Monny

  Monny is now 13. Over the summer, his voice cracked, squeaked and then got really low. He now sounds like a man and those who have not seen him in awhile are taken by surprise when he talks to them.

 Monny is a simple child. He likes video games and TV. He will sit and look at books, but considers reading to be 'schoolwork'. If told to go outside to play, he will generally be found collecting small insects from under rocks and then feeding them to our 'resident spiders.' Evidently there is something very fascinating about picking a small bug up with tweezers and tossing the helpless creature into a web where its predator eagerly awaits to wrap it up and suck its guts out! I have never personally participated, but Monny seems to find hours of enjoyment in the activity. He is our resident nature 'expert'. Watching nature and science documentaries will produce random facts that spew freely from his mouth at the most unusual times. But he knows his stuff so you gotta respect the kid!

  There is one other activity that really makes him smile and it is probably the most precious to watch. Monny adores the little guy we babysit and the feeling is mutual. If Monny is around, the rest of us pale in comparison. When the little guy arrives in the morning, his face lights up when Monny walks into the room. Since Monny and Jah'mere did not grow up with little ones around, like our older kids did, we were not exactly sure how they would do if they needed to make adjustments to accommodate a baby. Turns out, there was no reason to fear. They will do anything for him. Make his lunch, change their TV show to Sesame Street, clean up his toys, give him the world and all their attention..whatever he wants! Watching this 18 month old for the past 10 months, has taught the boys about being unselfish and about the reward of baby hugs and smiles.

  When asked about future plans, Monny has said he'd like to be a pilot. He has recently expressed an interest in gymnastics and playing the drums. One of our goals is to help him develop some new interests to help use his time more wisely. We are currently looking into gymnastics and have considered the drums. Monny would also do well with a pet and would benefit from the unconditional love and dependence of one as well. That is still being discussed.

  Finally, although Monny was 7 years old before I ever heard him initiate an "I love you, Mom", he is now my most affectionate child and comes to me for a hug first thing each morning. Monny is a lover and not much of a fighter. A little more attitude has set in with the teenage hormones. But for the most part, he is an easy going kid who just wants to hang out do anything but school!

Morning hug

Teaching his little buddy about all things nature