Nick's News Archive

All the news I saw fit to print.

(At least on the day I chose to print it!)

10/26/05

The past few weeks have been action packed! Grama, G-Ma and G-Pa went with us to a wings and wheels event at our local airport on the 8th. The show had something for everyone. We checked out several private airplanes that were on display and we would have taken a ride in one if we had had more time. The Wheelmen had a neat showing of pre 1918 bicycles and were riding them all around during the show. One guy wiped out on one of the really big front wheeled bikes when he hit a puddle of water. He was OK and we were able to see how you mount one of those things without a ladder when he picked it back up, hopped on and rode off. A local car club put on show at one end of the airport and had lots of old hot rods and custom cars to look at. There was a custom chopper builder there as well with a trailer full of bikes his shop had built. The fire department had some trucks and equipment out as well and all the kids were able to sit in the drivers seats and play with some of the firemen's cool toys. Grama spent quite some time talking to a man that had a nice display of Cushman scooters. Paw Paw used to restore Cushmans years ago and it turned out that the man worked for the same company as Paw Paw and had heard of him. It's such a small world isn't it?

On Columbus day we went to the State Fair. What a BLAST! It started out kind of slow because Mom and Dad wanted to look at the stuff for sale in the booths near the entrance we used. They took forever! It paid off though when they bought me a cool Orange County Choppers shirt to add to my collection. After ambling through the new car buildings and getting some lunch we headed to the Midway. Finally some excitement! We spent a couple of hours there and I think I rode every ride on the Kidway section. The folks have determined that I'm a thrill junkie and almost had to literally drag me away after I had ridden everything once. I rode two or three roller coasters, all the round and round rides, the bumper cars, the log ride and everything else they would let me on. Some of the time Mom or Dad had to go with me because of my size, but most things I was able to ride all by myself. I won a stuffed bear in a game of chance by making a basket without any help. Yay! I also made a sand art bottle at a booth on the Midway. While I napped after all the excitement, Mom and Dad moseyed around and did some of that boring grown up stuff. I'm glad I was asleep! After I woke up we had some food and looked at a few more things and then called it a day. I had a great time and can't wait until I can ride the bigger rides!

We finally bought some trees a few weekends ago to put in the front yard. I helped Dad dig the holes and plant them. It was fun to spread the mulch around and spray everything down to water them in. I had to take a bath after because I was so dirty. What's the point of doing it if you can't get into your work? The new trees are small, but look nice in the yard and should grow in time for me to climb them when I'm a little bigger.

My schools annual auction and fund raiser was this past Saturday. We went and had a lot of fun. Each of the four classes did a group project to be sold. My class made a quilt from fabric squares each of us colored and put our names on. It was a lot of fun to do and ended up selling for $800.00. I think our next few projects will be adequately funded! Dad was able to meet several of the people Mom and I have been talking about at school and really seemed to like them. The school hired a clown to play with and take care of us kids while the parents spent money at the auction. We all had our faces painted and had balloon animals made for us. To top it all off the school even sprang for pizza!

On Sunday I went to a classmates Birthday/Halloween party. We all went in costume and I had fun trying to figure out what everybody was. I went as Captain Feathersword from the Wiggles. Mom picked up a pirate costume for me and then we used a feather boa and some pipe insulation for the sword. I think it came out well and can't wait to wear it again. We have a few more parties to attend this year and I will also be making the rounds trick-or-treating, so I should get plenty of use out of it.

I'm declaring that all for now. I will try to get Halloween photos up sooner rather than later, but I make no promises. Love, Nick.

10/6/05

It has been a busy last few weeks so I am a few days late in posting. I started school on the first of September and we all have been adjusting to the new schedule. I am going to St. Christopher's Montessori School and it is a blast! I really like all my teachers and have met many new kids that are becoming my friends. Mom is working as the receptionist and it is covering my tuition. Yay! Dad is happy too. We do "works" in class like solving puzzles, sorting blocks and shapes, helping the teachers clean the room and other life skills. I am also taking Spanish and ballet classes. I'm having so much fun I can hardly stand it!

A few weeks ago Dad and I went to an Italian car show with our friend Mike. We spent the better part of a Saturday looking at Ferrari's, Lamborghini's Alfa's, Fiat's, Maserati's and the like. There were examples of almost every model and era. It was held at a beautiful winery north of town and it was nice to wander around the vehicles parked under trees and on the lawns on the property and it made for a very informal and relaxing show. I think we will go again next year.

Dad and I went with G-Ma and G-Pa to an orchestral day out at the library near their house. The city put together a fun day of music and dance along with a lot of activities for kids as an end of summer blow out. There were all kinds of booths set up with games and stuff and some inflated Bounce Houses and slides to play on. There was also a giant sand pile to dig in. I LOVE sand piles! I think I spent half an hour there alone. We all had a great time.

Last weekend we met up with the Stadig's at a pumpkin patch for a day of fun and festivities. Put on at a private ranch by the owners it has been going and growing for several years. They open up their property to the public for free and only charge for food, drink and pumpkins. I spent the day playing and climbing on several inflatable attractions, exploring a hay bale maze and checking out the various booths and attractions. We took a hay ride around the property that was a lot of fun and I also "rode" all of the wooden play vehicles on the ranch. There were lots of little red wagons available to use for pulling kids and hauling pumpkins and stuff. I made Dad pull me around whenever I got tired so I could rest up for more fun. After we had run amok for several hours we went out to the field and I picked out a pumpkin for us for Halloween. I'm ready to go back at any time.

Let's see, what else? We had a neighborhood block party near the beginning of the month and it went really well. We closed off the could-e-sac on the corner of our street and set up tables, chairs, grills and all and spent a few hours on a Saturday cooking, eating and chatting with our neighbors. Everybody met someone new and we look forward to doing it again. The neighbors are even talking about putting together a neighborhood directory so we all know who everybody is, where they live and how to contact them. It really made everyone feel good and more a part of the community.

There is probably more, but I have lost my ability to recall anything else at this time. So, for now, I'll leave it at this. Love, Nick.

8/24/2005

I may be slow, but I'm inefficient.It has been over a month since my last posting. We have all been busy here. Let's see, where to begin... I had a great time with Trey and Allison while they were up last month. We played lots of games together, went swimming, played miniature golf and all kinds of fun stuff. Dad and G-Pa took Trey and me to the airplane museum at Addison airport. We had a blast looking at the old planes and took lots of pictures. Trey and I were even able to convince G-Pa and Dad to buy us some souvenirs!

I spent a day over at the Lastingers a few weeks ago and had a great time. My friend Maddie came over too and we wore ourselves out. We fed Mrs. Bobi's fish, rode her horse and took almost every toy out of the toy box. It was a lot of work but we managed to do and get into everything we could. I love to visit there.

I have still been going to gym class this summer. I have been working on the balance beam, parallel bars, and high bar a lot lately and really enjoy it. I will be starting school September 1st though and will probably have to give up gym. My class is at 11 am on Thursdays and I don't think they have another opening when I am not in school. Oh well, I think I will survive. I am really looking forward to school and all the new friends I will meet! I will try to update you with how it goes as soon as possible.

What else... Mom's aunt Mary got married the end of July and we really enjoyed the wedding. Mom bought me some new dress clothes and I think I looked great in them. I think I was the best dressed kid in the place. I had a lot of fun dancing and playing with my cousins after the ceremony. Mom renewed some family connections and has gathered up some more information for her family history. We are all happy for Mary and her new husband Tom. We hope their future holds only good things.

We bought a bike for me last weekend and I have been riding it at every opportunity. I LOVE it! I like to go as fast as I can and then skid to a stop. I even went no-handed by accident and occasionally try to do it on purpose now. The only problem is that Mom and Dad can't keep up with me and won't let me go around the block as many times as I want. Drat.

I have grown a little over an inch and a quarter in the six months since my birthday and now am thirty- seven inches tall. I weigh in at thirty-one pounds now and Dad calls me "Lead Butt" every time he has to carry me.

I'm sure I have forgotten a lot, but I am out of things to say right now and have to get ready for supper any ways. Until next time, Love, Nick.

7/15/2005

I decided to give Mom the day off last Friday and go to work with Dad. I helped him finish up a couple of cars he was working on. Check out the pictures elsewhere on the site. My cousins Trey and Allison are coming up to stay with G-Ma and G-Pa soon and I can't wait for them to get here. We will have SO much fun! Hopefully we will get some good pictures and I can get them posted here soon. That's it for now. Love, Nick.

7/08/2005

There have been some other pictures floating around that have not been posted yet because I have been focusing on our England stuff. I am putting some up today (in July's pics) and will put some more up soon on another page. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Fourth of July. I loved the fireworks! Mom, Dad, G-Ma and G-Pa and I went down to the county line and watched people spend LOTS of money on fireworks and then set them off in a field next door to the stands. It was an excellent show that went on for hours and was totally free to watch. We had a blast! More news later. Love, Nick.

6/30/2005

I have posted the pictures that I took in England. HERE is the link. Enjoy. Love, Nick

6/28/2005

Round two of the England travelogue has been posted and I hope to have my personal pictures from the vacation up within the next several days. I'm doing the best I can. Thanks for your patience. Love, Nick

6/19/2005

Happy Fathers Day to all you fathers out there!

I have come to realize that my travelogue is taking more time than I anticipated. It probably has something to do with my "Manic Descriptiveness" (thanks Dad) and a lack of time. Whatever the reason, I have decided to post it in installments starting today. Thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoy the trip so far. Look for more in the days ahead. Love, Nick.

6/08/2005

It has been about six weeks since my last posting. I apologize for the delay. I could say that I have been to busy lately. With trip planning and preparation as well as our vacation itself things have been hectic around here. Unfortunately, it is mostly because I am lazy and have been having to much fun. Sorry.

I have recently developed a fondness for Knock Knock jokes. I love to tell them all the time but most people say they don't make any sense. Either I'm telling them wrong or they don't know good humor from a hill of beans. We'll see.

Let's see, what else? I will be starting Montessori school this fall and I am really excited about it. Mom was able to trade some volounteer work for tuition so it works out even better because she will be nearby all day. Yeah! I can't wait.

Gymnastics is still a blast and I still go once a week. It is great excercise and is also good for my balance and coordination. I love to walk the balance beam backwards, but the trampoline is still my favorite. I can't wait to get back after our vacation.

Mom's Tupperware career has been taking off. She has had a few big parties now and is really getting the hang of it. We have big boxes of stuff showing up regularly and I like to help Mom sort it out and package it up for her customers. Frequently she even likes my help. I am really good at opening things and spreading them around. ;)

That's all I can think of for now except for our vacation. We (Mom, Dad, Grama and I) recently went to England. We had a great time and will all remeber it fondly. I am currently putting together a travelogue with pictures that I will (hopefully) be posting soon on our new England page. Check back in a few days and it should be up.

Since I will be typing my fingers off writing the vacation page I think I will call it quits now and rest up.

Yak at ya later, Love, Nick.

4/20/2005

Dad, G-Pa and I went to the auto show Sunday and had a great time. I was amazed at the diversity available in the automotive industry these days. If you want it somebody makes it. We saw half a million dollar supercars, fuel efficeint hybrids, show cars, ultra luxury cars and everything in-between. I prefer the sports cars and grand tourers myself. Anybody interested in fronting me a Ferrari F430, new Mustang GT, Aston-Martin Vantage or such has my full attention. You can e-mail me at the link on this page and I PROMISE I will get back to you. ;)

Mom and I took the digital camera with us to the farm today and took some pictures. We had a lot of fun and I posted a few of them here on the site. It is nice to be able to see your pictures in real time on the digital camera. I have also taken some pictures on my film camera that still need to be developed and if any of them are worthwhile I will post them as well.

I think that about covers it for now. Love, Nick.

4/13/2005

As you can see, I have decided to completely change the look and layout of the web site. I have dropped both the growth record and archive pages. Frankly, I am not growing that fast any more, so frequent updates are unnecesary and the archives just eat web space. If you are a fan of the old site let me know and I will see about getting you a copy of it on cd or something. I will be posting some of my favorite photos from the old site on the new Past Pics page. For the most part I will no longer be posting pictures by theme. Instead, I will post pictures from a given time period with explanations and list the groups by date in the menu. I think that about covers all the web page stuff, on to other things.

Most of you know I recently had a birthday. My third to be exact. I am now "Three 3's": three years old, three feet tall and 30 lbs. ( I know, not actually a "three", but close enough) and loving every minute of it. I had a small party with mostly my immediate family and we had a great time. You can check out the pictures on my birthday page.

Mom has been involved with Tupperware lately and has become an official representative. She thinks it is a neat product and thought it would be a fun way to get people together, have a good time and maybe even get some products if they wanted to. If you need anything let her know, she's having a blast and would love to help you out.

Dad and I recieved a kite to share for Christmas. I had so much fun flying it that I wouldn't let Dad have a turn. He finally let me pick out a kite for myself and bought it so he could fly ours. I have flown mine a couple of times now and look forward to the next time.

I have been steadily improving my skills in gymnastics class. We have been doing more advanced jumps on the trampoline as well as new floor exercises and balance beam work. I can walk the beam backwards and love to practice on curbs and such when I get an opportunity. It is so much fun I often want to go more than once a week!

Mom and I have increased our volunteer work at Samuell Farm to a few hours a day, three days a week. Now that the weather has been getting nicer we have been able to spend more time outdoors. It is fun to go exploring the property and to check out all the farm equipment. Sometimes Mr. Hugh takes us out on the Gator for a tour of the farm and I giggle with glee every time we go for a ride! I've even managed to get Dad to come out a few times on the weekend so I can show him around and how cool it is.

Hmmm.... getting a bit long-winded here. I think I will call it quits for now and get this posted. Thanks for your patience and I hope you like the new layout. 'Till next time, Love, Nick.