Summer Fun

Man, I love the summer. I have been enjoying all of the extra time I'm getting with the monkey these days. He is just the best thing that has ever happened to summer vacation!

We have been so busy - playing in the water, eating Popsicles, and making messes! The picture above is Nicholas "eating" some chocolate pudding - yikes. His new favorite thing is to ride his tricycle around the house yelling, "Beep! Beep!" It's hilarious - if he sits on the seat, he can't reach the floor, so he sits on the back. He cracks me up...
We are finally making some progress on decorating all of new rooms. We got the TV up on the wall in the living room, and got a new cabinet to put below it. The hard part is convincing Nicholas that it's not an appropriate place to play. He loves going in there!
There's never a dull moment with a toddler running around!

Christmas in July

I know I'm on summer vacation, but MAN have we been busy! Sorry I haven't blogged in a while- Nicholas is constantly moving, and it can be tough getting a good picture these days! He's also become fascinated with cameras, and as soon as he sees you pointing the lens in his direction, he immediately says, "I see it!" and runs to grab it out of your hands. He loves to look at all of the pictures and videos on the camera screen. And he knows exactly how to turn it on, and which buttons to push. Uuuugh...

Anyway... This weekend was the Dickinson family Christmas in July in Maine! It was so much fun. I can't remember the last time that we were all together in one place, and my parents really did it up right! We had a Christmas tree, Santa decorations, Christmas carols, the whole 9 yards! Friday's weather was just perfect, and we all got a chance to get some sun, take a ride on the boat, and swim in the lake. We even saw a bald eagle! It really was a perfect Maine day.

It rained on Saturday, but that's OK - it gave us a chance to hit the outlets and shop! It cleared up and we were able to have our lobster dinner outside on the picnic tables, though, and we even had a beautiful sunset on Saturday night. Nicholas had his first taste of lobster, and it went well - I think shellfish was the only thing he hadn't tried yet. We had the Benadryl at the ready, but luckily didn't need it. I'm glad there are no signs of food allergies because this kid can eat! And in this family... it's practically a requirement.

Nicholas was such a good boy this weekend. I wasn't sure how he would be around so many people - there were 19 of us! But he handled it like a trooper. In fact, I'm pretty sure he liked all of the extra attention! He spent a lot of time in the water this time too, which was great. He LOVES being in the water. I think his favorite thing, though, is Papa's boat. He sits in the driver's seat and says "Vroom vroom! Beep! Beep!" It's hilarious. And the kid's no dummy either - I'm pretty sure he could start the thing up and pull it away from the dock if we'd let him.

Lately Todd and I have been absolutely blown away with how much he's learning. It's like a language explosion! It's amazing how fast he's growing and changing. We're just trying to take it all in and enjoy every minute of it. And I'm sure someday we'll even look back at the more exhausting and frustrating times and laugh. This parenting thing is some roller coaster ride! I always did love the roller coaster...

Happy Father's Day

Dear Todd,

Since Nicholas is too young to tell you all of that mushy Father's Day stuff - I guess I'm just going to have to do it for him.

This week in school, I did this "My Dad and Me" book with the kids. Some of the prompts were - My favorite thing to read with my Dad is... and My favorite game to play with my Dad is... You would not believe how many kids came up to me and said, "Mrs. Cutler... I don't know what to write. My dad doesn't read with me." One girl even said, " I've never played anything with my Dad."

I work in a place where kids have everything money can buy. The only problem is... their Dads are too busy making a boatload of money to spend any quality time with their families. You, on the other hand, have given Nicholas something that money can't buy... a real Daddy.

I love watching the two of you together. Every morning, when Nicholas wakes up (however rediculously early it may be), what's the first thing out of his mouth? "Dada!" You are his hero, his comforter, his buddy. He obviously loves you more than anything in the world.

Todd... if you do NOTHING else well in your life... who gives a shit. Because you are hitting this fatherhood thing out of the park.

Happy Father's Day. I love you,

Kristin

Our Busy Life...

So... it's the last week of school and I feel like my head is going to explode. I am up to my neck in paperwork, and have barely started my report cards. And here I am... blogging. (OK... so not the best use of my time, but much more enjoyable than report cards...)

Nicholas has had a busy week. It's so funny how things change with the seasons. I swear - everything we do and buy is backyard related these days. Todd bought Nicholas some ear protection to wear so he can ride with him on the tractor. At first, he wouldn't even touch them. Now... he can't get enough of them! It's so funny - he puts them on and runs around yelling, "Hi! Hi! Hi!" at the top of his lungs. And yes... this is a picture of him wearing them during breakfast.


And Nicholas's grandma and grandpa bought him a set of construction trucks- complete with hard hat. Check out those feet! Aaaahhh... boys.


And the biggest new of all - we have a new swingset! Everytime Nicholas looks outside, he points at it and says, "Whoah!" He loves it. It makes me a little nervous because it's really high off the ground. My new focus for the summer is avoiding serous head injury. He is really enjoying it, though, and I guess that's all that matters. Counting the days 'till summer - 3 1/2 to go. I think I can... I think I can... I think I can...