October 4 with Callaghan

Wednesday:  As I was setting up for Callaghan today, I decided to get out a few toys that I don't normally put out--mostly because in the summer, when all the kiddos were here, they fought terribly over who was going to do what, when, and where with almost every toy in the house!

I didn't even get out the garage today--just to see if Cal would notice (he didn't!!!). Here are the pictures I took of him enjoying himself to the MAX:

This is the TREEHOUSE I purchased years ago for Kaity actually--I think it might have been her 6th birthday--with the understanding that the whole thing had to stay at MY HOUSE. That sounds terrible of me--but none of it has been lost over all of these years! Kaity enjoyed playing with it for a very long time at my house and after we were finished, we would put the whole thing away on the top of one of my toy shelves. For a long time, no one but Kaity played with it--but then a year or so ago, I asked if it would be okay if the little kids got to play with it too; and Kaity agreed that it would be just fine.

Here's Cal acting out an entire scenario of the mama bear eating everything in sight ... she ate the snake, the fish, the entire fox family ...

... and even the trees, growling fiercely the entire time!

The geese were able to make it to safety up in the highest tree, along with their nest of eggs.

Cal loved opening and closing the beer's mouth and showing me how sharp her teeth were. He cracks me up.

We played back in the spare room for awhile too--I neglected to take any pictures back there--but for quite a long time, Cal lay on the bottom bunk with Baby James, covered with a dinosaur blanket and pretending he was napping with the baby. The blankets are super soft and I think he might have been a little bit tired! Cal also successfully used the potty TWO TIMES at my house today--once, HE EVEN INITIATED it instead of screaming the whole way to the potty! He got an extra M & M for his effort.

We did NOT read any books today, for which I felt a little sad; but Cal enjoyed himself so much playing with the treehouse that we didn't find the time to read. I also had the little playground out on the window seat and the people went back and forth between the treehouse and the playground--so Cal was quite busy entertaining himself.

Here is his little happy face (top) upon arriving and seeing the treehouse ... but notice his sad little face when I announced it was time to leave! 

I was almost unable to get him to my car, except I was dangling a fruit treat in front of his face as he walked ...

October 4 Chipmunks

Wednesday:  I've been feeding birds at my little house for several years but have added a few new additions to my feeders in the way of different food and presentation. The other week I noticed a chipmunk hoisting itself up my metal pole feeder and then eating whatever it wanted ... and coming back for more! Climbing the feeder is absolutely NO problem for these chumps!

 The other day, there were TWO of them stealing the bird feed simultaneously. The other one was over on my neighbor's "picnic table" feeder, enjoying the fact that he could stuff practically an entire days' worth of seed in his pouches. 

I have protested the neighborhood squirrels doing the same thing--I usually pound on my window until they vacate the premises--there was actually a squirrel spread-eagle between the metal post and the seed the other day until I scared him away.

But the chipmunks, chumps that they are, are TOO CUTE ... and I love watching them run up the pole and then when their little cheeks are bursting, just leap off the feeder like it was nothing. I DO get plenty of birds as well--beautiful little finches--their colors are amazing! And woodpeckers too!

October 2 A quick walk at the Gardens

Monday: I had a medical "test" this morning at a center very near Frederik Meijer Gardens, so after my test I drove there and took a short walk. I brought my camera along for the ride ...

My main reason for coming to the Gardens today was to stop in at the Gift Shop and get some of those glow-in-the-dark stars and planets for the spare room ceiling. Mission accomplished!

I walked out to the wetland area hoping to catch a swan unawares ...

Just ONE ... but that's all I would need for a good picture if it would just come CLOSER ...

Instead of swimming nearer, it ducked behind the tall grasses and stayed there! 

I tried to get this beautiful bird in flight ... but failed ...

One day I really AM going to take a photography class and learn the "ins" and "outs" of a camera. It would surely be worth it.
 

September 30 Post-Game Photos

Saturday Afternoon:  We met up with Chris after the game to congratulate him, spend a little time with him, and take photos. Diana wanted me to be sure to get some family pictures, so I tried to do that. Here they are:

Kaity is wearing her new UO cap, which is a little bit large for her--but she is okay with it. Olivet became a "University" in late spring, so every shirt/cap/jacket, etc. that had Olivet College on it is now defunct! Even their "cheers" during the game had to change to accommodate the new name.

I love you, Matthew! Sorry about snapping all of these spontaneous pictures of you with the sun right in your eyes, etc. I rarely get to spend time with Matt and I miss him! I see Kaity twice every week (almost without fail), but not Matt anymore. He is grown up now. Perhaps I should take him out to lunch every now and then so that I can BE with him.

Here is Jesse wearing the shirt Diana got for him. How super kind of her! This is a nice picture of you, Jesse!

We finally connected with Christopher--so nice to see him up close and not through the lens of a camera.

I love these pictures of you, Chris!

Chris called over a teammate and buddy of his--I believe his name is Jayden (but I'm probably wrong) and they posed for a bunch of pictures.

Handsome fellows!

I should have suggested a different place for these photos to be taken. The sun was behind me -- so that part was good, at least from my camera's perspective -- but it was difficult for people being photographed because the sun was directly in their eyes, which you can see noted on their faces.

This was the best I could do under the circumstances.

Jesse snapped the one below. I had my shades on, so I wasn't uncomfortable looking at the camera. See Jesse's shadow?

We visited with Chris for awhile and Jesse gave Chris a heat gun so that he can use it for decaling helmets and cars, etc. He seemed very pleased about that.

We finally left Olivet, taking back roads on the return to Grand Rapids--the highways were too annoying with all of the construction going on. We actually got to see TWO TRAINS on one track--I'm not sure I've ever witnessed this before--I'm sure it's common enough, but I've never been stopped at a track with TWO trains that I can remember. It was cool.

Thankful to Jesse for driving us down to Olivet. Their next home game is in three weeks, and it is their Homecoming. I plan to be there!