Preschooling It...

This year Gabe and I are doing preschool at home. I have a few reasons.
-He loves being with mom.
-I love having him at home and am very aware of how quickly the time passes.
-I don't have any real need for him to go to pre-school this year.  (I think pre-school can meet real, legitimate needs for some families and can be great fun.)
-I want him to know his ABC's and 123's when he gets to k4.
-It's lots of fun and gives us some scheduled, intentional time together.

We are beginning week four.

So far he's....

Learned L, T, H and I.  (Yes, the alphabet is out of order to help with ease of writing- Grant really questioned my sanity on this point- :)

Made a Days of Creation book.


Memorized three Bible verses (and working on a fourth)- one for each letter of the alphabet we've learned.

Painted.

Glued.


Made a "L" is for lizard treat. (well, I did that, but he was really excited about it.)

Colored.

It does seem that he is going to be left handed.
There have been a few times that he has used his
right hand, but it is only when his left hand blocks
his view- like when he is tracing lines.

Wrote letters- in shaving cream.

Played games.

Sorted.

Counted.

Organized by size.

It's been amazing how much he has loved it. He asks me most mornings when we are going to get started. Not every morning- there have been a few couple of days that he really did not want to do it- so we didn't.

I like that he loves learning and I want that desire to stick around.  
And he's three.

I've used a compilation of sources. I've used tried and true things from my years of teaching and new ideas from the internet.

A few of my favorite sites follow:

Raising Rock Stars

No Time for Flashcards

Totally Tots

Confessions of a Home Schooler

Gabe...

It's so hard for me to believe that our little Gabe is just a few months away from being a three year old.

These days he just keeps us all laughing. Well, that is when he is not trying to annoy the life out of Grant. He typically is just sweet and funny and full of life.

Right now
He does not love haircuts or doctor visits.

He loves Gordon. Loves to chase him, pat him and snuggle him. Gordon graciously tolerates the love.

He likes to have somebody, anybody "play with me" at all times. If you don't move fast enough toward the play zone you will be met with "peeeze pay with me, peeeeze" in the sweetest, desperate tone that I find quite impossible to resist. He ususally says it while holding his face in both hands, staring at me with those big, round eyes.

He loves to eat grape tomatoes for a daily snack.

He does not like to brush his teeth. At all.

He sleeps only in a diaper- no pjs for him.

He makes people smile all through the grocery store, target, walmart, etc. He smiles and waves to just about everyone. If someone doesn't wave back, he worries about them a little. "Her not see me, mama?" or "He not say hi." (By the way, what's the deal with people not waving or saying hi to a two year old. It really doesn't take that much effort and it makes their day. Please wave to little people when they wave or say hi.)

He loves Grant.

He loves to bug Grant.

He loves to build with legos. It amazes me the things he can already make.

He likes playdough, cowboy hats and anything he can turn into a lasso- belts, dog leashes and pipe cleaners. We are sticking to the pipe cleaners. They hurt a lot less when you get lassoed by them.

He loves to hold on to my ear while he is falling asleep at night. It used to be my belly button. I like the ear so much better.

He does not like to hear the word no. He likes to use it, but doesn't like to have it used on him.

He is very independent. If he wants a drink, he goes to fridge gets the juice, gets his cup from the drawer and brings it all to me. Thankfully he can't open the juice yet, because I'm pretty sure he would try to pour it himself. It's not unusual to see him toting the step stool around to turn on lights or try to get to stuff he can't reach. I like his problem solving mind.

He loves to wrestle with his daddy and big brother. He does not like for me to take part in any type of wrestling. I'm not sure if he's afraid I'll get hurt or if he is afraid I'll make them stop. :)

He loves hide and go seek.

He says the cutest things. Some of my favorites...
"Oh wah" for "Oh yay"
"Me, either" meaning "me, too"
"I love you, too"- That's what he says anytime he's saying I love you, even if no-one has said it first.
"Aldight" meaning "alright"
"anybody" meaning no-body
"Me make you laugh?" He asks that alot. It makes him so happy when he makes someone laugh.
The other day he had been playing with his Buzz and Woody, but was finished and had left them in the middle of the floor. I asked him to come pick up his toys. His answer, "They not my toys." Me- "Whose toys are they?" G- "Buzz and Woody are Andy's toys." Very clever. If you've seen the movie, you'll get it.

He loves super heroes. He likes to "knock over the bad guys". He just discovered Larry Boy. That's his new favorite. At least for today.

He does not like to go to Walmart or Target or any store and leave without buying a toy. Sigh. Since we do not buy a toy every time we are there (I know, mean mommy) we've left with him in tears more than once. It is getting better. Slowly, but surely.

He is the sweetest little snuggle bug. Loves hugs. Loves high fives. Loves fist bumps. Loves to be snuggled.

He can throw a fit. Whew. Can he ever.

He doesn't like to sit in time out. But, he does and it usually works like a charm.

He is loved more than he will ever know. Sweet little boy.

Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue

My two favorite parts are when he says "alright" sounds more like "aldight" and when he hits the "button" on his belly to make his "wings" pop out.

Just too cute, this kid.

Rock Stars...

Mama's favorite rock star looking alot like her second favorite Rock Star..




See the resemblance?

First Miata Ride

It's the little things...

Found this on the fridge this morning. It just made me smile. Gabe has a good big brother.

Could he be any cuter?

Bye-Bye, Crib. Hello, Lightening!

Last night we said goodbye to the crib. It was a pretty bitter-sweet moment for me. This was the only piece of baby furniture we had held on to over the years. Both of my boys used it. It was a little hard to let go even though it is definitely time.

But, we gave it to a friend to sell in her yard sale. All the proceeds from their yard sale will go toward the adoption of their little Nick who is waiting to come to his forever home. That made it easier.




After we said good-bye to the crib, we said hello to the "Lightening McQueen" bed otherwise know as "Qweeen bed".

Every part was inspected, climbed on, bounced on and laughed over. He loves it.






Grant was excited for him. This morning Gabe woke Grant up and pulled him into his bedroom to show him the "Qween bed" again. Grant was, as usual, a very good sport.

Silly Boy

Gabe found these pots while I was doing some planting. Each time I took a plant out to put it in the ground, he popped another on one his head. He walked around with these on his head for about an hour while I worked. Yes, he did need a bath before dinner. Silly boy.

This year I may actually have a pretty yard. Gabe loves being outside and he loves "helping" me. His favorite thing to help with is giving the plants water. He'll tell me they are "thirsty" and go get my watering can. When I saw this mini one at Walmart I thought he'd love it. I love it, too. I stay a lot more dry now when we are watering the plants.

He'll love this when he's sixteen...

Yes, they are his brother's undies and socks.
Yes, I did help him get them on after he tried to get the underwear on for about 5 minutes by himself. As soon as the undies where on, he came running over with the socks.
Yes, I did immediately go and get the camera because it was so funny.
Yes, I will do just about anything to accomplish one household task during the day. And no, the laundry is still not all folded.

Playdough

First time playing with playdough. He only tried to eat it once.




Playdough is even better when you get to do it with friends...

"Pint" "Pint"- Music and coloring or painting. Those are Gabe's favorite things these days. Which means Mama spends lots of time listening to guitars, drums and washing painted fingers...

Sweet Moments...

Grant was showing Gabe how to build this afternoon. They made a zoo. I watched and listened while I drank a cup of coffee. I'm so very thankful they have each other.

Must have drums!

Oh, he loves his drums. On this particular morning, though, they were upstairs in his room and mom was down in the den. Since we can not have a morning without a drum solo, and what good is a solo if no-one can hear it, he decided he would carry his drum set down stairs. Thankfully, he can't do much quietly and I heard the commotion. This one is a determined little soul. I love it.

Lunch for Mr. Penguin....

What does a double ear infection look like?

At our house it's a little of this....



And a little of that....

Fingerpainting

Whew, we've had a lot of rain lately. I feel like I live in Forks minus the good looking vampires.


I don't really mind rainy days, but they sure hamper playing outside- which is Gabe's favorite thing to do. So, yesterday we did our first painting project.



He had so much fun. It was hilarious. He clapped and cheered for himself after every paint stroke. You can see the evidence of his clapping in the paint dots all over his face.





I had lots of fun, too. There is just something about experiencing simple things through the eyes of a child. It brings joy- pure and simple joy.

Here is his first masterpiece.



And here is my favorite picture...


Of course, after all the painting, came bath time.



And with bath time, comes belly button time. Oh how he loves his belly button.


Grant was disappointed that he missed the first finger painting session, so I have a feeling the paints will be coming out again soon.

Give momma a kiss...

That's what I asked for, this is the face he gave me as he leaned in to kiss me. Of course, I had to go get the camera and unbelievably he did it again.

Snack Time...