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!

Gymboree Winter Camp

Nicholas went to two days of Gymboree camp. He just loves that place! I am so glad I signed him up, he really had a great time with Miss Sarah and the other kids. He even made a New Year's hat and drew a picture of what he's going to do for fun in 2008. It was a picture of him and Sebastien on a roller coaster at Busche Garndens. I guess that's a hint!

An Interesting Christmas

Nicholas had fun this Christmas. He was upset for a few hours, screaming, crying, etc. wondering if his dad could bring over his Bumblebee transformer. I saved the day by volunteering to drive to get it. Once Bumblebee was safely inside our house, the day improved. He absolutely loves his guitar, he plays it like he's a rock star! I just can't get over the way his head nods, he strums the guitar, he looks like such a cool dude!