GMS Awards Day 2014

Today was awards day at McKenzie's school. Congratulations, McKenzie on your accomplishments! She was given the 7th grade choir award, Regions Bank award for making honor roll all year and Entergy Grant award for 2nd highest average in Math. It was a really nice program this morning.

Here is a picture afterwards of her and also a couple pics with two of her friends Alissa and Kaitlyn.

Matt

I  think my little guy looks so handsome this morning. He is going to the Superintendent's Breakfast at his school today. They are celebrating all A's for this school year. He said he felt like he was going to church since he was wearing his Sunday clothes. Congrats Matt!!

We had such a good weekend in Memphis celebrating Matt's 8th birthday! Back a few weeks ago we gave him the choice of a birthday party with his friends or a trip to Memphis to do some of his favorite things. I'm so glad he chose the trip because then we all got to have a great time with him.

Friday, we checked McKenzie and Matt early out of school and headed to Memphis. We checked in our hotel then went to Side Porch Steakhouse for a delicious meal before heading to a Memphis Grizzlies game. We love going to these games!  They won, too! David and I enjoy watching Matt at the games because he is usually screaming and jumping up and down. He really gets into it.

I know it doesn't look like it here, but he IS enjoying himself! 

The next day we went to Incredible Pizza. We were so happy to be able to meet Elizabeth, Kendall and Michael there for lunch and to play the games. Kendall had never been before so it was fun watching her and McKenzie play together. We made a lot of fun memories celebrating Matt. We hated to see our fun weekend end!

(Hijack by David): Of course we had to go by Target before we did the fun stuff!

Kendall was so fun to watch!  She loved playing with McKenzie.

Matt got to spin the Birthday Wheel!

State Individual Chess Tournament

Saturday was the State Individual Chess Tournament in Jackson.  Matt went to the Team Tournament last month with three other students from his school, but he was the only one from his school that went to this one.  The tournament was held at the Jackson State e-Center.  It was a very nice facility.

Matt's first opponent was a hyper little dude.  Matt said he kept playing with his captured pieces and wouldn't be still.  Matt won.

Matt's second opponent was Zoie.  She was a nice girl and a pretty good player.  Matt won.

Here's the tournament hall during Matt's second round game.

Lunch time!  We went to a McDonald's nearby.  Sadly, this would be the best meal I had all day.  Thanks Logan's!  Supper was spent at Logan's Roadhouse for over an hour watching Matt eat while they couldn't get my meal cooked and then when they did, it was wrong and we finally just left.  But back to the tournament....

Matt's third round opponent was Jitarious.  While it may look like he is being nice and offering a handshake, what he's actually doing here is trash talking.  Yes, trash talking in chess!!!  This little kid told Matt, "I cannot lose.  I came here to win the first place trophy and that's what I'm gonna do!  I won this thing last year and I'm gonna win it again.  You are going down!  You're gonna get hurt!"  Matt just sat there and looked at him like, "Whatever, dude".  And then Matt proceeded to beat the cocky little 3rd grader.  The boy was so mad and upset that he didn't even set the board back up or go with Matt to the judge's table like you're supposed to.  He just stormed out of the room with his head in his hands.

Matt's fourth round opponent was the dreaded Adam.  Adam is the only one who beat Matt in the last tournament on his way to winning first place.  Matt played him well and was one move away from checkmate when Adam got him in checkmate and won the game.

Matt's final round opponent was Hatice.  She is a smart little girl and a very good player.  She played Adam very well in round 3 and I overheard the tournament director telling Adam's father that Hatice was probably the second best player at the tournament.  Matt and Hatice played a good game with Matt winning with Hatice just a move or two away from checkmate.

Hatice's parents wanted a picture of them shaking hands.  As you can see, Matt wasn't too thrilled with that idea! 

Out of 16 participants in Matt's division, Matt finished second in the State!  Adam got first place again.  He's not pictured below because he got sick and had to leave before the awards ceremony.
Way to go Matt!