On July 6th, Nina and I swapped rooms. The furniture movement of beds and dressers went very well, and that night, we were both sleeping in new rooms. A few days later, Niko wanted to swap rooms with me, and I told him, yes, we can do it, but please give me a few weeks as I just did it for Nina and me.
That Friday (July 10th), and unexpectedly, Nina had to fly home as her mother’s health took a turn for the worse. She passed away on Thursday morning. Nina and her brother were both there, and Nina arrived home on Friday (July 17th) evening.
On the way home from the airport on, Niko and I stopped at IKEA at the Mall of America. It’s funny, because Nina was planning on taking him that afternoon to IKEA. But, things happened. Because of the proximity to each other, it was very convenient.
I was telling Niko that if we arrange the furniture the same way that I have it, we have room for additional furniture; a chair, more bookcases, and even a desk. Niko wanted all three! At IKEA, I wanted him look at some chairs as I know it would be a bit cheaper than going to a furniture store. After he sat in a few, he chose one he wanted. Of course, we ate at the IKEA Cafe (we shared meatballs, Mac and Cheese, and chicken tenders). Of course, and in addition to the chair, we had frozen meatballs and lots of cookies in our cart (hey, I was with Niko). Once home, Niko and I put the chair and ottoman together.
On Saturday afternoon, I told him to get up from the sofa and he helped me so we can swap rooms. Hey, he did, and although I was the moving man of beds and dressers, he helped empty his bookcase, he removed the dresser drawers, and he cleared everything from the top of his dresser. It was a lot of work, but we got it done. That night, I was sleeping in yet another new room. I actually like it, as it’s a bit smaller (but the way I arranged it, all of my furniture fits perfectly) and darker. For Niko’s new room, we need to do a little bit of work on the window as there is a little half circle section that isn’t contained with curtains. His new chair fits perfectly.
On Sunday, Niko and I went to Five Guys for lunch and afterwards and in the same shopping center, he got a new pair of shoes from Skechers, we got pretzels from Auntie Anne’s, and I got him a cold lemonade from a vendor. It was all in an outlet mall about 20 minutes from our house, and next month, a new Costco is opening up a mile down the road. That will be nice for us, as currently, the closest Costco is about 30 miles (Coon Rapids, Maple Grove, and St. Cloud).
On Tuesday, I dragged Niko to the hardware store to pick up our broken window screen. Remember, a few weeks ago, when he had his window open and he threw a pillow and the pillow and window screen took a plunge to the outside world. Well, Nina was able to get the screen on, but it wasn’t perfect, and during a windy night, it fell and needed additional repairs. After some research, I saw our local hardware store could repair it. Now, it’s up to me to install it, which I haven’t done yet as it’s been hot and hazy (because of the Boundary Waters wildfires). Eventually, I will try and if I get stuck, I do home somebody on standby to help me. Right next to the hardware store is a Subway, and I think that is why Niko came with me (the promise of food, drink, chips, and cookies).
On Wednesday, and while he was downstairs dining on ice cream, I swapped closets. It was very easy and now, all of our things are in our rooms.
On Thursday, Niko and I had Applebees for dinner. It’s really fun watching him scanning the menu and then order for himself.
It was very weird being without Nina all week, and I felt bad that I had to work while he either relaxed in his new bedroom or played video games in the living room. I didn’t ignore him, as I made it my duty to check on him. We did have a good time together, and it was nice that we had a few meals together at the kitchen table.
It was also weird that on Wednesday, I asked Nina to order some groceries for us because I deleted the app from my phone.
No, the house isn’t in disarray with dirty laundry and dirty dishes everywhere. No, the trash isn’t full of empty fast food restaurants bags. No, the cat litter doesn’t stink. No, Niko and I aren’t stinky and dirty. No, the house isn’t covered in chocolate. No, the indoor and outdoor plants didn’t die. No, the trash can wasn’t overflowing. No, the cat was not famished. No trips to the emergency room or urgent care (although, we did have a hurty finger and a sore eye). And, lastly, the house didn’t burn down because of all the blender use by Niko.
This dad did everything. I even cooked food for us. One night, I did order pizza for us from a local restaurant. On Tuesday, it was turkey sausage. On Wednesday, it was rice-a-roni and chicken breasts, and Niko was so thankful to me for it. On Thursday, for lunch, it was chicken thighs in the oven and then for a minute, I broiled them to get extra crunchy, and they came out really good.
