After three weeks off from school (one of which he was sick), Niko goes back to school tomorrow.
So, what did he do?
Well, me and him went to the indoor pool at the Community Center twice. The second, it was snowing lightly and I was extremely reluctant to go, but Niko told me I needed confidence and by going, it would help me. Smart man!
I took him to the Asian Cafe for Chinese and Sushi one time for lunch, and afterwards, we took a walk on the Mississippi River in Monticello. They have a playground and Niko climbed his way to the top and now, we know he likes it, and we can go more in the warmer seasons.
Niko got two new video games for the Switch: Clone Drone in the Danger Zone and Immortals Fenyx Rising. It’s funny because he plays games while watching YouTube Kids of people playing the games he is playing.
As a family, we watched a few of the Marvel Avengers movies, and throughout the movie, he kept asking us what is happening!!! I was like watch and find out.
Niko even got some time outside to play in the snow. One of those times, I shoveled and used the Toro to clear snow from the driveway. We also had a very nice neighbor who plowed our driveway a few days prior. I told Nina that we should see if we can get some snow playing supplies.
For Christmas, Niko got books, play-duh, rubik’s cubes, a chess set, a keyboard, lights for his bedroom, and his stocking was stuffed with chocolate. On his own, and during school, they had a store where the students can buy things. Niko got a mug that said wild about mama and a ring for Nina. His explanation was, she is trying to cut down on the coffee, so I got her a smaller mug and she doesn’t wear her wedding band, so I got her a nice fake one. For me, he got me a pinball game that I can keep on my desk.
That morning, and after we opened the presents, we had “real bacon” and eggs. I am the master cooker for bacon as I fry it, and then I use the grease to cook the eggs. Niko scarfed the bacon so quickly, that by the time I sat down, he wanted more. We actually made some more on New Years morning.
I have always let Nina sleep in and when Niko wakes up, I get up with him and it doesn’t matter what time it is. During his time off, I think the earliest we woke was on Christmas and that was expected (5:55 am)! But mostly, it would be around 6:30 am. As soon as his door opens to the world, the cat would run from wherever he was perched and jump into his bed. I do hear Niko talking in his high pitch voice and the cat meowing in agreement!
On prior New Years Eve’s, we would wake him up a few minutes before midnight so we can all watch fireworks. In San Antonio, a spectacular show happened and it lasted several hours. Well, we didn’t think a similar fireworks extravaganza would happen as it was super duper cold, so we didn’t wake him up. We would only wake up if it woke us, and thankfully, it didn’t. I heard a few pops, but it was several hours prior. So, yeah, we slept through it! Nina and I did have a quick toast with some sparkling apple cider after he fell asleep.
Yesterday, Niko and I went to Trader Joes and then had lunch at a place called noodles and company. He had spaghetti and meatballs and I had chicken pad Thai. We shared chicken noodle soup and dumplings. Niko liked his meal and the dumplings and my pad Thai was a bit too spicy for me and I also think they forgot to put chicken in it. The soup was devoured by me (Niko thought it was OK). Next time, we will both try something else.
