This isn’t about the movie with Alec Baldwin as the Boss Baby, but I will tell you I have seen that movie many times thanks in large part to Niko. This is about a boy named Niko who likes to boss his parents around and when he doesn’t get what he wants, he screams and…
Author: Mark
Picnic Breakfast
The weekends are both the best times of my life and the most stressful times of my life; mainly, because it’s me and Niko all day. Yes, Nina is home, but she works on Saturday and cooks on Sunday. By the evening, when he is finally sleeping, my brain and my body need a break…
The Dad Bod – Part 4
I was doing really good in July, eating wise. But, all of August, I have retreated to eating bad. I start out good with a nice big breakfast, then it goes downhill after lunch. So, I am going to pretend that August disappeared and I won’t remember all the bad things I ate. Basically, I…
7 down, 3 left…And A Final Written Capstone
Yesterday, I completed my 7th class at Western Governors University in my MBA degree. It was the hardest class so far and I am very relieved to be finished with it. I am giving my brain a night off tonight and will start my 8th class tomorrow. It’s funny, because when I started last November,…
Life Is Hard
I don’t complain, but my life is hard. I have a lot of things going on and I have very little time for myself. If I want to do something on the weekends, I have to take Niko with me. Saturday’s and Sunday’s are much harder for me than the weekdays. Yesterday, Niko wanted to…
Work From Home/Covid-19 Thoughts
I enjoy working from home and right now, my employer has no timetable for a return to the office. I really like that I can sleep in till 7 am and when I am done at 4 pm, I am already home. I haven’t worn blue jeans and a polo since April and I have…
Cheeseburgers NOT In Paradise
On Friday and Saturday, I was easily able to get Niko to get in the car for a drive. So, what did I do? Well, I told him he could have his iPad and we downloaded a few videos for him to watch. He wanted a shake and I was happy to find someplace to…
I Have Nothing
Every Sunday, I write something new here, but I have to be honest and tell you that for the past few Sunday’s, I stare at a blank screen hoping something will inspire me to write. I could write about what Niko is doing right now…he is eating watermelon and scrambled eggs while watching his iPad….
Random Thoughts
Last night, instead of doing my schoolwork, I had a sleepover with Niko. We slept from about 9 pm to 8 am with two pee breaks for him at midnight and 4 am. He asked me so nicely, that I had to say yes and you know something, it was very nice. I liked being…
I AM PROUD OF MYSELF…
Yesterday, I completed my 6th class at WGU in my MBA; it was Accounting. I have 4 remaining along with a capstone. I started the class on May 1st, but at that same time is when Niko turned into a crazy maniac at nighttime and would run around the house screaming and laughing instead of…
The Dad Bod – Part 3
Since I started working from home on April 8th, I haven’t been taking care of myself when it comes to eating. I know I am not alone in this and need to get motivated to lose some pounds. Even during the prior weeks before April 8th, my work cafeteria was providing free breakfasts and lunches…
Swimming With Niko
In March and before this pandemic shut down everything, Niko was really enjoying swimming at our neighborhood pool; it has a big kids area. Yes, he even wore a bathing suit and a long sleeve rash guard. When he is not pooling, and we go out, his outfit is long sleeve pants and a long…
July 4th Fireworks
I really enjoy watching fireworks, but I don’t like doing them or spending the money on them. Last night, Niko stayed up a little bit later than he normally does so he could watch the fireworks and there were a bunch of them in our neighborhood. Before they started, the three of us watched Hamilton…
RIP Franklin Cat
On Friday, we had to put our 16 year old cat, Franklin, down. The previous few days, he was really lethargic and not eating and on Friday, we tried to get him to eat and drink, but he didn’t want any part of that. Nina took him to the vet and the news was bad;…
Father’s Day 2020
Father’s Day 2020 was very nice and it all started with a half day off from work on Friday for Juneteenth (that was a nice gesture from Chase bank). As soon as I was done working, Niko and I took a drive to see my parents, but first I had to get gas. I haven’t…
Halfway Done
Yesterday, I completed my 5th class at Western Governors University for my MBA. That means, I am halfway done! Five more and a capstone. My first term started last November and that was right around the time that Niko stopped taking naps. I was planning on doing schoolwork during his naps on the weekends as…
Niko Vs Alexa
Niko knows how to control Alexa; Alexa notifications, Alexa time, Alex play so and so song, and Alexa stop! So, when I play music throughout the day, Niko can stop and suggest a new made up song. I have had to unplug her in the evenings because he gets distracted by her by asking her…
Tell Me a Story, Dad
I enjoy reading books to Niko before he goes to sleep, but lately, I have been making up stories and it’s really fun and Niko really gets into it. He listens so carefully and I ask him questions like what do you think happened next? He also tells me stories, although his are much less…
Child Bribing – Part 2
Yesterday, after Niko and I had breakfast and after I mowed the front and back yard, I really wanted to take Niko for a drive to see my parents. I needed to get out of the house and since it was Saturday, I take Niko with me. Nina works on Saturday and I try to…
Niko’s Nighttime
Since my birthday on April 23rd, Niko has been extremely difficult when it comes to going to bed. He runs around like a crazy maniac screaming and laughing! Before this, he went to sleep very easily around 7:00 pm, now it’s around 8:00 pm and for a few weeks, it was around 9:00 pm. Yeah,…