Matthew at 9 1/2

Today, my little boy is 91/2!  Just 6 more months in the single digits!

Just a few years ago, I said that I could write a book of all the funny things that Matthew said and did.  Since then, he has moved from being a precocious little boy to such a grown up "pre-tween", as Matthew likes to call himself!

Matthew has never been so busy in his life!  He takes his school work very seriously, and still loves learning.  He is definitely more English/Literature/Science minded, although he likes Math as well.  He is rarely seen without a book near him.  Since the school year started, he has played two seasons of soccer, basketball, and now baseball, not to mention playing the piano and participating in LTC.  He has handled all of this beautifully, and I am proud of his hard work in every aspect of his life!

He still manages to find time for himself, and can either be found reading, riding his rip stick or bike, shooting hoops, playing catch with his Dad, or practicing pitching on our fence....our poor, poor fence!

Other than God and his family, sports reign supreme in Matthew's world.  He loves all kinds of sports...loves to play them, watch them, read about them, collect sports memorabilia, and talk about them all the time.  Almost all of his clothes these days come from Academy!  Matthew is never seen without some sort of Under Armour garment on.  He even wears them under his church clothes!

Matthew is getting so big.  For the past year or two, he has been unable to put my ring on his ring finger!  That's right, his fingers have been bigger than mine since he was 8!  He also wears my unisex T-shirts and flip flops, and they fit perfectly.  In fact, the shirt he is wearing in the pictures once belonged to my sister in law!  He went to the doctor recently and found out that Matthew is 90 pounds!  He isn't remotely fat, but has lots of muscle mass.  I can't believe that my baby is now the size of many Hollywood actresses! ;)

Matthew is very healthy.  Other than getting the chicken pox (of all things) the first few weeks of kindergarten, he hasn't missed a single day of school for being sick until this March!  Even then, Matthew claimed his tummy hurt until it was too late to go to school, then he miraculously was healed.  I guess we all need a mental health day every now and then!

Matthew is a huge Daddy's boy!  Bryon has such a calming affect on Matthew, and he is always happiest in his Daddy's company.  This doesn't hurt my feelings, as I know he loves me dearly!

Matthew is responsible, trust worthy, independent, self confident, witty, gregarious, and playful.  What a blessing he has been to us these past 9 1/2 years!