Being Gavin

He's almost seven.  SEVEN.  I can't even explain how that happened.  We're halfway through our first grade year and he's excelling at school.  He makes us so proud.  We rewarded him with the Star of the Day plate back in January when he was named Terrific Kid for the week and brought home a super report card on the same day.

 

He's pretty much obsessed with anything Lego, Star Wars, and Minecraft right now.  I was expecting Skylanders overload since he got his first video game for Christmas, but surprisingly that hasn't taken over.  His room is always a disaster with Legos everywhere, and it makes me completely anxious to walk in his room and see Star Wars Legos mixed with Chima Legos and bricks from Lego City.  My organized mind needs them all separate...but not his.

 

 

He's been creating things to submit to Lego Club magazine, too.  He's hoping some of his cool creations get published and that he might win their recent contest. :) 

  

Minecraft is the newest obsession.  It's one that I don't understand at all...and I can't say I enjoy the constant stories about zombies and creepers and survival mode.  But, his little mind is definitely loving it and he's always thinking of what he will create next.  Science is another love.  He's really enjoying the science kits he got for Christmas and the family is liking our Science Sunday tradition.

The personality on this kid goes from one extreme to the next.  He is a very quiet, reserved, and cautious kid one minute, and then dancing around being goofy the next.  We certainly do love the funny side of him just as much as the serious.  I've always worried about how sensitive he is and how that will play out as he gets older around his peers.  Time will tell, I suppose, but for now I try really hard to keep communication open with him and encourage him to talk about his feelings and be ok with letting us know when something is bothering him.

I definitely have more pictures these days of his selfie-obsessed sister, but usually he sees me pull out the phone or camera and immediately hides his face or runs the other way.  But every once in a while, he will ask me to take a picture to show something to Daddy or to send to Mimi.  That always makes me happy. :)  And lately, he's been asking me if he can lay with me while we're just hanging on the couch watching some tv or for our movie night, which is a welcome request since it's usually Riley asking if she can snuggle with me.  I love these close moments with my boy.

 I love being able to go into his classroom and volunteer weekly (though I am taking a break from that until April as I prepare to run this half marathon and need that morning for running now).  It's reassuring to see him in his element and see how he is around his friends.  Until Gavin was born, I never wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom, and even after he was born, I never expected to be one.  When our life took a turn (for NY!) and I left my career to raise him (and now Riley, too) my entire view of what was important changed.  I get asked a lot if I will go back to work full-time when Riley starts kindergarten, but I know in my heart that I won't.  When I'm in his classroom, watching him and helping the school staff, it is so rewarding and I love being so present in his life.

 

 We're currently on snow day #2 after a week off for February break.  I'm not gonna lie and say it's been all giggles and smiles.  Brother and Sister have definitely had enough of one another and are ready for a little separation.  But I am soaking up every minute I get to spend with him.  I'm looking forward to a new adventure with our Bug - soccer starts in two weeks!  {Ok...let's be honest.  Soccer isn't my favorite, but neither was Thomas the Train, or Star Wars, or Legos...being a mom changes you!}  I'm excited to see how he interacts with his peers in his first team sport and to see what he loves and what he hates about it.  {He decided to stop Cub Scouts because the times conflicted and he was really excited to try soccer for the first time.} 

We love this little man so much!