tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29554821131294515302012-02-01T08:51:24.775-05:00Our family just keeps getting nuttier!Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.comBlogger7571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-22759970064147054652012-01-30T22:02:00.003-05:002012-01-30T22:18:47.040-05:00

That is apparently what preschool is made of.We don't usually get much out of Nicholas when we ask him what he did at school that day, but the boy does randomly break out into songs and recitations of various school rules. And if you listen carefully and piece it all together, you can get a lot of information about what is going on.The songs are the most impressive--he seems to have a new one

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-704027852709251942012-01-27T19:31:00.002-05:002012-01-27T19:36:07.603-05:00

Like most 2 year olds Nicholas likes to read the same books and watch the same tv shows over and over and over again. I know this is normal. I know this is good in some way for cognitive development. I find it impressive that he has whole books memorized. (I'm a little scared about the tv shows he has basically memorized, though.)But, let's be honest. While 2 year olds love reading the same

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-27084536441931076232012-01-22T22:50:00.003-05:002012-01-22T23:00:05.139-05:00

We have finally started getting snow this past week, after a very mild winter. The first two snows in the past week and a half have been of the 1-2 inch variety and very similar to what we got in Maryland--wet and slushy and gone within a few days.But this weekend we were introduced to a different kind of snow. It wasn't much still, only about 3 inches, and so not what I would say is a real

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-5183933740384889102012-01-20T18:35:00.003-05:002012-01-20T18:35:54.647-05:00

Apparently Nicholas has been taking lessons at the Uncle Patrick School of Negotiating Tactics. We just finished dinner and he asked if he could play with his train. Sarah said, "yes, for 10 minutes." (It is, after all, almost time for bed.) Nicholas replied, "No, 5 minutes!!" "Sure!" we said in unison. This comes on top of yesterday, when we offered him ten stickers for a successful potty

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-83065403256013956062012-01-18T23:26:00.001-05:002012-01-18T23:28:58.277-05:00

Nicholas has a habit of trying to do the hard part of a new skill first: he tried to walk before he could crawl, and his second "word" was almost a sentence. Now he's been learning his letters and noticing words (when the letters are uppercase, and I've decided not to teach him yet why they're called that). So what are the first two words he can spell? NICHOLAS is first. Now, it's a difficult

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-69408038591252815552012-01-16T21:17:00.002-05:002012-01-16T21:17:27.517-05:00

Nicholas got his first real taste of the NFL playoffs yesterday with the Giants-Packers game (we were all in the air during last week's game against the Falcons). Since the game coincided with dinner time, Sarah offered to make it a mini-party; we got some appetizer dip-and-chips on our grocery run, and had dinner in the living room (which we do very, very rarely with our little toddler). I have

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-20450367649034665742012-01-13T21:13:00.000-05:002012-01-13T21:13:30.170-05:00

I've had the camera all week to help me finish my research in Philadelphia, so you're stuck with one of my photo essays for Chicago. It was a fantastic trip, by all accounts. It was our first trip there since Brian and Shayna got married, so we got to see their apartment and have fun with them in addition to our professional duties downtown. On Thursday night, though, all three of us ventured

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-45499364256599792532012-01-12T21:31:00.003-05:002012-01-12T21:55:32.746-05:00

Nicholas has made it through his first 4 days at his new school and so far so good. By all accounts he is doing really well and adjusting nicely. I have nothing coherent or profound to say, so here is another bullet point list:He ends each day exhausted and starving. He has in all seriousness been sleeping 11-12 hours every night this week. And I've had to start having a snack for him in the car

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-67530712864849135062012-01-12T21:03:00.004-05:002012-01-12T21:25:04.194-05:00

It may have taken me awhile, but I'm just impressed I managed to actually write this post. This trip to Louisville was the trip of the Barn game. That kid conned I think every relative we saw (except maybe my grandfathers) into playing the Barn game with him. And here is the evidence: From 2012 January From 2012 January And my sainted aunts and uncle each played probably a dozen times (quite

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-76145008507453985572012-01-09T22:06:00.002-05:002012-01-09T22:20:06.853-05:00

I have 3 or 4 posts rattling around in my head, but I spent an hour tonight reading a hilarious blog instead of either working or updating our own rather mundane little piece of the blogosphere and there are still roughly 8 trillion dishes waiting for me.So, here are the brief snapshots, since I may never get around to the actual posts:I have all sorts of great pictures and videos and stories

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-44061415318269186262012-01-09T17:40:00.003-05:002012-01-09T17:50:54.860-05:00

Joe wanted to take the camera to Philly this week to take pictures of the documents he hadn't had a chance to get through yet. Sure, no problem. He'll be home Saturday and we'll just be at school and work all week. No need for a camera.Silly Sarah.We get on the airplane yesterday, a whole 45 minutes after leaving Joe, and as Nicholas peeks into the cockpit as usual, the stewardess says, "When

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-69800705335453984382012-01-03T14:29:00.002-05:002012-01-03T14:42:41.237-05:00

Travelling alone with a 2-year old is exhausting.Trying to maintain control when great-grandparents continually offer sugar-laden treats to a child who is exhausted, over-stimulated, and a little manic is impossible.Working on potty training while travelling, with a host of distractions and a different bathroom 3 times a day is a chore. And not very successful.Expecting a toddler with lots of

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-62450642804069856692011-12-31T20:53:00.003-05:002011-12-31T20:56:02.022-05:00

This afternoon we took Nicholas to the nearby indoor mini-golf course (just before closing time when it was less crowded). We figured it would be a fun way for him to let off some steam, and if he played a little golf, so much the better. He had a blast, and it turns out he's figured out quite a bit since we last took him six months ago. We had to work with him a little on how to hold the putter

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-37653166877278581272011-12-30T23:47:00.002-05:002011-12-30T23:49:36.736-05:00

Tonight Nicholas began his prayer with, "Thank you God for me going pee in the potty."More on potty training later . . . maybe.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-69429863031694628762011-12-29T20:27:00.002-05:002011-12-29T20:56:40.731-05:00

One side effect of Christmas that I'd forgotten about is the way major gift holidays cause Nicholas to take a developmental leap forward. That sounds silly so let me explain. At Christmas and his birthday Nicholas gets a bunch of toys that either meet him where he is or are things we and others anticipate him wanting or being ready for soon. These replace a bunch of toys that he has outgrown or

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-58021317788413096252011-12-28T17:36:00.003-05:002011-12-29T20:26:49.351-05:00

We had a delightful Christmas, which really lasted for the 5 days my parents were here visiting. We baked tons of cookies, as well as tamales and a yummy pork tenderloin. From 2011 December From 2011 DecemberOn Christmas Day we spread the process of opening presents out over the entire day. This was somewhat intentional, as we decided to only do Santa stockings before church to not be rushed and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-9202108156117745462011-12-25T13:40:00.001-05:002011-12-25T14:01:51.064-05:00

From 2011 December

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-57535214688468195502011-12-24T19:43:00.001-05:002011-12-24T19:44:39.858-05:00

From 2011 DecemberFrom 2011 December

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-30129093995102753082011-12-23T20:59:00.004-05:002011-12-23T21:18:12.270-05:00

We decided that this year Nicholas needed to be involved in the process of giving gifts. I was realizing that in Nicholas' experience presents are things given to him. Not only has he not given gifts to others (at least not actively, even though gifts have sometimes been given in his name), but thanks to being the only kid around at family events, he gets more gifts than anyone else (okay, often

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-78374459855910776832011-12-21T10:21:00.002-05:002011-12-21T10:21:38.243-05:00

From Louisville Dec 09

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-48215435608605352502011-12-20T10:54:00.001-05:002011-12-20T10:54:33.705-05:00

Nicholas has gotten very excited about everything to do with Christmas, as we've noted in several places here: the lights and decorations, the music, Santa Claus, the actual religious parts like lighting Advent candles and setting up Nativity scenes—he has taken to all of it with joy, excitement, and anticipation. I realized this morning that we've set ourselves up for a potential issue, though,

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-5306821772821506602011-12-18T12:20:00.003-05:002011-12-18T13:02:27.664-05:00

When I dropped Nicholas off at school on Friday morning they warned me that the power was out and that if it wasn't back on by 10, they would call me to come get him. So into work I went, hoping for the best. Well, at 9:45 the phone call came. Most recent estimate to get power back: 3-4 hours. Given the layout of the school (lots of interior classrooms and hallways with no natural light) and the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-55097365116592222882011-12-16T11:22:00.002-05:002011-12-16T11:22:30.847-05:00

Our friend Katie (aka "Alice's Mommy") wrote us this morning with a story too funny not to share. She has graciously agreed to let me post her e-mail (subject: "out of the mouths of babes"), which I do in full: Alice and I were reading our copy of "Alice and Nicholas" thismorning, and Alice looked at the picture on the first page, in which Nis wearing an argyle sweater vest, and said "That's

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-30222685231161802012011-12-14T21:32:00.001-05:002011-12-14T21:34:01.337-05:00

From 2011 December

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-26342020821767009472011-12-13T21:42:00.002-05:002011-12-14T18:59:41.258-05:00

As I'm sure you all know, Nicholas loves trains (and, really, anything having to do with transportation), so when his grandparents suggested a whole weekend full of train-centered activities, we agreed eagerly. (Okay, accepted their offer after debating whether to deprive Nicholas of activities he would love based on our own laziness and desire to sit around their house all weekend.) We began

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-28401017879896209122011-12-12T07:09:00.002-05:002011-12-12T07:12:46.478-05:00

From 2011 DecemberMore to come in a couple days. We're still in NY, doing some research today.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-60905741823384010282011-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:002011-12-07T06:00:12.049-05:00

From 2011 December

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-16906327614368068412011-12-06T21:01:00.002-05:002011-12-06T21:09:08.889-05:00

We got Christmas pictures taken a month ago for Christmas cards, but once we got our tree set up this weekend, I decided to try to get one shot with the self timer. I really was just going for one quick picture. It actually wasn't me who turned it into a big event of playing with the self timer. It was Nicholas. He was intrigued by the idea of the camera taking pictures all by itself. He also

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-70063721494611205972011-12-06T20:26:00.004-05:002011-12-06T21:43:23.319-05:00

Nicholas is totally eating up Christmas this year. St. Nick came last night and Nicholas has been talking about it all day (including all through school, according to his teachers).St. Nick brought Nicholas some new animals and a package of Christmas fruit snacks. From 2011 December Nicholas got a cow and a pig (which make noise!) from the dollar impulse bins at Target a couple weeks ago and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-14555791325443577392011-12-05T21:06:00.003-05:002011-12-05T21:57:42.269-05:00

We may need to work on the theology of Christmas a little more.This is the nativity scene Nicholas made using stickers at the St. Nick party at church:From 2011 DecemberWhile the baby Jesus flying in from the sky could work, the decapitated cow and the camel going in to kiss Mary are a little less orthodox.Similarly, his main comment regarding our nativity scene at home is, "We don't blow down

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-54264869184559030572011-12-05T19:14:00.001-05:002011-12-05T19:16:45.006-05:00

And occasionally, life imitates art on several levels. To wit: a teacher in New York State got caught saying something you don't say to your classroom full of second-graders. And then watch this video: Sorry, not about Nicholas, but I couldn't resist.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-57797592965534133532011-12-02T08:07:00.001-05:002011-12-02T08:19:56.137-05:00

Rumor has it that a substantial and growing list of activities awaits my return to Massachusetts this evening. Sarah has apparently decided (and rightly so, in most of the cases she cited) that there's simply not enough time during the week to take care of all of the things that Nicholas wants to do, so she's started telling him that these tasks have to wait until Daddy comes home. And if it

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-55127326493330819342011-11-30T09:32:00.002-05:002011-11-30T10:29:55.924-05:00

Corduroy's Christmas Surprise has been found! It was apparently still in my backpack from our last airplane trip. This is what I get for not unpacking all the way in between trips.You may all now return to the rest of your day.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-20577183464553144662011-11-29T23:19:00.002-05:002011-11-29T23:24:03.013-05:00

Advent is a big hit in our house. Nicholas will repeat back that we are waiting for Christmas, but he doesn't really get that part. What he gets is that we get to light a candle every night at dinner and sing a special Advent song. Oh, man, has that kid latched onto the Advent song. How long do you think until he knows all the words?Tonight was the second night of Advent candles and Nicholas has

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-85402330275555803592011-11-28T20:38:00.003-05:002011-11-28T20:47:49.652-05:00

Our house is a mess. I know this. I figure that I get a break this semester. After all, if I'm working 50+ hours a week and single parenting, the fact that I pack our lunches every day, we eat out only once every 2 weeks, I do the dishes every day, I do the laundry each week, and there is no food or other actually gross mess around is enough. And clutter is just going to be a part of our

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-88126993451696082382011-11-27T15:20:00.004-05:002011-11-27T16:07:43.839-05:00

Grandma Alice loves Christmas. I mean loves Christmas. And Nicholas has been begging to "make a Christmas tree" and see a gingerbread house since he became obsessed with Corduroy's Christmas Surprise back in early fall. So Joe asked his mom if there would be any Christmas decorating that Nicholas could help with over Thanksgiving weekend.And oh boy was there. Most of Grandma Alice's normal

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-7424650277611136182011-11-26T22:15:00.004-05:002011-11-30T10:30:34.592-05:00

We have had a thoroughly enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend in New York. We've been having so much fun, in fact, that I haven't gotten around to posting. And I've also managed to squeeze in a lot of grading and glorious glorious sleep!!! Per usual, Nicholas' favorite part of the trip has been spending time with everyone. This little boy just absolutely can't get enough of his aunts and uncles and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-67679928143132433272011-11-25T23:23:00.001-05:002011-11-25T23:25:50.645-05:00

In my mother's family, "Dominick the Donkey," a 1960 Christmas song performed by Lou Monte, is a classic and a tradition. Nicholas is very excited for the song this year, in part because Daddy thinks it's cool (or so Mommy tells me), in part because it's about an animal, in part because the whole family lights up when he gets excited. Also, the song is totally awesome. If you don't believe how

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-86052394016986568482011-11-20T15:21:00.003-05:002011-11-20T15:40:53.075-05:00

We had a great visit with my mom and brother. It was actually the first time Peter and Nicholas had met, since Peter has been living in China and hasn't been back in the States since a month before Nicholas was born.My only regret of the visit is that we didn't get a great picture of Peter and Nicholas. Well, at least not in the traditional sense. Peter did capture this on his ipad: From peter

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-20317290766928913172011-11-19T22:39:00.001-05:002011-11-19T22:40:38.689-05:00

Lots of fun going on here. I'll try to post tomorrow evening after my mom and Peter leave. Nicholas has been in absolute heaven!

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-63822150781578346842011-11-13T18:28:00.001-05:002011-11-13T18:29:45.851-05:00

As you can see, from Nicholas' calendar, he has lots of family time in the next 2 weeks. From 2011 November We are so excited!

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-13580365642089647902011-11-12T07:17:00.002-05:002011-11-12T07:17:00.087-05:00

When Nicholas draws/colors he usually just scribbles a bunch of lines, more interested in color than form. Sometimes he tries to draw "baseballs" and "airplanes," each of which he has asked us to draw for him on multiple occasions. And each time he has drawn these I could see that he was trying to mimic what we had done, even if the end result bore little resemblance.But yesterday morning when I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-1200181023653687032011-11-11T20:14:00.002-05:002011-11-11T20:27:53.014-05:00

Nicholas and I had a very good week. In fact, the best week we've had in a long time. Not that anything interesting or exciting happened this week, but we just were clicking and connecting really well, enjoying each other and keeping the bickering and stand-offs to a minimum. Hmm, I just realized that from that description we sound like a married couple. Well, I guess that what happens when it's

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-60839377389991830732011-11-09T20:28:00.000-05:002011-11-09T20:29:11.104-05:00

From Nicholas - Month 6

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-89777598423610267172011-11-08T20:11:00.002-05:002011-11-08T20:17:01.476-05:00

Nicholas' new school is nowhere near as academic as his old one. And in some senses that may be a good thing. I mean, really, is "remedial colors" necessary for 18-month-olds? But it does sometimes worry me how far to the other end of the spectrum this school goes. So I was heartened when tonight Nicholas was playing with a toy that has keys with different combinations of straight lines and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-25306910673374466942011-11-06T18:52:00.004-05:002011-11-06T19:15:42.568-05:00

As I write this Nicholas is doing pushups in the hallway, on his own initiative. But the camera is plugged in so alas no pictures. And he has now switched to situps, which basically consist of propping himself up on his elbows and nodding his head. Since he has no models of these at home so must have learned this at school. Joe was home for the first time in 3 weeks so a chunk of the weekend was

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-73486610724954520842011-11-03T21:35:00.004-04:002011-11-03T21:51:31.296-04:00

We finally had trick or treating tonight and Nicholas had such a great time! We have taken him the past two years, but he didn't get it either time. But, as has been the case with lots of things over the past few months, he really gets it now. And he was loving it.From 2011 NovemberNicholas has been interested in trick or treating for a few weeks because there is an episode of Little Einsteins

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-52737632481042666582011-11-01T21:23:00.002-04:002011-11-01T21:42:37.085-04:00

We now have power and I am caught up on the schoolwork and housework that got backed up with the storm, so can finally post about our experience of the recent storm. We only got about 4 inches, but it was really wet, heavy snow and most of the trees still had their leaves, so tree branches were down everywhere. Hence why we lost power. It was also tricky to get anywhere the past couple days

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-45125684089197783482011-10-31T22:12:00.001-04:002011-10-31T22:13:19.844-04:00

Trick or treating has been postponed until Thursday due to weather and power situations in our town, but Nicholas still had Halloween at school today: From 2011 October

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-33300354732201115862011-10-31T22:08:00.000-04:002011-10-31T22:08:12.402-04:00

Always nice to get a phone call with that as the opening sentence. Sometime this afternoon, the power came back on. That is, when I checked our online account at 3pm, our neighborhood was still out, but by 5pm when Sarah and Nicholas got home, the lights were back on in the complex. Sarah's been busy all evening catching up on household errands (laundry, etc.) and prepping for classes, so she

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-31565723736850421112011-10-30T23:33:00.001-04:002011-10-30T23:33:43.868-04:00

Sarah and Nicholas have been without power since sometime yesterday evening (after Sarah went to sleep), so they've had a bit of a rough day. Here in Philadelphia we had about two hours of slush at lunchtime and otherwise just rain, so my conference went off without a hitch (though with a slightly smaller audience). And it means I can write a brief update on Nicholas's Developmental Breakthrough

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-74221944995022394922011-10-29T21:16:00.002-04:002011-10-29T21:49:27.826-04:00

The problem with this blog is that when we actually have something worth blogging about, I am too busy to blog. I couldn't blog last weekend because I didn't have a free moment and then I spent all week this week just trying to get caught up after losing most of my Friday prep time and all of my weekend errand/housework time. And now I have the time, but the moment has passed.I will post a couple

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-8766648834484142402011-10-25T22:38:00.002-04:002011-10-25T22:41:23.354-04:00

I don't have any pictures of Nicholas actually doing his job as ring bearer, but here are a couple of him and Nate (Shayna's nephew and his co-ring bearer). And, yes, two ring bearers is certainly more than double the cuteness.Trying to blow out the fire in the fireplace (for like 5 minutes): From 2011 OctoberFist bump: From 2011 October

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-46544844511105020442011-10-24T23:26:00.001-04:002011-10-25T00:01:45.576-04:00

Sarah and I realized that at least half of the people who read the Chronicle were present when these photos were taken. So this one's for the non-Uncle Brian and Aunt Shayna family and friends. Sarah may post a more complete account of the weekend (or I might, who knows), but for now, we wanted to give you a glimpse of Nicholas in his tuxedo: Here's the whole family outside the wedding venue

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-82787164887273164452011-10-23T22:25:00.002-04:002011-10-23T22:29:00.448-04:00

Nicholas and I are home safe and sound. Joe is still working on getting back to Philly, but should be back by 1am. Nicholas was a rockstar, especially on the flights. And even more so when you consider that when he went to bed at 10:20 tonight that was earlier than the previous two nights. Sometimes he is so aggravatingly 2 years old and other times he just blows me away with his

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-20453519294875502662011-10-19T20:13:00.004-04:002011-10-19T20:49:15.158-04:00

Joe and Nicholas made a calendar for this week over the weekend. From 2011 October And I have to say, it puts mine from last week to shame.And Nicholas loves to go and look at his calendar and narrate all about it, so the past two nights I've tried to get a video of it. And I'll post them both here, because they are each awesome in their own very particular way.Last night: From 2011

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-64865732130406567282011-10-16T19:49:00.002-04:002011-10-16T20:18:30.938-04:00

Since Joe was home two weekends in a row (gasp!), our to-do list was much shorter than usual and we managed to take care of our errands and weekend chores and still have a little time to relax.I think the most fun part of the weekend for all three of us was the half hour we spent letting Nicholas ride his bike around the apartment complex and over to the playground. From 2011 OctoberHe has gotten

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-84897684328658952692011-10-14T20:30:00.003-04:002011-10-14T21:04:00.742-04:00

It's official. My two-year-old is smarter than me.The most recent evidence:He has the entirety of Corduroy's Christmas Surprise memorized. Verbatim. And this is no short board book. It is 30 pages long and each 2-page spread has 4-8 sentences on it. And sentences like, "Corduroy looked out the window to see a crisp, sunny day and a fresh blanket of snow on the ground."He knows his left from his

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-83221092430517881612011-10-14T11:59:00.000-04:002011-10-14T11:59:00.385-04:00

From the post, "Six Days In," May 31, 2009: Oh, and he's discovered how to suck his thumb. We may hate this last skill in about two years, but for now, it's a nice developmental step. Why yes, yes we do hate that skill. And we somehow sensed through the haze that it would cause problems one day. Sigh.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-62905487595914590772011-10-13T23:17:00.003-04:002011-10-13T23:18:10.440-04:00

Being away for long stretches of time means that things at home that ordinarily I wouldn't notice changing on a day-by-day basis all of a sudden pop when it's been a week or two. Perhaps the best case of this is Nicholas's bedtime routine, which is intricate enough to make your average government functionary right at home. It started so simply.  Even at just a few months old, we'd read a few

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-16283945283043852722011-10-12T15:32:00.000-04:002011-10-12T15:32:11.577-04:00

From 2011 October

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-3220855977147160542011-10-10T21:56:00.001-04:002011-10-10T21:56:55.342-04:00

Sixty hours at home can do wonders for the soul, and apparently for toddlers who miss their fathers.  We had a busy, productive, and slightly insane weekend.  In other words, par for the course.  Here, then, are a few highlights: "Running Errands" Nicholas now understands the concept, if not the particulars.  On Saturday morning, just after my arrival, Nicholas and I went on some errands that

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-57074421140436446752011-10-08T20:53:00.003-04:002011-10-08T20:56:48.833-04:00

Last night after Nicholas and I made a couple animals together, Nicholas declared that he was going to make a cow for me. Since this required that he do it all by himself and I not help (but pay close attention and praise), I decided to take a few pictures. And since pictures have become few and far between on this here blog, I will share:From 2011 OctoberFrom 2011 OctoberFrom 2011 October

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-29455604418775796662011-10-04T21:37:00.002-04:002011-10-04T21:55:23.900-04:00

Reason 832 why I should never be a stay-at-home mom: dishes.No, I don't actually have this list. Although maybe some day I will write one so I have something to look at on bad days at work or each time I look at my paycheck and realize just how much of it goes straight to daycare.The thing with dishes is that you have to do them every. single. day. Cooking dinner gets to me for the same reason,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-11051979827128420542011-10-02T20:36:00.005-04:002011-10-02T20:56:36.928-04:00

Nicholas and I were at home this weekend . . . all weekend . . . just the two of us. And we did absolutely nothing noteworthy or picture worthy. And it was great. Not because we had oodles of fun so much as because I was able to get through a massive to-do list and nothing makes me feel better than being productive.Yesterday after doing the normal morning routine plus talking to Joe on Skype, we

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-78020302776667231562011-10-01T22:41:00.004-04:002011-10-01T22:41:57.705-04:00

I went out for Chinese food at lunch today, and the fortune seemed particularly apt for the intersection of our work and parenting lives, so I'm sharing it with you all: Ideas are like children: there are none so wonderful as your own.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-19164949720253329272011-09-30T21:40:00.000-04:002011-09-30T21:40:00.390-04:00

After the doctor Nicholas and I squeezed in a quick hike before dinner. We took one a few weeks ago when Joe was home and every day since then Nicholas asks to go as we pass the parking lot on the way to and from school. But we never have time because it is already time to eat dinner and get him started on bedtime. But today we had a little time. And it is supposed to rain all weekend. And it was

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-29361534019728275782011-09-30T19:46:00.002-04:002011-09-30T19:51:11.736-04:00

Nicholas had his first visit to his new pediatrician today. He's not sick--it was just to check on his ear tubes and get a flu shot.The good news: His ears look "perfect."The bad news: One of the tubes is already out. (And by out, I mean no longer in place. You can still see it in there, but it isn't doing its job. The doctor let me look.)Yep, the left tube has already given up, just in time for

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-82011531673045850732011-09-29T23:19:00.000-04:002011-09-29T23:22:08.407-04:00

Last weekend, instead of having me fly home to Boston, we decided to meet in the middle at Grandma Alice and Grandpa Richard's house. And Nicholas got to have a sleepover at their house while we went away! Before we left, though, we met up with Grandma Claire for breakfast (and, by the way, you should hear how well he pronounces "Claire" now!): From 2011 September You'll notice in the

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-23347509659351078622011-09-28T06:30:00.000-04:002011-09-28T06:30:01.664-04:00

Apparently apple picking brings out the blue eyes. And the smiles:From Nicholas - Month 5From 2011 September

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-28790270866428694902011-09-21T16:05:00.000-04:002011-09-21T16:06:00.494-04:00

From Nicholas - Month 5 From Nicholas - Month 5

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-85220570355554867362011-09-20T20:27:00.002-04:002011-09-20T20:46:28.035-04:00

This weekend it finally really clicked for all of us that Joe is leaving each week. I don't know why 3 weeks is the magic number, but it was.Nicholas did fine the last two weeks about Joe not being here. After the first couple days he stopped saying he'd see Daddy when he got home and he seemed to be fine. But by partway through this weekend he was making it clear that he was worried that Joe was

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-61374846438478969332011-09-19T10:14:00.000-04:002011-09-19T10:14:00.185-04:00

From 2011 September Nicholas loves going outside to play soccer. He'll pass the ball back and forth with me for a few minutes, and then it's a mix of him chasing me with the ball, trying to do throws (he has pretty decent technique), and otherwise running around playing and laughing. At some point, he started dribbling, and doing it pretty well. I didn't teach him (though he saw me try the

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-89285476319155087492011-09-18T22:03:00.005-04:002011-09-18T22:22:34.667-04:00

Nicholas has been asking about picking apples thanks to his Little Einsteins book in which the rocket ship picks apples and then bakes an apple pie for the kids. And given the crisp fall weather this weekend, we decided to look up nearby apple orchards.It turns out that there are about 10 within a half hour drive, so we picked one about 15 minutes away and headed out. After looking at reviews we

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-48186410649595467372011-09-16T21:43:00.003-04:002011-09-16T21:47:10.735-04:00

Last weekend Nicholas and Alice got balloons at the restaurant we went to for lunch. And Nicholas very quickly lost his up into the depths of the great blue sky. It turns out that the restaurant he and I went to for dinner tonight on our way to pick Joe up at the airport also gives out balloons when you leave. As we left I reminded Nicholas why he had to let me help him:S: Remember, because

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-78283404866688884002011-09-14T21:07:00.003-04:002011-09-15T10:35:35.698-04:00

I'm not even sure how to blog about the weekend itself, to be honest. It was just pure and simple awesomeness. But to catalog the list of what we did would suck away what made it so special, which was the time with friends and the freedom and relaxation that comes with spending time with close friends where you can just let down your guard and all pretenses and just be. I suspect it was

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-54494806165592658092011-09-14T20:44:00.002-04:002011-09-14T21:05:06.816-04:00

Nicholas loved each and every part of our trip to Philly last weekend. As Joe said at one point on Monday, reflecting on the weekend, "that boy did not stop smiling the whole time." Nicholas is generally a pretty happy boy, but there was something different. He was giddy. And why not? He got to fly on an airplane, see Daddy, and spend a whole weekend at Alice's house! The last of these was the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-85207924947975078832011-09-13T21:07:00.000-04:002011-09-13T21:19:54.699-04:00

I will try to write more about our wonderful weekend later, but first I need to vent/ramble a bit. And in the process dispel any myths that everything is all sunshine and roses here. Here is my last 48 hours since our plane landed.Sunday:8:00 Plane lands, an hour late8:00-9:00 Get luggage, find parking pay station, find car, drive home9:00-9:30 Get Nicholas a snack and into bed9:30-11:30 Bring

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-64886873401936448832011-09-11T22:46:00.004-04:002011-09-11T22:50:45.075-04:00

Nicholas and I went to Philly for the weekend to see Joe and visit with some of our Maryland friends who are also in the area this year. Or, if you ask Nicholas, we went to Alice's house for the weekend. All three of us had a great time, and I will try to post more about the whole trip later, but for now laundry, unpacking, and getting our bags ready for work/school tomorrow take priority.So I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-14099361112713410312011-09-05T18:10:00.000-04:002011-09-05T18:10:27.664-04:00

I begin at the end. By the time we arrived at the airport for my flight back to Philadelphia, it had become clear that Nicholas was more upset that he wasn't getting on an airplane than that I was. Quite the level-headed boy is he, which may make this whole process this fall a little easier. We're never sure how much he understands, but on the surface he's at least telling us that he gets it. He

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-59199331238980947922011-09-01T21:50:00.002-04:002011-09-01T22:17:00.342-04:00

I know there were cute anecdotes from this week, but I'm too tired to remember them. This whole solo-parenting while starting a new job thing is exhausting. And overwhelming. And did I mention exhausting? This has very much been the "back to school" week for us. Nicholas started his schoolyear Monday (his school includes a kindergarden, so they really do a distinct schoolyear), which for him

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-79313257807663710902011-08-29T20:20:00.002-04:002011-08-29T20:34:21.369-04:00

We lost power at about 11am yesterday and it was still not on this morning. A quick call to daycare revealed that they had power, though, and since (according to my mom's help checking my email) I didn't have anything cancelling my orientation, Nicholas and I headed down to Framingham. Since the first functional traffic light I encountered was at his daycare's intersection, we really lucked out.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-89948944367334654752011-08-27T21:23:00.005-04:002011-08-27T22:10:28.698-04:00

I uploaded the pictures from last night's baseball game and discovered an assortment of other photos from the week I had forgotten about. And as I looked through the pictures I was struck over and over again by how old Nicholas is getting. In live action the increasingly frequent outbursts of whining remind you frequently that he is still only 2, but silent photos highlight instead the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-33355221082574324412011-08-27T12:48:00.000-04:002011-08-27T12:48:39.586-04:00

No, that's not a typo. Nicholas has recently become obsessed with The Little Einsteins, thanks to a visit with friends who have an 18-month-old who was already an avid watcher.  It's a goofy show, four little kids who fly around in a rocket (cleverly named "Rocket") and have adventures to famous strains of classical music, and through scenes riffing on famous artwork. Say, to make up an example,

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-49476724541176086822011-08-26T13:58:00.002-04:002011-08-26T13:58:52.403-04:00

There are times when you can protect your kids from harm. And then there are times when they walk head-first into a living room wall because they were looking down at a puzzle piece in their hand. When the latter happens, the best course of action is to get an ice pack, soothe the frightened child, and make sure to wait until you're out of sight to burst out laughing.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-82377181288137122082011-08-25T21:49:00.000-04:002011-08-25T21:49:01.799-04:00

Two quick notes on Nicholas' language development: First, he's gotten very good with adverbs: he knows the correct use of "already," "anymore," and the like, and puts them into his sentences comfortably. Second, he knows how to use "oy." It's kind of hilarious, actually, watching him carry his box of Legos over to the shelf to put them away, and muttering to himself, "oy ... oy ... oy." I'm a

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-56436584155915102072011-08-22T22:13:00.002-04:002011-08-22T22:13:00.159-04:00

As I think we've mentioned before, we got Nicholas a camera for his birthday. He goes in spurts in his use of it, but in the past couple weeks he has been taking a bunch. And actually started framing things a little more carefully. After he seemed to take some decent shots when Mike and Melinda were here, Melinda reminded me in a comment that I hadn't looked at how they turned out. So I uploaded

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-82931225405795595362011-08-21T19:38:00.001-04:002011-08-21T19:41:14.651-04:00

Grandma Alice would be proud. Nicholas has been going on and on the past few days about Christmas. He keeps asking if he can "make Christmas." Since this first started when he was looking at pictures of decorating last year's Christmas tree, I presume this is what he means by "making Christmas." He has also mentioned Santa Claus. No reference to presents yet, though. We have been stalling him

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-34316419598018204132011-08-20T20:24:00.002-04:002011-08-20T21:15:02.290-04:00

From a little boy who is supposed to be sleeping: . . . Grandma Alice and Grandpa Richard. Who are my aunts and uncles? Aunt Melinda and Uncle Mike. I went pee pee in the potty. Watch Little Einsteins and eat my special treat. Super fast! [Unintelligible whispering]

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-36657170012934451372011-08-20T13:43:00.001-04:002011-08-20T13:43:00.267-04:00

Nicholas can now spell his very first word, even if he doesn't realize that's what he's doing. What's the word? Well isn't it obvious? PIZZA! You see, every Wednesday at his new school is "pizza day." Mommy and Daddy like it because it saves us the trouble of putting together lunch. Nicholas likes it because he gets pizza and there's a song that goes with it. Or at least there is now, since

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-53042691967401478752011-08-20T08:08:00.002-04:002011-08-20T08:12:25.922-04:00

Because this blog has become our only record of Nicholas' childhood, I am noting here for myself that this morning Nicholas used the potty for the first time. No, we are not starting potty training for real (I simply cannot handle one more thing this fall and none of the other things on my plate are negotiable), but he sometimes likes to sit on the potty and today for the first time he actually

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-62997183630761348832011-08-19T19:57:00.002-04:002011-08-19T20:43:49.211-04:00

Where are the weeks going? Somehow the summer has disappeared. Joe leaves in a week and classes start in two. I have faculty meetings three days next week. And, not surprisingly, my stress level is quickly heading towards the roof. But this week we continued to revel in summer (or exist in denial). On Monday we kept Nicholas home from school so he could see Mike and Melinda when they stopped by

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-16544792763705441512011-08-15T09:29:00.000-04:002011-08-15T09:29:48.735-04:00

Watch and enjoy: From 2011 August

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-40483023217157386102011-08-14T20:14:00.002-04:002011-08-14T20:31:12.703-04:00

My titles may not be clever or creative, but at least they are descriptive. Yesterday while Stacy and Paul were gone all day at a wedding, we had a pretty low-key day of hanging out at home and running errands. Included in these errands was getting Nicholas a haircut, which was only marginally successful. Not only did Nicholas go so absolutely ballistic that the guy eventually gave up and we had

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-51745659130679433592011-08-13T14:34:00.003-04:002011-08-13T19:19:21.780-04:00

Stacy and Paul are in town for a wedding this weekend and we're enjoying the bonus time with them. We sent Nicholas to daycare yesterday and the 4 of us spent the day at Lexington and Concord. From 2011 August But, don't worry, Nicholas got a souvenir: From 2011 August Nicholas is so happy having them here: From 2011 August

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-77464206596745655902011-08-08T22:51:00.003-04:002011-08-08T23:10:59.260-04:00

You would think that going to the zoo would have been the highlight of Nicholas' weekend, but then we one-upped ourselves by taking him to a baseball game the following day. In our efforts to explore our new surroundings and pile in all sorts of fun before Joe leaves for Philly, we spent Saturday morning at the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI and Sunday afternoon at a Worcester Tornadoes

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-42388899408967667812011-08-07T10:49:00.000-04:002011-08-07T10:49:35.538-04:00

This morning as we were getting ready, I did something that I will admit was stupid, and I even knew it at the time. I offered Nicholas an option. And I paid for it. He needed his teeth brushed and socks and shoes put on. So I asked him, "Teeth first or socks and shoes? His reply: "Oh whatever." Sigh. I didn't expect to have an apathetic teenager quite so soon. (Of course, I should note

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349021526882829013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-55691731846460106692011-08-06T23:08:00.002-04:002011-08-06T23:11:28.598-04:00

Note to self: Nicholas likes Mango Curry.We had a delightful dinner out at a local Thai place, following a great experience at church where the learn to dress monkey we got for his newly designated "church bag" of toys was a hit and successfully kept him busy. Oh, and we went down to Rhode Island this morning to go to the zoo.I may post more after I load pictures, but for now, time to go fold

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-82454347988568770692011-08-05T20:31:00.002-04:002011-08-05T20:54:42.852-04:00

I know it isn't fair to write a post about Nicholas having a rough time at school and then not update for a long time. But I wanted to see how the whole week went before jinxing it.So here is the update: he is doing better, although still has some trouble with dropoffs. But each day this week it got a little better, and he actually asks to go to the gym now.One of the things I've been trying is

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2955482113129451530.post-45103459174286307822011-08-03T19:44:00.004-04:002011-08-03T19:53:24.540-04:00

Nicholas has been watching us drive and he thinks he has it all figured out. And he is eager to give it a go. (Have I mentioned that he is in an extreme "I'm do it" stage? Out. of. control.)His formula?Turn the key and turn on the music.That's it, folks. Driving 101 according to Nicholas. (Although, to be fair, even though he doesn't include it in his formula when he talks about driving, he does

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371681017238914094noreply@blogger.com1