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With the arrival of spring comes baseball. We played it, we watched it... I watched it more than Nick, but he was indeed following along much closer at the ballpark this time. First we organized a game with the boys (and Maddie) one afternoon at the cul-de-sac in the neighborhood, and played a solid three innings. Everyone got a hit and scored a run. From drawing bases in the blacktop with a stone to picking teams through captains, we did it the old fashioned way (and the boys looked at me like I was an alien as I organized us.)
We went to the Braves v Reds game on Friday night, as the boys remembered that was fireworks night. We had great seats, upper deck, front row along the rail, directly across from the fireworks over left field. It was a perfect evening, with good food (when he eats too much and doesn't want to talk about it he says, "I'm trying to keep my eyes off my stomach,") and a Braves win. In the absence of an iPad, Nick followed the game, asking about stats and scores, calling out those things he noticed on the field (such as Nick Markakis.) He recognized a player named Jimmie Johnson, and says, "Wow, that guy races cars, too!" Really, most of the game was me with one hand on Nick, and Brandi with one hand on Thatcher, to make sure neither one toppled over the railing onto the deck below. And now he's got a bit of a southern drawl in his delivery, too. At one point I run him down to the restroom and he's moving slow. I ask if he's alright, and he says yes... then mumbles, "You can't fight nature." I suppose not.
He's concluded he likes barbecue ribs.
The photo of him under the cupboards was visiting an apartment for rent and Nick says, "There's good counter space."
And the month did start with Easter, and a return to Michigan for the week. He had a short hunt at the house, and another hunt at the hotel. He was very good about not running all the smaller children over and getting everyone involved. But he took cleanup duty upon himself, and made sure every egg was collected when the event was over.
Photos here from April.
- Jason
Nick was back on the Atlantic Ocean this month with a trip to Jacksonville for a week. We had all of four hours of sun the entire week, and made the most of it on the beach, digging in the sand and chasing birds (I bet him $20 he couldn't catch one... Brandi jumped into the game for a $100 payout. No winners.) We had a couple nice meals for Brandi's birthday week, at Barbara Jean's on the water was Nick's favorite. One afternoon I took him to the Museum of Science and History, which was kinda like school; we saw an awesome science show about air (there was fire and pressure... anything that explodes is in Nick's interest sphere.) There was still schoolwork to be done, and I helped Nick each morning with flashcards (he can do them upside down, too), and geometry. We got back a day early for Nick's 'Producers and Consumers' day at school, where he sold roughly 30 small clay charms/figures (which he made by hand) to other second graders. He was the 'Clay Polishing Pioneer' (he named his company.) At one stop in our travels, he's with me in a public restroom, and I hear him flush the throne and say, "That was anti-climactic." I had never thought about it.
Earlier in the month we spent a weekend on Knoxville, just as a getaway for a few days. We visited a local recreation park called Ijams, which was mostly a small nature center and some muddy trails. Dinner later was at Calhoun's along the river downtown, where we had an awesome table, and a nice walk along the riverwalk afterwards. Nick is heavy into the game Hangman now, which we play often in restaurants while waiting for our food. It's his turn, and he has to create the word... he looks at me and says, "Move your arm I can't see your shirt," as he takes the word off my shirt (which said Bowling Green). Ha! And we returned to the hunting and fishing store Nick loves, to get him a large stuffed shark pillow, which accompanied us everywhere.
- Jason
Nick's school held a Sweetheart Dance, and he took his mama as his date. He danced with his friends, had some refreshments... the usual dance thing, this being his first time.
He's had access to text or FaceTime us since he first got his iPad, but he rarely contacts us, unless there's a picture of a shark he must share. The first time he decided to FaceTime us, when we were both away from him, it was poorly timed. Let's just say he was supposed to be asleep, and we weren't in a position to take his call!
We went to Stone Mountain one sunny afternoon with Thatcher and Nick, but there wasn't much to do with the indoor playground unexpectedly closed. We got more fun from the trusty old YMCA for a swim, and a pizza afterwards at Johnny's. Overall, it was a quiet month. Although, after a year in Georgia, I'm starting to notice a southern drawl on a few words (similar to Seth.)
- Jason
Nick was assigned an 'extra credit' project at school, and Brandi pulled me in to help out during our week together. It was the perfect setup -- asking questions and building a graph of results -- what I do for a living! Nick selected the topic, which was, "What is your favorite weapon?" which I thought was a great topic for public schools, especially give the school nearby had been locked-down for some kid bringing a weapon to school the week before. We softened it to a military theme, and he got credit. It was a great lesson in planning ahead and aligning all the pieces.
He began referring to himself as, "The Nickster" one day as he got the best of a point during a conversation. It's like we've hit the age now where school is inceasing its influence, and I can understand him even less. He uses abbreviations like 'LOL' as a word when he experiences something funny. More than words, Nick seems focused on understanding numeric relationships. Most conversations involve Nick reaching for the highest, longest, fastest, biggest concepts and trying to put measures to them ("more than 200 miles" or "holds more than 50 gallons" he'll say.) He's told me I can start swearing when I turn 42... I'm pretty sure he picked that number at random, but I intend to let loose in a couple of months when he clears me to begin exercising my creative vocabulary again.
We went to the skating rink one evening, which he and mama do often to skate, play laser tag, or climb the indoor jungle gym. I looked up, and he appeared to be battling with another kid, and the lady next to me was the other boy's grandmother. But the two were just wrestling, and no one got hurt. Good to see him able to grapple and control himself where no one got injured.
Nick's favorite new food this month: sushi. Really. I don't even eat this stuff, but somehow Nick decided he likes it.
- Jason
We spent half the month in a hotel between Toledo and Cincinnati, and it was great being together. Nick got to hearken back to his childhood... nearly all his requests were met back here, from breakfast at Al Smith's, to an afternoon playing with Jack from the old neighborhood.
We had Christmas morning in Temperance, with a wonderful home-cooked meal, and plenty of toys: a 3' Godzilla, a 3" Godzilla, some rubber characters that looked like Godzilla, a Godzilla mask. You get the idea. He assembled a Lego Technic plane for ages 12+ with relative ease. Then onto Cincinnati, where he played well with the kids, as they ran free around the house for two days. Many 'missions' were accomplished where they competed in whatever challenges the adults set for them, such as stealing socks or finding items. We went to the archery range for an afternoon, and we both need practice in that arena. I got to play euchre for the first time in years... and Rob taught me new way to express being 'in the barn' (can't wait to milk my next opponent. Yes, ironic as I was raising an eyebrow last month about milkshakes in the yard.)
OK, this is an awful transition, but I don't have another. :) At school, the first 'female interest' has surfaced. Now, it's not simple (never is, may as well learn that lesson early before unrealistic expectations set in.) There's a little girl that chases him, and wont leave him alone, be he avoids her (she tags him and runs, yelling to be chased in return... he doesn't get it.) Then another girl that he likes, but he's still figuring it out. Second grade society.
Pictures here.
Don't feel bad for Nick being the odd guy out in the photo without a bow... he shared with Mason, and had to wrestle a little to get back the bow he liked best.
- Jason
