Sunday, May 21, 2006

The Boy Next Door


Our neighbor's little boy stopped by today. Actually it was more of a hop, skip, jump over to our driveway where Gabe was using his large bubble wand and Boo was reliving a scene in Mary Poppins with her kite weaving back and forth screaming. "I'm flying a kite Mommy!"

Seth is about 2 1/2 years old and cute, cute, cute. This was his first visit, while mom and dad were getting the RV ready to go north next weekend. Gabe was so excited! He just stood there with a huge grin...and stood there......and stood there.....( "Houston....waiting for lift off")
"Gabe, say Hi Seth!"
"Hi Seth!" I love how he repeats with the same enthusiasm.
"Say, Lets Play!"
"Let's play," smiling and jumping in place Gabe is jacked.
I hand them both a bubble wand and they played for a whole half hour blowing bubbles and laughing...TOGETHER!!! Engaged, admiring each others skills of bubble making.
After the novelty wore off and both were looking to explore something else, Seth and Gabe stood next to each other on the driveway. Just standing. Thinking. Watching. Standing.
Gabe grabbed Seth's shirt, laughing, saying "Run!" "Run!"
He was really grabbing his shirt, not in an aggressive way, but in the "Let's Play" way. He can initiate play just fine I thought. It's finding the words, using language, to engage another person in what he wants to do. Huh.

Seth had to leave with mom to check on his little brother who was sleeping.
Gabe turned around and looked disappointed. Back to the bubbles he went.
Seeing his disappointment, I got him on his new bike, helmet on and practiced pedaling. Boo is such a great motivator in how she would ride right next to him honking her horn, riding circles around his bike. Gabe honked back and attempted to pedal. I think he gets it, just doesn't seem too motivated or the movement is a little unsettling. So, I push him and he honks his horn with a huge grin.

After a few laps, the bikes went back in the garage, helmets off. Boo went right to her kite and Gabe turned towards his bubbles. On the edge of our driveway there stood Seth.
"Seth!!!!" Gabe shouted, huge smile.
He ran up to him and gave him a hug.
Gabe made a new friend all on his own.


This post is dedicated to SD (Super Daddy) who I miss dearly and look forward to seeing again soon.