The Last Day of School

Thursday, May 28, 2009, was a very eventful day in the Monday house. It was both Alden and Thobe's last day of school. Both boys were excited about wrapping up their year, although we still haven't convinced Thobe that he's done with preschool, despite having a preschool graduation. Michael had a few things come up, so he was unable to attend the Thobe's graduation. Hyrum and I arrived at the school shortly before the graduation began. When I got there, I saw Thobe standing in the hall with his best friend Travis Ebbescotte in a cap and gown. I must admit that for whatever reason this really caught me off guard. I felt a big lump form in my throat as I saw my handsome newly five year old all decked out in graduation attire. Time passes so quickly!

Trying to take video of the "ceremony" was next to impossible with Hyrum. He kept running up and down the aisles and found the plastic stars that were placed on the floor to show the kids which way to go. He picked all of them up and brought them to me. "Stars" he said, and then began chewing on them--I'm not sure how he stays healthy. When Thobe's teacher gave him a special award, I wanted to record that too. Unfortunately, Hyrum in his running around caught his fingers in the door, so I missed Thobe's special award too. All in all, it was a great experience though. I really can't say enough good about Thobe's preschool experience. Thobe loved his teachers, Miss Laura and Miss Barb. Hyrum loved Miss Barb and was so excited to see her everytime we dropped Thobe off at school. Often when he's sad, Hyrum will say, "I want Barb!"

After the graduation, we ran over to Alden's school to speak to his teacher, Mrs. Erickson, about next year. She showed me Alden's Dibel's reading scores. I must admit that I was really impressed with his improvements (he was doing well at the beginning of the year and is doing even better now). I am also thankful for the things that she has done this year too.

When the kids got home from school, I just felt a happy euphoria. I am certainly the kind of mom that loves having her kids at home. I love spending time with them and find such pleasure in watching them learn and grow. I'm really excited about this summer. I'm looking forward to doing things with the kids and just having them home. Don't get me wrong. I'm especially excited about not having to get up at 6:00 a.m. to get Alden on the bus, but I'm just looking forward to summer. I must admit that I think I might be more excited about the break than the kids are. We'll see.

That night, we quickly fed the missionaries, and then, we rushed off to Alden's first baseball game. He did really well. He is the youngest kid on his team and all his teammates played last year while he did not, but considering this, he is really doing well. I love watching his excitement.

After that, we went over to the Burke's house to watch the Cavs' game. Alden loves Adam and Alyse, the Burke's eight and seven year olds. He and Alyse were almost inseparable. We were there pretty late, and I realized when we left that Alyse had her jammies on. I asked Alden if he left the room when she changed. He said, "No, but I turned my head like this and closed my eyes, Mom." I began telling him the importance of boys not being in the same room with girls when they change their clothes. I said, "Alden, until you're married, you need to make sure that you always leave the room when a girl changes her clothes."

"Oh," he said. Then he added, "But Mom, I might marry Alyse, so it's okay, right?"

We explained that he just needs to make sure that until he's married that he needs to leave the room when a girl is changing. I love my Alden and all his innocence. I am so blessed to have three incredible boys. We're excited to see what the next baby is and what his or her personality is like. I only have 25 more days until he or she makes his or her debut. We're getting excited!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday, Thobe!!!

It is so amazing to watch my kids grow up before my eyes. It seems like just yesterday that Thobe was this sweet, happy little baby. I can't believe that he is now five, although the anticipation of his fifth birthday has gone on for quite sometime.

For the past six or seven months, Thobe has been asking us when is May 23rd? Is May 23rd sometime soon? He has been very anxious for his birthday. In thinking back, I suppose I really, really looked forward to my birthday too. Most kids do. Thobe enjoyed Alden's birthday and patiently waited for his own. He was thrilled when a package from Grandma and Grandpa Humphries arrived on Wednesday that contained his birthday presents. Thobe carried this package everywhere and slept with it every night before his birthday. On Thursday, May 21 (the last day of preschool for the week), Hyrum and I went to preschool with Thobe and brought cupcakes. Thobe was thrilled that we were bringing cupcakes but told me that we could only stay for a few minutes. Hyrum and I ended up staying the entire time and enjoyed watching Thobe interact with his friends at school. It's amazing how much his classmates love him. I'm really pleased with his preschool experience and feel happy that he was able to have such a wonderful experience.

Anyway, Friday morning I woke up Alden and told him that it was May 22, Aunt Emily's birthday, and the day before Thobe's birthday. Upon hearing this news, Thobe sat straight up and bed and exclaimed, "Is today my birthday?"

"No," I explained, "Tomorrow is your birthday."

Thobe got a big smile on his face and laid back down on his bed. Thobe has the world's most heart melting smile. He really can light up a room with his happy smile.

As you might imagine, the next day when it really was his birthday he was so, so happy. All week Hyrum had been asking to sing and singing, "Happy Day" as he called it, so he was thrilled to sing it all day to Thobe (although it took us most of the day to teach Hyrum to sing "Happy Birthday Dear Thobe" rather than "Happy Birthday, Dear Alden." Thobe was able to open his package and was not disappointed. Grandma had sent him a new basketball shirt and shorts, a tiger, and a whole bunch of balls (a container of tennis balls was from Aunt Diane and Uncle Doug). From Alden, Thobe got a Webkins Cat that Thobe named Bluish Greenish, Hyrum gave him some bath tub markers, and we gave him play dough, which he was so excited about, a bike and a helmet and pads. He was really excited about his presents. Shortly after we ate breakfast and opened his presents we went to his friend, Alex Place's birthday party at McDonald's and then went back a couple hours later for Thobe's birthday party. Thobe had 7 of his friends meet him at McDonalds and even had Hamburgler come and lead them in a few games. All in all, he had a great time.

When we got back to our house, Abuelita and Grandpa Monday were there to wish Thobe a happy birthday. They got him a fun ball gun that he and Alden have had a blast with. In thinking about it, it's really hard to believe that Thobe is five. He is one of the sweetest boys I've ever met. I feel so blessed to have him as my son. Happy Birthday, Thobs!!!

Happy 7th Birthday, Alden!

Yesterday (May 15), Alden turned 7. I can't believe that my baby is seven. Michael would tell you that he's a third of the way to being home from his mission. Yikes! That thought makes me shiver. I hope so much that I'm teaching him well and helping him learn everything he needs to be happy and to be a good person. As I've mentioned here before, I'm so pleased with what a good boy he is. I love that he tries to help other people and make them happy. He really tries to be a friend to everyone. That makes me happy.

Recently I've been watching a lot of our home movies of when Alden was a baby (I'm trying to convert all of our tapes to DVD). Anyway, it's been so much fun. Alden was such a cute little boy. I love remembering all the special little things that he did and seeing his personality develop, even before he was a year old. It's really amazing. It makes me so glad that we purchased a new video camera so that I can preserve the memories of all my boys throughout their growing up years.

Anyway, I think he had a really great birthday. Michael got him up at 5:30 yesterday morning to take him to breakfast with his seminary students. Usually on Friday, Michael has seminary in our basement. Alden always enjoys coming down and being part of the class before he has to run off to catch his bus. Since yesterday was Michael's last day of teaching seminary for the school year, he took all the kids out to breakfast at Bob Evans. I think Alden felt pretty special that he was able to go. Later, I took cupcakes into his class at school, and then his class had a special "Donuts for Dads" that Michael went to. It was a ton of fun for Alden. When he got home, he played with his brothers while I made him a light saber cake and his favorite dinner, chicken soup. When Michael got home, he opened his presents. He got a lot of Star Wars stuff, a cool puzzle from Aunt Diane & Uncle Doug's family, and a few chapter books and Star Wars stuff from Grandma & Grandpa Humphries. He was so excited to open all his gifts. After we ate, we ran to the YMCA for his and Thobe's last day of Hit and Scoop (a pre-baseball class that teaches some baseball fundamentals). He then came home and played the Wii with Dad and Thobe and played with his toys. All in all, you'd think that would have been plenty.

However, today he had even more fun. He had a Star Wars birthday party where 10 of his friends came over to our house for a chaotic adventure. We had each kid make lightsabers with a swimming noodle and a pvc pipe. They then went downstairs where Michael had created an awesome Jedi training obstacle course complete with Yoda feet, pylon cones to zig zag through, tubes to climb through, caves to crawl under, Tauntauns to ride, circles to spin, and Darth Vader to defeat at the end. I think the kids LOVED it! We then had them go outside and draw Death Stars on the side walk. Originally we planned on throwing water balloons at the Death Stars to bomb them, but the rain took care of that. We then took the kids back in the house, gave them each a paper clone mask that I found on ebay, and then had them play a fun game of Captain Rex May I with our birthday boy being Captain Rex. We then passed around a thermal detonator (Scattergories timer). When the timer ran out, the person holding the timer was "blown up." The worst part about that is that Thobe cried when Alden got destroyed. We then gave each kid a balloon and told them that they had to keep it off the floor with the lightsaber. It's amazing how quiet 13 kids can get when they're concentrating. I liked that game the best. Finally, we had them hit a Darth Vader pinata with their light sabers and then went upstairs for cake and ice cream and presents. It was really fun.

When we asked Alden what he liked best, he said it was having all his friends over and the obstacle course. When he asked me what I liked best, I told him that it was when most of the kids went home. He didn't like my answer so much. I'm glad that they all came, but three boys as opposed to thirteen is much quieter and a lot less work for that matter.

All in all it was a great day. Tomorrow after church we're going to Toledo to celebrate Alden and Abuelita's birthday with Grandpa and Abuelita. It should be a lot of fun.

ABCs and Temple

Hyrum loves to sing. He loves to sit next to me while I play the piano and he sings. I'll often hear him singing as he plays with his toys, and anything that has music is his thing. He'll often say, "I'm dancing, Mom," while he dances his little jig. It's so much fun to hear him singing a song. Recently we bought a camera so I can finally show you what a little singer he is. I have included a video of him trying to sing the ABCs, even with Thobe's cute distractions.


He also loves building things with Legos. I guess I should say one thing rather than things. Whenever he puts Legos together, he says, "Look, temple, Mom. Temple." Then he breaks into singing the Primary song, "I Love to See the Temple." Although this video doesn't have one of his multicolored Lego temples, it does have him singing this song.

Alden's Accomplishments

Alden is such a great kid. He is incredibly happy and such a good boy. He is so good to his brothers. Hyrum gets so excited for him to come home from school and often asks during the day if we can go and get Alden. He is thrilled when Alden comes home from school and will often watch for his bus. There are many days that Hyrum gives Alden a big hug when he walks through the door. The love Thobe has for Alden is no different. He too adores his older brother and considers him his best friend. Everything that Alden does, Thobe tries to do too. I'm so grateful that Alden is so patient and good to his brothers.

Alden is also a good kid at school. He is always trying to make other kids happy and do nice things for them. He really tries to be a friend to everyone. Recently he has been very interested in telling people about our church. Alden is the only member of our church in his entire school district. He is fine with this and is not ashamed at all to tell people that he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has really been a wonderful example to me and really wants to share his testimony with others. I think he's pretty incredible.

He also has started playing baseball. I don't know that sports are his forte, but he really improved in basketball, and I'm seeing even more dramatic improvements in baseball. I can't believe the improvement I've seen in him in throwing and hitting the ball. He's good at stopping ground balls, and he'd be really good at catching if he wasn't afraid of the ball. We'll continue to work on it, but it's fun watching him improve and excel.

The Egg Beater

Recently, Thobe found a hand operated beater in our kitchen utinsil drawer. Being the smart boy that he is, he immediately figured out how to operate the device and was very curious about what it's used for. I explained that one can beat many things with it, including eggs. Since that time, there have been few days that have gone by that Thobe hasn't asked me if he can make eggs. The worst thing about Thobe being so laid back is that it's easy for me to forget his queries because he usually only asks me only once. I know for those of you who have very persistant children that you are asking why this is a bad thing. Well, the worst thing about it is that I often feel that I have neglected my little sweetheart. I can't tell you how many times I go to bed with a sad and guilty heart because I realize I haven't done what I said I would with Thobe--I've got to do better with that. The second to the worst thing about Thobe only asking for things once is that he'll often try to take things into his own hands, which leads me to my story.

Yesterday was a tough day for me. I was not feeling great. I suppose that it had to do with me being 8 months pregnant. I also felt somewhat homesick. I recently realized that it will be 8 months before I see most of my family, and it seems like my efforts to get different family members out here have been for naught. Anyway, I suppose that is for another post. Nonetheless, despite making eggs for breakfast that he didn't eat, Thobe wanted to make more eggs when he got home from preschool. I told him that I needed to hurry and check my email and then we would see about making eggs. I went downstairs, and Thobe and Hyrum stayed upstairs. Everything got pretty quiet, and within five minutes or so, I heard Thobe say, "No, Hyrum, don't make a mess." Normally when I feel better, I go upstairs and stop the mess making immediately, but due to my state yesterday, I just silently prayed that the mess wouldn't be too bad.

After about 10 minutes, I heard Hyrum fall and cry his hurt cry. I went up to find a disaster in the kitchen. I know that I had approximately 2 dozen eggs in my fridge when I went downstairs. When I went upstairs, several eggs were cracked in a bowl and beaten. One or two broken eggs were glopped on the table, and the rest of the eggs had been thrown on the floor and stomped on. Six or seven containers of yogurt had been thrown out of the fridge and who knows what else was on the floor. When I saw the mess, I lost it and screamed. Thobe immediately ran upstairs, and then turned back around crying, "I'm so sorry, Mommy. I tried to clean it up, but I couldn't." Bless his heart, several eggy towels proved that he had in fact tried to clean up the mess, but as you can imagine cleaning up 2 dozen slimy eggs off the ground with a dish towel isn't an easy task for a four year old. I just started crying. I cried about thinking about bending over with my big pregnant belly to clean up the mess and cried for yelling at my little tender Thobe. I must admit that now that this horrible mess is a funny situation, but at the time I didn't see the humor in it and consequently have no pictures of the disaster.

On a brighter note, last night we had breakfast for dinner. We had pancakes, eggs with shells, and bacon--I actually got all the shells out of the eggs after cyphoning the shells out of the eggs. Thobe's efforts turned out to be actually a pretty good dinner. He asked me if we could have breakfast for dinner again tonight, but fortunately for me and unfortunately for him, we're all out of eggs.