This Week in Review

Monday: To the Splashground with Tonya, Emma Kate, and Jack. After Fletcher decided he wanted to participate, we had fun playing in the spraying water.
Tuesday: Library and Playground with Cam. No comment from Mommy.
Wednesday: Clemmons with the Harrington's to visit Mrs. Evelyn, Nickolas, Mrs. Dawn, and Mrs. Danielle. Fun playing and catching up!
Thursday: Library and Playground with Mandy. Great day!
Friday: Shopping for fall at the mall. Haven't done anything like this is a long time.
Saturday: Hanging out with Uncle Aaron while Mommy works and Daddy sleeps.

Uncle Aaron, the Manny!

With Ed's new job schedule and my weekend job, we were in need of weekend childcare, and decided to ask my brother, Aaron. We thought this would be a good arrangement all around: we need childcare and would much prefer family to hiring a babysitter, Fletcher loves his Uncle Aaron, and Aaron needs money. He is arriving on Friday evenings and staying with us until Sunday late afternoon, when I return home from work. This is his first weekend as "Manny" and based on the 4 phone calls I received at work today, Fletcher is excited, very active, and testing Uncle Aaron's resolve. They went to the playground, played with every toy we own, and Fletcher just fell asleep on the sofa from pure exhaustion at 4:30pm (since he was too wound up to nap at his regular time). Aaron may do the same! We'll see if Aaron will want to return next week when we are in need of his services again!

Lazy 5 Ranch

Fletcher and I went to the Lazy 5 Ranch outside of Mooresville on Monday morning. This is our 4th or 5th trip. It is such a cool place and I highly recommend this trip! You can drive through the huge animal park in your car and get a close up view of zebras, a rhino, giraffes, large birds, and lots of deer-like animals, much closer than at the zoo. The animals will come right up to (and partially in) your car to eat. There is also an area to walk through that is as exciting for it's landscaping (windmill, fountain, old barn, and beautiful plants) as it is for the other animals there (hares, tortoises, birds, porcupines and more). Fletcher had lots to say about the behavior of the animals: "Maybe those goats are nocturnal" (when he saw some napping deer-like animals) and "The pigs can get cool and clean and fresh there" (when he saw a huge mud hole), etc.

What a Week!

What a fun and busy week we had. It included playing in the Fountain at Birkdale, playgroup at the playground and storytime at the library with school friends, art class, a visit from Uncle Aaron, Sophie's birthday party at the pool, and a fun evening at Tonya's with Dawn and the rest on the gang (see Tonya's blog for pictures). It took me all day Sunday to recover! Here are a few pictures of the week's activities.

"Let's Act it Out!"

Whatever we read, see on T.V., or imagine in our minds, we have to act it out! Fletcher is Little Bear and Mommy is Big Bear, Fletcher is Anansi and Mommy is the Lion, Fletcher is George and Mommy is the Man in the Yellow Hat, he is Bob and I am Wendy, and so on. What a wonderful imagination my son has! We need to get him into drama classes. Though he's pretty dramatic without lessons! Maybe he'll be an actor.

Mr. Personality

Fletcher is shaking hands and kissing babies, literally! The grocery store was quite and experience on Friday. Fletcher introduced himself to everyone we saw: "Hi, I'm Fletcher. Fletcher William Clausen and this is my mom, Joanna. What's your name?" At which people would either A) say "Oh, he's very friendly, isn't he" with a slightly shocked look on their face or B) answer his question and start a conversation. Needless to say, our grocery trip took looker than usual. He stuck his head right into a stroller to talk to a very cute and very new baby. The father said "Oh, it's okay" but I would not have been comfortable with that had it been my baby so Fletcher and I had to have a quick conversation about how to act with babies. I'm glad he is outgoing and friendly, but it's also a little concerning because he is not intimidated by anyone regardless of age, size, or appearance. I really think he might go with anyone. Thank goodness we are always together. Perhaps he'll be a politician when he grows up. Perish the thought!

Charlotte Philharmonic Concert in the Park

We had a great time last night at the Philharmonic Concert in the Park at Baily Road Park in Cornelius. Tonya and her family were there, as well as Tonya's friend Kathy and her family. It was so nice to spend time with good friends while listening to great music. Fletcher enjoyed drawing at the art tent, dancing, eating ice cream, and entertaining strangers with his singing. This is one of my favorite things to do and we are so lucky that the Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras come to us several times a year.