Gabriel is 8!

Gabriel turned 8 two days before Thanksgiving. He was so happy to have family here to celebrate with him.  What he really wanted for his birthday was books (especially the new "Green Ember" book) and a fish.  He also got some cool "gadget" things like snap circuits from the Spears.  (Speaking of the fish he got his new tank all set up and was so excited.  He went and bought his new goldfish friend, Nemo, who in turn died the next morning.  It was probably just a sick fish but to be safe we're going to give the water more time, even though the person that analyzed the water at the pet store said that probably wasn't it.  It was a hard lesson to learn, but for the day that he had that fish he took his responsibility very seriously and was truly sad when it died.)

Daddy got this boy into Star Trek

Gabriel is all heart and energy.  He feels passionately about things and wants justice.  He is quick to acknowledge when he's wrong and always ready for a hug.  He can make a friend anywhere he goes and can make any conversation an easy one with anyone he meets.   He is a natural born leader and can organize a group to play a game or pretend something in no time.  When he wants to get something done it gets done.

Gabriel loves reading, space, craft projects/creating, and pretending all kinds of things.  His favorite books to read or listen to are Lord of the Rings, Green Ember, Chronicles of Narnia, Ramona, Magic Tree House, and The Jungle Book.  His favorite foods are mac and cheese, apples, chicken stir fry, and anything with rice (he really likes most food, just not "smooshy things" like refried beans, applesauce, cottage cheese, yogurt. . .).

Star Wars Ornaments

He likes to dress up on Sunday mornings especially and gets excited about wearing a tie "like Daddy."

He has also really liked games lately.  His current favorites are Monopoly, Yahtzee, Life, and Sorry

A cloak from Grandma Cheryl.  Now he can more easily
be Bilbo Baggins, Robin Hood, or a Jedi Knight.

His "go to" things for pretending are Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Robin Hood,  Avengers, and a game he made up called "spy on the grown ups"

 

On his actual birthday he was happy to eat some Benny Marzanos pizza (huge slices) and have cupcakes.  He played with his cousins and ran around outside with glow sticks.

Gabriel is so full of excitement and has so many things to say that sometimes we just can't keep up with his mind.  Being his mom is one of my greatest joys and challenges.  Happy 8th Birthday!