Today's Gabeisms

The boys were eating dinner and Gabe walked over to me and said, so sweetly, "Mom, will you be my hun?"  Seriously??  That boy is such a lovebug.

The boys were being fresh in the tub tonight.  So fresh.  At one point, I turned to Gabe and told him that I was going to tell Kim about his behavior (I can't say that Kim is watching anymore, since Gabe always says that Kim isn't in the room, so he can't really see).  In response to my threat, Gabe said, "you do your business."  Is he really only 4 years old??

Elf On The Shelf Part II

I surprised myself this morning with my quick smarts (not usually my strength).  So, I heard Gabe saying to Zach when the boys were getting dressed that they needed to find Kim (our elf).  With J away, I totally forgot to move him last night.  I was going to run down and tell them to wait upstairs, but instead I thought of a good idea.  I decided to let them find Kim in his same spot on the book shelf.  When they saw that he hadn't moved, I told them that he must not have wanted to go to the North Pole last night, since we had a fresh day.  He probably didn't want to tell Santa about our behavior, I added.  Then, I told them that we can have a good day today and Kim will want to go to the North Pole tonight.  It worked!  Probably won't work again, but it worked this morning.  Gabe really got it, and Zach kept saying, "Kim no move.  Kim no move.  Kim no move...."  Good stuff!

Laughing Before 7:00 AM

Both boys greeted me with a laugh this morning.  When I first saw Zach, I said, "good morning, Pumpkin Pie."  I usually just refer to them as pumpkins, but today I said pumpkin pie.  In response, Zach said, "I no punkin pie.  I baby.  No punkin pie."  Seriously?  So funny!

And when I was getting Gabe out of bed, he asked what kind of day it was today (I hear this question so many times a day.  He thinks that after he nap, it's a brand new day.  So, at least twice a day I get the question, but I hear it so many more times than that...).  Anyway, I reminded him that it's a school day today.  He responded, "I'm tired of school.  I need something new."  I know I've blogged about this comment before.  But I just love how he added "something new."  He's still not loving school!  I'm actually shocked.  High maintenance when it comes to keeping that boy engaged!

The Elf On The Shelf

Last year, the Elf on the Shelf was fun.  Gabe named him, Kim, and loved to look for him each morning.  If you don't already know about the elf, he's one of Santa's helpers, who comes to your house at Christmas time to watch over you and report back to Santa about your behavior.  Each night, he returns to the North Pole to report; and in the morning, he returns to a different place in the house.  Sometimes, it was stressful when we'd forget to move the elf the night before; but, over all it was fun and pretty effective as far as curbing fresh behavior.

Now that Gabe's a little older and Zach is more aware of things, we thought this would be the best year for our elf.  Wrong.  The first morning that Kim appeared (sitting on the ledge of one of our kitchen windows), Gabe pulled up a chair and climbed up to touch him.  You're not supposed to touch the elf, as it causes his magic to go away.  Gabe knows this.  But he's curious.  Understandable.  He's also too smart.  So, I don't think he's buying into the elf as much.  He kept looking at the elf, trying to get as close as possible, standing on the chair looking right at him.  And I have a feeling that he knows that it's just a stuffed doll.  

The next day, we hid Kim in the closet to make it look like he didn't come back because of the attempts at touching him, etc.  Gabe wasn't too phased by Kim's absence.  Yesterday we put Kim up as high as he can go in the house (on top of the kitchen cabinets), and Gabe was pretty good about leaving him alone.  However, he'd still hit or push Zach right in front of the elf, and reminding him about Kim didn't really do anything.  Hmmmmm.

Today, Gabe was pretty fresh all around.  When I told him that Kim is watching, he said, "but he's still smiling.  He's not angry or upset."  And do you know what?  That elf is always smiling.  What do you say to that?  Argh.  This child of mine is too smart to have fun with the elf this year, I'm afraid.

Thank Goodness For Laughter

Laughing is one of my favorite things.  It's probably one of everyone's favorite things.  Anyway, I love a good laugh; and thankfully, my boys make me laugh everyday - at least once a day.  Here's what made me laugh today:

There was a spider on the ceiling in the playroom tonight.  Now that I'm a Mom, I can't freak out when I see spiders.  Strangely, I remain calm when I see a spider with the kids; unless J's home.  When J's home, for some reason, I always feel a little bit more afraid of the spiders and so I make him get them.  I digress.  So, I see the spider.  I calmly retrieve the swifter (best spider killing tool ever!) and proceed to walk towards my target.  Of course, the boys are always up in my business, no matter how small that business may be.  So, the two of them are asking me what I'm doing.  I tell them about the spider, proceed to smash it, they want to see it, and then Gabe says, "well, this is just a bad situation all around."  What?  He actually heard that phrase somewhere and then used it in such an appropriate context.  I cracked up and felt amazed all at the same time.

With Zach, he's all about asking "why" these days.  This has been going on for some time now, but he's becoming even more verbal, so you can actually converse about his "why" question now.  Anyway, I was sitting on the swing today and Zach came up to me and said, "Mom, get off swing."  I asked him why I had to get off of the swing, and he replied, "cause get off swing."  I asked him again why I needed to get off (I know why he wanted me off - I just wanted to see if he could say it), and again, he replied, "cause get off swing."  I asked again (I know, sounds ridiculous), but I just wanted to see if he'd actually come out with an answer.  But, again, he said, "cause get off swing."  So, I got off, laughing, of course.  I just love how he asks why all of the time and gets an explanation, but when I ask why, he just repeats the statement.  Am I crazy or is that funny?  Oh, well.  I'm glad it makes me laugh!  He's just too cute.

It's Christmas At Our House

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, we got our Christmas tree, saw Santa, had a visit from our Elf on the Shelf, and decorated the house for the holidays.  It's Christmas at our house, and the boys are loving it!  Just one more day and we can start the advent calendar countdown!  Hooray, since Gabe asks everyday if it's Christmas today.  Here's the Santa picture:

Gabe asked Santa for a silver bell.  Zach didn't want much to do with the experience. 

Thanksgiving Eve 2011

It's been a long day here at Chez Fredette on this Thanksgiving Eve.  We've had our ups and our downs.  There were some funny things that happened today and that's what I'll share here. 

We bought Gabe a shirt at the Gap that says: "Stud" and then there's a picture of a muffin underneath.  It took J and I a couple of minutes before we figured out that it meant, "Stud Muffin," but when we "got it" we knew that we had to buy it for him (given that he's all about wearing cool shirts these days).  Today was the first day that he wore the Stud Muffin shirt.  When he came home from school, he said that his teacher laughed and thought it was funny.  Yay!  And when we were driving in the car this afternoon, we heard the song, "Muffin Man".  I told Gabe that he must be the Muffin Man, since he's wearing the Stud Muffin shirt.  In response, Gabe said:  "Mom, I'm a man, and I'm wearing a shirt with a muffin, but I'm not a muffin man."  How funny is that??

Later, as we were still driving in the car, Gabe kept saying that it was Christmas Eve.  I think he's confused about the holidays.  So, I reminded him that it's Thanksgiving Eve and that we're going to Momo's tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner.  I told him everyone who'd be there (Auntie Auntie, Momo, Nanny, Auntie Lani, Uncle Derek, Baby Drew, Uncle Paul, Auntie Eileen, Cameron, etc.  In response he replied, "I can't wait to see that little Drew.  I'm going to make him laugh.  I'm to make this face, see Mom?"  And then he proceeded to make a face that wasn't so funny; I suggested that he make a different face.  But, I just love that of all of the people whom he's going to see tomorrow, Gabe was so genuinely excited about seeing his cousin, Drew. 

And later, we went out to dinner with J.  On the drive home, J and I were talking about something (wish I remembered what it was), and Gabe said from the back seat, "Oh, brother."  And he said it in an exasperated tone, too.  Where did he hear that one??

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!   

Our Dreams

When Gabe woke up this morning and I was getting him dressed for the day, he said, "hey, Mom.  We forgot to tell each other about our dreams."  So, I asked him what he dreamed about.  This is what he said:

"I dreamed that I married you, Mom."

Is he for real, or did Eddie Haskell take over his body?

'Twas The Night Before Our Playdate....

Gabe's school friend, Joseph, and his mom and younger brother are coming over for a playdate this morning.  Gabe's beyond thrilled about it, and according to Joseph's mom, Joseph is equally excited.  So cute!

Anyway, it seems that Gabe and I are very alike in our thoughts (which isn't a very good thing for Gabe).  Yesterday, as I was picking up things around the house, Zach asked what I was doing.  Gabe said, "she's cleaning the house so that my best friend, Joseph, won't trip on anything."

And when I baked muffins for the playdate and Gabe asked what the muffins were for, I told him that they were for our playdate.  Gabe said, "Thank you, Mom.  Joseph will love them, and then he'll think that I'm great."  That was a direct quote.  Of course, I responded to Gabe that he's already great and that Joseph already likes him.  I reminded him that he doesn't need muffins to make himself great, that muffins are just for fun.  Oh, no!!!  Am I rubbing off on him already?

Later, when I asked Gabe if he was happy about Joseph coming to play, he said, "no, I'm excited!"  Fingers crossed that things go well this morning.....!

Mama's Night Out

I met up with some of the play group moms last night for dinner.  I guess Gabe's never seen me apply make-up.  (I don't wear it often; and when I do, he's not usually at my heels like a girl might be, I guess).  Anyway, last night both Gabe and Zach were at my heels.  I was trying to get ready when Jason was on his way home from work.  So, as I was putting on my blush, Gabe asked, "why are you painting?"  

Later, when I was kissing them good-bye, Zach asked, "you making the money?"  He still thinks that if you're not at home, then you're out making the money.  Love it!

Time To Go Up To Bed

Gabe stayed up later than Zach tonight.  We had some good one-on-one time.  But when I told him that it was time to go up to bed, he launched into one of his tirades.  This is what he said, in a very angry manner:

"I'm going to drive away and put on my seat belt and drive out of this house away from you."

I just looked at him and cracked up.  And then he cracked up, too.  But I love how he added that he was going to put on his seat belt.

Bad Weam

Oh my goodness!  That just broke my heart.  I just got done putting Zach to bed.  As I was putting him into his crib, this is what he said:

Zach:  I scared.

Me:  You're scared?

Zach:  Yea.  I have bad weam.

Me:  Oh, no.  You have good dreams tonight, okay?  And I'll turn your night light on so that you won't feel scared.

Zach: Okay.

Me:  I love you, buddy.

Zach:  I wove you, too.

What??  I cannot believe that he gets it.  He knows that the dark can be scary and that you can have bad dreams!  My baby is growing up.  And he went right down, without crying.  What a love!!

Cool

Lately, Gabe's been very concerned about being "cool."  I can't believe that it starts this young, but I guess it does. 

Being cool means that he's taking more of an interest in what he wears.  If I pick out a shirt that he doesn't deem cool, then he won't wear it.  Instead, he'll search through his drawer until he finds a "cool" shirt, or he'll pull out a shirt and ask me if I think it's cool.  I know that boys are much easier to dress than girls, so I'm not complaining.  I just find it surprising that kids as young as Gabe are so invested in how they look.  I guess it's their way of individuating?

Anyway, we met up with some of Gabe's school friends today at a local park.  During the drive home, Gabe asked if we could get Spider Man stickers, like Joseph's, so that he could be "the coolest."  I tried to tell him that he's already cool just the way that he is; that he doesn't need anything to "be cool" because he's already cool.  And I added that we could buy some stickers just to have, if he really wanted them.  It seemed to work, because he stopped talking about the stickers.  Phew!  Poor bub.  I hope I can help him to feel cool!

Oh, and when we got home, Gabe asked if Joseph could come over later for a "playdate".  I love that he knows the terminology.  He also asked if Joseph could come for a "sleepover" some day.  I did get in touch with Joseph's mom, and they're coming over next Tuesday....!

Today's Gabeisms

We had a "secret" playdate this morning with our friends, Rebecca & Zoe, while Gabe was at school.  The playroom was slightly messy when Gabe got home from school; when he asked what happened, I just told him that Zach and I were playing while he was at school.  Gabe responded:

"You can't make a mess when I'm not home."

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"Watch me do this (climbing up the slide).  That's big boy style."

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"Check this out."   (on the slide again;  must have heard that one at school)

A Delicate Flower

Yesterday, I accidentally bumped Gabe's face with my fingers as I was putting him into his car seat.  When it happened, Gabe said, "Mom, be careful.  I'm a delicate flower."

Gabe's taken lessons from his (sometimes purposefully cheesy) Dad, who often refers to me as "his delicate flower".  Blegh.  Sorry, folks!   At least it makes for a cute story!

"Go Nigh Night" Game

Gabe, Zach, and I have been playing the cutest game ever lately.  The boys tell me that it's time to go "nigh night" and then have me lay down on the couch, "read" a book to me, sing me a song (a real song and they dance around when they sing!), tuck me in with blankets and pillows, bring me stuffed animals, turn off the light, and then run away into the playroom.  Then they come running back to the couch, ask me what's wrong, turn on the light, and I'm supposed to voice a complaint (i.e. I want another story, I need another song, I had a nightmare, I have to go potty, etc.).

Last night, Zach asked me if I had a bad "weam" when they came running back into the room.  Gah!  Too cute.  Then it turned into Gabe turning off the light and Zach standing beside the couch and staring at me for a millisecond before asking me, "wha happen?"  Gabe would turn on the light, I'd voice my complaint, and we'd do it all over again.  It's such a fun game (particularly because I get to lie on the couch), and it's so cute, especially when they actually run in and out of the room to put me to bed and then check on me.  I get to watch Zach run---he literally bounces up and down.  And I get to watch him copy Gabe.  All of a sudden, Gabe is setting the example, and Zach wants to do everything just like his big brother.  Love.

Halloween 2011 Part II

Last night was trick or treating in Lynnfield, (on November 6, 2011!) since the pre-Halloween storm postponed things.  The boys had a great time walking around our neighborhood, getting more candy.  Too bad they weren't just a little bit older to truly appreciate the experience of getting to trick or treat TWICE in one week!  Imagine? 

When we arrived at one house, there was a boy a little bit older than Gabe, who came to the door with his mother to check out the trick or treaters.  Gabe turned to the boy's mom and asked, "Can he join us?"  How cute is that?  Gabe is such a love.  We seemed to be the only family trick or treating in the neighborhood (some houses just put a bowl of candy outside rather than coming to the door), but as we hit our last house, we saw a group of trick or treaters a couple of houses down from where we were.  Gabe yells out to them, "Hey, come join us!  Come join us!"  Again, it was super cute.  He loves a party!

Here are the pics:

getting on our costumes

at our neighbor, John's, house

the spooky decorations at our other neighbor's house

spooky!

more cool pumpkins---the top one is Mickey Mouse

little boy holding Daddy's hand

big boy walking by himself

our last house

checking out our loot!

 

A Deer & Some Pancakes

Zach and I drove my brother-in-law to his former office in Andover this morning.  The office is located in a woodsy area of Andover, and as we were driving back to the highway, I saw a deer munching on some grass right in front of another office building.  I stopped the car and pointed out the deer to Zach.  This how our conversation about the deer went:

Me:  Zach, look!  There's a deer!

Zach:  A deer?

Me:  Yes, a deer.  See him over there?

Zach: Yea, what deer doing?

Me:  I think he's eating breakfast.  See him eating the grass?

Zach:  Deer eating pancakes.

Me:  What?

Zach:  Deer no eat grass.  Deer eat pancakes for breakfast.

Me:  Oh....

Zach:  Deer no like grass.

Dessert

I guess it's time to throw out the Halloween candy and scale back on dessert after meals.  First, Zach asked for a dessert the other day after BREAKFAST!  Trying to explain to a 2.5-year-old why we don't eat dessert after one of our three meals is a difficult task! 

Today, after I gave him goldfish crackers for a snack, he asked for a dessert!  Seriously?  This boy is unreal.  Time to get rid of the sweets in Casa Fredette!

It Must Be Hereditary

My brother-in-law, Jeff, is in town for a couple of days, and he stayed over our house last night.  Unfortunately, he and my sister have always lived out of state, so we don't get a chance to visit him very often; in fact, this was Zach's first time meeting him! 

Throughout the visit, Zach referred to him as, "Auntie Jeff."  When Gabe was little, he used to call Uncle Derek, "Auntie Derek," so it must be hereditary.  Or, better yet, these two little boys have so many Aunties in their lives that they automatically think that all family members are Aunties!  Too funny.  Lucky boys.  Sorry, Uncles!

Halloween 2011 Part I

Due to the October Nor'easter that blew into town the day before Halloween, trick or treating was cancelled in Lynnfield (until Sunday Nov. 6!  Gah!).  And this Nor'easter brought a few inches of snow, too.  In October!  When we went to sleep in the middle of the storm, it felt like we were in the dead of winter!

Anyway, Alanna and Drew were in town, since they lost power in CT.  We were all going to trick or treat together in our neighborhood but when things got cancelled, we came up with the idea of an impromptu Halloween party at Ches Fredette.  A few minutes later, we realized that we could just pile the boys into the car and head to Momo's house in Stoneham, where trick or treating was still on.  So, to Stoneham we went.

And we had a great time!  Daddy met us there on his way home from work, and all three boys got to trick or treat together for the first time.  When we went to cousin Cameron's house, he joined us, too!  It was a great night, and I'm so glad that we thought to head to Stoneham.  Momo has the perfect trick or treating neighborhood.  Here are the pics:

The Snowstorm Shots:

Zach getting dressed for the snow!

uh oh.  my glove's not on right and I'm freaking out!

Gabe getting dressed for the storm, too!

all ready to go out and play in the snow

cutie!

starting to build a snowman

holding the carrot for the snowman's nose

Zach's turn to hold the carrot

we didn't even have time to bring in all of the outside toys before the storm hit

my glove isn't on right and I'm freaking out again!

Henry stole the carrot!

my glove again!!

our (armless) snowman!

pretty good, huh?

Zach was not loving the outdoor time.  Can you tell?

Zach came inside to watch the rest of the snow play from the window

Gabe & Dada making snow angels

snowball fight!

inside for some homemade hot chocolate

believe it or not, I only took a sip.  I didn't even finish my hot cocoa.

"the hot cocoa is warming my belly"

The Trick or Treating Shots:

waiting for baby Drew to arrive and looking for him out the window

a Halloween hug!

where are you, Drew?

Drew's here!

the little lion

three little boys on Halloween

eating dinner before trick or treating

I made the boys take off their costumes to eat (so they wouldn't get food on them...)

Halloween dinner

Zach's ready to trick or treat

two little boys, holding hands & trick or treating

three little boys trick or treating

seriously?

snow on Halloween!

walking down the street

trick or treat!

trick or treat!  (there's Cameron the fireman)

the pumpkins were amazing this year

that's a real person trying to scare the kids

and this is a real person, too, who was following me

another real person---this house was way too scary for the kids!  I averted Gabe's eyes.

back at Momo's after trick or treat (and eating my first Cheez-It)

having so much fun and giving Nanny an impromptu hug

and a hug from Zach, too

eating my Halloween treat!

I love this shot.  He looks a little shell-shocked.

for the second year in a row, Zach ate through a candy wrapper to get to the chocolate (unbeknownst to us)

and he's so psyched!

for real?