The Peanut's evil twin?

A friend of my dad's recently gave me this really cool hooded shirt that has Lightning McQueen from the movie "Cars" on the front of it. I think it is absolutely hilarious to wear the hood on my head. I also love to point out to everyone in sight that there is a car on my shirt and alert them to that fact by saying "Car, car, car, car, car, car, car....." well, you get the picture.
In the attached picture, you can also see a new expression that I am becoming famous for in the Fletcher household (click on the picture to enlarge it). I am not sure who taught me to hold my mouth and teeth like this so that I look so evil and mischevious, but it sure does amuse my mom and dad.

When taking this picture, mom said that I looked somewhat like a baby unabomber... See the comparison of my picture to the sketch of the real unabomber. Oh, if only the real unabomber had been such a sweet little soul. There is just no resemblance at all.....I don't wear glasses and I definitely don't yet have a mustache. Plus, old Ted definitely didn't have the whole evil grin down like I do!

Enter Sandman

My first experience in the sand box was not a pleasant one. I was about 11 months old and I immediately did a magnificent face plant right into the sand. Needless to say, sand was in my mouth, nose, eyes and anywhere else you can think of. To make things even worse, I was then quickly doused with a big bottle of water, etc. All in all, it was not a pleasant experience for the Peanut.

Recently, mom thought it was the right time to introduce me to the sand box for a second time. This time around, let me tell you, it is a whole new exciting adventure and I am having a blast. I am much more stable on my feet now, so I can easily walk in the sand, stay upright, retrieve my toys and play happily. Now, I just get sand in my hair, my pants and in my shoes. Much better outcome for all!

I like to take my trucks (imagine that) and my bucket and I happily share them with any other kids that are around. I have found that other kids aren't always as readily willing to share their toys, but I am good natured enough to just move on and find another kid who wants to play with me.

See the above pictures of me playing with another kid's truck at the park (it is a toddler rule that other kids toys are ALWAYS more interesting) and then another picture of me showing how happy and joyful I am while in the sand at the park.

What gets your goat?

I know the names of a lot of animals and in particular I know how to say the sound that each makes. Whether we are talking neigh-neighs, moo-moos, baa-baas, oink-oinks, Hoot-hoots (that's for an owl), woof-woofs, or meow-meows, I have got it all down. Not wanting my advanced repertoire of animal sounds to go to waste, mom and dad thought it would be a good idea to take me to a park that has a little petting zoo. This would give me a chance to actually relate some of my animal sounds to the real thing vs. just seeing them in a picture.

At the park, I was able to pet some sheep and goats (and sit on a horse made out of stone). It was lots of fun and I was very brave. That is, until Daddy was feeding one of the goats and a piece of seed went in the goat's ear. The goat started shaking it's head all over and running about and I became a bit freaked out. After a cuddle from Mom and a peaceful look at the ducks, I composed myself and we went on with the day.

The other lesson I learned....the little brown pellets on the ground (otherwise known as goat poop) are not to be picked up or stepped on. Needless to say, we had to go wash our hands in the bathroom after our visit.

I also took my first carousel and train ride at the park so it was a big day for new adventures and experiences for the Peanut.

The T-shirt says it all (well, if I leave it on)!

My new thing lately, is to try to take my clothes off. I have learned to take off my socks and think it is hilarious to do so. I pull from the very end of my toe until my sock is stretched as long as a tube sock. When the sock finally comes off my foot, it usually shoots over my head which is very funny. Sometimes when mom is cleaning up my room or downstairs, she finds a sock and says "How in the world did this get over here?". This is good for a second chuckle on my part:) Hey mom, do you think this could be a reason as to why some of my socks seem to just disappear these days?

As to taking off other articles of clothing, I am getting more proficient everyday. I wrangled my arms out of my shirt the other day and ran around the house like a monkey with no arms while beating on my belly. I have been working on my pants, but I haven't been successful as there are too many snaps and buttons. Fortunately, I haven't tried to disrobe in public yet and this generally seems to be an activity that occurs when I start to get bored, so don't worry yet Mom. I will wait for just the right public moment, when I am bored and want to be on my way to a new scene! I am certain this will get you moving on.

Speaking of clothes, see the above picture of me in my new "Peanut" T-shirt. Mom and dad couldn't resist getting this shirt for me when they happened upon it at the mall a few months ago (even though it was ridiculously priced). I am getting so big and tall, but still skinny these days - this is a Size 2 Toddler shirt. Mom had to roll up the sleeves a bit, but the rest of it fits just fine. Mom and Dad say that it is hard to believe that I am the same tiny baby that they nicknamed "Peanut" only 18 months ago.