conversing with g-a-b-r-i-e-l

Earlier this week Gabriel decided to show us what he's made of and surprised us by spelling out his name. It's now his go-to performance. Suddenly, he can't remember anything else on cue (i.e. his age and saying his name). That's okay. Baby steps.

independence day in december

Today Gabriel woke up feeling independent. He went to his drawer, picked out some clothes, removed his jammies and diaper, and got dressed. All by himself.

(He was in the mood for swimming) He managed to get all his limbs in the appropriate places and it was perfect. Perfectly backwards, but whatever.

My little guy is starting to show his independence a lot these days. Since he progresses at his own pace, we don't always notice. Then, I think back to this same time last year and think 'ahhh yeah, look at how far he's come!' It's enough to make a mama proud.

In addition to recognizing letters and numbers, counting, knowing his colors and shapes, he has some favored phrases:

"Stop it!" "No!" "Look!" and my personal fave "Quiet!" (accompanied by a stern look and a finger point). He's also very polite and always says "please" and "thank you" without prompting.

Hooray for progress!

Hooray for proud little boys!

i am thankful

for getting called-out by my kids.

Now, this is not something I would usually be ecstatic about, but this one time I'll make an exception.

This year, we've had our share of tight pocketbooks. Really tight. While it is not much fun, we've learned to do without the excess we're accustomed to and simplify a bit. At times, it feels freeing to not want want want all the time, and realize that our real needs are still being met. We've talked to our kids about wants and needs and they've been very cooperative and matter of fact about it. They can be great. :)

We're now trying to get our Christmas shopping done. Todd and I split up for round 1 and he headed to Costco to take a look. As we were unloading the loot, Todd pulled out a few items not on the list that he knew I'd been eyeing for a while. Taylor observed as Todd was showing me the extra items. Taylor asked what Todd had bought them for. When Todd's response was, "Because Mommy has always wanted one," Taylor demanded "Is that a WANT or a NEED?"

Point taken. Items will be returned today. Thanks for the reminder.

ooooh-eeeeeee!!

Todd and Gabriel have a ritual when going to the grocery store. Perhaps Gabriel feels as though it is for this express purpose they even go to the store. He has now begun to intiate their ritual, with Daddy trying to keep up:

I can't get over the anticipatory giggles all the way down the aisle.

gabriel says

I Love You!

It was Gabriel's turn for making classroom Valentine's cards - - - I can't say that he was much help at all. Although, he did a great job posing for the pictures. We got this great idea from Faith & Jonah. I have a real talent for copying another's ideas, but no talent for coming up with my own. Thank goodness for sisters with cute ideas.

Happy Valentine's Day

brag list

As of today, this is a list of all the signs that Gabriel knows (at least the ones that I can recall). I'm sure that if we would learn more signs, the list would be much longer. How grateful I am for signing and for being able to see that Gabriel is understanding the meanings of things, even when he can't verbalize all of them. When listing them all, I realize the list is becoming quite impressive. At least to his mommy.

1. all done
2. more
3. baby
4. eat
5. duck
6. bird
7. doggie
8. cat
9. horse
10. elephant
11. apple
12. drink
13. water
14. juice
15. milk
16. happy
17. sad
18. mad
19. mama
20. dada
21. grandma
22. grandpa
23. Taylor
24. Paige - we had the kids make up the sign for their own name and teach it to Gabriel
    
    
    


25. play
26. car
27. airplane
28. helicopter
29. boat
30. fish
31. please
32. thank you
33. sorry
34. want
35. ice cream
36. flower
37. tree
38. friend
39. night night
40. train
41. open
42. on
43. off
44. bus
45. yes
46. popcorn
47. cracker
48. rain
49. book
50. shoes
51. help
52. want
53. yummy
54. ball
55. night night
56. help
57. cereal
58. hungry
    

He mostly uses sign as identification, rather than initiating his wants or needs. For instance, he doesn't tap me on the leg and sign "I want cereal, please." But he will see me pour the milk in the bowl and sign 'milk'. Additionally, being a child instilled with manners, he will properly use 'thank you' when I give him his cereal without prompting. Some of them he has difficulty doing the actual sign for, so he adapts his sign accordingly. But he knows, and we know, what they're intended to mean. 'Cause he's a smartie.

i've got skills

This week, both Taylor and Paige were given the 'Student of the Quarter' awards. (This has replaced the Student of the Month, making it all the more impressive)

I ran into a couple friends of mine at the ceremony and they inquired which one of my children I was there for. 'Both,' I replied. When they were sufficiently impressed, I added, 'Yes, it all comes down to great parenting skills.'

I really DO know that this is simply untrue. Taylor has always done well in school and every one of his teachers have loved him. The same can be said of Paige, even though she's less experienced than Taylor. They love to do well and be recognized for it.

To continue with the bragging, this is what the teachers wrote for their nominations:

TAYLOR-

Taylor is always kind and helpful to his peers. He is respectful of both his classmates and adults in our school building. Taylor always exhibits good character traits! - Mrs. B

PAIGE-

Paige is an awesome student! She worked very hard in the 2nd quarter and set a great example for her classmates. Paige is always kind and polite and has made many friends. I am proud of Paige. - Mrs. H

I really hope they continue to have a love for learning. I'm so proud of what they have already accomplished. Way to go you two!

*******

Here are some pictures of them receiving their awards. It's funny what just a couple of years can do. Paige was so excited to see me there at school and smiled big for the pictures. Afterwards, she even came to get hugs and kisses without a hint of embarrassment. Taylor, on the other hand, hid his face from me while I was taking pictures and barely tolerated a kiss on the cheek from mom in front of his classmates.

**Go figure that my camera ran out of batteries by the time Taylor got up to receive his award... We'll just have to make due with the pictures from the last 5 years of awards.**

report cards

It's parent-teacher conference week, and yesterday was our turn.

As expected, Taylor received excellent marks.

He's always been a good student - he enjoys school and he's self-motivated. Taylor always aces his spelling tests with little studying, things seem to come easy. He's always checking out non-fiction books and memorizing the facts from the book -whether it be about a war or a book on airplanes - and passing the reading tests with flying colors. All the teachers love him and his teacher last year told us he wished all the students were like him.

The teachers say he participates in class and offers to help others understand something they may not be getting. This surprises me a little only because initially he seems so quiet.

I hope he continues to love learning, and doesn't let anyone convince him that it's uncool to be smart or that there are better things to do.


Paige, though, was a surprise.

She did great!!! Her teacher gave her rave reviews and great marks. Ms. H says she's understanding all the new concepts - even subtraction (which I guess has been tricky for the class). She's friendly and kind to others and offers to help and share.

This is only surprising to me because when she first entered 1st grade, I thought she would be more interested in being social than in actually learning. I even go in every other week to work in her class so I can spy on her and see if she's talking too much. So far the only thing she's done out of turn is jump out of her chair when I walk in and give me a hug. I admit, I was a gabber in school and I guess I worried that she would be the same. Everywhere we go, she befriends someone new. She has no problem making friends.
I suppose she can be brainy and a social butterfly.

Anyway, I'm very pleased with my two little brainiacs. We're going to celebrate by going to Schnepf Farms!