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.