Nicole Tasker Woods

My mom came into town for 8 glorious days in sunny California.  She got a break from the dreary New Hampshire cold and some much needed time with the kiddos: Aidan, Olivia & Sophia.  She also hung out with Curtis & myself as well!

Whether she was hanging with my family or with Curtis’ or if all of us were together, it was a great time to spend with family. We made some great memories at the Americana watching the water & light show, riding the trolley and waiting for fake snow to fall down on our heads. I think Aidan may have even tried to catch some in his mouth!

It didn’t feel like a long enough visit. We all got so used to seeing her everyday that this morning as I was getting Aidan ready for school he asked, “When is Grammy D coming over?” and “Is Grammy D picking me up from school?”  It broke my heart to tell him that she had gone back to NH to be with Grampa Jeff. To that he cried, “But I want to go to NH and see Grampa Jeff!”

I had a wonderful time with Aidan, just him and me, decorating our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. He had spent the night at his Uncle Curtis’ house the night before so that Ryan & I could have an adult evening out at the Magic Castle. Before I went to pick him up the following morning, I quickly set up the tree (which already has lights on it–love that!) and put on the glass ornament balls. He was so excited to see the tree when he walked into the house. Even more excited to hand me ornaments one by one so that I could hang them on the tree.

Aidan has been loving his new school. He has been there since June and it has helped him grow into the wonderful boy he is today. I know that everyday he’s there, the more well-rounded he will become.

One of his three teachers told me this afternoon that he was the first to finish lunch. After cleaning up, going potty and washing his hands, he took the initiative to get the afternoon reading circle ready by setting up the books.

Such a nice thing to hear, it made me so proud!

Aidan’s visit to Santa is quickly approaching. He seems to be looking forward to sitting on Santa’s lap and tell him he wants a big boy bike — the one thing he keeps telling us he wants for Christmas. Now that Halloween is over, I’m looking forward to the holidays, the lights, the decorations, putting up our tree, all that fun stuff. I think the Big A will enjoy it more this year than in past years because he’s old enough to realize what these holidays mean — time with family, lots of food, fun, games. He loves spending time with his family members and looks forward to seeing people like Uncle Curtis, Grammy & Pop-Pop. So when we tell him he’s going to be spending time with one of them, he gets very excited. He even starts to smile & bounce in his seat saying, “I’m getting excited!”

This year, my mom will be visiting for a week in December so that she can join in the familial festivities like Carolyn’s annual holiday tea, which will include a cookie swap after all the tea & strumpets are consumed. We are also planning on spending time with extended family members while she’s in town, such as Curtis’ girlfriend, Natalie & her two young daughters. Between those two girls & Aidan, they are at that perfect age where they are easily amazed by a trip to the Grove when it’s all decked out for the holidays.

The next 7 weeks leading up to Christmas are going to be great — I’M GETTING EXCITED!

The Big A is definitely a ladies man. I came to pick him up from school this afternoon and he was playing with two little girls, a blonde named Carolyn and a brunette named Coraline. He saw me signing him out and he came running over to jump into my arms for a big hug.  As we walked toward the exit holding hands, I asked him if he was going to say goodbye to his friends. He turned and waved at both girls screaming ‘bye!’ but that goodbye wasn’t satisfactory for either girl. Coraline came in for a hug so hard that both her and Aidan hit the ground. While giggling, she kissed his cheek making a loud ‘muah’ sound. Just as Aidan got to his feet, Carolyn gave him a hug as well. The Big A rocking a smile the whole time.

This evening, Aidan was playing with his trains. All of which fit snugly into a small, rectangular box. While carefully selecting the right parts to make the perfect train, his little fingers came across a wooden pine tree. It’s one of three that act as landscape accents around the train tracks. He picked up this tree and said to me, “Mommy, this is in the wrong place. Next time, put it in the box with the tracks.” Obsess much?

Today I said goodbye to some colleagues that I have known and worked with for many years. A very sad day indeed.

Had a great time at the park with Aidan this morning, playing in the sand, just him & me. If I had a 2nd child, I would be tending to the baby, not able to give my full attention to the Big A. I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with him now if he had a sibling. This time in his life right now is so important for his development as a young boy, but it is also important for him to develop a relationship with his parents. Ryan & I both have special things we do with him by ourselves, but also as a family unit. I never envisioned my life turning out like this – or my family members being who they are – but I couldn’t be happier.

Captain In America — as Aidan likes to call it — was the big boy’s costume this year. He was so grown up walking to the houses by himself (with us watching from behind), trying to be brave around the scary decorations. He loved seeing all of the blown up pumpkins and ghosts and skeletons in everyone’s yards. He wanted a picture next to all of them. Aidan really got the hang of ringing the doorbell and saying ‘trick or treat’ loud enough for everyone to hear.

Auntie JenJen came out with us so that she could join in on the trick or treating festivities. Aidan was so excited to have her there as well. I’m surprised how well he listens to her, he obviously cares about what she thinks. Except when she kept telling him to get the good candy–like chocolate–and he persistently picked whoppers, red vines and dots. What’s that about!?

On the long, 33 mile drive from our home in Thousand Oaks to school/work in Burbank…

A: Mommy, does Aidan poop in the woods?

Me: No, only bears poop in the woods.

A: What if bears and Aidan poop in the woods?

Me: Buddy, do you have to poop?

A: Yeah.

Me: Can you hold it?

A: No.

Me: Alright then.

I put on my flashers, pulled to the shoulder of the 5 freeway and helped the little man squat and poop on the side of the road, balancing his butt cheeks in my hands. It was a surprisingly no-mess situation. After squeezing it out, he turned around to pee on his poop (of course). I used the wipes from the glove box to tidy up his toosh and then we were back on the road.

A: Mommy, bears and Aidan poop in the woods.

Me: Yup.