A Gabe-ism

Gabriel has really been struggling as of late. He is a whirlwind of mixed emotions wherever he goes. We are both very concerned, but hopeful that we will figure him out and implement strategies etc that will help him be happy and successful.

One of the most endearing qualities of Gabe is his massive sensitivity and sweetness. Usually it comes out of nowhere and quickly imprints your heart. He loves to cuddle, give a million kisses, laughs loudly, and has a keen sense of humor. It is hard to see him frustrated and unhappy. He has a good, big heart and it is difficult to stay mad or even disappointed at him for long.

Gabe just celebrated his 7th birthday at the end of August. One day he got a BIG present in the mail from Grandpops and Grandma Gloria. He quickly opened it up and was magically gifted with a gigantic crocodile. What a fun surprise!! He carried it around the best that he could, made a bed for it, named it and even read (or rather showed books) to it.

Later that day, he came downstairs and said to me, " I love Grandma and Grandpops for giving me my crocodile. I am going to sleep with it every night (and he does..)".

Here comes his sensitivity out of the blue.... He then says to me, "I wish Grandma Jackie were here. She loved water animals. She would love this present too." I say to Gabe, " You know she really would." and he was on his way.....Gabe was very young when Jackie passed away. Some say that most children do not have a solid memory until they are 5 years old. Gabe was 4 when she died. In his case I do think he remembers.

I was very taken back by his comment. Usually I make my "Gabe-ism" something funny, because he is full of spunk, fire and humor. Today my "Gabe-ism" is how he helps keep the memory alive. I have noticed that he brings up Grandma Jackie especially to Eric at very diverse, special times. The veil can be thin for children and I would like to think that they have a special connection that has lasted through death.

We love our Grandparents dearly and are blessed by their love and example. We also miss Grandma Jackie and wish she was around to see the kids grow. She was very thoughtful and Fall just doesn't seem the same without her.

I love our sweet, funny, energetic, loud and sensitive Gabe. He is the spice in our lives and I am sure when we picked him in heaven, we knew he would be the perfect match for our family....

the perfect match!!

XOXOXOXO

Staples in the noggin

Before

After

Ouch! My brave boy!!

Wise words

Buddies

My boys need sleep. I know all children need sleep, but when my boys do not get enough sleep, they are terrible in all facets of their lives. Gabriel takes a long time to wind down, pair that with Tate trying to decompress and you have a long, tense, night full of nonsense, teasing, bickering, crying and tattle tailing. We had to do something to start the school off right so we split up the boys for sleeping time only. Gabriel remained in his room and had to switch to the bottom bunk and Tate is sleeping in Finn's room. So far, so good. I KNOW they are all sleeping better.

Finn thinks his new roommate is wonderful. If you ask him who sleeps in his room, he will reply, "Tate!" and then he will imitate Tate sleeping and snoring. It is cute. One evening Eric could hear Tate and Finn talking late into the night (not part of the plan, but nice...). I asked Tate about it in the morning and he denied it. Hummm....

I asked Finn who sleeps in his room (just for fun) and he replied, "Tate!" Then I asked him, "What does Tate do?" (It is a Finn phrased question.) and instead of snoring, Finn tells me, " Tate is talking and talking to me!!" BUSTED BY A TWO YEAR OLD!! What a crack up! They are buddies and I love that!!

For now it is a nice, restful arrangement. Everyone knows how I feel about change, but this is working and if my darlings sleep better, mommy sleeps better too!

Movin to the country, I'm gonna eat me a lot of peaches

Our last summer hurrah was peach picking at the Holmstead Farm. Gabe was on a play date with his old primary teacher, but Julie joined us and we picked and picked and picked. We picked an entire bushel plus!! It took me three long mornings to skin the peaches and freeze them. That is some serious peaches!!! I am one happy, smoothie making mommy!! "

Millions of peaches, peaches for ME!!"
~The Presidents of the United States of America

And tomatoes to boot!!! Next year I will learn sauce!! Promise!!

Note to self...

Let's focus on me for a minute.....

I own August. August is my anniversary AND my birthday. Normally I just go with the flow, but this year I was spoiled and I must brag, oops post about it. Eric and my darlings are so nice. I am not sure I earned it all this year, but I will spend the rest of the year trying to....... Let me show you why. For starters, Eric bought me some BEAUTIFUL flowers. I only had the chance to enjoy them for ONE day before leaving on our vacation to Maine. They were spectacular and I was very surprised to get them. Stunning.

Later that night, Eric and I went to Addies (a very yummy restaurant). They asked us if it was for a special occassion and I mentioned that it was our 17th anniversary. This is what they brought us out for one of our desserts. Written in chocolate. So nice.

After dinner we went to an alternative band in concert, MGMT. We love their sound and had a great time. We even got a FRONT ROW JOE parking place and wisked out of there rather than spending the better half of the evening hoping to get out of the parking lot and not being hit by one of the many drunkards there. Awesome anniversary I might say.

Early the next morning, ERIC drove us all to Maine. Check out the speedometer. 12345. Sweet huh? We got there in record time. He flew home to work hard for us on Tuesday. That is really no vacation for him. XO

To celebrate my birthday week, I indulged in lobster, lobster and more lobster. Pam even went down to the dock and got me some fresh lobster for my birthday week dinner. I love lobster. I really, really do.... I wish I had a picture of Pam and that lobster, but I don't so this will have to do. I love you Mr. Lobster. I want to marry you. (Just kidding Eric! You are the only man for me!!) Oh yea, I got the lobster rash from eating too much of it. I didn't care.... Yum!!

While in Maine, I went to an amazing art gallery and bought myself a birthday ring and a birthday purse. The ring is a vintage button from the Victorian and Edwardian era. I think it is beautiful. The band is to die for!! My purse is RED and industrial in style. I don't have a pic and am too lazy to go and get it. I promise to take a pic with it sometime as it is very cool. I also got a cool piece of art for my house. Eric and I picked out that together. I thought I was doing him a favor by getting myself taken care of for my birthday. I should have known better. (o;

Eric flew back up to Maine and drove us home. It was a long drive and he was a champ. I appreciate him so much. It would be impossible for me to do it all by myself. I am too much of a distracted driver and NYC traffic scares me.... The next day we went to Train at the Wolf Trap. The lead singer is such an entertainer and we both enjoyed ourselves tremendously. What a concert!!

I came home to a box from Twist. Twist is my favorite gallery in Oregon and what do my wandering eyes appear, my very own "happy house" from Felix and Olga at Art Department. I love their work and my barn is darling. Thanks P & GG. I LOVE it!!!!!!

Anyway, Eric told me that he got me something for my birthday (yes, I feel very guilty.) and that I should look for it. I have been busy and that expectation got put on the back burner. So.... on Saturday morning he got up early to take our friend to a rally in DC. (Yea!! Glen Beck!!) He let me sleep in and finally when I made my way downstairs, this is what I saw...a VITAMIX!!!! I am thrilled and so spoiled!!! I have wanted a Vitamix for some time, but was waiting for my blender to kick the bucket. Eric is so thoughtful. We have used it a ton so far. Everything has been yummy and I am excited to try it out some more. So, with that I will say it was a good August. I yell too much and don't deserve all the gifts I have received, but I sure love them all. It is great to be a Leo!! Grrrrrr!

Oh, and flowers and a cute butterfly balloon.

And additional blender containers.
And fresh fruit to make yummy stuff with.
And a cookbook.
And some cutting mats.
Wow.

It is great to be me. Lol!!

That's all folks!!