Day 9 phonography challenge - Jump

Jump Matt jump!

First look - LOAD512: Day 14

First look - LOAD512: Day 14
Originally uploaded by Alijoyc

Jump - LOAD512: Day11

Jump - LOAD512: Day11
Originally uploaded by Alijoyc

Sometimes there just isn't much of a story....here is Matthew playing at the park doing one of his favourite things.

Slide play - LOAD512: Day8

Slide play - LOAD512: Day8
Originally uploaded by Alijoyc

A super quickie today! These photos have been in a to do pile forever. Not spectacular but done!

Favourite Photo Friday

Ahhh I was so creative with the first....Matty in a pot and later Matty in a bucket...

Back for Favourite Photo Friday.

Who: Matthew; aged 6 months

When: May 18, 2003

Where: In front of our house

Number 2 and 3 do not have such creative poses.  In fact we were just realizing that number three's last professional photo was taken when he was 6 months old.  Oops, somehow We've let THAT happen.  Well in reality this just applies to professional photos.  I think he has more photos than the other two since he is all digital.

Anyway, I digress.  I love this photo because it reminds of an Anne Geddes photo.  Matt was so agreeable and content. He was at just the right age.  He is just cute!  

Similarities

I'm seeing some similarities between this little guy and a certain other someone.....

How about you?

Hi Ya! LOAD1105 - Day4

Hi Ya! LOAD1105 - Day4
Originally uploaded by Alijoyc

The prompt today was to use white space - definitely something I do a lot of. This was a quick 15 minute layout from Scraphappy.

Having a younger brother can be very amusing...

Poor Mitchell. He will probably look back on this and think what were we doing to him? (Especially when I realized afterwards it was the WET dishcloth - yuck!) I just hope that Matt will always remember the FUN he has with his younger brother - even when they are older.

I learned that Matthew is famous today...

...at school at least. We found out that this picture of him was taken at recess by a teacher (note the full gear AND flip flops - only in Canada eh?) and it is now the screen saver on all of the computers at school! (Yes library, classrooms etc!)

Breathe Matthew!

We've been noticing a strange thing with Matthew lately! When he's been watching a movie (in the car or at home) he has this really weird breathing pattern thing going on - so much so that we actually have to remind him to breathe! I don't think he actually stops breathing but it certainly "changes" and is noticeable. Weird!

Before and After

Before the room purge...


And after....
Wow - what a transformation. I have been wanting to help Matthew clean up his room for at least a few months now. His desk has been covered with loot bag toys, papers and books for at least as long. It took some doing but once he got going his phrase became "yep - I think someone else could use this". We got rid of two laundry baskets full of boxes, papers, toys and junk. I keep reminding him not to be like his mom... I'm not sure if it is helping or not. Maybe if I actually got rid of some more stuff??

The boy loves trees!

We stopped at the park on the way home from a few appointments and Matthew immediately wanted to climb the trees he did last year at the Terry Fox Run. No way. But this one was closer to the playground and a bit more accessible. He has also been trying Andrea's tree as well as the one at school (until he is told otherwise). I hated climbing tees as a kid - we had a great one in our backyard that my brother climbed. I wish there were more that Matt could try out but for now he will have to suffice with these few.

Kisses

I walked the kids to school today as I usually do and went on to walk the girls to their side. Matt was already off interacting with a friend. I went up to him and told him I was taking the girls over and could I have a kiss goodbye? He was pretty preoccupied so I pretty much hugged him from behind and then started walking on saying "Have a good day... see you after school". He then stopped what he was doing, and came over and hugged me and said, "I'll never not kiss you - unless we are out of time!" and then gave me a proper big kiss goodbye. I told him "Wow - thank you so much" - and high fived him. What a kid! I know plenty of moms with much younger kids who have stopped kissing goodbye at school already. Trust me - I'll take this as long as I can! It totally made my day!

7 years old!

Our little boy is 7!

He wanted a few simple decorations at home (door streamers and balloons in his room) and lucky charms for breakfast. He got a few simple gifts (gasp - a gift he hadn't opened from last year!) and then had a free day until his party.

We held a birthday party at the church which turned out to be a real blast. We set up the blow-up slide in the fellowship hall along with food tables and then mini-stick hockey on the other side. Because of the low cost he was able to invite 17 friends although a few were unable to make it. It was 2 hours long which was perfect. Not many wanted pizza but did enjoy the legos off the cake. They also liked the cheezies and licorice set up at the side.

We decided to go a different route for gifts this year. Last year we did the book exchange which was okay although I think Matt felt a little jipped. We, and other family members still gave him gifts but he didn't really see it as getting anything from his friends. This year we went with another friends idea and had a toonie party. Each friend was to bring 2 toonies - one for Matt and one for a charity of his choice (He chose World Vision). We would then match the contributions and take him to get a toy of his choice (we knew it would be Indiana Jones Lego).

Either way, it worked out well. A few friends donated more but the amount was quite nice. Nothing too overloading - especially around Christmas. We just really don't need more toys in the house and are trying to promote the idea that celebrations are for family and friends and togetherness. It isn't all about the "things". We'll see how it goes over. And yes, we will be doing the same for Marlee in August too. We haven't had a traditional friend party for Cierra so it wouldn't be the same for her.

I sometimes struggle with this idea. Both kids go to LOTS of birthday parties over the year and they naturally bring gifts for each of the children. Sometimes it doesn't seem fair that you spend the money and then don't get the "return" when your own kids have a party. After contemplation though, having that many new gifts at one time is simply overwhelming for us. It is just too much. And as I mentioned, when we keep the cost down , we can have more friends. I don't know how long we can keep this up but I hope that the next few years will really help with this mindset. The people we have talked to have liked the idea. Whether they do it themselves will remain to be seen. For us, it helps focus on a few true wants and not a lot of extra things we don't need. At least I hope it does!

All in a day's work!

Today we tackled the last of the wood pile. We picked up all of the logs laying around and Drew and Matt cut them up with the hand saws and then Drew got the chain saw going (after he had a go at the picnic table). Either way, the boys did a great job working together and now we have another wood pile to dry out until we can split it next year. I think we have done more work this holiday then we have in the last several with the kids combined!

I was THAT mom this morning

Yep - I was THAT mom this morning on the way to school. The mom that's yelling at her kid the whole way. It was brutal. We started off on a good note. We were leaving on time - with time to spare even. And then there is the stick. We have had this stick hanging around for a few weeks now - really no big deal. The kids like to poke the snow with it. But today Matt was being aggressive with it and of course Marlee was being oversensitive and the slightest word offends her. So we deal with it. We decide to take the wagon but as the kids pile in with the bags, they are already wet and getting the bags all wet so I decide we can all walk. Marlee needs to adjust her boot though so she stays on. Woah! Huge injustice and it excalates from there. Life just isn't fair, Matt NEVER gets to ride, how come Marlee does yada yada yada. Well reasoning didn't work; pointing out others that are younger and always walk didn't work, pointing out that he often rides in the stroller or wagon didn't work, being silent didn't work (he kicked at the wagon, pulled at my arm) so I fell for it - first of all he's not getting in now with that attitude, then I started removing priveledges and then the yelling. At least I'm pretty sure it was yelling. I look back now and just want to crawl into a hole. The poor guy - I don't know what was up but I didn't hanbdle it well at all. I hate it when I am that mom. That being said - I am at a loss right now - I'm home more - I'm with him more but his aggression this week has been awful. I'm just not sure what to do with it. AHHH!! But hey - I resolve to apologize after school (to him and the other kids) and yes, he will have to have some alone time but we will also have some quiet time together. And some prayer. C and I will take in some puzzle work and chill. I just don't know somedays...

Happy Valentines Day!

Well the decorations were up, the pink pancakes and fruity cheerios ready to go, as well as the heart shaped containers with candies set on the table... but there was little love in the air. No, it wasn't that bad. Personally I was quite pleased with the decorations - the kids helped put some up over the week and then Drew and I added a few last night to surprise them (it doesn't take much). But poor Matt was not a happy camper when he realized he had to go to play practice "ON VALENTINE"S DAY!!!??!!" It's not like he was going to miss anything (changing the beds, vacuuming, usual playtime) but he is just did not want to go. What is funny is that his behaviour/ argument was soooooo me!!! If it is not in his agenda, on his terms, he does not want to do it. Man I am feeling for Drew! No matter what we said (he wanted to make some more valentines and not have a shower), he kicked up his heels - even though he could potentially have gotten them both done. Very interesting to participate in from this side. And a learning experience for me. Unfortunately there ended up being some yelling and threatening (when you've committed to a program you attend - they are counting on you - you know...) but we were able to finish off with a tickle/ pillow fight so he left with smiles. Thank goodness! I hope the rest of the day continues along this line! It's all about the attitude and choosing the right one. I am learning. Show me the love!!!

Blessings and a HVD to you!