I had to write down my most recent conversation with Gabe.
Me: How did you get so cute?
Gabe: I no know.
Me: Were you born that way?
Gabe: Noooo!!! I was born in a bathtub!
Me: {insert HOWLS} Yes . . . yes, you were born in a bathtub.
I’m so glad I stayed inside just a little bit longer to fold laundry beside Gabe while he played or I would have missed out on this delightful conversation.
Won’t you sit a while with your kiddo today? Even just 5 minutes . . .
Gabe ~ 40.5 months
It is amazing what 15-30 minutes of concentrated, intentional one-on-one time will do for a little munchkin. Especially when that munchkin is one of four.
He will grow. Blossom. Start talking up a storm. Remain content the rest of the day. Kind of.
Jesse Bear What Will You Wear? finally rowed itself to the other side of the homeschool room. It only took a little over 3 weeks.
But we made it.
With a little help from big brother.
Many of our rowing ideas came from Delightful Learning and Homeschool Share.
Other learning tasks . . .
Real life with Gabe . . . 
Practicing chivalry. Showing love.
He is a real Awana Cubbie through and through . . . so long as his leader (and my dear friend) Nicole is there. This week he memorized, “He made everything beautiful.”
For other Tot School posts, head on over to 1+1+1=1!
A celebration in pictures . . . mostly.
Breakfast . . .
Coconut flour waffles with maple syrup from Ohio and blackberries, if you must know.
Lunch . . . no pictures . . . . but he requested beef hotdogs.
Really?
Almond pie crust made by Nana . . .
and filled with tomato asparagus quiche.
Yes, I made my 3 year old quiche for his birthday. It seemed a little weird to me . . . but if he likes it, why not?
Feed me, Mommy!
Hold on, buddy! I need to finish your birthday cake!
Creating powdered sugar from evaporated cane juice,
while the cake waits patiently for its pristine white coat.
Hold everything, Mama and Papa are on the red phone!
Finally . . . .
Followed by quite possibly the best chocolate cake I have EVER made . . . maybe eaten (thank you Tropical Traditions).
and topped off with Wahoo, the nicest dog we own!
Mr. Smiley . . . my dear Gabe . . .
You with all your curls.
I think your smiles are contagious . . . your hair is copying what your mouth does.
Happy birthday, my not so little one.
Nearly surpassing your older brother in weight.
I love you. I’m so glad you are mine.
You are so silly.
Like when I found the cheese you had hidden.
Your insistence on wearing fireman boots.
You always want me to take your picture. And when I do, you act so surprised, “There’s Gabe-ee!”
So many big things this year . . . really the past 5 months . . .
And this summer . . . who knows what else you will learn . . . hopefully how to use the potty . . . because then you can go to Awana.
And get your own vest.
If you don’t want the words, just skip them and look at the pictures.
As I was reading this during our morning Quiet Time,
I saw this,
And I realized that something was different . . . hmm . . . .
Could it be the overabundance of Dr. Suess books in his bed in honor of Dr. Suess’ birthday?
Nooooo . . . . . hmmm. . . . could it be his brothers are getting along?
Though nice, nope.
Oh, I know . . . Gabe’s in a big boy bed! (Finally!)
Mr. Smiley would have been content to remain in his crib . . . but I figured we should bump up his status since his 3rd birthday is drawing close.
Congrats, Gabe!
For more Wordless Wednesday posts, head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom.
(Special thanks to Kristen for loaning me her camera while mine is in the shop!)
It’s been awhile since Gabe (Smiley) has hit the blog in a formal way . . . his moment to shine . . . Tot School. I admit that since Naomi has been born, organizing workboxes and Tot Trays has proven difficult.
I tend to gravitate towards the couch, which is NO WHERE near the school room. So, the little man hasn’t done much by way of manipulatives. This actually has been good for him though. He has been joining in crafts and Advent activities with his big brothers.
The big news is that he has started using understandable sentences and complete thoughts. It has been fun seeing this development in him and his delight at being able to express himself better.
And what has warmed my heart is how he says, “I love you.” The best part – he says it totally UNPROMPTED!!!!!
His activities include . . .
This was especially humorous to watch because his left hand NEVER touched the tree. But he was oh-so-proud of his creation!
We also did a very non-granola activity . . . the boys got to eat this toxic concoction. Yup.
Favorite Pictures
(His new hair cut. It’s so short. Boo-hoo!)
For more Tot School posts head on over to Carisa’s blog!
