Learning Chess

Dave is teaching Jayson how to play chess. I can't tell you how many times Dave has tried to teach me how to play chess to no avail. No matter how many times he tries, I am too stupid to learn this complex game. As far as I am concerned, I think that chess should be played like checkers. Anyway...here's to Jayson's successful learning chess. At least he has a great teacher. Grandma Alice hand painted the chess pieces when she made ceramics. So, this is a special game.

Jayson's Court of Honor

L to R: Ron Hjelm, Scoutmaster, Jayson and Dave

Ron Hjelm, Jayson hugging Dave

The Three Amigos. These boys are in the same church class and Scout class. They are from Left to Right: Stephen Grow, Kirkham Dooley, and Jayson Mathison. What fine boys we have that will lead us .

L to R: Mike Pope and Dave Mathison
These men have led many of the Young Men in Scouting.

Last night Jayson had his Court of Honor. He received his Star Rank. He is progressing nicely toward his Eagle Award. I couldn't make it to this ceremony because I had school, but I know he did wonderful. I am so proud of him and his accomplishments. I know that I am really partial, but this favorite son of my is awesome. And yes...I can honestly say that he is my favorite son, especially since he is my only one. I love him and I am really proud of him. Keep up the great work. I love ya, Buddy!

Monday Moment

One of my beautiful Brazilian friends has this thing on her blog that I just love. Every Monday, people post something about their Monday....good, bad, or indifferent. She challenged us to write something on our own blogs, then link it to hers.

Here is my Monday Moment. This morning started out like most other Mondays...wake up at the butt crack of dawn to make sure that my teenager gets up and out the door for Seminary. Then I took a shower, then went down to welcome the little one to my daycare. When my son got up for school he asked me if he could make my breakfast for me. Of course, I said YES!. Jayson is 12 and loves cooking...whether it be for himself or someone else. I was so tickled that he would want to make my breakfast.

So, how could I have anything other than a fabulous day? I love him. He is a great boy. Someday he will make a great husband.

Jayson's Shooting Team Practice

Jayson getting ready to shoot .

Jayson shooting

Jayson is on a shooting team and every Tuesday he gets to practice. He is pretty good and loves aiming for those bulls eyes. Go Jayson!

End of year concerts

Last night we went to Jayson's last concert of his 6th grade career. He plays the trumpet. He has really progressed nicely since he started playing the trumpet in September. So, in only 9 months, he has gone from just blowing air, to learning notes, how to read and count music, and how to play melodies with 60 other kids. I was very proud of him. Tonight we went to Sasha's last choir concert of her 9th grade year. This is her first year in the high school choir. She loves to sing and has a lovely voice. The concert was very enjoyable to listen to. Such progress was made there too. All in all, I have two very talented kids....just ask me....and I will tell ya.

Jayson is going to the Regional Science Fair

Jayson and his crystal radio antenna project

Jayson made this really cool thing for his science fair project. He decided to make a crystal radio out of an oatmeal box and other various clips and wires. I was totally impressed that he was able to put it all together and create something that can receive radio wave transmissions and then turn it into sound. I am so proud of him. Anyway....he received an A+ at school, and was invited to take it to the Clover Park District Science Fair Competition. He did so well there, that he is now invited to present it to the School Board, and then compete in the Regional Science Fair held at Pacific Lutheran University. So...way to go Jay! You Rock!

Jayson's first Court of Honor

Jayson and Dave

John Warczak, Scoutmaster, and Jayson

Jayson with his Tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st Class
Advancement badges.

Dave, Andrea and Jayson Mathison. Jayson is pinning me with
his First Class pin. I love that he was so careful as to
not stick me with the pin. It was hilarious.

Jayson had his very first Court of Honor on December 16. He earned a Merit Badge for Environmental Science, which is an Eagle Required Merit Badge. He also advanced from a Tenderfoot, Second Class, and then to a First Class Scout. We are very proud of him for his accomplishments in Scouting. Someday in the next few years, we will have two Eagle Scouts in this house. I can't wait.

Jayson's Christmas Concert

Jayson had his first Christmas concert on Thursday December 10th at Mann Middle School. We are so proud of him for playing so well. It takes a LOT of courage to play a duet, after only learning the instrument since September. I would NOT have ever done that in a million years when I was his age learning the trumpet. Yayyyyy Jayson.

Jayson's Robot Tournament

This is the robot that Jayson's team built

Jayson and his medal

Jayson making his robot go the course.
Sorry it is so dark.

Connor, Jayson, and Rachel working on their robot
before the competition.

Jayson made this Lego Darth Vader

The Lego Company and Intel were sponsors of a robot competition. Every Tuesday after school, Jayson and several other kids built a robot. It had to be able to do several maneuvers, pick things up, run over things, and then go over this bridge. They were able to program it to do these things. I am totally impressed with the knowledge these young people have. Jayson had a great time. It was held out at Cougar Mountain Jr. High out in Graham. It was a lot of fun to watch. He can't wait till next year.

Crazy Kids !

This is what happens when the kids get a hold of my camera. Every time I leave the camera by the computer, I am always surprised at the number of crazy faces that look back at me when I turn on the camera. I am so glad that they like each other and can have a great time together.

L. Tom Perry Comes to the Lakewood Stake

L. Tom Perry and Jayson

Andrea, Sheryl Townsend, and Sasha

We were blessed to have an Apostle come to our Stake today. It was wonderful to feel the great spirit that was there. Both Sasha and I sang in the Stake Choir. We sang Guide Us O Thou, The Great Jehovah, I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus, There is Sunshine in My Soul Today, Lead Kindly Light, and Sing We Now At Parting. It was super fun to see Jayson shake his hand. A super day was had by everyone.

Jayson's First Band Concert

Andrea and Jayson

Granny and Jayson

Mr. McAvoy, the Band Instructor

Jayson playing his trumpet

Doesn't he look great?

Jayson had his first band concert last night. It was awesome. These kids have only been playing their instruments for 8 weeks. I am super proud of him. Of course, since I play the trumpet too, I was really listening and enjoying the concert. He played a lot of the songs that I played at my first concert. I hope you enjoy these pictures and the video.

Church 4 Ward Youth Party

O'Ryan Ethington and Sasha after she was bobbing
for apples. That would explain her soaking wet shirt !

Jayson with shaving cream on his face betting ready
to play a group game where half the group puts the shaving cream on and the
other group throws cheetos in hopes of them sticking to the cream.

Jayson bobbing for apples

Sasha bobbing for apples too!

Last night for Mutual, the youth had four congregations of young people together for a Halloween party. They had homemade root beer floats, games, bobbing for apples, and a ton of candy. The kids all had a great time. I am so glad that the Church gives our teenagers fun places to go that are safe. They always have a great time with their friends.

No More Mathison's in Elementary School

Kathy Warczak, Safety Patrol Queen and friend from Church with Jayson

Selimar Ramos and Jayson holding their graduation certificates. Jayson is sweet on Selimar.

Mr. Joseph Brucklier, Jayson's teacher, and Jayson

Chrissy May and Jayson Mathison waiting for the graduation ceremony to begin.

Jayson entering the lunch room on graduation day.

A duplicate picture that I don't know how to remove

Jayson entering the lunch room from outside

It was bound to happen. Since 1994, I have had a child in elementary school. Yesterday, June 19th, 2009...was a day that I didn't think would ever happen. Jayson, the last of the Mohicans, left the doors of Lake Louise Elementary. This would be a day of happiness and tears ( yes, the Mom in me spills out thru my eyes). The school did a very nice job of the "graduation" ceremony. Jayson earned the "Most Reliable" award. We were extremely proud of him. Now it is off to Mann Middle School in September. Where does the time go???

Jayson Swinging at Steilacoom Park

Jayson getting ready to swing at Steilacoom Park

Today was Jayson's last full day of school. All of the 5th graders at his school walked from Lake Louise Elementary to Steilacoom Park. They took the shortcut by Pierce College. When all the students arrived at the park, there were already BBQ's cooking up a storm. They ate hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon, baked beans, and pop. It was a lot of fun. I was able to go to the park too for almost an hour. Right before I left, I took this picture of Jayson getting ready to swing. The sun was blinding his eyes...so that is why he looks all squinty.

Jayson's Safety Patrol

Jayson is doing his job in the Safety Patrol


The end of elementary school brings the end of many fun things. Jayson was selected at the beginning of the year to be in the Safety Patrol. Every few weeks, he gets to go to school early and stay late so that he can help his fellow school mates cross the street safely. Yesterday, he was rewarded for all of his hard work. He and his fellow safety patrol folks were taken to Wild Waves. For those of you who don't live around here, it is a water park/amusement park. It is a lot of fun. Jayson spent all day there. Here is a picture of Jayson doing his job at school. Isn't he handsome?