Snow Skiing

Nicholas has left for his trip to Utah with his dad and his new wife and her family. He was excited as can be and I am glad that his dad came through with the plans and taking him. I will be calling him all the time to make sure he is OK! It was very hard to watch him walk down the sidewalk with his dad, this is the first trip he has taken with him alone. I know he is going to have a great time!

The Star of the Show!

My son was the star of the show on Friday! He was singing and doing the arm motions, he was awesome! No other Kindergartener (except maybe Sebastien, who is lethal to fourth graders by the way) could compare! He was so cute up there in his plaid shirt and dress pants. I can't stop watching the video. I know he wasn't the real star of the show but he was to me!

Boat Parade

Nicholas had the best time ever at the boat parade last night. Not only did he get to see his best buddy, Steven, he also got to hang out with his friends. Talk about feeling like one of the guys! He even enjoyed watching the boats all lit up as they drove by. We had a great time!

Christmas Play

Tonight is Nicholas' Christmas play at school! He is so excited to be up on stage! I hope he doesn't get nervous. He doesn't usually so he should be great, keep your fingers crossed! Oh, I better go find the video camera!

My Poor Baby

My sad guy is having trouble in school. He is upset about the divorce. It has been two years but now he is having trouble in school with everything. His teacher called me today and she is worried about him. I don't know if he has figured out that his dad is remarried or if it's just the holidays. It seems strange that he would act out in school now when he hasn't done that at all this whole time. I am going to keep an eye on him. I did ask him if he wanted to talk. He said that it bothers him that everyone at dad's house says shit all the time. I don't know. Nicholas just isn't much of a talker so I don't know how to get him to open up to me. You would think I could figure it out, I am his mom after all.

Loose Teeth

Nicholas' best friend Sebastien lost a tooth a couple of weeks ago. Now he has another tooth that is loose. Nicholas is now trying to wiggle all of his teeth to see when one will pop out of his mouth! He just can't figure out why his teeth won't move. He thought for sure that one would get loose before Bash had a second one loose. He really wants the tooth fairy to come and visit!

Santa is Coming

Nicholas is so ready for Santa to come. I think his list is a mile long, if I actually wrote down everything he asked for!! Every single commercial, that isn't for a girl of course, he asks me to add it to his list. Some of the things I would have written down 20 times if I actually did it. I hope this Christmas is better than last year for him. I think it will be, he's getting some pretty exciting gifts. Today I am going to show him a website my friend Lori sent me to, www.northpole.com where he can write a letter to Santa and find out all about what goes on up there.

This can't be happening . . .

On Friday, while driving to drop the boys off at their dad's, the unthinkable happened. Nicholas and I had our first sex talk. Here is an overview of our conversation -

Nicholas - Mom, did you scream when Christopher was born?
Me - No, I didn't scream.
N - Did you scream when I was born?
Me - No.
N - Why didn't you scream? The Hulk's mom screamed when he was born.
Me - The doctor gives you medication that makes you feel better so it doesn't hurt and you don't have to scream.
N - Oh. The Hulk's mom didn't have that medicine because she was screaming. How does the baby come out?
Me - The doctor takes the baby out.
N - Where does the doctor take the baby out of on the mom?
Me - He just takes the baby out because it's time for the baby to come out.
N - But where does the baby come out of the mom?
Me - It's private for girls, you don't have to worry about that.
N - Where does the baby come out, just tell me, I won't tell anyone.
Me - It's not that you can't tell anyone, it's just that it's girls stuff.
N - Tell me mom, I want to know! (yelling at this point)
Me - The baby comes out of the mom's private parts.
N - Like the mom's penis?
Me - No, girls have different parts and that's where the baby comes out of.
N - What it's called? Is it the nuts?
Me - No, it's called the vagina, girls don't have the same parts as boys do.
N - So the baby goes out of your butt?
Me - No, it's down there but it's more like where you go pee from.
N - Oh, OK mom. So the baby comes out from where you pee.
Me - Something like that, yes. This is something we only talk about with our family. Babies and private parts are private, so if you have questions and want to talk about only talk about it with your family not your friends, OK?
N - Mom, can we listen to the air song now?

A Political Debate between Five Year Olds

Tuesday afternoon in the car on the way home from school:

Nicholas - Mom, did you call into the radio station and tell them you were voting for Obama?
Mom - No, I didn't.
Nicholas - Did you go vote for Barack Obama?
Mom - Yes, I did.
Sebastien - That's good, Miss Trisha, that's who I would vote for.
Nicholas - Yeah, me, too. I really like Barack Obama.
Sebastien - I don't like John McCain, he's a bad guy.
Nicholas - Whose John McCain?
Mom - The other man who is running for president.
Nicholas - I would vote for John McCain.
Sebastien - No, Nicholas, you can't for John McCain he takes away money and jobs from people.
Nicholas - No he doesn't, I am voting for him.
Sebastien - Well, I still want Obama. Go Obama!
Nicholas - Mom, do you think I can go inside at Sebastien's house and play the Wii for a few minutes?

We were off to see the Wizard . . .

Yesterday, Nicholas and I went to see the Wizard of Oz with Amy and Zachary. We had a fabulous time! Nicholas' eyes were glued to the stage. When he was asking questions, he wouldn't even turn his head for a second, he didn't want to miss what was happening! I thought about watching the movie with him before we went but then I decided that maybe it would be more fun for him to watch it the first time on stage. I asked him afterwards what his favorite part was and his reply was "The whole thing, mom!" What made my day was when I was getting ready he asked, "Why are you wearing pretty clothes mom?" I said, "We are getting dressed up for the play. That's what people do when they go. Why, do you want me to wear something else?" "No, wear your pretty clothes mom, you look very pretty."

Karate

Tonight Nicholas tried Karate for the first time. He absolutely loved it! He was even able to chop the board in half. The other moms were impressed with this, they said usually the kids can't do it the first time. The only down side was that when we came home, he kept Karate chopping me!

Hockey Player

Nicholas has really been improving in his hockey. A few months ago he didn't go near the puck very much when the kids played against each other. Last night, he was following the puck around and actually trying to get it! The kids have jerseys now so they look like a team, it was the cutest thing ever. He is going to try Karate on Monday. I wonder how that is going to go!

Just like Mom

Nicholas has discovered the nurse's office at school. I have received two phone calls home this week because he doesn't feel good. Both times I have been able to convince him to stay yet I think it's becoming a pattern. If he is going to take after me, then he will be up there everyday trying to come home. I just don't think God should punish me like this. I don't even remember all the things like this I put my mom through. Will Markie have perfect kids because he was so perfect growing up??

Starting to Read

Nicholas and I have practicing his sight words which is the beginning step of starting to read. So far he knows 15 words by sight. His teacher sent home a little book made out of paper that the kids are using to learn to read. It says "I see b, I see y, I see b, d, and y." Really simple, in a pattern but boy did it bring tears to my eyes when Nicholas read the whole thing to me!! The book has like 8 pages in it and he could tell me what every letter and word said. My baby is growing up, he is reading to me!!

Adjusting to School

Nicholas has been enjoying school. He loves his teacher and enjoys everything they are doing. The only thing he doesn't understand is why he can't just go home after lunch. He thinks I should be able to pick him up because all they do after lunch is take a nap and then play outside. In a way, he is right, it's just that Florida State Law that keeps me from actually doing it.

Hurricane Day

Our hurricane day was not a hurricane day at all. In fact, there wasn't even a drop of rain!! So we spent our day at the movies with Kristyn, Sebastien, and Steven. We saw Stars Wars The Clone Wars and we loved every minute of it. The best part was when Sebastien asked all of us to name our favorite parts on the way out. When did he get big enough to ask questions like that? These kids are growing up so fast! Back to school tomorrow!

The First Day

Nicholas was just adorable on his first day back to school. He had his uniform on and was ready to go! He loves his teacher and his classroom. He said a prayer, played outside, had snack, played in centers, and learned to clap quietly with his two pointer fingers. He demonstrated this by telling me to repeat after him, showing me how, and then telling me to try. It was so adorable I couldn't stand it. As for the second day of school, it has been cancelled due to the hurricane that is currently over the Keys. At least I won't have to wait an hour in car line tomorrow, that is one good thing!

The First Day of School Eve

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Nicholas' full time school career. Gone are the days of going to the aquarium, zoo, or library any time we want to. Now he will be in school from 8 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. It will just be Christopher and I, wandering around waiting for Nicholas to come back home. As I have said a hundred times before, it's hard to believe five years has already gone by. Where did the time go? Why did my baby have to grow up so quickly?? His teacher this year is Ms. Ortiz and we met her today. She was very nice and the classroom is similar to the one he was in last year. I know he is going to have a great year, I just hope he doesn't spend too much time talking about playstation and videogames! So, at 6:15 tomorrow morning, the school year begins and Nicholas will officially be in Kindergarten.

The Trip

Nicholas is a seasoned traveller now, quietly sitting in his seat, playing games, chewing gum. He knows when to put the gum in so his ears don't pop. He knows that we can buy snacks that are better than the pathetic free peanuts from the flight attendants. He knows there is ice cream at the airport that his mother will buy hoping that the memory of it will keep the kids quiet on the plane. He knows when he gets to CT he'll be spoiled by all of his aunts and grandmother. Why shouldn't he be good? He really enjoyed Uncle Mike's playstation. Whoever created playstation - thanks alot. No, I don't mean it. All the child wants to do is play video games. It's as if his very existance depends upon those games. We did manage to pull him away long enough to swim, pick blueberries, and visit the Trolley Museum. During all of which he continuously asked how much longer until we were home so he could play playstation.

A Nice Conversation

Tonight Nicholas was laying on one couch, all covered up with a blanket, his snack of crackers and milk sitting next to him. I was sitting on the other couch looking at the new Southern Living catalog. All of a sudden he says, "Hey mom, mom!" "What Nicholas?" "Isn't this nice, a mom, a son, relaxing, watching TV together. It's really nice mom." "It is really nice, I like watching TV with you." "I love you mom, you are my best mom." "I love you, too, Nicholas, you are my best son." How old is he again? I wish he wouldn't ever grow up.

PlayStation Withdrawl

Nicholas went through PlayStation withdrawl on Sunday at the beach. It was literally a five year old going through withdrawl. He cried for at least two hours wanting to go home and play his videogames. He begged Nana and I to go to the store and buy a GameBoy because he needs to play it. He hated the beach and wanted to have his games to play. We could not believe how worked up he was. It was like he was never going to stop crying or screaming for the PlayStation. So now, we have new PlayStation rules. We are only playing for a little while in the morning and a little while in the afternoon.

Hockey Team

Tonight was Nicholas first real hockey team practice. I did ruin it by forgetting his bag with all of his equipment and skates. We went to the beach yesterday and I took it out of the trunk. I did not remember to put it back in so it was left at home. I started to turn around but then Kristyn saved us by finding the equipment we needed. Then Jason bought Nicholas new skates. So all in all it was a good night. Nicholas hit the puck a few times and was even the goalie a couple of times. He really seems to like it. He made a pass and then the kid he passed to scored a goal. Not too bad getting an assist on his first night of real hockey!

Learning to Read

Nicholas wants to learn to read. We have been reading short books before he goes to bed that are helping. He has started to recognize the word Nemo, the, and he. I can't believe he is already starting to learn to read. I wish I could shrink him back to Christopher's size!

PlayStation

PlayStation now rules our home. It sounds funny but it's true. Nicholas is obsessed with Hulk, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars. He sits in front of the TV and screams at it like a grown man does when football is on. He gets so frustrated when he can't do something yet can take his eyes off for five seconds. He has finally started giving his friends turns, hopefully he will let them have more than five minutes sometime in the near future.

Pool Party!

The pool party was a huge success, everyone had a great time. Nicholas asked if next year we could add the Limbo to the party because it was the only thing that was missing! Kristyn bought decorations and flowered necklaces, the kids were so excited! I still have some of the stuff hanging outside and Nicholas is thrilled that we are going to leave it up all summer long. It was such a nice way to end the year. I really liked all the kids in his class and I can't stop looking at the pictures I took. It is hard to believe that preschool is over with and Kindergarten is up next!

The Last Week

This is Nicholas' last week of school. Then he will officially be a kindergartener. I know this because he reminds me everyday. He is so excited to be in kindergarten next year. I just don't know where my little baby went! He can't wait to be dropped off in the morning instead of walking down the hall with me. I think I am going to cry when I can't walk with him! So Friday marks the end of EC4A and the beginning of full time school for my little guy. We are celebrating with a class pool party that afternoon here at our house. Hurray for summer and not waking up early!

A Special Prayer

Nicholas and Sebastien are sitting in the backseat, patiently waiting for me to buckle them in, when Nicholas brings up Sebastien's cat who recently died. He asks me if I know that Spencer is dead. I do know, so I answer yes. Sebastien says that he is sad but it's OK. Nicholas says that he is sad for Sebastien and he is going to say prayer. He begins with the sign of the cross, "In the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit, Amen. Angels take care of Sebastiens cat, Spencer. We miss him and keep him safe in heaven. Amen."

Pressure

Nicholas was playing his Star Wars game today and asking me a million questions about how he could get past this one bad guy. So I was trying to tell him how to do it when all of a sudden he turns around and says "MOM! Stop pressuring me. You are pressuring me. I can't do it with all this pressure!" He then started crying. So I said I was sorry and stayed quiet for the rest of the game. Who knew the force was so important.

Butterfly Field Trip

Nicholas had a fantastic time on the field trip to MOSI. There weren't any butterfly incidents, he enjoyed them this time. The best part was that our class was the only class in the hands on section for kids. In the past, there have been lots of kids and it was hard for Nicholas to get to try things. This time, no one else was there and all the kids had a blast. I love to listen to Nicholas explain the life cycle of the butterfly, it amazes me how much he knows already. He's just so smart and perfect!

Tricky Questions

Nicholas - "You don't like dad do you mom?"
Me - "I like dad. What do you mean?"
Nicholas - "You don't love him."
Me - "No, I don't love dad anymore but I do like him. We are friends."
Nicholas - "So you like dad but you aren't going to kiss him anymore, right?"
Me - "No, I am not going to kiss him, but I like him and we are friends."
Nicholas - "Like me and Bash are friends, right?"
Me - "Right."

Did we really just have this conversation?

Butterflies

Nicholas' class is studying butterflies and their life cycle. It absolutely amazes me how much Nicholas learns in just one day. He came home talking about the chrysalis, the egg, the butterfly, what changes happen when. I can't believe how much he remembers and how much he loves learning! All he can talk about is the field trip they are going to take to Mosi to learn more about it and to go inside the garden where the butterflies can land on you. I reminded him of the time we went to one in Connecticut with Aunt Wendy and Aunt Flippy. He has decided that butterflies landed his nose and Aunt Flippy's nose and that they both hated it. So, we'll see what happens with our next butterfly experience . . .

Another Inspiring Boy Conversation

Bash - "Hey, Miss Trisha, I didn't like it when Anastasia said that I wasn't her friend. So, I said I don't like that and I walked away."
Me - "I am very proud of you Bash, that was the right thing to do."
Nicholas - "Mom, Mom, if someone told me that they didn't like me I would say that I didn't like that and walk away, too."
Me - "That is a great idea, I am proud of you. We should just walk away and not tattle or argue."
Bash - "Nicholas, if a stranger is trying to get you I know what you should do. You should kick them in the balls. That way they will get hurt and you can run away."
Nicholas - "I will kick them, but I am going to kick them in the penis. That way they will fall over and I can run away."
Me - "That's a good idea boys, you should kick them and run away."
Nicholas - "My poppy knows a short cut to the skating rink so we can get there fast."
Bash - "So does my poppy. And one time, I was drinking water and my dad came up behind me and started making chicken noises. It scared the heck out of me! Can you believe it Miss Trisha?"

All of this in the 10 minute car ride to drop Sebastien off at Patty's.

5th Birthday

I think Nicholas had the best birthday ever. He had a party at Pump It Up and loved every minute of it. The theme was Transformers and the cake was hit! He loved sitting on the king chair and opening his presents. He really thought he was something! He spent most of his actual birthday with Jason. When I picked him up he was really excited, usually he doesn't want to leave, since he knew there would be presents and cake! Uncle Markie made cheeseburgers on the grill and Nicholas opened his presents. He really wanted a Wii with a Transformer game like Sebastien but I couldn't find a Wii anywhere on earth. So I went with PlayStation 2 since it had a Transformer game. He doesn't know the difference and was so excited when he opened it up. I also gave him an electric guitar and Joe and Kristyn gave him an amplifier which he absolutely loves. He plays songs for me every day and is going to take lessons from Joe. I am glad he had such a great day, he deserves it!

Book Fair

Today was Nicholas' book fair at school. He was so excited because I gave him money to go shopping for a book all on his own. It's the first time he has gone down without me and used money to pick his very own book. He came home with a Star Wars book and a Transformers book. Not exactly quality literature but since I volunteered at the book fair on Tuesday, there are better books for his Easter basket!

A Happy Little Guy

He spent the entire three days of snow outside and loving it. For a Florida baby he sure adjusted well! He threw snowballs, went sledding, and made two snowmen. He couldn't have been happier. He dragged everyone that would go out there with him. I even took a few turns down the hill - I couldn't miss all the fun! Uncle Mike took him on the snowmobile and Nicholas was just beside himself! He is already planning next year's trip!

The Snow!

We were outside in the snow by 8:30 this morning! It is cold but absolutely beautiful! Nicholas rolled all around in it and was just beside himself with excitement. He ran everywhere and made two snow angels. I finally talked him back inside with the promise of hot chocolate and a phone call to Uncle Markie to ask him to bring a sled when he comes!

Girlfriends

Nicholas played outside yesterday afternoon with the neighborhood kids. There were a few older kids out there, too. So when we went inside Nicholas said, "I think that girl was one of the boys' girlfriends. They were boyfriend and girlfriend, mom." What do you say to that? Then he said, "I am going to have a boyfriend when I grow up." "No, you are going to have a girlfriend." "No, mom, it's called a boyfriend. I am going to have a boyfriend." "So you want a boy, like Sebatien or Thomas or you want a girl like Madison or Hannah." "A girl, mom, duh, but it's called a boyfriend." "No, you would be the boyfriend because you are a boy and the girl is a girlfriend because she is the girl." "Oh, then I want a girlfriend but not Madison or Hannah. I will meet someone different when I am bigger and she will be my girlfriend and then I will marry her." "OK, that sounds good." "I don't want to marry Ms. Rodriguez though, I don't want to marry teachers. Sebastien does but I don't." "OK, you can marry whomever you would like." "Maybe I could marry Miss Deanna, mom." "OK, you can try but she's already married." "No, mom, I am just kidding. Don't tell her I said that." Was I talking to my almost five year old son, or a teenager? I still can't figure out where that conversation came from!

Beach Boy

We went to visit the Quintero's today to see their new store. It is just amazing! We really enjoyed it. Then we went off to the beach only to realize that I did not bring any toys or a blanket. After a quick call to Lori and stop at their house, we were all set with a football, shovel, pail, and her trusty Rug Rats blanket which she has been carrying around in her car since I have known her. Nicholas played football for an hour with Steven and Markie. The three of them just ran around and had a ball. Christopher tried to follow them sometimes but mostly he just pointed at and talked to the birds. It was such a nice afternoon. Right before going to bed Nicholas stopped in the hallway and said, "Mom, it was really a good day today. I had the best time playing football at the beach. I love the beach." Well that just says it all.

The Valentine

Aunt Wendy sent Nicholas a Valentine with money in it this week. He was so excited when the money came falling out of the card. He started yelling - read it mommy, read it! Who sent this to me! So we read the card and he asked if we could hang it with the other cards. Then he looked over at me and said - Now I can buy that Transformer that you won't buy me. You never buy me anything mommy. We have to go to Walmart right now to get it. Great, thanks for making look good Aunt Wendy!

I Crack Myself Up

I finally put batteries in Nicholas' walkman - which he thinks is an ipod - so he could listen to it while falling asleep tonight. He wanted me to read his book to him while he was listening to the music. He refused to take the headphones off and I could hear the pirates singing away clear as day. So instead of reading, I just paused, turned the page, paused again, turned the page, paused again and so on. After about half the book he slowly moved one headphone over as if to check to see if I was really reading because he wasn't quite sure. It just cracked me up! Then he couldn't figure out what I was laughing at so I had to really read the book before he caught on and I had to go back to the beginning!

Blowing Bubbles

Nicholas has figured out how to blow bubbles with his gum! He is so proud of himself he can hardly stand it! He was starting to do it last night and I gave him a couple of directions to get him going. All of a sudden he blew the biggest bubble! He couldn't believe and I couldn't believe it and Christopher wanted to grab it! Now he keeps chewing gum and blowing bubbles over and over.

Just Like Auntie Moo

Mr. Nicholas uses his humidifier every night while he is sleeping. He is not sick, we do not have a problem with too much dry heat, we live in Florida after all. Nope, he just enjoys the noise it makes. Which is exactly how his Auntie Moo was when she was little. She always had to have her humidifier, sick or not! He even wakes up when I try to turn it off when he is sleeping. He also has this little toe that he can stick out which is just like the trick she does with hers - but that's a story for another time!

A Breakthrough!

Nicholas started writing his name this weekend! He has not wanted to try or work on it since school started. Finally, Transformer valentine's day cards motivated him. He wanted to sign all the cards to his friends. He is so stubborn when it comes to this stuff, I just can't imagine where that comes from!

Transformers

Transformers have taken over our lives. We play transformers, eat with transformer plates, watch transformers, sleep on transformers, bathe with transformer soap and towels, and are having a transformer birthday part. I even have to tell bedtime stories that have transformers in them. I am not allowed to leave them out. I guess the change from trucks is nice, I just wish I could actually transform one of the transformers. We have save that for Uncle Markie because I just can't figure it out even with the directions!

Hockey Skates

Nicholas went through is first skating lesson wearing the new hockey skates that Nana and Poppy gave him. He was excellent! His teacher even came out and said that for his first time he did really well. I am going to get him over to the rink for some practice this weekend and next week. He is so excited about his skates!

A Nighttime Miracle

Nicholas has gone the past three nights without wearing a diaper to bed. He has still been wearing a diaper to bed since he was potty trained. Finally, for the past three nights he has skipped the diaper and not wet the bed! I am so very proud and excited for him! It is so hard to believe that he will be 5 in just a few short months! I am signing him up for Kindergarten this week!