Bragging and the Cat

Nicholas' drawing has gotten much better while we weren't looking.  I knew he had been working on his spelling and writing and that they had improved, but I didn't know his drawing had improved in sophistication.

Here is what he brought home today:

From 2013 February

And his name on the back:

From 2013 February

When we asked him about his drawing he explained that C A T is how you spell cat and that it was a picture of a cat walking and him holding a leash so the cat could walk.

I personally don't see the leash, but otherwise am incredibly impressed.  Of course I have absolutely no training in child development, so for all I know he is a year behind.  But he is ahead of where he was a few months ago and so I say again, I am impressed.

Also, cats going for walks on a leash?  Love it.

Nemo and Snow

What is better when you are a little kid than a massive snow storm?  One named after your favorite Disney character of course!  I think this whole naming storms thing is silly, but if they were all named after Disney characters it would take a little bit of the sting out of it.

We got a little over 2 feet of snow here, mostly Friday afternoon and overnight.  Yesterday there was really no going outside so we kept busy in the house. We did 4 loads of laundry, made chili in the crockpot, made a kaleidoscope using a kit, read an entire Magic TreeHouse book cover to cover in one sitting, gave Nicholas a bubble bath, worked on spelling animal names, and played some card games and Chutes and Ladders.  And somehow Joe and I also managed to actually get the necessary Friday work done.  I really have no idea how the day went so smoothly.

By 10am this morning the sun was shining and everyone was out shoveling and playing.  There are really aggravating things about living in a complex during snow storms (clearing out a spot well and then having to park in a spot full of snow if you dare go to the store, for one), but one really great thing is the rare sense of communty.  We talk to our neighbors more when everyone is out clearing off cars than any other time.  And today we played with a bunch of the kids as well.  And having our best friends in the state live in the same building is really great on days like today!

The first time out Nicholas got sick of helping after about 5 minutes and so he and I played with the other moms and kids who were out for half an hour and then went inside when he lost his mind over being cold and tired.  But when we went back out in the late afternoon he had snapped into grown-up Nicholas mode and was a super-duper big helper.  After we had completely cleaned out one spot and gotten the other car dug out enough to move, Joe went to the grocery store  The plan was to just leave that spot as it was and see if the backhoe came around and cleaned it out and if not park back in it and deal.  But Nicholas so desperately wanted to keep working that he and I completely cleaned that other spot out as well while Joe was gone.

Overall, our snow weekend is going very well.  I have no idea what tomorrow looks like, but we've had a good time so far.

There are a ton of pictures of the storm and Nicholas playing and working in it in the January album, but here are a few highlights:

From 2013 January

From 2013 January

From 2013 January

From 2013 January

From 2013 January

From 2013 January

From 2013 January

This last one is a fort one of our neighbors built.  We had nothign to do with the construction, but Nicholas thought it was cool.

If Only

There have been a lot of nasty stomach bugs going around our work and Nicholas' school, so we're a little on edge expecting to get hit.  And since Nicholas very rarely mentions it when he doesn't feel well (remember the sagas with ear infections that went undiagnosed?), I have taken to asking him if his stomach hurts when he seems quiet or a little off, just trying to see if we're headed down that road.  And he has apparently gotten annoyed with me.

So now his response is (with attitude), "Mom, I told you already.  My stomach is going to feel good for the rest of my life.  It is never going to hurt."

If only saying so made it true.

Worn In

S: I'm going to sleep in tomorrow.
N: Why?
S: Because I'm worn out.
N: And after you sleep you'll be worn in.

Can't argue with that logic.

The skipping "R"

Nicholas was writing on his chalkboard tonight and after writing an "R" he turned to me and said, "An R looks like a person skipping!" 

Good Day

I know this blog has been very quiet lately.  There is a lot going on and somehow this blog has just not been calling to me.  But tonight was a really good night (Nicholas said "sure" to every single thing we asked him to do--best bedtime ever) and since I am feeling happy and lucky and temporarily social, I figured I'd stop by, say hi to those few people who haven't given up on checking here, and post a picture.

From 2012 December

This is a picture of Nicholas holding the letter Santa sent him back. Yes, I know, I am hopelessly behind.

Christmas 2012

We have been on the road for the past 2 weeks and it has been an action-packed time for our little boy. He has had a blast, but is also WORN OUT. We have actually taken to peeking in at him while he sleeps because in his complete and utter exhaustion he has exchanged curling up cutely with Elmo to sprawling out in new and hilarious ways each night.

I don't have the pictures loaded from all of our crazy travel adventures or fun activities, so for now I'll just stick to a quick Christmas post.

Nicholas had a wonderful time, mostly because he has gotten lots of quality time with an aunt, uncles, and both sets of grandparents. He also thought that Santa and presents were pretty cool and definitely "got it" more this year than any previous one.

Christmas pictures before Christmas Eve mass:

From 2012 December

From 2012 December

Getting ready for Santa:

From 2012 December

From 2012 December

The joy of giving: watching his aunt, uncles, and grandparens open the ornaments he made:

From 2012 December

Playing with his new presents:

From 2012 December

More to come . . . I hope.