Hide and Seek

When Gabriel wants to play hide and seek (which is poor hiding accompanied by pretend seeking), he tells me, "Mommy, say 'Gabriel, where are me?' Ok?"

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

Things of Late

When Gabriel hasn't been playing with his little monkey (his go-nowhere-without-it-item), and then sees monkey, he picks monkey up, holds him to his face, and says, "I missed you monkey." in a tender quiet voice.

He's also been explaining things to monkey. For example,
"Monkey, diapers and pullups are only for sleeping, ok?"
"Monkey, supposed to put pee pee and poop in the toilet, ok?"
"Monkey, have to take shoes off for upstairs."
"Monkey, hold the rail. Be safe."

Bluebonnets Photos 2014

We took the boys (Gabriel and cousin Will) out to the campus of St. Edward's University to get some bluebonnet pictures. We met up with Justin's dad and Hannah for a few pictures as well.

The bluebonnets are so dense and tall and fragrant!

Thank you, Joanah, for bringing your camera and capturing these moments.

Feel free to vote for the one that best captures this little Monkey's personality. ;)

Big Boy Underpants!

Last weekend, we took the plunge into the land of children who wear underwear instead of diapers when they are awake.

Yes, that's right, we spent the weekend focused on Gabriel learning how to use the potty every time he needs to pee or poop. Saturday (the first day) was a little...wet. We went through a few sets of underwear and pants that day, plus we cleaned up several puddles off the floor. Thankfully all puddles were made downstairs on the hard floors instead of upstairs on the carpet.

Sunday was better. Fewer wet clothes, fewer puddles. I think if we had had a third weekend day to stay home and focus on it he would have totally figured it out. As it was, we went to school on Monday with a big stack of extra clothes for Gabriel's cubby.

I was super surprised to find out that he only had one set of wet clothes from school that day. And that was from when they were playing on the playground. It's pretty hard to remember to go potty when you're playing on the playground.

And Tuesday, he came home in the same pants and underwear that he arrived at school in. O_o
I am so proud of him!!!

I know we may have some accidents still, and that it will take a while to get really comfortable in this new landscape, but potty training....check.

Image courtesy of Target.com :)
You can get your own Thomas underpants if you so choose: Thomas Little Boys' Underwear
(You're going to need a pretty small bottom, though.)

Pancake Wars

On the way to school this morning, Gabriel was finishing his breakfast of mini pancakes. He was sort of banging them against each other with load banging-against-each-other sound effects.

Then he would look at one pancake and ask, "Are you ok, pancake? Yes? ok." And then bang them together again.

Kid cracks me up.

The Jed Bartlet of the Preschool Set

If you're familiar with the character of Jed Bartlet from The West Wing, you might also have seen actor Martin Sheen put his jacket on in a unique way. Check it out about 2/3 of the way through this clip:

Gabriel is either preparing for life as an accomplished actor or to run for president. (He already has a Hispanic name, so perhaps we should start thinking of stage names for him...)