Gabriel Turns the Big 1-0!!!!
Double digits!!! How the heck is he double digits?! Ten just seems so big. I mean…in 6 years this kiddo of ours will be driving a car!!! Let that sink in for a second people! I must admit…I love that he’s getting older. We have amazing conversations on such a wide variety of topics…sports, history, relationships with friends and family, movies, books, school…he’s just such an amazing kid! He’s open with us about his struggles and I’m so glad he feels like he can talk with us. He’s so incredibly brave and faces his struggles head on. He’s so smart. The brains on this kid I tell you…I can’t wait to see what he does with them as he grows. He’s kind, and compassionate. He cares so deeply about people…and then just when you’re thinking about how sweet he is and how mature he is…he reminds you he’s still a 10 year old by antagonizing his sister. HA! This year he took on basketball, and oh did he shine! He’s not only a good player but he’s a good teammate. He has a fire in him and works hard to keep improving in all aspects of life. He is still loving soccer, wants to learn golf with Grandpa Wood, and can’t get enough of watching basketball and football games.
This year his birthday fell on Spring Break again so we took a little road trip down to Houston for the week. His birthday was spent celebrating with family at Grandma and Grandpa Wood’s house. They held a lovely lunch for him complete with brownies and presents. Even better…his cousins were there to celebrate too!!! Yay! We spend the evening hanging out at Great Wolf Lodge. We had a lot of fun and hope we get to go back soon!
New Bike
Today we took the kids to look into new bikes. Turns out Lorelai isn't quite ready for the next size up, but Gabriel has been long overdue. After considering size, color, and of course seat padding Gabriel went with a blue Schwinn, and is a little bit apprehensive about riding around on this new bigger bike...but he'll get there. He always learns to adapt in his own time.
Gabriel's 1st Communion
A few weekends ago Gabriel celebrated his 1st Holy Communion. We were thrilled to be joined by his Grandma and Grandpa Wood AND his Godparents! Jeremy and Kari drove up with their three kiddos from Houston and it was a fantastic time! We were so glad we were able to take them out to our zoo for a day for some fun before the Communion festivities the next day. At our school we also celebrate the kids' 1st School Mass Communion at which Gabriel read the intro perfectly...clear, appropriately loud, and paced well...as if he's been standing up there doing that all of his life. So proud of this kiddo and everything he's accomplished this school year.
Gabriel's 9th Birthday
Gabriel's 9th Birthday
On Friday Gabriel turned nine. 9!!! This was his first day ever to celebrate in school (usually his birthday falls during Spring Break) and I think he enjoyed being around his friends on his actual birthday. I went up to have lunch with him and Grandpa Wood came to celebrate with us for the weekend which was a lot of fun!
I am so in love with who this little boy of mine is becoming. He is so funny, sharp, witty, brilliant, sporty, creative, compassionate, even tempered, and just generally enthusiastic about life. He still has a deep love for animals, but his latest interests fall squarely in the category of gaming. Video games, board games, puzzles, sports (particularly soccer)...all of the games. He's the best trash talker in the family (in the best of ways) when we play games, and I love watching how his mind works. Gabriel's enthusiasm for his interests is contagious, and he is always genuine to who he is. I am oh so proud of this "little" boy of mine and the kiddo he is growing up to be. Nine is going to be amazing and I am so eager to see what the year holds for him.
Gabriel Catch-Up
Gabriel Catch-Up
Gabriel has been super busy this last month playing soccer and working hard in school. He shows pride and dedication in both and I continue to be so impressed by his display of responsibility. This little guy is a BEAST on the soccer field. He always has his head in the game and is good at communicating and working with his teammates. At his last game he scored two goals and I managed to snap a picture of him making his very first one!
Because Gabriel has been working so hard and showing us what a big kid he is we decided to follow through on a promise made long ago...that he could have a pet reptile. Ultimately, after some discussion and research, he decided to get a Bearded Dragon whom he has named Rocky. Rocky is cute and fun...he's basically a little lizard dog. He cocks his head when you talk with him and he likes being held. I think it was a great choice on Gabriel's part, and I'm super excited for him to have this long awaited experience.
Mommy + Son Night
Gabriel and I went out for a little dinner together tonight at Red Robin and had a good time talking about all things Pokemon. I am currently taking a little online course in videography and decided to just switch over to video for a hot second on my X-T2 to see how it went...so the video is just a little bit of nonsense and difficult to hear, but it was still fun to play with.
Gabriel - Photographer
Today Gabriel decided he wanted to learn more about photography. He's been watching me edit my images a good bit, and asking me questions. The other day he came on errands with his little point and shoot that my dad gave him at the ready. He wants to know how to compose the shot, and he was super excited today when he learned how to turn off the flash. He's also considering starting a blog of his own (or he can pick a few pictures to share here on occasion). Either way I'm super excited that he is showing an interest in learning and he definitely already has an eye for it.
8 is GREAT!
I just could not stop taking pictures of Gabriel. My tiny little baby is really hitting a super awesome age and I'm just so excited! We talk about EVERYTHING! It's the BEST!!! He is so so funny...like he brings tears to my eyes funny. I just love giggling with this guy. He is passionate, thoughtful, crazy smart, and as cuddly as they come. While he's still into Legos, he's gotten the Pokemon bug, and the kid cannot turn down the chance to play a board game. Which I LOVE!!! We are both competitive, but in the best teasing and trash-talking with love kind of way. He still has his moments of shyness, but with each day I see that disappearing more and more. I just can't get over how much he's growing into himself after years of struggling to put that out there for people to see. He receives so many compliments at school on how kind, attentive, and respectful he is. Gabriel is one AMAZING, STUPENDOUS, TERRIFIC kid and I just know 8 is going to be GREAT!!! :) We're so proud of you, Buddy!
Yellow Belt
After months of hard work and conquering fears about sparring, Gabriel took his yellow belt test last night and passed with flying colors! We're all so very proud of him!!!
Gabriel Earns His White Belt
Gabriel began Karate yesterday. This is something he's been asking about since mid-Spring. Brian and I are both surprised that our quiet, sensitive, shy kiddo wants to be in karate, but I really think it's just the thing for him. He's already learning so much about confidence from Master Lewis and I believe God has put just the right idea and people into Gabriel's life at just the right time. Gabriel wasn't even nervous about breaking the "board" and Master Lewis was so encouraging through all of his practice beforehand. Gabriel is so pleased to have earned his white belt, and looks forward to earning many more.
Gabriel's Kindergarten Graduation
"I want to be a LEGO Designer."
Last night Gabriel graduated from Kindergarten. In some ways I can't believe I just typed those words, in others I am so excited for what the future holds for him. I adore this smart, unique, kind, adorable little boy who is growing by leaps and bounds before my eyes. He's grown two inches this school year and gained six pounds. He's AMAZING at math, and his reading skills blow me away. He learned how to stand up in front of a crowd and be confident enough to sing and talk into a microphone. He cares deeply for his friends, teachers, and family. This kid wants to be a LEGO designer...and you know what...he can do it. His ideas are fresh and creative, and I love his attention to detail. That's where you hook people...it's all in the details.
Gabriel, you are the best little boy this mommy could have hoped for, and it is such an honor to be a part of your incredible life. Congratulations, Buddy...you're a 1st grader now!!!
Spring
Spring means time in the hot tub, and this year we added a nice cantilever umbrella so we can play all day without needing to lather on sunscreen constantly. And when we're done in the hot tub we hang out on the porch with some snacks.
Gabriel is going through a phase where he doesn't like to show his teeth in pictures. He's not used to how his "new" adult teeth look in pictures yet.