Growing Up

I haven't been posting so much lately as I am still adjusting to a having a full-time preschooler at home. I never seem to have more than 5 minutes to quickly check my emails, let alone time to plan and write blog posts, and spending time with Nikki will always come first.

I can't believe he is turning 4 in 10 days time! He is so grown up already! And all he is asking for is... a David Tennant Sonic Screwdriver and a Great Big Tardis Box. Yes, he's still Dr Who mad.

He does appreciate other things, though. I wanted to get a small teapot, since the one I have is massive, and so I asked Nikki what sort I should get. Orange, he said. Because I like orange.

I found a great 2-person tea set, with dainty cups, saucers, milk jug and sugar bowl to match the teapot in bright orange for less than the price of a new teapot on ebay, and Nikki loves it. Every day (often several times a day) he asks me if we can have tea. I am fairly sure he enjoys the process of serving tea for both of us more than the tea itself, since I allow him to pour the milk and tea all by himself.

I'll have to get a picture of him pouring the tea. There is only one teacup in the picture because orange teacups are, apparently, only for boys, and I have pretty pink flower ones that I must use. At least it decreases the chances of both getting broken if only one ever gets used...

Sneaky Little Helper

After lunch today, when I was taking the dustpan full of breadcrumbs out to the bin, Nikki decided to help...

I'm not sure whether he cleaned more with his legs or the cloth, but I appreciate the thought, even if I had to re-clean the table once I pulled him off...

Time To Clean...

My little nudist floor-sweeper

Nikki decided that rather than get his pyjamas on after his bath, he would sweep the floors. I can forgive him thinking that the mop-without-cloth would do the job, but sunglasses at 7pm when it has been raining all day?!

Cooking

Nicholas has just got to the age where he is not only willing but also able to help me cook. Today, he really wanted to prepare the broccoli for our lunch. I wasn't sure that he would manage, but he insisted on trying.

He managed to saw off one head using a dinner knife, but soon acknowledged that it was too hard and settled for putting the cut broccoli in the pan for me.

He was much more successful peeling carrots. I watched him very closely with the sharp peeler, but he followed to my instructions to be safe and hold one end while peeling the other.

I did have to finish up the peeling and chopping, but he was very good at picking up every scrap of mess. He even cleaned his table for me!

Using Chopsticks

I bought Nicholas some new training chopsticks and they arrived this morning. Unlike his other ones, these have specific holes to put your fingers in to learn the proper way to hold them. I was amazed at the instant improvement in control they gave him - this video is the first time he has ever used them (barring the pompoms he has already transferred before I started filming).

He can't quite figure out how to get his fingers in the right holes on his own, as you can see at the end of the video, but that should come with practice.

Now I have a craving for Chinese food...

All Grown Up!

Nicholas is getting far too grown up!

He might need my help before and after, but when sitting on the potty he now demands 'Mummy - go away!' (unless he is doing standing up wees, in which case it is more 'Mummy, look - oh wow!')

He also  insists that he partake in all the 'manly' jobs - such as putting together new furniture!

He really enjoyed playing in the bottom cupboards! At one point, there was only one door and yet every one of the twenty-or-so times I was still surprised when I opened it and found Nicholas hiding!

He now has his own grown-up desk (or deks as he calls it), which is really my old one. He is so chuffed to have his own drawer and cupboard, and his 'old' desk is tucked in the chair space, so he can still sit and draw comfortably. 

Cleaner for hire!

Unfortunately, Child labour laws might argue against that!

Nicholas loves cleaning. Perhaps this is because I am constantly telling him that I need to clean (usually messes of the Nikki-created variety) and he likes to emulate me. Unfortunately, he makes most cleaning jobs ten times longer when he decides to 'help' - or (worse) delcares 'Nikki do it!'

He was rather determined to mop the kitchen floor on his own - and refused to let me shorten the mop handle!

Independent Breakfast

Nicholas now makes his own breakfast (when he has cereal, anyway).

First, he carefully scoops the cereal into his bowl:
 

 Then, he pours his milk from a little jug. I always tell him he might not want it all, and he always ignores me and pours in the lot!

Look how pleased with himself he is!

I love how his toes are peeking out under the highchair! Notice the sudden bib appearence? I got so caught up in taking photos that I forgot about the bib! Nikki was also distracted - he rarely spills anything, but was so busy posing that both cereal and milk ended up on the table.