Gates in 2011

Gates continues to show tremendous growth in his understanding and attitudes toward family life in general and his unique part in our family specifically. He enjoys silly and oftentimes totally inappropriate retorts to common questions. Example: "Gates would you like peanut butter and Honey on your waffle?" Response, "What Creature?" Not sure if I'm the creature in this schtick or not. lol But his handle on Americanized English continues to impress us for the most part.

Gates still loves being outside. No Matter what the weather he loves it! He has mastered basic gardening tools and can swing higher than any of us is comfortable with on his swingset. Paul calls him our little bunji jumper. He attacks every new experience. Charging right in with his more cautious Big Brother a few feet behind him saying, "Be Careful Gates."

Gates likes to know when and where new experiences will occur however, so he can get his game face on and phsych himself up into Gates the super hero! He likes Batman from his coloring books and fisher price toys but has never seen a show featuring him. He allows Brother to be his side kick and its really quite a riot to see him leap onto the ottoman one hand raised, "I am Batman! "

Then he waves his patient and equally adorable side kick who bests him by 80lbs and two entire feet in height, into the room by shouting, "Bring my Batman Stuff!" They trade off though. When they play DOG the Bounty Hunter, Bridger is the guy with the dollar store handcuffs and little Bro. is on the cell phone. (Smile)

Little M. visited recently for a playdate and it was Gates's first time to enjoy her company. He was so cute the way he brought out all of the photo albums when he learned that she liked them and when he saw her bring the pages close to her face at an angle he would bring other toys to her and put them right up to her nose. Bridge would sign to her but when he didn't know a sign he would just 'write it' into the air. "Mom whats sign for Dolphin? Nevermind! How do you spell Dolphin?" When she came to this country she had no vision and no hearing. Now she has low vision and hearing aids, attends a school where other children sign with her and she was recently adopted at long last! What a miracle adoption is! It's wonderful to see the changes in her and to have fun in the park with her again!

Sadly, while at the park we ran into our precious friends from the Island who informed us that they will be moving away. Among their many wonderful family members are three little girls who arrived home from the other side of the world and changed the lives of their delighted parents forever. We will miss them!

On the playground, Gate still avoids other children and will pull Bridger away whenever he makes a move to play with them. Bridger shrugs him off and goes off to play, always inviting Gates to come but Gates hangs back. His trust is still quite limited when it comes to new aquaintences for the most part.

Gates recently started initiating prayers on his own and will spontaneously start up a conversation with Jesus on his swing or while playing with his toys. He enjoys coloring books immensely and never tires of hanging his creations on the fridge. He sings but doesn't enjoy dancing. He loves his preschool workbooks and is retaining more than he ever has before. Gates is such a great kid! We are incredibly happy that he is home forever. One day soon we are hopeful that he will accept that and stop asking every time he stumbles if he will have to go back. The best way to look at that for now is to be thankful that her prefers home and that such comments assure us that he is anxiously attached... next stop securely attached.