The Nash Chronicles

Winter in Alabama: A Study in Contrast

2010-02-23T08:44:00.003-06:00

Sunday, Feb. 21 was a gorgeous day in North Alabama. Temperatures soared into the low 70s allowing for an afternoon of outdoor play under sunny, clear-blue skies.

This coat-free play day proved sharp contrast to my outdoor playtime just two weeks earlier, as evidenced here in photos from Monday, Feb. 8, when the temp didn't rise above 30 all day.

Oh, well...whatever the weather, I'm pretty much skilled at finding fun ways to pass the time.

Hope all is well with you and yours!

Love, Nash

"We said 'Merry Christmas!'"

2009-12-21T20:21:00.002-06:00

That (above) was Nash's "solo" in the preschool Christmas program. The group ended their songfest by saying in unison, "Merry Christmas." Then, as Bro. Joe Teal headed to the microphone for the closing comments, Nash said, loud and clear,
"We said Merry Christmas!"

And now we present...

2009-12-11T06:21:00.003-06:00

The sweet & endearing musical stylings of the Nashman and his ever-so-cute-and-precious Choirmates!

With special thanks to Mrs. Kelly, Miss Leah, Mr. Ross and the other wonderful helper in Choir-3 whose name I have never thought to ask!

A snowy day

2009-12-05T11:27:00.003-06:00

We don't have much snow around here. Sometimes whole winters go by with no snow at all and even when we do get some, it's usually just a dusting (like this one). It was a treat to wake up to it this early in the season. Nash gasped with delight when he looked out the window first thing this morning and could hardly wait until the sun fully rose to get out there and slush around a bit. Not enough for a snowman, so he was a little bummed about that but all in all, he's been excited all morning.

At one point he scooped up a handful of snow and said "Hey, this looks like Santa beard!"

Dec. 1, 2009

2009-12-02T10:49:00.004-06:00

Music & Tall Tales

2009-11-29T13:30:00.002-06:00

Nash attends Children's Choir each Wednesday evening. The first two photos here are from a little show they did for parents on Oct. 14.

Nash, William, Christopher, Griffin

These next two are from a trip to the local fire station he took with his preschool class on Oct. 16.

The fireman had just asked the kids how old they were. As you can see, Nash is holding up all five fingers. He actually said, "I'm five!" (You guys know he's really only 3, right?)

Emma, Ben, Paisley, Copeland, Nash, Griffin, Will

The Monster Nash

2009-11-26T18:11:00.001-06:00

Waaaah.....oooooo...

Sorry, I don'y really know the words...

Nov. 20, 2009

2009-11-25T16:40:00.002-06:00

We give thanks

2009-11-23T16:24:00.002-06:00

O.K.

So, the other day Nash's preschool had a Thanksgiving program. Here are a few photos.

Preschool Days

2009-09-04T10:40:00.007-05:00

I'm sure you are all, fine readers, accustomed to the fact that my mommy does not do such a consistent job of updating my blog. Therefore, I am revoking her privileges to do so and will, henceforth, do it myself. That's how this blog began, after all. Mommy had nothing to do with it back in the beginning anyway.

Let's see...a lot has transpired in the six weeks or so since Her Mommesty last bothered to share my goings on with you.
Back in the middle of August, I started Preschool. I like it a lot. I'm learning stuff like "criss cross applesauce," "Be Quiet in the Hallway!," and "God wants me to walk in his path."

Of course, as always, Mommy had the camera to her face all during the morning of my first day:

Here I am snoozing blissfully before she even woke me up for my first day of class. I only go to school three days each week and on those days I like to sleep until just moments before time to go. (Other days I'm almost always up and at 'em by 6:30 or so.)

When I sleep late like that, Mommy brings me breakfast in bed. (So, give her a break, folks. Even if she is such a major blog-slacker, she's still at least a halfway decent mommy most of the time.)

Here I am with my new backpack. Snazzy, huh?

This is my teacher, Mrs. Phillips. She was also my VBS teacher back in June. I liked her then and I still like her now. I can't really remember why I look so perplexed in this photo. Maybe I was getting my first glance at Griffin, who is my most favoritist play pal in the whole class. Or maybe I was just ready for Mommy to put down her camera and let me play for a while.

Anyway, thanks for reading my blog.

I'll post some more pics from my busy August later.

Love ya!

Nash

2009-07-27T15:31:00.000-05:00

Happy 3rd Birthday, Nash!

2009-07-10T19:54:00.002-05:00

Nash is 3 today!

So, now he's a working man!

See...on his way to "plow and plant the fields!"

Fun on the Fourth

2009-07-08T07:40:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple of pics from the Nash family gathering.

I'll uploade more from the rest of the day later.

Smile for the camera

2009-07-02T07:27:00.003-05:00

In most of his pictures Nash always looks so serious.
Those are sweet photos.
He has a sweet little smile, too, though.
See...

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

2009-06-28T07:15:00.003-05:00

Nash spotted his lion costume from Halloween 2007 while I was cleaning out his closet last night. Of course, he just had to put it on. He spent the next hour or so roaring around the house alternating between fierce and giggly. Finally, though, my little King of the Jungle, curled up on the couch and fell asleep. He must've been paying attention when we learned yesterday that lions sleep as much as 22 hours each day. (Either that or he was just one exhausted lion after the little boy in him spent yet another napless day playing and playing and playing and playing ...)

No more monkeys....

2009-06-27T18:39:00.003-05:00

Nash ventured into a moonbounce for the first time at church Wednesday night. He finally got his footing after a couple of minutes spent sitting on the floor, during which I heard him singing, gleefully, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Summer Soaker

2009-06-22T18:10:00.006-05:00

For some reason, Nash prefers my garden sprinkler over his kiddie pool. Today I just let him go 'round and 'round and 'round in there as long as he wanted. He kept saying "I'm soakin' wet! I'm soakin' wet!"

Mommy's Little Helper

2009-06-20T05:06:00.003-05:00

Of course, I also have a few photos of just his feet sticking out after he began giddily rolling around and playing until he had completely wrapped himself up in my backdrop fabric!

Sometimes ya gotta take the bad with the good, I guess.

2009-06-17T15:22:00.005-05:00

Ask Nash what he learned about last week at Vacation Bible School and you'll get one of three answers:

"Jesus."

"Peter."

"Butt cracks!"

*** Sigh...***

A Little Star!

2009-06-16T07:37:00.003-05:00

Nash had his stage debut Thursday night at VBS Family Night!
My little star!

Vacation Bible School

2009-06-11T07:23:00.001-05:00

We are having a busy week at VBS. Nash loves it and everyday gives me an amazing account of what he has learned.
Yea!

Zonked!

2009-06-08T05:50:00.000-05:00

Flashback: April 2008

2009-06-06T06:46:00.003-05:00

I tend to take a lot of photos that I then never do anything with. (I have more time to take the pictures while I'm chasing Nash around than to sit at the computer cropping and rotating,etc.!)
Yesterday I was looking around in my old photo files and found a few "unpublished" shots that are just too cute not to share.
These are from April 2008...

From May 30

2009-06-04T18:07:00.003-05:00

From May 22

2009-06-03T06:14:00.000-05:00

From May 16...

2009-06-01T08:07:00.003-05:00

OK.

Since I can't seem to manage to update this blog with entertaining anecdotes each day, I'm going to attempt to begin at least updating with one or two new photos per day.

Here goes...

A Pix Fix

2009-05-08T21:11:00.001-05:00

Spring's first taste of summer

2009-04-20T19:04:00.003-05:00

Nash & Breanna, who lives across the street, worked up a powerful hankering for popsicles this afternoon playing in the dirt with Nash's fleet of big machines.

No foolin'

2009-04-01T13:26:00.003-05:00

Today may be April Fools Day, but there's just no faking this much cuteness!

Easter Photos 2009

2009-03-29T06:29:00.002-05:00

We attended an "Easter Picture Party" last week.
What fun!

The photographer here was Crysten Martin. Click her name to visit her website.

A Snowy Day

2009-03-01T08:57:00.006-06:00

What a treat to wake up to a blanket of snow this morning!
This is such a rare occurrence in Alabama!

Party time for my Valentine

2009-02-14T06:28:00.003-06:00

The children at Nash's school exchanged Valentines and had a special party-time snack Friday afternoon. Here are a few photos...

These are his teachers, Ms. Mindy & Ms. Rebekah. I'm so pleased with them! They are both so calm and patient all the time but still manage to mix in just the right amount of firm discipline whenever necessary. Quite a task in a room full of toddlers!

SleepTalker

2009-02-10T06:02:00.003-06:00

Nash was talking in his sleep:

"Where's my gum?
Is it outside?
I want it back!
I want my gum!"

So, I said to him:
"You're asleep."
And he said:

"No, I'm not!"

And I said:
"Yes, you are. We don't chew gum when we go to sleep because it might fall out of our mouths and get all tangled up in our hair. You can have your gum back tomorrow."
And he said:

"OK."

And that was that.

BTW: He doesn't even chew gum yet. I've told him he can try some when he turns 3 and meanwhile I've been coaching him about not swallowing it but instead spitting it into the garbage when he's done with it.

Some random photos (A "fix" for AutumnZ)

2009-02-09T08:52:00.001-06:00

Mommy's Home

2009-01-30T14:56:00.004-06:00

"You want a M & M?"

"Gahbage can!"

"Is it green?"

"I'm so glad to see you!"

These, in order are the things Nash said to me when we saw each other while age for the first time since I dropped him off at school at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Isn't that sweet...the first thing he did was offer me some of the M & Ms he had clutched in his sweet little fist!
Awww...
Coincidentally, guess what I brought home from my conference for him: M & Ms!

Rock O'Bama & A Carousel Ride

2009-01-26T07:24:00.003-06:00

Of course I can't make a post without sharing one of Nash's "crack-me-up" moments...
Thursday we were meeting my parents for lunch. Nash and I and my Mom had already arrived at the restaurant and were waiting in the parking lot for my Dad when a guy loosely resembling our new U.S. Commander-in-Chief went walking by.
Nash said, "Who's 'at?"
I (or maybe my Mom) said, "I don't know. It's just some guy talking on his cellphone."
Then Nash said,

"Is it Rock? Is it Rock O'Bama?"

Nash enjoyed the carousel ride at the Decatur Mall on Saturday. He also scored a new Tonka bulldozer, a tow-truck and a Backyardigans whistle at the Kay-Be toys going-out-of-business sale. Everything was 60-percent off and then, at the register, they were taking another 20-percent off your total purchase. Wow!

Tail Tale

2009-01-21T08:08:00.003-06:00

As I've said before, we have two cats, Max & Janie.
Max is black & white & fluffy, a bob-tailed cat.
Janie is black & sleek with a long, pointy tail.
Yesterday Nash said:

"Max got no tail. He do got a butt. We hafta go to da Dollah Store and buy Max a tail."

Out-takes

2009-01-15T05:56:00.006-06:00

Here are a few of the out-take photos from the hundreds I've shot in the last few months...

Cooking Lesson

2009-01-03T04:00:00.002-06:00

Nash was playing by himself in the living room and just as I walked into the room he was saying

"A pinch of black pepper."

So I said, "A pinch of black pepper?"

And he said, "Uh-huh, a pinch of black pepper and a big lettuce."

Sleepin' in the laundry door

2009-01-02T05:12:00.004-06:00

From somewhere in the back of the house I heard Nash say:

"Uh-oh!"

Then a few moments later, again,

"Uh-oh."

Then, shouted in a sort of sing-song lilt:

"Mommy, can you get me out?"

When I found him he said, "I'm sleeping in the laundry door."

It was decidedly entertaining to watch him struggle a bit...and obviously he knew he looked kinda cute so he worked it for all the attention he could get until he finally said, "I need some help, please."

And then, joyful of his freedom, he even said "Thank you."

What a little sweetheart I have here!

Christmas in NashLand

2008-12-26T04:15:00.003-06:00

These are just a few of the 110 photos I took yesterday. (I'll post a slideshow later...these things take time!)
The first two are of Nash exploring his "Santa Loot."
The third one is how he looked when we drove back into the driveway at 2 p.m. after two visits with family on opposite sides of the county.

Bless his heart. He had such a wonderful, happy, fun day!

You Better Watch Out

2008-12-22T07:46:00.004-06:00

Does the sweetness with which one recovers from one's fit determine whether Santa overlooks naughty behavior?..............
Yeah, I think so.

And a good time was had by all...

2008-12-20T07:23:00.002-06:00

With the possible exception of Miya and Cayden, who were a bit afraid of Mr. Santa.

Nash's school held a Christmas party Friday afternoon, with PLENTY of sugary snacks for the kiddies.

Once the little tots were all sugared up, Santa made his entrance. With everyone on a good, solid sugar high, the Big Guy's appearance made for much excitement.

Even those who were afraid of him, settled their panic at least long enough to accept their presents.

Nash loved his new Corduroy Christmas book so much that he began reading it as soon as he was settled in his car seat...away from the crazy, hectic, holiday chaos.
Merry Christmas, everyone!

Hello, Kitty

2008-12-10T13:53:00.000-06:00

Prologue: We have two cats, Max & Janie. Max is usually asleep on the barstool in the kitchen. Janie is almost always in hiding. Nash loves them both.
The setting: Nash has just gotten up, gone into the kitchen to give Max a good-morning kiss, then goes into his room, picks up his "tellen-phone" and the following conversation ensues.

Nash: "I'm calling Janie, Mommy!"

Me: "Oh, OK. What's her phone number?"

Nash: "Seven, four, six, nine and oval. And a four. A four. And a four, Mommy."

Peek-A-Boo!

2008-12-09T08:13:00.001-06:00

Where's Nash?

There he is!

Playing Catch-Up, the Photo Version

2008-11-30T09:16:00.003-06:00

We've recently had some cold days...

And some rainy days...

But luckily, Nash has his cousin Jonathon...

And his Mommy...

And his Daddy to keep him entertained on such cold or rainy days.

I'm Thankful for My Family

2008-11-27T15:45:00.004-06:00

Hello, everyone! Mommy finally let me log on to update my blog again, since apparently she can't be counted on to do it for me anymore.

These are my people...well my family people, anyway. There's a bunch of other people I love, too, like Ms. Bonnie, next door, and Dabid, across the street but this bunch here, well, they're my family.

From left, that's MawMaw & PawPaw, Daddy, Mommy, Uncle Steve, then me sittin' on Aunt Pam's lap, next is Jon-Jon, then Man-Man, Nanny, and Nanny's younger brother, Jackie.

Well...that's all for now.

We had a whole bunch of turkey & pie for lunch so I'm thinking it's just about naptime.

...Pirate by Night

2008-11-01T08:47:00.002-05:00

Cowboy by Day...

2008-10-31T13:16:00.003-05:00

Nash's school instructed us to dress the children Western-style for their Halloween party today.
So, while getting ready for school this morning, Nash had a little snack...

before mosying on over to the mirror to make sure his hat was cocked at just the right cowboy angle...

Because it would be a cowboy travesty to have yer hat askew when Mommy takes yer picture in the front yard...

Once properly attired our cowboy headed to school, where he proved himself to be both generous and well-read by immediately lending his hat to another child before bellying up to the bookshelf.

Fall Fotos, take two

2008-10-27T16:13:00.004-05:00

We had a busy Sunday afternoon, raking leaves and visiting the Pumpkin Market.

Of course we had to take the standard Boy in the Leaves portrait.

And then the Family in the Leaves portrait.

And a variety of Boy Playing Gleefully in the Leaf Pile photos...

And, finally, Mommy just couldn't resist adding the Boy & Mommy Jumping in the Leaves Together photo to the fall family album!

Mixed Manners

2008-10-26T08:28:00.002-05:00

I gave Nash an Oreo Cakester, or as he calls it, "a cake." With his mouth full of the first big bite he said,

"Thank you for the nice, big cake."

Mommy's Cheering Section

2008-10-21T17:42:00.004-05:00

This morning Nash was standing in the doorway watching and chitter-chattering as I unloaded towels from the washer into the dryer. As I tossed over the last towel and closed the washer he said,

"Good job, Mommy! It's empty!"

There are others, just like us!

2008-10-20T13:56:00.003-05:00

Athens Mommies met for the first time this morning at Kids Dugout playground. Here are a few photos. Below, you'll find info on this new mommy group, which seems like it will be a lot of fun for the mommies & kiddies, alike.

Launched by Lacy, Laura & Rebekah, Athens Mommies, is for moms and moms-to-be, working or stay-at-home, in the Athens-Limestone County area. The plan is to have activities for moms and kids fairly often as a chance to get to know other moms and kids in the area.
For anyone interested, here's the Facebook link for Athens Mommies.

2008-10-18T06:26:00.002-05:00

This photo is about a month old already.
It was taken a few days before Nash came down with...................whatever it was that led to four doctor visits in three weeks' time. Four doctor visits, three prescriptions and a round of lab work later, he's finally pretty much back to himself again.

That's why I'm posting this photo today. This is the Nash I was missing so much while he was laid up on the couch listless. All these tractors you see on the couch with him? They sat in their "away" spots unmoved for nearly the whole three weeks. Granted, I never once had to sing the "Clean-Up Song" during that time.
Still...Toys are meant to be played with!

Fall Foto Folly

2008-10-16T15:32:00.004-05:00

Autumn was in the air as we left the salon this morning with Nash sporting a fresh trim on his handsome little golden head.
With the sun tucked quietly behind a bank of pale gray clouds, it occurred to me the timing was perfect to use the fall decorations around the square as a backdrop for a few long overdue portraits of my little man.

I guess my "situational assessment skills" could use a little work, huh?

10 Little Piggies Napping on the Couch

2008-10-07T15:48:00.002-05:00

My favorite little old boy in the whole wide world...

2008-10-03T07:16:00.003-05:00

Nash is feeling much better now.
He's still coughing a bit first thing in the morning but otherwise, he's almost fully recovered.
Now, I'm the one with a problem...All this extra attention I've been lavishing on him these last couple of weeks has set up camp in my soul. I'm experiencing major separation anxiety at the idea of leaving him even for the tiny bit of part-time hours required in my work.
What's a mommy to do?!

I Just Do As I'm Told

2008-09-26T17:25:00.007-05:00

Wednesday afternoon marked a week with no break in his fever, so Nash went back to the doctor and this time we came home with an antibiotic.
After four doses, he is better but not well.
He is, however, well enough to argue.
Right now he's stretched out on the couch watching is favorite John Deere video.
I walked in to check on him and as I leaned over the back of the couch he said

"No Mommy. No! You not watch TeeBee. You get computer!"

I just do as I'm told...

Gone Viral

2008-09-24T07:33:00.003-05:00

Our little spuddle puddle has been battling an upper respiratory viral infection for 7 days now. His temperature spiked on Thursday afternoon, we saw the CRNP on Friday and we've been doing the Tylenol-Motrin shuffle ever since.
He feels absolutely ookey.
He had a pleasant patch Saturday afternoon and another on Sunday afternoon (after a nap that closed off a 5- (( yes, FIVE!)) hour crying jag).
Then on both Monday & Tuesday afternoons, he actually asked to go outside! Both times we spent about 30 minutes playing in the backyard during which he talked & pretended and even let loose a couple of half-hearted giggles.
But then his energy wanes and he's back to the couch.
If his fever doesn't break by tomorrow morning, we go back to the pediatrician for bloodwork.
This sucks!
I never thought I'd miss having to say "No! No!" every few minutes but I do. Oh, how I long for the return of my little rascally boy's rascal-ness!

2008-09-16T20:13:00.002-05:00

I took this picture about three minutes after Nash and I had the following conversation:

Me: "Are you ready to go nite-nite?"
Nash (smiling sweetly): "I not going nite-nite. I just laying on the couch."

Directional Accuracy

2008-09-11T05:23:00.007-05:00

Sorry it's been so long!
Here's an installment for those of you -- like AZ -- who are going through withdrawals.
The other day, Nash & I were going outside to play in the back yard for a while.
Our house has a front door on the front porch but our "back" door opens onto the carport on the side of the house. We don't have a door that opens into the back yard.
I called to Nash, "Come on, let's go outside" and he toddled into the living room headed for the front door. From the kitchen I said, "No, we're going out the back door." He walked into the kitchen, stopped, paused for a moment, nodded and said

"We going out the side door."

Well then.
I stand corrected.

Here he is on Aug. 30 going down the big twisty slide all by himself for the first time:

And here he is a moment later, trying to go back up. He got stuck and got really, really frustrated. It was terribly hot & humid out so I think that fueled his fit. Still, it was really kind of comical for Mommy & Daddy.

Here he is the next day, trying desperately to "mow" MawMaw's & PawPaw's yard.

Then, a couple days later, I had left the laundry basket sitting in the living room and when I went back for it, here's what I found:

Finally, his favorite pastime lately is "moving dirt." He actually says that. He gets it from watching his John Deere videos. He'll say stuff like, "I need my bulldozer" and "I gonna go get my BI."

OK. Maybe it won't be so long before our next post.
Hugs!
Mommy & Nash

Going on a Trail Ride

2008-08-24T15:06:00.003-05:00

Nash attended his cousin, Allison's fourth birthday party Saturday.
The cake and ice cream were delicious but the "trail ride" that Allison led him on was the very best part!

Allison lives on a farm so, naturally, she's a bit of a cowgirl at heart. Not only did she lead the way on the trail ride, she pointed out, during a little pow-wow before the ride began, where all the turning points would be along the trail. (I suppose she did this just in case Nash, who is, after all, something of a city boy, should lose his way.)

Happy Birthday, Allison!

Mommy Address System or A Suspenseful Tale of 1 to 10

2008-08-18T13:08:00.004-05:00

Nash has begun addressing me when he wants to tell me something.
For example, this morning when I was getting him ready for school, I called three times for him to come brush his teeth. I was in the bathroom and he was across the hall in his room.
Finally, he came through the hall saying,

"Mommy, I was reading a book."

He held out his "Wiggly Numbers" book to show me and repeated (emphasizing "Mommy" then pausing before going on).

"Mommy, I was reading a book."

It took me a second to realize that he was telling me this as an explanation for why he hadn't come right away when I had called him to come brush his teeth.
He was so caught up in his book, he just couldn't tear himself away until he'd turned the last page.
I just love a good book, too, don't you?

Breakfast - The Slide Show

2008-08-15T04:27:00.001-05:00

Well...I suppose a shirt might be in order if he were really going to claim good table manners, huh?
Oh, well...being two years old does carry certain privileges.

School is Cool

2008-08-13T10:45:00.002-05:00

Two days now with no tears upon arrival at school.
Instead, he's developed his own little mantra of "Mommy pick you up after lunch. Mommy be back in a few minutes." And he nods the whole time he's saying it.
Yesterday, they went outside to frollick on the playground for a while before coming back in to play with fingerpaints. What fun!
Slowly, slowly...I think he's started to like it!
Yea!

Future Olympic Swimmer

2008-08-09T17:09:00.003-05:00

Here, the promising young aquatic wonder shoots Mommy a sweet look as he takes a break from swimming laps (splashing around) in his kiddie pool.

Here, he talks strategy with a couple of his future teammates.

And here, the three young athletes work up a good sweat after a round of invigorating pre-workout Popsicles (red, white & blue Bomb Pops, of course!) via the ever-popular neighborhood ice cream truck.

Back to School

2008-08-04T05:50:00.004-05:00

Finally, an update on Nash's progress -- or lack thereof -- at school.
He did so wonderfully on Monday that I was not at all prepared for Wednesday, when I left him standing at the baby gate in the door to the two-year-olds' room, watching me leave and saying "No, No!"

He spent his three hours, then, mostly just being quiet and sad and periodically saying "I want Mommy!"

So, on Thursday, we spent the entire day together, just Mommy & Nash. We played and played and played and cuddled and snuggled and read and played some more.

Then on Friday, he actually cried.
Puckered bottom lip, tears rolling, the whole heartwrenching shebang.
I almost cried, too, but managed to hold off the tears somehow.
Bless his little heart. He understood that I'd be back and he was trying to be strong. As he went to Miss Cassandra I told him I'd be back at lunchtime just like always. The tears were streaming but, bravely, he nodded right through them.

"I understand Mommy. I know you'll be back but I love you. You're my Mommy and I just want to spend all my time playing with you and I just can't help but cry when I know you're leaving me behind like this."

We've talked about school here and there throughout the weekend and we're going to try again today. The over-protective mother in me (as well as the little girl in me who remembers being homesick for my own Mommy every day in kindergarten) wants to pull him out of the program right now. But I know I have to give him at least a couple of weeks to adjust, to realize that it's actually kinda fun to play with other boys and girls, and that his Mommy has not really left him behind.
We'll see how things go today.
I'll keep you posted.

Mother's Morning Out

2008-07-28T14:32:00.005-05:00

Today was Nash's first day of school.
He's only going 3-4 hours per day, 3 days per week so it's more of a "Mother's Morning Out" type thing.
For me, the time from 8:05 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. today dragged on and on and on...
But apparently, for him, the time passed like the blink of an eye. (Time flies when you're having fun.)
According to his teachers, he didn't grump or gripe or cry or fuss even one iota!
His daily report said he was "happy," "playful," and "friendly" the whole time.
As we made our way home after I picked him up, I thought my heart would burst I was so proud of him and relieved of my worry that he'd get upset and feel like Mommy had left him behind.
Anyway...

Here he is at the front door upon arrival. I couldn't get a good shot because he was ready to go on in.

Here is enjoying his afterschool snack. He was just finishing a lunch of pasketti and bread when I picked him up. As we walked into the kitchen back home he said, "Want pah-sicle."

And here he is an hour later, all pooped out from having such a fun and independent morning!

Another 'Need I Say More?' Moment

2008-07-25T20:11:00.002-05:00

Bless his heart! He was a bit scared about the lollipop being stuck in his hair and here was mean old Mommy laughing almost uncontrollably and taking his picture, too!

A Musician in the Family

2008-07-22T07:51:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since we've visited Playhouse Disney online so, on Sunday evening, Nash and I spent a little while playing on the computer. We usually mostly visit BunnyTown but this time I clicked Dan Zanes since Nash had been singing the Malti song recently. We ended up watching the Hello, Hello video over and over and over again. Toddlers have an incredible love of repetition, don't they?

Anyway, Monday morning, first thing, Nash remembered and said "watch sun?" (The sun is featured at the close of the video.) So, again, he watched it over and over and over again.
Then he said, "Where singasong? Mommy find it?"
(NOTE: In the Nash Dictionary-First Edition, "singasong" is defined as "guitar.")
So, Mommy obliged his request and he spent a HUGE portion of the day dancing and playing along with Dan Zanes and Friends. He especially liked it when we switched to the Dan Zanes website instead of watching the teeny-tiny video screen at Playhouse Disney.
I did a little poking around on Dan Zanes' site while Nash napped, and it turns out he's a pretty cool guy who is into family music for all the right reasons, apparently. I'll definitely be adding a couple of his CDs and DVDs to Nash's collection.

2008-07-20T14:24:00.002-05:00

Hello!
Nash's birthday party was a week ago today and I still haven't posted any photos!
Bad Mommy! Bad!
Here are a couple to get started and I'll try to get a slideshow posted within a day or so.

Letting the Chips Fall Where They May

2008-07-12T06:51:00.001-05:00

Need I say more?

Nash Turns Two!

2008-07-10T21:43:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it!

It's already been two years!

And my little man has gone from this...

To this...

Two years! Wow!

As is the norm these days, we're holding his party this weekend instead of having had it today, on his actual birthday. He and I went grocery shopping and played the day away then Brian and I took him to the Lions Club Kiddie Carnival tonight. He had a blast! He rode the little cars five times. Whenever they'd stop, he'd refuse to get off, insiting emphatically, "I want to ride!"

Luckily, it wasn't very crowded tonight so he was able to ride again and again without being a problem.

He enjoyed the train, too. This photo isn't that great, but you can tell that he's laughing at the little boy who was his carmate. I don't know what the "big kid" was saying to keep him entertained, but Nash was cracking up the whole time. It was precious!

For every action there is an equal, opposite action

2008-07-08T21:04:00.004-05:00

For months now Nash has been in the habit of lifting his arms and saying "Mommy pick you up!"
Today I was already holding him and he said, "Mommy pick you down!"

Found in Translation

2008-07-08T06:22:00.004-05:00

After an Independence Day evening of Great American Grilling, Popsicles, chips and too many sips of cola, Nash woke in the middle of the night moaning and groaning and tossing about.
"Dypee too tight," he said, when I asked him what was wrong.
I adjusted the tapes on his diaper.
"Is it too tight," he said a few moments later, tugging still at the top of his diaper.
After quite a bit of crying, fussing, moaning, groaning and an ample dose of Tummy Drops, he snuggled down on my shoulder and went back to sleep.
It was the Tummy Drops, I s'pose, that finally succeeded in loosening his diaper.

Backyard Cowboy

2008-07-03T18:17:00.005-05:00

I s'pose he was thinking, "OK, all you thirsty plants out here, this backyard ain't a-gonna be dry much longer now, so yah best be lookin' tah git yurselves watered!"

Warm Daddy & the Happy Cat

2008-06-25T15:06:00.003-05:00

Brain awoke Monday morning with a bit of a stomach bug. He went ahead and got ready for work but then took some tummy medicine and stretched out on the couch for a couple of hours before he went in.
He sleeps like a rock so he didn't even stir when Nash decided that afghan wasn't keeping his Daddy warm enough so he dragged the rug over from the front door to cover him up some more.

Awwwww...

Then, later on Monday afternoon, I was walking from the hallway into the living room when I did a double-take. Doorstop kitty was making quite a fashion statement with a new hat cocked over one ear.
Nash must've though doorstop kitty looked a little sad. As much as he loves hats, I'm sure he thinks giving someone a new chapeau is a sure way to spread good cheer!

Gone Fishin'

2008-06-22T13:19:00.003-05:00

Brian invited a guy from work to bring his grandson to Limestone County Saturday for a little pond-fishing expedition, a fitting way to spend the first day of summer.
Nash enjoyed his first fishing trip, but he liked splashing around in the pool -- which he and I did up the hill at Brian's aunt's house -- a lot better.

He didn't really like the worms...but then again he did. I think it was sort of like being unable to look away when faced with a disaster scene. He was horrified but fascinated, too.

I think he felt much the same way about the fish, which flapped and splashed him in the eye a split second after this photo was taken.

You Light Up My Life

2008-06-18T07:57:00.004-05:00

Most 2-year-olds might bring home a ball, a bear, or some other such toy when when offered something new whilst shopping with Mommy.
Mine?
We're passing through an aisle stocked with lawn & garden accessories when he throws down the bouncy ball he's already chosen and points out what he really wants.

"Sun!"

He sat there in the cart admiring, or maybe I should say "swooning," over his new sun for the rest of the shopping trip. He then willingly handed it over to the clerk as we were checking out, smiling proudly, pointing and saying, "Sun," before beaming with a smile of true love as she handed it back to him.

All the way home he sat in his car seat talking to his new friend and periodically re-introducing us, "Sun!"

I even had to reassure him that I'd give him back his sun as soon as I got him out of the truck -- he didn't want to let go long enough to be extricated from the carseat.

We ended up hanging it on the front door, after which Nash went back and forth and back and forth from there to the sun-shaped mirror in the hallway.
"Door sun!"
"Hallway sun!"

All in all, I'd say he mooned over the sun for a good half-hour.
And I spent the whole time mooning over him!

It's Father's Day

2008-06-15T14:03:00.002-05:00

This is my Daddy. His name is Bine.

I luff to pulay with my Daddy when he gets home from wuk.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

I luff lou!

In the swim of things

2008-06-14T11:14:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, Nash completed Basic Swim Instruction with instructor Connie Olive.
The previous Thursday, he was the only baby in the class to go under by himself! Ms. Connie had to dunk the other babies. This week, though, he cried when she dunked him. All the babies in the class did a great job in the two-week course and Ms. Connie is a fabulous instructor!

Way to go Little Ducky!

To the races

2008-05-28T20:42:00.000-05:00

On Monday morning Mommy & Daddy & me woke up really, really early and we drove to Huntsville for the Cotton Row Run.
In case you haven't heard of it: it's a really big race that attracts runners from across the country as well as places like Kenya and Russia.

Daddy ran the first race, a 10K, and Mommy took pictures of the crowd as the race got under way. There were so many people running that Mommy took about 25 pictures near the start as the runners went by and all the pictures look just like this one, but with different people in them.

After all the runners were gone, me & Mommy sat on the curb and had a breakfast of apples and bananas. It was yummy!
After a while, the runners starting coming back the way they had left, only this time they weren't all crowded together like they were when they started out.

Then we saw Daddy coming toward us. And he saw us, too, and he hollered my name and waved at me as he ran by.

The sun was in my eyes just a little, but I love my Daddy very much so I waved right back at him as he headed toward the finish line.

A few minutes later Daddy came along and took over helping me with breakfast so Mommy could line up with another big group of people to run the second race of the day, a 5K.
While Mommy was gone, I helped Daddy eat some Papa John's pizza. Yum, Yum! It was almost as good as the apple I had for breakfast!
Then, just like Daddy had done earlier, Mommy waved at me when she came running toward the finish line. She even gave me a big high-five as she passed by!

Finally, we loaded up in the car and headed toward home. Let me tell you, after all that excitement, I was absolutely bushed! Looking that cute for three or four hours for such a great big crowd of people is unbelievably exhausting!

P.S. Mommy posted some more pictures of the race on her other blog, North Alabama Runner. Be sure to check those pics out, too, if you have the time.

Sand & Straw

2008-05-24T06:39:00.000-05:00

As I believe Nash mentioned in his last post, he loves to play in the back yard and is especially fond of his sand box. He also absolutely loves hats...not just baseball caps, mind you, but hats of all shapes and sizes. He's particularly fond of anything in straw.
Here are a few photos I shot the other day after he put on one of his very favorite hats, pointed to the back door and said, rather emphatically, "Outside!"

May 17, already?

2008-05-17T15:40:00.000-05:00

Hello, everyone! Mommy hasn't updated my blog in, like, forever! I don't know why, either. I mean, really, every time she sits down at the computer I walk over and say "click, click!" Doesn't she know I'm trying to help her! I guess not!
Anyway... Here's a bit of what I've been up to lately.

Today, I helped Daddy install a new faucet in the kitchen.

And last Friday, I helped Mommy do some work in her herb garden. I especially liked the way the waduh kept spinning wound and wound.

I also make sure to take a little time each day to play in my sand box in the back lard.

Unless it's a wainy day, then me and Mommy like to pass the time wunnin and playin ball in the hallway.

And, of course, whatever I do, Mommy usually points the camera at me sometime during the day, so I recently took up the fine art of goofin' for the lens.

OK. I s'pose that's all for now. I'll be sure and keep reminding Mommy, whenever I see her at the computer, to do a better job of keeping you guys posted on my goings-on.

See ya!

2008-04-19T15:29:00.000-05:00

I shot this photo today at the Dogwood Festival. I'll add more later. I just like this one so much, that I thought it should stand alone!

It's a new car!

2008-04-16T12:58:00.001-05:00

Nash recently got a new car (and he's still 14 + years away from 16!). Anyway, darn thing came "assembly required" so my parents helped me put it together last Friday while Nash napped. (I think Brian was a bit disappointed that we didn't wait until the weekend so he could do it himself, though.) When he awoke from his nap and found the new car in the living room, he proceeded to give it a complete inspection (with a very serious expression) before finally climbing in and going for a spin! He's such a guy!

Got Milk?

2008-04-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

Mommy is apparently never going to update my blog, so I'll just have to do it myself.

Mommy & Daddy took me to a Kids' Carnival on Saturday at the National Guard Armory. It was sponsored by Federal Mogul and was a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society. While we were there I milked a cow, rode a choo-choo train, splashed around in some water that had duckies swimming in it and I also tried ever so diligently to toss a little basketball into a goal. (Darned thing kept going behind me for some reason, though.)

When the man with the cow first showed me how the milk comes out, I thought, "You want me to do what?!"

But I love any thing that's got some splish-splash to it, so I decided to give it a try.

It was actually kinda fun!

Got Milk!

A Kid in a Tire Store

2008-03-28T11:43:00.000-05:00

While most folks wouldn't consider a flat tire at 7 a.m. such a positive thing, Nash thought the trip to the tire store was a wonderful way to start the day!

Easter Sunday

2008-03-23T18:31:00.001-05:00

Lon Mowuhs & Dinah-sowuhs, Oh, My!

2008-03-17T14:25:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, Daddy and Mommy took me to Huntsville Botanical Garden to see the Dinosaur Uproar installation.

There were some really, really big dinah-sowuhs that I thought were pretty cool.

And there were all kinds of tchees and pants and pitty fowuhs to look at, too.

But the main thing I got in an uproar about was all the lon-mowuhs I saw. In fact, I tried to chase one down after it drove onto the path behind me. I ran along yelling "lon-mowuh, lon-mowuh!"

I might have caught it, too, but Mommy & Daddy (when they caught up with me and got through laughing at me) made me hold Daddy's hand until the lon-mowuh jove away.

Photographic Evidence

2008-03-12T15:07:00.000-05:00

Innocent?

Proven Guilty.

On the lam!

Moh Eggs

2008-03-09T09:19:00.000-05:00

For some reason the slideshow from yesterday's egg hunt stops without showing the last photo, and it's my favorite one. So, here it is...
Nash walked around throughout the hunt saying "Moh Eggs, Moh Eggs."

We're going on an egg hunt...

2008-03-08T14:57:00.001-06:00

The Spirit of Athens committee sponsored an Easter Egg Hunt on the Courthouse Lawn this morning. Despite last night's snowfall, quite a handful of children and parents attended. The Easter Bunny, though scheduled to appear, was AWOL.

Undecided

2008-03-04T07:17:00.000-06:00

When I grow up, I wanna "dive" a "coo-bus."

Or be a movie star...

But for now I think I'll just take a little nap. It's always a good idea to 'sleep on it' before making such important decisions.

Green Eggs & Ham

2008-02-26T11:21:00.001-06:00

Big Teddy Bear

2008-02-23T07:06:00.000-06:00

Mommy and I went to a library fund-raiser at Athens State University the other day and we had loads of fun. The Cat in the Hat was there, along with Things 1 & 2. Mommy plans to post a photo slideshow later, I think, but I wanted to share my favorite part, which was the "Bih Teh Bear" outside.

I have quite a few Teh Bears at home but none of them are nearly as big as this one. I never saw such a "Bih Teh Bear" in my whole life!

Sweet Dreams, Baby?

2008-02-20T11:41:00.000-06:00

Nash was bubbling over with seemingly random words when he woke from his nap while ago.
Sitting on his knees in his crib with flushed-from-sleep cheeks and bed-ruffled hair, he looked up at me and said:

Pha-Phone?

Teeby?

Tcha-tha?

Pickle?

OK...maybe they weren't random words at all. Maybe he had been dreaming about talking on his pha-phone while watching his John Deere tcha-tah video on the teeby while eating one of his favorite snacks: a pickle.

Tree hugger

2008-02-10T17:29:00.000-06:00

Nash is 19 months old. Wow, oh how the time does fly!

In the shadows

2008-02-10T06:47:00.000-06:00

I'm still fascinated by shadows. Ever since that first day back in the fall when I noticed my shadow on the ground...I just can't get enough shadow play.

In fact, yesterday I even climbed a shadow tree! That was such fun! When I get bigger, I'll climb this tree, for real (my Mommy will probably have a nervous breakdown at that time).

Yep! I can't wait to climb trees! They are so tall and regal! What a privilege it will be to hold on tight and work my way up high into the branches!

When I get up there, I'll be able to pluck "kye cohs" right off the branches instead of just picking them up when they've already fallen to the ground.

Oohhh! I can't wait! What fun I'll have when I get Big!

Plant Life

2008-02-05T06:14:00.000-06:00

Hello, everyone.

I'm posting this myself because I don't want Nash to seem like he's boasting about his own brilliance.
It's OK for mommies to brag a little, though, right?

Yesterday, Nash and I had really worn ourselves out "wunnin" all over the house and "hidin" from each other. We both truly love this game!
When he was too exhausted to run any more, he went into the living room and picked up one of his favorite playthings, a set of three plastic cups he nabbed from a cabinet while he was helping me cook recently.

I went into the kitchen to start dinner.

A few minutes later, he joined me and began rummaging in the cardboard recycling bin. He found a paper towel tube and held it up for me to demonstrate my cardboard bugle expertise.
After a couple of parades down the hallway and back, we ended up in the middle of the kitchen floor exploring all the cool things you can do with two cardboard tubes and three plastic cups.

Before long, Nash had added his favorite Bob the Builder flap book to the mix and, of course, we had to pause from our craft play to read through it a couple of times. His favorite flap is the one where Spud drops a potted plant and says "Whoops!"

We had just finished reading the book when I put one of the cups upside down on one of the tubes and started spinning it around. Nash laughed & laughed and wanted to give it a try. When he did, the cup fell off. He picked it up and put the tube back in it with the cup upright.

He looked at it for a moment, his face lit up, he held it out to me and said "Pant. Pant. Whoops!"

I was simply awed! Wow! My little boy had just made his first artsy-craft! Brilliant!

I hurried to his room and got the toy flower for him. He was so proud of his "Pant."