Nine Years Today

Nine years ago today, I posted my first blog post, not really knowing what to do, or just what NicoStuff.com was going to be about. I was a first-time mom in a small town, I had no idea we would be moving in a few months, I was just trying to figure out who the new-mom-me was.

Nine years later, we’ve moved twice, added two more amazing kiddos to the family, and I’m confident in my skills in motherhood. I’ve learned how to cook, how to crochet, and I am in love with my life as a homemaker.

I want to thank you for reading along, posting comments, and all of the amazing friendships over the last nine years. Thanks for being there for me through the good times and the rough times too.

Here’s to what lies ahead….

Jul 30

Let’s Not Talk About It

I promised my biggest kid that I wouldn’t even mention the word to him until the month of August. He doesn’t want to go, and I can’t say that I blame him. School is on the way, and I don’t think that we are ready to get back to the routine.

I’m trying to make the transition back into a school routine easier… In a bit of a sneaky fashion.

I’ve started off by rolling back the Summer bedtime for the kids. A little extra sleep doesn’t hurt, and I appreciate the extra quiet too.

I’m also making the boys get up, dressed, and get going. Agnes is my early riser, and she wants to get ready as soon as her feet hit the floor. The boys would be content to lounge around in their pj’s for days and days.

We are sneaking in reading where we can. Dylan is reading to Agnes a few times a day. This is getting her interested in school, sitting still, and improving early reading skills. It also keeps his reading out loud skills up.

I’m holding off snack times… I’m trying to get their tummies back in sync with school hours. This year our school district is adopting longer school days, so I know the kids are going to be hungry. I’m also hoping that the school will add in afternoon snack time, because I know my boys get a little grumpy when they are hungry.

Lastly I don’t drag my kids down the school supply aisles. I haven’t asked them about lunch-boxes, backpacks, or water bottles. We’ll get all that we are in need of when school is a little closer. No need to rush off Summer just yet.

I am a little excited about the return of the school-year. Agnes will be going to preschool, and this is the last year at both of the boy’s attendance centers. I hope we can start off the new year stress free, and ready to go.

Jul 29

Construction-time

Last week the painting got going, and this week the new siding is going up. I am so excited about the new siding. Our old house is going to be brand new.

I absolutely love the new color too. Good-bye faded yellow, hello contemporary grey. It is a little noisy, but so exciting at the same time. I’m really happy that this major project is in full swing.

Jul 27

Sunday Stills

Around town…

Jul 26

This Week

This week the weather was hot, and we have been hiding out indoors.

I have baked dozens and dozens of chocolate chip cookies. Some were for home, some were for work, and some were for the kind painters that are working on our house.

I also made a strawberry pie that nobody tried…

The big kitty invaded my yarn stash.

I crocheted a few rows on the giant blanket, and watched a few episodes of Firefly and Star Trek TNG too. I seriously have to get this blanket completed this Summer.