A Cerney Periodical

A few weekends ago we embarked on our annual disc golf camping trip in Michigan. First stop was Holland Michigan, known for its early Dutch settlers. Here they have a very fine brewery called New Holland and THE DUTCH VILLIAGE!! Matt and I have visited this strange and wonderful place in the past and were excited to take Brock to it.   Picture I feel is self-explanatory. A ferris wheel windmill! Here Brock is ogling his first ride while we wait in line. All aboard! Brock has expressed no trepidation or fear so here we go! Brock experiences his tummy drop! And giggles upon each pass.  This is my favorite petting zoo I've been to! You got to pick out a bunny to hold and carry it around in a basket!! Brock chose the albino, all the way, full committed. I loved the tiny angora, but nope, albino all the way.  Brock was very gentle and quite enjoyed his bunny friend. Then we got to hold the duckling! I had flashes of my wonderfu

We went to a local street fair and, with surprising ease, coaxed Brock into having his face painted like a tiger. He loved it! Was checking himself out for the rest of the night.  The first stroke is met with smiles.   Second strokes are approved!                      I had to leave early to go to a theatre thing, but Matt reports that Brock was very enamored of his tiger alter ego for the remainder of the evening. I was surprised to hear that there were no tears upon wipe off.

Brock normally tells us that he is hungry or wants some water right before we close the door as a final desperate stall tactic. Tonight, he took it to the next level. I was shutting the door when Brock says, "I waked up!" (grammar excused). har har. I tell him no, it's still bed time. Then through a closed door I hear "I want broccoli!". Touche. 

I got word that the corpse flower at the Garfield Park Conservatory was in bloom. A once in a decade occurrence that only lasts one or two days. The plant is nicknamed "corpse flower" because during its fleeting bloom it blasts a potent scent of rotting carnage into the world to announce its hope for fruition. Brock was quite pumped to meet the "big smelly flower". And here it is!: or, at least there it was. Not my photo. Apparently we got the memo late. This was our visual experience: As for our olfactory experience... another disappointment (?), only a slight garbage smell remained.  But we still had an awesome time at the conservatory. Summer here opens up the outdoor gardens, where we saw Venus fly traps (a new love of Brock's in videoland) labyrinths, and nifty outdoor play areas.   Brock on the x-phone. It's big, It's heavy, It's wood! Wow. This is my favorite part of our little trip, this awesome game that Bro