Jude...not a baby anymore!

Obviously Jude has not been a baby for quite some time, but it just dawned on me the other day that I have been filling in his baby book for five years.  And now it's over.  During his first year I carefully charted all of his firsts and made sure I took a picture of him each month and recorded all of the various details of his existence.  After that I scaled back to once a year.  I pasted a picture of his party and cake and told all about the little boy he was.  One year old, two year old, three year old, four year old, five year old...that's it! This year he is 6.  No longer a baby I suppose.  Sigh.

I cannot simply give up the recording of this young life which began my journey into motherhood six years ago.  I am a recorder/keeper of life by nature and even though it sometimes ends up meaning I have a drawer full of "sentimental" clothing in my dresser which I never intend to wear again (true story), it is in my blood (thanks mom!).  

So here goes...

Judas Maccabeus Ridenour turned 6 on Saturday April 18, 2015.  Not to be confused with Friday April 17, the day of the "party."  At long last all of the Allen Kindergartners are now 6 (as Jude is the youngest much to his constant dismay.  Although one of his favorite things to tell is how is youngest AND tallest in his class!).  Jude is full of life and I thought the following picture captured his personality pretty well.  Personality is not a lacking quality.  Jude continues to be FULL of emotion and feeling and thought and is not one to keep these things just to himself.  He is an extrovert all the way!  One is never left to wonder what Jude thinks or how he feels about a situation for long!  This year has been a little tumultuous at our house...I quit my job at school right as Jude had to begin his full time.  We also added another member to the mix in February.  At the ripe old age of five Jude has had to become quite independent and even counted on to help out in various ways around the house and with the younger siblings.  During this past year Jude has played tee ball, taken swimming lessons, showed a bucket calf at the fair, started all day school and rides the bus, made many new friends, basically learned to read (what?!), become a big brother again, started sharing his bed with Mikey (still a bit of a challenge!), learned to tie shoes, got out of the car seat and into a booster, and is getting his first big tooth (although he is yet to lose a baby one!).  WOW!  Jude's biggest interests are legos, farm toys, playing outside and exploring, watching anything on TV, and playing anything on the ipad.  He loves to be around people and every day when he comes home from school he asks if we are going anywhere or who is coming over.  A day in the life of Jude looks like this:  7am wake up (slowly, not a morning person!), dress (sometimes shower), eat cereal and a vitamin, brush teeth, put on shoes and jacket and book bag.  7:30 bus comes.  From there the day is his and I am not involved again until 4:15 when he gets back off the yellow school bus and meanders to the back door.  When he comes in he is usually excited about something but is also worn out, tired, hungry, and often grumpy.  He eats a snack, plays with toys or outside, or watches TV or reads until supper time.  6:00 we eat as a family.  Then more playing, picking up, maybe a bath, some books and it's off to bed somewhere between 7:00 and 8:00 depending on how everything goes.  This boy NEEDS his sleep!  At night we say prayers as a family and then I stay and sing to you and Mikey for a bit.  You love that and always want the "horsey song" and more hugs and kisses.  Sweet!

This year we had a John Deere themed birthday with a cake and a t-shirt.   Mom and dad also got you a farm set with grain bins.  On Friday night we had Katie, Russ, Ashtyn, Skyler, Nana, Papa, Brett, Grandma Mary Lou, Grandma Vonny, and Grandpa Buddy over for supper.  It was a beautiful day and evening.  Then on Saturday Papa John and Grandma Ridenour and Brittany came up.  You got some really great presents and I think enjoyed your day:)  You are also looking forward very much to having Blake come over to play on Thursday (Atlee cannot come because he got his tonsils out!).

Happy birthday young man!  I love you so so so so much! Mom.

Jude posing while opening gifts

John Deere cake