G.G., and a postcard from 1st grade

On Friday Guy worked late and I had a henna booth that I had to leave early for, so Nico got to hang out with Evelyn for a few hours and eat dinner with them. It was a busy henna weekend, I had a henna booth at the Nampa Art Festival all day Saturday and Sunday. Guy and Nico came to say hi on Saturday. I gave Nico a quick owl tattoo and then he played on the playground that was right behind our booth.

Guy and Nico made pizza by themselves on Saturday night and watched Three Stooges and Wallace and Gromit.

Monday we had a play date at the park with just Allicia and kids, no Tiffanie. The kids pretty much know I carry fruit strips with me, so Avery asked me for one even before we left the driveway. When we got to the park I gave them each one and they like to eat it while sitting on this big rock.

On Tuesday we went to see GG! It was a great visit. On Monday night Nico had looked at the calendar and remarked "Tomorrow we go see GG! Yaaay!" Then on Tuesday morning I reminded him what we were doing that day and he said "Awww GG is my favorite Grandma!"

GG had some books for him there, a little book that used to belong to his Great Grandpa Bud. It's a small yellow book called "Bugs of America" the date inside says 1939. It has pictures of bugs and descriptions of them. She also had a book called "Jeremy Draws a Monster" that is very cute. Thank you GG! Nico loves them both. In fact Nico is in bed right now reading Jeremy Draws a Monster.

I had another henna booth on Wednesday at the College of Western Idaho, their new student orientation. Nico spent a few hours with Evelyn since I had to leave before Guy got home from work.

Today he received a post card in the mail from his new teacher, Mrs. Smith! Nico read it.

When he got to the end where she signs off with her name, Mrs. Smith, he says "What??? Mrs SMITH?? But I told them I wanted Mrs. Hoff!" He was pretty sad. He wanted to write a card to Mrs. Smith to tell her that she's not his teacher. With more probing he told me that he liked Mrs. Hoff's classroom and that they get to do lots of fun stuff and go to recess THREE times per day! I assured him that in Mrs. Smith's class he would still get to go to recess three times per day.

A random funny - Nico was leisurely washing his hands in the sink, he was mumbling under his breath like his hands were talking to each other. I turned the water off for him (he can't reach it at the kitchen sink) and he stood there and said softly "I like the rain, and now the rain has stopped. I am not a happy pig!" that is a quote from a Piggie and Gerald book.

I've got two videos today! One from Grandparents Russell visit and one from his Birthday party! Enjoy!

Typo ahead...

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!

iPad Tickets, Mega Sports Camp, Doctor Update

Nico's first day of summer vacation was last Friday. We didn't plan anything, Evelyn was out of town and Aadam and Sam were nowhere to be found! Nico really struggled with not having anyone to play with. He was near tears he was so bored. But, we got through it. We went for a bike ride and then snuggled on the bed and he took a nap. He was in much better spirits when he woke up.

Saturday was the Sensory Friendly Movie - Ratchet & Clank. It was cute. We've been doing pizza on Saturdays, too.

Friday was the last day of the screenfast, but we didn't end it until Sunday. On Sunday I gave Nico 5 tickets (because he's 5 years old), and each ticket is worth 10 minutes of iPad time. He gets 5 tickets every Sunday and they are for the whole week. The things that don't count toward screen time are the sensory friendly movies, three stooges while eating pizza on Saturdays, and any movies he may perchance watch at the cabin. When he turns 6, he gets 6 tickets per week. Nico used up all his tickets by Monday. But he seems to be okay with it. He used them up and then went right back into playing with his cars and trucks.

This week is VBS at our church - Mega Sports Camp. I am the "Cookie Coach" which just means that I hand out the snacks :) That's a really cool job to have. Nico, Evelyn, and Aadam, are all in the "Round Robin" group which means they get to play each of the sports. Football, Basketball, Soccer. Sam is in Cheerleading. He is really good.

Nico participating in one of the object lessons. (Note he's wearing all his spiderman knee/elbow/hand pads. He wore them all day long, hottest day, 100 degree weather. That's commitment!)

Sammy crunching potato chips, signifying one of the plagues of Egypt. Which one?

Sammy doing silly faces with his cheerleading group

 Silly faces with the Round Robin group

I helped out with the registration crew when I wasn't busy filling water jugs and arranging cookies on a platter.

Monday afternoon Nico had a dentist appointment. While we were sitting in the waiting room I asked him if he wanted me to come back with him or if he wanted to go back all by himself. He said he wanted to go by himself!! What!! So, he did. They noticed all the rest of his molars had grown in so they sealed them to help prevent cavities. His current cavities are doing just fine, not getting any worse. Wahoo! 

Tuesday Nico had a doctor's appointment, follow up for his stool test. There is some inflammation in his gut. I told her about his throwing up episodes in the morning and she's pretty sure it's a food, and told me to do some investigative work and try to figure out which food is causing it. It's likely a food that he had eaten within 24 hours of the tummy trouble happening. If we can't isolate a food that is causing it, and if it keeps happening, she will send him to a pediatric GI. He also had to get his blood drawn to check his Vitamin D level and his white blood count, which was low last time. He asked the nurse if he could lie down on the bed. The nurse asked if he wanted me to come hold his hand, and he said "No". Hehe. Then he laid there super still. They had a bonding moment when she said to him "Look at the blood that's coming out of your body, isn't that cool?" and he said "Yes!" He watched her do the whole thing. When it was all over she said "You did better than some adults!" She also let him use her stethoscope to hear his own heart beat through his arm. She asked him if he wanted to be a doctor someday and he said Yes. His Vitamin D level went way up (yay!) and his white blood count was back to normal. Yay! So glad to hear that.

We signed up for the Summer Fest through the Library. You can earn free books by reading 20 minutes per day.  He loves to read!! He brings his favorite books over to Sam & Aadam's house so that he can read to them. Him and Sam take turn reading books to each other. 

That's it for this week. Check out the Kindergarten graduation video below!

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Graduation, Field Day, Last Day, Oh my!

Last Friday was Nico's graduation. They sang songs and received certificates and talked into a microphone about what they learned in Kindergarten. I don't even remember what Nico said, though I have it on video. I will post a video next week since I didn't have time this week! What I do remember is that he said something that I didn't understand. I'll have to watch it again to see if I can discern it.

Nico and his teacher Miss Lung

I brought a little potted flower for Nico to give to Miss Lung. And then for HIM I brought a bag of his favorite mint chocolates from Trader Joe's

Brodie, Nico, Olivia

On Sunday we went to church and after church there was a potluck with a water slide. We brought tuna pasta salad. Guy tried out the blow-darts and then told me I should try it out, so I did. It takes a LOT of lung power to propel those things! I couldn't even get my dart to the first target. Guy got his to the furthest target, I was impressed!

Our neighbors, Tiffanie, Sam and Adam

Tiffanie and Sam

Adam

Sunday afternoon was fun. Nico and I got some snuggle time in while Guy took a nap and then Guy mowed Jonny & Alanna's lawn. 

Here's a good shot of the cul-de-sac across the street from Jonny & Alanna's house. On Monday Nico was able to introduce himself to the kids and play with them for a few hours until lunch time. They even let him ride on some of their fun  toys. Here is Nico riding on Lexie's EzyRoller while Guy mowed the front lawn.

Playing with the Panorama option on my phone. This is the view from their backyard!

Dot-to-dots on the couch

 Being silly eating "hockey pucks"

No school on Monday, and Tuesday was Olympic Field Day. Guy was able to take that morning off to take Nico!! He took lots of pictures.

Tuesday was also our last day at Jonny & Alanna's house! It was such a fun experience being there. I will miss their dishwasher!! 

Tuesday night Nico came in from playing with his friends with a 102.2 fever and a really bad headache. We thought it might have ben heat exhaustion, but weren't sure. It went up to 103.2 in the night, and the next day it was hovering around 101 all day, going to bed with it right at 100, and then this morning he was all better. With the fever, at least. He woke up this morning whining that his stomach hurt :( He got sick once so we couch-bound him and them had him take a nap, he woke up feeling fine and so off to school he went for his LAST DAY!!!! I'm so glad he was able to make it to his last day. 

He did make an observation this morning after he got sick. He was pretty matter of fact. "I had throw up in my tummy, and then it just came up. That's what was wrong, it came up, like this *re-enactment* and then I was fine!" I thought it was great, it seems like he doesn't have any fear of it. His tummy ache reappeared shortly and he asked me "Mommy, why didn't my tummy ache go away?" I told him that last time (a few weeks ago, remember that?) he felt better after sleeping, so that's where the nap came in. 

This is all stuff I'm writing down to tell to his doctor next Tuesday when we have a follow up appointment. This doesn't bode well for our gut-healing attempts, but I'm confident we'll get to the bottom of it.

That's it for this week! Expect a video next time :)

House sitting, trampoline, comics, baby chicks

Lots of fun this week housesitting. The sun finally showed itself and we were able to see the sunrise through the big east-facing windows. It was beautiful and warm! Nico and I spent time on the trampoline perfecting his jump, and he has also perfected his use of Lexie's EzyRoller scooter where you sit down and wiggle your feet back and forth to propel yourself forward. Thank you for letting us use it, Lexie! Nico loves it.

Hmm.. I should try to catch some more pictures this week so you can see all our shenanigans.

Nico was able to see his neighbor friends Adam and Sam on Sunday, since they have started coming to our church. Nico has really missed getting to play with them. On occasion we will be at the clubhouse before Nico has to go to school, so he is able to go play with Adam for a few minutes.

We had a play date on Monday with Evelyn. And another one on Wednesday with a larger group of kids, a baby-chick playdate to help get the baby chicks acclimated to people. Lots of baby chicks and baby chick poo.

Nico was again very super gentle.

We've also been enjoying going through Lexie's picture albums and seeing baby Lexie as she grows up and then eventually Nico started appearing in the pictures once he was born, and that has been pretty special.

Screen fast is going well. He is allowed to watch minimal tv under a few conditions: it has to be on a tv and not an interactive touch screen device, and it has to be a slow paced older movie or show. So, we chose MST3K. Which Nico got bored with after about 2 minutes and then we were done! hehe. His personality is shining and developing very quickly during this screenfast, he is conversing with us more, trying new foods and being nice, helpful, more imaginative, and trying new things. I like it! One more week.

Nico asked for henna on his arm and chose which design he wanted. This was the first time he didn't cry to have it removed after I put it on him!

Then Nico did henna on me, after practicing on his board. He tried to make a flower on my arm but gave up frustrated.

Green smoothies for days!

A few of Nico's favorite comic books from the library:

Benjamin Bear - he read this to Grandma Salisbury recently and it was so funny and Grandma laughed so much that when Nico read it to Guy later that night he stopped after a few pages of silence from Guy and said "When you hear me say a funny part, laugh a lot, ok?" :)

Big City Otto - a story of an elephant who is searching for his friend Georgie, a chimp who was stolen from the jungle, put in a sack, and carried onto a "big floaty thing" by The Man With the Wooden Nose. 

Now a video!