My 8 1/2 year old, Matthew

Matthew had his half birthday yesterday, so he is officially 8 1/2! Here is a little of what my little man is up to these days:

*He has really shot up! I measure him every year at the beginning and end of school. He has grown 3 1/2 inches since August! His feet are huge (I wear his socks), and his ring finger is too big to fit my wedding ring on.

*He is a night owl, and, consequently, not a morning person.

*He continues to be very competitive and wants to do things faster and better than he is expected to do.

*His last name is Barnhill, but he looks like, is built like, and has the temperament of a Robinson. He does seem to have Bryon's energy level and enthusiasm!

*He is very ticklish and cracks up easily. If you make him laugh, he usually doubles over in laughter!

*The most remarkable thing about Matthew is his memory. He recalls events that happened years ago that there are no pictures of, or we haven't mentioned in conversation. He also can hear a song once and start singing the words of the verses the next time he hears it.

*He has really turned into a Daddy's boy this year. This makes me a little sad (although Bryon says this is only fair as Thomas is a huge Mama's boy!), but I think this has something to do developmentally with identifying with the same sex parent. He agrees with everything Bryon says, and wants to be with him all the time.

*I have really felt him detaching a bit this year, and becoming more independent. He is busy with his school work and activities, and can handle these without much assistance. He also spends more time riding his bike around our neighborhood and not under constant supervision from me.

*He continues to be my most challenging child. I have had to hone my parenting skills with this guy! I guess, we as parents, have to have one like this to keep us humble! He is perfect at school and for Bryon, but he loves pushing my buttons from time to time. But, just when I think I want to kill him, he turns around and becomes a sweet, quite, and contemplative little man who is an absolute joy to hang out with.

*Matthew's hair is a force to be reckoned with! It is thick and very coarse. One of these days, I will have to take a picture of him in the morning. He looks like Dagwood from the Blondie comics. His hair defies gravity and stands at a 90 degree angle from his head. And don't think that wetting his hair calms it down. The stuff is like a Brillo pad! It has been a while since we cut it, and it is getting long in the back. I cut his side burns and bangs yesterday which THRILLS him, because he thinks he has a mullet. It is his life's ambition to wear a mullet. Where does this kid come from?!

I am ready for the summer break to get to spend more time with Matthew!

Matthew had his end of the year piano recital yesterday, and here is a clip of his duet with his teacher.