2011-12-27: Shadie's Dangerous Adventure

Nigel loves to hear stories. Lately, he has requested the story of Shadie's dangerous adventure many times. It goes something like this:

Mom and Dad lived at Aspen Hills apartment complex. Shadie loved to lie in her bed atop the white dresser, next to an upstairs window, so she could look out. She would watch people, dogs and cats, but her favorite things to watch were the birds. She loved the birds, and would sometimes talk to them through the window. When she was outside, she would often sit on the doorstep, and sometimes she would venture over to a big rock and stand atop.

One evening, Shadie didn't come in for dinner. That wasn't too unusual, as either the front or back door was often open during nice weather so she could go in and out as she pleased. At bedtime, she still hadn't been seen, so the door was closed for the night. Mom and Dad didn't know if Shadie was inside and hiding or outside. The next morning, though, she didn't come down for breakfast. Dad called for her, but there was no sign of her. Dad thought she might be feeling sick and hiding. They took a quick look through the apartment before leaving for work, but didn't see her.

All day long, Dad worried about Shadie, whether she had been shut outside and had run off during the night. That evening, Mom and Dad looked all around for her: in all the closets, under the bed, in all the backyards, all through the courtyard, and even walked throughout the apartment complex looking and calling for her. There was no sign of her, and Mom and Dad were feeling even more worried.

The next day, Dad made posters to advertise the missing cat. The posters had pictures of Shadie on them with her name and a short description of her, and asked anyone to call if they saw her. Dad put the posters up all around the apartment complex, in hopes that someone would see Shadie and call.

Hearing nothing for the next two days, Mom and Dad started to think Shadie wasn't going to come back. They felt very sad that she was gone. Then, someone called and said they thought they had seen Shadie behind the apartments one day. Mom and Dad felt excited at the thought of finding her again. The caller also told Mom and Dad about hidden entrances to go under the apartment buildings. That evening, after work, Mom and Dad went searching again. Dad found the entrance to go under their apartment building and climbed down in with a flashlight. It was very dark down there. He called for her, but she didn't answer. Finally, he saw her with the light and went to get her. She was very well hidden, and only her gleaming eyes gave away her position. Dad picked her up and handed her out to Mom, who was waiting at the entrance, then Dad climbed out and they took Shadie back home.

Shadie was very hungry and thirsty, and had been gone for several days. She was also very dirty - her fur looked black in places. Mom and Dad fed her and gave her a drink, and then gave her a bath (which may have been Shadie's least fun part of the whole ordeal). Mom and Dad felt very relieved to have her back home.

2011-12-13: Lucia

To celebrate Lucia, Mom and Nigel baked Luciakatten (Lucia cats), and Nigel put on all the raisins. The two of them picked Dad up from work and then went to Mom's work Christmas party, at Wheeler Farm. Nigel was very tired, as this was his second day in a row without a nap (he is getting to the point of not needing one on a regular basis), and he ran around almost non-stop.

Nigel loves hearing stories about past family events, but now always wants to be part of the stories. He often inserts himself driving his blue convertible car with white stripes, or flying his green plane. He plays many of the parts (flower girl and pilot in the "Honeymoon Vacation" story, rescuer in "Shadie's Dangerous Adventure", etc.), and wants to be featured in each scene. This night, while driving home after the Christmas party, Nigel said he made the "Lost Cat" posters for "Shadie's Dangerous Adventure", and said his phone number was, "Nine-nine-nine, two-two-two, one-hundred-and-two."

2011-12-13: How does Santa do it?

Mom: Nigel wants to know why santa goes down the chimney. He wouldnt get so dirty going through the door. Also how does the sleigh fly?
Dad: Awesome. The chimney is always open, the doors are sometimes locked. Also, the sleigh flies just the same way superheros do (but because of the reindeer, not a cape).

2011-12-02: Playing Games

Tonight, Nigel had some very definite ideas of games he wanted to play. He played in the tub with a boat and practiced "setting sail". He then blasted Baby Sara(h) off to fly around. Lastly, when in bed, he cooked dinner for Woofer and Blanket and his other friends. "Frozen peas, carrots, mashed potatoes and lots of other stuff," he said.

2011-11-25: Dreaming about Songs

Nigel awoke early this morning, quite upset. Dad went in to check on him, as Mom had left for work already.

Nigel said he wanted his Spanish Christmas songs and kids' songs to both play at the same time, as they had when he was going to sleep on the farm. He told a bit more of the story when Dad asked later, saying that he was going to sleep outside in the middle of the farm, and was listening to two radios: one playing Spanish Christmas songs and the other playing kids' songs, and the one about picking a bale of hay, in particular (Jump Down, Turn Around).

2011-11-23: "Why is it you are my doctor?"

Nigel's latest doctor's appointment was a follow-up for an ear infection that he got just after his 3-year checkup. When the doctor came in, Nigel asked, "Why is it you are my doctor?" Doctor Broadbent was flummoxed for a moment, but handled it well. He said it was a good question, but not one that he was usually asked by kids Nigel's age.

2011-11-20: Colby Jack Eggs

"Dad, these look like Colby Jack eggs!" (scrambled eggs)

2011-11-1x: Three Already

"Mom, I'm three already. I already changed the number."

2011-10-29: Baking Dream

Nigel half-awoke while Mom and Dad were going to bed this evening. Nigel hadn't had a nap, and was surely very tired. He started talking about something, and Mom went in to check on him. He told her, "I dropped the baking sheets the cookies were baking on."
"We haven't baked the cookies yet," Kelly said, "we didn't have time."
"I got out lots of jars that have good things for Dad and I to eat on Sunday," Nigel replied.

2011-10-26: Araña Pequenita y Araña Grande

In the tradition of Dad representing animals with his fingers (Little Red Hen and Puss in Boots), this morning it is araña pequenita and araña grande.

2011-10-05: It's a Feast

Nigel's lunch request: mac and cheese, PB and J, carrot sticks ("Not baby carrots, Mom") and juice. "Its a feast."

2011, Fall: More Jokes from Nigel

Nigel tells a lot more jokes. He particularly likes knock-knock jokes. His jokes include:

Knock-knock
Who's there?
Juice
Juice whom?
Juice jumper
(source: Nigel)

Knock-knock
Who's there?
Boo
Boo who?
Don't cry
(source: Dad)

Knock-knock
Who's there?
Who
Who who?
Is there an owl in there?
(source: Dad)

Knock-knock
Who's there?
Britney Spears
Britney Spears who?
Knock-knock
Who's there?
Oops, I did it again
(source: the Internet)

Knock-knock
Who's there?
Cargo
Cargo who?
Car go beep-beep
(source: Dad)

How do you get down from an elephant?
With a ladder
(source: Dad)

How do you make a peanut laugh?
Crack it up!
(source: Sid the Science Kid)

Why did the rubber chicken cross the road?
To get to the rubber side
(source: Sid the Science Kid)

2011-09-xx: Crunchy

Nigel likes things that are crunchy. He uses crunchy as a complimentary term.

2011-09-30: Pirates Wear Life Jackets

Talking with Jared (neighbor). He asked Nigel what he was going to be for Halloween. Nigel gets very excited about that question and usually just says, "Arrr!," never failing to emphasize the word nor neglecting to add his arm motions to it. He usually feels it unnecessary to even clarify that means pirate, just considers it implied.

Jared asked what else pirates say, and Nigel replied, "Yo ho," and, "Walk the plank, matey." Jared then asked if walking the plank were a good or bad thing. Nigel said, "It means jumping into the water, so you need to wear a life jacket."

2011-09-12: Long Like a Limousine

Nigel observed a barge as being long like a limousine.

2011-08-08: Biking in Millcreek Canyon

Dad took the day off today to go for a bike ride.  He had intended to do more than just ride, but it ended up being longer than anticipated.

The front tire was flat when starting, and had been leaking air around the valve stem.  First up was the Big Water trail to Dog Lake.  The front tire went flat about 2/3 of the way there, but with legs feeling fresh and insufficiently worked, and no fear of spending extra time in the canyon walking the bike down, Dad put half of a CO2 cartridge in the tire and kept going.  Great views at Dog Lake were encouraging, though the enormous number of flies was a damper.

The tire went flat again just after leaving Dog Lake, heading back down, and in went the rest of the CO2.  In a fit of either determination or stupidity, Dad turned right instead of heading for the parking lot and started up the Great Western Trail.  A rider was on the side of the trail about a mile in, pumping up a tire following a flat, with a hand pump.  Dad was able to borrow the pump and get a little more air into his front tire, hoping that would be enough to carry the day.

A couple of hours later, after lunch on the trail, fabulous views of Park City and Lake Desolation, and passing by Dog Lake (again), the tire was still inflated when reaching the car.  Amazing!  This leak around the base of the valve stem has been very persistent, but needs to be re-examined.  Total ride time was from around 11 AM to 3 PM.  Much fun, and much soreness afterward!

2011-08-06: Bodily Family Reunion

Exciting day!  The Bodily family reunion was set for Lava Hot Springs.  The family left around 9:30, but Grammy had taken Cyruss and Trinidee up a couple of hours earlier, to get the lay of the land and save a spot for the family.

The morning and middle of the day were spent at the swimming pool(s).  Mom had gotten some "muscles" for Nigel to wear in the pool--pink, of course, which is still Nigel's favorite color--but they only worked so-so.  He wasn't quite able to float with the muscles alone, and kept holding onto someone to keep above water.  Mom tried putting a pool noodle under each of his arms after lunch, and off Nigel went!

2011-07-24: The Magic Flute

Nigel has listened to music at bedtime lately.  Thinking about something new to play, Dad mentioned The Magic Flute to Nigel, who immediately fell in love with the idea. Unfortunately, they didn't have it, contrary to what Dad thought.  Nigel was extremely disappointed, and asked how they could get The Magic Flute.  The best suggestion Mom or Dad came up with was to go to the library and see if they could get it there.

Today at breakfast, Dad was flipping through a magazine.  Nigel noticed a picture of a boy in a library, standing on a cow to reach a book.  He asked, "Dad, can we go to that library and stand on that cow to get The Magic Flute, to listen to?"

2011-07-17: Cheese Elevator

Nigel was helping Dad grate a block of cheese for quesadillas. Dad was explaining to slide the cheese block up and down. Nigel said, "This is like a cheese elevator."

2011-07-09: Ducks aren't Food

Nigel and Dad were reading the book "I am the Sun". Nigel was grabbing all of the things in the book, then eating them. Dad pointed out pears and Nigel ate them. Dad pointed out apples and Nigel ate them. Dad pointed out ducks and Nigel said, "Dad, I only eat food, not ducks." He then ate a cow.

2011-06-26: MarioKart with Dad

While playing MarioKart with Dad: "Dad, can we take our race cars to the farm?" Nigel loved the track that has trains, of course, too.

Nigel's current all-purpose word is "Sencho".

2011-06-24: More Quotes from Nigel

At a shopping mall with Mom: "This drink is telling me I need to go pee in the potty."

Mom: Where are you, Nigel?
Nigel: I am just dancing over here.

2011-06-16: Rubber Chicken Joke

Nigel: Dad, why did the rubber chicken cross the road?
Dad, wondering what sort of discussion this is going to lead to: I don't know, why?
Nigel: To get to the rubber side!
Dad, caught off-guard by the joke, starts laughing surprisedly.

2011-06-09: Rock and Roll Music

Dad picked Nigel up after pre-school at Dancing Moose this afternoon. Nigel had just had an accident - only his second accident in the six weeks he has been there - and was changing his clothes. One of Nigel's teachers, Miss Holly, told Dad how the class has lots of fun when Nigel is there. She said that when they go outside, he asks to turn on the radio and listen to "rock and roll music". (Apparently, they have some Chipmunks songs that are the "rock and roll" music.) (Editor's note: Miss Holly is one of our favorite teachers to date.)

While trying to decide where to get dinner that night, Dad had grown tired of going to Fat Cats and was ready for something different. He asked Nigel about Domino's, and Nigel agreed that was a good idea.

2011-06-08: Garden Soil

Nigel, Mom and Dad have been preparing a garden to grow vegetables. Cyruss and Dad built two large garden boxes (4' x 8'). That was a fun carpentry project, but it was very hot the first day they worked on them.

A big pile of soil was delivered to the side of the house, and then Mom, Dad and Nigel all worked to shovel the soil into a wheelbarrow and pour it into the garden boxes. Nigel liked helping with all of the jobs!

2011-06-08: Playing Soccer with Mom

Mom: Nigel is getting quite good at soccer. He just stole the ball from me while playing "the stopper".

2011-06-07: Cherry Pop

Nigel: Mom, you're my cherry. Dad, you're my pop.

2011-05-31: Cherry Pops at a Park

Mom and Nigel were playing at a park. Nigel decided one of the levels of the playground was his room, and invited a girl to come up to his room with him to have "cherry pops". The girl's mom asked Nigel how he makes cherry pops, and Nigel replied, "7 cups of water, 1 cup of milk, peas and carrots, and mashed potatoes."

2011-05-30: Numbers and Songs

First known occurrence each for Nigel saying "Fivety-five" and "Six-tee-six".

Nigel likes Jimmy Crack Corn. He was singing along with it in bed tonight.

2011-05-03: First Day at Dancing Moose

Today was Nigel's first day at Dancing Moose Montessori School. He is in classroom 2, with Miss Holly and Miss Chelsea. Miss Holly turned on what she calls "rock and roll music" (Alvin and the Chipmunks) at recess, and Nigel loved that. He had never heard the Chipmunks before, and has a real love for songs. His teachers are very impressed with his speaking: both the size of his vocabulary and his pronunciation. Of course, they are among a great many who have noticed this, as it is pretty remarkable.

2011-05-01: Big Rock Candy Mountain

We (meaning Nigel) have amassed a considerable collection of Thomas the Trains.  In order of size, the list includes "Big Thomas", "Shake and Go Thomas", "Bath Time Thomas", a wooden Thomas, a talking wooden Thomas, a metal Thomas, a Thomas book, and our latest addition, "Candy Thomas", who is a Pez dispenser.

This evening, Nigel and Dad were talking about listening to music while they ate dinner.  Nigel requested to hear The Big Rock Candy Mountain.  Then, he said they should take Candy Thomas to the Big Rock Candy Mountain to get some more candy, as he was all out.

2011, Spring: First Joke

The first joke Nigel ever told happened after school one day. Dad and Nigel were driving home from school, and out of the blue Nigel asked, "Why did the rubber chicken cross the road?" Dad said, "I don't know, why?" "To get to the rubber side!" Nigel responded. Dad was very surprised, and laughed heartily. Nigel had another joke, too: "How do you make a peanut laugh?" " Crack it up!"

2011-04-28: Last Day at IHC

Today was Nigel's last day at the IHC childcare facility. He has enjoyed the time with his teachers: Maria, Brenda, and particularly Gay, who seemed to have a particular fondness for Nigel, too. They made some great crafts at IHC, and sent home some fun, large photos of him.

2011-04-26: Last Day at Danna's House

Nigel has spent many days at Danna Probst's house, but today was probably his last, it is sad to say.  Danna started a babysitting service in 2009 and Mom found her by way of an advertisement.  Mom wanted to go back to working two days a week, and not have to either work every weekend day or have to take care of Nigel the day after a graveyard.  Dad needed to work every weekday, so a baby-sitter was needed.

Early on, Danna had a few other kids most days, in addition to two of her own: Austin and Ashley, three-and-a-half and one-and-a-half years older than Nigel, respectively. More recently, she has only been caring for Nigel, and for fewer and fewer days each week.

Nigel has loved playing at their house, with Ashley's pink car (large enough for the kids to ride in), and with Austin's superhero toys. Austin and Ashley have been good, kind examples for Nigel, too, and Danna has always created a nice environment for the kids.

2011-04-11: Did you, by chance

"Mom, did you, by chance, see the big phone?"

2011-04-07: Pizza night on Thursdays

Nigel and Dad went out for their weekly "Nigel's Choice" dinner.  Nigel has switched back from Big Daddy's Pizza to Nick 'N' Willy's (pizza, still), and in another change, he requested olives and pineapple, after wanting mushrooms, olives and spinach for months straight.

At the restaurant, Nigel was getting loud, and Dad asked him to use his quiet, inside voice.  Nigel declined, saying, "Dad, this isn't a restaurant.  It's just a store."  Dad has called it Nick 'N' Willy's pizza store, and will apparently need to be careful about defining such things in the future.

2011-03-31: Go Fast Like... (Part Three)

The going fast saga continues. Dad and Nigel were driving in the new car. Dad asked Nigel if they should go fast. Nigel said, "Dad, go fast like a boy!" Dad asked, "Do girls go fast, too?" Nigel thought for a moment, and at first said, "No," but quickly changed his answer to, "Yes." Then he said, "Dad, go fast like a boy and a girl!"

2011-03: Words and Saying

At home one afternoon, Mom was eating a few animal crackers. Nigel saw this, came over to grab them, and said, "Mom, I am confiscating these crackers."

Words and sayings
"Diga-diga"
"Ninga-ninga"
"Sack"
"Actually,..."
"Don't you dare..."
"Pasghetti"
"Binoculators"

2011-03-29: Go Fast Like... (Part Two)

In the car, on the way to Danna's house for the day.
Nigel: "Dad, go fast like a turtle."
Dad: "Do turtles go fast?"
Nigel: "No, they go slowly. Dad, go fast like a boy!"

2011-03-21: Go Fast Like... (Part One)

While driving home from Grammy's house, Nigel was a bit disappointed to not see any fire at the refineries this evening.

Dad asked something about going fast, and Nigel replied, "No, go slow like a bird, go fast like a truck!"

2011-03-19: Dad and Nigel Weekend

Dad and Nigel had the whole weekend together, as Mom was working both Saturday and Sunday.

2011-03-08: Helping Mom at Home

Nigel has been helping Mom at home. Today, he put her to bed to take a nap. Then, he asked her if she needed to pee in the potty. What a great helper!

After Nigel peed in the potty, he said, "I need a sticker, but first I need to wash my hands."

2011-03-03: The Beginning of Pizza Thursdays

Nigel goes to IHC daycare each Thursday. Afterward, Dad comes to pick him up, and they go get dinner together. Dad began asking Nigel what he wanted to get for dinner. After just one week of getting pizza, Nigel has begun insisting on pizza every week after school. He used to ask for pineapple on his pizza, but now consistently requests mushrooms, olives and spinach. He prefers to go to Big Daddy's Pizza, and likes to look at the soda pop bottles, and two big, old dough mixers, while waiting for the pizza to cook.

2011-10 Update: Nigel still prefers Thursday nights to be pizza nights. Mom has successfully talked him into sitting in the trolley car at the Old Spaghetti Factory once, and into going to the State Fair once. Those are believed to have been the only two exceptions in the several months since this began.

2011-03-02: Morning Circle Times at Home

Nigel and Dad have been having fun reading words during circle time, which they have been doing in the mornings before Dad leaves for work. Lately, they have been making phrases and sentences, like "Nigel is jumping", or "The cat is white". Nigel is good at identifying the words "Nigel" and "eggs", among others. They always sing at least one song during circle time, which Nigel also enjoys. Sometimes Dad sings. Other times, Nigel wants to sing the song himself. They have sung "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes", "The Green Grass Grows All Around", "The Circle Song", and many others.

2011-02: Big Penis

Nigel has begun potty training. Mom decided that the method to use is one in which Nigel wears no pants or underwear, at first. Nigel has taken advantage of this situation to play with his penis frequently. One morning, while eating breakfast with Dad, he been playing with his penis. He then turned to Dad and said, "Dad, look at this big penis! I made it big, did I?" He had given himself a large erection. "I made it big yesterday, in the shower," he said.

Another day, while playing with himself in the bathtub, he said something like the following to Dad, "Dad, look at this big penis! Big as the Sun! Bigger than a building!"

2011-02: Tickle Wrestling

Nigel, Mom and Dad all enjoy tickle wrestling. Nigel likes tickling and being tickled. Mom and Dad also enjoy being tickled, even when Nigel gets very excited and "tickles" a bit too vigorously.

2011-01: Sitting in the Snow

This all started one day when Aunt Blaire was over and saw Nigel looking out the front window at the snow. He seemed to just be staring, but then he started singing a song:

I looked out the window and what did I see?
Nigel sitting in the snow I see.

When they all went outside later on, Nigel walked over to a pile of snow and said, "Hey, Mom!" When Mom and Blaire looked over, Nigel was grinning and promptly sat down in the snow. This has been a recurring theme for the past week now, with Nigel often laughing and sitting in the snow. It has been very funny.

It is not unusual for Nigel to make up songs, though. Lately, he has come up with any number of them. Most impressively, he always takes care to make them rhyme, sometimes using non-word sounds, but often using real words very creatively.

2011-01: Yanni's Greek Express

One day, while riding in the car, Nigel asked to go to the train store. Mom and Dad did not know what he was talking about at first, but then saw a picture of a train on the side of a Greek restaurant named "Yanni's Greek Express". Mom and Dad told him that it was a restaurant, which only made Nigel want to go all the more.

For the next few days, Nigel kept asking and asking to go to Yanni's Greek Express (and he would say the whole name, not just part of it). That Sunday, they finally agreed to go for lunch, but they arrived to find the place was closed on Sundays. Dad wanted to try going to The Old Spaghetti Factory next, but that was closed on Sundays, as well. Dad and Nigel ended up eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at home while Mom went to a baby shower.

To make up for the Sunday disappointment, Dad took Nigel to Yanni's Greek Express that Thursday, after daycare. They ordered a veggie gyro, salad, fried zucchini (which only Dad liked), and yellow lemon rice, which Nigel loved! Nigel ate most of the rice, along with some salad and a bit of the gyro. Dad finished off what Nigel didn't eat, but hardly got any rice, because Nigel liked it so well. They sat under a fish plate which was hanging on the wall, and on subsequent visits, Nigel would ask to sit at the fish table.

2011-01-22: Trax to the Gateway

Today, Dad and Nigel took a Trax train to the Gateway shopping mall for an adventure. First up was Dick's Sporting Goods, where they played with exercise machines, lifted heavy weights, threw various balls around, took the escalators up and down several times. Nigel worried that the game animals stuffed and mounted on the wall would talk, and he didn't like that idea.

Next up was the Apple computer store, to return an item. Nigel wanted to have a turn playing games on the computers, but they were all in-use, with other kids waiting for a turn, so they left right away and headed over to the fountain and the big fire-pit, which Nigel calls "the big fire".

After that, it was on to the Barnes & Noble bookstore, to play with their train table and get cleaned up. The train table was busy and a bit of pushing took place, with two to four kids trying to play at the table simultaneously.

Finally, they took the train back home, sharing dried apricots and conversation with a man who had a grandson about Nigel's age. He told about how his dog (a mastiff) would carry the grandson around on his back, and when the boy fell off, the dog would go and lie down so the boy could climb back on. It sounded like a lot of fun.

2011-01-22: Nightmare

Nigel had a nightmare this morning, and woke Mom and Dad up at around 1:00 AM, crying and saying something they couldn't understand. Dad went in to see what was going on, and Nigel was saying, "I want it back."
"What do you want back, Nigel?"
"The blue cup."
"Where did it go?"
"Right in front of the moon."
"Oh, I see. Did you have a dream, Nigel?"
"Uh-huh."
"Okay. The blue cup is downstairs in the dishwasher, getting cleaned. We can get it back later. We can get it tomorrow. It's okay, lie down and go back to sleep."
"Okay, Dad."

2011-01-10: Santa sandwich

Kelly Mansfield: Nigel is making his sandwich into Santa's sleigh. You and he are going for a ride.
Christian Mansfield: Fantastic!
Kelly Mansfield: He actually ate it into a sleigh shape.

2010-01-10: Seeming to recognize words

While Nigel was watching a show about the Princess and the Pea, three words were listed on the screen as possible ways that the Princess could get rid of the pea. Dad looked over and asked Nigel what she could do. Nigel said, "She can eat it," and correctly picked out which word was "eats". He may well have seen the show before, but clearly recognized the word.

Nigel and Mom were watching video clips on YouTube, and Nigel asked to watch a different video. Mom asked him which one, and between the icon (a face) and the word "Jump", he identified a video as being "the jumping one". Mom cannot recall his having seen that video clip before.

2010-2011: Misc Nigel Stories

Nigel has repeatedly had dreams about driving an apple car around. This may have been inspired by Richard Scarry's Busytown. Nigel seems particularly fond of the idea of an apple car and laughs about it.

Nigel likes Shadie very much, but she is scared of him, and often bats a paw at him if he comes close. We have talked about how Nigel doesn't like when she does that, and about how that is Shadie's way of saying no. Nigel took a pair of kitchen tongs upstairs one day, then came back down a minute later and said, "Shadie said no tongs."