So, last Saturday, I went to CVS to pick-up some medication for myself, and I asked N squared (that is what I call Nina and Niko sometimes, but most of the time, I call them Nino), if they had any special requests. Nina said no, and Niko said something sweet and salty and a toy. Well, if you are familiar with CVS, they don’t have a large selection of toys, and the one I was eyeing was a Lego crane set, but it was $49.99, and I didn’t want to spend that much. Plus, if I really wanted to get him a Lego set, there are cheaper places to do so in the world. I ended up getting him a moon pie, top ramen for us for lunch, and vanilla wafers (as the last time I purchased wafers, we both scarfed them down so fast – they were yummy). Dude, how can I forget that I also got two small containers of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, and Niko loved the American Dream!
Last Sunday, I was actually able to get him out of the house and we went to Target, PetSmart, OfficeMax, and we got lunch at Freddy’s. He really has fun when he goes out, and I just love seeing his happy face as we stroll through the stores. He also loves being in control of the shopping cart.
Since we were going to Target, Nina’s request was bananas. See, a few weeks ago when they went to Target without me, they purchased a Ninja blender, and they have been enjoying making smoothies every day. We had a bunch of frozen bananas, but they were all used up. And bananas really help make a smoothie better. It’s really fun to watch Niko prepare everything. I am trying to teach to him to put the ingredients away when he is finished, as most of the time, he leaves them out, and it’s me, who has to put everything away. Sometimes, he will even eat the last of something and leave the empty box in the pantry! I am like, really. If you eat the last of something, thrown the trash away and write it on the shopping list. Me, I am not a fan of smoothies; it’s just not my thing. Yeah, I will occasionally get one if we are out in the world.
So, my shopping list at Target was one thing: bananas! Pretty easy, right? Well, for most people, that answer is Yes, but for me, not so easy. The last time I did our shopping alone with a huge list, I missed about half of the things even though Nina drew a picture of each item and where it’s located in the store. Epic fail! When I got home, I blamed everything on an older lady who was flirting with me!
Thank goodness I had Niko with me at Target for the bananas, as the first thing we did was get lots of bananas! Then, we headed to the toy area. I promised him I would buy him something for under $30.00. He found the Legos, and guess which set he picked out without any guidance from me? Yes, the Lego crane and even though it was more than what I budgeted; it was still less than CVS. Great minds think alike!
As soon as he got in the car, he was so excited that he opened the Lego box and couldn’t wait to start building it. I helped a little bit, but he did the majority of the work. A big grin arrived on his face after it was built. I showed him how it works, and he was already putting a hard day’s work on the crane, by lifting things and moving them to other locations. He even slept with it in his bed that night, and for the next few days, he didn’t let it out of his sight. Well, on Thursday, a new Lego already built set was purchased when Nina and he went out. It was a Star Wars Fang Fighter, whatever that is! They also got some smelly soap from Bath and Body Works, they got hot donuts from a new place (not Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts), and they went to the Lazy Boy store where Nina purchased a new recliner. That Fang Fighter is now his favorite!
With whatever Lego he has in his hands, he is constantly fiddling with it and pieces comes off. He gets upset because he doesn’t know where that piece went, and most of the time, that piece is under his butt. He also adds a few more Lego pieces to make it even cooler.
At PetSmart, we got new toys for Riley, and he was so excited with them. Niko told me that he could just stare at the kittens all day long, and I was like you can stare, but we aren’t getting another one. One is plenty for me.
At OfficeMax, Niko likes to sit in chairs and open and close all the filing cabinets.
At Freddy’s, we got burgers and fries for us and Nina. One time, they messed up our order so bad, that I ended up getting five burgers for the price of three. We are all picky and like our burgers with different toppings, so I always check before we leave. The order was perfect, and when the fries are fresh and hot, they are the best. I can eat them while I drive, and I can even pass some to Niko in the backseat.
Oh, back to great minds thinks alike…
Just let me indulge you for a few sentences, and then I will be done writing for today.
I purchased a fuzzy blanket, and he took it from me. Now, we have two!
I purchased a pillow, and he took it from me. But one night while he wasn’t paying attention, I swapped that pillow for one of Nina’s pillows.
He tried to take my number 10 and number 15 trophy to mark those years at Chase. I was like, nope, those are mine.
Sometimes, when I eat something, he will look at my plate and want some. I have to be careful when I eat chocolate in front of him, because he will want some. That is why, I eat all the chocolate in the house in the evenings when he is sleeping! Just kidding!
When I am not using my work chair, he likes to move it directly in front of the television upstairs. Ever since school ended for him, I moved my work from home office upstairs; that way, we can all be together. I have another work chair downstairs, and, when I am not using that one, he rolls it to the kitchen island.
We both enjoy taking scenic pictures, and he uses my RED digital camera. At that time, that was his favorite color, so I knew he would eventually get his hands on it.
I purchased a Drone last year, but I gave it to my brother because Niko wanted to play with it and I didn’t want him doing that. Maybe we can try again when he is older.
As I am finishing this up, he is laying down on the upstairs sofa with my pillows and blankets, while nibbling on Cheeze Its. Thanks Niko, now my blankets will be covered in orange crumbs!
