Oma's Overnights - Week of Jan. 20th

Record-marking time for teachers mean two days off of school for Cameron.  And for Oma, that meant two extra days of Cam-time!

Grandma & Cam played memory games, card games and made crafts.  After reading a Curious George book, there was a recipe to make an edible apple treat.  With two apple slices, spread a thin layer of peanut butter, then place mini marshmallows in between so it looks like a toothy grin...
Fun to make and delicious to eat.

While cleaning out the freezer, we spied some frozen cookie dough that was ordered from Cam's school and decided that since the apple treat was healthy, a chocolaty treat would be o.k.  However, we did need to wait for it to thaw.  Cam definitely decided it would be fun to pretend to take a big bite of the dough.

Jane & Cam attempt a "selfie"

The weekend brought more snow, cold temps, and a requirement to get in additional sledding.  The plastic tubes travel fast along the frozen front yard and since we're at the end of the street, there is virtually no traffic.  As we all giggle and scream the entire ride down the track, the second it ends, Cam is asking for more.

We were fortunate to spy a red fox tracking across the backyard as well as our favorite neighbor girls who ventured over for some playtime with Cam too!

The cold is definitely here to stay awhile, so we're quite certain there will be more sledding to come.  We are incredibly thankful to Cam's Oma who extended her stay with us due to the inclement weather.  We were blessed to have the extra time with her, providing us with more moments, hugs and stories.

Artic Blast = Indoor Play - Week of Jan.13th

The sub-zero wind chills in Michigan have created the need for some indoor play.  Cam had himself rolled up in a body pillow and reminded us that the ability to play does not require toys or electronics.

Our sweet neighbors ventured over for Sunday dinner which consisted of a breakfast meal.  This was the first time Cameron had breakfast for dinner- he found this experience most hilarious, and because of his reaction, so did we!

With a week full of play, we are reminded of its importance in some favorite quotes:

·         We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. ~George Bernard Shaw

·         It’s better to play than do nothing.  ~Confucious

·         Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.  ~Joseph Chilton Pearce

·         Whoever wants to understand much must play much.  ~Gottfried Benn

·         Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do. Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.  ~Mark Twain

·         The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground.   ~G. K. Chesterton

·         Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn’t taste good.   ~Lucia Capocchione

·         You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. ~Plato

·         And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.   ~Kahlil Gibran

·         You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.    ~Albert Einstein

·         It is a happy talent to know how to play. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lake Michigan Ice - Week of Jan. 6th

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. ~Victor Hugo 

An arctic freeze settled into Michigan this week suggesting that winter is here to stay for awhile.

Chris, Jane and Cam traveled north over the

weekend to spend time with Oma and Opa.    At Cam's grandparents home, the wind whips off the lake and the air seems so crisp, it could snap.

Some complain about our winters, but maybe they've never walked on the ice or seen the beauty of waves frozen in mid-flow.  It is an amazing sight to see on Lake Michigan!

This trip also brought a Christmas present delivery for Jane's parents- a new ottoman for extra seating in the living room.  Cam thought the big rectangular box made a good fort and tested out the bench with Oma and Opa.  Looks like it will be comfortable for two people and quite cozy for three...

Chris ventured down to the ice formations and it was quite a trek just walking out.  It is an eerie feeling to "walk" where one normally swims.

The cottage is situated just about in the middle of the picture, nestled to the right of the hill/dune.

Cam's preference on this day was to stay inside with his grandparents, picking out books to read with Oma and find games to play.
It is a reminder to us that we are indeed fortunate to have family so close and accessible.

Even on the coldest of days, family warms our soul.

Welcome to 2014! - Week of Dec. 30th

Cam, Ms. Ann, Katherine & Paul

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Saying goodbye to another year always seems bittersweet.  Change is constant.  New experiences are sometimes met with apprehension.  But every new year should be welcomed with a smile.  As cousin Coco said, "it is the ultimate reset button."

The Rose Bowl Gang

On New Year's Day, we hosted a mini Rose Bowl celebration with Ms. Ann, Katherine and Paul, Molly and Gordy, and Christopher.  We watched an exciting football game and cheered Michigan State to victory.
Cam had a good time hanging out with everyone and truly does like watching football.  Of course, sharing some quality time with his Katherine puts a smile on Cameron's face and a laugh in his belly.
We were completely overjoyed when Paul proposed to Katherine just 3 days later on 1-4-14!!

Chris takes the plunge...

With a few more days of playtime in the snow before school started back, our neighbors ventured over to take turns sliding down the front hill on tubes and sleds.
Even Chris had a few runs on the tube down the snow track.

Cam was such a trooper wanting to stay outside with his friends in sub zero temps!  He's a true Michigander!!