This month, Matthew will complete his 5th and final year of elementary school. It has been an absolute joy to watch him grow these past 5 years! I am so excited for him to move on to intermediate school next year, but I want to write a blog about my memories of his elementary school experience.
Some of these are funny stories and some are accomplishments. I don't want this to come across as bragging, but since the advent of Facebook, I think only 2 or 3 people read this thing anymore and I am wanting to document them in our family's journal.
*The first day of kindergarten, I was talking to the librarian, and Matthew said to me in his authoritative voice, "Hurry up, Mom! I have business I need to get to!"
*I remember seeing many moms cry on the first day, but I was so happy that Matthew was in school. This child was born to be in school and I was more happy for him than sad for me.
*Being very nervous about not knowing Matthew's teacher, but being pleasantly surprised to find that she was a sorority sister of mine at Baylor! I love Matthew's kindergarten teacher and I was so happy that she kept me informed of funny Matthew stories.
*Matthew making a dear friend in kindergarten who asked Matthew to come play at his house that spring. When I dropped Matthew off, I drove through his friend's neighborhood, not having seen it since only a few houses were built there, and fell in love with the neighborhood. Two months later, we bought a house in that neighborhood!
*In first grade, Matthew's teacher asked the class to name a word that started with a "q". Matthew shot up his hand and said, "quill!" When the class did not know what this word meant, Matthew looked at his teacher and said, "Doesn't anyone around here care about American history?"
*Matthew crying in first grade on Columbus Day because he couldn't go to school that day.
*He decided in first grade that he wanted to be a gastroenterologist. This was the longest doctor name he could think of. One of his journal entries was about how gastroenterologists "work with your colon...you know, the thing that helps you poop?"
*Matthew had a new teacher in 2nd grade who we had heard nothing about. After meeting that beautiful teacher with long blonde hair, it was time to go home. Matthew got into the car and said, "I have a feeling I am going to love 2nd grade!" I asked why and he said, "Three things...she's young, she's good looking, and she's single!" This teacher ranks as one of my favorites for Matthew. We enjoy a great relationship to this day. Coincidentally, she was also a sorority sister of mine at Baylor, although she was there 8 years after me!
*In 2nd grade, Matthew asked me if I would take him to Mt. Rushmore if he read for 300 A.R. points. I agreed thinking that he wouldn't do it. He ended the year with 330 and we went to Mt. Rushmore three days after school got out.
*Having to explain to Matthew's kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade teachers that we were not a one dimensional family after finding that nearly every entry in each of his journals was sports related. One of my favorites was from 2nd grade when Matthew blamed Jessica Simpson for Tony Romo's poor performance in the playoffs!
*Matthew getting perfect attendance in 1st and 2nd grade. He did not miss a day for being sick after getting chicken pox in kindergarten!
*Matthew narrowly missed getting into the Gifted and Talented program at our school in kindergarten and 1st grade. He claimed that the testing for it was too boring. Wouldn't you know that he got into the program in 2nd grade...just two months after his kindergarten brother got in? Nothing like a little brother competition for motivation! ;)
*At the beginning of third grade, Matthew was not thrilled with the teacher he had been given. She was very loud, strick, and many of the kids were fearful of her. She ended up being one of Matthew's favorite memories of elementary school as she told the best stories about history. To this day, Matthew quotes Mrs. F, and she has told me that if she had had a son, she would have loved one just like Matthew.
*Matthew getting one of the 2 male leads in the 3rd grade musical. The music teacher couldn't decide if Matthew should be Santa Claus or Dr. Brainpain. She finally decided that Matthew just looked like a Dr. Brainpain!
*Matthew has loved his homeroom teacher this year and loves that she drives a truck and is a sports fanatic.
*Matthew made straight A's his entire time in elementary school except one B in the middle of this year. He confided to his teacher and me his fear that this might hurt his chances of getting into Baylor. Bryon and I have never had to motivate Matthew to do well in school and he expects a lot out of himself.
*The daily goings on at recess. This was always his favorite thing to talk about after school. Who was picked for what team and the sport of the day. Matthew especially loves kickball and always gets picked early on because of his strong leg! ;)
*The love and support we got from his teachers and friends after Matthew was attacked earlier this year.
*Matthew's deck tennis team beating the rest of the entire 4th grade class, which meant that his team got to play the teachers/principals in the championship. They ended up beating the teachers. This was Matthew's favorite memory of the year!
*Getting to go on great field trips to Round Rock's Innerspace Caverns, Killeen's Planetarium, Grapevine's Ice Exhibit and Rainforest Cafe', the state Capitol, as well as the Waterpark at the end of this month.
*Getting one of the lead roles in the 4th grade musical that will happen next week (he plays a bowling instructor). Matthew loves drama and singing on stage!
*Being proud of Matthew when we heard in the middle of the year that he tested on a 9th grade level in reading.
*Matthew has had the same backpack since 1st grade. He claims it's the best, so why mess with perfection?
*It was always very important to Matthew that I be his room mother. I was every year. Well, technically, I was the 4th grade room mom coordinator this year, so I was room mom by default!
So many good memories of experiences had, things learned, and friendships made!
These are Matthew's two best friends in our neighborhood. All the moms were assigned the responsibility of buying bowling shirts. Without knowing it, we all ordered the same ones! Same color and website. 
Great buddies since kindergarten! 
Mary Beth had a BLAST! ;) 
We were so happy Aunt Lauren and James came to cheer on Matthew! 
James and Mary Beth "helping."
Mary Beth trying to keep the sun off of Lydia.
Then, after a few hours, we headed home. Saturday night, I helped host a party for our dear friends, the Lamms. I made 5 desserts the night before for the event! Perry Lamm had suffered terribly from cancer last year (his second bout), and the night was meant to celebrate him being cancer free. Unfortunately, at the party, Perry told us the news that a 3 month check up the day before revealed more spots on his lungs. He is going to have to go through chemo again. This was a terrible process last year, and he lost 70 pounds from the grueling treatment. It put a damper on our celebration, but we love the Lamm family, and we all felt good just showing their family how much we love them. If you could keep that family in your prayers, I am sure they would appreciate it!
Why should today be any different?
"Matthew, what are you doing?"
"Matthew, you have no facial hair. I don't think shaving will help!"
"Well, I am going to practice. I'll get a beard when I hit puberty which I can't WAIT FOR!"
I have a feeling my life is about to get very interesting.
