Children's Museum Field Trip - Week of Mar. 24th

There is one family member in the Weatherford household always taking in the early spring sunshine...Stella follows the sunbeams everywhere they land, just waiting to feel their warmth.  If only we all had this much time to factor such necessities into our day.

As a parent, one of the joys of having a child in school is attending the all-important class field trip.  This week, Cam's kindergarten class headed to the Children's Museum in downtown Grand Rapids.

Chris opted to venture along and meet the group there.  With over a hundred kids from Cameron's school, the place was quite busy!

Cam and his dad took turns at the kaleidoscopic iPad area that created a cool mosaic to view on the screen.

One of the most interesting areas for both guys was the enormous vats of bubble solution.  With the many different "wands" of various shapes and sizes, the bubble-making fun produced some of the biggest soap creations ever seen!

Chris is trying to determine if he can make one of these for the backyard.
It was a special day for father and son and Cam was so very proud to have his dad with him!

On Sunday, the weather felt as if it was on the verge of bursting into spring, which is why we gathered with the Raisch family for our first "burgers on the grill" supper.  Maybe it's the fact that we'd waited so long through the cold winter, but the grilled feast tasted extra delicious.  The homemade french fries accompanying our meal certainly added to the backyard barbecue feeling.

Cam and his buddy Emma went to hang out in the play tent only to find the cat, Stella, stretched out in the middle.  After gently moving the feline along, Emma created the following sign that we affixed to the train: "Cam & Emma aloud only."  Emma's sisters commented that "aloud" wasn't spelled correctly, to which Emma responded: "it's ok, Stella can't really spell anyways!"

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Week of Mar. 17th

May your blessings outnumber The shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid you Wherever you go. ~Irish Blessing

Cameron brought home his leprechaun artwork on St. Patrick's Day.  Although spring arrived this week, the snow still lingers on the ground.  But the promise of changing weather is in the air as we listen to the birds singing every morning now.

On Saturday, we made a quick trip to Oma and Opa's and realized we are quite anxious for summer.  Cam was excited to see how Oma decorated his room at the cottage with letters and numbers all over the floor.

After a speedy trek back to Grand Rapids, we all got ready for a dinner date.  Saturday eve, we were invited to celebrate Katherine's birthday with Katherine, Paul, Ms. Ann, Molly, Gordy, Christopher, Zach and all of Paul's family!  This was a new venture for Cam as it marked his first outing to a hibachi restaurant where they cook and serve dinner right at your table.
Although the noise was a bit overwhelming at first, Cam settled right in and eagerly awaited each food course.  Incidentally, he wasn't super keen on the fact that the food was presented as "courses."  The hibachi chicken was definitely his favorite, but much to Cam's surprise, it was the last thing served!  Many thanks to our extended fam for inviting us out for this special occasion....great food, good times, and the best company!

Everyone Needs a Best Friend - Week of Mar. 10th

The week started off with a birthday celebration dinner for Ms. Ann at Outback Steakhouse- yummy!  Ms. Ann is such a special person in our lives and we were honored to be a part of her b-day festivities.

Cam's buddy, Emma, announced that Saturday would be "Cam & Emma Day" which would include, but not be limited to, the following itinerary:

• Swim in the jakoobi tub (also known as jacuzzi tub)
• Watch a movie
• Eat Popcorn
• Play Games
• Have a Snack (um, we thought that's what the popcorn was)

With bathing suits on, the two friends had a great time playing school and water games in the tub.  The bubble jets were turned off and on depending on the need for letters to stay on the sides.  After successfully pruning their skin, it was time for a movie.


"Frozen" was playing on the home theater computer.  The duo were quite intent and committed to their movie experience, only looking up slightly to be sure the popcorn made it to their mouths.

The silliness continued when Emma, with her wet hair, wanted to see what Cam would look like if his hair were to grow extra long.  I think you'll agree with our assumption to continue with regular visits to the barbershop!

Thanks to Emma for making up such a special day reserved for two very special buddies!

Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest... It's about who came, and never left your side... 

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same” ~ Flavia Weedn

Melting Towards Spring - Week of Mar. 3rd

Ohio Clock in U.S. Capital
being turned forward in
first DST observance- 1918

"Spring Forward" -
when families lose an hour of sleep and it feels like jet lag...

Cameron had a bit of trouble sleeping this week, quite possibly due to the strange weather patterns of bitter cold one day and springlike the next.

In honor of daylight saving time, we felt it fitting to provide a little background on the history of DST as well as highlight fun stories about Cam's bedtime.

Daylight saving time in the United States is the practice of setting the clock forward by one hour during the warmer part of the year, so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Most areas of the United States currently observe daylight saving time (DST), the exceptions being Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation, which does observe daylight saving time), Hawaii, and the overseas territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands. 
During World War I, in an effort to conserve fuel, Germany began observing DST on May 1, 1916. The rest of Europe soon followed. The plan was not adopted in the United States until the Standard Time Act of March 19, 1918, which established standard time zones and set summer DST to begin on March 31, 1918.
Interestingly enough, Michigan didn't observe DST in 1969-1972 due to legislation passed.

Cam has a typical routine at bedtime- a bath every night, teeth-brushing, Dad reads, then Mom reads and silliness usually ensues before the reading begins.  On this evening pictured, it was determined that some stuffed animals may want to sleep closer to their bunk mate.  The balancing act didn't last long but did bring big laughs!
If Cam's grandparents stay for a visit, then it's bonus time for reading books as one more person is added to the story routine.

Cam & Oma

Some nights are more difficult to try to get to sleep than others and typical excuses range from Cam being hot, to needing a drink, to somehow having Curious George falling (or being pushed) onto Cam's face.
For the most part, our boy is a good sleeper and we're most thankful to hear giggles every night and see smiles every morning.

~A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything~ Irish Proverb

While Mom's Away, the Boys will Play - Week of Feb. 24th

Cameron and Chris dropped Jane off at the airport for her work travel to Florida.  Jane explained to her boys they had no need to be too jealous since extended work hours meant feeling the warm air in the early morning and late evenings only.

In the Weatherford household, Cam battled a cold and Oma stayed for a visit to help out with things while Jane was away.  With the current Michigan temps, it seems many people are still battling the cold/flu season.

Even when Cam isn't feeling the greatest, he still strives to be the best helper ever!  Chris wanted to run additional cabling into his home office and his son couldn't wait to be of assistance.  The boys also think (for some odd reason) these projects are best completed when mom is away...

Jane returned Wednesday evening and Thursday was a snow day for Cam- no school!  The only benefit to Cameron's mom taking a trip is that sometimes she brings home a few goodies for the family.  Cam has been dancing with a wind-up robot toy we've named "red man."  The backpac
ks below were at the conference Jane attended...Cam thinks he needs two.

Although it was a long week, due to travel and sickness, our thanks go out to many...

To Karen, Jane's close friend and co-worker, who kept her company while away, to Oma & Opa who give so much of themselves to hang out with their grandson, to Katie and Ronda providing extra assistance when needed, to Chris for still holding everything together through a couple of sleepless nights, and most of all, to Cam for being such an awesome kid and wearing a smile when most others wouldn't!