Bookstore Party, Where's Waldo, Sleepover, Swimming, Cat

So back to the party last Friday, the Book Bingo one that Guy and Nico went to. The bookstore pulled all the books that had been read off the shelves, all they had anyway, so that the kids could see what books the others had read. Of Nico's list, Guy remembers seeing Groovy Joe and I Broke my Trunk. They got to pick out a book to take home, and everyone went home with a little bag of goodies. Stickers, notepad, a pencil. They served ice cream, and since Nico couldn't have any they gave Guy some money to run over to Jamba Juice (just down the street) to buy him a smoothie. How sweet was that?

On Saturday we went to a retirement party for a friend from church who was a nurse and teacher at BSU. It was pretty special. They played games and Nico participated. He didn't win the last game but the person who did win gave the gift to Nico. It was a little cross he could hang on the wall that says "Kind" on it.

It was on Sunday that I found out that for the month of July, the bookstore started something new - a Where's Waldo around downtown. So on Monday, Nico and I went down to the bookstore to pick up the "passport". We searched the bookstore to find Waldo and Wenda, it took us a while, and one of the employees played a game of "Hot and Cold" to get us there.

Then we walked over to Jamba Juice because they were on the passport too, and bought a smoothie and found Waldo there, too.

On Tuesday, Nico was invited over to the Grandparents' Salisbury's house for a cousin sleepover. Papa is teaching the kids how to make their own knife. As far as I know, the handle is going to be made from wood. Nico told me he has to wait until he's a little older before he can make the blade.

Today we ventured to McU Sports to find another Waldo. While we were there we bought Nico some swimming goggles that he got to try out right after that at his first day of swimming lessons! (The first day was actually yesterday, but we skipped that one;)) 

Guy asked him what he learned at swimming and Nico said "I couldn't do any of them." hehe. Guy said that it takes practice to learn something new. 

Nico drew a new comic today and I wish I could find it so I could take a picture of it, but I can't find it anywhere! He was inspired today and wanted to make a bunch of comics to sell at a booth like my henna booths. He said he wants to get a booth next to mine. Then he said he'd rather sell the comics at my henna booth. 

We bought a small watermelon at the Co-op and tried it out this afternoon.

We were joined by the stray cat who has adopted us. She showed up a few weeks ago, looking scraggly and so so skinny. We started feeding her a bit of food, now she comes by every few days. Nico has named her "Sunshine".  So I brought her out some food and water, and she was very hungry.

I had sent Guy to WinCo on Tuesday and he texted me a picture of the bins of cat food they had there. He also texted me a picture of the bins of bird food, and a package of Pad Thai he wanted to buy. So now we have some cat food, a refill on our bird feeder (wasps had started building a nest in the empty feeder!) and Guy had a yummy 2nd breakfast of Pad Thai.

Nico was trying to get Sunshine into his lap, and he was being so patient.

A few snippets I forgot to mention last time - 

A picture that Nico drew on Grandpa Russell's tablet

And then a funny story about our arrival home to the Boise airport. After we got off the plane, we were walking through the terminal, and I look up, and see Jonny and Alanna standing right on the other side of the Security doors. I see Lexie, and Alanna's mom, Wanda. We were all looking at each other cockeyed, not sure what was going on. Even though it was unexpected for both of us, it was a pleasant surprise! They were waiting for Alanna's brother Johnathan, who was flying in from Alaska on a flight from Seattle, (probably on our same flight!) We laughed about it, Nico whisper-asked if he could go to Lexie's house, hehe, then we said goodbye, "See you again soon!" It was a nice refreshing welcome back into Boise :)

Until next time!

Board games, apples, stories!

Got in a little late last night so I wasn't able to update!

The last Grandma Camp of the summer has wrapped up, here are some pictures! This was the Board Game camp.

Grandma Salisbury is writing out stories from the Grandma Camp experience about each of the grandkids. She wrote out two stories about Nico and here they are:

Story#1

This past week at “Camp” we found ourselves talking about the saving grace of God.  As we sat around the picnic table, our 7 grandchildren (ages 5-13) asked questions.  In the midst of a rather deep conversation about Christ our youngest grandchild came to me and whispered he had something to say to me.  For a slight moment I was worried that his insistence on talking to me would disrupt the movement of the dialogue that had found its way to our table.  I bent down and he whispered in my ear that he wanted to say something to the group.  I saw the look in his eyes and knew it was important to him that he address his cousins.    So I quieted the group and announced that Nico wanted to speak.  The kids all stopped in great respect and Nico began his speech which went something like this:  “They made a crown with stickers coming out and put it on his head and it hurt him, then they nailed his hands to the cross right here (he pointed to his wrists), and then he died.  Do you know why he died?”  Nico gave a pause and looked around the table.  Then he proceeded to say, “He died for our sins!”   Wow… there was silence around the table for a moment.  This was followed by discussion on Christ’s death and how he saved us all.  It was a blessed moment indeed to watch this child deliver a powerful message in a very matter of fact, influential way. 

Story#2 - Private Talk

With so many different personalities you can expect some difference of opinions circulating playtime and conversations.  Most of the time the kids were able to use their social skills and compromise.  The younger ones though needed some help and guidance at times and so they would come to me and ask, "Grandma, can I have a private talk with you?"  I would always respond with "Of, course!"  So we would head into my bedroom where at the foot of our bed sat my cedar chest.  We would take a seat on the chest and I would ask them what they had on their mind.  It mostly consisted of their feelings being hurt or something they did they wished they hadn't or wanting to do something I had previously said no to and them wanting to practice their negotiating skills to convince me otherwise.  (They are good negotiators and made a good argument and many times I gave in!!)  The "Private Talks" mostly were the two younger girls who were between the "life revolves around me" stage and the "you mean theirs more than me on this earth" stage.  It became a popular theme during camp and the youngest camper, our grandson Nico, was observing these girls going in and out of my room for these talks.  With his curiosity rising, he wanted to find out what the hype was in these talks so he pulled me aside, whispered in my ear and said, "Grandma can I have a private talk?"  I was a bit surprised and probably just as curious why he wanted this talk with me as he was.  So in we went to the room.  He looked a little confused because he wasn't sure of the routine.  I motioned for us to take a seat at the cedar chest and we sat down.  I paused a moment and then asked him what was on his mind.  He looked a bit puzzled for a moment and then realized he had my full attention and he could talk about anything.  He took a deep breath and began.  "Grandma, I think you should go in the kitchen and take the sprayer and spray Kai and Bruce with water!"  I looked at him and said, "Okay, let's do it!"  Nico jumps up with great excitement and runs into the kitchen where Bruce and Kai were sitting.  He took a position away from the line of fire.  I went to the sink, turned on the water, lifted the sprayer and gave a quick squirt in the direction of the boys which caused a leaping action as they sprinted out of the room.  Nico was laughing hysterically and very proud of himself.  Later that afternoon, unbeknownst to me, Nico had a "private talk" with Kai.  The outcome of that talk was a thorough drenching from Kai to me.  I think I need to have a private talk with Nico!!!

.......

Monday we had another playdate with the whole crew, we went to Quarry View Park. Behind the tennis courts there are a few apple trees that we took some apples from. We figured they weren't sprayed because most of them had worms! Chomp chomp

The rest of the week has been outdoor play time with Evelyn and Aadam & Sam. School starts in two short weeks! Are we all ready??

Yesterday was Grandpa Russell's birthday - Happy Birthday Grandpa Russell!

Now some videos... still working on the birthday video!! But here are two from Grandma Camp!

Nico showing his dance moves as part of a board game

 

Papa came home late Friday night, so while Guy hung out with the older kids at the cabin playing Minecraft, Grandma Salisbury took the younger kids with her to welcome Papa off the plane. Here's the video!

Snow, Fire, Special Olympics

Guy's trip to Arlington went well. Grandma Gohl's funeral was on Saturday. He was able to see lots of family, he stayed with his parents, and was able to play with his brother Tom. It was a quick trip and we picked him up Sunday from the airport. I'm glad he was able to go.

The snow fort that was started on Friday got finished. Three bins high with a roof. I don't have a picture, but I should probably take one. Nico and Evie went outside to play on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings. By Saturday Nico wasn't as interested in the snow and only stayed out a little while.

Sunday evening, Jeff and Allicia lit a fire in their fire place and Nico and I joined them (Guy needed sleep so he was napping). Nico and Evie brought blankets up near the fire, and pillows, to lie down and watch the flames. Jeff was next to them too, answering all of Nico's questions about the fire and the ashes.

There are also a few more pictures from Nico's school.

Nico says: "Making a house"

Nico says: "Making an H"

Nico told me he doesn't want to go to school tomorrow and I asked him why and he said because they had a fire drill today. I asked him if he didn't want them to have another fire drill and his answer was that it was a practice fire drill and that it wasn't real. I asked him if the sound was loud. He imitated it and told me it was a small sound, not loud. I couldn't get a definite answer from him as to whether he didn't want another fire drill or if it scared him or something, he just kept repeating that it was a practice fire drill and that he didn't want to go to school tomorrow. Hmm! 

Did I mention that Nico participated in the Special Olympics? I don't remember! Last last week they took his class by bus to the BSU stadium to participate in the special olympics. I'm hoping for some pictures soon to share. I'm not sure exactly what he participated in, perhaps the pictures will reveal it to me. I wasn't able to discern any of it by asking Nico. 

Guy gets all of next week off, Thanksgiving week! Friday night is his last day of work for about 10 days. And it looks like he won't be moving to days anytime soon. Bummer. But he finished his program and he implemented it and people are using it! 

Until next week…

Fresh Air!

This week we finally got out for a big dose of fresh air. After being cooped up inside being sick and/or too cold to go out for long, we were ready to PLAY! We went to Old Park and stayed for at least an hour. The temp was around 60 degrees and it was beautiful and smelled great and both Nico and I really needed it.

We were also able to take Nico's tricycle out for a ride. His legs are finally long enough to reach the pedals and actually use the tricycle, though he prefers to stand up and walk awkwardly while on it, like he does on his Strider bike. We'll have to pull out his Strider bike soon and raise the seat a bit and see if he still prefers walking with it instead of sitting. 

I got Nico his very own knife for use in the kitchen. So, while I'm chopping vegetables, he can stand near me and chop his own vegetables! I need to get him a little cutting board, because cutting on a plate is hard. The knife isn't sharp at all, but it's serrated. Nearly impossible to cut anything with it, but whenever I do soft vegetables (zucchini maybe?) he'll be able to help out. 

Posing for a picture with his new knife.

Church on Sunday. Nico was in the toddler room and asked for me about halfway through the service, so they came and got me. I took him potty (he actually went potty! I forgot to mention last week, that his very first time going on the potty in public was at the pharmacy. While waiting for a prescription he told me that he had to go! Of course, once we started toward the restroom, he tried to take it back.) After I took him potty at church, he didn't want me to leave the nursery, he had the bottom lip quiver. So I stayed. No problem for me, it was fun!

Nico had his follow up doctor's appointment on Wednesday morning. The doc looked in his ears and told me that they both looked pearly white and there was no sign of infection in either of them. His left ear did have some fluid behind the ear drum, she said it is likely just congestion left over from the cold. She said a humidifier would probably help thin it out to get rid of it. She used the word "bubbling" when describing the look of the ear. His right ear, the one that had perforated, looked perfect. No scar tissue and not able to tell at all that it had burst. His blood pressure was 95/55, weight was 131.8 pounds and height was 36 inches.

Drawing while waiting for the doctor.

I'm still unable to hear well out of my right ear. If it doesn't resolve soon then I'll make an appointment to go have it looked at. 

Now to talk about potty training. Nico was having a hard time with pooping, so we decided to allow him to play on the iPad while he tries. This has solved the pooping problem completely, and then some! It has been hard to teach him that he doesn't always get the iPad when he goes potty. He especially likes to ask me to take him potty while we are in the middle of chores, or right before he knows we're going to start cleaning up dinner or lunch. He makes the Potty sign and says "Pah". I say "Ok, let's go potty!" and then he asks for the iPad. When I tell him no iPad this time, he then signs "all done" frantically and does a cute little whine. We'll get the hang of all this soon enough! :)

Another new recipe this week for Nico - banana pancakes. It's just 1 banana mixed with 2 eggs. Fry them up, and then I smothered it in butter. He loved it!

Nico and I took Guy to the airport tonight, he is off to Portland for 4 days. I am so excited for him, he is going to see a comedy show that includes several of the people from MST3K. Trace Beaulieu, J. Elvis Weinstein, and Frank Conniff are each doing a comedy routine, and afterward they are live-riffing a movie called Plan 9 from Outer Space. An added bonus is that he gets to stay with his brother Tom! Sweet deal!

Nico and I will be staying with my parents for a night or so. We should have a pretty fun weekend!

Time to sign off, but I leave you with a video from this past week. Nothing big, just some shots from the park and of Nico dancing to one of his favorite Pocoyo episodes.