More Construction!

We returned from our weekend away to find a new construction project down by the school. When we left, the site which previously held the playground was laden with wood and a new tractor. Now, a new structure now presented itself. Naturally, Calvin and I went in for a closer look.

The construction team was hard at work when we approached, but were happy to tell us that we were looking at a pole barn which will serve as storage for the school. Hm. Not exactly the view we had hoped for.

Nevertheless, Calvin was happy to sit in the shade by the school and watch the work. We went back later with his hammer so that he could lend a hand.

Hess Lake Reunion

Time with friends is always fun, and it's elevated by the presence of our children. Good thing, too, because we had a house full of them this time!

From left to right:

Maeve (4 mos.), Calvin (18 mos.), Emmett (3 mos.), Madison (3 yrs), and Gabriella (2 mos.)

A relaxing cabin on the lake is a perfect place to spend a weekend; especially when it's filled with friends.

Calvin's presence meant that we spent a good chunk of time in the water; the boy is a fish! Fortunately the water was deliciously warm and the lake was shallow and free of seaweed!

He played in an inflatable raft, jumped off the dock, bobbed around in a life jacket, jumped off the dock, kayaked with dad, jumped off the dock, cruised on the pontoon (jumped off of that, too), and jumped off the dock. Did I mention that the boy jumped off the dock??

I'm thankful that he is now cautious enough to wait for someone to catch him before jumping, because he couldn't get enough of splashing around in the water. He'd scooch his toes up to the edge of the dock, I'd count to three, he'd bend his knees and launch. An excited squeal would follow, and then splashing and kicking back to the dock for more.

It was a great weekend for all of us. Eric and I enjoyed the reunion aspect, and Calvin loved the water. Thanks Alison!!

For more pictures: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AYtHDlu4btmHO

Friend Wil: the sequel

What a treat -- two visits in one week!

This time it was our turn to stop in for a quick visit on our way through town; we kicked off a long weekend at Julie and Peter's.

As we left our house, I told Calvin that we were going to Wil's house. He knew just who I meant and proceeded to ask for him throughout our trip, perhaps to make sure we stayed the course?

We arrived too late to reunite that night, but they sure were excited in the morning. Turning blocks into a step stool, they made a jungle gym of the couch and greeted the neighbors with exuberance. Such simple pleasures.

As always, it was short but sweet.

Eighteen Month Check-Up

Calvin is a year and a half old, I can't believe it.

Most noticeable about this stage: there are constant changes. From his speech to his confidence, my baby is turning into an inquisitive little boy with each passing day! I think my posts reflect these changes. They're less contemplative and more of a recitation of Calvin's latest antics. Gone are the quiet reflections of a peaceful baby.

Still, even as his independence challenges my authority (and serenity!), I wouldn't change a thing. I love the little boy who greets me each morning with an excited "Mommy!", who repeats every phrase searching for his own words, and creates his own games with animals, dances, and songs.

I have found myself digging my heals in about one area of growth: clothing. True to form, as Calvin approaches 18 months, he's ready for 24 month clothing. Looking for a few shirts to finish out the summer, I found mostly 2T options. Now, I know that 24 months and 2T are roughly the same size, but I couldn't bring myself to buy them. Figure I'll hold on to the baby sizes as long as I can. There's plenty of time for toddler clothing, and everything else.

Oh, and for the record:

Height: 33 1/2 inches (80%)

Weight: 27 pounds (60%)

Covenant Enabling Residences Come to Camp!

Two years ago this month we introduced some of our friends to Calvin. Well, to the little one in my womb, anyway. Last year they adored the six month old in my arms. This year, they interacted with a responsive little kid.

Our friends come to camp each summer from Covenant Enabling Residences, homes for individuals with special needs. These days at camp are a highlight for the residents and for our family, too. It's important for our little guy to know and love these folks as much as we do.

We joined the group for dinner one night and a lake cruise the next evening. At first, Cal was a little shy with all the attention, but he warmed up with time.

Can't wait 'til next year!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Shane!

Uncle Shane wanted to commemorate his 26th birthday in Lake Geneva, and we were happy to oblige his request. Our family spent the weekend celebrating, taking full advantage of the beach and boat access.

It was a great time to be at the lake, and Calvin wasn't going to miss any of it. He has played in various pools and lakeside, but this was a first for him.

We took the pontoon boat out and stopped to swim for a while. We all had suits with us, but I hadn't thought that Cal would go in, not there. But as soon as Uncle Shane was wet, Calvin was determined to join him.

Properly secured in a life jacket, we lowered him into the water where he played with Shane until I could get in, too. I was nervous and didn't venture far from the boat. We mostly hung from the ladder, helping Cal climb into the boat, then lowering him back into the water moments later. Up and down, up and down. It's all he wanted to do. He didn't want to doddle long in the water, but he definitely didn't want to get out.

Here's a video: http://www.vsocial.com/video/?d=99164

Patience, My Son

In my neighborhood, young (and whiny) children learned a little diddy that went something like:

"Have patience, have patience
don't be in such a hurry.

When you get impatient

You only start to worry.

Remember, remember

that God has patience too.

Just think of all the times when others

Have to wait for you."

But 'round these parts, young ones have added a second mantra to recite:

"Jack in the box

Sit so still

Will he come up?

Yes! He will!"

It's not a song (which is disappointing for those of us who like to sing everything), but this one lets the little ones (and those of us hoping it works) actually do something.

You see, participants can squat down while chanting the first three lines, pause after the question mark, and then pop up like a jack in the box for the grand finale. The idea is to lengthen the pause after questioning Jack's return, thus teaching patience to the expectant child playing with you.

(I whisper the chant, too, calming Cal's desire to whine and my frayed nerves from prior complaints.)

Calvin was intrigued the first time we played. When mom and dad dropped to the floor, Cal followed suit in a hurry. And he waited for us to pop up each time. Now a days, not so interested. But I think the idea is sinking in. At least when he's in a thermos.

Friend Wil

Julie and Peter came through town while celebrating their fifth anniversary; we were glad to share in their celebration, and Calvin was thrilled to see Wil again.

These boys have an amazing connection. They are now at the point where they know each other's names and know who to expect when they meet face to face. ... smiley face to smiley face.

They romped around the new playground and in the yard, and finally settled down for an outdoor dinner.

Did I say 'settle down'? Ha. I should have said that they settled in for a fun-filled evening, with food.

Perhaps it was the appropriately sized picnic table that got them excited. It's perfect for little ones. They started sitting on opposite sides, but that didn't last long. Right about the time that they started sharing food from each other's plates (notice Cal finishing off Wil's ear of corn, his own picked clean on the table), they joined forces for a giggle-filled head-shaking session.

With bellies somehow filled, they climbed on, then played under the table for a while, and then found their way into the bushes. The eyes of children ... they found a wonderful space just for them and went back and forth with belly laughs for us all.

We wish Wil could come over every day, but these two manage to live each visit to the full.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AYtHDlu4btmG5

Royal Oaks Farm Orchard

Royal Oaks Farm Orchard is located just miles from us and is a playground for kids and adults. Not only is there fresh fruit (apples, peaches, and raspberries to start), but there's a petting zoo and a great playground, too!

My Mom & Me meetup.com group spent a morning there. Raspberries were ready for the picking, but we found ourselves playing on the wooden fire truck, train, boat, and John Deere tractor instead.

And then we discovered the animals! The petting zoo isn't officially open yet (nor was the playground, come to think of it) but there were chickens, roosters, geese and goats eager to greet us.

Calvin has a great 'cock a doodle doo'. It's high pitched and missing a few syllables, but he can talk to the boys like the best of them.

We'll head back to the farm for apple season, for sure. Or sooner if we find someone interested in going with us. (hint hint)

In With The New ...

The new playground is here. They moved its location; it's behind the school, now, so it's no longer in view from the house, but it's definitely close enough.

I'm a little disappointed with it, though it feels strange to say that since it costs $70,000+. Seems like we should be thrilled with a playground made of that kind of money. It's definitely more age appropriate for its location, at an elementary school ... it's just not age appropriate for my one year old. Not yet. But he'll grow into it.

This play set has just one entrance ramp; all others points of entrance are a little too advanced. Still, he finds the ramp just fine. The big slides didn't deter him; he's been down similar ones before. Even the 'big kid' swings appealed to him. He ran around this new structure just as he explored every new environment -- with vigor.

But on our third or forth visit to the park he had a run-in with the slide. It curved, he didn't, and he came out the bottom with battle wounds: a slide burn on his chin. Poor fellow. He hollered for a minute and then brushed it off.

Surprisingly, unlike other bumps and bruises he has acquired, the affects of this run-in lasted longer than the bodily marks. Weeks later, Calvin still hesitates at the top of slides. He'll climb up to the top of any ladder and sit down, but doesn't go farther than that without pause.

I hate that he's been hurt on a play set, but am thankful that my little daredevil is demonstrating a little more caution. It seems ... age appropriate.

For now he can run around the structure and throw little stones down the big slides. And in the meantime, there's one thing that's just perfect for him: music. There are some hollow poles that chime in a scale sequence when batted.

Summer Highlights

Calvin's light brown hair is turning into a dark blond as summer progresses. He's getting highlights you'd find in the finest salon.

He's just beautiful.

Georgia Deb

Grammy's sister, Great-Aunt Deb (GA Deb) is a bundle of energy and a whole lotta fun. She's also one of Calvin's biggest fans, keeping close tabs on him through this blog. Living close enough for a day trip to camp, Deb joined her friend for a ride and was happy for a chance to connect with our little guy.

Within moments of their greeting, Calvin showed Deb his fancy running form: elbows tucked up to his armpits as if to increase speed. She got a kick out of it and encouraged a race.

When they had run enough, Deb introduced him to the joys of Leaf Stomping and Twig Snapping. Good old nature, providing all the free fun a boy (and his Georgia Aunt) could ask for.

It was a quick visit, but memorable. Just before leaving camp, Calvin found a group of leaves on the ground and gave them a good stomp.

Check back for some videos.

Blueberries!

Southwest Michigan has the best blueberries around, and we are now the proud owner of ten pounds of them. Yum!

After washing each one of them by hand, I laid them out on a couple of towels to dry before deep freezing them to enjoy throughout the year.

After his nap, Cal quickly found his way to the table and enjoyed fistful upon fistful. So I guess it's more accurate to say that we're the proud owner of about eight pounds of delicious southwest Michigan blueberries.

A New Schedule

Working part-time, I wanted to toil for a few hours each day so that I wouldn't miss a whole day with Calvin. I started working mornings, nursing him before I left and leaving him with Dad for a few hours before they made their way to daycare. He'd play for a while, have a nap, and I'd pick him up with the whole afternoon still before us.

But as he gave up his morning nap it seemed silly for me to work while he was awake (all morning) and to be available when he slept for a good chunk of the afternoon. Something needed to change.

The birth of my colleague's first child presented a win-win opportunity for both of us. She could get home earlier if I took the afternoon 'shift', which would give me mornings with Cal -- hooray!

Unfortunately, in order for me to spend the morning with Cal, I needed to change my contracted work with Covenant Retirement Communities, too. (I've been spending about 10 hrs / week with them, too.) We'll miss the additional income, but time with Calvin is just more valuable. We'll make whatever adjustments we need to ... even to this blog.

Perhaps you noticed the advertisements at the top of the page; perhaps not. Google is paying me to host them: a smidge just for being noticed, a smudge if they're clicked. So while I would never outwardly solicit clicking ... (that's against the rules) ... know that if something should catch your eye and entice further investigation, all contributions will go toward Calvin's "Mornings with Mommy" fund.

A New Best Friend?

We did leave the 'mawnmow' downstairs overnight (though inside the house, a compromise), so it was the first thing Cal saw when we came down in the morning.

He mowed the living room carpet while I started breakfast and then settled down in his 'chair' for a show. Apparently he thought his mower would want to see "Melmo", too, so he snuggled it into the chair, as well.

What a pair.

Mowing the Lawn (and anything else in his path!)

After a cooling dip in Geneva Lake, Grammy and
Papa surprised Calvin with a bubble mower; he took to it right away. Good thing it didn't require much set-up because he was off and running with it nearly before it was out of the box.

He cruised around the yard and along the path (at camp), wasting the entire bottle of bubbles before we left for home.

Can you find Calvin in the crowd? That's him plowing down the sidewalk.

When we did head for the car, Cal couldn't bear to put it in the trunk, so the lawnmower ('mawnmow') rode beside him in the back seat. I petitioned hard to leave it downstairs when it was time for bed.

How Swede It Is

During Saturday morning (house) pick-up, Calvin wandered into our closet and came out with Eric's Swedish hockey jersey, acquired while he was studying in Sweden during college.

"On?" he said, walking toward Eric with it. Eric helped him into it while Cal just giggled.

I'm not sure that he understood the significance as Eric explained how each of his friends had one, too, but I think he knew that he was wearing something that belonged to his dad; he wore the same expression as when he plods along in Dad's shoes.

"All done?", he asked, as it slipped off of his shoulder and down to the floor. But soon enough it was "on?" again, and he was swimming in the long sleeves once again.

New Playground = New Friends

The neighborhood playground is complete (stay tuned for details) and has already produced fun for local kids and adults!

Cal and I wandered down to scout it out and found a neighborhood family doing the same. The adults chatted as the kiddos explored and soon enough, Mom was asked for a play date! As Calvin went down for the night, I met a couple of other 'girls about town' for a drink. One of them, Sherrie, has a 17-month old son, too! She invited Calvin and me to join her (and a local Mom & Me group) at the park for a picnic. We gladly accepted her invitation.

We convened, along with one other mom and her two sons, at a park in Burlington (a neighboring city) nestled alongside a river with a waterfall and a kickin' playground set.

It turns out that Grant is just five days younger than Calvin, so the two of them toddled along beautifully together. I think Cal might be a smidge taller, but they are remarkably similar. Grant was a little quiet today, but studied his surroundings and knew just what was happening all around him. Meanwhile, Calvin was climbing the ladder to the tallest slide, providing a gibberish play-by-play as he went.

It was an active day, but the two did manage to sit comfortably for a while on the see-saw with Sherrie on the other end bobbing them up and down. They were thrilled, but you'll have to take my word for it. I didn't have my camera close by (gasp!) so we recreated the experience before heading home. Note the tired, "you've got to be kidding me!" expression on Grant's face; Calvin provided the soundtrack.

July 4th, 2007

We had a quiet Fourth of July this year. We missed the parade (our only intended celebratory act) and with camp in full swing, a day off in the middle of the week was difficult. We did manage to dress the part; we had red, white, and blue covered between the three of us. (My red and white striped shoes came in handy!)

Eric worked a little and Cal and I mostly milled around the house -- cleaning this and weeding that -- until dinner time when it seemed right to throw something on the grill. Some friends from camp joined us for dinner, which provided the picture of the day: Calvin with Corn.

I have a couple of pictures of Cal with corn on the cob (he's so cute!) but it seems appropriate to post one today as a tribute to our beloved country and the Native Americans who introduced us to the tasty treat. Oh wait, that's not really what today is about, is it. Hm. Well, here's my kid with corn, anyway.

Galena with the Heintzelmans

Jon, Carmela, and their two girls met us in Galena for a quiet weekend away. Maddie (nearly three) was a great playmate for Calvin, providing endless entertainment and good practice with sharing. Little Gabby (just six weeks) graciously tolerated Calvin's attention. He was pretty gentle with the little one, mostly pointing from afar and uttering, "baby" with delight.

We stayed close to home, grilling, swinging on the deck, and going for a walk. We did visit the park and the kiddie pool; first time since Cal's first dip in a pool in May '06.

The water just came up to Cal's waist this time, and he was comfortable venturing out on his own. He loved kneeling or sitting on the bottom with the water reaching just below his chin. Every now and then he'd tip over and need some help to find his feet, but we were always close by. So was his good friend, Maddie, who had his trusted inflatable duck.