He knows more

Frequently, well most of the time, I don’t realize what Nicholas actually understands or knows.  He throws so many ridulous tantrums still about what cup, shirt, or other item he has that I can’t believe it when he does something intelligent. Two different sides to that boy. 

A couple days ago we were driving to work/Daycare. Just me and him. And about half way there he asks for Lulu.  Well, of course, I had other things to get ready for our early departure so I forgot Lulu. 

Mom: “I think she is still in your bed, we forgot her”

Nicholas: WWAAHHHHH!!!! LULUUUU!! Tears.  Turn around!!

M: I can’t. I have to get to work I cant be late.

N: more crying..... wwwhhhyyyy? 

M: because it is important that I could go work when I am needed

N: more crying.... wwhhyyyyy?

M: well, I need to help the ladies get their babies out of their bellies

N: silence.... babies in their bellies?

M: yep, some babies are ready to meet their mamas today

Quiet for 5 minutes until we arrive at the parking lot

N: how do the babies get out of their mamas bellies?

M: a brief quick explanation and then we hurry into school

After school

N: did the babies come of the bellies?

A few days later on the way to work/Daycare

N: do you have to help the mamas get their babies out of their bellies? 

Start of school- two days down

Lots of new stuff this school year, including a brand new school.  How lovely to think of spending the day in the new Eastern.  Colin did awesome on day one of kindergarten.  As soon as he woke up, he ran and grabbed socks and sat by the door.  It was just an hour before he had to leave. Lots of excitement and he was seeming more confident that last year when separation was tearful for at least a month and even some days in the second half of the year, it was hard to say bye. But, day one this year made me so proud of him. Day two, he woke up not wanting to go... excuses were the day is too long, one girl is mean to me, I don’t like music. So we had a few years at drop off... but big smiles at pick up! It was a good day!  He doesn’t want to go tomorrow, he really just likes to stay home with us. It is endearing! Really. I want him to be brave and smart and love school, but I want to wrap him up and never let go sometimes too. 

Evan is off to TAG without a problem.  It definitely has helped the transition to have Ben in his class. They weren’t really friends until baseball this past spring. But, it took away some fear and he was happy to pick lockers by him. He is not the most studious child. His writing is messy, he currently prefers to play Minecraft in his free time instead of reading, and his organization could be better.  But we are so proud of his accomplishment making this program and his ease into this school year. Today, our plan for after school wasn’t exactly clear because we didn’t know if I would be done with work in time to get him or if Tony would sneak and get him.  So I gave him the instruction to head down Seventh Street until about Oak, and one of us would meet him there. Turns out, I actually made it to his school very early and thought I would catch him coming out the door.  Wish I would have known what door he exits from from, because after the school cleared out I still didn’t see him. I rushed over to our planned meeting spot and my heart leapt when I saw him standing there in the sidewalk in the drizzle rain, looking like a big kid. And with a smile. I love that kid! 

Running out of yogurt

A couple months ago, we accidentally started a habit with Nicholas.  It’s not a bad one, but now we are kinda stuck wth it. We started buying him a yogurt during a shopping trip.  We stop at the store a couple times a week with him and he now doesn’t let it go by without him getting his yogurt (usually chocolate fluffy).  And once he has his hands on it, it is hard to get him to give it up (even to scan or in the car).

Today we were driving to the library, with no plans to stop at Family Fare.  Nicholas points out the window “we need to stop there!”

Me: “no, we don’t, not today.”

N: “yes, we are running out of food.”

Me: “I think we have everything we need, what kind of yogurt are you talking about?”

N: “yogurt!”

Somehow I thought not stopping would lead to a tantrum, but luckily it didn’t.  Just a cute conversation and his recognition of the store and his reasoning was surprising!

Words from our baby

Nicholas is such a talker now.  He is smart enough to remember thing and then tell us in whole sentences about it again.  It is amazing to watch tbis stage of development.  I love hearing that little voice from across the house, “mama, w’are you?” Kinda combining the ‘where’ and the ‘are’ into his sweet little voice.  And he sings the abcs and happy birthday and usually correctly counts to ten.  Oh, this sweet little guy!

2 wheels

Little awesome Colin cruised on bike without training wheels today.  I held the back for a second and told him to just take a couple steps like a balance bike and put his feet on the pedals... and he took off! Such a awesome feeling for me even, because I could feel his joy!  The accomplishment, being brave, and the independence of taking on the world because of just coasting on a bike for the first day!  So awesome!

Evan is nine

He’s nine.  And seems a little touch taller every time I hug him.  He is obsessed with football cards.  A little too much. Maybe.  Really this started in October after we went to a badger game.  That’s when I saw the interest of football.  Of course, he played flag football in second grade but seemed clueless about the sport.  But this year, the boys at school got super into it.  Lots of card collecting! And he pretty much wanted football cards and a Jordy Nelson jersey for his birthday.  I keep hoping that he will be interested in something unique or intelligent.  Like playing the guitar or something. Or even reading more.  Maybe someday.  He tends to just like bumming around home, with his football cards.

The night before his birthday he ate at Harvest for dinner and had Cherry Republic for dessert with grandma and grandpa bray. Then for his birthday party, Holden, Aiden, and Christopher came over for a sleepover.  They played football, traded cards, played laser tag in the dark.  Nothing too crazy.  A pretty calm group for a boy who doesn’t like kids to get too rowdy.

Another long weekend

Ironically, I opened this blog and up and I immediately posited my details of a day a few months back about a long weekend with the boys.

Same thing this weekend.  Counting the minutes til bedtime.  I couldn’t focus on much fun today at all.  I felt like it was survival mode this weekend.  And too much screen time for Evan and Colin! I just didn’t have the energy to think of something less to engage them all in.

I just need to make a plan to have fun again tomorrow.  This weekend is gone.  I can make up for it.  Not all days can be perfect.