Martial Arts

Between Kung Fu Panda, Batman, Transformers and the Power Rangers, Nick has become completely engrossed in fighting. He's always saying "let's fight" or "let's do karate" or "let's get the bad guys". Figured rather than me look like I'm beating up my kid (but we're playing!) I'd sign him up for martial arts! We went to our first introduction a few weeks back. Nick got as far as putting on his gi (uniform) and bowing to the mat before his face crumpled and he ran into my arms. The instructor was so nice and said we could come view classes for the next few weeks before we try again. Which we did. While he's watching the classes, he's doing all the moves. But when he see's the instructor, he clams up. As soon as he got out the door of the Martial Arts school, he was happy Nick talking all about Karate and fighting! Go figure... So Saturday found us off to another "introduction" where Nick wouldn't get on the mat unless Chris and I went with him. There we were, the three of us and the instructor, learning our punches, stances and kicks. Turns out Nick can't sign up for class until he can do the basics alone with the instructor. Like we have time for this...They said for him to wear his uniform around the house to get used to it. And we're practicing bowing to his rug and other moves at home.

Carnival Day!

Nick has had “summer camp” at school this summer. Every other day is some sort of fun event/activity. Picnic’s, tie dye, animals, etc. The other day was Carnival day and Nick came home with a balloon and goody bag. The goody bag had the most ridiculous assortment of stuff. Candy, an orange wrist band, plastic watch and a whistle. Turns out our little guy knows how to use a kazoo but not a whistle. Well, he learned and then ordered us around. Whoever was wearing the whistle was in charge. I should see if his teacher wears a whistle…Down to the basement we went to play karate soccer. Yes, we make up our own games. We still haven’t put carpeting down there since the flood last year, so it’s open and hard. Nick’s forehead and the dehumidifier collided at one point, but he cried and then walked it off. Was having too much fun playing! After a few rounds of karate soccer, we moved onto baseball (but with bouncy balls of all sizes). Well, it got a bit too competitive and while trying to tag one of them I stepped over one of the big bouncy balls (but didn’t quite get over it). Imagine all this in slow motion (since that’s how it felt) - the big bouncy ball, my foot on the ball, the ball moving, me still in my work skirt, me falling back, me trying to gently land on the hard concrete, me lying on the concrete on my side, bad hand and hip catching the fall and Nick and Chris with big eyes asking if I was all right. Smooth. A little sore, but all is well. Needless to say, that was the end of our game.

Smartest Kid Ever

Ok, so of course every parent thinks they have the smartest kid around. But I am so proud of my little guy! He was watching his normal morning cartoons the other day and was watching one on the History channel. Once the cartoon ended, it went straight into a documentary on making fireworks. Nick started yelling for me. I came downstairs to find Nick entranced in the program. He was so excited to see fireworks and then went on to explain to me how they made them.

Then I was mowing the lawn this weekend with our hand mower when Nick asked me to stop the mower because he wanted to see something. I stopped and he bent down to examine the blades. He asked if they turn around. I slowly moved the mower to show him how the blades turn. You could just see the gears in his head putting it all together. Maybe we’ve got an engineer on our hands?

Diamonds

Yes, yes I ask for jewelry for just about every holiday. Christmas, birthday, mother's day. Well, Chris finally surprised me with diamonds for Mother's Day this year. Tickets to Neil Diamond that is. Who I do love. Figured out this was the third time I've seen him (but I swear there was another one in there somewhere). The first time was 25 yrs ago when I wentwith Mickie Schinner and her mom. Fourth grade. Rock on! This time, we weren't the youngest or oldest concert goers. A funny mix of everything there. One 70 yr. old woman wearing a "Diamond Girl" shirt. Chris and I got a kick out of wondering how many of the "diamond girls" had slept with Neil.

The lights "dimmed abruptly" (that was the phrase they kept using, but I don't think it's possible) and there was Neil in the spotlight sitting on a stool with his guitar. What a voice! He sounded so good. Looked a bit older than I remember. And his ears have grown into the large, old man ears. But he sounded great. "Sweet Caroline" went into three or four encores. Seriously.

After paying for dinner, tickets, babysitter and parking, maybe Chris will opt for diamonds next year ;)

Fireworks

Ok, so I realize I'm blogging out of chronological order here, but I had some cute photos to share.

We were out of our minds and decided to go to Grant Park to see the fireworks on July 3rd. Then we got the crazier thought of hitting the "Taste of Chicago" for some ice cream before hand. It took us half an hour to make our way through the crowd to find the ice cream. Once we got it, we huddled in a corner to eat in peace. Yes, Nick is sitting on empty boxes eating his ice cream. Three fights broke out while we were there, with no cops to be found. We got a bit freaked and left ASAP. Found a spot on the lawn to watch the fireworks, but had some tree branches blocking our view and Nick claimed they were "too loud". So off we were, before the fireworks even finished. A family joke/groan is when my dad would have us in the car driving away before the fireworks ended so we could "beat the traffic". Three little heads looking out the back window yelling about leaving early. I swore I'd never do it and yet there we were with the fireworks continuing at our back.

We hit the Sox game on the 4th and they had a fireworks show afterwards. Super cool with great music. Nick hasn't stopped talking about seeing fireworks at the baseball game.

Tattoos

Nick is all into tatoos these days. His best friend Lewis always has on the temporary ones, so when a packet of them turned up at our house, Nick had to have them. What must his teachers think?

I'm back!!!

Hi all,

I missed blogging and a few of you said you missed reading the blog, so it's back. But only viewable to a select group, so that all my work colleagues don't get bombarded with more Nick/pee stories :)

Enjoy!