Washing the dishes

Mommy already makes us put our dishes in the sink when we are done eating but it recently hit her that we are capable of loading it too - all we needed was a little step stool to help us reach the faucet. And yes, she is one of those who likes to wash their dishes before running it in the dishwasher!

Just hanging out at the park!

I still love this thing!

And my "farmer" shirt, can't you tell??

"There goes a police car"

There are some really cool videos at the library that you can check out and I love all the transportation themed ones - there is a whole series on different types of vehicles, like firetrucks, post trucks, and my latest favorite, police cars. So when Mommy invited her friend over that is a real policeman, I was besides myself! That is, until he actually arrived. Then I got stage fright. Up until the moment he arrived, I had so many questions and curiousity about what a real policecar looked like but when I had my chance to tour the insides, I chickened out. But now that he is gone, I still like to talk to Mommy about it.

Matthew's artwork 2010

Here are a few samples of my artwork - you'll notice that my main concern is LOTS of color... EVERYWHERE....

Being a tourist in our hometown

We had company this weekend and we got to play tourist with them! We went to T-Rex and Wonderscope, 2 great places for kids! I had so much fun exploring and getting to know our new friends! Can't wait to see them later this summer on their home turf in Nebraska!

Shaving Cream Painting

Or should I say shaving cream mess???????

Swimming at Matt Ross Community Center

I am a fish in the water! What a great way to spend a cold winter day!

Big Old Yellow School Bus

Uncle Nick and Aunt Noel came for a visit and it was so cool to see the bus that he drives!

Debbie Howard's Gym!

I've discovered the coolest place in the world - I get to jump, run, dive, and it is all safe and encouraged! Let's do it again!

Valentine's Day 2010

I am a donut king! I had a great Valentine's Day eating chocolate, donuts and playing with my new motorcycle!

I'm a "soldier-farmer"

In addition to my farmer hat and farmer shirt, I now have a "soldier" outfit - it is complete with a shield and helmet and sword! I think I am pretty cool now!

Snow is great but there is a downside...

When the fun is over, there sure are a lot of wet clothes, mittens, gloves, coats, hats, long underwear, etc. etc. etc. to clean up! Times 6 kids! YIKES!

Why can't I drive in the snow???

We rarely get to go outdoors theses days and when we do, I always want to drive my red jeep. Mommy always tells me No and now I think I understand why... my car just doesn't do so well driving in the snow! I made it almost down the driveway until my wheels locked up with snow clumped on them - and then I tried to push it and it wouldn't budge. I guess days like these are best suited for building snowmen and sledding instead!

Santa Claus came to town...

Mommy took me to go see Santa Claus at Bass Pro Shop - all I cared about was getting to hold a rifle and practice shooting at targets I didn't care how long the line was, the longer we were there, the longer I got to play.

But finally, we did get to see him and again, true to form, I did not want to get my picture taken - I guess I could be worse - I could be one of those kids that cries or kicks and screams - I just cover my face with my arm and refuse to look at the camera. They finally got a decent shot - I did not smile and you can tell by Santa's expression, he was about to put me on the naughty list. Oh well, Mommy was happy...

Making gingerbread houses

Mommy prayed for children that loved to do crafts and kitchen things - well, her prayers were answered - I am SOOOOOO crafty! I love anything in the kitchen - anytime I hear the wheat grinder or the mixer start, I am there. So, imagine my interest peaking when she allowed me access to all the sprinkles, icing, decorations galore at my disposal! I had so much fun decorating (and taste testing) my gingerbread house! You may also note my attire - it really hasn't changed much in the past 1 1/2 years - still same red farmer shirt, hat, cowboy boots (not pictured) and my latest addition is the bandana around my neck. At least I don't create a lot of laundry in the house, right?

People looking at me = stage fright

For being such a class clown, I really don't like being the center of attention. I mean, I do, but only on my terms. Like, sticking me up on a stage in front of 500+ people with other kids isn't part of my terms.

On Sunday, Dec 13 - our church invited the preschoolers to come sing a few Christmas songs in front of the church - Mommy was so excited that both me & Tori would get to go it - great photo op, right? We sang for 2 services - the first service, Mommy made sure to be right up in the front row so she could get a good shot - Victoria walked out on stage first and was all beaming and smiles. My class was last to arrive - I guess we were the youngest so they put us out front - I was so timid and barely could make the walk across the stage but blindly followed command - that is, until, I spotted Mommy sitting right in front and so I ended up running across the stage and then immediately jumped down & dove into her lap! She allowed me to sit the first service out but then they sent me back in for a 2nd run...

This time Mommy stayed in the backrow so she would be more hidden - and this time the teachers allowed me to walk out hand in hand with Victoria. I lasted a few extra minutes on the stage as I scanned the audience eagerly searching for Mommy - it didn't matter how many bulletins she tried to hide behind, I still was able to find her - and this time, I dove off the stage and ran down the aisle. When she offered me a piece of candy to go back and sing first, I decided that was an okay plan so I ran back up to the stage and tried to climb up the same way I departed - however, my little legs just weren't quite big enough so they dangled from the stage and all you could see was my little bum sticking up in the air and my legs kicking furiously trying to propel back onto the stage. Luckily, a teacher quickly came and rescued me and I made it back on the stage. However, that is all I did - I refused to sing - in fact, all I did was discover that I had a sticker on my shirt and played with it over and over again. I did at least last the entire song but once it was over - whooshh --- I jumped the stage again and ran back down to Mommy - she quickly reminded me that there was one more song to sing so back I went, same routine. Apparently, it was quite comical for everyone in the audience to watch and the pastor even said that he called that "stage diving!" Mommy wasn't able to get all the diving on video but she did get this clip of me fidgeting with my sticker...

Are you a nut? Taking ME to the Nutcracker???

What were you thinking??Like I would be able to sit through 2 hours of this!
This is where I shrieked out, "Mommy! That man is naked!"
I had to get a closer look to make sure!
I was mostly good, but probably next year Tori should go alone with Mommy!