Cross country

I am becoming a sideline mom. 

I scream, "Run! Run! Run!"  "Dig deep!" "Finish strong!" "You've got this! You're doing awesome!"

"I am so PROUD of you!" 

And I am.

Admiration

If there is a talent show, Mathew will audition.

If there is a club, Mathew will join.

If there is an opportunity, Mathew will take it.

If there is an election, Mathew will run.

He tries each year and he is disappointed if doesn't turn out the way he hopes, but he always tries again the next time.  Makes me wonder what his future holds.

A parade

Not sure why I don't have a photo of the actual PARADE....but here we are from our sweet little perch watching Ethan in his first ever marching band. 

Crazy hair day

Considering that we can barely get our hair combed on a regular school day, this is pretty impressive.

36

It's birthday time! 

And it looks like it's grilled chicken, herb potatoes, french bread and a giant bowl of mandarin oranges for dinner. 

Thee chocolate cakes of all chocolate cakes.

A t-shirt he can only safely wear around those who also get the joke.

Making the kids laugh.

And generally making us all very glad that he was born 36 years ago.

The viola

Mathew is in fifth grade and that means he gets to pick an instrument to play. He came home with his flyers from the "try new instruments" assembly and he declared he would like to play the VIOLA! 

He said this with a big smile in my direction. 

So we called the music store and had them bring out violas of various sizes and prices. 

We went on over and we started to try them out and before long, it became apparent that every time I looked at Mathew, he was craning his neck to look longingly at the back wall.

The wall entirely loaded with...

trombones.