He played with new friends and seemed to really have fun.  At the end of the hour the head teacher was trying to take questions from the moms in the room.  Well, she was having trouble talking over some very boisterous giggling… Nicholas’ giggling.  He was on the other side of a bookshelf with 1 or 2 other kids so I couldn’t really see what he was doing but whatever it was, it was hysterical.   I was trying so hard not to laugh out loud myself!

The only pictures that we have are from Matthew’s Blackberry.  Nicholas was NOT happy about taking pictures this morning.  He’d catch sight of the camera and get mad, making for very uncute pictures.  Fortunately he doesn’t know what the Blackberry is yet so Matthew was able to snap a few shots before Nicholas figured it out!  I’ll try again on Friday since that will be his first “real” day of school.

We are doing well here these days.  Matthew started his new job last week and we have all been adjusting to that transition.  Nicholas loves it when Daddy gets home every evening.  I tell him when Daddy will be home soon and he starts planning out their activities (i.e. play trains, then whoosh, then tickle, etc.).  It’s pretty cute!

As far as Nicholas, he’s doing great!  He talks all the time now and continues to impress us daily with how smart he is.  He can talk in complete sentences and demonstrates his growing comprehension all the time!  Not much gets past this kid that is for sure.

He says “thank you, Mommy (or Daddy or whoever gives him anything)” all the time now, and is also saying “excuse me” in the correct context.  It really is adorable!

He wants to “help me” all the time now and I’ll admit it takes some patience on my part to let him help since whatever the task is ends up taking almost twice as long and is messier but he loves to help and it’s easier to let him than deal with the ensuing tantrum!  Some things he enjoys are helping to stir my tea in the morning, emptying the dishwasher, taking his shoes off, carrying his plate to his table, setting the table, cleaning up (only certain toys!), putting the lids on his cups and getting his juice out of the fridge.

Potty training is going well!  He is getting much better with #2 and hasn’t had one of those accidents (even in a pull up at bedtime) in a long time.  He occasionally has a #1 accident, but he catches himself and finishes on the potty.  He hasn’t even asked for “treats” (aka MnMs) in a couple of weeks now.  Also, the novelty of the public potty has worn off- thank goodness!  We would have to visit the “store potty” 3 times in about 30 minutes.  The first time he’d actually go, but the other times, nothing.  One day a couple of weeks ago, I called his bluff.  On his 3rd request in about 40 minutes, I told him that we could go but he wasn’t getting another treat.  He looked at me as if to say “what?!” and holding back my reaction to his surprise I asked “do you still need to go?” to which he replied “nope”.  Luckily, he really was just gunning for more chocolate and didn’t leave a puddle in the cart!

He loves the pool and is getting much braver in the water.  He doesn’t even play with his trucks anymore and prefers to “swim”.  He is gaining more control with floating on his stomach and kicking (all while wearing his Puddle Jumper floaties).   The other week he decided to jump off the edge into the water.  He loves to do this when we catch him.  He has also put his face underwater a couple times and comes out okay but I am not sure he enjoys it!  I think we’ll do swim lessons next summer to get him more proficient in the water.

He starts school next week!  We enrolled him in a local Montessori school three mornings a week.  Open house is this Friday and he transitions next week and his first full day on his own will be Friday.  He is so excited and drives his big fold out bus to “Nicholas school” almost every day.  Hopefully that excitements lasts through me actually dropping him off  and leaving next week!

We gave him our old digital camera and he loves taking pictures.  I’ll have to dig out the cord for it and post them.  He loves to look through it and say “cheese!”.

Stay tuned for Nicholas’ photography work and his first day of school pictures!

We decided to go to Walmart of all places for cheeseburger bread and pickles- lunchtime essentials in our house.  He did well there and it didn’t take very long, so we pressed our luck with lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  Nicholas inhaled his 6 count nugget meal and had a blast playing with “friends” on the playground.  As they came in, he addressed them by the color shirt they had on.  There was an “orange friend” and a “blue friend”.  We’re encouraging him to ask friends what their names are rather than simply saying “hi friend, whatcha doing?” but is hasn’t quite sunk in yet!  He threw a few fits, one of which was in the bathroom when he insisted that I change his diaper despite the fact that he didn’t have one on, but overall I think it did him (and us) some good.  And he stayed dry!!  So proud of him for that!!

He was still a bit cranky when we got home but after a 2+ hour long nap, he woke up a new man.  Happy, playful and sweet.  Just like the little guy we all know and love.   Man, did we miss him and are thrilled he decided to come back.

He did have one tiny accident this evening because he didn’t get to the potty in time.  Which really isn’t that bad for a week into potty training!  He’s still trying to understand that he can stop playing to go potty and when he’s done, his toys will still be there waiting for him.  One notable thing today was that while playing out front in the sprinkler, he stopped to come inside to go potty!  I was so impressed!  I thought for sure he’d take advantage of being soaked and just pee in his swimsuit without Mommy noticing.  But nope, he took a potty break like a big boy!  We are just so proud of him!!!

Nicholas’ favorite parts of the entire trip- the “train bus” (AKA Tram) and the playground!

We spent the day playing and having fun then grilled chicken and ribs for dinner.  The two Matthews went out that night to play D&D.  Then Sunday morning I made a big breakfast and the Dads opened gifts.   Nicholas made a stepping stone with his footprint for his Daddy since he did the same last year.  It will be neat to see the progression year to year.   He also made hand-painted change jars for his Grandpa and Papa.  They aren’t much but were definitely made with a lot of love!

Mommy says that I am one very lucky little boy.  I have a super fun Grandpa that teaches me fun things and plays outside with me.  I also have my Papa who always plays trains on the floor and watches race cars with me.  And last but not least, I have the best Daddy that a little boy could ever have!  I have so much fun whooshing, playing stop-go and spinning with blankets with him every day.  I love you lots and lots Grandpa, Papa and Daddy!