The wedding through the eyes of my kids

MATTHEW

Matthew proved again why I feel like kindergarten is a magic age for kids. He did beautifully at the wedding. Of course, I am not ashamed to admit that quite a bit of bribery was involved! We promised Matthew that if he was perfect, we would get him some baseball cards and some Magic Tree House books. Nana promised him a 10 dollar bill. Right before heading to the church, Bryon took the kids to K-mart to pick up some dress socks that we forgot. Matthew found a shirt that he wanted and he begged Bryon, "Daddy, can we throw this shirt into the deal, too?"

When we got to the small town in Oklahoma, Matthew found out that we were only 15 minutes from Kansas. Matthew loves geography and wants so badly to add to the number of states that he has travelled to. This added to the bribery.

"Matthew, if you don't start behaving, we aren't taking you to Kansas!"

This worked like a charm! On the day of the wedding, Bryon took all three kids to Kansas. You would have thought he was taking them to Oz the way they were going on and on about it! They went to a gas station in Caney, Kansas. Matthew said that he had to get a souvenier of Kansas. The gas station attendant gave him a Christmas card that said "Seasons greetings from Caney, Kansas!" It is amazing that they didn't sell out of those months ago!! A person in the gas station asked the boys where they were from. Thomas told her that he used to live in Texas but now he lives in a hotel.


Matthew was very clingy to Michael during the weekend. He didn't want to leave his side. Matthew and Michael have been best buddies since Matthew was a newborn. Any time Matthew accomplishes anything, he first wants to call Uncle Michael.

During the wedding, Matthew was perfect. He stood during the entire ceremony. He even helped us fluff Jilinda's vail after she walked up to the alter! During the recessional, Bryon's hands were full of sleeping Thomas, so Matthew stuck out his arm to escort the bridesmaid who Bryon was supposed to escort!

At the reception, the Matthew I know and love took center stage. I had asked him to be calm and good for far too long and now it was time to party. He loved dancing and as I mentioned yesterday, he enjoyed pretending like he was a figure skater. He kept crossing his arms over his chest and spinning. He got himself good and dizzy and threw up while Michael and Jilinda were cutting the cake. Fortunately, it wasn't a whole lot, and it was cleaned up within moments.

Matthew had a fabulous time and I couldn't have asked any more from him.

Thomas

And the stinker award goes to.....Thomas! The night before we left, he had 104 degree fever and I am fairly convinced that he had a virus on top of that. Being on antibiotics, feeling yucky, a long drive, out of routine, sleeping less than normal, playing 18 holes of golf with the guys, and all the hubbub took its toll the worst on my little guy. He was clingy to me, not his normal sweet self, not cooperative with cameras, and a little stubborn.

He fell asleep leaning over a chair at the rehearsal dinner. He slept any chance we would give him. I felt guilty that he wasn't home in bed, but what could we do?

One thing I will always remember about the wedding involved Thomas. We realized the night before the wedding that Thomas would not be able to stand during the wedding. He was far too out of sorts for that. After the kids came down the aisle, a member of the church grabbed ME. Thomas did not want to go with her. Bryon escorted him to her and took his place at the alter. Thomas followed him back! I discreetly pulled him over to where Bryon and I were standing. Thomas kept leaning on me and we finally told him to sit down next to us. We were in the back so I don't believe he could be seen. He was still holding Bryon's hand while he was sitting and during a prayer, I hear him snoring! He was sitting down, holding Bryon's hand fast asleep. I started giggling and I got worried that I would have the giggles during my song. Bryon picked him up and he stayed laying on Bryon's shoulder during the rest of the ceremony. Bryon had a long drool stain down the back of his tux!

He did perk up for the reception. He was very much at home next to all the food. The only time I had to get on to him during the reception was when he took all of his clothes off but his pants! He is so hot natured and it often takes everything in me to make him keep his clothes on!

He had a great time getting to know his second cousins. My cousin Matt has two kids, a boy, Matthew who is Thomas's age, and a girl, Emma, who is ME's age. Thomas fell in love with Emma and kept saying, "I love you, Emma!" We are all going to the Cape at the same time this summer so I am looking forward to their budding friendships!



Mary Elizabeth

What can I say? She had one mission: to walk down the aisle without crying. She accomplished her mission! She only stopped one time at the end of the aisle to pick up a few rose petals but she walked without crying out for Daddy or her Bibi.

ME also enjoyed getting to know her cousin, Emma. The two of them spent lots of time hugging and kissing at the reception.


ME loved all the attention she got from our extended family. The charm was turned on and she flirted with anyone who would let her.

She slept all but one hour of the 7 hour drive back!