78 Michigan Parks: Holly Recreation Area #59

After the disappointment of Seven Lakes State Park, we made the short drive over to Holly Recreation Area, which was actually supposed to be the second stop on our park list that day, as it is closer to home than Metamora-Hadley.  But, it was an easy drive, so we visited it first, well second, but you know what I mean.

The road we turned from was a busy one, and the corner was pretty blind, so for safety, We parked a ways down and walked back to get our sign picture.


There were a few other cars in the parking lot, but no one was about on the beach or playground.




William took some time exploring the climbing apparatus, but between his age, and being alone, we didn't stay very long.


I told him he could stay as long as he wanted, but he only lasted a couple minutes after I went to sit in the car (the wind was cold!)


I'd never seen them winterize a park before!  They lean the picnic tables, presumably so the snow slides off, and allows the finish to last longer?


Very picturesque.


On our way to the next park, we saw a road that was very similar to our family name!


This a win for sure!  I think the twins would have really liked the playground too!


backdated 12-21-24 for continuity. 
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78 Michigan Parks: Seven Lakes State Park #58

The day after William's birthday, he had a double dental appointment in Ann Arbor.  First up was a 3D scan for his orthodontist to get the full picture for his long-term treatment.  It was a short procedure, so I was really glad that we had a second appointment to make the drive worth it.


Our next stop was his regular dental clinic to get some fillings in.  That procedure was a little longer, but the day was fair and it was still early, so we went on an adventure!

We were navigating to a different state park, but I saw the state park sign on the interstate, so we followed the signs to Seven Lakes State Park, excited to see a lake or two, presumably.  We snuck in a sign picture, while I parked in a no parking zone (shhhhh!)


Sadly, when we rushed back to the car (not that anyone was going in or out) we saw the closed sign. = (  Sure enough, on google it advises that they are indeed closed at the moment.


If we are given the chance, I'd like to go back, but I'm marking it off the list for now.

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William Answers His Birthday Survey: 12 years-old

Oh, man, y'all!  I was looking back at surveys, with Alice's birthday so close, and 100% missed William's survey for the past nine months!!!!! oops.  Well, now that he's closer to 13 than 11, here are his answers!

I am  12  years old.

My favorite color is: green
The coolest person on earth is: me
The thing I do best is: track
If I could change my name, it would be: mark
My favorite toy is: fly swatter that has a sword handle
When I grow up, I want to be: engineer
I like to watch: youtube
My favorite song is: idk( it would be wild flower I think)
My favorite book is: scooby doo
3 words to describe me are: very very cool
When I was little, I used to: have no school
My favorite season is: fall
The food I like most is: barbeque sandwich
One food I really don't like is: ramen
My best friend is: Weston
For my birthday I want to: go to a vr place
My best memory is: Going to six flags

later days

you can see his answers from last year here.

edit 8-17-25: backdated for continuity, because I know I won't be looking in August for his birthday answers! = 0
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William's 12th Birthday Party

So, Billy had a new job all lined up, but I could not, in good conscience, schedule William a birthday party until his paycheck started back up. That said, our November was so busy that, even had Billy still had his previous position, we wouldn't have had time to host a party, so his party would have been delayed regardless! Still, I was not emotionally prepared to have his party, but Billy scouted and paid for it, so his invitations embodied this discorded mindset.


Once it was scheduled though, it was time to prepare! The weekend before, Emily and Grace helped me paint up some green party favor rocks, which might now be our signature, and I'm okay with that.



So, on a very snowy Saturday, we made a slow trip up to Fun City!  His theme was Unspeakable, because that's the green banner I found cheap at a thrift store earlier in the year.


I had out the veggies and chips until the pizzas arrived, and was pleasantly surprised with how many of the kids chose the grow food over the chips!  Emly painted the Unspeakable rock, and I thought she did a phenomenal job!


William and his friends not getting their jump socks on. lol.









We found some chip shaped like William's initials!


Fun City was aptly named, there were so many attractions!



Most of William's invitees came, but it was a first in that only the dad's brought them!!! The only other mom at the party was my mom! = 0


And, despite paying for them to have access to dozens of attractions, they played with a balloon in the party room. lol.




The girls all tried out the obstacle course, and despite a slow start, they had a good time!  I never saw William up there, but might have missed him.









Fun City has the best policy of any of the party places we've been: once the party is over, you have to vacate the room, but the wrist bands are good for the rest of the day!  So, after all the cake and presents, we stayed another hour or so, just hanging out at the common tables!










Now all the girls want to have their birthday at Fun City too!  We'll see how Emily feels come March, but we might be back soon!

later days

12-22-24 backdated for continuity, to William's birthday, so that we can find it, not to the date of the party.


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William's 12th Birthday!!!

This year, my favorite little boy in the whole wide world turned 12 years old!!!

The night before his birthday, we took some last day as an 11-year-old pictures!


It was an extra early morning, as his birthday was on a Monday, and Alice has to catch the bus at 645! But everyone got up to celebrate our William. = )



Kona Ice was coming to their school that day, because they do a veteran's day run, so she gifted him cash to get a special treat*. = ) 

Many weeks later, once Billy started at his new position, we continued the new tradition of taking each child out to a restaurant of their choosing for their birthday, and William chose Olive Garden.  He got to order whatever he wanted, and the new electronic payment device on the table flipped through the various desserts, so of course we ended up with the tuxedo cake!

We didn't have the menus, but luckily his cup had "Olive Garden" in print, in case we one day forget!


I hope our little boy feels special, and knows how loved he is!

later days

*Avia paid for Emily + friend, and William + friend to participate in the fundraiser.  Usually, I give them each some Kona Ice money that they can spend or keep, but this year we were working on a tight budget, so it was a very nice gesture from Emily!

backdated 12-22-24 for continuity (though the Olive Garden portion was much later.)

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