Easter update

Wow!! What a week!! Sorry I have been out of touch- I had my final exam on Wednesday and practice this week. It has been crazy. Easter was good. We hosted a brunch for some friends. So we did a lot of cleaning and cooking. Nico even pitched in to help:



And this is why it takes us a week to clean our house.

The Easter Bunny brought Nico some candies... and hid some eggs (will put the video up later). Overall, Nico was a gem during brunch. He hung out with Savy Weiss (who is about 6 weeks younger than him) and Jack F (who is 8). He was really good except for when it was time for a nap... and then he was mad. I think he liked hanging out with the people...

On Saturday night before brunch, I was frosting some cupcakes. He had grabbed one and squished it up so I gave it to him to eat. Then I gave him one with some frosting and tried to show him how to frost a cupcake. He took that to mean that he should eat the cupcake. It was all fun and games till I turned around to talk to Dave and I turned back to find that he was going after a THIRD cupcake. What the? How the? Yeah, I ended up having to fill in a hole he made with his frosting spreader with.... more frosting. :)

He really is a lot of fun these days. He is talking a lot. His latest thing is "OK." So I might say something like, "Nico, we are five minutes from home, OK?" And he says, very clearly and plain as day, "OK." Its awesome.

Mama Bishop is coming up this weekend... she is going to hang out with Nico next week, while FSU is closed. I think I have even tricked her into making me a skirt with fabric that looks like fabric she used in my wedding dress, only turquoise. :)

Dancing machine!

This weekend is going to be AMAZING!!

Today when I scoop Nico up, we are going to be headed to Target and Publix to get some things.  We need to pick up some stuff for the brunch this weekend and a birthday gift for Ezekial (one of the little boys in his class).  Then we are going to go home and dye some Easter eggs!!  Whoot!!

Then Saturday, there is Nenefest (the annual neighborhood party at the park).  After that we're going to the birthday party.  Then home to clean the house and make some noms for the brunch on Sunday!!

Then, on Sunday, we gotta do the Easter Egg hunt!!  And we're having some of Dave's work friends over for brunch and hopefully hitting the egg hunt at Optimist park!!  Basically, this weekend is going to be CRAZY fun!!

In other news, we were listening to Bruce Springsteen on the way back from practice last night, when I noticed Nico "dancing".


I think that at Nico's school, they listen to music and play musical sticks, which is why I think he is doing that thing with his fingers. In any case, HILARIOUS!!!

Have a great weekend!

Coughie McCoughersons

Sorry I have been out of contact, we have a lot going on around the house these days. 

We're all sick.  Sort of.  We've got this thing that has settled into our chests.  Dave and I are coughie mccoughersons.  Nico's cough is less bad, and none of us seem to have fevers.  I took sick days on Monday and Tuesday, but due to an impending deadline for a final paper in my class, did not make it to see a movie at the dollar theatre.  Sadface.

Speaking of which... am I the only person that is totally amped up to see "Bridesmaids?"  Crickets... so I guess, yes. 

I made it down to the county on Saturday, but the horse show I was supposed to see got canceled.  Which was a bummer.  Maybe next time?  I did make it up to see our U14 team play in Thomasville Tournament.  They did okay... they played and lost four games.  By one goal each.  So that sucks... but not as bad as if they had lost BIG.  I found out on Friday that our sweeper and our goalkeeper made the All Big Bend First team... which is pretty exciting (our GK is also playing in the state championship in Tennis today).  Also our little big gun won districts in the 800.  She anchors a 4X400 team that is all soccer girls... they are running in regionals this week.  My soccer girls are representin'!!

Dave and I are hosting an Easter Brunch on Sunday.  So I am busy trying to find things I want to have.  Including these:

Best. Invention. Ever. 

We have a new song we like.  Its Nico's favoritte.  Called "Dumptruck, dumptruck."

Helping in the kitchen Nico

The weekend is almost here.  Yay. Although I think I am getting sick. 

It looks like I *might* still have a job after June.  So that is good. 

Got a busy weekend lined up.  Hoping to shoot some pictures at a horse show, a soccer tournament and perhaps even a men's soccer game.  Whoo hooo!

I hope you all have a good weekend!  Here is a picture of Nico helping in the kitchen.

Judo Boy

Introducing the first member of the US Olypic Judo team in 2032, Nico Royse!!  Doesn't the name "Nico Royse" sound like something that would fit on a Wheaties box very nicely?  He is planning to be the first gold medalist in the sport for the Americans. 



Inappropriately pinning athletic dreams on your toddler?  Im doin' it!!

Funny!

We need to move to a city with buses, trains and metros, STAT. 

At practice last night, Nico was hanging out with the little brother of one of the players (Aliya).  The boy is maybe 5 or so, so he was hanging out in his Dad's Truck (which, is according to Jaden, a "diesel".)  Its a big truck- definitely a lot more space than the Kia.  So Nico was content to hang out in the truck... in fact he was annoyed that I put him in the Kia to go home.  Am I really going to have a boy who only wants to drive trucks, go mud boggin, hunt gators and go fishin'?  We live in the city, it seems poser-ish to be into hunting, fishing, mud-bogging and trucks, don't you think?

Not much going on around here.  I have my final presentation tonight- just in the nick of time, because the class is starting to get on my nerves. 

Nico continues to surprise me every day.  I kinda thought that he didnt like apples, since EVERY time I have offered them to him, he wants nothing to do with them.  Until last night coming home from practice I am eating an apple and he starts fussing in the back seat.  I ask him what's going on and he says, "Apple".  The little booger wanted part of my apple! So I bit him off a piece and he chewed it all nonchalant like... like he'd been waiting for a piece forever...

Its amazing how well he is talking.  The other day, Dave went to give Nico a bath while I jumped in the shower.  They were in the office and I in the bathroom when I heard Nico say, plain as day, "Where is Mama?"  It was awesome!

Dave and I have created a monster.  Monday Dave came home kind of early, so he made it there in time for dinner- which kind of jacks our schedule up a little.  Nico didn't want to sit in his high chair so I tried letting him sit on my lap... which didnt work.  So he got down and did his own thing at dinner.  Which included going to get his scooter.  And he ate dinner on his scooter.  He would ride around the kitchen and Dave would "call" him up to the "drive through" (me) by insisting that there would be an extra charge for not eating the sandwich.  Nico thought it was HILARIOUS.

I'm on a firetruck!

At Springtime Tallahassee a couple of weeks ago, Nico got to sit on a firetruck. 

Isnt this awesome?

We have practice today.  I am blowing out of work at 5, grab Nico throw some noms at him and at practice by 6pm.  I wanted to go see our girls play tennis today, but stupid work is getting in the way.  On the upside, I am going to see some sort of horse show on Saturday and some of our soccer girls are playing in a tournament on Sunday in Thomasville- I hope I can get some good pictures of both.  I think Nico and I will be going to that and maybe we will hit up some place called "Jonah's" for breakfast, where in I will sample their shrimp and grits... apparently its pretty good.  I have no idea where this fascnication with grits comes from.  I managed to work at 2 DIFFERENT CRACKER BARRELS without ever once acquiring the taste for grits.  Next thing you know, I am having instant cheese grits for breakfast every morning at work.  Who knew?

Over in the garden...

We had a really fun weekend!

I went to school to do some work on Saturday.  Nico and Dave hung around the house and the neighborhood.  They went up to the park to check out our Nieghborhood's yard sale (because that is what hippies do in this neighborhood).  I came home in time to put Nico down for a nap.  Then spent the rest of the afternoon watching the Deadliest Catch and cleaning (sadly, the house is still a mess). 

When Nico woke up from his nap, Dave took him over to Joe F's house, where there was a bit of a get-together.  I headed to Lowes to get some gardening stuff.  I ended up having to sell my David Sedaris tickets because our back up baby sitter ended up flaking out on us (I hate it when that happens).  I used the proceeds to buy some gardening stuff... going to put a raised bed in the back yard.  I bought a couple of strawberry plants... and should probably note I have no idea what I am doing. 

Sunday Nico and I rode part of the bike trail.  We drove down to St. Marks and parked there and rode up part of the trail and rode home.  I had hoped to do five miles up and five back, but Nico only had two up and two back in him.  On a completely awesome note, he knows what a helmet is.  I have no idea how he knows this, but he does.  We grabbed some lunch at the Riverside.  He had a grilled cheese sandwich he insisted on pulling apart and eating like it was cheese toast (maybe this is the doing of the school he goes to?)

We drive home and had a nap (both of us- it was glorious).  Then Dave went to play soccer and I worked in the back yard with Nico (after our Sunday frozen yogurt).  Nico was very helpful.  Can't wait till our watermellons and sunflowers come in!!  Whoo hoo!!

Hope your weekend was great too!

123...

Nico is starting to "get it"! Probably at least once a day, I ask, "Do you know how much I love you?"  It's usually just part of the nonsensical babble that I do whenever we're hanging out... doing dishes, cleaning, getting groceries.  The answer is always the same, "One, two, three, dot, dot, dot."  Usually when I ask, "Do you know how much I love you?"  Nico nods, but usually doesn't answer.  So yesterday, when I asked and he nodded, I started to say, "One, two, three..."  pause.  And he answered, "dot, dot, dot."  It was awesome.  So I got him to do it again in the video (sort of). 



Overall, we had a pretty fun weekend.  I got back late on Saturday after a good conference.  On Saturday Nico and Dave went to Springtime Tallahassee where Nico was getting his March on!!



Seriously, could he be more adorable?

Nicophone

So... I am going to PAA this weekend. It's in DC and is one of the highlights of my year.  I know, I am a total dork.  But I own it. 

My original plan was to take leave on Thursday and Friday and book it out of JAX on Wednesday.  But then I never requested it off because I assumed my supervisor could read my mind.  So when they set up our first ever CDC visit and it corresponded to the time when I was supposed to be GONE, I ended up having to change my flight out.  And well, it was cheaper to buy a one-way ticket into Baltimore arriving at 12:15 tonight than to pay for the fare increase pluys the $150.00 change fee SUCK.  But, I never canceled my seat on the outbound flight yesterday.  So I get an email saying all my flights have been canceled including my return flight on Saturday.  Milka-WHAT?  Apparently, if you miss one flight, they cancel all the rest.  Yeah, so, really long story long, I pretended like I was Nicole and called up Expedia first and then US AIR and explained the situation.  I also threatened to use either again.  Ever.  US AIR kept me as a potential customer by rebooking.  Expedia?  Yeah, it blows.  I am done with them.  FOREVER.  Or at least until I forget that they were douches. 

In any case, I am packed.  The car is gassed up.  I have a bag full of sodas and candies (chewy runts, ZOMG!!) and am ready to roll.  My flight leaves at 745 pm out of JAX tonight and I get out of work at 4.  I'll make it, right?  A little nervous about that, I am not going to lie.  3 hours to get to JAX, then 45 minutes to get to through security and the gate, not checking bags?  I hope this works out for me...

In unrelated news, I spoke to Nico on the phone this morning, which was awesome.  He hung up on me, but it was cool.  I called Dave to talk about something and he put me on hold with Nico.  I hate these kinds of weeks... I didn't see him much last night because I was in class till 815 and he was asleep when I got home.  He was asleep when I left today.  And I will be gone till Saturday night-ish.  We might try to gmail video chat tomorrow morning which is way awesome.  Both mine and Dave's computers have built in web-cams.  I love technology. 

Did I mention that we made Nico's water table into a rice table?  Yeah, whenever I get him from school, he runs into one of the other rooms to play at the rice table (LIKE A BOSS).  So I decided to put rice in his water table.  Which he loves.  We were at the store a couple of days ago and he talked me into buying him some measuring cups and some sand toys.  It's pretty fun!

All for now.

The Chocolate Cake Dance

We had a pretty good weekend. 

I stayed up kinda late on Friday night working on Zoe Claire's quilt.  It's almost done.  Woo hoo!!  I can't wait to go see her, because she is going to get a whole mess of cool stuff!!  Saturday morning, I went over to my friend LaVon's house.  We worked on a necklace that I have been wanting to make.  Am hoping to get it done in time for PAA... but that is not looking  hopeful at the moment. 

On the way home, I ran by the Old Navy for some jeans, because I tore my last ones sitting on a bench at Godby (I went to shoot some photos at a track meet).  I tore the jeans on a sharp part of the bench.  I normally wouldn't be bothered by it (and prolly would not have replaced the jeans) had the tear been in a more convenient place.  Ahem.  As it is now, they dont look cool- like I meant to do it- like on the knee or the thigh.  Its right on the butt of the jeans.  And its just trashy to wear them around.  On a side note- why in the hell does it seem like a tornado has just hit Old Navy.  No matter when I go?  Always a disaster area?  Do people just lose their minds at Old Navy?  Must be...

Saturday night we went Cabos for dinner.  Wherein, Nico showed us "The Chocolate Cake Dance".  Behold!!




Nico has random dances that he does. In the mornings, sometimes he does "The Poptart Dance" which is quite similar to this.   Isn't this awesome?

Sunday, I took Nico out to breakfast and got some groceries.  While he went down for a nap, I went to the eye doctor.  BTW, I heart insurance.  I have a vision plan with my health insurance.  I paid a @20.00 co-pay and got two pair of glasses.  One nice pair from Banana Republic and one off name brand which is for backups.  Of course, they dilated my eyes while I was there, which necessitated a need for a nap when I got home :)

While I was waiting for the glasses to be made, I met Dave and Nico at Borders.  Apparently Nico woke up from nap requesting a "treat".  I don't know where he got this idea... we generally don't do "treats".  Like, if we are going to have candy, we have candy... there is no treat involved.  He is also taken to saying what sounds like, "tight" when we put his shoes on.  Which is strange... because I wasn't aware that he knew what it meant.  Of course, it probably means that it is time for new shoes for him. 

He is also REALLY into trucks and cars and tractors and trains right now.  And I am not sure, but I think he knows some colors (red and white).  Now, if you point to a white truck as ask what color it is, he says something that sounds like "white."  Is it possible that he is a genius?  I mean, it probably is... afterall... look at his mom.  She is pretty smart.  His Dad is okay... :)

All for now.

Ilowerour...

It's Friday.  I feel like I have earned a fun weekend.  I sent my poster off yesterday- sent our R & R off on Saturday.  Did a presentation in class on Wednesday.  Ordered trophies for the Banquet.  I'm not going to lie- I have been kicking ass this week!!

Hoping to do some sewing- M and M's baby was born this week.  Her name is Zoe Claire.  Isn't that a great name?  BTW- I am never calling her Zoe.  Only Zoe Claire.  So I am hoping to finish her baby blanket.  I am also going to be making a couple of necklaces.  And- you never know.  Nico and I might just sneak down to St. Marks to do a bike ride and get some noms at the Riverside.  Wooo hooo!!

In other news, it is spring here in Tallahassee.  Which means, that it's overly-aggressive geese season.  Seriously.... look at these guys.  What are they doing? 

Nico is pretty fun lately.  I took him to school a couple of times this week- he is still not a fan of me dropping him off.  But he is starting to say "I love you."  Of course, it sounds more like, "Ilweruour."  Its pretty great.  We spilled some pins on the floor yesterday and were picking them up with a magnet when we noticed a wasp on the floor.  Nico freaked out a little, which was cute.  He's okay now with the vaccuum and the dustbuster, but now he hates bugs.  Who knows?

That must be because I am a PhD...

Soooo- Dave signed into the blog last night and admonished me.  He was like, "yeah, I already read this.  write something new."  And I had a sadface...

There isn't much going on around here.  The governor came to DOH yesterday.  I was "selected" to attend, representing the Bureau of Chronic.  I say selected because we had to email our division director if we wanted to go...I figured that most people in the Bureau would want to go- at least to hear if from the horse's mouth... so when I was selected, I thought to myself, "That must be because I am a PhD."  (Side bar, I think that a lot... like, my epi professor assigned me to present an article about Epidemiology, Racism and Birth Weight.  When I saw the assignment, I thought, "That must be because I am a PhD."  You see the height of my delusions, no?

So I dressed nicely and went.  Another sidebar:  apparently I am going to have to start taking more care with my appearance, because my office coworkers were falling all over themselves with how nice I looked (I was wearing a black skirt and an ill fitting sweater.  I think the attention was unwarranted- mostly because I aim for comfort when I am at work.  I guess this means I look like a slob most days.  Next thing you know, I am going to be eating a piece of crow pie when I show up wearing a Maxi dress and gladiator sandals (shout out to my girl JCD!) So I got that going for me.

I am kind of annoyed with how much of a big deal it was, to have the gov here.  People were acting like it was President Obama coming to see us.  Especially given the fact that he has no use for state workers.  I did get some insight into the future of Chronic Disease Prevention: he thinks disease prevention is an individual level effort and that you either want to be healthy (and are) or you dont want to be healthy (and aren't).  Doesn't seem to be too interested in talking about anything that doesn't have to do with his personal experience.  So, prospect for continued employment after the legislative session is over and this grant year is up?  IDK. 

On the upside, if our program (or even our Bureau) gets the old axaroo- then I am going on vacation.  It will be back to "leisurely" days of coaching and working out and writing.

Not sharing

We had a pretty good weekend. I worked on my R & R and got it turned in on Saturday.  We didnt have ANYTHING planned or scheduled for the weekend- no soccer, no work things, nothing!!  It was great!

Here is Nico- NOT sharing his yogurt and fruit. 


Rotten!!

Sleepy head

This is how Nico sleeps when he is in our bed: with his arms stretched out wide so that he can keep a hand or arm on each of us.  I know. How adorable, right? Can't you just eat him up?  He was really cute last night when I got home from campus.  He was jogging around the house... saying, "hey!" and laughing.  TOOO CUTE. 

This morning, I went to lay a blanket on Nico (who was in our bed).  He was kind of stirring, and woke up a little when I came in room.  He went to hug me and sat in my lap for a few minutes, till he fell asleep again.  I laid with him on the bed for about 10 minutes before heading to work.  It was very nice. 

Last week, Mom and Nico played a game, where he sits in one of our office chairs and she spins him.  She taught him the "Aleman France" position (which is something that her brothers made up when they were kids.  When you're sitting, you basically just cross your ankles).  A couple of days ago, he got into the chair and was saying something Dave couldnt understand.  He asked me to translate and I realized that Nico was saying, "Spin."  So I started spinning him and said, "Are you in Aleman France position?"  To which he replied by crossing his ankles.  It was hilarious. Although Dave asked if I know what "Aleman France" was... which I did... but I'm sure he thinks my mom and I are idiots for teaching Nico nonsense while he is trying to teach Nico all the french words for cup. 

Not much going on around here.  Per usual, I am leaving to go out of town tomorrow and have not packed.  At all.  Sad face.  I am a little nervous about this tournament this weekend.  Its been a long time since I was in gladiator mode.  Luckily I am playing on a pretty good team, even if there is sometimes drama on it :(

I am also in the final stages of setting the high school soccer schedule next year.  Its intense.  I also have recieved permission to shoot action shots at the Chiles Tournament and The Big Bend Preseason Classic (which we are co-hosting with Taylor in Perry).  I guess I need to get serious about designing my logo.  Anyone know a guy that does logos?

All for now.  Love.

Losing and winning...

So we played in a touranment this weekend... the big Florida State Invitational.  It's kind of a big deal- lots of teams there.  We played in a combined U15/U16 bracket.  And proceeded to have our a$$es handed to us.  We lost 5-0, 5-0 on Saturday.  And won 1-0 on Sunday against a team that wasn't all that strong.  We had girls bail on the second day (awesome).  Actually it was kind of annoying.  So that sucked. 

I caught some heat with some of my parents for releasing one of our players to play with ASG.  For those of you who don't know, ASG is the club that Andy Warner when he left TUFC.  He basically took a bunch of players from TUFC with him.  And essentially hobbled the club.  So a town that wasn't big enough to support two clubs now had three (ASG, TUFC, and TOF).  Well, since TOF has basically folded and now just ASG and TUFC remain.  With a lot of bad blood between them.  In any case, our little big gun (LBG) guested with an ASG team over Christmas break (went to the Orange classic)... so when the time came for this tournament, I suggested she play with ASG if she got the chance. 

Some of our parents questioned this... because she is arguably one of the best players in the area- why wouldn't we want to keep her?  My answer?  Because its not about wins or losses... its about what is best for each player.  My point was proven yesterday.  Mark Krikorian (the head coach of FSU) "just happened" by the field where she was playing yesterday.  For ASG.  He may have happened by during our game, I wouldn't know.  But the fact remains, she looks better if she is playing with better players.  She gets more opportunities, more chances in front of goal.  Just the sort of thing you need if you're that player. 

So it sort of made our team artificially weaker than if we had had her.  But it is what it is.   I dont think we lost this weekend because we didnt have her.  I think we lost this weekend because we aren't very good yet.

So that is all... that is what I spent the weekend doing.  The tournament and sleeping.  Nico and I came home from the tourney yesterday and took a nap.  He had fallen asleep five minutes after being in the car, so I got him to sleep on his own for about an hour.  We he woke up, he was a crank, so I cuddled with him a bit longer, during which he fell asleep (for about another hour).  I finally took him into our room and fell asleep with him on the bed.  For another hour.  It was wonderful!!

We woke up and went to get some groceries and some frozen yogurt.  Let me tell you, that boy does not play when it comes time for frozen yogurt!

Trainer Nico will get you patched up and back on the field!!

To rule them all...

Not much going on around here.  Getting ready for the tournamament this weekend.  They sent me the player cards by email this morning and coaching passes, so it seems as if we are legit.  For now.  That can always change. 

I am pretty tired this week, from dealing with all the soccer stuff and trying to finish this damn paper.  The paper is under consideration for inclusion as a book chapter.  In a book that is going to be published.  The first draft of the chapter had approximately 384737437 tables in it.  One of the best things I have done to the table is combine some tables so that its only there are only three.  The 384737435 tables that I combined into one is pretty awesome.  One table to rule them all!! Can I still drop that reference if I didn't watch the LOTR trilogy?  Oh, you think I should get a life?  Mmmm. 

I dont think I get any money for it, though.  At least, no one has said anything about money.  I guess that is a pretty sweet deal, if you are the editor.  I think I am going to do that too one day... invite people to submit their papers to be chapters, so I dont have to do any of the actual work... then not give them any of the moneys.  I think it sounds like a briliant plan. 

So a friend (who may or may not be reading this) is pregnant.  She (Margot) and her husband (Mike) had us over for dinner a few weeks ago.  She had mentioned that she was in love with the Amy Butler's Poppies in Fuschia- she got bedding for Margot Jr. in the poppies.  I educated her on *Alchemy* on etsy.  Then proceeded to get a diaper bag for her made in Amy Butler's fabric.  I trust that most of her days right now are spent obsessively folding onesies and napping and dissertating, so I feel comfortable posting a picture of it here:

I am hoping to include a scrappy patchwork baby quilt and some hand dyed onesies to complete the baby gift.  The baby gift to rule them all. 

The thing is?  I love the bag.  she uses this amazing turbo interfacing that keeps the bag from getting all floppy-tastic.  And it is MASSIVE.  Like hold my laptop and the 200 pounds of stuff I carry around massive.  One bag to rule them all!! 

I think you know where this is going.  Yeah, you do.  I know, I am so predictable.  What happened to that bag I had made with the Amy Butler green and blue fabric?  I still have it.  I just ummm.  Nico uses it for his stuff all the time?  Oh.  But imagine it made with this:

Oh yes.  That is Michael Miller's Dogwood Stripe. You think I need to stop judging Nicole for her thing with LV, when I clearly have a problem?

Hey!  What's that? (as I point over your shoulder). 

Now I am running away.

Random and cutes!

Nico has been COMPLETELY BUCK WILD at night, the last two nights.  OFF>  THE> CHAIN. 

Grandma Royse came to town on Sunday night, which I think is unrelated.  But Monday night- little homey woke up at 330 and took two hours to go back to sleep.  Which is okay, if I had gotten to bed before 12:30 and if I wasn't planning on going to the gym in the morning.  After our scrimmage last night, I came home and Nico was still awake.  I put him down and snuck to bed with the intention of having a quick nap then getting up and working on a paper through the night.  Well, 30 minutes into my nap, he woke up SHRIEKING and PISSED.  Like, didnt want me at all, which is strange, since he is a mama's boy.  Totally inconsolable.  For maybe an hour and a half... till Dave finally got him to go to sleep.  So not only did I have to get up to write last night, I didnt even get a decent nap.  Sadface.  So consequently, I am dragging today.  I scrounged the last 1.50 in my office to get a soda from the vending.  BTW- if anyone is ever looking for gifts for me, rolls of quarters work nicely.  Seems like I never have change for a soda.  Now I am going to have to drive up to the store for a soda at lunch (because I am not going to make it through the rest of the day on this measely bottle) and attempt to shield my eyes from the Cadbury eggs that garnish the cashier's stand.  You know what I am talking about, its Cadbury Season. Fo sho! 

In any case, Dave and I have decided that we need a stay at home wife.  Listen, if it means that there is an extra person to take point with Nico and to help cook and clean, I am totally all for polygamous marriages.  I dont see why people have a problem with them.  I mean, its all like Big Love, right??  No?  Damn it!!

I have come to the conclusion that Nico is probably going end up like Will from Good Will Hunting (played by Matt Damon).  Why, you ask?  Because there are two things that he can do ALL DAY, regardless of how many times he has done it already.  Sweep and read.  Henceforth, he is probably going to be a brilliant janitor who solves math problems anonymously in the classrooms of Harvard or Yale.  Seems likely, don't you think?

How do you like them apples?

One of his favorite books is, "I like it when..." It is in Spanish and English and includes phrases like, "I like it when you dance with me/Me gusta cuando bailas conmigo" or "I like it when you hug me tight/Me gusta cuando me das un abrazo muy fuerte." Whenever I read it to him, I act out the actions.  So I hold his hand, dance a little, hug him tight.  Dave's mom said last night that when they read the book he did the same thing with her.  Isn't that awesome? 

He is also OBSESSED with trucks.  The garbage truck dudes are pretty cool- because often they will honk if they see Nico in the window waving.  He stopped us in Publix the other day as we were leaving- to point at a vintage photo of a Publix Big Rig.  He also has this book, "Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things that Go" whcih he LOVES.  He remains scared of the yellow CAT dumptruck that he got as a birthday gift back in August.  It makes a lot of nose and "rumbles". He is pretty much NOT a fan. 

Really looking forward to Easter.  If you remember, someone was kind of terrible at finding eggs last year... his name rhymes with Rico.  Hoping that he steps up his game a little.  He has to know, that is not how we roll in the Bishop family.  Easter egg hunting is serious bi'ness.  I'm just sayin.  I am also just saying that I had an ephiphany yesterday. 

Okay- so Nico is pretty much adorable.  Dude, he is adorable when he is just wearing a diaper and socks running around the house trying to get away from me putting clothes on him.  He is adorable in the knockoff Euro league jersey LT got him in Europe last year.  He is adorable in navy blue and black (that his father dresses him in).  You know what would be Nico Cutes to the tenth power?  Nico in a tie!  Picture it!  Nico with some blue jeans and a button up shirt and a tie.  That would be some seriously cuteness!!  Like, put my baby in a gap commercial cute.  The advertising people at Gap would be like, "So, we dont really do ties- its not part of our line.  But no joke, that Royse kid, he could sell some ties.  Look at the cheeky little bugger.  We need to start ordering ties made, because guess what?  We are selling ties now!  And we can't keep them on the shelf- because everyone will be clamoring for ties- like that little blond haired, blue eyed Nico Royse." 

Ha!  You think I am joking.  No seriously, I think during Easter I might get a little Nico tie and shoot some pics- maybe at Maclay gardens?  Or Lake Ella... although Lake Ella makes me a little nervous.  The ducks and geese there are pretty bold.  They're all like, "What's up?  You got some bread?  No?  How about your wallet?  Yeah, me and Frank here, we'll just take your wallet and head across the street to Sonic.  That is what's up!" Combined with the surley squirels, it is a rough world out there!!

We are on Spring Break this week... which is sort of nice, in the sense that I dont have to go to class tomorrow.  Its also sorta "Big Whoop!" because I am not planning to lay on a beach and be a bum for a week... so that is kind of sad.  I have to write a term paper for this class- it has to be a discussion of some topic, utilizing a handful of research articles.  I thought briefly about writing it about changes in cause-specific infant mortality over the latter part of the twentieth century, just to be a smart ass.  Naturally I would have to site someone's dissertation.  That someone being me, clearly.  Plus, I have brought up a specific theory about why black women have worse infant health outcomes across the board in class and my instructor doesn't seem convinced.  So there is that.

Other than that, not much going on.  We scrimmaged the TUFC U16s last night- AND WON?  Milka-what?  I dont understand?  The team that we put into the scrimmage is *mostly* girls who will be playing this weekend.  With the exception of Norma, Kristine, and Maddie, who some might argue are three of the best players from our high school team.  But even without them, it was very promising.  The tournament should be fun... its been a while since I have done one.  I had originally wanted to use this tournament as the inaugural event for my photography practice, but its just not in the cards right now.  I will likely take my gear though, to practice getting some decent shots.  We'll see.

Oh, and some great news: last weekend, I took two of our seniors to Middle Georgia College (a JUCO) for tryouts.  They loved the school and the team.  The team loves them and wants to marry them.  Very strong possibillity that both will end up playing there- which is SUPER exciting.  This would take our college team count to: 6 (I AM counting our GK who opted out of playing at TU last year).  Of course, if you count the girls that have gone on to play OTHER sports, like softball, the number is 8.  So that is pretty sweet.

Sorry for the random nature of today's blog.  I blame the lack of sleep.

Alergic Smergic

So, Nico is alergic to Amoxacillian.  Yeah, for real.  The rash that he had all over his body was worse when I picked him from school- and his face was a little swollen.  So Dave took him to urgent care last night and they determined that little homey is alergic.  Its not really suprirsing, given my Mom and JJ's VERY highly alergic reactions to Penacillian.  They put him on a steroid and ixnayed the Amox.  Really glad we took him to the doctor... you know so often, you take a kid to the doctor when they are sick and the doctor is like, "Yeah, we cant really do anything to help...sorry...call us if her has diarhea for 2 weeks straight." 

Looking forward to the weekend.  I have a revise and resubmit that has been taking up most of my non-existent free time.  Trying to finish it up so I can then get my poster for PAA poppin.  No rest for the weary, I suppose.

Tomorrow, I am driving some of the seniors to Middle Georgia College for a tryout.  Am pretty excited about it- should give some of our players a chance to look around.  I wont have much time with Nico tomorrow (sadface).  But I am thinking we might sneak some time in to go get some frozen yogurt on Sunday.  Dave is talking about taking Nico to the Chilli Cookoff on St. George Island, which I am going to be very mad about- they always wait till I cant go when they decide to have some funs!!

Have a great weekend.

Go Dog Go!!

Good morning all!!  Hope everyone had a good weekend. 

Ours was pretty good. It started on Friday when I took this video of Nico reading "Go, Dog, Go!" in the car on the way home from school. 


Adorable!!

Go dog go!  Is one of Nico's favorite books.  Its great because its conceptually easy to understand.  And he loves dogs... so its a huge hit!!

Saturday morning I got Nico and my bike (with his own special Nico seat), plus helmets with the intention of going to the St. Marks Bike Trail and riding.  Turns out that from Tallahassee south, the trail is under construction and closed.  I guess we could have driven all the way down to St. Marks and rode north, but I didn't have the time (maybe next week?)

Dave and I went to see the King's Speech on Saturday night.  It was great- Colin Firth is brilliant.  It made me physically anxious to listen to him- really glad that he won for Best Actor last night. 

Sunday was a day of soccer.  After working for a few hours in the morning, I met Dave and Nico at RMS where I played in goal during our scrimmage with the U16 team.  It was pretty good.  I made several good saves, including several one v ones.  After, Dave had a game at the meadows, so we went up to Tallahassee to see him play against the Rowdies- which was pretty stacked.  Dave's team did surprising well, losing only 4-2.  This is all for us.  Hope you have a wonderful week!!