Tag: The Dad Speaks

Niko goes back to school and I go back to work tomorrow. Both of us are feeling much better. Niko has two more does of medication remaining.  We didn’t do anything fun in the world, although I tried yesterday, and it was a huge NOPE from him. I did a quick run to Half Price…

Niko is off this week for Thanksgiving. I am off on Thursday and Friday. And, just like the past few Thanksgiving’s, Niko is sick again! I had to pick him up early from school last Wednesday, and he stayed home Thursday and Friday. On Friday, Nina took him to an urgent care clinic and the…

Every weekend, I am primed and want to explore the world. I am at home all week working. Every weekend, Niko wants to watch his iPad and play his games. He is at school all week learning. So, who wins? Well, Niko wins most of the time. Last week, though, I won as we went…

Tomorrow, Niko has his first recital at school to celebrate Veteran’s Day. Now, before I proceed, I need to be honest and tell you that when Nina first told me about this about two months ago, either I wasn’t listening or she never told me. So, since I am smart and even though, I don’t…

Instead of reading a book a few times last week, Niko grabbed my iPad and set the Safari browser to thedadspeaks.com. Hey, that’s mine! He wanted me to read them to him, and I happily obliged. I showed him how to search by keyword or dates, and he was scrolling through everything until something caught…

Last Saturday, we had a hangry boy! If you don’t know what that means, I will explain. It’s when Niko is hungry and angry, and he can’t make his mind up for what he wants to do. Don’t worry, I will explain further. We went to P.F. Changs for lunch and Niko wanted no part…

Life is good for me, as last Wednesday (10/9/2024), I celebrated my one-year work anniversary at HealthEquity, Inc. I went to a Finance Conference at the headquarters in Draper, UT in July and it was nice to meet my team face-to-face, and even other people who I have been on calls with. Here is a…

On Friday evening and before Niko went to sleep, I asked him to build me a small Lego holder for my one work pen and my work branded colored work markers. He agreed.  We actually did it together yesterday morning, as I built the base and he built the rest. He even found a Lego…

I am by no means a professional chef, but I try my best to give Niko the best breakfasts before school. Sometimes he requests fried eggs or a ham and egg breakfast taco, which I can do for him.  Last week, though, he wanted French Toast, and we not only had the eggs, and bread,…

Give me some alone time at a bookstore, and I can easily find several books to purchase after browsing. But, add in Niko, and I have less than 60 seconds to browse as I have to chase him around the store. Yes, he likes books and I did buy him some last week at his…

On Friday, Niko woke up at 4:30 am, and when that happens, I am up with him. It’s always been that way for Nina and I, and even though I don’t want to be awake, I get up and take care of him. It’s much easier for me to go back to sleep than Nina…

Niko has always enjoyed legos, and some of the legos he has were from my childhood. In his younger years, I would have to build any new sets (and, he has a bunch) for him. But, now, he can do them on his own and he rarely needs help. Usually, he calls for me when…

Well, we are 10 days into school, and Niko finally had his first sick day on Friday! I partially blame one of his classmates who sits across from him as a few days prior to Friday, he vomited near Niko and some of it got on another classmates Chromebook. Yeah, I know great and thanks…

Niko survived the first week of school, and he is really enjoying it. His favorite subject is Math and for rotation (art, gym, and music), it’s gym. And, he likes his teacher, which is awesome! Our morning, afternoon, and evening routines are going well. Mornings, he eats, he uses the bathroom, and he gets dressed…

Tomorrow, Niko starts 3rd grade. Last week, we met his teacher, and he was organizing his school supplies at his desk. He is excited to resume his schooling! He’s got lots of new clothing from Lands End, Old Navy, and Primary. He has a new lunch bag and water bottle, and his backpack from last…

Next Monday, Niko goes back to school, and this year, his class will be on the 2nd floor! Some schools in the area start tomorrow. He has his school supplies, and a few days ago, we ordered new clothes for him. He still won’t wear shorts and a t-shirt! He wears a t-shirt and a…

Yesterday and today, Niko has woken up at 4:30 am. And, when that happens, I am awake with him. I have always allowed Nina a few extra bits of sleep as she isn’t the best sleeper. I don’t like the super early wake ups, but I am really hoping it’s a growth spurt or something…

When I started at Health Equity on October 9, 2023, I had meeting invite emails for a Finance Conference for the following July. I accepted it and it blocked out those days for me on my outlook calendar. I didn’t think anything of it and didn’t even know if it was for me. In May,…

Yesterday, we ventured to IKEA mainly to get Niko a new art desk. His current one was found abandoned near my parent’s house about a year ago, and they rescued it and made it nice for him. When we got that old one, there was a date written and even though I don’t remember it,…

Yesterday, and not planned, Niko and I went to 7 places. We had a wonderful time, and he is always great company. That morning, I had offered to take him to him to Rivercenter Mall or North Star Mall or to the movie theater for Inside Out 2 or the new Minions movie, but, he…