Hamster Lost and Found...

and lost and found. Thursday morning we got up, got ready, checked on Fuzzy...no Fuzzy! Fuzzy has become an escape artist lately and has escaped from his home 2 times in 3 days! Ed has been the 'hamster tracker' and tracked Fuzzy down both times but we couldn't figure out how he's getting out. All doors closed, nothing out of place. We thought he had to be getting out from his ball and put some tape where the ball attached to the cage, but he got out after that. Last night I caught him with his head poking out his dome, so we taped that closed as well. But the biggest mystery is how he is getting from the bookshelves where his cage sits to the floor. It has to be at least 2 1/2 feet high! Does he jump? We may be investing in a glass aquarium soon. I've got too much to do to worry about lost hamsters!

Symphony in the Park

Last night was Symphony in the Park at Baily Road Park in Cornelius. We love this event! This year there was an (bad) Elvis impersonator as the opening act followed by an awesome performance by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra called 'That's Amore": Italian composers and music. The conductor is so cool and these concerts are always family friendly and fun! We took a picnic and had ice cream, played football, saw some great fireworks, and found a frog. Good times!

More Party Pics!

Thanks again to Dawn for capturing the special day! My only complaint: there are no pictures of Dawn!

Children's Museum in Winston-Salem

Friday I took Fletcher and Nickolas to the Children's Museum. It was awesome! The boys had a great time in the Krispy-Kreme doughnut factory, the grocery store, and at the outdoor play area. By the end of the day Fletcher was Nickolas' "best friend" and Nickolas was Fletcher's "cousin" so I say it was a good day!

VBS: Beach Party!

Fletcher and I had a blast at VBS at St. Alban's this week. It was great beach party fun with food, music, crafts, stories, science and games each night. We are looking forward to a service, picnic, and swimming at the lake on Sunday as the culmination to VBS.

Fletcher in Disguise

Fletcher is so funny! He found these little black plastic pieces from the Gator box and thought they would make great eyebrows! He asked me to tape them on to his own eyebrows. He is so funny! I love that boy!

Father's Day

We celebrated Father's Day at my cousin Melody's home in Fort Mill. We had a great time with family including my Dad, enjoyed Jeff's delicious burgers and lots more yummy food. Fletcher got showered with birthday gifts and even got a John Deere ride-on Gator from his Pawpaw!

But the highlight of the day was Gavin, Melody and Jeff's son. He is the happiest, cutest, and sweetest little guy! He and Fletcher were totally smitten with each other this visit!

How lucky I was to spend the day with my two favorite Daddies: Fletcher's and mine! Hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day!

Thanks, Mel and Jeff! Can't wait to see you guys again soon!

(Busy) Camp Week

Fletcher had a great week at Superhero Camp at Children's Theater of Charlotte at ImaginOn in Charlotte. They sang songs, made art, and participated in drama activities based on picture books each day. On Friday Ed, Gramma, and I got to watch a presentation in which the kids performed some really cute songs, shared their favorite piece of art from the week, and acted out Baron von Baddie and the Ice Ray Incident in which Fletcher was a superhero (imagine that?). It was great! We were so proud of Fletcher and celebrated with a sweet treat from Reid's afterwards.

This is Fletcher's 2nd year attending summer camp of CTC and both have been great experiences for him. Perhaps drama will continue to be an outlet for him in the coming years!

What Makes Gramma's so Cool?

It could be their unconditional love or...that they'll do all the stuff that Mommy's and Daddy's don't have the time or patience for. Like using wood and power tools to built a trap to capture an imaginary 'bad mouse.'

Race For Cure

On Saturday morning Ed and I participated in the Race for the Cure in Raleigh, NC from Meredith College Campus, down Hillsborough St., through older neighborhoods where kids would squirt runners with hoses, and back to campus. It was a wonderful walk and was very well organized. We met some great people. The final number of participants was around 22, 000. Boy, was it hot! But we finished in under an hour. Our plan in to do at least a couple of more of these this year.

Old Stomping Ground

Ed and I headed to Cary/Raleigh on Friday and went to NC State on Friday afternoon and walked around. I had not been there since leaving NCSU in 1993. It was kinda weird being there and remembering that 'freshman' feeling. But fun to walk around campus.

The Knight of Kennellot

Fletcher and Gramma created a 'suit of armor' complete with helmet and shield and then we all painted some scenery with a castle, moat, and forest. Fletcher and I then acted out a play for Gramma and Daddy in which the brave knight (Fletcher) defeats the evil knight (Mommy). We had fun presenting our play and are planning to video it soon.

Open Up the Coconut

Banging it on your head? Bad idea. Shoot it from a cannon? No cannon.

Find the nearest elephant and say “For Goodness Sake”
Won’t you sit down on my coconut until the shell breaks?!”

You can swing your favorite hammer down upon a penny nail
That’s what my Gramma told me and she says it never fails
You get a crack started then you pull it open wide
Now everybody’s eating up the Coconut inside!

More Photos from the Day

Here are some more great photos of Fletcher's party by Dawn. Thank you, my dear!