Walking, walking, walking

Nakai is getting a bit too big for this stroller!
Look, a goose family!
My little litter hawk!

We woke up with some energy and decided to see how it would be to walk through our day. We walked Teah and Nolan to school, found a shortcut through the woods (avoiding the traffic and road), spotted several birds, rabbits and squirrels and smiled the whole time. Then we came back home and encouraged Andy to walk to the grocery store with us to pick up some acidophilus milk that I had forgotten on my trip the day before. We brought along the stroller just in case Nakai got tired and because there is one stretch that we have to be on the side of a very busy three lane road and I feel more secure if he's restrained and safe! So, we walked down our new found wooded shortcut and into town. Nakai was amazed that we'd walked the whole way to a streetlight! He could'nt believe we were walking (strolling) where the cars drive. We finally made it to the walkway where we began our three mile journey to the grocery store. We really enjoyed our walk, it was a beautiful morning, lots of folks were out....we saw a blue heron, some doves, cardinals, a blue jay and a sweet goose family that we stopped to look at and count. We took a rest halfway under a nice little pergola. We finally made it to the store, got the milk and Nakai decided we needed tea and chai for the way home...I agreed! We got a few other things too, since we were there and had a cooler under the stroller. Then everyone went potty and we started to head back. We kept a very comfortable, casual pace and really tried to soak up the positivity in our day. We picked up trash all along the way. People are such slobs and have zero respect for our earth mother... We made it back home just in time to take Nakai to preschool! Hard to believe a trip to the store took almost three hours! Made me really thankful that we don't HAVE to walk to the grocery store, but also confident and empowered that we could if we did have to. And you know what? I'm thinking about doing it once or twice a week just because, once school is out. It's good for us and saves on gas. And what a fun way to spend a morning together!

Walking...it's a good thing! (Do I sound like Martha Stewart?)

Aliyah sleeps over!

Nakai had his friend Aliyah sleep over recently (her older sister also slept over with Teah) and had a great time! They played and played everything from babies to rescue heroes. She even came to his soccer game (above)! I was surprised at how easy it really was to have five children here overnight. We went to the playground, played outside at home, ate dinner, watched a movie, went to sleep...pretty uneventful. I'm glad they enjoyed each other's company.

Jack Be Jimble

Nakai learned a new nursery rhyme at school today. He recited it for me with composure, focus and concentration:

"Jack be jimble,

Jack be sick,

Jack jump-ed over

the candlestick."

I asked him over and over to repeat it....and I tried reciting it for him....so did his teacher...to no avail...."jack be jimble" he corrected us....adamently!

I love this age!

Table play

We played at the table all morning today! Nakai woke up and grabbed these transformers and had serious dialogue surrounding them that just had to come out! He's so much fun! I enjoy my mornings with him so much more now that he's away in the afternoons!

backhoes and four wheelers

What more could a four-year old boy ask for?

Andy took Nakai out to visit his parents and apparently they had tons of "boy" fun!

Daycare?

Finding eggs
"I found one!"
"Did I get ten yet?"

Yes, Nakai started going to daycare. It is in the local hospital. He went for three weeks. I had to finally face the fact that I was going to have to find some work outside of the house. I decided I would try and work within the school district so the hours would be the same as the children's. I was accepted as a substitute teacher aide/cafeteria aide (yes, the lunch lady!) for the local elementary schools. I just had to wait for my clearances to come in. In the meantime, I decided to look into care for Nakai and get that lined up and him acclimated while I had time to be "on call" and see how he adapted. Well, the hospital was the only place with an opening before August (when school is no longer in session), so against my better judgement I enrolled him. He went from 9-4 (so long) Mon-Fri. He didn't really like it, I didn't really like it, but I felt I had to do it. Well, I finally pulled him out when I showed up and found the staff watching television...and not only tv, but the news, in front of the children! I was devastated about it. We all know the effects of harmful media on children. Especially fatal media stories about children. Anyway, so I pulled him immediately and reported the center to the state licensing agency. He now attends a preschool program at an elementary school five half-days per week. I am happy, he's happy, the program is high-quality with excellent staff and programming and I can still work half a day. All is well.

Valentine's Day Party!

Nakai is ready to join Nolan at school!
He got to sit with Nolan at his table...
He felt so grown and part of the group!
He was polite and enjoyed the snacks and games.

Nakai got a dose of Kindergarten fun when he came along with me to host Nolan's Valentine's Day party. The class was really nice to him and made him feel comfortable. Nolan took him under his wing and showed him the ropes. He had a really nice time!