Matthew---The Olivia Park Years

Kit by Raspberry Road Designs

Here's my youngest. About to turn 9 already. Matthew is my SURPRISE!!! baby. Hubby and I had talked about having another brother or sister to give Joshua a companion. But we had just talked, not deciding bi-laterally when that time would be. So I sort of sprung it on hubby (too late for him to say, "not yet") that I stopped birth control and 9 months later, her he was. Matthew was born on his due date... WOW

We survived the crazy apples and blueberries of Kindergarten with Mrs Harmon. Matthew was so eager to start school, that it honestly seemed cruel and unusual to go to school only two (sometimes three) days a week. But thanks to the wonderful personality of Mrs Harmon, Matthew learned. I am so glad that the district discontinued that crazy schedule, as I wouldn't want any other parent to suffer the emotional roller coaster that we rode that year. It was a hard year, but Matthew made it.

First Grade with Miss Ostlie almost seemed like the first year of school. Going every day all day. Matthew was a bit of a playful ham and was more in to play than learning. Nonetheless, Miss Ostlie was able to teach Matthew that he had the skill to learn. Slowly changing "I can't" into "I'll try." And he found out that "he could."

Second grade we insisted on Mrs Green (I loved being in her class and learning from her bubbly demeanor and interaction with the kids). Matthew still struggled with lacking confidence in his ability, Mrs Green proved to Matthew that he was capable of more than he thought. Matthew strived to make Mrs Green happy, which benefited him more than he realized.

Third grade proved to be a struggle. Sadly enough, Mrs Jackson had the duty of trying to deal with Matthew's immaturity. Because of the change from second to third grade being so different, Matthew seemed to regress. We were challenged with Matthew's not wanting to even go to school, tummy aches, and endless reasons to go to the nurse. In spite of all that, Matthew must have been paying attention when we weren't looking, as he took with him what he must have learned. I think Mrs Jackson is an awesome teacher, I'm just very sad that Matthew didn't seem to connect.

Mrs Reclusado and Mr Owens were so helpful this past year in trying to turn Matthew around. Devising incentives and rewards to get him to school. He was excited to get to school in the morning and go into the office to see them and get his stickers.

We miss staff and friends at OP. But we promise to keep in touch and come by from time to time to say HI. I thank all these teachers for building character, confidence, and attentiveness in my bubbly, spontaneous, comedian. Not only has he grown in size, he has gained values, respect and knowledge; in his years at Olivia Park.