This and That

This is what you get in Arizona with an abnormally wet monsoon season:

a second spring! I have never seen blooms on this cactus before, and some cacti are blooming AGAIN!

Patrice bought an electronic tablet mainly to entertain the kid on the airplanes and in airports when we go to France. This is what he (the kid) did yesterday:

He drew a cherry tree! I cannot tell a lie, (hee hee hee, aren't I clever?)  I L-O-V-E it! It is his first picture that is not a person. At home anyway. In his art class last week he did a pencil drawing of a dog on a surfboard at the beach. I may eventually trace his pencil lines with black marker to make the drawing visible. It is quite adorable. I love kid art. It is on my top 100 list of favorite things. Or maybe the top 100 things that make me smile.

Growing up, my mom said "Be Happy, Friendly, Kind and True" to us every day when we left the house to go to school. When we left home, all correspondence ended with the abbreviation (Be H, F, K & T) of what had become known as "The Law." Over the years, there have been addenda to The Law, such as do good on all your tests, stay away from boys, eat your peas, and nerds are nice. I think that each of my sisters and I have adopted The Law in our own families. Now that Nicco is in school, I leave him with my mom's words of wisdom and my own addendum "Be brave, be strong."

That is all. For now.

Friday Fun!

On Fridays if the kids in Mrs. Cornwell's kindergarten class are good, they get to pick a prize from the treasure box. Hooray! Apparently they were good yesterday and Nicco brought home a whistle. Double hooray! In the car on the way home (a mercifully short drive) he told me, "whenever I blow this whistle it means I have a question."

That is crossing the line, buddy. Guess who will not respond to whistle commands from her 5 year old? That's right. The Mommy. Will not respond.

Parenthood

I'm a pretty good mom, I think. I have no delusions of being named mother of the year and I certainly have mom-moments that I wish I could take back but over all I think I do a pretty good job. My kid is happy, well adjusted, creative, active, and healthy. Of course I can't take credit for all of those things, but I know he thrives in my care.

My husband, on the other hand, is definitely in the running for father of the year, and this is just one reason why:

Knife skills.

A Perfect Day

I Think Someone's Jealous

Nicco has a stowaway...

Peek-a-boo, sneaky little cat.



Milestones

I'm anti preschool "graduation." We didn't go, so I didn't cry.
I didn't cry on Nicco's first day of kindergarten.
I'm pleased and proud to watch my boy learn and grow.
I do pretty well with his milestones.

MY milestones as a mom are a whole other story. The first time I sent Nicco to play at a friend's house without me, I had to call my sister and talk for an hour or so. I was a little anxious. A little upset in the tummy.

I've been walking Nicco up to his classroom door each morning to drop him off. To go through the gates of the school, you have to first go to the office and get a visitor badge, sign in and sign out again. I really don't want to do this every day, and I don't think they would let me do it all year even if I wanted to. I've been making Nicco lead the way to his classroom this week so that I am sure he knows how to get there.

Today, we walked up to the gate and I asked Nicco if he wants me to walk him to his class or if he could get there by himself. He said, "I can do it Mom," gave me a kiss, and marched on in. Ugh. I've been repeating in my head, He made it. He made it. He made it. Reassuring myself that he does indeed know where his classroom is, and also that once inside the gates, the principal would not let him wander out again without me there.

Still...I've got that little ball of anxiety sitting in the pit of my tummy and I'll be very glad to see him again this afternoon.

Quote of the Day

This evening, Nicco was reading a dinosaur book to Patrice. Impressed, Patrice asked, "How do you read those big names so well?" Nicco replied, "It's all in the words, baby."

Kindergarten Report

Nicco's news of the day was "Robbie and me became friends."
Yay, says mom!
Nicco explained that they made friends because "I helped with his name. Just saying the letters, not writing. Our teacher didn't say to do that, but I thought it was okay to help. I knew we would make friends some day soon."

Kindergarten Code

Nicco's homework on the first day of school was to read through the student handbook and the code of conduct. We both had to sign and return an acknowledgment that we read the rules. He said that after we turned it in, he would get "the code." He has played a couple games recently that require a special code, so I hoped he wouldn't be too disappointed when Mrs. Cornwell did not give him a secret code after all. Then on Friday, his take-home folder was in his backpack. He said, "That's what I'm talking about!" So "the code" is his Friday folder.

In his folder was a picture of a happy bucket full of hearts and stars and the caption "I'm a bucket filler!" I asked him what it means to be a bucket filler. He explained that if your bucket is full, you are happy. If your bucket is empty, you are sad. So a bucket filler helps to keep everyone happy.

When I picked Nicco up from school yesterday he asked if he could have an ice-cream cone. I said after lunch. Then he asked if he could have a chocolate milk sippy. I said after lunch. He scowled and humphed and when we got out of the car at home he said "You emptied my bucket."

Today while we were running a couple of errands and I told him I would not buy him a toy and that yes, we do actually have to run these errands, he said "You're dipping into my bucket."

I think it is great that Mrs. Cornwell gave the kids words and phrases that they understand, relate to, and can use to express their feelings instead of typical 5 year old words like "that's not fair" and "I hate you" etc...however, it would be nice if Nicco would keep the code in the classroom. I'm getting tired of accusations of bucket infringement every time he doesn't get what he wants right away.

One might even say he's dipping into my bucket.

Our Visit to Tubac

We decided to have an adventure today. Nicco was not enthusiastic. I considered putting duct tape across his mouth so I wouldn't have to listen to the complaining. We stopped to fill up the gas tank on our way out of town and Nicco said, "So this is the adventure? A gas station? Totally un-fun." Not an auspicious beginning to the day, but I figured it would get better when we actually reached our destination.

Tubac is a small "artsy-fartsy" town (so says my Aunt Alene) south of Tucson. I planned to go with Mom and Dad, but we did other things and ran out of time. The next time they are here should be the luminaria nights. That might be a fun time to return.

The town itself is about 4 square blocks which hold 90 art galleries. Artsy-fartsy indeed! Here is a fountain at the north entrance to the village:

A street corner:

Wandering around the galleries:

Nicco got to take a small rest in the Center for the Arts. The director of the center recommended that we visit the state presidio park to entertain the "short person."

Nicco liked all the horses:

And the fountains...

Don Quijote...ugh...I need to get back to reading the wild adventures of the famous knight. Recently I figured out that if I read 4 chapters a day, it will take me 21 days to finish.

Nicco got a little restless and played hide-n-seek

I liked this stair case with different tiles on each step.

A colorful little alley

The state park...fun for kids!

Yes, that is it. A slide, some bouncy animals, a climbing structure (which was too hot to touch)

And swings. I had to pour some water on the seat of the swing for Nicco to get on without burning his bum.

The town was dead. It's the off season, after all. I mean who wants to wander the streets and galleries in the hundred degrees? Only crazy people. We didn't end up eating at the restaurant my aunt recommended, maybe next time. Instead, we stopped by a restaurant closer to home that is managed by a friend of ours. Nicco was worn out from "looking at art for hours," but he enjoyed one last fountain with colorful rocks.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Friends of ours are embarking on a new venture in the Great Northwest. They've had a hectic week of yard sales, cleaning, packing, and otherwise tying up loose ends. They couldn't leave until their landlord inspected the house on Friday afternoon, but all their belongings were on the road on Thursday night so they spent the last two nights at our house.

This morning Nicco said goodbye to his little friend Carter, who responded, "Bye Nicco. I'll probably never see you again." When they were all loaded up and ready to roll, I asked Nicco if he wanted to come out and say goodbye. He responded, "I already did."

Reality and practicality personified.

Why yes, yes it is...

...a scorpion in my toilet.

Up until the morning that Nicco said, "Mom I totally have to show you something," I had been operating on the apparently false understanding that scorpions aren't really climbers. Obviously, they climb. Not only do they climb, but they can climb slick, smooth surfaces. This new knowledge escalates the heebie jeebies to a whole new level. 

First Day of School

Nicco started school today. He is excited about new friends and watching eggs hatch in the spring.  We met his teacher yesterday and she seems very nice and well organized and excited for the new year. She is a new teacher, so she's full of energy and ideas.
Before:

I drove to the school this morning in plenty of time to get there and drop the boy off, but NOT with plenty of time to navigate the traffic jam. I was prepared for it to be busy, but I was not prepared for carmageddon. We had to walk a block or so and cross the street. I think Nicco was a little anxious when he saw all the police cars and motorcycles. I had to assure him that they were there to make sure everyone is safe. When I told him we would need to cross the street to get to his school, he said "That doesn't look too safe right now." It was a good opportunity to learn about and meet the friendly crossing guard.

I dropped him off at his class, gave him a kiss, and he marched right in, found the hook for his backpack, gave my volunteer paper to his teacher, and didn't even look back. I expected as much. He's been going to school since he was two. I ran into a couple of my friends who asked how Nicco did, followed by "and how are you doing?" I'm just not a cryer at my baby growing up. I'm pleased and proud to mark milestones. Talk to me again at HS graduation...that could be a different story.

There was a "Wahoo/boo-hoo" PTO event for kindergarten parents in the library after drop-off. The principal and vice principal came in and let us know that they had been in each of the kindergarten classrooms and there were no cryers. Good to know. 
After:

Nicco and his teacher. They were dismissed one at a time because there was some bus issue. He said he had fun and he likes his teacher. He didn't play inside at all, but he read stories and that was fun. He gave me homework. I haven't looked at it yet.

Nicco and his buddy Jackson. I like Jackson and his family...it would be a nice friendship to develop, I think.

A good start to what I'm sure will be a good year!

That's NOT a Euphemism

Danielle's little sister is teething. When Patrice came home on the day of the swim play day with Danielle and asked Nicco about it, Nicco told him, "Her little sister was biting everything and you know what she did, she chomped my noodle!"

Have Your People Call My People (with a P.S.)

A few days ago we talked about having the twins come over again before school starts. Nicco said, "Like Thursday, or Friday, or Saturday...Let's do Friday."

Instead of the twins, we made plans with Danielle to come over for a swim play-day. Several times throughout the day yesterday Nicco confirmed the day and time for his play day with Danielle.

"Is today Thursday? That means tomorrow is Friday and Danielle will be here."
"Is Danielle coming tomorrow? That means She will be here around 9:00."
"Is it 9:00 in the morning or at night? That means after I get up and have a sippy and a show and breakfast, Danielle will be here."

I told Patrice and he decided to tease the boy. Last night at dinner he said to Nicco, "I have a surprise for you...the Boss is going to be gone tomorrow morning, so how would you like to come up to the house and play in the pool and see Kato, around 9:00 in the morning?" Nicco thought about it for a minute before responding, "I like to, but I have a guest coming."

Hee hee.

P.S. He wanted to dress to impress. He said, putting on the turtle beanie and one turtle mitten he got when he was three (or maybe two...) and the socks his grandma knitted for him, "I want Danielle to think I look handsome." He would not cooperate for a photo of the full ensemble.

Isn't he handsome? I think that he looks like a 10-year-old skater dude. I just have to pretend the turtles are skulls or something. But other than that...he's looking a little grown up to me.

A Life, Condensed

Patrice had this idea when I was pregnant to document our son's life in a series of photos taken each month of his life. I liked the idea and I was very diligent the first few months, taking a picture specifically for this album on the 25th day of each month. As things often go, I became less diligent, but I still managed to select a picture from those I'd taken during the month to represent him the way we wanted to for the album, only missing a couple. Just before we moved from Colorado, I printed and placed all the photos into his album, and even prepared pages for a couple more years.

The other day, Patrice dug out the album in progress and asked if I would organize, print, and mount the rest of the pictures to update the book. I did, and then I even prepared pages for pictures that would take us up to about the time he graduates from high school.

This is the first page...Nicco's very first photos.

This is a random page, four months in two pages. Three plastic sheet covers hold one year of my boy's life.

This is the book that will hold 18 years of Nicco's life, one month at a time. 18 years condensed into 3 inches. Weird.

Adventure Time

"Stuff your eyes with wonder. Live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories."
~Ray Bradbury

We decided to get out of the house and out of the 100 degrees today and head up to the top of the mountains. Patrice grabbed his wallet, I grabbed water and the camera, and we were on our way. We were just chatting away (30 miles from the nearest gas station) when the gas light came on. Patrice said, "I grabbed my wallet so I could get gas on the way..." We just got to talking and forgot. There is a tiny little village at the top of the mountain, so we hoped that there would also be one gas station. I asked the guy at the general store and unfortunately, no, there is no gas. He did tell us that in an emergency (if the gas light is already on) the firemen half a mile a way will "give" away 2 gallons of gas (they aren't technically allowed to sell it) for a $20 donation. So, we gave to the firemen and continued our adventure.

When we got out of the car, there was a raspberry bush with just a couple little berries on it. Nicco and I each had one and he said, "That's way better than the store!" He rediscovered the world as we hiked and climbed around, exclaiming "pine cone!" or "cave!" or "squirrel!"  He collected micah "jewels" and a few special rocks.
Some pictures of our hike:

Nicco at the pulpit

Our little Atlas

"Do I look like a tree?" he asked, poking his head out from the roots of this fallen tree.

Practicing his balance

Another bridge ("Which is a tree!")

columbines

Pansies

Mmmm...ice cream.

It was invigorating to be out in the forest, breathing in the fresh air. When we fin ished our ice cream and headed back down the mountain, it started to rain. We stopped at the side of the road for a few minutes to watch the lightning, listen to the thunder, and smell the rain. It was a pretty heavy downpour and at several places along the road, water was rushing down the sides of the canyon walls.

Kind of awesome, in a small way.

It was like 70 degrees and Nicco was freezing. At the coldest point, it got down to 59 degrees. Nicco gave me back my sweater and put on his warm shirt.

I think he looks like he belongs on the beach!

The temperature rose rapidly as we descended the mountain road, reaching 100 again when we got home. Going up the mountain is like going into a whole different world...it doesn't seem like you can possibly be just 15 miles from a cactus forest. We should do that more often!