Charlotte Fun

Elsa and I spent an extended weekend visiting my parents in Charlotte last weekend, taking advantage of the fact that Jarrett was going to be away for part of the time in New York on business. Being left home alone always makes for a perfect excuse to get out of town. Why stay home, missing our daddy/husband, when we can go have tons of fun with Grandma and Grandpa? Just look at all of the exciting things we did!

Rode the rocking horse Mommy had when she was a little girl.

Had many a story read by Grandma and Grandpa.

Made a trip to Concord Mills Outlet Mall, where we played on an indoor playground...

...with a broccoli slide...

...rode on a train (somewhat reluctantly, but laughing by the end)...

...and rode on a carousel with Grandma...

...and AGAIN with Grandpa.

Bounced and bounced on the beloved tiger.

Took a splash in Grandma's new fountain.

Taught Uncle Billy a thing or two on the iPad.

Discovered and played with all of the toys Mommy and Uncle Billy collected from fast-food joints when they were kids.

Ate breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa every morning.

Cheesed it up for Grandpa and the camera.

Got all gussied up for a trip to the mall and a Mexican lunch...

...complete with curly, bouncy pigtails, requested by Grandma.

We also enjoyed swinging at the park and watching Grandpa attempt to fly his "Sweet Pea" remote control airplane, complete with a picture of the little Sweet Pea herself in the cockpit window. We can't wait to see the great Elsa Marie take flight someday soon (a larger remote control airplane my dad has put together with a friend -- also with Elsa in the cockpit, of course).

We had a lovely visit, despite a lack of sleep, belabored drives (we listened to the same reggae rendition of "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" for well over an hour on the way home just to keep Elsa entertained and Mommy somewhat sane), and being locked out of the house after a visit to the park (yes, Dad, I just had to mention it).