James got a chance to go behind the scenes as the Great American Side Show was cleaning their trailers and doing maintenance on their tent and posters in Clawson MI. While talking they brought out the “bed of nails” and showed James how to lie on the bed of nails with no danger to himself. James thought this was great and for a brief moment James did the 2017 version of running off and joining the circus. James also saw the blade box and electric chair. Dad was there as well, doing research for a book about magic illusions and the side shows over the last century. As Spring nears its completion it certainly looks like its going to be a very interesting summer.
Category: Playtime
playtime
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Behind the Scenes at the Sideshow
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VIP Camp Bowling 2017
James got a chance to go bowling with some of his friends from VIP camp and had an awesome day. These types of meetings are lots of fun for James and his family since most of his friends from this camp he only gets to see in summer, so its a real treat seeing them in January. James bowled a couple games, got some pizza and a soda, and had a great day.We also took advantage of this time to wish everyone a very Happy New Year in a short little video!
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Grandma and Red Robins
We had lunch with Grandma at Red Robins and James ordered his usual “hot wings”. We made it to the restaurant before noon and had no problem getting seated, in fact Grandma asked for our usual seat (which is the first one). After the meal we went to Spirit Halloween (which was on the way home) and looked at all the new decorations for 2016. Grandma enjoyed the haunted dolls while James enjoyed trying on hats including a sailors cap that made him look a little like Gilligan.After Spirit Halloween we took a quick drive through Hines park where lots of activities were taking place. It was a beautiful August day, not too hot and not too humid and a drive through the park just seemed right.
Earlier in the day we stopped at Aunt Pegs and James did his usual vacuuming for Aunt Peg, then went across the street to return bottles to get himself a little spending cash. Aunt Peg hopes to see Richard down in September for her birthday and we certainly hopes he makes it as well.
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Cedar Point August 2016
Lots of fun on this hot day in August, lots of rides on the splash ride and a trip on the old mine roller coaster to try to dry off. All in all lots of fun. James rode a few of the swing rides that looked kind of easy till they started moving then it was like “look out” as the rides really took off. We enjoyed a late lunch at a buffet in the park and everyone got some t-shirts. Unfortunately they won’t let you take pics while you are on the fast rides (even when they are going slow) so that put a little damper on the picture action, but everything else was perfect. Next visit here we plan to see the dinosaurs, and the visit after that should be Hallo-Weekends so hopefully we have lots more of Cedar Point before the season ends.You have to give James credit for being inventive, no matter how hot it got at Cedar Point, he always had a way to cool off.
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Bumper Cars 2016
What a fun time James had at VIP camp today as they went to the old putt putt on Van Born and got to ride go carts and (of course) take out their frustrations on the bumper cars.This has really been a spectacular summer with plenty of activities for James and very little rainouts or foul weather. It has been hot, but the max has been 90’s and in the past I remember much hotter days hanging around the upper 90’s and even 100’s. So far so good as we hit the halfway point of summer.
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Cedar Point June 2016
After James visited Cedar Point with his class, we felt it would be a good time to take him with his family. Security was at the park with metal detectors which was a reminder of the world we live in, but once inside it was simply a perfect day for a visit. Mom and James both enjoyed riding the “spider ride” or whatever you call the thing, but Dad stays away from spinning rides since the Boblo days. James enjoyed an old time Western show with cowboys and showgirls, and a rag tyme street band was playing Rock and Roll songs including Steppenwolf and Kiss. This caused Mom and Dad to do a doubletake as we never heard songs from our generation played that way. Dinner was Chinese at the Panda restaurant and a great time was had by all.James and Mom on the spider ride below
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Pool Time 2016 Begins
Our little pool has made it to its third year, although we had to replace a hose and a pump. Still a pretty good value for us because we actually compared reviews and this pool was the only one at any price that did not get any bad reviews. This year James picked out a new light that is really cool and acts like a fountain. It’s actually on the exit side of the pump, attached with a hose, and the light is generated from hydro power in the same way bicycles generate light from peddling. In the evening it creates a colored atmosphere on the whole inside of the pool which should be handy on July 4th when James stays up late and watches fireworkds from his pool.James spent about an hour in the pool today (mid 70’s so its still a little cool around here) and enjoyed the new sprinkling water from the pump (during the daylight you cannot even tell there are lights in it unless you look real close).
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Leap Year Puzzle Day 2016
The weather the past few days has been warm with mild 60 degree weather. 1/15 percent to 21/300 percent of puzzle complete. We could of start a 3000 piece puzzle but it would be a 20 day early start from 2/29/2016. The 2,000 piece puzzle took 1/2 month without break from puzzle. 2000 piece puzzle time line is 9/18/2015 to 2/8/2016. The warm weather in February is awesome and we hope it continues for March, although it is expected to snow tomorrow. -
Warm Temperatures Create Puzzle Opportunity 2016
After the last few winters (which were brutal, cold, snowy, and long), James got a break this year when the late January temperatures reached the mid forties! James took advantage of the weather (and a weekend without football) to work on his puzzle still in the garage from the fall. Its a 2000 piece puzzle and James is half way through it which would make it the largest puzzle (piece wise) that James had ever put together.The warm weather has also helped us get an early start on Spring cleaning. Last year at this time we were chipping ice on the sidewalks with most of our free time, this year we have been able to do a little cleaning under the steps and for one of the few times in the history of under the steps, it does not look bad.
Tomorrow it should be in the mid forties again although we may hit 50 so James is planning on a couple visits to relatives and then a full afternoon of working on his puzzle.
