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VIP Camp 2017
Another season of VIP camp has come and gone, it sort of symbolizes the beginniner of the end of summer since it ends the beginning of August. James had a blast this year especially with all the swimming adventures that went on during the camp.
The camp begins the week after the 4th of July and as mentioned above ends usually around the time the Magic Get Together begins (early August). The camp goes from Monday till Thursday beginning around 9:30am and ending at 2:30pm. During this time the campers see and do an array of fascinating things from visiting Turtle Cove to going to the movies to having a squirt gun battle outside the building. A great social experience for the kids and James loves it.
Woodhaven Festival 2017
Woodhaven is right next to Trenton just off I75 and each year they have an awesome summer festival that has to be seen to believed. This year was special for James as he got to see the Side Show folks he had met earlier in the summer performing for real (they will also be performing at the Magic Get Together a month from now). The banner line for the side show is literally gigantic as you can see from some of these pics. The carnival is free to attend, parking is reasonable and close, and a great time was had by all.
A Summer Project
Nothing better for a boy and his dad to work on a nice summer project, and this year was the marble roller coaster. On the surface this looks pretty simple, but actual construction was problematical at best as many items had to be considered. After several hours, and help from Kitty Thelma, we were finally able to make the thing work and video taped it as proof because we suspect not too many people would have the patience to deal with this thing.
Bronners 2017
Mom had a coupon for Bavarian Inn so on the trip back from Mackinac we ate a late lunch in Frankenmuth and then proceeded to Bronners to round out the day. Mom also had a coupon for 15% off anything we buy at Bronners so we checked everything out and saved a little money along the way. James saw a $4,500 Christmas tree he liked that he liked in the Christmas tree forest, the tree was taller than our home. On the way out we saw the Bronners parade float and snapped a couple pics there as well. It was a really great finale to a wonderful time up North.
Mackinaw Island 2017
It was a wee bit chilly on the boat ride to and from Mackinaw city, but we survived and then bought Mackinaw sweaters on the island. James and Dad went through the Mirror Maze and completed it, then followed up with a visit to the haunted house where James survived terrifying creatures of the night. Mom loved the shopping and we all met up to go down to the rock beach and attempt to skip stones. Like the city, new stores replace old every year and this year was no different, with the Magic shop next to the haunted house gone. One thing that was really different was seeing a cruise ship docked at Mackinaw City, seems an 11 day cruise of the Great Lakes was taking place which started in Chicago, how fun would that be!
Mackinaw City 2017
It seems that every year we go to Mackinaw there is something new to see. This year we noticed a couple magic shops were missing but a new haunt had appeared. Unfortunately by the time we got to Mackinaw Crossing the haunts were closed, at least we got to go through the one on the island. After checking out all the souvenir stores at the crossing, James found a laser game he liked and did it a couple times till he made the top ten and got a little cert from the store that he had accomplished this feat. Meanwhile Mom was thrilled that the lilac bushes in the city were blooming and took several pics of them. Toward the evening we went to the park where James jumped back and forth under the bridge between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
Daves Barbecue Restaurant
Mom has been trying to get to Dave’s Barbecue for the past year, yet something always comes up and we don’t seem to make it. Finally all the moons and stars and planets aligned and we were able to take her to Dave’s for a barbecue feast. James loved the food as well and said to put it on his list of good restaurants (which is a very small list to be sure). We now have two favorite rib places, Boneyard which is North of us a few miles, and Daves, which is South of us a few miles.
Behind the Scenes at the Sideshow
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.
O.W. Best Awards Night
It was a special night for James as he attended the O.W. Best awards night and came away with two awards, one for character and the other for extra effort. The ceremony lasted about an hour and afterwards refreshments were served for everyone. Mom and Dad were in attendance and could not have been more proud of James, especially since he transferred to O.W. Best from Lincoln Park in the middle of the school year which could not have been easy, but he did a great job of it. James last day of Middle School was a half day tomorrow, so for all intensive purposes this was his graduation ceremony. Video’s of the event are below the pictures.
Neighbor’s Graduation Party
James and family attended a graduation party for one of our neighbors, hard to believe not too long ago she was riding a bicycle up and down Tulane and now has graduated High School. The party was outdoors and was cool because the neighbors pulled up the fence making it a 2 yard long graduation party with a swimming pool. A very beautiful event and a great day for everybody. James was so inspired by the party that he has already asked our neighbors to remove their fences in preparation for his graduation 4 years from now.
