Spotted: West-Michigan Church Sign

"If God isn't returning your call, perhaps your message is muffled."

Spotted: Rear Window Optimism

I generally like the stickers people apply to their people-haulers. I mean, who doesn't read them at red lights or while passing on the highway? Here are some that made an impact on me...

I heart my something-or-other

GO! LAKESIDE CHEER!

#8 Weber

Imagine Whirled Peas (ha ha)

So, I just had to snap this one up. Having graduated from the school of Perpetual Borderless Optimism (Summa Cum Silver Lining), what can I say, I like it!

Best. Father's Day. Surprise. EVER!

So....I have a lot to write about tonight, at the end of my most favorite Father's Day to-date! But first, before I begin, Happy Father's Day to all the hard-working dads out there!

You know who you are!

Personally, being a dad is the best thing that has ever happened to me. And because of my little girl and my big girl, I am the luckiest dad I know. I thank God every day for the privilege and the opportunity.

Now, to the surprise!

I was told this morning to be ready to leave the house by a certain time. I had no idea where we were going or what we were doing. Actually, I didn't even really know once we arrived at the final destination because S had played a stellar poker-face hand of "I am lost and don't know how to find where we are supposed to be and we are late and perhaps I should stop and ask for directions here at this Aviation Center..." (sigh) Yes, I am afraid I am that gullible...

And yes, we were going for an airplane ride!

For those that don't know, learning to fly has been on my un-posted and unofficial "bucket list" for a long, long time. I mean, it is still very unofficial, but the idea would be that ONE DAY, when all the pieces can come together, I will obtain my Pilot's License. I guess today was a good day to have a "trial". The idea was that we would all "give it a go" and see how we liked it. It makes sense because there's really no use in going through the training and flight time just to learn that someone in the family get's airsick or just plain doesn't like it.

But, seriously, who doesn't like flying!

Rocketship loved the plane right away and kept proclaiming "That's a BIG plane!"

Because we decided that we MAY begin to work on the lessons, it made sense to make this hangar visit count, so instead of just going up in the plane, the instructor, Mark, treated it like the first lesson. This meant I was included in the usual thorough pre-flight check of the aircraft (that's the instructor on the left. I assure you he really does have 2 legs!).

The girls waited so patiently while the plane was inspected. There was also some instrumentation introductions and basic flight methodology shared. It was sweet! I was digging every minute!

That's the pre-flight inspection list (more like a small book!) in my hands. No stone was left unturned!

Once we were finished, the plane was fueled and pulled outside into the sun. Rocketship's cowmooflage car seat was installed and she was buckled in! As you can see, she was - naturally - very interested in what was happening in the front seats!

She even got her own headset to wear, although she deemed it "too tight", just like she says for anything she doesn't really want to wear!

The best thing about going up in the air with an instructor is YOU REALLY GET TO FLY! That's right, I pretty much had the controls the entire time! He even let me "ride along" during the take-off and landing. It was quite an experience!

That's the airport runway, shortly after take-off.

E loved it! She really had a great time. She kept saying "Higher!" and "Faster!"

The Big House

There was a lot to look at outside the windows. It was a "great day for flying"...we'll, okay, that's what everyone kept saying! I could see why!

We flew over S's workplace. That's her building in the center of the picture.

I think E was getting a bit too comfortable, don't you?

We even flew over our house!

And - alas - we HAD to go back eventually, I guess. Hmph! Here is the runway as we were on the final approach.

Back at the Aviation Center, there was a female bird named Frannie. E loved her and even fed her a green peanut M&M, which was promptly and expertly cracked open (and peanut removed!)

All in all, a GREAT day! And an even better surprise! Thank you S-Bomb!

Best! Father's Day! EVER!

Up Close: Einstein

He's huge. He's lovable. He leaves hair anytime he touches ANYTHING, especially your dress clothes! But he's one beautiful cat!

He is named Einstein because of his CrAzY hair and whiskers (which always go every which way!).

He's the big boy.

Spotted: Pee-Wee Herman meets Evel Knievel

Found chained to a lamppost in a parking lot near our home was this rare sight; a beach cruiser that had been stylishly modified with a gasoline engine.

I am not sure what the attraction was, but I simply could not take my eyes off it.

Was it the streamlined design? Was it the way the simple colors in the scheme blended and complimented into a stylish mix of silver, white, black, and chrome? Was it the breathtaking details, like the black fuel tank or south-pointing polished exhaust? I wasn’t sure, but my feet were planted solid.

While staring I was startled by the owner who had snuck up on me quietly. I asked if I could take a picture. He said yes and I found out the following two facts:

- He had not performed the installation himself, but had recently purchased the bike (moped? scooter? whatever)

- The engine size was a whopping 80cc’s

Now, if only there was a beach near here that needed cruising at a steady rate, and…(sigh) if I could pass this off at home as something I needed…

Detroit's World Renowned Eastern Market

With a still-"contagious" wee one and a weekend to blow we came up with a great idea that was certain to please the whole group - we decided to hit the Eastern Market in Detroit.

The last time we visited, Rocketship had such a great time tasting and people-watching. She sat in her stroller for over 2 hours! Plus, Grandma Gigi speaks fluent plant and flower, so we knew we'd have to drag her kicking & screaming back to the car.

We ran into a new friend, Marcy (on the right with the flat) who was out celebrating her week-long 50th birthday with some long-time girlfriends. Happy Birthday Marcy! Read more about her goings-on on her blog Nothing to Blog About.

We even ran into some family at the flower shed. Turns out they come here every weekend. Hmm, note to self, talk to family more often! We bought some hostas and wild grasses from them for the side of our house, which we have strategically left bare for the four-plus years since we moved in...

We ate lunch at the green awning, the Russell Street Deli, which was a well-deserved recommendation from S's work colleague and friend (Thanks, Lisa!). It was delicious, or as E says, "Ab-so-ooo-tley de-lic-ious".

Another wonderful day in the D.

Some Clouds, Some Lining, All Toddler

First the Lemons:

We received a call from school that our little Rocketship had contracted something called "Hand, Foot & Mouth" (or was it "Foot, Hand & Mouth"?). Anyways, we had never heard of it. So we picked her up and had the local pediatrician confirm it. She also confirmed that basically nothing could be done, or bought, or applied, etc. Basically, we would just need to "wait it out". Unfortunately, she also recommended that we reconsider the 10-kid+ birthday party we had scheduled for the weekend. We kinda thought that may happen, but hearing it from someone in a doctors' coat confirmed it for good.

So, we canceled the party (and the Bounce House E didn't even know she had coming!) and decided to lay low.

Now the Lemonade:

E was is really good spirits, especially considering she was "sick and contagious" and - because nobody said we couldn't - we decided to pack up and go to the Zoo! So we did. We tried to treat E as though this was a big birthday surprise! She had a really great time!

Our Little Monkey!

Now for a really special treat, S had arranged for E to actually feed a giraffe! We told her in advance and it was all she could talk about all day! The timing was juuuuuust a bit later than we would have chosen because of her nap, but after an ice cream bar to infuse her with sugar and help keep her up, it was finally time to feed the giraffe.

Here he is; this is Gifarri (if I remember correctly):

After a few minutes wait, it was finally our turn. You were given the choice of feeding him one of three things:

• Lettuce


• Somekind of whole wheat cracker


• Sliced sweet potato

The food handler gave the following advice; "He'll eat anything". Okay then.

I'll say! He really WILL eat anything! He completely licked her hand and pulled it into his mouth! Gifarri! Easy, boy!

What an amazing experience to be so close to this beautiful animal. It was definitely worth the asking price ($5!)

At the end of the day, we successfully accomplished our object. The kiddo had a great time and we completely tuckered her out!

Even Grandma Gigi had a great time! That's E's little stuffed giraffe, a present she was brought home from from one of S's work trips. She's had it for a little while, but never bothered to take it out of the house. We brought it/him with us today on speculation. She clutched him tight all day and something tells me he'll be one of her favorites...at least for a bit anyway.