Packing It In - Week of July 15th

 "Time is a circus, always packing up and moving away." ~Ben Hecht

When people visit that you don't see as frequently as you'd like, do you feel the need to attempt too many activities?  We've learned our lesson, somewhat, in that regard.  

Our simple challenge is to create events that include a busy day, followed by a more restful day.  It allows the energy level to remain intact and those <18 to continue to feel entertained.

The first weekday of "Grandma Sue and Layna time" was spent doing our own thing.  Cam was at rehab for PT and OT while Jane and Grandma Sue were off to visit Oma and Opa. Layna went swimming with Ms. Amanda's nieces and nephews in the late afternoon and Cam and his dad had some quality time together.

Tuesday's schedule included Brody's Be Café for a couple of hours to see Cam in action to assist with the hot dog cart. The farmer's market, adjacent to the café in the summer months, was busy and Cameron saw his high school teachers.  Layna loved helping too and seeing Ms. Amanda.  Snack time back at the house is more fun with a cousin.

Following our simple challenge, Wednesday was a more restful day, playing games at home.  Cam had his therapy time, while Layna and her Aunt Jane were off to have their annual pedicure together.  Grandma Sue caught up on some reading.  It was our last day with Ms. Amanda that week, so Layna and G. Sue said goodbye.  Our evening dinners at home were a treat with everyone pitching in to help.

Thursday was our baking day!  Cam and his mom taught Grandma Sue and Jalayna how to make homemade applesauce and apple pie.  Multiple batches of applesauce were completed.  We also finished 6 mini pies and 2 full pies to freeze.
During our breaks, we played some games.  Guess in 5 is one of our new favorites.  On a card is a picture of an animal and the other player can only ask 5 questions in a effort to determine which creature is shown on the card.

Friday was our divide and conquer/finish together day.  It was a working day for Cameron and he was scheduled for 2 Grand Valley University sessions.  The graduate PT students were ready to learn and Cam was eager to teach them about his new baclofen pump and how things had changed for him.  And it turned out that one of PT students was a family member of the apple orchard owners where the "hard to find" early transparent apples were from.  Sierra's parents own G's Orchard in Wayland and she was one of the students that Cam had the pleasure of working with.  During that same timeframe, Chris and his niece were on their way to SkyZone, the indoor trampoline park.  Grandma Sue found it very relaxing to sit on the front porch swing.  That evening, we dined outside at a local favorite, Cascade Roadhouse.  Cam and his cousin Layna both chose the chicken tenders and their grandma decided to try to lake perch.  Everyone enjoyed their dinner.

Saturday was our final full day together.  After an early lunch in Grand Rapids, we made our way to Montague to see our cousins and be near the lake.  Cam isn't able to be fully immersed in the lake water yet due to his surgery.  He and Grandma Sue had some big laughs relaxing under the beach umbrella on the lower deck.  We brought dinner, along with the homemade applesauce and apple pie that we had made just two days prior.  Everyone declared both offerings were most delicious!

Sunday morning, it was time to say our goodbyes/see you later to Cam's grandma and cousin.  Since our visits are more frequent now, it's not as traumatic as the first few times.  It's still tough, though, to pick a favorite moment or activity.  It seems that we all simply enjoy being together.

Camology Quotes:

With the upcoming world games on the horizon, Cameron is thinking about the future.  Cam is super impressed by his cousin's skills.  

While she was showing him one of her stretches, he declared: 

"Layna, I think you should be in the Olympics because you are the most flexible person I have ever known!"