The pot at the end of my rainbow

Pete called me yesterday afternoon on my way to teach religious education with a wonderful gem he found in Matt's bookbag.  His timing was great as the boys were being rowdy in the backseat.  It was not long ago that Matt asked me if my cousin was my treasure like his blue blanket.

Below is a picture of his story.

"Something that is a treasaure to me is my blue blanket.  It is special because it is a treasure to me.  My blue blanket is special to me because my mom gave it to me.  This would be in the pot at the end of my rainbow."

I may not have a blue blanket...but I know this kid is definitely in the pot at the end of my rainbow.

It is Heaven to be Seven

 Today our baby turns seven.  How did that happen?

On Saturday he had his first ever birthday party at the bowling alley.  I think everyone had a great time.  Then we celebrated at my brother's house.  We celebrated the weekend before as well when Pete's mom was in town.  It feels like we have been celebrating forever!!  But it has been fun!!

I am taking him to school today and he wanted to take green sprinkle donuts to his class instead of cupcakes.  Weird kid.....but he is ours!!

Happy Birthday Matthew Charles....I think you got more than your name from your Great-Granddad.  You are so smart...you have a temper...you are kind.  You still amaze me every day...what a wonderful surprise you are to us!!  We love you more than words could say!!  Enjoy being SEVEN.

Treasure

Yesterday we had the privilege of visiting with my cousin Todd and his family from Denver while they were staying at my parents' house. 

I rushed home from work and picked up the boys to take them over to my mom's.  We ate at McDonald's and I hurried them along because I could hardly wait to see them.

As we drove out of the parking lot on our way, I was just giddy.  Matt asked me why I was so excited.

I told him that my cousin Todd is one of my favorite people in the world and I love to spend time with him.

He said in his sweet 6 year old voice... "Oh, is he your treasure? That is something you love, like my blue blanket is my treasure."

Todd is indeed one of my "treasures" and we had a wonderful time last night!!!  His two little girls are the cutest things ever!!!  I also got to spend some time with my other "treasures" because my sister and brother were there with their families too!!

To my Matty....you continue to amaze me with your insight and emotional intelligence.  I hope you always feel the love of your treasures and know that you are one of my greatest treasures!!

Blue Blanket

Matt needed a baby picture for school today as they are studying how things grow.

Being that Matt was born in the digital era, I had to search through the pictures on the computer for something that would be a good representation of his size.

I decided on the following picture, he was in a wagon that had cookies in it and was about 2 months old.

I was surprised to see how much he still looks like this.

I was also surprised to see his head laying on his "blue blanket".  Anyone that knows Matt knows about his "blue blanket".  I made him this blanket before he was born....nothing special about it....but to Matt it is his BLUE BLANKET.  It has baby things on it....it has a gummy spot on it....a hole that he cut in it.  He pretty much always knows exactly where it is.  He knows he can't take it to school and sometimes he hugs it before he leaves in the morning....he finds it right when he gets home and holds it while doing his homework.  He has been known to wear it on his head like a hat.  Sometimes he puts it in the freezer (still haven't figured out that one). 

I have tried to get him a different blanket....even took him to the store and let him pick the fabric.  I cut it exactly the same size as the blue blanket and didn't embroider anything on it (because it is scratchy).  But nothing has replaced that blue blanket.

I know the day will come when that blue blanket will be left behind....but I am okay that he has something that makes him feel safe and happy.  When he is done with the Blue Blanket, I will stow it away and keep it safe until he needs it again.  I think everyone should have their own Blue Blanket.

Happy St. Matty's Day

6 years ago today our family was finally complete.

What a true blessing this little guy is to us.

Pete described him perfectly yesterday...

Matt knows exactly what he wants, when he wants it, and how he is going to get it.

This kid is crazy smart.

This kid is stubborn.

This kid has the kindest heart.

This kid can scream.

This kid is funny.

This kid is loved to the moon and back!!!

Happy Birthday Matthew Charles!!

Now if we could just get him to understand that the world isn't just celebrating "his" birthday today!!!

The possibilities

Our baby, Matt, has surprised us from the beginning.

I was 20 weeks pregnant with him without us knowing.

His memory is fantastic...he always knows exactly where he left something.

He has a desire to learn how things work...he was asking Pete tonight about things on the dirt bike he is assembling (it was shipped from another state).

Tonight he proved yet again that we are in for a ride with this one....

We have been looking for the sunscreen that we bought a couple weeks ago (at Matt's insistence because he was afraid to get a sunburn). Any one that knows our family knows this is not surprising since we seriously lack in organizational skills. I even bought new sunscreen this afternoon. However, Matt was on his search of band-aids (which I have hidden - he isn't the only smart one) he suddenly announced from the kitchen counter, "Is this what you have been looking for?" He was holding the sunscreen. I asked him where he found it and he showed me the cabinet....the same one both Pete and I looked in.

When I asked him what he was doing on the counter, he smartly announced "I was looking for the sun lotion".

I did give him a band-aid for his trouble!

Where does time go???

Tomorrow Pete and I will register our last child for kindergarten!

How can this be? Wasn't it just yesterday that we got the surprise of a lifetime and found out that in less than 5 months we would be having our 3rd child?

The really neat thing that Pete pointed out this morning....

All three of our children were born in the same hospital, by the same doctor and they will all start kindergarten at the same school. Both Hannah and Davis had the same para pro....wonder if Matt will get Mrs. Blake too?

I know it will be 4 months until my BABY walks up those steps of the bus....but I can't help but feel a little sad today. Although it is a first for Matty, it is another last for us.

Rainy Saturday

We have been getting rain for days now.

I love that it is hopefully washing away the gross yellow pollen that falls this time of the year.

I don't love the fact that my boys are not able to go outside and they have been bouncing off the walls!!! At one point, Davis was pulling Matt around the house by his blanket...

I remember when a rainy Saturday meant an all day Lifetime Movie Marathon. No such luck when you have kids in the house!! I am getting a few movies in today, but it is in between telling the boys to calm down...quit running....leave the dog alone...no more cereal...and so on!!

Pete did accomplish something today...Matt got a haircut.

I also figured out what Pete has to bribe him with...Matt gets to control the air.

Here is short video of the end of the haircut...

Now we are off to eat some Chili at Pete's dad's house.

I think the rain is supposed to stop by tomorrow....whew!!!!

OCD

I have known for awhile that Matt is VERY particular about a lot of things....

His shoes must be put on "right"...the tongue must be pulled at precisely the right moment.

His socks can't have any "bumps" on them....not really sure what they are, but he will pull them off in a NY minute if they are not right.

His clothes must have a 4 in the size...even though now he is 5. We have a couple 4/5 that he is okay with because it has a 4 in it.

His jacket and backpack must be put on BOTH hooks at school....not just one side.

This morning I learned a new requirement....he puts his pants on with his right leg first...not the other one!! I thought he was going to lose it this morning when I put them on the wrong leg first.

Lord help me with this one!!!

Our Irish Blessing

We have been blessed with

5 Years

60 Months

1,826 Days

43,824 Hours

Of Matthew Charles Yost

Happy 5th Birthday Matty, we wouldn't be the same without you!!

May you always have...

A sunbeam to warm you,

Good luck to charm you,

And a sheltering angel so nothing can harm you,

Laughter to cheer you,

Faithful friends near you,

And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.

Always remember the road HOME Matt....we will be here!!

The mind of a 4 year old

This morning I am making Monkey Bread. Something I know all my kids love and we have two other kids staying with us for the weekend, so I thought I would be domestic.

My Matty (who by the way is only 3 days from being 5.) asked me what I was making so I told him.

He said "why, are monkeys coming to our house?"

Excuse me Tooth Fairy....but this time it is for REAL

Matt lost his first real tooth today (see here for the explanation of his front teeth)!!

It has been loose for a little while and he has been a bit concerned about it. He told me on Friday when I picked him up from school that he was scared people would laugh at him when it came out.

I am not surprised he is losing them so early....his first tooth (probably the one he lost today) popped through at 4 months and I only found it because I happen to put my finger in his mouth. He was never unbearable when he was teething.

Congrats Mattman......I am sure the Tooth fairy is just as excited to get another tooth!!

I think his other bottom tooth will fall out in a day or so.....hopefully he won't be as concerned about this one!!

I think I hate candy...

I don't mean I hate to eat candy....I am just tired of beating punishing my children for taking TOO much candy.

I think I need a serious drink....I just helped Davis and Matt with their Valentine cards.

Amazingly we had enough candy to put with each card.

I have also determined that I am way too much of a perfectionist and it was everything I could do to not re-write the names.

The boys did "allow" me to put the candy on the card (I am not sure my heart could've taken watching them stuff pixie stixs in the heart and add the arrow on the end)

I wonder if they will sleep tonight?????

Bless You's

Last night Matt was sitting with Hunter and the dog sneezed two times.

Matt started cracking up and said "Hunter just bless you two times"

Hannah said "did you say 'bless you'".

Matt said..."yes, two bless you's".

How cute is that...I guess he does listen from time to time!!

Too Sweet

I took the boys today to go pick Hannah up from school because she had "news team".

Davis was bitching and moaning about having to do his homework when we got home. He tried to say that if he didn't do his homework after dinner, then he would be grounded. I said "no deal"....do your homework. Seriously, how long can it take to write 3 sentences using your spelling words? I am sure the griping took longer!!

Matt says "If you teach me, I will do it for you."

How sweet is that? This 4 year old continues to amaze me!!

P.S. Davis is doing his own homework right now!!

A day of POSITIVES

I filled up my gas tank for $25 (and it was empty).

Matt tested positive for Strep (not a great thing but it was "positive" and at least he should be improving soon!!).

Publix gives certain antibiotics for FREE!!

Got a call from a recruiter about a possible job (not great $, but it is better than zero).

But the biggest positive of the day....

Pete will be driving the truck home tonight from my parent's house!!!!! There is no way for us to repay my dad for working so hard to to get us back to two vehicles without losing an arm and a leg financially. I also have to give some props to my husband....he has tried to help as much as possible. Thank you Mom too....I know you will be glad to get your husband back!!

Oh to be 4!!

Matt really keeps us on our toes....he is busy busy busy. He doesn't quite understand why he has to wait to open presents until Christmas. He opened a present sent to him from his aunt today and all I found was the open box.....he had hid the present in the closet because he didn't want me to know he opened it (I guess he didn't think about the box or the wrapping paper).

Yesterday I took him to the store to buy his brother and sister a present (thank you Grandma and Papa for the $) and I told him he could buy Davis a "hot wheels car". Matt said "shoes"? (he has Hot Wheels shoes) and I said "no....a CAR". Matt laughed and said "oh, I didn't hear very good because I don't have teeth".

**He has been concerned that people can't understand him because he doesn't have front teeth and I always tell him that I just couldn't hear him....I guess he twisted it a little bit!!**

All of that energy eventually comes crashing down.....

Through the ears of a 4 year old

The below song by Garth Brooks has been a favorite of Davis' for a couple of years. It is a Christmas song, but he loves it all year long. I keep it in the car and he will request it often.

Today the boys and I went to get Hannah from school (she had chorus) and I put this song on.

About halfway through the second time we listened to it, Matt says "I think I might cry"

"This is a nice song Mom"



I couldn't agree more Matty!!!

Hug

I get and give hugs everyday.....

Lucky Charms

Matt is a St. Patrick's Day baby.....thus making him our "Lucky Charm". Lisa found him a shirt that says "Mom's Lucky Charm". I guess this is why I found this morning's conversation with Matt to be very funny.

Mommy - "Matt, who made you so smart?"

Matt - "Nobody, just me"

Mommy - "Did God help some?"

Matt - "Yes"

Insert a short pause

Matt - "Actually, Lucky Charms made me smart because they are really good for you!!"

Amen Matty.....but I don't know if your Grammy would agree with all the sugar!!!