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....!