The Letter 'P'

We started this week knowing that it was going to be busy. When Q announced Monday that they were talking about the letter 'P' at school I jumped on the chance to do something fun as well as distract the kiddos from thinking about the move. On our short drive home I asked Q to name as many words that started with the letter P that he could think of. Papa, Peaches, Pumpkin, Pasta and Poop (go figure) were among the few he through out. Since most of the words were food I asked him "If we had a Letter 'P' Lunch tomorrow, what do you think we should eat?" His response...

"Pizza! No wait, make that Pepperoni Pizza!"

By the time we got home Q had decided that we were going to have Pepperoni Pizza, Peaches ("...or Sloan can have Pineapple if she wants"), and Pepsi (Sloan had milk) which he drank from a Pumpkin cup. I wasn't so sure about the Pepsi, but I figured in all the years I have been babysitting Q, I have maybe given him soda three time. This was the first for caffeinated soda. No worries, he did not drink the whole bottle. He was given 1/3 of his pumpkin cup (about 4 oz) and that was it. Q wasn't too happy that I wouldn't let him have any more, but I don't like giving children soda. That's Nanny Nicki's Personal Preference!!

Sloan participated in letter 'P' day by not only eating the 'P' foods, but also wearing Pajamas and Pigtails all day! Shhhh... don't tell anyone, but CC wore her pajamas for most the day too ;) Both the kids had fun as did grandma and I. What more could you ask for?!

Multiple Personalities

Our Halo is always a blast to watch when she gets into one of her little moods. Whether she is tormenting Xena (which is often) or using her as a chew toy (Xena is VERY tolerant), having a running fit through the house or talking to us in a low whiny tone, she makes us laugh on a daily basis. Usually at night Halo spends a good 15 minutes pawing & growling at Xena trying to get her to play. However, Xena is too lazy and just lays there on her side sounding like a walrus most of the time. Halo also stands on her head often, butt in the air, talking and spinning in circles (looks similar to a break dance move).

Just Before Halo Starts to Chew on Xena's Head

Well today Halo decided to chase Hailey around the house. She trotted just behind Hailey, with a smile on her face. Every once in a while she'd stop in the living room and wait for Hailey to come around the corner, then Halo would take off fast hoping Hailey would follow her instead. It is interesting to watch her many different personalities from day to day. I'm not sure I have a favorite one, because they are all unique and funny, but watching Halo playing with the kids is priceless. You can see how happy they make her and how much she loves them just by the look in her eyes.

When we adopted Halo over two years ago, we didn't know we were getting a dog with such a crazy personality... or should I say personalities?! As we have watched her grow we are absolutely thrilled that we didn't pass her up that Saturday when we went to just go look at the animals at the shelter. We sure do love our Halo! And Xena too! We lucked out getting two dogs with great temperaments which makes our little family complete :)

Movie Night

Tonight I went into Peoria and watched the kiddos for a few hours while mom and dad went on a much needed night out. It is so great to be greeted at the door by Q's smiling face and hear Sloan repeatedly yelling "Hi Nit-tee" waving from her booster seat. Both kids were already decked out in their comfy pajamas and were eating ice cream when I arrived. We had a movie night which is usual if I watch them in the evening on weekends. Q requested Little Mermaid 2. You may think this is an odd request for a boy, but the "mean witches" as he calls them are his favorite. Obviously Ursala made quite the impression on him in the first Little Mermaid for him to want to watch Morgana in the second. Sloan even sat up on the couch quietly for a good 10 minutes before she started bothering big brother :) Sloan and I spent most of our time in the playroom cooking, talking to each other on the phones, and playing musical instruments; while Quinton watched the movie in the family room. He had a million questions about what was going to happen next in the movie and why this person lied or that person stole. I love how inquisitive he is about most things; always wanting to understand everything in full. I think this is why his vocabulary and cognitive development is and always has been so good. His questions have always been addressed no matter what they are.

Speaking of development, I need to go back earlier in the evening before mom and dad left. Sloan was inquiring about gymnastics. Not sure what made her think of it, maybe they had been talking about it earlier in the day or maybe she knew something was up since we missed gymnastics Friday due to Q being home sick from school. Regardless, she was nodding her head and asked "Angie?" Of course making sure I understood her correctly I said "Ms. Angie?" and Sloan nodded her head "Yeah." Then she went on to say "Ropes" although it doesn't sound exactly like that, I knew what she was saying (I've heard it enough). Apparently that's what the little one was thinking about. I asked her if she liked swinging on the rope at Ms Angie and she nodded "Yeah". That is all that was said about it the rest of the night but it was fun having this little conversation with her that I actually knew exactly what she was saying without making her repeat herself a few times. Sloan is growing up so fast I can't believe it! Both kids are :)

So needless to say we had a good night. Watched a movie, read a couple books to each child, and to bed they went without any trouble. I hope their bedtime routine will be this easy once they move to Morton. It will probably take a couple weeks, but you never know, they just might surprise us all :)

Laughing Tears

I should be sleeping since this past week has been quite sleepless, but instead I am watching Hailey and Matt sword fight on Wii Resort. Between giggles, jumping around, funny made up songs and a profanity or two called out by Matt, I can't stop laughing. A few tears have rolled down my face... mainly because I am so tired. Every little things seems overly funny. It's going to be a long night :)

Special Gift for a Special Someone!

With mom and dad being out of town most of the week for work, we had to keep ourselves busy. Q had Pajama Day on Tuesday and Stuffed Animal Day on Wednesday which helped make the days more exciting and go by quickly. Besides trying to have movie nights (stubborn, argumentative and tired boy didn't get a full movie in until Thurs afternoon) we also worked on a special project for the kids' gymnastics teacher, Ms. Angie! We have known her for three years now. Both kids absolutely adore her. She has such a natural nurturing way with all the children, interacts so well with them, and truly loves each individual child. It is no wonder why she's such a big hit! We have been trying to get Q in to do a class with Ms. Angie since he started school in September. Finally, there was a day that worked. Conferences were today at his school so he had the day off. Fridays just so happen to be Sloan's day for gymnastics. Yes, Q was with 18 month olds, but he did well. Had to sit down once because he was completely out of control and careless with a new little guy that was there, but after a few minutes to think about it Q was more aware of his actions and the little ones around him. He had so much fun. He showed Ms. Angie all the skills she had taught him over the years and was disappointed when class was over. Ms. Angie was so happy to see him again. She has watched him grow up just like I have over that past few years. I know she will miss both kids greatly as they will her.

Back on the special gift... When asked what he wanted to make, Q said "Something with my picture on it so Ms. Angie will always remember me. Then we can put a magnet on i!t" He is really into the magnet things because we have done a number of crafts with magnet on them over the years. I talked him into a hanging gift that could go over a door knob or hang on the wall. Q thought about it briefly then decided "It will work much better for Ms. Angie if it hangs, huh? Yeah it HAS to hang, Nicki. It really does." So with that bit of direction Sloan and I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up crafting supplies, ribbon and paint. Here was the end result.

Ms. Angie absolutely LOVED the gift the kids made for her.

Turned Zombie

Matt's new thing is to turn his friends and family into zombies. It all started with a picture I took on New Years of our friend Jeff. It was a hit with our group of close friends resulting in others asking to be zombified. He has done three so far, one of myself included. Pictures taken when you are off guard or messing around seem to work the best. Go figure?! Thought I'd share Zombie Nicki with the rest of you!


It is pretty gross, but I like him using his creative side. Someone suggested he make a calendar of the zombie pics he does, which I think is a GREAT idea. I'm seeing Christmas gifts already for next year. Lord help me!! :)

Changes for the New Year

Well a new year has begun and with it comes an even crazier and hectic schedule. Most know that the family I nanny for is moving north to the Chicago area. Between A & J being out of town for work (a lot), the movers coming at the end of the month, closing on the Peoria house, staying with A's dad for a month and eventually making their way to Naperville, the next couple months, will be stressful for us all. There have been a few snags already on the way that couldn't have been predicted, but A & J will make it through. The sayings "Everything happens for a reason" and "What's meant to be will be" are suiting for what has and will happen as the following months unfold.

So the plan is to be moved up to Naperville by March. That is when I will start traveling up on Monday mornings and stay through Thursday evening. Basically I will spend 4 days/3 nights in Naperville and 3 days/4 nights at home in Pekin. It is approximately 2 hours 35 min drive but could be longer with traffic after I get off the interstate during those busy times of day I will be driving. It will take some time to get use to, but we've got nothing but time, right?!

All these changes also bring new beginnings and adventures for us all. New home, being near old friends and a new job/territory will be welcoming the S family. I personally am excited to be closer to one of my best friends from college that I have not seen since her wedding day. Another friend from high school just moved to Chicago just before Christmas with her growing family... so I look forward to reconnecting with them both.

Big changes are in the very near future for the both S family and myself. It will take some time to get use to; time to adjust. However, all will work out for the best. So here is to a new year, new beginning, and two months of being stressed to the max!!! :P