Grumpy Clown Compendium

1 Year

2 Years

3 Years

4 Years

5 Years

6 Years

4 Year Old Birthday Party

Gabriel wanted a Paw Patrol theme for his birthday this year, so Aunt Jordan made an awesome cake with the pups' badges on the top. Everyone raved about how good the cake was. Because as we all know, Jordan's cakes are the best. Thank you, again, Jordan!!!

Some of Gabriel's friends gathered for a picture with the elephant that visited the party at Safari Champ. Some were already finding seats at the table so they could get cake. You can't blame them too much for not wanting to leave the general vicinity of the cake...

I got a so-so video of blowing out the candles.

I guess when we sang Happy Birthday, it was too loud for Conrad. I think Conrad has covered his ears during the song at every birthday party we've seen him at. :)

Thank you to everyone who came to play. Gabriel had a grrrreat birthday party!

The Return of Grumpy Clown

I started something at Gabriel's 1st birthday party, and I'm trying to continue it. I'll do it for as long he'll play along. It's fine if he rolls his eyes.

1st Birthday
The birth of grumpy clown.

2nd Birthday
Was taking it off before we could snap the picture.

3rd Birthday
Didn't actually get it on his head.

So, varying levels of success in years 1–3.

This year I decided not to try it at his birthday party, figuring that the attention would likely discourage his participation. Instead, on his actual birthday (6-17), he got a birthday Nutella sandwich for dinner and blew out the candles. I was surprised that he willingly put on the clown wig and let me take pictures. :)

I asked for a smile.

I asked him how he really felt.

I'm pretty sure this was his actual attitude.

3rd Birthday Party

We held Gabriel's birthday party at The Little Gym of Round Rock this year. He and his friends got to run around and climb and tumble just like they're never allowed to do at home on the couch.

Here's all but two of the guests who came to celebrate with us.

Aunt Jordan made cupcakes for us. A few too many cupcakes. I was expecting parents to eat some, but they didn't.

I tried to continue the grumpy clown tradition of getting a picture of Gabriel with the rainbow wig on. He didn't really want any part of it.

But Will, Ruby, and uncle Matt humored me. :)

*Credit to Matt's family for the pic of him dressed as Bozo.

3 Year Letter

Dear Gabriel,

My sweet little baby, how on earth did you get to be a small boy? You're so big now. You can do so much for yourself...most of getting dressed (still need help with socks), most of getting undressed (it's hard to take a shirt off), toileting, eating, you can even buckle yourself into your car seat now. So big.

Your imagination has bloomed so much in the past few months. You interact with your toys as though they have personalities. Sometimes they are sad because you've been away from them. Sometimes they are angry because another toy/friend has done something. It's really cool to see you processing your world through play.

You sing your ABCs--well, a few parts are a little mushy--but you've pretty much got it. You can do Bah, Bah, Black Sheep and parts of other songs, too. So cute. You count to 11...and then it's 14, 18, 19, 18, 19. :) You recently moved up to the big kids' classroom at preschool; you've graduated from Doodlebug to Firefly! I can't wait to see what else you learn.

Every morning you put on your two flower bracelets, your American flag sunglasses, and your Superman ball cap as essential parts of your ensemble. Recently you picked out blue nail polish at the store and had me paint your fingernails. You just mentioned tonight that it's time to repaint. Your personality is definitely developing. And it's as strong as ever.

We've made friends with kids next door, so we get to spend lots of time out playing in the cul de sac. That has been one of the best things about moving to this neighborhood. You like to ride on the firetruck ride-on toy and Ruby's tricycle. You're starting to try out your balance bike. We spend a lot of time kicking and throwing and chasing balls.

You're getting so grown up, and yet you still want mommy when you're upset. You keep your little monkey with you for comfort, and you still suck on that index finger. Someday you'll grow out of those comforts, but I sure hope you hang on to me for as long as possible.

Two and a half to three has been a lot of fun, sweet boy. I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

I love you so much,
Mommy

Belated Birthday pictures

We celebrated Gabriel's 2nd birthday while on vacation in Niagara Falls. I'm pretty late in posting these...sorry!

Happy Birthday!

At G's 12 month well-check appointment, he was:
weight: 23 pounds 4 ounces (60%)
height: 31 inches (80%)
head circ: 47.2 cm (70%)

Gabriel's first birthday party had a rainbow theme. I made various rainbow-colored decorations for the inside of Grammaw's house, and Grammaw hung up twirling sparkly decorations from the ceiling of the deck. Aunt Jordan made THE most AWESOME birthday cake ever to top it all off.

Here are a few pictures of the big day.

Obligatory birthday hat

Grumpy clown

Hesitantly testing the smash cake

Enjoying the cake once he figured out what it was

The awesome 7 layer rainbow cake made by Jordan

Inside of the rainbow cake

A slobbery birthday kiss from cousin Easton Graves (9 days older than Gabriel)