Nicho's Dictionary

He is playing Hockey

2008-04-12T22:44:00.001-07:00

Here is my little Hockey Player, He started taking skating lessons and after 3 weeks he transferred into the Hockey School. Just after his skate show. He loves to skate and he is definatley a natural. Must be Great Grampa looking down on his little Habs fan.

We have been going to the rink in Taylor and average 2 to 3 times a week. He is getting much better at skating backwards, and he can do the cross over now.

His shots are much more accurate now. He cannot wait to start hockey in the fall. He and Daddy are really into the playoffs. Of course cause the Habs are winning.

Yes, he won a medal for skating and that he was most impressed. With. This is his 2nd Medal.

NIcholas Artwork

2007-11-17T20:44:00.000-08:00

Since my son has started school he has really improved in his creative talents, Here are just some of his more finer pieces. I think they are wonderful.

This one on the left I am told is just a man and the the one on the blue sheet is Batman in jail.

This one is an alien party. Not to sure where the party is but this is the story as Nicho tells it.

This last pic is of a hairy man. Now whether it is Harry or hairy I do not know.

First Day of School

2007-09-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

Well here we are on Nicho's first day, It is amazing how quickly time flies. With much anticipation we made it preschool and there was no looking back for Nicho. I don't think the fact we were not there hit him until we came to pick him up.

It seemed like yesterday that he was just a little baby in my arms.

Anyway Nicho's first day was great and of course he could not wait to go back and play with all his new friends.

Here is Nicho saying Good Bye to Mommy and Daddy on his first day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2007-08-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

So he is 4 can you belive it I am a mother to a 4 year old. How time flies. Anyway here are some pics from that great day.

Well here it is the end of summer!

2007-08-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know that is only August well mid anyway and I have to get ready for the impending change of weather. Yes, it is already getting cooler and the days are getting somewhat noticeable shorter.

Of course that means it is hunting season. Nicho and Daddy went on their first trip together and Nicho was so upset when it came time to go home. He cried and just could not understand why he could not stay up with Daddy.

Well, let me sum it up for you ... 1 degree above 0. Here are some of the great pics that I manged with the coldness and rain we had the entire week. However Nicho had fun and was so excited to find a really cool humongous fungus and the fact mommy brought up Bandit on the weekend.

The Thomas Trip

2007-05-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

Well we finally made a trip to see Thomas the tank engine and I tell you it was truly amazing. I am not sure who was more impressed, Nicho or Mommy and Daddy.

Prior to our date with Thomas we spent a day at the water park in West Edmonton mall more pics for that later. Then we went to Calgary the following day where we planned to celebrate Mothers day, and Mario's Birthday. After finding a Vietnamese Restaurant and filling up our bellies with spring rolls and Vietnamese cuisine we went back to our hotel to rest for the big day.

Despite the rain and cool temperatures come Sunday, we hopped onto Bertie Bus who took us to where Thomas was waiting for us. Nicholas chased Thomas around all day, reluctantly introduced himself to Topham Hat and investigated every train station and round house at the park.

As you can see someone was very happy to be riding on Annie, one of the coaches that Thomas pulled.

We experienced a hobo lunch, (sandwiches, fruit and a drink box tied into a handkerchief and stuck on a pole), old fashioned carousel, (where Nicho really rode the horses), swings, jumping pit, horse ride, and so much else... by the end of the day a little cold and ready for a long nap.

Well here are some pics and more to follow as I find the time.

My Mother's Day!!

2007-05-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

I want to take some time to mention how wonderful it is to be a mom. I am very lucky because not only do I have an amazing son but I too have an amazing mom.

She has always stood beside me no matter what! I have to say I can honestly take credit for 99% of her grey hair.

If it was not for her I would not be the person I am nor the mother I am. She has taught me things that I sure she doesn't even realize. It is hard to be so far away from her on most days, but especially on mothers day because I just want to wrap my arms around her and give her one of my great big bear hugs, where I lift her off the ground and squeaks like a squirrel and then she poses with her squirrel face and smiles.

This mom in one of her Hyacinth Bucket Poses!

Incidentally, I too make that same face at times and it makes me smile that she has passed down to me so many great qualities. It is hard to be here far away for we used to get together and do lunch and our hair but nothing can take away the memories.

This photo is one taken almost 20 years ago when we were out for lunch.

My mom makes me proud to be me and I know she feels the same way. I too am proud of her for all her life's accomplishments and things she has endured. Although my letters and cards may be late, and some times I don't get to call her as often as I want too it doesn't change the unconditional love I have for her.

I have posted some photo's that show off some of the reasons she is so amazing.

When we were on my trip my son decided that his Nanny too should have a build a bear just like mommy. I got a bunny and Nanny got a cat. He stuffed it, and showered it and picked out the clothes and even dressed it. But most important he put he love into it and that too is another reason why I am taking a moment to say thanks for being my mommy!

Helping until it hurts!

2007-05-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I must say Nicholas is always surprising me. In case you have not heard we are expecting #2 and he is so excited he is going to be a big brother. He is always helping. He empties the garbage, vacuums his room and also does his laundry. He thinks these chores are fun. He also is responsible for managing the bottles for recycling, and feeding the cats too.

The other day of course he was being his normal helpful self and helping me clean the car. So there we were at the car wash and as he was running to the other side of the car SMUCK!! right down on the pavement... face first. He was sobbing saying " I'll be okay Mommy, I'm okay." Man what a trooper. Anyway here are the pictures of yet another war would encounted by my dear NICHO!!

On a Sunday afternoon!

2007-02-27T01:37:00.000-08:00

So finally we get an afternoon to relax as a family on a Sunday afternoon.

While Mommy and Daddy are downstairs dealing with taxes Nicholas tries to show granny what playdoh is. Hands of old and hands of new working together to create
something together.

Sharing ideas and Nicholas being the teacher and being the student. It was quite funny to watch the two artists at work,

I am not sure who had more fun granny or Nicholas.

Cats and Dogs

2007-02-27T01:30:00.000-08:00

So I was taking some pics around the house and here is what I got. Tigger and Theo have finally bonded together and now don't spend 24 hours a day wrestling and whailing around the house. Chopin of course just looks on in disgust. Of course the myth of dog and cat being arch enemies is a false hood. We have the pics to prove it.

Of course Nicholas has also dubbed Bandit and Theo as his favourite little buddies too.

PICKELS & WEDGETS

2007-02-02T23:28:00.000-08:00

Well, one of the Christmas gifts Nicholas got was Wedgits ( thanks Nanny & Poppy)
and he plays with it all the time. He loves to build and design and these things are so great for that creative mind. Keeps him busy too.

Here we have picture of Daddy and Nicholas enjoying one their favourite foods, PICKLES and playing trucks. Just spedning some time hanging out on a Sunday. Don't try and get those pickles or you might just lose a finger.

Bragging RIghts!

2007-01-28T23:10:00.000-08:00

Well I cannot take the bragging rights for this great page or picture but I can for the glorious little guy in it. Susan did up this page for me and timing was excellent. She sent it when I was having a bad day and it sure did brighten up my day.

He is such a gift to us and I just wanted to show him off and let you see how wonderfully happy I am with this special little guy. She is right he is truly BEAUTIFUL!

Faces of Nicho!

2007-01-15T20:02:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics that I have taken over the last little while. This set is of Nicho being silly around the house.

I got my new camera for Christmas and was just taking pics of everything.
He was showing me his happy face, angry face and serious face. Holding Theo who was so impressed. That is another story.

Day out on the Hill

2007-01-12T23:18:00.000-08:00

Well the weather was cold but not nearly as windy and bitter as it had been. So we ventured over to the high school for some "Bogganing"!

Nicholas was stoked and had we let him he would have slid until dark, but when is nose started running with ice cones as he calls them I figured it was time to go.

We all had to take a turn as you can see, and even Bandit helped out with pulling Nicholas up the hill. Usually though Mr. Independant did it.
He only lost the sled once and ran down after it like a trooper. By the end of the day we were all happy and tired and ready to snuggle up in our
warm pj's and watch the Hockey Game.

Christmas Parties and celebrations.

2007-01-05T20:35:00.000-08:00

Here he is sitting on Santa's lap. It's hard to belive that this happy little guy was terrified alst year of the jolly old fellow. Anyway this was taken at the hospital Christmas party where we went bowling. Yes, he is wearing bowling shoes and had such a blast. Especially when Santa told him he was doing a good job.

We had a great time and I will be posting more pics soon.

Family News

2006-12-26T03:17:00.000-08:00

Well I just wanted to make brief entry to share the news from today. I will post more pictures later.

Nicholas had a wonderful Chirstimas and he was so excited and grateful of everything. He was ecstatic about the Thomas things and the race track. "that is just what I asked for..." Anyway more on that later amd the excitement of the deliveries from Santa.

Just wanted to announce that Mario and I are now engaged. Here is the pic of the amazing ring he gave me today. We have not talked about details yet.

I will follow up later with more pics and news on the events of today.

Happy Ho Ho!

It was a very Thomas Christmas.

2006-12-25T02:37:00.000-08:00

Well here we are playing Thomas on the new table for Christmas. Trains and buildings and sorts of Thomas stuff.This was a set that was very overwhelming for Nicho. I was not sure if he was going to go into complete seizures of just collapse. Could not get enough Thomas time. As you can see even to chat on the phone we could not drag him away from his table.

It was a great Christmas. He got the race car track he wanted desperately and the Talking Thomas was the small but neccesary toy. According to him. The best was we were all healthy, big change from last year.

Halloween Ghoulies!

2006-10-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

Well, this was a Halloween that has been better than those in the past. WHY? 'Cause Nicho was healthier than he has been in the pst. Still had a runny nose and the lower than ) temps of course did not help. Anyway here are the pics from our pumpkin day.

Now in case you can't tell he is suppose to be a ghost. Proudly displaying the bat he made from paper plates. He is now a cycloptic bat but he still manages to fly around.

Here he is bowling, went for a spare. He has a secret desire to some day be a king pin. Of course here they are... 2 of the 3 muskateers.

Birthday Boy

2006-08-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

Well, here are some photos of the birthday celebration we had for Nicho at the now closed East Side Mario's. Not do to lack of business but lack of staff Nicho's Restaurant is now closed. Anyway they had fun and you can tell by his face he was happy happy boy!

Our Cowboy!

2006-08-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Well even though we are a small city we still get a chance to see the circus. Now it is definately not the Barnum and Baily Circus by any means but Nicho just loved it. Here he got to ride a pony and was so excited. Of course they run them through their paces pretty quick and that was great for Nicho. He couldn't say giddy up fast enough.

Go PONY! GO!

Here he is with his sitter Justine clapping along and just having a great time. He refers to justine as a friendly friend,you know "...he loves Justine!"

Nicho and the girls

2006-07-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

Well , here he is being his normal charming self. In July we were at a wedding where of course Nicho was the most handosme young man there. Anyway as you can see by the pictures I was not the only one that thought so.

He loved dancing with the little flower girl, and the two of them of course could not hide from the Paparatzzi. Thanks Justin!

Never the less my little heart breaker was having a good time and was not shy in the least bit.

Handsome in the city!

2006-07-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I must say that some pics need no explanation. It is hard to believe in this picture of my 2 .5 year old he looks so grown up. Where did the time go? This was taken atop of one of the hills with the city of Fort St. John. We don't always have snow.

Holidays!

2006-07-05T00:36:00.000-07:00

Well it was a great summer one of the highlights was our big trip to Victoria. So many experiences.

Nicholas caguht his first fish when out with Poppy. He was the first one to catch a fish that day and got so excitied that he lost it and it bouced right back into the water.

Our little camper also went to ocean and when the tide was out he and Nanny with some Jake, Poppy and mommy went collecting sand dollars. Just like I did when I was a little girl at the same beach and everything. Nicho went to a petting zoo where he played with the goats, we picniced in the cathedral forest, swam in the ocean, rode a train and looked at giant murals, went to a huge indoor water park and got meet his cousins for the first time Jorga and Jake.

Nicho is already planning his next trip when he can go and have Poppy make he some more juicy eggy's.

Hanging out around town.

2006-05-28T03:51:00.000-07:00

Well this spring I have had the oppourtuntiy to take Nicho to the Artspace for different activities. One of them is called Ya Ya time and it is quite fun. The boys all went to this class today. Since they were all healthly. That is an accomplishment in itself.

Hunting for eggs, playing tag and also playing the ever popular duck-duck goose. We also get to paint and mush our hands in stuff. Of course Nicholas being the apprehensive one when it comes to getting his hands dirty isn't the biggest fan of that sort of stuff. It was not until he was given the oppourtunity to get involved in a shaving cream fight with the instructor Eva that he actually started enjoying putting his hands in the messy stuff.

My little neat freak. More on that one later.

(pics to come)

Puzzeled about puzzles!

2006-05-15T03:58:00.000-07:00

Well, the other day it was sort of dreary outside and Nicho and I were looking for something different to do. He didn;t want to do a craft and I really didn;t have the energy to play tag. So we pulled out the puzzles. I had some a 5 piece puzzle that I helped him with quite a while ago and thought We could work on that. So I went and put the box on the table and told him to empty it out.

Well, of course the phone rang and after I got off the phone about 10 minutes later. There he was putting in the last piece. I could not believe it. So we took it apart and did it again. Well, he did it while I watched. It was hard not to want to help him but he did it in 10 minutes a 15 piece puzzle. So I thought well get him a more challegning one. He is now doing 24 piece puzzles on his own. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly they learn.

One draw back to this skill of his. Nicho like to kae his own puzzles with things around the house. Takes them apart to see if he can put them back together again. Some things never change.

Just a box

2006-05-05T00:10:00.000-07:00

Well, it is an ever on going challenge to find space in our house. Now add to that a little boy's ever fascination to hiding. In the beginning of the summer Nicho decided that he wanted to keep a very over sized box!
I thought okay why not. (not thinking how long he would want it for) Well, it has become a fixture in the play room. It hides my son and his little buddies, it is a garage for his trucks (which he has more than will fit in it) and it is also where he runs to when he is in trouble.

However who am I to take away the imagination fortress of my son. Here he is in one of his favourite spots.

Easter Egg Hunt

2006-04-25T03:45:00.000-07:00

Well, of course the Easter Bunny comes here even if it is usully sub zero temps. However this weekend was beautiful and the Big Bunny was very genrous with NICHO! He not only got to go and look for eggs at Peace Island Park with his buds, he also got his own egg hunt in the back yard. Unfortunately by then the weather was getting a little cooler.

To see the pics from this weekend we will have to wait for Susie to send them to us. She has had some family matters she is dealing with. So when life gets back to being normal, (well as normal as it can get here in Fort St. John) I will post some pics.

Sometimes it is difficult...

2006-04-07T00:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is difficult to let go of the fact that your little boy is growing up. I just love his curls and how he looks soooo cute with them. However the fact of the matter he really needed a haircut and it wasn't that I didn't want to get them cut it just sort of happened where I woke up one morning and the curls were back. So then it was okay lets get them cut.

This time however I cut them before I went to the barber. Had to get a souvenier. Anyway Nicho had so much fun at the barber when we were leaving he said, "can I go back again?" Funny little man.

Anyway here are some of the photo's from that day he was just hamming it up in front of the camera.

At the Last Game!!!

2006-04-07T00:22:00.000-07:00

Well this season has really been a great year for our local hockey team the "Huskies"and Nicho has really gotten into it. He has an idol on the team that signed a game puck for him and of course being a hockey nut he is always playing hockey in the house.

We had to get him a foam puck however to prevent any further damage to the house. Nicho has some great stick handling and shoots the puck straight and with pretty good aim. Here we are at the game. Nicho gets so excited when he sees the team score. Regardless of the team scoring Nicho cheers them on. He just gets excited when anybody scores. Very non-partisan.

Another Session Done!

2006-03-09T02:21:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is nearing middle of March and Nicholas is finishing his 4th term of gymnastics. I am quite proud of him. He has really managed to get control of his skills in the class. He is even listening better. He accomplished all his tasks and got a badge too! Here is our little guy on the beam and with his usual partner in crime.

Yes, There is really reindeer!

2006-02-12T14:04:00.000-08:00

When speaking to a family member recently they were surprised that reindeer actually do exsist. So here are the pictures to prove it. Nicholas was not telling stories when he said he got to feed the reindeer. Famous ones too! As you can tell from the picture he had a great time and getting him to leave was a chore in it self. Anyone know where we can get a pet reindeer?

As well as reindeer, this weekend the ice sculptures were at the park. Of course we have had a mild chinook. (+8) (not the greatest for cold weather art. My advice if you want to experience nice weather here, visit when they have this ice sculpturing event on and guarentee you will be here in the midst of a thaw.
After our visit to the scuptures Nicho realized it was more fun to slide down the big pile of snow they had put aside for the constrution of these pieces. However he did not have snow pants, or mittens as you can see and he didn'nt seem to care. No matter how much we told him his hands would get cold in the snow, down he went. After about 20 decents we managed to pull him away and head home to the warmth of a bath and some soup.

As you can tell ...It was a great day!

Grampa's Hat!

2006-02-11T02:25:00.000-08:00

I remember my grandfather wearing this hat. It has been one of the most special things to me ever since he died so long ago. I have always had it in a special spot no matter where I was living or travelled.

When Nicho was about 18 months he noticed this hat sitting on my shelf and asked to put it on and I told him how special it was and he was suppose to be very careful with it. He wore it the whole day. As the weather started to get cooler I let him wear it out. Eventually, it became a part of his out door attire and he sported it often.

When he wears his leather coat he states he has to wear grampa's hat and dons it on like a crown. It too has become special to him also. Although grampa has been gone for what seems like forever and he never got the chance to know of Nicholas I know that there is a special part of him with us that remembered with his hat.

A mile in my shoes!

2006-02-05T02:20:00.000-08:00

How does the saying go? Walk a mile in my shoes?

Well, I am not to sure how far Nicho would make it in these shoes but he does love to wear Daddy's shoes! Here he is as proud as can be wearing daddy's shoes.

Nee Noo Nee Noo!

2006-02-03T03:49:00.000-08:00

That is what a fire truck says when you're a two year old. Well at least ours... Nicho had the opppourtunity to go to the fire station where he got a one on one tour of the stationby one of the fireman.

They let him climb inside and look at all the neat stuff in the trucks. They even blew the siren which scared him a little but was soon all smiles and giggles when they gave him a junior firefighter's hat and badge. Nicho even got to watch them slide down the big fire pole. This is story that he is still talking about.

Not a day goes by that we don't get request to drive by the fire hall to see if the trucks are out. Trust me when they are out the excitement is pretty intense.

Making Snow Angels

2006-01-24T22:47:00.000-08:00

Well here we are in the middle of January and we finally got enough snow that we can go out and play. And boy did we. Nicho and Bandit romped around in the snow, made snow angels and plowed the backyard with the Tonka truck. We had such a great time. Since then we have not had the greatest weather for playing outside but I am told that the end of February should bring some tobaggoning time.

Nicholas eventually found that a shovel would clear the snow from the back yard much quicker than a truck how ever it was heavier and many times he was tripping over his own feet.

Anyway hopefully the Great White North will provide the atmosphere to take more of photos like these ones here.

Busy in the New Year

2006-01-14T03:43:00.000-08:00

Well the new year has been busy in addition to fighting the illness that has overtaken our city and our home we have enrolled again in gymnastics. Nicholas is loving it and for him it has been one of the few activities he has been able to enjoy. We have also taken him to the Art Space for some activities but they too have been limited.

However we did get out in the snow to play with Bandit and plow the grass. Tonka trucks do a great job as you can see here.

We recently bought him a shovel so he can join daddy in keeping the sidewalk clean. Fortunately or unfortunately ( depending how you look at it) He has not had the oppourtunity to practice much since we have not had alot of snow fall. Once again we are in a Chinook phase.

The Februray freeze I hope will come and go quickly... we are looking forward to spring. Only after we get to go tobaggoning though.

Nicholas also had his first sleep over with Liam and Conor of course and they had a ball. Here they are during the afternoon nap time. Nicholas sure did have fun and is looking forward to going to his first sleepover.

A little about Christmas!

2006-01-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

WELL, I am suppose to be studing , but I had to take a break just write a quick blurb about our Christmas Holiday. It was a very quiet hliday and we didn't get a chance to see anyone since we were sick with the flu. Vacating our bodies of all substances from both ends prevented us from partaking in a traditioin Christmas feast. We had some chicken soup for dinner and tried to do eggs for breaky. Basically our day was spent SLEEPING, OPENING PRESENTS, SLEEPING, OPENING MORE PRESENTS, AND SLEEPING SOME MORE. After doing 20 loads of laundry in the last week, I took a break on Christmas to sleep so more. We are now on the road to recovery after about 2 weeks.

It was a rather nice to not have to rush anywhere or have people coming over, but it was definately no fun being sick. However as you can see from our pictures we still has a great day and enjoyed the time alone as a family.

I REALLY MISSED NOT BEING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS BUT I AM SURE THEY DIDN'T MISS SHARING IN OUR ILLNESS.
Our little boy was spoiled , not only by us , but by all our family and freinds too. We are so grateful. Not too mention Santa that brought Nicho an oversized FIRE TRUCK that moves and has sirens that he asked for. Santa also got Nicho a work bench to fix things and build stuff. He is always wanting to help with his hammer and screw driver.

In addition to these gifts Nicho also got more Thomas, a graderTonka truck which he loves and has to sleep with, ( not so nice). A cabbage patch doll, DVD's, Magna doodle, and an aquadoodle (can't decide which one he likes better), planes (which of course are a staple in this house.), games, playdoh, Mr. Topato head ( other wise known as Potato), clothes, books, dishes and alot of other little things.

Thank you to everyone who was so generous with our son and us. It is so wonderful to have such a giving bunch of people to share in our lives.

I will post more pictures later but in the meatime I must get back to my studying.

Happy New Year.

Gymnastics

2005-12-11T00:55:00.000-08:00

Well, today we had gymnastics. It is our second last class and of course it was the highlight of Nicho's week. He got to bring a buddy and invited Brenan. They had lots of fun on the tramp and in the foam pit.

Later on when they got play with the parachute Nicholas decided that he did not want to partake in this activity. He did enjoy the shaking and inflating of the chute but would not go under it like a mushroom with the other kids. He also did not want to sit in it when the parents had to spin it around. Peculiar little guy at times.

He seems to have mastered most of the tasks in this level accept the swing rope which he just does not want to hang on to on his own. The trampoline and the foam pit are his favourite and most of the class is spent on those two things.

I am really proud of Nicho cause he can now walk the length of the balance beam all by himself without hanging on to mommy and daddy. Yeah Nicho!

Also today Nicho got to see Santa. As you can see from his photo ( to be submitted later) he only would get close enough to whisper in his ear and tell him that all he wanted was a red fire truck. " That's all Santa, just a fire truck", it has to have sirens though. He told him later. He also told him about the lights on the house and the snow that is not here. It was actually a good little visit there were no other children waiting so he was not rushed to see him or leave.

Of course he had to ride on the motor bike outside the store after and continued to tell me how Santa would do his best to get him what he wanted.

After all that excitement our little boy was tuckered out and slept for a couple hours in the aftenoon.

Sad to say they are GONE!!!

2005-12-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Well, I am sad to say they are all gone, his beautiful soft curls.(boo hoo) Nicho had his hair cut today, an annual event (yes, I said annual) that is done to conform to what our society dictates, (and Poppy too!) Despite how much I loved his curls.

Well, it was a compromise I guess. However, I did get them to leave a bit of length on top.which I hope I can get to curl a little. He looks like a little man now more than ever. Not that I was trying to perserve his baby like characteristic's but his curls were soooooooo cute.

I do think he is still as cute as can be and with this smile I know some little girls who would agree.

He is growing up so fast it is hard to keep up with him. Today during the process he was such a gentleman and told the barber, "Thank you, Good job on cutting my hair,see you again, have a nice day!"

Now talk about well mannered!!!

Dragons in my Closet!

2005-12-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't already know this... dragons live in closets. Well it doesn't seem that long ago that Nicho was concerned with the BLEECKIES that lived under his pillow. Now it is the dragons in his closet. Now I have to say I am proud that my son has such an active imagination, however when I am trying to study for my big exam in January I really find it distracting to to constantly have to go into the bedroom to shoot the dragons.

I have been told however by the authority on the subject that "you don't shoot them mommy... you gotta get 'em." So as I attempt to study I stop every once and while to go slay the dragons that happen to reside in my sons closet.

I am hoping that soon he will come to agreement with them that if they pay rent than they can stay in the closet and perhaps he can help pay for his future education. (hee hee)

Sleeping so sweetly.

2005-11-26T21:57:00.000-08:00

They say that the most beautiful thing in the world is a child sleeping and it is so true. Here is my little guy passed out in his bed. I know he is just too cute.

However it is not as easy as it looks. Lately, (since I started working afternoons) Nicho prefers to just not go to bed. Daddy and him have had many a standoff about the entire bedtime thing.

Last night it was nearly 11;30 before he finally got to bed. What to do what to do. He even gave Auntie Susie a hard time earlier in the week and waited until I came to pick him up again after 11:00. This has been a bone of contention that is soon to be solved... we hope. He use to be the best kid for putting to bed.

Well, other than tying him down or drugging him up we will have to resort to good old fashioned discipline. Anyway when he does sleep he is just too cute he picks up the kitten who is bigger than our cats and drags him off to bed. Theo lays there as though he was one of Nicho's teddies tucked right beside him under his arm. Theo will stay there all night. Purring away. They are just so cute and so attached to each other. If Nicho doesn't come and get him Theo will be waiting for him in his bed.

Our Little Book Worm

2005-11-21T22:40:00.000-08:00

It seems no matter the age Nicho has always loved books. Here are a collection of pics over the last few years of him doing one of the things he likes best. He loves to have you read to him and I thought that I would show some pics of Nicho reading and pics of being read too.

The other day I was in the bank and when I was sorting out some information Nicholas was little bored so the teller gave him a temp ABM card to play with. He proceeded to put his card through the little keypad thingy and press the buttons. When she asked him what he was paying for he said books.

I giggled and asked him your paying for books he said no. I want to buy books. So as we were leaving he said he wanted to buy books with his money. It is funny how he is fascinated by a book it is the first thing he asks to do in the morning and the last thing before he goes to bed. Even a nap constitutes a story. Somewhere he got the gene thank god for we all know it was not from me.

Well as you can see he loves his stories and nothing has be more rewarding than seeing him sit down and read to the cats or tell us the story from his books.

I was always told reading is the best gift you can give and I so realize that now. We have been lucky because so many people have shared this with him. Thank you and hope to add to this blog with more pics or his reading moments.

Going Shopping!

2005-11-18T22:26:00.000-08:00

Well, no pictures this time just an update on the comedy of Nicho. Now there are times when he like most kids does not like sharing but when it comes down to it he is very thoughtful. He tries to help the kid that has just fallen down (even if he is bigger), likes to share his chocolate and apologizes to his toys if they fall or get broken. Sometimes he gets a little too sympathtic to inanimate objest when he knocks them over or steps on them.

However this last shopping trip was the true example of thoughfulness. He is so funny when we go shopping. He never throws a fit when he looks at something and we make him put it back. We tell him either he has that at home or not today and it always worked. We carry on.

Well we were in Zellers and he say a toy thathe said " he needed" the funny thing was it was not for him. I told him not today and that we had go find daddy. "Show daddy!" so off we finally went to find him. This was after a bit of a fit because he had to get it. When I put the toy on the shelf again he was upset that he needed it. Anyway long story short... it was the toy that he wanted to give to his buddy Liam. When he told me this I laughed. He told me Liam likes Dinosaurs and he had to give this to him.

So for Christmas ,Liam is getting a remote control, growling, moving dinosaur. However the mystery remains, whether or not Nicho will be telling Liam about his Dinosaur situation.

The Illness that would not let go!

2005-11-11T00:40:00.000-08:00

Here he is not feeling well it has been almost two weeks since he first came down with this horrible flu or in his case tonsilitis. I was told by a reliable source he looked so sweet that we needed to get picture so here it is. Shortly after this picture he spiked his fever to 102 and off to emergency we went. Just a more severe case of tonstilitis. That is our Nicho no matter what he is just so adorable.

Halloween is for the Birds.

2005-10-31T23:49:00.000-08:00

Halloween was a great time. If only Nicho could have participated. We were all sick and feeling yucky so no trick or treating this year. BOO HOO! How ever we did manage to get to the Halloween Party at the Cultural Center and Nicho had a blast. He did really well playing with the other kids. Nanny was there to see it all and Nicho was happy that she was.

This was a photo taken before the party. What a happy little boy!

The Big Day

2005-10-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see there is going to be a bit of a catch up period just to update as to what has been going on over the last year. Perhaps longer depending on how ambitious I get. I thought I would include a recent family photo from my grad and one just Nicho and I. He too even wore white for the occasion. He was such a good little boy and sat quietly through almost the entire ceremony. Well at least until he decided that he wanted to come and visit mommy on stage. That's my boy!

On the Ice

2005-10-17T00:04:00.000-07:00

Well Nicholas has completed the first session of skating and he managed to deal with wearing some borrowed bob skates, (thanx Liam) for about 15 minutes in the last couple of lessons. He is not to fond of his real skates. Some of you may ask what about the rest of the time on ice? Well, he was in his boots. They say in this "Boots to Skates" program that it is a slow transition. They did not say how slow. However we are not pushing too hard and perhaps he won't be a hockey player but nevertheless we will keep trying in hopes that he will soon be on a regular skate.

Here he is just happy being on the ice and sliding around getting his balance and playing with the hockey stick. Hey it's the North it is not as though we will run out of ice.

The Next Picasso

2005-10-11T00:38:00.000-07:00

Well I must say it hasn't taken Nicholas long to get into enjoying art. I have a wall in his bedroom that is dedicated to his fantastic creations and there is minimal room for additions. What does one do with all the creations from these special years. I know most of mine were not saved, and what for would I have really hung onto them after all my worldly travels? They probabally would be sitting next to my old t-shirt collection (at one time it was over 75) that eventually ended up at the local thrift shop.

Anyway Nicho's work can be seen for now on his wall or in a box depending on the type. He has made crowns, glued, painted, glued, stenciled, stamped, glued and coloured many different things. Did I say glued? He loves to glue...almost as much as he loves playdoh. If you could combine those two I would really have a mess. Every Tuesday for 2 hours we pack our bag and head to the Cultural Center for Art Class. Nicho has really enjoyed this and always asks when the next one is going to happen. Like I said very creative and imaginative and sometimes abstract just like picasso.

They also get to play in a water table and a sand table and let me tell you there are reasons why I will never have one of these in my home. Nicholas having more sand in his pockets than in the table is just one.

As you can see we spend many a cold and miserable day inside and the result is usually funny and messy. I am not too sure who ended up with more paint on their face...Nicho or mommy! .

Welcome to our Blog!

2005-09-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought it would be a good idea to keep everyone up to date with one of these blog sites. I can show some pics and share in the events that are going on in our life. Now that school for me has slowed down (now a graduate) I can take a little time to keeping abreast of the many changes happening in this two year olds life. Can you believe it has been so long.

I am working at the Fort St. John Hospital now. Only casual but it is a foot in the door. Unfortunately the week after grad I was really sick and was not able to take any shifts. I was not alone though Nicho was also sick, he had tonsilitis. We sent Nanny home with it too. She was really impressed.

Anyhow here is a picture of Nicho I took in September. Hard to beleive we had such nice weather. Yes, the sun does shine here from time to time.

Making a bear

2005-09-21T21:46:00.000-07:00

Well, when were in Edmonton there was a store that provided the tools to make your very own teddy bear. You got to pick the bear, stuff it, put a heart in it, tell it a secret, name it and dress it. You can also record a message in it . Well, as some of you may know I am a big bear fan so this was something I had to do.

So here are some pictures that day of bears we made for Nicho's best buddies, Liam and Conor. He recorded his own voice ( which was a bit of a challenge) and did all the work him self. We were quite impressed.

Hope you like the pics.

Here comes a bridge!

2005-09-15T00:21:00.000-07:00

On our trip to Edmonton we learned that you have to come up with various things to amuse an ambitious 2 year old. One was a game where when we travel on the road and come to a bridge we have to stretch really high to touch the bridge. This is a great way to let out some energy and amuse Nicho at the same time.

Anyway, every time there was a pedestrian bridge, train bridge, overpass or anything going over the road, up went the hands. After awhile I was glad to be on the highway.There are too many of those overhighway things in Edmonton. It was so funny.
Here he is getting grandpa in the act.

It is too bad that there are few bridges in Fort St. John. Actually there are none but there sometimes is a cherry picker on the main street and Nicho finds this a great excuse to pretend that there is a bridge. Hey, you have to have a good imagination to live here.

Happy Second Birthday!

2005-08-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

Well it is hard to believe that I am a mommy of a 2 year old. We finally have the pictures of our little cutie and I don't think he will ever be the same.

Okay we even thought that the photographer was scary, but Nicholas well he says he doesn't want pictures anymore there. When I went to pick up the photo's she was there and he would not even go near the desk. Perhaps it was those gigantic earings and shrill voice or maybe just the big hair. Either way poor Nicho has been traumatized by our Walmart Photo Studio.

Never the less we did get a great picture, and this is how it looks. He of course had to have his car. That is Nicho always some kind of car in hand.

Month of Nicholas

2003-08-31T07:28:00.000-07:00

Well it is amazing to relate the size of this little person to things. I have taken some pictures so I can look back and say things like our bathroom sink was you bathtub and Tigger was bigger than you. And trust me not many things are bigger than Tigger. It has been a month of excitement. Cooing and gaaing and of course those little smiles and gurgles.

Nicho is a little furnace and has a sedation effect to anyone that holds him. As Auntie Faith said you pick him up and hold him and want to go to sleep. Anyway here are some pictures to proove my theory.

Nicho loved to go for a drive in his seat and with his little gloves he looked like a boxer.

Presenting Nicholas Mario

2003-08-23T18:35:00.000-07:00

Well here are some pictures of the most wonderful day in my life. The day that Nicholas came into my life. After 36 hours, some aggravating nurses and leg cramps that I thought would never go away I was sent down to the OR to have a C section. The epidural didn't work so out went the lights and moments later out came Nicholas. However this was only after a strong warning to Mario to make sure he did not let that baby leave his sight. I didn't want anyone walking away with my little pesky.
This one is taken after his first bath and all cleaned up and ready to see mommy. It was our first family photo. He was only about 30 mins old here.

Although he was 8 lbs, 3 ounces he seemed so tiny. He barely fit into the clothes in the nursery. I didn't have to many outfits to dress him in at home either. Being almost 2 weeks overdue we were not sure how big he was going to be. Here is he is a few hours old doing what he did very well.. sleep!

Well time has flown over the past 2 years but one thing has never changed at that is Mommy and Daddy are very proud of their little boy...NICHO!