Christmas Vacation Productions

Our little break has lent itself to my boy & girl teaming up for some live action. Thankfully, I always have my phone (camera!) nearby & can get it all on camera in a unsuspecting fashion.

So, when this little 'drama' was set to begin, I got a request for a song. "something slow Momma" Flynn directed me. 'To the Sea' sounded like a good idea.

Next act was apparently the scene where the baby (conceived by the first dance?) was born.

And next, a grocery shopping trip with the baby -- now turned toddler.

I hope I never forget these moments.

Happy 6th Birthday Gabe

Dear Bubby,
Wow, I never thought the day would get here when I would wish my little Buddy a SIXTH birthday wish.
There's very little part of you that's 'baby' & that makes your momma pretty sad. It helps though that you love me so much & show so much love to me. Makes it easier that you are so sweet & thoughtful...it seems like you will never be a tough guy.
This year you left your preschool life & began your school career as a kindergartner. You started that path of life with an over sized backpack & a new pair of shoes. You uncertainty was matched by mine & I couldn't believe that my baby left every shred of babyhood behind.
This year you had many firsts...

• baseball - you were a part of the "Blue Jays" & you did more dancing than anything but ended the season as a boy of summer
• gaming - that ds we bought you Santa brought you, was just the beginning in your addiction. sheesh.
• Branson's "Silver Dollar City" & the many coasters it boasts - it was worth each of the four over-priced tickets we bought, to see you raise those tiny hands of yours & yell, "Woo Hoo".

You enjoyed Halloween as a Chef. You got to know your neighbor & count him as a friend. You cried less at preschool & church. And you picked out fish as your one & only pets.
You learned the sign language for "I Love You" & never let me leave (not even for the grocery store or a stroll around the block) without pressing that sign against my mirrored hand.

My wishes for your sixth year include a confidence in yourself, but God first. I pray for you to grow more self-sufficient but never lose your attachment for Daddy, Flynn, & me. I hope you keep your sweet nature, even as you grow in your adolescence. And as you grow your faith & learn more about Who created you, it's my hope that you take the paths God has set before you in your tiny life.

God keep you safe. God keep you healthy. God bless you my baby boy.

With a love that you won't understand for a really long time.
Love,
Momma

True Grit

I turned the tv to AMC & an older western was on. This immediately snagged my boy's attention as his personality as of late is cowboy, cowboy, cowboy.
He turned & stopped his racetrack building momentarily & watched the gun-slinging & lady-grabbing.
Next he said, "We need to tell Papa this is on...."
---deep thought---
"Sometimes I wish Papa wasn't my Papa, so him could be my friend."

My Baby & Kindergarten Testing

How, how, how could my BABY be going to Kindergarten?! Seriously!!!

So, we made it very official. I took 1/2 day off of work & picked him up at school promptly at 12:20 pm, just as I'd promised.

My date looked very handsome. His hair was 'piked. And he had on a polo.

He took me to my favorite [only] Mexican restaurant in town. We shared conversation...about Lucy.... and Sammy at school, and how close his new classroom will be to mine.
We saw a sewage truck go by & Gabe noted the size of the truck. Then insisted on knowing the truck's purpose.
All this over chips & salsa.

He made me tell the story again, about why we had his birth certificate with us & grinned while I told him that he'd need that when he goes to get his marriage license with his wife.

He proudly held my hand into my school building & greeted everyone as I directed him to. He aced the test with flying colors answers & was very confused when we got home
& I had to tell him
that school
doesn't start
for another
five
months.

Gabe Update, 2/20/11

Gabe...

• loves cars & trucks
• loves his momma, being at home with her, & days OFF of school
• wants to stay in his pj's every morning
• loves sweets & candy
• likes to craft
• likes being with family
• is loyal to his friends
• likes his stuffed lizard, "Scooby" & his stuffed manitee (from Aunt Gi)
• is musical
• is so sensitive & is very honest
• talks a lot about heaven
• still has somewhat of a speech delay & talks A LOT
• loves to give hugs & love
  

Moobs

Our Gabe is a funny boy --- says what he's thinking & means what he says.
After a shower with Daddy, he was hanging out, sitting outside of the shower & watching Daddy's every move.

Gabe looked at Dad's chest. Looked at his own. Then said what he was thinking,
"Hey Daddy?... (reaching out & pointing to his little bosom)
....when I grow up?, are these gonna get big?..... like Mom's?....and....YOURS?"

And Jeff immediately started a new diet plan.

"Guy Rockets"

Flynn is in the bright/pre-gifted education at school. Our school calls it, "Sky Rockets."
One of her assignments was to take a bag & fill it with 20 unique things. She chose things like photos of her & gabe in a photo booth, trinkets, Mad Science make and takes, lip gloss, a shell from the beach & at least one of her favorite rocks.

This collection took a couple of weeks to obtain. And the whole family got in on the selections.

Fast forward a couple of months. The scene is Gabe showing Flynn something "neat" & Flynn's typical excitement for all things neat Gabe shows her.
The best though, was the response Gabe gave her...

"Finn!, Finn! You can take it to GUY ROCKETS!!"

Snuggie Twins

Flynn got her "Princess" snuggie from the Frosts for her birthday. Gabe won his at 'Rob Your Neighbor'.
These snuggies are an important ingredient (along w/ a movie & a toasty fire) for a perfect snowy afternoon.

Space Cowboy

This handsome wrangler strolled into my room to find me to tell me & tell me a very important announcement....

"Me the SPACE COWBOY."

Now either this kid has been listening to the Steve Miller Band. Or he has taken his love for Toy Story to the next level & combined Woody & Buzz.

Awake Enough for I LOVE YOU

Last night, I went into check on the kiddos & cover them up like I always do. Flynn, my heavier sleeper, doesn't so much as stir -- even if I cause cause a little wind on her when the blanket breezes her sweet lil' face.
But Gabe, my lighter sleeper, wakes up when the I darken his doorway.

So after covering him up & tripping over his toys as I find my way back out, I hear him,
"Momma! Momma!.....
I yuv you."

I love that he isn't short on I love you's.
Even in the middle of his sleep.

Tricks & TREATS

She's a tricky one, that girl! And my buddy, he makes me want to kiss the cook!

So our Halloween was different this year than the years past. This year we started the tradition of trickin' & treatin' in our own subdivision.
KK joined us as 'Weekend Vampire' a rock band & we pounded the candy-giving pavement.

My Grandchildren

So Gabe tells me randomly tonight that he & his wife are going to have 2 sons. "And dat's it. No stisters."

I was both amused & surprised by this announcement, "Oh, what about your wife, what if she wants to have another in hopes of having a daughter? Some mommas want to try for a daughter."

"Nope. No girls. .... Well... okay, maybe I will. Yep- Me gonna have seven babies."

Flynn chimes in at this point,
"Gosh Gabe, that's a lot of babies. That's a lot of dirty diapers!"

Then he reasons it out & informs us,
"My wife will change them."

I'll try to keep this conversation from his future wife.

Typical Saturday Morning at the Perrys

Listen for Gabe, halfway through, telling me to "turn off the radio; I want to sing the word of God." & by that, I think he means, "church songs".

Flynn has such monkey toes-- proof in that she can hold something between her toes THROUGH footed pjs.

My Buddy

My boy is the lovin'est kid ever.
He's never short an 'I love you.' He always has x's & o's for me.
He is truly, my love.

Sunday Sickie With Sentiments

My boy was sick Saturday night, 103.5 temp. Sunday morning, we were obviously (even tho he felt better) not going to take Gabe to church.
He was NOT happy. Not. At. All.
It's my month for leading worship in KidsPoint so I had to let Jeff stay home with him while my girl & I went to church.
This made him even LESS happy.

But he was thrilled when I walked in the door that morning after church. His greeting was, "I yove you Momma."
Then he told me a few minutes later,
"You are the BEST Momma."

That my little buddy, is the best thing you could ever say to your momma.

Almost As Good as my Recliner

I love coming home, exhausted & tired-footed, & plopping down in my soft recliner.

But EVEN BETTER is sitting here tonight watching Gabe...

He's playing 'DJ Hero' (a mix-master wii game) wearing camouflage cut-off pants and COWBOY BOOTS.
It's almost too much. And I love it.

Despite His Verbal Challenge

My boy managed to spit out the funniest thing tonight after dinner, even though 1/5 of what he says is unintelligible.

He was eating dinner, just him & me. He finished his delish corndog & carrots meal, wiped his mouth, asked to be excused & stood to his feet. Looked at me & said,
"I'm eternally grateful."

Shaking His Money-Maker

Okay, so I had been discouraging Gabe from BENDING OVER & SHAKING HIS REAR END in front of others.

The next day, he wakes up with this announcement, "alright, the Perrys not like shaking them booties anymore."

Sometimes You Don't Know Whether or Not to Laugh or Puke

Gabe: Me yike the mell of burps.

That'll make a momma proud.

Puddle Jumpers

It was a very rainy May. VERY rainy.
What better to do when the sky opens up?
Put on your boots & do some puddle-jumping.

These boots are nearly the same size.

A special (muddy) rock that Flynn found (& was quite proud of too, by the way).

It's funny how Flynn seems to have springs in her feet. Of course, when you have on rain boots, everything is magical.