Gabe says hello

Mabry reading

Mabry learned how to read this past school year. Two weeks ago, I took her to the library and she got her own library card. I've been suspecting for a couple of months that Mabry could read at a higher level than her books allowed. We went to the library today, and I had her read aloud from a book to me. The book? Little House on the Prairie. How'd she do? She has only asked what five words were in the first ten pages. She reads slowly, but she reads well. She says she loves the book. I guess now she'll get the rest of the set for Christmas, and now she has something to read on our trip to Jackson Monday.
I conveniently forgot that I have a workshop in Jackson on Tuesday and Wednesday at Millsaps. This workshop does not provide lodging, so we are camping at LeFleur's Bluff from Monday until Wednesday afternoon. This allows me to be near my children, participate in the conference, take Mabry to a couple of museums, and see some friends and family. Late notice, but exciting.

Gabe discovered Riley's paws and Ree's ears. Luckily, they are patient and know that he is little and doesn't mean to hurt them.

Gabe has one of those stacking ring toys that we all had growing up. He loves to take the rings off, but has yet to put them back on. Imagine our surprise when we discovered that he actually does more than take the rings off. He discovered that you can bounce the rings on the floor. This is hours of fun as long as someone will retrieve the rings.

We are teaching Gabe to respond in certain ways to questions. Obviously, when we ask what sister says, Gabe looks for Mabry and waits for her to squeel so that he can join in. This is too funny.

When we ask what does Gabe say, Gabe whines. This is also funny if you know what a crybaby I have. We are working on what does Daddy say. The proper response is "Blah, Blah, Blah." He actually does it most of the time, but refused to when the camera was out. When we ask what does Mommy say, Gabe lays his head on your chest for a hug, and we say, "I love you, sweet boy."

In other news, Gabe finally is crawling the right way. for a couple of weeks, Gabe has been doing the butt scoot, the backwards swim, and the drag one leg behind crawl. Last night, the container of Gerber vegetable puffs were on the floor about six feet away from Gabe. I guess he decided he needed a treat (these are remarkable for making him go from a crying, whiny mess to a smiling laughing child in .003 seconds). He crawled to them and started crying to get our attention. We moved the can about forty more times just to watch him crawl for them. Amazing--my child won't crawl for a toy, person, or animal. He only crawls for food.

Trip to the Lake for the 4th

Gabe with Papa before the meltdown.

Gabe swimming for the first time with Nana and Mabry. Gabe was fine for about .003 seconds before he wanted out NOW!!

Happy to be going to lake for the 4th.

This is Gabe in his swimming outfit from Denny and Ann Marie. Isn't it cute?

The whole family went to the lake for the 4th. We had a fabulous time swimming, cooking out, watching the fireworks. Guy rode the jet ski a couple of times and we took a boat ride so that Kaylin and Mabry could swim at the beach.

Gabe loves the Baby Alive doll that Aunt Candy sent Mabry for her birthday. At least something entertains him.