Winter "Sport"

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Miles' 8th Birthday Dinner Party - Video

Miles Sings at the Hillcrest Holiday Program

Corn Maze & Apple Picking

We had a great afternoon adventure in Malta, IL today.  We hopped in the car after church and drove about 30 miles west of Downers Grove, just past DeKalb, to the Jonamac Orchard. 

There were lots of fun things to do there, including the opportunity to play in a corn silo, shoot apples at a target via a large "Apple Launcher", explore tunnels under large hay-stacks, and of course pick apples. 

But the highlight for all of us was the large corn maze:

 Here's an aerial shot I found online of this year's maze. Each year they do a different theme, and for 2009 they are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.  You can see, in the lower left hand corner of the picture, the starting point.  After paying our admission, we were given a map, and clues to find six different markers - each with a different shaped hole-punch.  Find all six markers, punch your clue-sheet with each of the six different shapes, and you win a prize.  An example question was "How many terms was Lincoln elected President?  The answer's just under your nose!"  The marker for that question was at the tip of the number "2" just under his nose.  Very clever, and a lot of fun.  The kids had a great time, and Miles was old enough that he wanted to practice using the map, and charting a course. 

Video from our 90 minutes romping around in the maze ... as well as the other activities ... may be found by clicking the image below.

Flipping for Colorado

Video of Miles & Emery on the bungee trampoline.

Miles' First Golf Outing

Last week Miles took a few golf lessons at our local Park District. One of my students at North, who plays a lot of golf, loaned us his 'junior clubs.'

We had a great time this morning. Miles did really well, I thought, for a first time out. We started early (7 AM tee time) which was good, because by the time we finished at 8:45 AM (we only played 9 ... and it was a "Par 3" course) the temperature was already close to 90.

The whole experience of taking Miles to play this morning brought back many enjoyable memories for me. I remember Gigi setting me up with golf lessons at the Frankfort CC when I was in elementary school. And I remember many walks from Rockhill Road to the Stephens Lake Golf Course, where Dad was able to get me reduced green-fees for many summers.

Miles hit a couple of really good shots today. Check out the video here.

Emery's 5th Birthday Video - American Girl Place

Click on the image above to see Emery's 5th Birthday video.

Miles @ Billy Jonas Concert - 2

Miles @ Billy Jonas Concert - 1

Emery Sings "Hush Little Baby"

Click the picture for the video.

Ode To Joy

Miles has really been working hard on piano this summer. In some ways, it's hard for me to believe how far he is coming in a pretty short period of time.

This piece, an arrangement of the "Ode To Joy" was something he heard a friend play, and then picked up by ear. It has been interesting to watch him practice this independently - asking for help occasionally - but wanting to figure it out mostly by himself.

Click on the image to see the video.