Happy Birthday, Emma!

We took a quick trip to Detroit to celebrate Emma's third birthday. It was a beautiful day for a party. The kids had so much fun playing on the swing set, dancing in the bubbles, playing tether ball, and they even got to meet Doc McStuffins.

Sweet birthday girl waiting for Doc McStuffins

Ferschweiler Cup - End of Hockey Camp

William finished up a great week at hockey camp with the Ferschweiler Cup on Friday afternoon. They played a 56 minute, full ice game. William's team won (he's won two years in a row!) and he also got a shirt from Coach Pat for being one of the most improved players. It was fun to see him on the ice again.

Where's Waldo Party

The boys and I went to the Where's Waldo party at Book Bug on Friday afternoon. Local businesses provided snacks and there were 8 Waldos hidden in the store. Since we found 20 Waldos and handed in our "passport" the boys were entered into the prize drawing. Each boy won and got to choose something from the prize table. There were some great items - gift cards, Waldo books, t-shirts, stuffed animals, coffee mugs, etc. William picked a book a Where's Waldo postcards and Alex picked a pack of playing cards (he really had his heart set on them!).

Binder Park Zoo

While William is at hockey camp this week, Alex and I have tried to have a little fun on our own. We went to the pool and also Binder Park Zoo. We also had to say goodbye to some friends (and their dog, Benny) that are moving to Texas. While we were at the zoo, we fed the giraffes and also got to see them release the male Lion into their new exhibit. The lions are new to the zoo. It was fun to watch him explore his new habitat.

Looking longingly back at Benny...

Alex loves the prairie dogs

The peacocks were so funny on the posts!

Where's Waldo - Part 2

The boys and I went out two times last week to finish off our quest to find Waldo in 20 locations. On Wednesday, we went to Lee's Adventure Sports and Little Chick Shoe Shop. Unfortunately, I forgot to snap photos there! I did remember at Sweet Water's Donut Mill, however. On Friday, we went to MacKenzie's Bakery in downtown Kalamazoo. The boys found Waldo and enjoyed a cute cookie outside. We even saw a train go by! Next, we visited a flower shop and finally Little Sprout Boutique before handing in our passport at Book Bug.

Sweet Water's

MacKenzie's Bakery

Amtrak!

VanderSalm's Flower Shop and Greenhouse

Little Sprout

Fishing Camp

Will had his fishing camp through Portage Parks and Rec last week. He really looks forward to it! They go fishing at Ramona Park Monday - Wednesday, but on Thursday they take a field trip to Kevin VanDam's house (one of the best bass fishermen in the world) which has a nicely stocked pond. The kids are able to keep all the bluegill they catch. William came home with 7 and he really wanted to cook them up. So, Kristen removed the heads and guts, Grandpa filleted them, and Grandma fried them up. Then we all got to have a bite (there wasn't much meat on those little guys!).

2nd Annual Kids' Day

Yesterday was the Second Annual Kids' Day celebration at our house. The boys invented the holiday last year and we decided to make it a tradition. We started the morning at the playground and then went to Chuck E. Cheese for games in lunch. Our next stop was Airway Lanes. We had purchased wristbands through WPLL which gave the boys 2 hours of unlimited mini golf, laser tag, Balladium, Time Freak, and the Laser Maze. Then, we did the ropes course. William was a pro and was zipping all around. Alex needed a grown-up because he wasn't quite tall enough. But, by the end he was moving through the course unassisted. After Airway, we went to the beach at Ramona Park and then stopped for frozen yogurt on the way home. We ended the evening with hotdogs on the grill and the boys got to listen to a baseball game in their rooms at bedtime. It was a very fun day!

Hit the jackpot!

Hole in One!

Hole in One!

Alex in the Laser Maze