A Word For God

Playing on the bulkhead seems to elicit a lot of conversations about God.  We were out in the backyard again this morning and the boys were playing on the bulkhead, when Gabe talked about God again.  He asked if it was true that God can hear everything.  When I said yes, he pointed up to the sky and in a very angry, serious, and loud voice said, "now you listen to me, God."  I immediately suggested that he might want to talk to God in a nicer tone and with different words.  That was the end of that conversation.  He moved on to something else.

Mars & God

At lunch today, Gabe asked, "what is holding Mars?"  Turns out, Gabe was asking about the universe and gravity.  He wanted to know how Mars stays up in the sky.  When I told him that I didn't really know the answer to that (thinking that 4.5 is too young for a gravity explanation) and that we could talk to Daddy (sorry, Jay) about it later tonight, Gabe suggested that we ask God.  As, according to Gabe, "God knows everything."

April Vacation 2012

We had a busy, fun vacation week last week.  We went to Crane's Beach with out friends, Jay, Will & Jack; we met our new occupational therapist; we had our first trip to the dentist; we went to a play place called, Imagine That; and we ended the week with Drew's 2nd Birthday party. 

Yesterday, Gabe came home from school with a drawing that he made about what he did over vacation.  I was thrilled that he remembered that we'd gone to Imagine That (and he remembered the name!).  Imagine That is like a mini children's museum.  There's a play structure with a slide, a bouncy house, arts & crafts corner, pretend grocery store, and a mini theater/stage with dress up costumes.  Good times!  Here's his paper:

"Over vacation I went to Imagine That!"

look at how cute his self portrait is!

posing after coming down the slide at Imagine That

two little boys having fun at Imagine That

slide fun

weeee!

big boy!

playing dress up

our friends, Hendrik & Evelyn came, too!

on the toddler see saws

Evelyn's helping Gabe to put on his knight costume

more dress up at Imagine That

"Cute Little Guys"

We were taking a power walk around the lake in Wakefield this afternoon (with the double jogger), and I promised the boys a trip to the park at the end.  When we got to the toddler park (where we used to play), Zach asked if we'd arrived at the park.  I told them that they're big boys now, so we were going to the other park, where the big boys play. 

In response, Zach said, "we're cute little guys; we're not big boys."  And when I told him that we were still going to the other park, he said, "that's not cool."

Gah!

Spaceship To God

The wind has inspired a lot of God talk lately.  We were playing outside the other day when the wind was blowing again.  Gabe said that he needed to talk to God about "all of this wind."  He then said that we should take a spaceship up to God so that we could talk to him.  In response, I told Gabe that God is everywhere and that he can hear us everywhere; so I suggested that he just talk to God right then and there. 

Standing on top of the bulkhead and yelling at the top of his lungs, Gabe screamed, "God, what is going on with all of this wind?"  And then Gabe said that he could see God above the clouds. 

I Love....

that Zach refers to all of his clothes as jammies (or dammies, sometimes).  I totally forgot about this cute little habit of his until this morning.  It's raining today, and when we got back into the car, Zach said, "oh, no.  My dammies are wet."

Love.  Him.

Thank You, Wind!

The boys were swinging on their swings this afternoon, when a nice breeze blew and Gabe said, "thank you, wind".  He then said to himself, "God is good."

He's such a wise soul - it really is remarkable.  Later, he said, "Hi, Mr. Wind."  And then he asked if I thought if God could hear him talking to the wind. 

And it really was a beautiful, breezy, sunny, wonderful afternoon in the backyard.

Not Again!

As we were about to go into the dentist's office today, Gabe (of course) asked, "Mom, what's after this day?"  I told him that we're going to go to Mom's exercise place after this day (aka after nap).  In a very exasperated tone, Zach replied, "not again!"     (and he's right - we just went there on Monday)

He cracks me up.  I forget how much Zach is listening to EVERYTHING that we say and that he has such strong opinions at times.

First Picnic Dinner

The boys had their first picnic dinner of the season last night.  Now that Zach's out of his high chair, the boys can eat at the table on the deck.  It was a bit distracting for them (to eat outside), but it was such a beautiful day that I hated to be indoors.  I'm hoping that we can share lots more picnic lunches & dinners together.

of course, Henry joined us, too

Dentist Success!!!

I finally took both boys to the dentist today for the first time.  We'd been putting off Gabe's visit for a while, due to his sensory sensitivities.  Thankfully, both boys were angels!  They were so brave and cooperative.  I think it helped that they were both being seen (and at the same time - phew!).  The pediatric dentist was A-mazing!  I can't say enough good things about this office.  I was so impressed that I decided to switch to them (they treat families). 

When they were done with their cleaning, the hygienists gave each of the boys sand buckets, filled with dental favors and treats/toys.  And since both boys were so cooperative, they got to pick out three treasures from the "treasure box" to add to their pile of toys. 

I'm proud to report that both boys are cavity-free!  As a result, they got their picture taken, and it's being displayed in the waiting room on the "Cavity-Free Award Board".  Our dentist awards children with a dollar if they are cavity free for two visits in a row.  How wonderful are they?  I'm one happy Mama today.

first time at the dentist!

being so brave!

"I'm cavity-free!"

first trip to the dentist!

he looked CRAZY cute in the dental chair

"I'm cavity-free, too!"

Plant This Fresh Air

Gabe LOVES to bring me "flowers" aka dandelions.  I think I have his father to thank for this.  You see, Jay buys me flowers almost every weekend.  How lucky am I?  I adore that Gabe is following in his father's footsteps.  Like Jay, Gabe is going to make a future wife one very happy lady someday.

When Gabe brings me a flower/flowers, he always says (direct quote):  "Plant this fresh air."  Today, we returned home from a long commute and morning in Acton, where we met with a new occupational therapist.  We were stuck in traffic for over an hour on the way there, Gabe had a bit of a difficult time with the new therapist, and then we had a long drive home.  As soon as we got home, I sent the boys outside to burn off some energy before naps.

Before I could make it outside to join them, the door opens - and I have to admit - I was a bit perturbed.  You see, if I'm inside for even a few minutes to go to the bathroom, start cooking lunch/dinner, etc., Gabe knocks on the door or opens the door constantly to report on Zach or tell me some "emergency" about the state of the backyard.

When the door opened this afternoon, I cringed just a tiny bit.  I thought for sure that they'd be so into being outside in this 80 degree, sunny afternoon that there wouldn't be a problem first thing.  Anyway, when he walked inside, Gabe had a dandelion in his hand and he said, "here, Mom.  Plant this fresh air."  My heart melted and all of the tension that I felt (from our commute, visit, and the sound of the door opening seconds after they went outside) just magically went away.  No better feeling in the world.  And when I came outside, he had a "bouquet" of dandelions.  And he said "bouquet"! 

Love.  Him.

A Learning Lesson For Mama At The Beach

How could I forget the concreteness of a toddler?  Well, yesterday I was reminded and learned a good lesson to always speak very specifically.

We went back to Crane's Beach yesterday, since it was 89 degrees outside!  Yep.  89 degrees in April!  It truly looked like the 4th of July on the beach - it was that packed.  In fact, they had to close the parking lot, as it was filled to capacity!

Anyway, shortly after we arrived, Gabe asked if he could take off his underwear.  I'd dressed him in underwear, a bathing suit, sweat pants, fleece jacket, etc.  Every other time we've been to Crane's this early in the season, they've needed layers.  Well, yesterday was a different story.  So, we took off Gabe's underwear, and he announced that he needed to go pee-pee.  I told him that he'd need to go in the water (the bathhouse isn't open, yet; and the porta-potties are wretched). 

I'm sure you know where this story is leading.  Silly Mama.  I forgot to explain how you go to the bathroom in the water.  I guess I assumed that he remembered from last year.  Bad assumption.  So, I'm sitting with Zach up on our towel, and I watch Gabe by the water.  All of a sudden, his bathing suit falls below his bum.  I'm thinking that the suit is too big (which it kind of is), and I start to yell for him to pull up his suit.  Next thing I know, I see an arc of pee going into the water.  What? 

According to Jay's mom, who was with us at the beach, she saw the arc and the next thing she saw was me right beside Gabe.  I ran up to him so fast and put my hand down to stop the madness.  Of course, I had to explain to Gabe that it was my fault - I forgot to tell him how to go pee pee in the water.  As I was explaining it to him, he was quite surprised that it was okay to go through his bathing suit (can't blame him - that's an odd concept).  He didn't really approve of method; but he did it, even with his friend laughing at the tinkle dripping down his leg.  Poor bub.  I hope that's the last time that happens!!

Gabe's First Bike Ride Without Training Wheels!

Gabe tried riding his bike without training wheels over the weekend.  He still needs someone to hold onto the back of the bike to keep his balance, but he's working very hard to do it on his own!

big boy!

who's that on Gabe's bike!

Baby Drew wanted a turn, too!

always touching Baby Drew

Gabe's First Red Sox Game!

Jay & I took Gabe to his first Red Sox game yesterday!  It was a 1:35 pm game on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and we were playing Tampa Bay.  We had lunch around the corner from Fenway Park, took a quick walk up Yawkey Way (the noise was too loud for our little one), and then found our seats to ready for the game.  As we predicted, Gabe lasted 3 full innings before he was ready to leave.  He did great at the game, got to witness a home run, and had fun eating lots of popcorn.  It was the third game of the home-opening series, and the Red Sox won!  In a few years, we'll be able to head to Fenway as a family!

Gabe's ticket

Gabe's Red Sox Yearbook - given to him at the restaurant

walking to the game

at lunch

got my glove and waiting for a fly ball