In the Middle

Gabriel and Joseph were fighting over the same toy.  Jojo had brought the toy to the den and had gone outside to play.  While he was outside, Gaby decided to take it apart and play with it his way.  Jojo was not happy and wanted his toy back.  'Finders, keepers' doesn't fly with Jojo.

Gaby:  "You're so bossy, Jojo!"

Jojo: "That means I'm the boss."

Finally, the boys' friend, Jackson, intervened:

Jackson:  "I'm the middle child, too, Gabriel.  Just deal with it. You'll never get your way."

At least they didn't fight over pumpkins yesterday.

Gaby's Big 6th Birthday

I finally located the pictures that were downloaded from my camera.

We celebrated Gabriel's birthday on the 2nd.  This year it was pretty easy to plan the party because he did it all, from the invitations to the Green Lantern cake.  We bowled, played bean bag toss, and had a pinata.  In between planned games, the boys "partied" downstairs to loud music and played with toys in their room.

Nana came from Tennessee as well.  His actual birthday fell during the week, so we had our first birthday cake that night.

We had a couple friends over on the day of his party.  We ended up with a huge cake that was made by mistake.  Instead of blue teeth, this year we ended up with green teeth (Gaby's favorite color). 

Gaby's classmate marveled, "Gaby, you don't act like this at school.  You're crazy!"  We were pleasantly pleased, yet puzzled, as to why he doesn't act this usual way at school. Gaby said, "Because at school I'm bored and I just want to stay home."

We encouraged Gaby to have the party at the skating rink, but he was more excited about having friends over.  I think this was the first time he's had a party at home, and he planned it well. 

This year we all got him Legos for his birthday.  We have about a gazillion sets in his room and he enjoys building things with them. 

Gaby baby, please don't grow up too fast my cuddly sweetheart.

Bathroom Graffiti

It was a(nother) rainy day and Gaby was bored.  He had the bathroom and Mommy's makeup to himself.  One person's paraphernalia is another's drawing instruments.

I saw what looked like a drawing on the !*&! pedestal curtain.

Oh. My. Gosh. It looks like lipstick.

I checked my lipstick.  Gaby -- I knew immediately who to blame -- had used my favorite lipstick for his drawings.  Oh, but there was another drawing on the shower wall.  This I didn't take pictures of because by now I realized he had used my mascara and eye shadow for that piece of artwork.  He also decorated Jojo's hair with my hairspray.

My initial wave of anger slowly gave way to curiosity about those pictures.  Who are those people, Gaby?  That's me and Jojo, and that's Christian over there.  Are you and Jojo hugging?  No, we're not hugging! We're walking together.

I texted the evidence to Mike and, of course, he laughed and commented, "At least they're happy pictures."

And they are!  Look at the hearts, the whimsical drawings.  They are indeed happy depictions of his feelings, perhaps.  Or of his love for his brothers -- I'm getting carried away now. 

I was reminded of Randy Pausch. I never met him, but he was the type of person I would've liked to have known, and I know I would've learned much from him.  He gave his last lecture four years ago at Carnegie Mellon University, and I always remember this:  a photograph of his childhood room. His parents let him draw and paint on the walls of his room.  Two paintings that struck me were of an elevator door and a secret passage to Venus. Here's a video of his sister showing Randy's room.

In Randy's last lecture, his childlike demeanor and wonderment come through as he talks about his dreams.  And what dreams this Ph.D. had, many of which he achieved.  The heartwarming talk can be seen here.

Gaby doesn't take himself too seriously and I am glad that he and his brothers don't -- this in an age where we're supposed to be uptight, education fussbuckets because that is what is valued more than anything. I want them to value learning, yes, but also beauty, friendship, and dreams. Dreams are worthwhile, and that's what Randy teaches.  It's the journey of reaching our goals that is the most important part of learning, not just learning for the sake of a degree or Ph. D.  Watching the movie 'Rudy' the other night reminded me of this, too.  Rudy was on the mediocre end of the spectrum in comparison to Randy's natural academic abilities. And Rudy met lots of brick walls, which, Randy says, are there for a reason. Both had dreams that were probably not within the realm of their natural abilities, but their determination led them to places they never believed they could get and inspired countless others.  But I digress.

Gaby's a pretty smart kid, but he is also imaginative, creative, oh so funny and, at times, frustrating.  After I got over my anger and asked him about the drawings, I praised his work and reminded him to ask for paper, crayons, watercolors -- whatever -- when he decides to work on his next project.

Taco Man

The other day Gabriel heard me speaking with Tio Alberto on the phone.  Gabriel later gave me his impression of Spanish being spoken:

"Do you have a taco?"
"Yes, I have a taco."
"Do you have a taco?"
"Yes, I have a taco."
"I'm the taco man!"

His inflection was pretty accurate.  Later in the week he told me that a person who was dressed up in a taco costume was at school.  It didn't make sense to me either.  But I still had to ask his teacher.  Remember how Christian's 'small camera' story back in kindergarten was lost in translation?  So, I took my chances when I confirmed with Gabriel's teacher the upcoming parent-teacher conference.

Hello!

That time is good for me!

Gabriel was running a fever yesterday, so I'll keep him home today. I've left word with the attendance line.


Thanks,
Elena


p.s. Was there a 'Taco Man' at school?

Yesterday I told Gabriel that I'd written to Mrs. W to ask about the 'Taco Man', and that's when he and Christian told me that they were just joking.  I still haven't heard back from Mrs. W.

I blame Mike -- he always tells the boys tall tales.  Like when he told the story about how their Latina mama met their dad.  Or how he tells the kids to go along with a joke to pull on their mama (see 'comments' in the story below.)  Oh boy.

I
should've
known.

He Said She Said

Gabriel:  "Today is not a fun day!"

Mom:  "Of course --  It's not supposed to be fun when you're grounded!"

An Errand

Today Gabriel is home from school and we needed to return a movie we had rented, but instead of driving he wanted to ride bikes to the store.  So we set out on our long ride.  What a gorgeous semi-overcast day.  Jojo, who neither has a good bike for longer rides nor the stamina, had to ride in the bicycle seat.  As you can see, he was not so thrilled.

We stopped at a little playground along the way. 

I was relieved because we were almost to the traffic light where the store is located.  Gabriel did a fine job following me and stopping at intersections and cross streets.  As we were preparing to walk our bicycles across a busy street two cars cut us off, so Gaby learned why we need to walk - not ride- across busy intersections. 

Then we hoofed it home, but I needed to stop to figure out the gears on the bike.  Finally, I removed the cute little basket on the front to fix the problem, but lost my balance and down went the bike and Jojo in a slow free fall as I tried to hold the now detached basket and bicycle with him in it.  Jojo learned why he needs to wear his seatbelt at all times, and I learned that the kickstand is not very reliable when anyone is sitting in the attached child seat.

Gaby said, "Watch, Mommy!" He tried to 'pop a wheelie', and his next trick was to ride with one hand. He really likes his bicycle.  Both he and Christian want skateboards, but I'm not as worried about Christian riding because he's more cautious. 

Then we got home an hour later and we had a nice lunch.  The route we took must be around three or four miles, and I was impressed that Gaby kept up.

After lunch, Jojo went outside for awhile to ride his bicycle.  He informed me that he told some barking dogs to "shut it down".  He must've heard that phrase from his friend, the dogs' owner.  For some reason "keep it down", which I say about 20 times a day around here, hasn't resonated with him.

Poor Bored Kindergartener

Jumping is not boring

Posing is not boring

Christian and Gabriel were working in their workbooks this evening when Gabriel informed me that his teacher acts "mad" at him.  Apparently she does not say "hello" when Gaby greets her.



Me:  "Were you disrupting the class?"  (This would not be a surprise.)

Gaby: "No! There is a different boy who told a funny boy, 'I like hot dog BUTTS!'" ('Butts' happens to be Gaby's favorite word of late.)

Me: "Is the boy's name Gabriel?"

Gaby: "His name is Isaiah."  (Hmmmm....'Isaiah' is a hard name to make up.)

Me:  "Well, obviously the teacher is annoyed with Isaiah if he says words like that.  You know I don't like those words either."

Gaby: "Well, I don't say anything in class because I'm bored! I sit like this [chin on hand] and I'm quiet."

Me: "Kindergarten is not supposed to be boring!  Don't you have work to do and don't you have toys to play with?"

Gaby: "The Legos are boring there.  They are missing the little mans.  And the other toys are boring, too!"

Me: "Are you sure you're not goofing off like you do here?"

Gaby Mister Logical: "No! If it was fun I would talk and be more louder!"

I'm really not sure if I prefer him being bored (and good) or interested (and in trouble).

Tucker the turtle is not boring, even when he pees

Playing at Petland is not boring

There's Smart...



All dressed up for his 5th birthday last month! His chose his outfit himself. Gaby wanted a Batman tie for his birthday, but, alas, it is a difficult article of clothing to find.

 This morning Gaby reminded me that a special show was going to be on March 29th.  I asked him how he knew that, and Gaby said that he had seen it on television. I told him he was smart.  Gaby replied, "There's smart, and there's Kmart smart!" 





A Batman cake that stained our fingers and teeth blue. The first non-truck cake Gaby has chosen - ever.

This Makes Gaby Giggle

Uncle Pecos always made us laugh when we'd see him on Tom and Jerry after school. Gaby got excited when this episode came on today.  "Hey, that funny show is on! Watch it with me, Mommy!"  Gaby loves how he plays the guitar, taps his boot, and blows his whiskers as he stutters through the 'cram-bowl' song. Where have all the good voice actors gone -- the ones who played those with disabilities with such heartwarming sweetness? 

Teacher's Pet(s)

Last week, Jojo and Gaby started their first year of preschool.  Jojo is with the two-year-olds and Gaby is with the four/five-year-olds.

They have backpacks, snack bags, and lunch boxes to bring each day.  I'm glad they only go twice a week. 

When I dropped them off at their classrooms, Gaby looked at me wide-eyed and said, "But I don't have any friends."  By the end of the day he had made some friends.

I dropped off Jojo at his classroom next, and while he was distracted playing with toys I left.  One poor mother was sobbing as she left.  I felt like crying, too.  But I also had a "party in my tummy" (as my nephew Anthony would say) -- I had time to breathe and get things done at home.  I now have a few free hours to study, clean house, or have a chat with a friend. 

Mike, Christian and I picked up the kids later.  Gabriel came running out and said excitedly to all within earshot, "Mommy! Mommy!  I was good today; I didn't say bad words and I didn't have to go to the principal's office!"  Christian had had a serious talk with Gabriel earlier at the bus stop; he let Gaby know what to expect at school and went over some of the rules with him.  I think Daddy had also given Gaby a stern warning, too.  When we picked up Jojo, we found him standing by the doorway, glaring at us.  He said, "You. Left. Me. He-ah."  His teacher told us he had been happy earlier, though.

Today was their second day and Jojo didn't even blink when I left.  I told him goodbye and said I'd be back soon to pick him up.  Then he ran off to play with toys.  Gaby also had a good day at school.  He tried to make a boomerang (this month they're studying Australia), but it really doesn't look like one.  He must have inherited my artistic abilities.  Gaby decided it's a truck without wheels instead and that's a pretty accurate description. Today Jojo's teacher said that Jojo covered his ears when a little girl in his class was crying.  He does not like loud noises (like Gaby).  She asked me to warn him about music class as the teacher will be playing the piano on Wednesday.  We're going to try pullups and potty training soon, and I'm so glad his teachers will help. Oh, the agony!

Blase big brother at little brother's game.

They learned how to throw the ball in.

He learned to aim for the goal.

Gaby and Christian also started soccer last week.  Gaby had his first practice and game on Saturday.  I love when they play soccer at his age! Sometimes goals are made for the other team, and the kids all run in clumps.  One thing they practiced is spacing, but it didn't always translate on the field.  Gaby was excited by the cheering and waved at Daddy while he was running on the field. Gaby's team is the Dragons and Christian plays on the Blue Magic team. 

"Are They Going to Put Pinchy Things on Me?"

Gaby has many doctors: there's his physician, ENT doctor, allergist, and sleep disorders doctor. He is not a sickly child, but he has issues with sinuses, has had ear tubes, frequently has tonsilitis &/or strep while his brothers do not, and in the near future he may have to have his tonsils and/or adenoids removed, which required having a sleep study.

He did so well the other night when he had his sleep study at the lab. Mike went with him and said it took about a half hour to put the electrodes on his head, around his face, and around his stomach and lungs, and an oxygen monitor on the finger. They had time to watch 'Shrek' for about half an hour before lights going off at 10:00 PM and 'wake up call' at 5:30 AM. What a trooper he was.

And even though Gaby had all that goo in his hair and it was standing on end, they went for pancakes that morning. And then he was ready to go play with his cousins who are visiting this week from Dallas!

A Day in the Park

Recently I was able to re-connect with my cousin, Lisa, who was like a sister to me when we were young.  Many years had passed since we had last seen each other, but we have fun reminiscing and we remember the same stories. Especially about the mud hole and the moped.  She now has three beautiful children, Aaron, Emma, and Ingrid.  Our kids get along real well and I am grateful to have them in my life.  Aaron is closest in age to Christian.

One day last week we went to the park with the kids.  Gaby and Aaron, who are both daring and rambunctious, went on the tire swing while some 'big kids' spun them round and round.  As they were spinning, I headed towards the swing to make sure they were not getting sick.  Gaby, whose adrenaline was pumping, turned to Aaron and yelled, "We're gonna rock and roll!" 

Here is Emma on the right with her friend Trinity.

And here is Lisa with Ingrid on the right.

Here's to more good memories and fun times. Rock and roll, indeed.

Not so Swimmingly for Some

I enrolled Christian and Gaby in swim lessons. Christian swims quite well underwater and loves using his mask as he glides through the pool.

Here is Gaby swimming with his class playing. 

I went through the Five Stages of Grief within three days in trying to get Gaby to join his class. 

Stage 1:  Denial ("I know Gaby really wants to go swimming. We'll try again tomorrow.")

Stage 2:  Anger ("Why me?! I just paid for him not to go swimming!  &@&! You are going swimming, Mister!")

Stage 3: Bargaining ("I'll buy you an ice cream if you'll go swim with your class! We'll go to the Dollar Store and buy some toys!")

Stage 4: Depression ("Why bother trying to encourage this child to have fun and swim?")

Stage 5: Acceptance ("This child will always test my outer limits. Just accept it calmly when he does not want to do something and he will come around eventually.")

And he never went. He is that stubborn.  But he did want to go on the last day, which was when they turned on the sprinklers in the pool playground/slide.  I told him too bad he didn't want to go swimming because he's now missing out on the fun. Gaby did have a slight twinge of regret in his eyes.  I hope his first soccer experience this fall goes a little better.

Potty Protest

Everyone knows that our middle child, also known as weasel tot #2, is a handful. But this time Gaby, urine big trouble. He's been marking his territory and leaving his mark wherever he goes.

For the past several months we've caught Gaby peeing in various places besides the toilet. It's been frustrating to say the least! Mike caught him about to pee in Aunt Patsy's closet on her new carpet a few months ago.

I became upset when I noticed the stench besides Christian's and Gaby's beds recently and it reeked of pee. Could Gaby have done that I wondered? It was too late to find out unless he was caught in the act. My mother also noticed some yellow stains behind a chair in the study room and behind her night stand. These are just a few examples of what we have noticed lately.

On Sunday I trimmed some bushes outside and as I was admiring my work I noticed a little boy's bottom through the branches of a bush, right next to the sandbox.

I ran back outside and caught Gaby peeing by the bush. Luckily, he hadn't urinated into the sandbox.

"Gaby, why are you not using the potty?!" I asked/yelled.

Gaby replied, "I forgot." This seems to be his standard reply when he is caught.

And last night as he changed into his pajamas I reminded him to use the bathroom before bed. Did he do that? No. When I was distracted by Jojo I caught Gaby in his closet. He quickly ran out when I found him there.

"What are you doing, Gaby?" I asked.

"Nothing," he quickly said and off he ran.

I took a closer look and noticed a wet keyboard toy and wet carpet! Oh. My. Gosh. Steam came out of my ears and Mike took over.

Mike and I began to think about it and we know that Gaby seems to really be bothered by the flushing sound. Many times we find surprises in the potty and we have had to remind Gaby to flush. I guess he knows better than to go #2 anywhere else. His right ear tube is also coming out of his ear drum and the sounds could be a little louder than normal, too.

Gabriel's new instructions are to NOT flush the toilet and to let one of us know so we can do it for him. If this doesn't work I will have to find a Potty Whisperer.

Now these adults should know better! They actually contacted the TV station to protest the lack of port-a-potties at a local park by allowing them to film footage of their potty breaks.

More Funny Quotes

Gaby got tired of Mommy reminding him to stay away from the rock fountain at her favorite coffee place.
"Mommy! If you keep telling me to stay away from the fountain, I will do it. So stop telling me!"
Gaby (4 years; 3 months) 5/14/10

When Jojo heard the music in the movie we saw last night at the theatre he exclaimed,"Lady Gaga!"
Jojo (2 years; 7 months) 5/14/10

Brothers Playing Nicely

"When I'm bigger I can play the DS, but right now I'm a little bigger."

Gaby (4 years; 2 months) 3/31/10

"Mommy, Gaby gross."

Jojo (2 years; 6 months) 4/18/10

Jojo is tired of the paparazzo sneaking a photo as Gaby gasses up the car.

Gaby's Big Day

Gaby's birthday cake --

a construction zone with trucks,

dirt and icing - yummmm

For the third year in a row, Gaby chose a cake with dump trucks and dirt. 

Gleefully we sang the birthday song for our guiter-strumming, truck loving, machine infatuated, furniture and wall destroying, forgetful toilet flusher, adorable lisping boy wonder....

And he got trucks, trucks, and more trucks for his birthday -- even  a drill & screw driver tool with which to take apart the truck they came with.  He couldn't be more thrilled!

Christian and his friend Derek found a quiet corner to play his DS game...away from the balloons, babies, screaming kids, and big people...

Gaby baby, you rock!

I Yike the Way He Yaks

This fall I started the speech-language pathology program at UNM and I'm taking three courses: Intro to Phonetics, Phonological Disorders of Children, and Language Development. It'll be a long road to completion of a Masters in SLP. What I especially am interested in is how children develop language/reading skills because of the different stages that each of the boys are at. Gabriel has by far the most interesting vocabulary and it is changing as he grows up (that's part of the reason I blog!). For the longest time he would say 'mocoyo' for motorcycle, and I continually have problems understanding what he is trying to say because of his lisp and way of speaking. Sadly, Christian usually has to translate for pathetic me. Every time we view videos of babies and toddlers speaking in one of my classes, I marvel that I have three little case studies right in front of me. Gaby still pronounces the /l/ sound like /y/ as in "you".

The other day my parents took the kids to McDonald's to play while Mike and I went out. We were in serious potty training mode for Gaby last week so that he could begin preschool this week. Unfortunately, I had to pull him out of his class because he is not "fully potty trained" as required . I'll live.

Anyway, while at McDonald's Gabriel told Grampa that he needs to go to the bathroom. When they entered, Gaby pointed outside the stall and told Grampa to wait there.

Grampa heard the toilet flush about three times and wondered what was happening. He asked him, "Is everything ok?"

No response. So Grampa cracked the door open and peeked inside.

Gaby was sitting on the commode with his eyes shut tightly and hands covering his ears. Apparently, each time he tried to move, the automatic flusher would go off.

Gaby told Grampa, "I don't yike it. It's too yowd!"

The Best Way to Find Out about a New Product: Have an Accident!

Mother's Day was great, yet a little eventful. Towards the end of the day, Jojo had a big fall which resulted in a gash on the head. I should've remembered Mike has a weak stomach as he handed me the poor bleeding babe. Mike did not do so well during my labor/delivery; He cheered me on from the headboard part of the bed and out of his mouth came one long sound, "Oohh...uggghhhh...whoa," as each bundle of joy made his first appearance in the world. I did not come close to fainting as I had with the finger incident a couple months ago. Of course, my dad was there to assist and that kept me calm. Did you know there is a spray-on (or paint-on) bandage product which holds wounds together? Kind of like Super Glue.

Christian enlisted Mama G.G. to go hunting for lizards in Yaya & Grandpa's yard.

There is Jojo with his bandage covering his "pupa" (poo-pah). The next day we went to the duck pond at UNM campus.
The boys fed the ducks some bread.
I sat in the shade to watch them. The sound of the fountain was relaxing until a certain thought entered my head.

Have I mentioned potty training Gaby? Well, it looks like he will not be potty trained by the time preschool starts. I've tried bribes, threats, cheering, and silly potty dances to no avail.

I leaned back to stare at the leaves above me against the wide blue sky and took a deep breath. Serenity now!