January - April 2003

Nicholas Starting in January, Nicholas started going to work with me on Fridays. It started out as just Fridays, but then turned into Fridays and Saturdays. He was really missing me during the remodel at the store, and this gave him some time with me. He helped out painting, throwing out construction debris, and even got to help me solder some copper tubing in the new bathroom. Mostly though, he drew pictures, and greeted customers. He drew about 10-20 pictures of aliens per day. A few of which I put in this page. Eventually he switched to drawing satellite dishes. At lunchtime, it was off to Craniums where he would look at the 'Mars Attacks' and dream of the day he would own one of them. Eventually I broke down and bought him one. He was thrilled! He named it Mr. Alien, and carried it with everywhere he went for several weeks.

As lasting reminders of the winter that he helped out with the remodel at the shop, Nicholas got to pick the green paint that we painted the new bathroom at the shop, and put his hand print in the cement by the front door.

Grace really wanted to go to work with Nicholas and I, but I couldn't bring her. It's really hard for her when she can't do something that he can, and she can't understand the age difference. Needless to say though, it was heart breaking when she would get all dressed, and ready to go to work with us, and then cry when she got told no:-(

Mommy made sure she had fun doing "girl stuff" (really just lots of errands) topped off by a "Girls' Lunch" each Saturday at Las Margaritas, which Grace has dubbed "The Candy Place". Grace is turning into a real little companion at most of these lunches, and behaves very well. She usually just shares Mommy's lunch. She is especially fond of the rice and beans, and likes to eat them by dipping them on the tortilla chips. The highlights of the outing are a root beer, and on our way out a stop at the machines by the front door for candy or gum (thus Grace's name for the restaurant.)

Well, that's enough catching up on the words, so now enjoy some pictures.