Review of February

February was a bit rough--

We passed around a stomach bug.
The dog was diagnosed with cancer with few treatment options available.
Matthew ran a mystery fever for 4 days, due to an ear infection.
and I got what looked to be a spider bite on my forehead.

But the month had lots of awesome moments too--

Matthew met 2 of his Language Arts goals for the year (7 months early).
We had a great time at the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby, where Jackson (and Darren) came in 1st in his den (though didn't place in the finals).  

Family and friends celebrated Matthew's sixth birthday.

And we are done selling Girl Scout cookies, where Alyssa was excited to "earn" Mr. Moos (a little stuffed cow).  

Piano Lessons

Six years ago, I sat staring at my newborn's hands.  I was still in shock over his missing thumbs.  I wondered if I would ever stop staring at them or seeing them as different. A few months later, I realized I stopped seeing his hands as unusual.  A year later, I started counting other kids' fingers because they looked like they had too many (they had 5).  

Even though Matthew's missing thumbs had become a norm for us, I still feared there would be things that Matthew wouldn't be able to do because of his missing thumbs, like play the piano. In an episode of M*A*S*H, a professional pianist injured his hand in the battlefield and the cultured doctor who loved music, Winchester, found the soldier/pianist a few pieces made to be played with one hand. We have found that like this episode, music "is in your head and in your heart and in your soul" and it takes the right person willing to help.  For Matthew, that is Ms. Rebekah, who is also Alyssa and Jackson's piano teacher. I am so grateful for her!  Mattie may not be a professional pianist, but he loves music and now gets to explore it. He loves going to lessons and I love hearing him plink out his few notes as he practices. Thank goodness for those willing to see the possibilities!  

Happy Sixth Birthday, Matthew!

Today, Matthew turned 6.  Six!  It was a fun day, perfect for the fun-loving boy.  

Our sweet Matthew loves...

Playing outside
Bouncing a basketball
Throwing a football
Riding his bike
Going to school
Riding in Daddy's convertible
Watching Mickey Mouse
Eating french fries
Petting the dog (or seeing any dog)
and being with his friends and family.

Every day is a good day for Matthew, but it was especially good today!