Gabriel's 12th Birthday

Gabriel is 12. Next year a teenager. His pants are getting too short far too often.

He has adjusted to middle school much better than we thought he would. In every subject except one he has kept track of his work and turned in assignments on time. He's learning that some tests require studying. He has used his study hall time to complete many projects and assignments that he turns in and does well on without us every seeing them. He writes great poetry. He writes creative and exciting books. He makes complicated movies in his head and thinks about how they would need to be directed and produced. He loves to create games and play complicated games, sometimes by himself and sometimes with others. He is known at school as the one who brings cards and other small games for his friends to play during study hall or breaks.

He always prefers a long bath and an audio book to a shower. He also still brings things into the bathtub for creating stories. He loves going to scouts and learning new skills. He can always eat an Asiago Cheese bagel from Panera, Mexican food, stir fry, tuscan meatballs, or macaroni stew. He still plays the violin with the same teacher that we met at the "musical petting zoo" at the library when he was 3

Fishing with scouts eating a bagel

For his birthday he wanted a game night with friends. He was thrilled to be able to decorate for Christmas before the party too. He invited lots of friends from school, two that were in his class for several years and now go to to different schools, and two friends from church. They really all did just spread out around the house and plays different games. Even though it was cold, many of them grabbed pretend weapons and ran around in the yard. They took took a break for pizza, presents and turtle cream pie. Most of his friends bought him board or card games. When I asked him if he wanted any decorations, he said that a simple "Happy Birthday" banner would be nice.

Bentley, Emerson, Michael, Waylon, Isaiah

Waylon, Bentley, Emerson, Michael

Caleb, Orin, Aiden, Corban

Ben, Waylon, Michael, Gabriel, Isaiah, Caleb, Corban, Orin, Emerson, Callan

His actual birthday was on a Sunday and youth group Thanksgiving was that evening. We went out to Mexican for lunch. He loved his Lego Phoenix from Harry Potter, games, more Lord of the Rings cards, and a sleep mask that he still uses every night.

Cheese enchiladas with double rice, no beans

For youth group that night Drew put a candle in some mashed potatoes and everyone sang Happy Birthday. He did not seem to love the attention.

They have a really awesome study hall proctor who brings in things for STEM projects if everyone is caught up on work. Pictures below.

Gabriel usually has something funny to say and wants to be the life of the party. He wants justice in all things. He's a little more reluctant to talk to people he doesn't know than he used to be, but he's quick to make friends and make everyone feel welcome and included. He went away for two nights to his first youth camp. He volunteered to give up study hall to read to second graders when their regular reader was at the high school retreat. And he's no afraid to climb trees, even if it terrifies his mom.