The photographer took this photo while we wrangled Anna to the bridge! Matthew and Carolyn get along very well and Matthew often thinks of Carolyn when he gets something special.
Joel and Matthew are typical brothers and due to their age differences don't have many things in common. This would be true except for the fact that Joel wants to do everything Matthew does, so he loves Pokemon, hand held games, pretends to read Harry Potter and tries to beat Matthew at anything he can (which works to my advantage when he races to get ready in the morning to be the first one done). I remind Matthew frequently that he needs to be a good role model, with a little brother mimicking everything he does. Oh yeah and the look at bit alike too, especially when you match up ages in the photo albums.
I think the photographer must have picked this good shot out of a bigger picture of the family, because I don't remember posing for this one by ourselves. I will treasure it though!
Here is Matthew with his soccer birthday cake. Yes, this is the best McCleary birthday cake ever (even topping the famous turtle birthday tradition). Unfortunately I can't take credit for the decorating, but more on that later when we talk about our visitors this weekend. (I did pour the batter into the pan...do I get partial credit?)
Matthew mostly got money for his birthday......at eleven, I would rather he think about what he wants rather than get him something he doesn't......he wasn't really too sure about what he wanted when his birthday arrived, so the cash will wait until he saves for something bigger or comes up with something he wants......We did get the Harry Potter "Scene It" game, which I for one will enjoy playing with him. He will do really well, not because he saw the films repeatedly, but because the books have been read again and again and again. (He also requested the most recent books in the 39 clues series and Diary of a Wimpy kid.....luckily for him, I kinda forgot those when I gave him the money to spend later.......)
Matthew's favorite sport is soccer. When we moved to town our real estate agent gave us contact information. We didn't realize that we were signing up for club soccer, rather than leisure/rec. services, so were are at a more serious level than we need. But Matthew gets to stay with his team in spring and fall, and we won't take that stability away from him. (To be honest I think he enjoys being on a team that is REALLY good (undefeated this season and last).....but for whatever reason, we will keep signing him up if he keeps enjoying himself.)
Like a Good Neighbor.......Our neighbor across the cul de sac has occasionally blasted off a Fight Song for the Iowa State Cyclones on his trumpet on the way to a game and even showed his flexibility by playing the University of Iowa fight song one weekend......so we discovered his fantasic trumpeting ability. Matthew started the trumpet this fall and we hope he can develop a hobby he loves and get to know some new friends. Matthew's valve was sticking so I called our neighbor for some good advice. He has been playing for 36 years! He brought some special brass cleaner and got the valve working again. He also gave Matthew some great advice..."play THROUGH the trumpet, don't blow INTO the trumpet". I also gave him a great opening to let Matthew know that practice is the way to make trumpeting fun! He also played a great song, which I think will inspire Matthew to persevere through the learning curve. Matthew said her really likes playing....so knock on wood, or in this case brass!
(BTW he was delaying his jog to help Matthew....just thought I would explain the running attire.)
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