Funny Story

Yesterday was Fletcher's weekly therapeutic horseback riding lesson. He loves it! Along with PT Fletcher is learning some riding skills, helps to feed horses, and has even mucked a stall. It gives him a great sense of pride. The therapists also stress respect for all people and the animals and teach the children to thank their horse after each ride, which Fletcher always remembers to do with a rub and a pat on the nose. Well yesterday, Mrs. Carolyn said "Give Marley some love," which at our house means kisses, so that's just what Fletcher did...puckered up and kissed Marley right on the mouth!

O' boy! I'm trying to laugh about it but can't help wondering what you can get from kissing a horse?

By the way, if you are looking for a charitable organization to donate to this year, I can not think of a more deserving organization than Shining Hope Farms. They help children with all kinds and levels of disabilities with therapeutic horseback riding. They have many expenses including horse care, farm maintenance, PT's and Speech Pathologists, etc. We feel very fortunate that Fletcher benefits from all they do.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Day

WINTER WALK

I like the days in winter
when paths are packed with snow
and feet make creaky footsteps
wherever footsteps go,
and
I like days in winter
when snow lies soft and deep
and footsteps go so quietly
you'd think they were asleep.

By Aileen Fisher

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Today Fletcher and I headed to Central Avenue in Charlotte to soak up some culture for the Lunar New Year. We loved it! It was so much fun! We followed a troop as they went from business to business to scare away the bad luck. We heard drums and firecrackers and were given an orange (good luck!). We met some really nice people. We're going to try to go to Davidson College later tonight for more celebrations. Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Reflections on a Day

I spent more time in front of the TV yesterday than I normally do in a month, but it was worth it.

I was struck by so many poignant moments: Obama's inaugural address, the benediction by Rev. Lowery, the children, the songs performed at the Neighborhood Ball that will forever have new meaning to me, and on and on. I am grateful for Emily and her play-by-play on Facebook and am so proud of she and Shaun and happy for Cam that they were there. I was just as glued to the computer and am grateful for the technology that brought so many people together on this day to remember. I am glad it was a snow day so that Fletcher and I could be home together. I will forever remember Fletcher asking me to dance as the president and the first lady took the dance floor for the first time to Beyonce's rendition of At Last.

Never have so many people voted in an election year, never have so many people attended an inauguration. Let our country, with the guidance and inspiration of our new president, break another record in the coming weeks, months, and years: never have so many people cared.

I am proud, awed, inspired. YES WE CAN!

I urge everyone to visit ServiceNation.org to pledge your time and efforts to better our country.

Birdseed Biscuits

We've always made an effort to bring the birds to our (very tiny) backyard. We've made pine cone and peanut butter treats many times but today made birdseed biscuits for our feathered friends. I found the idea and recipe in the February Family Fun magazine: mix together 3/4 cup birdseed, 1 tablespoon flour, and 2 tablespoons water. Spray metal cookie cutter with cooking oil and place it on a foil covered cookie sheet. Pack mixture into the cutter, inserting a straw near the top to make a hole for ribbon. Bake with straw in about 1 hour at 170 degrees. Here's our finished product. So cute! Hope the birds enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Gavin!

Yesterday was baby Gavin's 1st birthday! Gavin is the son of my cousin, Melody and her husband Jeff. Gavin is the cutest, happiest baby and we were so glad that we got to celebrate the special day with family!

Catawba Science Center

On Saturday we were heading toward Hickory for a birthday party (see next post) and decided to make a day out of it by going to the Catawba Science Center first. Well, we got a later start than we intended and only had about an hour at the museum, but enjoyed our time there and plan to head back very soon. Fletcher enjoyed the Inventors Workshop and the Spin: Science of Rotation exhibit best. We look forward to seeing a show at the new planetarium and exploring the aquarium more on our next visit.

More of Danielle's Photos

Christmas Card Photo

Photo credit: Tonya Harrington

Playground

Carousel

Sunday at the Museum

Yesterday Fletcher and I took at trip to the Schiele Museum and Planetarium in Gastonia. We had a great time! It was our first planetarium experience and Fletcher liked it so much that we saw 2 shows. We have been to the Schiele Museum a few times before and I'm always struck by how each visit is different as Fletcher gets older. This time our favorite exhibit was the Hall of North Carolina Natural History where Fletcher and I played "I spy with my little eye...." as we explored and talked about each diorma. We also enjoyed the Hall of the American Indian where Fletcher was interested in how the Native Americans made things. It was a very enjoyable visit and we are looking forward to returning soon! It is days like yesterday that make me think homeschooling would be so fun (and days like today that remind me why it wouldn't!).

Enjoy Life While You're Living It

This New Year I resolve to enjoy the things we have now. This has been on my mind for a few months now. I had photographs and other art in the attic waiting until we had a new house to put it in. After we did some work around the house, I decided to enjoy these things now, in the present, in the home we have now. I have clothes I bought because I liked them, but have never worn because "I'm just running errands today" or "I'm just hanging with the kids today." But I am vowing to wear what I want because it will make me feel good. I vow to use the good china on a Tuesday night. I vow to live my life for today and not for some day in the unforeseen future.

Family Photos by Danielle

Update: I've only had a few minutes to look over the disk but here are some of my favorites so far!






Take a look at Danielle's blog and her Flickr pages for Clausen family photos! I'll post my favorites soon. Thanks so much, Danielle!

Getting the New Year Off to the Right Start

Well over the past few days I have cleaned and organized our bedroom closet, the downstairs closet (it was really bad), and the laundry room, plus random drawers and my address box! It feels good to at least start the new year off with things in pretty good shape. Who knows how long they will stay that way! It seems like home organization is a constant work-in-progress! Next I need to do some paper filing and computer files reorganization and work on my time management (less screen time for sure!). For that I feel that I really need and iphone to keep me on task (which doesn't support my less screen time does it?). Don't you agree?