Blueberry pickin'

We had a lovely afternoon picking blueberries. 

Nicholas was very excited to go, saying he wanted to pick enough berries to make Poppie a blueberry pie.  Once at the patch, he saw the similarity of the blueberry bushes to grape plants, which reminded him of their newest John Deere DVD that shows a Korvan grape harvester.  Nicholas instantly turned our Radio Flyer wagon into a Korvan harvester...bringing plenty of his spirit to the typically quiet revenes of the berry patch.

William kept our loot secure in the wagon....I mean Korvan harvester. 

Our harvester also had capabilities of sorting berries by size, with Nicholas seeking "plump grapes."

I love capturing the boys in their play schemes.  Here they were combining harvest collections and emptying the "Korvan."

All in all, we really picked some beautiful berries.  I served some with dinner and Nicholas said, "Oh wow, these are the berries we picked!  These are really special ones, I remember picking this one!"

As we were checking out, William asked the teenage farm hand, "How you shake your berries?"  It of course took the boy by surprise and Nicholas chimed in, "He really means how do you harvest the berries with a Korvan shaker?"  After explaining of the John Deere video, the attendant told us the berry patch is entirely hand-picked.  Nicholas' response, "Man, that's a lot of work.  I think you should buy a shaker attachment!"

Construction Awe

As Grammy was driving through the village, she called to give us a heads up of some major construction repair going on right down our street.  Knowing how much the boys would love watching the real guys in action, we of course had to head down.  I asked Nicholas to check the mailbox, assured he would notice the flashing lights down the street.  Seconds later, following the squeals from the porch, he darted in the house straight to his hardhat and vest, babbling he needed to go check out the problem...

Nicholas could have stayed there trough the final step (as it was, he got rained on).  He is purely fascinated with all things construction... knows all the machines/vehicles/terminology....and is holding on to his future career destiny as "a construction worker."  I just love his excitement for this!

Who needs entertainment when you live in the village?

Photo-A-Day: Chores

February 5th, 2012
These boys have always had a thing for cleaning.....which will hopefully only grow stronger in the coming years ;)

This morning, they were calling themselves, "Miss Jackie 1 and Miss Jackie #2."

Miss Jackie is an amazingly supportive friend who we met over two years ago when she was recommended as a house cleaner to help just after William was diagnosed.  She entered our home back then and remains in our hearts today, clearly as the boys show. 



~ our version of a two-foot powered floor polisher ~

Nicholas told me this day, "Mommy, you can pay me in those bill dollars, because I'm saving up all my monies for something really big."  This boy has it all figured out....and his window skills are not too shabby!

My busy boy!



Pennies & putty in PJ's

Today William insisted on putting on his "Nicky Elf pajamas" around noon, hours after he had been dressed for the day.  This boy sure likes his comfort clothes!

He thoroughly enjoyed digging through putty to find treasure coins. 

At one point, he tucked close to the blob of putty on the table and said ever so seriously, "time to cooperate putty!"  So priceless!

Photo-A-Day: Something You Love

Pure and simple,

I love being home....
being together...
all the silly moments...


 doing what bring us smiles....
seeing the boys content and pursuing their interests....
...and just being kids

...because that's what its all about.

Photo-A-Day: Tree

Now in our new house, it's been somewhat exciting to see what's popping up in the yard.  Truly, these beauties are very confused by our "winter" weather....

Photo-A-Day: Black & White

There's no doubt about it....William absolutely adores his Poppie.  Most mornings, he wakes and asks "Poppie coming today?"   The minute Poppie comes in the house, William directs, "You take off your coat Poppie."   He watches Poppie's every move and treasures all his time with him. 

He's also picked up on a few of Poppie's trademarks...

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss

"Today is gone. Today was fun.
Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there
funny things are everywhere."

Imagine that my Nicholas was hesitant to even read Green Eggs and Ham this morning....I swear he knows all my tricks to get him to try a new food!  As we were beating up the green scrambled eggs, Nicholas offered the interest of green french toast - whoohoot!

We enjoyed a walk around the "big hill block" this morning and ended the day with the boys somehow conniving this safety line repair/rescue man set up. 


You just never know what to expect between William's dare-devil side matched with Nicholas' infinite creative play....

My favorite part was how Nicholas was sure to protect William's pump pack by hanging it on a cupboard knob.

Photo A Day #2 - Water

Last week, we welcomed new pets - the perfect type for a family like ours!

The boys have been working on naming each underwater creature.  So far, we have Crabby Crab, Sunshine, Snail ("just like Snail on Franklin!" according to Nicholas) and Deep Red.



We're still working on encouraging William to keep his sticky paws out of the water...busted, William

Picture A Day Challenge #1

I've longed for a way to get back into blogging....to find the joy I once had in snapping pictures of my boys, not stress over the lighting issues of our new home and the never-ending mess that will surely be in the background of every picture.  Coming across the Picture-a-Day March Challenge will hopefully be the encouragement I need right about now to rejuvenate my passion and spirits.

So, without further ado, today's challenge topic couldn't be more perfect....

"Something that makes you happy"

William was recently hospitalized on February 25th (his two-year anniversary of TPN dependency) through the 28th.  Nicholas was absolutely crushed when I told him William had to go to the hospital that Saturday morning, as was I.  The urgency of William going to the hospital literally comes out of the blue, no warning....and we are all left to just deal.  For a 5-year-old who has been tragically affected just as much as William and I over the past 2+ years of the illness roller coaster, this is a lot to handle.

After begging to come with William and I, crying unconsolably in the fetal position of our play tent that had just been assembled in the family room that morning, repeating over and over again that he just doesn't like being away from Mommy....  And then there was the best 5-year-old's attempt to pursuade me that he will help me take care of William at the hospital. Nicholas eventually calmed down after many attempts by all the adults to redirect his attention  (he was thankfully consumed with making a combine harvester out of TPN delivery boxes with Grammy, pictures to soon come).

The next day, one excited Nicholas beamed through William's hospital room to hand-deliver a special get-well card he made for his little brother.  He exclaimed, "I made it especially for you, it's me and you holding hands, William!"

These two brothers have an amazing connection between them.  Nicholas can interpret William's language the best of anyone - they almost remind me of the special connection twins have.  Nicholas is always William's best medicine and Nicholas just adores and protects his brother in every way.  Their relationship brings me inspiration...and hope in the reality that authentic and enduring relationships really can exist.

"Welcome to Tim Hortons! Can I take your order?"

August 9, 2011

With so much going on, the little moments of this day gave me that quiet whisper that things will be okay for us.  

Nicholas is constantly coming up with hysterical play schemes.  With so much whirling lately between William's needs and all those things we shall refer to as "life management issues," Nicholas' need for complex, Mommy-help required play can be just another thing to attempt to juggle in the mix.  Of course his play includes complex directives often for me to tape random toys together in an effort to make a greater Nicholas-imagined device or him snatching items from the recycling bin only to convenience me that he can use the items RIGHT NOW instead of it being recycled into something different.  I have to admit though, when he instructed me to go behind the breakfast bar and then said, "Welcome to Tim Hortons!  Can I take your order now?"  I got in my much-needed, well-overdue laugh that cleansed this Momma's spirit.

With headphones on, a nice selection of small, medium and large cups and a variety of Keurig coffee selections, Nicholas was "Joan, the owner of the newest Tim Horton's store across the street from William's cancer hospital in New Nornk City!"

(for those that don't know the significance, Joan & Dave own our local Tim Horton's in Cicero and used to own the store at Golisano Children's Hospital.  They have become dear friends and are constantly extending their thoughtfulness with complimentary coffees and Tim Bits for us.  And Nicholas gets a little tongue tied with saying New York....its more of a New Nornk).

My little man even corrected my coffee order when he said, "No Mommy, you always get extra cream and two Splenda!"

Of course, once his Tim Horton's store was getting really busy, he hired "Pop" to help man the drive-thru orders. 

William was thoroughly amused with the whole production too!

The Climber Strikes Again...

This boy has no fear....he runs, he climbs, he has been caught many times putting a step stool on the couch to attempt some sort of death defying act...and he insists on doing things "me" (as in me do.)  This day, William got himself into Nicholas' chair for breakfast.  He had pulled out the chair, climbed in as if climbing a ladder, then yelled to Nicholas and I in the kitchen with a grunty "ME!"   

Last Day of Park Hill Preschool

June 21

Thanks to Nicholas' "best friend" Diamond at Park Hill Preschool,we dealt with a minor reality breakdown when Nicholas confronted me with the question, "Mommy, why did Diamond say I'm stupid and not going to kindergarten next year?"  So, after a long discussion, we eventually had an excited Nicholas who will attend "summer camp at Main Street School" and who will start "Kindergarten Prep" in the fall....(phew, crisis diverted!)

Poppie joined us for the afternoon of Nicholas' last day at Park Hill Preschool.  Nicholas was so proud of himself getting off the bus that day.  He turned to his bus driver on  the last step and said, "Bye Ted.  I'll miss you!  Drive safely!" 

Poppie brought us all out for a special ice cream, just like my Papa used to do on our last day of school.  Nicholas chose the ice cream stand, telling Poppie, "You will love Big Dip because they have a giant chocolate and vanilla twist on top of the building and that's your favorite!"

Poppie and our little Graduate

There's some pearly whites!

This boy may have every single specialists under the sun but I'll tell you one thing, he doesn't need a dentist!  He loves to brush his teeth....

or shall I specify he loves to eat toothpaste!

Workin it from every angle ~ he does everything to keep his pearly whites looking perfect.

"More?" 

Perhaps we should be asking how much toothpaste is too much, but I have a feeling someone won't like the answer.

Oh, and don't ask me why he was wearing his sunglasses while in the morning room.  William basically runs his own show around here, now that he's two, you know.

Soccer League: Revisited with Success!

June 30th

Not to bring up a bad subject, but lets face it, last spring, we had a couple really unsuccessful (nearly traumatic) attempts at sports for Nicholas.  Mini Shooters was rather painful for Nicholas and Mommy....and I can't even begin to think about gymnastics (I'm still trying to erase that from permanent memory).  When Nicholas out-of-the-blue told me he wanted to play soccer again I admittedly took a long pause. 

A really long pause.

Really?  Where is this coming from? I didn't want to seem unsupportive but certainly had some concern.  A couple weeks ago, we ended his YMCA Gym & Swim classes with a belly flop....no, not into the pool, but with a whinny, glued-to-my leg, whimpering, mumbling 4 year-old on the sidelines as his group practiced their jumps into the deep end. 

After a long, deep, cleansing breathe for myself, Nicholas and I discussed the responsibilities of signing up for a sport.  I explained that his team would be depending on him to go to all practices and always put forth his best effort.  There's no whining on the field...and Mommy can't be out there with him.  He very agreeably assured me he "really, really, really wants to play soccer!"

Tonight was his first practice....and I couldn't have been more proud of him!

He was out there with all the other kids.  He followed directions, tried his best with each activity and even occasionally giggled with TJ while waiting in line.

He made all the parents on the sideline laugh when Coach Maggie said, "We're going to play a game to get to know everyone's name."  Nicholas assertively responded, "Well, I already know my name!"

We only had one minor meltdown when another boy insisted on keeping the only green ball.  Nicholas got really upset, since green is his favorite color and he had already used it for most of the practice.  With a little encouragement....and a peer who eventually gave up the ball I think just to make Nicholas stop complaining about it....Soccer 2011 was a success!

And the whole experience even ended with a green popsicle from coach!

Once in the car, Nicholas said, "I just love soccer!  I can't wait to come again tomorrow!"

Well, here's hoping his enthusiasm will last until next Thursday...

We have one more week of "practice" until the games start.  Each player is guaranteed to play at least half each game (....gulp)

Cotton Candy with Sprinkles, Please!

June 15th

Nicholas and Mommy had a memorable morning together.  After and speech eval and touring Main Street School where he'll attend for a summer program, Nicholas convincingly said, "Ya know Mommy, I think we should go get an ice cream at Big Dip since its really close to my summer camp school."

How could I resist that reasoning...