A Better Day

Nicholas' day went much better. He now likes school and his teacher. He even taught me the little hot dog song he learned today! I love it when we learn new songs! I hope tomorrow goes even better for him!

The First Day

So, not a perfect first day but still a step up from last year. We were late due to horrendous traffic because of a tragedy with a police officer. Then, we start walking down the hallway as quickly as we can because he class is the last one. I notice the people standing still during announcements but some are walking so I keep going. Finally, a rude woman, I believe a teacher, says please stop. So I stop and say I'm sorry, we're new here. So she explains that we have to stop where we are during morning prayer. Not to be rude, but no one was praying while I was walking. So we are standing there and we start reciting the Our Father and then Hail Mary, I made sure to say them both very loudly so that woman would know what a good Catholic I am. Then we continued on to the classroom. I pick Nicholas up after school and start asking questions but he is just sitting there. So I stop and figure he'll tell me when we get home. We pull in the drive way and Bash is not that happy either. He had a problem with a boy in a soccer shirt who kept picking on him. A little while later Nicholas started crying and told me that his teacher yelled at him to sit down and that he hates school. He doesn't want to go there tomorrow. Yes, this is quite a story but last year, I couldnt' get him there because he was throwing a huge fit. What will happen tomorrow?

Ms. Rodriquez

She is Nicholas' teacher this year. We met her on Sunday after mass. I think she is really going to be good for Nicholas. She is very organized, nice, but no nonsense, and that is what he needs. She even has a bearded dragon in her classroom. Nicholas first classroom job is veterinarian so he will be working with that lizard right away. I can't believe he will be in school from 7:50 to 12:00, what a big boy he is!

School Days

School is getting ready to start for this little guy. He is going to be there five mornings a week this year and I am a little sad. We have been home together for over four years now. We have spent our time at the park, zoo, aquarium, beach, playgroup, Gymboree, doing anything and everything we felt like. That's all going to start to change now. Anything we schedule has to be in the afternoon because every morning will be spent with his teacher, not with me. Then next year he'll start Kindergarten and we'll only have summers, weekends, and vacations from then on. Where did the time go?

The Nudist

Even though Nicholas demands privacy in the bathroom at home, he doesn't seem to think much about it in public. He is willing to change into his bathing suit any where, any time, no matter who is looking. He also likes to go on trees inside of in the bathroom when he can. You would think that I could be in the bathroom brushing my teeth but that's just not what he wants. Aunt Wendy thinks we need to be more careful because she has heard about people getting fines for letting their kids be nude in public. I just can't control it! I am going to start working on it though!

What is this mama?

While at Forest Park in Massachusetts, Nicholas picked up a pinecone and said, "What is this, mama?" At first I was surprised by the question but as I thought about it I realized that we don't have those in Florida. I told him it was a pinecone and proceeded to put it in the stroller. When we found another, he put that one in to. So impressed with the pinecones was he that when I threw them out of the stroller on the sidewalk at the airport, he put them back in without me knowing. The security guard asked if I wanted to keep them when we went through. Nicholas shouted yes and so back they went into the stroller!

Tickets

Nicholas has fallen in love with the words poop, pee, and penis. He puts those words into everyone single sentence he says, it doesn't seem like those words are ever going away. So my friend Patty, whose husband is a detective, has told Nicholas that if he keeps saying those words he will get a ticket from Mr. Steven. That Patty is a genius I tell you! All I have to say is, "Do you want me to call Mr. Steven?" The magic takes place and instantly Nicholas stops for at least an hour or so!

Bathtime

Nicholas and Christopher were in the tub tonight when Nicholas said, "Oh, this is the life, relaxing at Bumbus Beach."

The Basketball Star

Today was Nicholas' second basketball game and he is quite the player! He runs back and forth across the court with his team and I even saw his hands up once while playing defense. He is still working on mastering shooting the ball in the hoop and his dribbling consists of one dribble and then a sort of throw but we're working on it! Even Michael Jordan had to start somewhere!

Thanks

"Mom, what is that smell?"
"I don't know, I don't smell anything, please go to sleep."
"Mom, what is that smell? Did you have stinky gas?"
"No, Nicholas, please go to sleep."
"Oh, wait, it's your breathe."

The Garbage and the Fork

Nicholas had lots of trouble following directions today. So tonight when he put a toy in his mouth after I had just asked him not to and threatened to throw it away, I took it. He was convinced that I threw it in the garbage and started screaming and crying. Finally he stomped off into the kitchen and I started to play with Christopher. I heard the silverware drawer open but didn't think much about it until I heard the top to the garbage can open. I turned around and Nicholas was using a fork to pick through the garbage and look for his toy!

Skating Lessons

Nicholas has his first day of skating lessons tomorrow. He is so excited to learn how to ice skate and play hockey. I think he thinks they are the same thing. It will be interesting to see how much he likes taking lessons as opposed to us holding onto him . . .

Ice Skating

We went ice skating with Steven and Lori and Nicholas absolutely loved it! He can't wait to start lessons so I am going to start him next week! He lasted two hours at the skating rink, I though for sure we would be leaving after about 15 to 20 minutes! He held onto me, Steven or Lori and we just kept on going! He was pushing his feet and gliding, he was a natural!

The Pool Party

The playgroup came over today to enjoy our pool and have a little lunch. I was very impressed with the way Nicholas shared his toys with everyone. I guess the more kids there are the easier it is to share. Patty made the best strawberry salad, too. It was exactly like the one we have at Old Town Pizza. She is amazing in the kitchen! It is going to be so sad when school starts this year and our playgroup is over. We have been meeting every Friday for almost three years now. We are really going to miss everyone!

Our Newest Pet

Lauren and Nicholas found a worm in the yard yesterday and decided it would make a great pet. So Nicholas put it in a tupperware container, Lauren poked holes in it, and we had a new pet. Right before Nicholas went to bed last night, I suggested he let it go but that was not happening! So he put some grass in there for the worm to eat or use as a bed. This morning when we woke up I could see that the worm was dead. I told Nicholas that I didn't think the worm was still alive but he picked it up and said it was fine. The next thing I know, Nicholas is sitting on the couch with the worm next to him on the arm of the couch, watching TV together. All I can say is yes, I made him wash his hands several times.

The Lizard

Nicholas and Sebastien found a lizard on the porch today. This would have been a normal occurance except for the fact that they decided to pick it up by it's tail and let it's huge body dangle in the wind. As they passed it back and forth, oh yes, Nicholas was part of this passing back and forth to my complete shock, the boy who hates all creatures, a small part of the tail breaks off in Nicholas' fingers and the lizard flops to the ground with a horrible thud noise. Nicholas begins to scream and flings the tail while Sebastien grabs the lizard by what is left of the tail and continues to inspect it. I think we know which child has a father who loves snakes!

Snergle

Nicholas loves swimming and has to wear goggles this year. I bought him a snorkel to use and every time he asks me to help him put it on he says, "Mom, can you put my snergle on me?" It just cracks me up every time I hear it! I keep trying to get him to say snorkel but it just comes out snergle no matter what!

Bugs

It's that time of year when those love bugs come out to torture us. And I do mean torture. If one so much as goes near Nicholas, there is screaming, yelling, and running. His teacher even mentioned how much he hated the love bugs out on the playground. Then when one made the horrible mistake of flying into our car, there was crying, screeching, and I thought he was going to try and jump out his window. He was so scared of this harmless flying love bug that I had to pull over and get it out of the car. He wanted to get out of the car and wait beside it while I worked on getting the bug out. I made him stay in his seat and listened to more screaming and crying before I could get it out. I can't wait until the love bugs are gone again!

A Very Special Mother's Day

Although this was our first with just me and the boys, I couldn't have asked for a better day. I enjoyed with Muffins with Mom, which was special all in itself, plus there were other surprises in store for me. Jason took Nicholas to Joanne's and they bought me a few scrapbooking items which Nicholas picked out. My terrific friend Rhonda bought chocolate covered pretzels from our new chocolate store for me from the boys. (I do suspect, however, that she may have been trying to sabotage my Weight Watchers diet.) Then my baby brother sent a beautiful flower arrangement from him and the boys. What a great brother I have! Belated Happy Mother's Day everyone, then again, shouldn't EVERY day be Mother's Day??

Muffins with Mom

Today was Muffins with Mom at Nicholas' school. He brought my muffin and juice to me at our table and didn't spill! Then he went to get some for himself. We ate together while he talked to the other kids and gave them high fives. The his teacher, Mrs. Hight had all the kids stand up and sing us songs. She played a "Guess the Mom" game where the kids described their moms, she read what they said, and then gave us a picture with the information on it. It was so cute! Nicholas thinks I am only four years old and that I am the most beautiful in the morning. Then he gave me a flowers made out of handprints all wrapped up like a bouquet. It was the most special day!