Time for the Show

Two nights ago, Nolan said "Where's my hat? Here's my wand! You sit down for the magic show!" (The wand is a short stick that lights up when you press the end, originally from a dangerous lollipop). So he seats me on his craft table chair, and stands on the couch as a stage, and randomly grabs 4 objects, lines them up, says "I'll start with a sleep", fake sleeps a few seconds, then jumps up, bows with hat raising flourish, and hands ME the gear and says "Your turn! Do it!"

So I utilized the lighted wand tip to make a balloon glow, did some waving thing with a truck, spun a top and stopped it with the wand, and ignored the last object, and ended with a hat raising flourish. Nolan CLAPPED and CLAPPED, and then recreated the performance, and we took turns three more times until heaven help me, I OFFERED to turn on the TV. Bad mom.

Work time. "Are you staying with me today?" Not today honey.
I have been spending a lot more time with him mornings, talking, giggling, playing, big hand little hand, breakfast, cuddles, and if a magic threshold is reached he does a token protest then says 'Bye!". If not quite, he will say "It's too cold! The door is broken! Your car is broken! The garage door is locked!" and so on... and then usually if I spend a few more cuddly minutes talking about his day and what he will do after I leave, ending with me coming home, he's OK. Except yesterday, he said "OK, bye mama" after a nice morning time, and went into the kitchen to pick up a toy...then in a panic ran back saying "No you can't go!" - (sigh)...

"I need one more hug and kiss!!!" (I crouched down and he gave the biggest hug and right on the lips kiss).

"Ok , bye!" - and that was all he needed, and I was struck by what a sweet kid he is.

Bedtime- now will brush teeth halfway decently, with me, both electric toothbrushes, with a strange singing/humming noise (in the key of the toothbrush - I actually started it, but the toothbrush "humsing" now it is "The Way It Is Done.") We read books- currently Harold and the Purple Crayon and Caps for Sale, but half the time he wants to watch a Blues Room DVD as well (Snack Party) - I'm convinced it's because he loves the snack rap at the end SO much. And he loves calling food demicious and scrumptious. If I give in, I read a novel and put the DVD player on my chest, he put his head on my chest/shoulder and watches quietly, with occasional comments. I need to decrease his TV time now that his amazement at the world of cable TV (well, just Treehouse) is tapering off. He finally realizes the TV plays what it wants to play- at first he'd freak when he wanted to watch a specific show and it wasn't on....

But, although some Treehouse shows seem too young for him, he loves some of the more baby-toddler shows, and I can't imagine it's that bad in moderation. Just need to work on the moderation. New rule- outside for a few minutes after supper.

I shouldn't be awake, have been meaning to blog for a few days but can't remember the phrases and things I wanted to mention. More later, I guess. Looked back at some posts and realized how important this blog is for memories, so the "prosaic" posts now may be really nice memories later....

Maybe they are related?

The trip home, from the car. Now THAT"S the Canadian winter I remember growing up!

When we got home there were some TRAINS in the stocking by the fireplace- clearly left by Santa...

Playing clowns on the couch- the obligatory gouda wax nose

Mom and Dad and the vry wiggly at that moment Leo - such a sunshiny little dude....

Jeff and Leo concentrate on a book

We went to Diefenbaker hill for a slide- my siblings (good pic of Sheila, and at least Jeff's eyes are open)

Leo and Anica- he looks so deligthted by the boat ride at Market Mall.....

Christmas 2007 II

It was snowy- with hoar frost. I love hoarfrost.

Nolan took the car ride well, although refused to nap - yay "diveo" player. The books and toys lasted about an hour max.

The birthday three. I made a chocolate -grand marnier cake and brought it along, with frosting ingredients to hastily assemble

Prechristmas angst and antsiness- we make caterpillars to pull Sants sleigh. Don't ask, it worked.

Christmas 2007- New Years 2008 I

Nolan was SO wanting to spend every waking moment with Will and Elise

Let the presents begin

A little overwhelmed- before we left

the journey of 1000 miles begins with one step...

No post since JANUARY. Goodness me. It's been a rough time so the priority list was concentrated on keeping catastrophe at bay for Nolan, patients, and students and not much beyond. Sometimes you have to go to ground for a while.

Since I last posted Nolan well may be taller, had a haircut again after he got very moppy, has been overall pretty delightful and funny with some very tough transitions, and remains the total light of my life. (I did his haircut and it's frankly a much better job than the last hairdresser attempt with fewer "outlier" bizarrely long locks and irregularities- although i did snip my finger and have to try to stop bleeding subtly without alerting him that I'd had a problem as he doesn't like blood much.)

Speaking of blood, second epistaxis event of Nolan bashing my nose with his head while being rambunctious and causing a bloody nose- just last week. First was after return from Sheilas birthday Vegas trip- last one was a bit after i got back from the Harvard Macy Evaluation course in Jacksonville. Both accidental but can't help wondering about a theme.

Nolan's latest thing is occasional total denial "Mommy, you are NOT going to work today" PLUS a series of compelling reasons "the door is broken... the car doesn't work...., there is no work today". Extends to other examples where the truth is stretched "I brushed my teeth already!!!" - but he might be referring to yesterday. Sometime he gets a tiny little half smile when I try to tease/challenge him about it so he has some insight about what he is up to. Funny stage.

Signed up for soccer, looking at preschool options although most likely we will stick with Glenora, and also still in deciding mode after new nanny switch- drawbacks to "live in", certainly, and not yet clear if we have a net positive in this case.

I'll go see if he new computer (there was a final "incident" with the last one) has photos and Picasa on it or not, I can't remember if i have done that yet. If anyone still comes here, sorry for being so incommunicado.