocabulary continues to broaden, his parents are struck by some funny comments he's now making.

When Jane was asking her son what he wanted for a snack one day, he chose peanut butter nuggets (a salty pretzel filled with pb) and exclaimed, "It is good, Mom...(pause)...it is healthy."

The unsolicited sentences make Cam's parents pause and smile and wonder...what will he say next?

Spring Break - Week of Apr. 6th

Record Time!  28 min

For Cam's full week of spring break, Oma and Opa stayed with us on Monday to hang out with Cam.  It was a warm day and Cam's grandpa helped him with some batting practice gearing up for the WMML spring baseball season.

The remainder of week was dedicated to Kelsey & Cam time.  To assist with building core strength for Cameron, Kelsey began timing him completing different stamina activities.  Jane named these "time trials" and Kelsey made some super cool tracking pages to record the posted events.

The trials covered everything from sitting in different positions to standing while holding onto a bar.

 Cam's goal was to pass his former record every time.
He kept close track of the clock timer on the iPad and every few minutes would request a time check to determine how close he was to his personal goal.
Each morning and evening, his request was to start his time trials and it certainly made spring break go by quickly!
Kelsey also took Cam in for a personal swimming lesson one morning and then out to lunch.  She told us about his continued progress and a game they played where Cam would "fall into the pool" (like Humpty Dumpty ) and practice feeling comfortable going under water from that position.

The weather stayed fairly nice and the spring break duo was able to spend time outside in the warm air.
As we watch Cam continue to progress in so many areas, we often wonder which person has triggered each progression.  We've realized, it's a culmination and each person's connection with him.
Thank you, Kelsey, for such a great week!  And thanks to all of you who make that connection with our Cam!

“How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give 'em.”  ~Shel Silverstein

Happy Easter! - Week of Mar. 30th

A long break from school began on Thursday for Cameron.  He and Kelsey tried a new game of traversing down the stairs in snowpants!  It provided a good cushion as well as slide power.

On Friday, Cam and Jane met buddies Liam and his mom, Betsy at the movie theater.  We were excited to finally see the Paddington movie!  We all recommend it and between the four of us, a large tub of popcorn was easily devoured.  As Betsy and I have proven in the past, when our boys get together, it is a near impossibility to have them looking at a camera at the exact same moment.

Easter morning we were all busy getting ready to meet the Raisch family for church.  Cam and his parents enjoyed meeting some new people and the service was good.   As we ventured towards home, someone was anticipating an Easter egg hunt.  After finding 12 expertly hidden eggs, Cam relaxed with his Oma & Opa on the porch swing.

There were also special baskets for the family.  For Jane & Chris -flowers as well as a beautiful basket filled with the freshest fruit.  Cam received some delicious chocolates, a new book and bubbles you can bounce on your hand with a special glove!

We were so happy to see cousins Coco and Libby, who joined us for Easter dinner.  For the first time, Cam said the prayer for our dinner and thanked everyone for being there.


After dining, with our bellies stuffed full of spiral ham, scalloped potatoes, veggies, fruit and rolls, we huddled together for a family pic.

Later, Chris & Cam decided it was time to work off some of that delicious food by exercising...and laughing!

Big Helper - Week of Mar. 23rd

Cam has always been ready and willing (and asking) to help with things.
In Chris' office, there are many different options one can work on and each of them usually involves technology.

Jane walked into the office one evening to hear Cam telling Chris to "re-boot it Dad" - valid advice that seems to fix most issues.
Sometimes, though, a closer inspection is required and Cam actively assists his dad with all troubleshooting activities and is definitely much more patient with electronics than his mom is!



Over the weekend, we had some buddies visit.  Emma arrived for egg decorating festivities.
She had a great idea to use tape to make a cross on her egg and then dip it in the colored solution.  After it dried, we took off the tape to reveal

the cross-- pretty creative.  Cam was quite intent on dipping the eggs to just the right color equation.  We even colored one half of an egg blue
and the other half yellow.  Many thanks to Oma for bringing us the hard boiled eggs in advance- that certainly saved some time!

In the afternoon, buddy Will and Auntie Jo stopped by to hang out for awhile.  It's always cute to watch these two together.

One year apart and getting older, but not too old to give a good buddy a hug!!

Afternoon Dates - Week of Mar. 16th

Sometimes, people come into your life for a moment, a day, or a lifetime. It matters not the time they spent with you but how they impacted your life in that time...

Cam spends quality time with two lovely ladies after school.

In the beginning of the week, Kelsey awaits her buddy's arrival off of the bus.
The warming trend allowed the duo to have an impromptu picnic outside for a late afternoon snack.
Kelsey works to help Cam with his physical therapy activities, being sure to wrap smiles and fun around every challenge.  Whether it's working on taking steps, sliding down the stairs, or balancing on a ball, each and every exercise has a purpose.


Taylor comes over mid-week and finds different crafts, baking, and homework to occupy her time with Cameron.
The favorite treat at the top of the list is definitely brownies.  For some reason, Cam always volunteers to clean out the remainder of the chocolaty goodness.
Taylor asked if she could take the handsome boy to see a play at her school on Saturday.

From the time Cam woke up on the weekend, he kept asking what time the play was and when he was being picked up.
For his first official play performance, he wore his dress shoes and black pants.  The play, "Once Upon a Mattress" was put on by the Forest Hills Central High School.  Taylor's best friend, Paige, was performing.



It was a long afternoon for Cam, being picked up at 2pm and returning close to 6pm.  He had a great time and enjoyed a tasty chocolate snack during the intermission.

Taylor posted a pic on Instagram with the caption "Best date!"   A big thanks to her for thinking of taking Cameron and spending the quality time to introduce him to his first play.

Cam liked seeing all of the performers after the musical.  Hopefully, this is just the beginning of his love for theater!

The Gift of Giving- Week of Mar. 9th

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.  ~Pierre Corneille, Le Menteur

The snow is melting quickly now and we can feel spring in the air.  Michigan has experienced an unusual amount of sunshine starting the day with some spectacular sunrises.

The week included building a birthday project for Katherine...the idea was Ms. Ann's, it was created by Chris, supervised by Cam, with support from Jane.  The gift was to build the cornhole game (bean bag toss) with one side set up as U of M and the other side, MSU.  The history of the game is mostly unknown.  One story claims that the game was first played during the 14th century in Germany, then rediscovered in Virginia, and in the tundras of Alaska, within the last century.  Because the craft was quite labor intensive, Ms. Ann saw Cam nearly every day this week.

Saturday was the official birthday celebration for both Katherine and Ms. Ann since their birthdays are so close together.  We dined on delicious steak and crab at Katherine and Paul's house and then played games, including but not limited to cornhole, catch phrase, Hollywood game night and others.

We are often struck by the realization that this group of people, our extended family, wouldn't be in our lives if it wasn't for Cam.  It is the gift that keeps on giving ...the gift of others.

Yesterday is history.  Tomorrow is a mystery.  And today?  Today is a gift.  

That's why we call it the present. 

~Babatunde Olatunji, also attributed to Alice Morse Earle