Butterfly Kisses

                          

Friday afternoon, my Dad asked if I would like to get dressed up and join him for dinner. I was incredibly excited to spend quality time with my Dad, whom I adore. I have and will always be his little girl. I selected a pink dress for our evening together. We said goodbye to Grandma and Caleb and were on our way. My Dad kept our destination a surprise. We arrived at Uri's Landing, a restaurant at the Port Sanilac Marina, overlooking Lake Huron. I savored clam chowder, crab cakes and most of all, time with my Dad! Our time together was priceless. Unknown to me, he had planned yet another surprise. We were just about home when our song, "Butterfly Kisses", came on. I held his hand as the tears began to fall. We arrived home and he gave me a small box. In the box, a beautiful necklace with three butterfly charms. That evening will be forever etched upon my heart. I love you, Dad!

Chuck E. Cheese's and Other Surprises in Port Huron

 Papa only had to go to the office for a couple of hours on Friday, and then we had him for the remainder of the day! The day was filled with surprises! Late morning, we made our way to the Birchwood Mall in Port Huron, the home of Chuck E. Cheese. Caleb knew all about Monkey Business, but this was his first visit to Chuck E. Cheese's. Papa ordered the pizza and loaded up on tokens. It was now time to play! Caleb, of course, went right to the fireman game that sprayed water! Many tokens were deposited here! He and Papa made their way through the arcade, loading up on tickets, before making their way back to enjoy a slice of pizza. Papa, I mean Caleb, scored enough tickets to win two tops, two whistles and an eraser! It was now time for Caleb's second surprise of the day, the carousel, another first for him! He picked his horse and hung on tight, with Papa by his side. He seemed unsure at first, but when the carousel stopped, he didn't want to get off. The final surprise had a surprise within it! Before heading home, Papa wanted to show Caleb the Blue Water Bridge. The timing was perfect! When we arrived, a freighter was making it's way toward the bridge. Caleb loved seeing the freighter go under the bridge and watching all the big trucks pass overhead! A perfect ending to yet another perfect day!

Caleb's first jeep ride

Teaming up with Grandma to beat Papa 

Papa and Caleb playing the spiderweb game

Papa playing skeet ball

Caleb goes for a ride in a bug

Time for pizza!

Papa scoring Caleb some extra tickets

Chuck E., Caleb and Grandma cruising in their red sports car

Teaming up with Papa to beat Mommy in air hockey

Trying to decide how to spend his tickets

Trying out his prized whistle with Grandma

Papa and Caleb posing for a pic with Chuck E. Cheese

Beautiful carousel, beautiful Grandma

Here we go!

Making their way under the bridge to see the freighter

Here it comes!

The view of Canada from under the Blue Water Bridge

Passing under the bridge

So long freighter,

so long bridge!

A Surprise for Papa and More Adventures with Grandma

Papa had to work the week we were home, but that didn't keep us apart. Each day he went to work, we made plans to surprise him with something special. It was when we took him lunch on Wednesday that our plan for Thursday came together. I noticed that he had a candy jar on his desk filled with candy he doesn't even like. I noted the need to replace it immediately. After lunch, Grandma took a great picture of Papa, Caleb and I that would also be included in Thursday's surprise. That afternoon, we had the picture printed. Grandma found a frame, and Caleb colored a grocery bag which we turned into wrapping paper. The next morning, Grandma and Caleb went and picked out candy, of the chocolate variety, for Papa's new candy dish. We then surprised Papa with a candy dish filled with candy he loves and a picture for his desk wrapped in one-of-a-kind paper. He was not expecting either. Our mission was accomplished. Papa went back to work. Caleb, Grandma and I went and explored the library. The kids' section was in the center of the library surrounded by bookcases and complete with rocking chairs just Caleb's size. After trying out all the rockers and reading a couple of books, we headed home for dinner. We were then off to the park, just blocks from Grandma's house, to play firemen! Just another awesome day with Grandma and Papa!

Lunch with Papa on Wednesday

Surprise!

Let me give you a hand Papa

We better sample these candy bars

A bite for you, a bite for me

Let's read this one Mom

So many choices

On their way to the park

Strong Man Competition

It was campfire night! Caleb watched as Papa collected sticks for the fire and cut the larger branches with pruners. This gave Caleb an idea! He ran and found his adjustable wrench. Papa saw the gears grinding and played along. Papa found some small sticks for Caleb to 'snip with his pruners'. Papa held the stick, and as Caleb squeezed the wrench, Papa snapped the stick. Caleb was so animated as he gave all he had to snap these sticks. He was having so much fun that he decided to find some more sticks. However, the sticks that he found were much larger and more challenging for Papa to snap. Caleb and Papa both worked up a sweat, and we were all overcome with laughter. A definite trip highlight!

Great Grandma's Surprise

With a little assistance from Grandma and Mommy, Caleb created a beautiful bouquet of colorful foam flowers for Great Grandma's 81st birthday. He decorated the vase with stickers. To support the flowers, Grandma filled the vase with pearls. We finished it off by inserting a picture of Caleb among the flowers. The following morning, Caleb and Grandma went to purchase a real bouquet. When they walked in, Caleb spotted a purple African Violet. He didn't need to look further, that was the one he wanted. We finally had everything we needed to complete our surprise, and it was time to go visit Great Grandma and Pa. Since her birthday was not for a few days, she was more than surprised that we arrived with a party just for her. After receiving her gifts and opening her card, we sat down and enjoyed a doughnut and a visit.

Pa & Great Grandma

Caleb sitting with Grandma, showing Pa his toy train

Grandma, Pa & Great Grandma

Me & my grandparents

Forester Park on Lake Huron

While I enjoyed a morning run, Caleb and Grandma made a run of their own. They went out in search of beach toys and the best glazed doughnuts one has ever tasted! They succeeded in finding both. They surprised Papa at his office, with one of the doughnuts, before making their way home with an entire basket of beach toys! After packing everything we could possibly need at the beach, including a picnic lunch, we headed to the lake. We arrived to find we had the entire park and beach area to ourselves. How wonderful! On the horizon, two freighters were visible. It was a beautiful, sunshiny day and the water was just right for dipping your toes.  When he wasn't digging in the sand, Caleb gathered stones and tossed them in the lake. I found two Petoskey stones as I walked the water's edge, still one of my all time favorite things to do. After collecting our beach gear, we made our way up the ramp and back to the playground where we enjoyed our picnic lunch in the shade of an evergreen tree.

Diamond Trail Park, just blocks from the house, where I enjoyed my morning run

A view of Lake Huron from Forester Park

Giddyup!

Watching the minnows 

Burying rocks in the sand so he could dig for buried treasure

The beach at Forester Park

Freighters on the horizon

Making their way up the ramp in search of a prime picnic spot

Port Sanilac

Sunday morning began with a sweet treat prior to leaving for church. Caleb insisted on taking his green birthday balloon which would ultimately get away from him after church. Papa chased the balloon only to have it pop when he caught it. We then get on the road and discover Caleb did not have his giraffe, so back to church we went in search of our long necked friend. Once located, we headed home for a quiet afternoon.  That evening we took a drive through the thumb to see the wind turbines on our way to Port Sanilac. The journey took us past both of my childhood homes, including the home my parents recently sold. With that came an overwhelming rush of emotions and memories. After seeing the turbines, we headed toward Lake Huron where we made our way along the shore to Port Sanilac. We walked the docks of the marina and looked at all the beautiful sailboats. On the way to the docks, Caleb spotted the pirate ship play structure so the walk along the water was short lived. At the playground, he played fireman with Grandma and Papa. He made many trips down the emergency slides to rescue Papa. With Papa's help he conquered the monkey bars, zip line and fireman pole. After Fireman Caleb's shift was over, we left for home where we enjoyed pizza and cinna sticks for dinner.

Papa giving Caleb first pick of the Sunday morning doughnuts

Papa and Caleb lounging after church

Wind Turbine

Port Sanilac Marina

Posing for a pic on the treasure chest inside the pirate ship 

Swinging with Grandma

Going for a trip down the zip line

Taking a peek from the lookout tower

Two happy guys

Please Papa, just one more time?

Taking a spin on the merry-go-round

Conquering the monkey bars

Caleb and Grandma making their way to the top 

Gotcha! 

Fireman Caleb to the rescue!