Day 2 as a 5-year-old verdict: Not a total loss.

From the get-go today had a vibe about it. Not a bad one, but a change. Nixon woke up and was kind of awesome, maybe in part to the blanket fort I set up for him last night before I went to bed.

When it was time for breakfast, he started pouting/talking back and refused to go to his room when I told him too. The end result? No TV before nap time. We did play games, action figures and made his teacher a card for tomorrow.
   Nixon did help me make scrambled eggs this morning. He helped me crack all the eggs and even broke 2 of his own (1 totally on his own!!) with very few pieces of shell falling into the bowl. They were large enough that I could pick them out before mixing the eggs.

After our nap, yes I took a nap as well...we're all fighting a cold. Nixon asked for a snack and to watch TV. I waited until he asked the correct way AND apologized for this morning. It went like this "Mommy, please can I apologize for not listening and for pouting this morning? AndnowcanIwatchTVplease?!?" He got one hour of shows, then Mac got to choose what we watched, then dinner time and after dinner came bath time to bedtime.

Overall, today was NOT a horrific day. We did spend a little more time talking about good behavior at school, respecting his teachers and also how to be a gracious winner. He is an overly celebratory winner which I'm going to help work on with him.

Nixon and his Ace McCloud from Centurions, taking a break from our good vs evil "battles"

It's Sunday....football time!

* Nixon woke me up a little before 930am asking if we could go downstairs now. I got up and we went downstairs, leaving Mac to sleep in peace. I decided to make Nixon eggs and toast for breakfast, and Nixon asked if he could help. He broke one egg, and it sort of cracked in his hand and he freaked out! He was really upset that there was "slimy, messy egg stuff" on his hand. I cleaned it off and he was soon back to wanting to beat the eggs in the bowl for me.

* After breakfast, Nixon started digging into his dress-up box. He decided that today he was going to be Optimus Prime. He put the mask on, and then his rain boots. His rain boots were his "robot feet". He found his Optimus Prime costume and asked for a little help putting it on. Soon enough, he was walking around making robot sounds and using his robot voice!

* Watching the Eagles vs Raiders game today. Nixon asked to sit next to me. After he got all comfy, I asked him who his favorite football team was. He says "The Eagles!" and then says "They're going to beat the Giants." I had to correct him, as the Eagles lost to the Giants last week, but they were SPANKING the Raiders today!
  I kissed Nixon and told him he was my favorite child and not just because he's the only one I have. He says to me "I know, it's because I'm so cute!" Damn straight, son!

Thanks for the compliment, Nixon.....

* Here's how you don't want to start the day:
Nixon: Mommy, I think you need more sleep.
me: I agree.
me: Wait...what time is it? Where's your dad? Nixon, can you hand me my phone?
Nixon: OKay, but you look horrible.
me: *roll over look at the cable box* Nixon, we have to hurry this morning. My phone shut off and my alarm never went off. It's way late!
Nixon: No it's not mommy, Dad's blue car isn't even home yet.
me: Nix, Dad's probably at the gym but it is late and we need to get you fed and dressed and fast.
Nixon: Alright....don't forget, today is "o" day. *he needs to bring something that begins with the letter o to school*

* Nixon had his first rainy day school day. Which meant no playground time. He wasn't happy about it, but he didn't throw a total fit. He was happy when we got home and he got a PB&J sandwich.

* Nixon chose his dinner again tonight: pasta, butter and parmesan cheese. And tonight, he ate all but a few noodles. It took him a while but he did it.

*  Tonight, Nixon helped me do dishes. He helped me load the dishwasher and he helped me put dishes in the drying rack. And he volunteered to help! I didn't ask, he wanted to help me!

Damn his defiant and back-talking mouth!

* From the minute I got out of bed, Nixon was almost non-stop defiant and talking back. I swear, he changed my name to "NO!" and didn't tell me, I heard it come out of his mouth so much today.
 me: Nixon what do you ant for breakfast?
 Nixon: NO! I don't want breakfast!
 me: Okay, let me know when you get hungry.
 Nixon: NO! *a few minutes later* Hey, where's my food?
 me: I'm sorry, what did you just say?
 Nixon: Oops. I meant, may I have something to eat please.

 me: Nix, I think it's time for a nap.
 Nixon: NO! I'm not taking a nap today!
 me: Nixon, you need a nap, you're super feisty.
 Nixon: NO! You are....what did you say?  
 me: Feisty?
 Nixon: You are that word!

 I'd have taken it personally, except when Mac got up Nixon was just as testy and moody with him.

* But then, just like *that*, he's sweet again. He was bringing BeBe over for me to give hugs and kisses to. He also asked me to "babysit" BeBe. I tucked BeBe in my tee shirt for his nap. Then Nixon would come over and tell me "He's done sleeping, I'll take him now." My payment? Hugs and kisses from Nixon.
    He's such a caring single teddy bear father.

* Nixon asked for scrambled eggs and bacon for dinner. He then offered to cook the eggs. And he did a good job too. He used the spatula and kept stirring them in the pan for a few minutes, until they were almost done. Then he said "Okay mom, now you finish, I'm thirsty."

he's so adorable! I just can't get over it....

It's Mommy's birthday!!

* I was woken up this morning by the sweetest little voice saying "Happy birthday, Mommy! We have donuts and coffee for you!". Donuts, coffee AND presents! What a great way to wake up!

* Nixon helped me wash dishes today. He washed one bowl before he decided he didn't want to help anymore. I'm pretty sure he only helped just to wear my apron. It's cool, he looks super cute in it!

* At bedtime, Nixon looks at my feet and says "Mom, your feet aren't pruny. Your not old." Thanks kid. Then he says "Mom, I love you. You're so pretty"....and that was the best birthday gift Nixon gave me!

Nana has arrived!!

* Nixon helped make eggs for Mac today. He did it by himself with a little supervision from me.

* Nixon made his nana a card today. It had 5 smiley faces on it AND he wrote his name...for the first time...ever! I wasn't home, Mac helped him do it. But it looked amazing!

* Nixon's nana was supposed to fly in around 2pm. Due to flight cancellations, weather issues and other  situations she didn't end up finally getting here until 11pm! Nixon was still awake and so excited to see his nana.

Amber is happy to see Nana too!

I might be raising a nudist...oh well.

* I adore Nixon and his odd ways. Today, he decided it was a good day to be naked. Who doesn't get tired of clothes now and then?!? Maybe I'm doing this whole parenting thing wrong, but if we've got nothing going on, and the door & curtains are closed, I let him go naked for a while. Sometimes, letting him spend a few minutes naked, makes it easier to get him dressed.

* Nixon made scrambled eggs by himself! Well, he scrambled the eggs all by himself, then asked me to cook them because he's still nervous around the stove. And at only 4 years old I think it's a healthy fear to have.

He does have to wear clothes to bed...you know, in the event of a fire or something like that, we always wear clothes to bed...

My boy is learning how to cook!

* Nixon helped me make breakfast this morning. He was super excited to help! He was in charge of the scrambled eggs. He scrambled them and, under my watchful eye, cooked them almost entirely by himself. We also had bacon, juice and coffee (coffee-milk for him) together.

* Dinner time...well that did not go so well. Even though he helped me with the mac & cheese, he took 3 small, tentative bites and refused to eat anymore even after he was warned he'd go to bed. The bites he did take, he claimed it was yummy, but his face looked like someone put garbage on his tongue.
 He went to bed early.

*sigh* Tomorrow is another day and I'm sure he'll still be a choosy little eater then too. But at least he's learning how to cook a little bit.