Innerspace Caverns

Today was Matthew's 3rd grade field trip to Innerspace Caverns. It was so much fun! 

The Balcones Fault...

Ice Cream Cone...
Matthew listening intently...
Texas Chip and Dip...

  

Mining for gems...

Soda straws.  Each one grows 1/4 inch every 50 years!

A little bat sleeping...

Amy and me going underground!

The monster...
Matthew and his buds traveling underground...

Innerspace Caverns was discovered when the first interstate highway in America, I-35, was being formed. I found it interesting, since one of my patients a few years ago, who worked for the highway department, was there when it was discovered.  We were a little apprehensive about traveling 30-70 feet underground, but thankfully, the rocks held firm!  It was great to spend time with my favorite 9 years old, and one of my best friends, Amy, whose daughter was also on the trip.  We even managed a little retail therapy in Salado, and found these pillows!

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!

Saturday and our piano recital

Saturday was a gift from heaven!

The boys had 3 overlapping games, and we were so disappointed that we would have to split up watching the kids (Bryon and I both can't stand missing a single game!).  Anyway, we woke up to a stormy morning, which is my favorite way to wake up, and heard that all three games were cancelled!  What an unexpected gift of time!  We ended up cleaning out closets, practicing for our recital yesterday, playing Wii, hanging out talking, and I made a big dinner...roast, carrots, potatoes, roasted asparagus, and homemade garlic cheese biscuits.  It was such a simple day, but so very appreciated!

Sunday was our piano recital.  I played Clair de Lune.  I played well, considering that my fingers were shaking violently.  I guess I will never get over my stage fright, but I handled my fear better than I did in December, so we'll see!  I knew that my grandmother would have been proud of me.  I wore her pearls and played from her music.  I was happy that my parents could come.  Dad got choked up hearing the music, because my grandmother always played this song when she would visit her parents in Memphis.  Mom got choked up because they played this song in their wedding as it was important to my grandmother.

I was also so proud of the boys!  Thomas played his two pieces perfectly, and so did Matthew.  Matthew even improvised and played extra chords in his piece that I had never heard him play before, but sounded great!  This is something I have never been able to do, and I am happy that Matthew got his Uncle Michael's talent of playing without written music.

We have a fun filled week starting with lots of end of the year activities!  Only 11 days left!

Lydia Kay is here!

Our sweet, Lydia Kay is here!

About 5 weeks ago, an ultrasound revealed that Lydia was already 7lb.12oz.  Jilinda was sent to a specialist two weeks ago, and the baby was already 10 pounds!  The specialist and Jilinda's doctor agreed that a c section was in order!  

This morning, Lauren, Jack, Mary Beth, and I jumped in the car to meet our niece/cousin who was scheduled to be born at noon.  By 12:30, Michael emailed one thing....

11 pounds!

Wow!  What a blessing that c section was!  Jilinda did great, and Lydia is just beautiful.  She looks like the perfect Sowers/Robinson mix, and we were thrilled to add her to our family today.  What a blessing and miracle a newborn is!  Michael and Jilinda have been such a vital part of the lives of their 5 nephews and niece.  We are so excited to get to love their child like they have loved ours!

Mother's Day Brunch

I had such a fun time at Mary Beth's preschool Mother's Day brunch.  Everyone dressed in their Sunday best, and each mom was given a beautiful corsage made by their child.  The kids sang sweet songs about moms, and presented each mom with an "All About Mom" page.  Who knew that onions were my favorite food? ;)  It was such a sweet time, and I am so blessed to be Mary Beth's (and Matthew and Thomas's) mom!

Round Up and Rarin' to go!

It is hard to believe that we attended our last kindergarten round up tonight!  Mary Beth is chomping at the bit to be in school with her brothers.  She asks me to talk to her about it all the time.  Last night, I told her that I was really going to miss her next year.  She looked at me, very matter of factly, and said, "Mom, you do know that I will be home after school every day, right?"

Since before she could walk, Mary Beth has been a fixture at our elementary school.  The office staff gives her visitor passes that color coordinate with whatever outfit she is wearing!  I guess starting next year, she will not need another "visitor pass"!  I am so excited for my little girl, and can't wait to see what is in store for her next year!

Emotional roller coaster.

"Thomas made me MAD!!"

"Mary Beth, you look much prettier when you smile."  3 milliseconds later....
But it is more fun to be silly!

Just a swanging (one of my most favorite childhood country songs!)

These pictures just make me happy!  Mary Beth has figured out how to swing all by herself, and she spends quite a bit of free time swinging.  I love watching her from the window.  Pure childhood happiness!

Unwanted visitor

I spend a lot of time in my garden, catering to the flowers, birds, and butterflies.  I have found that when it comes to gardening, you take the good.......

Downy woodpecker...

Painted Bunting (my favorite bird feeder visitor)...

Indigo Bunting.....

Roses galore...
Ruby-throated hummingbird...

WITH THE BAD!!!!!!

I looked out my bathroom window into my Japanese Maple that always has lots of birds in it, only to find this little peeping tom looking at me!   Fortunately, it is a harmless garden variety snake that looked like it was digesting possibly a mouse?  If so, I will peacefully coexist with the mouse killer, and be VERY careful where I step!