Gabe's First Communion

Our parish gave the opportunity to have First Communion in December this year as well as May and I jumped at the chance. Something told me it would be a much smaller, more intimate experience this way. After doing everything from just 1 kid alone due to schedule issues to small groups of kids to medium groups to one year with every kid in a large parish (total chaos), I knew that for our family the smaller celebrations are much better.

Gabe was joined by 3 other kids, including one of his close friends. Our new priest did a great job of relating to the kids (seriously, he's awesome at explaining things to the kids) and we took the opportunity to get a few new pictures of the whole gang.

Congratulations Gabe.

Happy Birthday Gabe

Gabe turned 7 today. He begged for a birthday party this year so we had some friends over for lunch yesterday. No, we don't do parties other than for sacraments for many, many reasons but he asked so many times that I figured there must be a reason for it. Hot dogs, cupcakes, playing in the back yard. The boys was very happy.

Today he took us all out for dinner, shared cookies with everyone (he's a rather nice kid), and bought a remote control car with his birthday money.

Something tells me he had a great day.  Happy birthday kid. Hope you have a wonderful year.

Happy Birthday Gabe!

Gabe just celebrated his 6th birthday. He took us all out for dinner on Thursday (because getting a table for 11 on a Friday night often requires more than a short wait). On Friday, he helped Dad make his cake and he requested spinach tortellini soup for dinner. I have to say there is something magical about the smell of onions and garlic cooking filling the house. And something magical about a 6-year-old who requests anything with the word spinach in it for his birthday dinner.

 He received some pretty awesome presents this year. A catapult from Uncle Matt (which Sean learned it was best NOT to launch in the dining room) and  LEGO set from his cousins.  (Yes, we keep birthdays small around here just in case you haven't noticed.)  We'll work on fixing up the backyard sandbox later this week.

Happy birthday little man. I hope you had a wonderful day.

Gabe's First Karate Class

Gabe had his first karate class today. He was very excited. Very wired. Very much bouncing off the walls. Literally.  Then a wave master landed on his foot and Sensei did not take his complaints seriously when he said he got hurt and, well, that kind of ruined the day. (Have I mentioned I have a few slight issues with this Sensei? Like his blatant favoritism and inability to relate to small children while also constantly complaining to his older classes about his younger students?)

Anyway, by the end of class Gabe seemed to be a bit happier and was again excited when we were home so I'm hoping next week will go better. Here's hoping. And for those counting, this makes 7 kids in karate class.  And, yes, that was my two-year-old doing karate in the middle of Mass last weekend.  Trust me, it's cuter at home when the venue is more appropriate.

And There Goes the Streak

Last night Gabe took a header into the hat and mitten box.  Apparently that is what happens when you are running in the house. Which led to a trip to the ER because, of course, you can't split your head open in the middle of the day when you can go to the doctor or earlier in the evening when the urgent care center is open.  You'd think a head wound on a child would be a reason for some urgency but apparently not.  They spent about 5 hours there in total.  Perhaps the problem was that Alan had managed to do a decent job patching things up before they left home so the wound was not gaping or bleeding heavily.

Either way Gabe finally made it home with 6 stitches right smack dab in the middle of his forehead.  Our first kid ever to need them.  I'll admit that I am a bit shocked that we avoided them this long.  Apparently there is a lot of appeal to getting to spend all that time alone with Dad and leave the house at night dressed in your jammies.  So Gabe is none the worse for the wear.  Just hoping next time someone splits their head open that they are polite enough to do it earlier in the day.

"Horned Cows"

Meet Buck and Dan.

These are the two new oxen currently residing at Genesee Country Village.  They are in training to take over for the older two oxen: Mike and Tom.

The size difference between these two sets of animals is amazing.  Gabe has decided he absolutely does not like "horned cows" and that they are just too big.  And, yes, I find the names for all of these creatures to be slightly humorous given that each of the names is in some way connected to someone in my husband's family.

Happy Birthday Gabe!

Happy birthday to Gabe who turned 5 on Thursday.  He helped his older brother make his cake and took us all out to dinner.  He says it was his best birthday ever.  Happy birthday little man.

A Boy and His Bike

Katie taught Gabe how to ride a two-wheeler.  Please excuse the not so great picture.  Shortly after this, Liam actually took the training wheels off for Gabe rather than just having them pushed up.  He still can't quite turn that well but Gabe is doing rather well.  Now to convince Abby to give it a try.