Tag: The Dad Speaks

On January 23, 2021, we purchased a Nintendo Switch along with a few games; Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, MarioKart Deluxe 8, and Just Dance 2021. Nina and I had a Nintendo Wii before Niko arrived and used it a little bit after he was born, but then it just sat unused for a long…

For the past few weeks, Niko has been complaining of his ankle hurting. Dr. Dad and Dr. Mom didn’t see anything visible on his foot, but we do believe him. Nurse Riley cat doesn’t know anything except for the fact that his shoes smell like feet, socks, and school and they have been outside. We…

Yesterday, the three of us went to The Shops at La Cantera (Niko wanted to go last weekend, but he changed his mind at the last minute). It was cool and cloudy, so we ate lunch outside at Lucianos’s. Niko ordered for us all: mozzarella sticks and a small cheese pizza. It was yummy. The…

After everything that has happened in the past month (moving and being hospitalized with emergency surgery), I am glad I took time off from work to end the year. I don’t go back till next Thursday. My mother thought my job was closed! I told her my job is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day…

We accepted an offer for our house a few days before Thanksgiving and moved last Monday to less than a mile away in the same neighborhood. I have to give a lot of thanks to Nina as she did 99.9% of the packing. We are leasing till the end of the school year as Niko…

Sometimes, I think about things that don’t even matter and have no impact on anybody, but me. So, a few days ago, I was thinking about ditching my websites and finding someplace free to write. I even looked at two older free blogs I had, and even backed them up should I make that choice….

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…