6 Little Monkeys

Saturday we finally had Ezra's birthday party.

As is my norm,

we did not get invitations out.

I just talked to his friends' moms at school.

And made a couple phone calls.

Ezra wanted a monkey party.

That doesn't at all lend itself to craziness.

                             
Jobe was included.
Because Ezra's friends all love him.
And there would have been many tears if he wasn't.
Many.

We played Monkey in the Middle.
Barrel of Monkeys.
Did a little monkey word game.
Made a monkey stick puppet.
And, well, acted like monkeys.

Ezra didn't want cake.
A relief for this mommy.

So for dessert.
I slit a banana (with the peel on).
Stuffed it with marshmallows and chocolate chips.
Wrapped it in foil.
And heated it in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Then added a little ice cream on the side.

Let me tell you.
It was De.Lish.
And so easy.

Then we headed over to the monkey bars at school.

The best part about the day:
Ezra's best friend (and his family)
made the hour drive here.

They were so glad to be together again.

It was a noisy party.

But, man, boys are fun.

A Grizzly Birthday

Our boy made his daddy proud.
He chose to have a "Butler" party.
Naturally, he didn't want the Butler "B" on the cake.
He wanted the Grizzly.

I stress myself out every year.
Over the birthday cake.
I may have mentioned that before.
I can't remember.
It's ridiculous really.
But I just want the birthday kid to be excited about their cake.
And I am not an artist.
At all.
But I don't want to pay the money for someone else to do the cake.
So I stress myself out.
And do it myself.

So here's my version of the Butler Grizzly.

We, of course, have no lack of Butler items at our house.

He was excited when Daddy came home with a big foam #1 hand.
He's showing 5.
4 fingers on one hand.
Plus one big foam finger on the other.

Waiting for Daddy to take his picture.

The required picture.
In the chair.
In front of the presents.

Searching for one final present.
In Grandpa's pick-up.

Then he spots it.

Gotta get to it as quickly as possible.

Pretty happy.

I'm having a hard time putting into words my feelings tonight.
So excited for my little man.
And the new experiences he will have as a 5 year old.
At the same time.
So sad to see my baby growing up.

Quitting now.
Or I will wake up my hubby.
Who is snoring next to me on the couch.
With the sobbing that will take place.
If I dwell on all of this any longer.

Happy birthday, Jobie Bear.
Your momma loves you so very much.

Party Time

Yesterday after school.
I had a belated birthday party for Ezra.

An alien/space party.With black hole punch.We played games.Found moonrocks.
And painted them.Created space scenes.Opened and admired presents.
(A fight was brewing over the opening of presents.
Several of them wanted their present to be opened first.
Ezra was looking at me like: what do I do?
I put each kid's name in a hat.
And let Ezra draw names.
Everyone seemed ok with that.
Pheww!
Crisis averted.)And made alien slime.
Definitely the hit of the party.Last night putting the little boys to bed.
Me: You know Ezra, Jobie helped a lot with your party.
He put everything in the treat bags.
And got the craft bags for the space scene ready.

Ezra: So Jobe did pretty much everything then.

Jobe: Yep. That's why I'm so tired.

I can only imagine the conversation after I left the room.
Ezra: Seriously, what does mom do all day?
Jobe: I know!
What will she do next year without me home to help her?

Not sure what I will do.
But I get a little giddy if I think about it too long.