Chess Tournament, Slapping

On Saturday Nico attended his very first Chess Party & Tournament. It was at Smoky Mountain Pizza, for 3 hours, I just dropped him off and then picked him up later. They had charge of the two banquet rooms, one of the rooms was where they played chess, and the other room was where they ate pizza and watched a movie. Nico played 4 games of chess, winning 1 of them, and came home with a 2nd place trophy. Everyone got a trophy, so that was cool! They made sure he had a gluten free pizza and he said he ate 4 pieces while watching the Batman Lego movie. At the end they had an awards ceremony where the parents could see Coach Vellotti hand out the trophies. On our way out the door he handed out candy canes. Nico chose a strawberry one.

Sunday was the church Christmas program. Nico sat with me in the service while Guy ran the sound. It was a fun drama. Afterward, there was a taco bar lunch. It was very good. 

Guy has had this whole past week off, which has been awesome! We have been eating lunch together while watching some Burn Notice on Netflix every afternoon. Nico had a half day today and Guy joined him at school during the Christmas Around the World Buffet lunch they had in his class. Nico is now officially on winter break! 

Tonight Guy took him to band practice with him for a little bit so he could practice reading Luke 2:10-12 from his Bible while holding a microphone. Apparently he did well! We will see him do this in front of the church on Sunday.

A few of the ways we have been passing our time in the morning. Playing "Chessers", which is a combination of chess and checkers, rules by Nico.

Playing Bird Bingo

Nico asked Guy at the beginning of the week that every day he comes from school could Guy slap him in the face when he comes inside the door. ????? Guy, of course, agreed to do this. See video below of how Guy did this on Monday. Every day after this Guy has chosen a different way to surprise Nico with slapping. Yesterday he waited outside in the alley right next to the clubhouse. As Nico came home he was telling Evelyn that his Dad was going to slap him when he came home so he asked Evelyn to go inside first. But before they could even get inside, Guy jumped out and slapped Nico. Then this afternoon Guy was hiding inside again and Nico made Evelyn go inside first. Guy of course didn't slap her. heehee.

Tomorrow Grampa and Gramma Russell are coming into town!! We are so excited to see them. It will be a fun Christmas!

And without further ado, the slapping: