244:366 - Surfing (beach) safari

Labor Day weekend got off to a glorious start with a trip to Grand Haven. While the winds weren't big enough for Rodger to kiteboard, Rodger and Zoe made good use of the board and practiced their surfing while Beckett and I made drip castles on the beach.

243:366 - "Armies"

For the last few days, Beckett has been talking about making "armies". I figured he was just being a boy and making his dudes fight each other with the other kids at school.  When I picked him up today a bit earlier than usual, he was making paper tubes and taping them together and then putting his arms through them. Voila! Armies!

242:366 - Monkey Love

A sweet and tender moment between Beckett and his "Sister Monkey" before heading to his classroom. Each day before he heads to school he decides which of his "dudes" he is going to take along. Sister Monkey holds a very very special place for Beckett and often times, he would rather that I take Sister Monkey with me in the car after he says goodbye. I know a day will come when she is not as special and as real as she is now, but for the moment, she is everything to him.

241:366 - Notes of Motherhood

There are days when there is nary a doubt that I am my mother's daughter. In order to keep track of the "important" things, I have always made lists.  However, more recently, I have resorted to notes to actually take with me to remind me of what exactly I am supposed to be doing! Picking up forgotten water bottles is as good of a reason for a note as any.

240:366 - Swimming Around

We made one of the last trips to the pool today before Labor Day arrives and the pool closes for the season. I am shocked at Beckett's bravery - the kid has practically taught himself to swim a few strokes and spends the majority of his time face down in the water with his goggles glued to his face. His favorite game to play it to have you put your hands under water and hold out a few fingers, he'll then look under water and come up mimicking you. With all that action, it's hard to get a shot of him! Swimming lessons could not start too soon!

239:366 - Skipping stones

An early morning wake up, breakfast, and a tear down of camp...we headed to the beach off Petersen Road before another soul was awake and found the place all to ourselves. We spent time hunting for the perfect skinning stones and were rewarded. The water was calm but SO cold. We could have stayed all day but it was time to head for home.

238:366 - Sleeping Bear Dunes

After waking up to another hot sunny day, we made breakfast and headed to our first stop: Empire Bluffs Trail. It was about a mile hike out to the overlook and worth it. Zoe had done her Celebration of Learning report on Sleeping Bear Dunes and I wanted her to see what she had created for her diorama. It was so cool to see her experience it for the first time! After the trail, we headed to the Dune Climb before it got too hot. The 3-4 hour trip up and over dune after dune after dune was not going to cut it but we did about half of it before the kids decided they had had enough! We took the Pierce Stocking scenic drive and stopping at a picnic spot overlooking North Bar Lake to make pb&js and eat smoked almonds. Beckett was fascinated with the tiny chipmunks scurrying around. We decided it was time to cool off so we blew up our tubes, did a quick presto chango into bathing suits by the side of the car and splashed into the Platte River -- along with everyone else! We saw people floating by in anything and everything. As Rodger said in his own smarmy PSA, "this river has been brought to you, and carved by, Budweiser!" Wow...perfect for kids though.  The river emptied out into Lake Michigan where we could have spent hours looking through the water for the perfect stones and rocks.  It was time to pack up our tubes and head into Frankfort for Moomers ice cream at The Scoop and corn on the cob for grilling for dinner.  We wrapped up our day with an awesome dinner on the grill, roasted marshmallows on the fire and showers (yeah!) at the campground. 

Empire Bluffs Trail view looking North to South Bar Lake & dunes

Beckett - a spec in the dunes

Hiking the dunes

Happy floating girl - holding on to Beckett's tube

Rock hunting at the mouth of the Platte River

Dinner - roasted chicken, corn on the cob, black beans, chicken sausage

237:366 - Camp Eich

Ahhh, camping. I have always wanted to camp up at Sleeping Bear Dunes and after making plans in February when the snow was flying, our weekend is finally here! The state and national parks of Michigan have very, very few hike in sites for tent campers so unless you have some monstrous "camper", you are stuck with your tent wedged in between motorhomes, campers and the vehicles used to pull them. Finding a spot out of the way is more rare. So, after a 3 hour drive, we arrived at the Platte River Campground hike in sites and we promptly set up Camp Eich before the dark came.

236:366 - Safety first

With only so much time to play after getting home from camp, the kids don't want to waste a moment.  Getting B to take his helmet off to eat dinner was not happening.  So, instead, we practiced safe eating tonight!

235:366 - Netflix

With little time to watch movies, we've been spending more time burning through TV series after the kids are in bed. Nurse Jackie, Dexter, Nip / Tuck, Weeds...Today's mail brought the next disc of Breaking Bad!

234:366 - Look Ma, no training wheels!

While the "no training wheels" thing has clicked for the Dude, it wasn't until the weekend when he figured out how to "start" himself without a push. The look of determination is priceless.  This is one very proud boy!

233:366 - Purple fingernails

With Gramma here for a quick visit, Zoe got right to work giving her a manicure. Gramma chose an amazing shade of purple! Zoe was tickled pink!

232:366 - Speed racer, take two

Amazing clouds, beautiful country side. Went out to the corn fields to shoot Rodger on his Ducati. At his speeds, the action shots were a little more challenging but this sums it all up.

231:366 - Speed racer

Zoe has been racing around the block this summer with a new sense of freedom. For my photo class, I needed to take a shot that implied motion. I love this image of her - head down, on a mission!

230:366 - Work in process

Rodger spent some time tonight tweaking out a few more details on his "big boy" bike while the kids rode their bikes around the block.

229:366 - Cleanest kid on the block

More natural light studies....cameras and bathrooms don't mix :) with this one exception....Beckett was begging for me to fill up the tub so I bribed him to look at me for a few quick shots before the water flowed and the bubbles multiplied.

228:366 - The haul

Our CSA haul for the day...if anyone has an idea what to do with the radishes or pickle cukes, please let me know!

227:366 - Shower Time!

The dude loves his showers and, with the goggles on (BONUS!) shower time just got a little bit better!

226:366 - Finding the Light

For my current photography class, we are focusing on lighting: finding the light in your home, using natural light and the right white balance. Zoe was a less-than-thrilled model but patient. Thank you Zoe!

225:366 - a love note

Came down after tucking B into bed and found a love note in the kitchen :)

224:366 - Patience...sort of

I have resorted to bribery. For my white balance study, I needed a (somewhat) willing subject. Hence, Zoe needed some motivation to be patient and willing. Not a bad result for a lack of patience. 

223:366 - Early AM run

I got up in time to get a quick run in before Rodger left for work.  I love this time of the day when it is still and quiet and there is barely a soul around. I also loved the cup of coffee waiting for me at the end of my run!

222:366 - Art projects

Having art supplies always available for whatever creation can be concocted means lots and lots of projects.  Today's project included a homemade pinata and lots and lots of tiny pieces of colored confetti.

221:366 - Happy boy

On a walk at the end of the day - what a happy little boy!

220:366 - A blur

Rodger on his Ducati - a blur of black, red, and yellow.

219:366 - White balance

New photography class started last week - this week's focus is on white balance and what your camera "really" sees. 

218:366 - Lord of the Flies?

Beckett's cousin Tyler made him the coolest bow and arrow out of found sticks and rubber bands.  Beckett spent hours hunting for straight arrows and practicing his aim.

217:366 - Harborun 5K

I am so proud of myself and my brother Mark! After running for a few months, I decided it was time to sign up for a 5K. When I found out that the Harborun 5K was taking place while we were up north, it was as if all the stars aligned.  I remember going to Harbor Days as a young girl and again as a teen when I worked up north in the summers.  How could I NOT do this race? After very little cajoling, my awesome brother Mark decided to run it with me.  It was a gorgeous morning, a beautiful run through town and past the lake and when it was over, we were both still smiling.

216:366 - More fresh water clams

It is amazing that this kids hasn't grown gills! Beckett has spent the majority of his time up here in the lake, face down with his goggles and a net, hunting for cool shells and "fresh water clams".  While I would think he would be thoroughly water logged, instead he is thoroughly happy and the joy in each little under water "treasure" is giggle-worthy!

215:366 - Sunflower fields

  

One of the things I love most about up north is the variety: rolling hillsides covered in cherry and apple orchards, followed by fields of corn and, in between, miles of sunny sunflowers. We stopped in the sunflower field today for a quick shot of the kids before it was back to the lake. Zoe spent the afternoon perfecting the perfect dock jump.  She divided her time between "the spin" and gaining some serious height.

214:366 - S'mores and More!

Another gorgeous day on Elk Lake. After a full day of swimming, Aunt Michelle made pizzas for everyone and microwave s'mores. Zoe was suspicious as grandpa had his eye on hers! It was back to the lake after dinner to wash off the "sticky", see how many kids could fit on the styrofoam float and for the adults to get into the fun of jumping off the dock.