Preschool Christmas program

Corbin...just might have been the cutest elf we saw all season!

Here is a short clip of his Christmas program... can you hear Corbin?

Thanksgiving Preschool Program

Corbin attends Bee Ready Preschool in Provo. It's in his teacher's home and it's adorable. He learns so much and is usually eager to go twice a week. He's also got a great memory for information of all kinds... including song lyrics. (If only you'd seen/heard our Ward Primary Program in Sacrament Meeting.) Here's his cute class during dress rehearsal:

Here's a cute rhyme:

Here is a cute song, kind of:

GOAL!

Corbin was so excited to play soccer again this year...especially in the 4-year old preschool league. That is a sure step above last year's "Start Smart" soccer where the kids basically do workshops and learn drills with their parents = no real games. Although 4-year olds are not that great at the skills and strategy of soccer, they are still entertaining to watch! Corbin is #3....and he's become a great little dribbler and an awesome defender! He's scored several goals this season and his last game is tomorrow night!

Listening to coach.

Taking his "breather"/water break. He still cheers his teammates on even when he's not on the field. So glad he's learned to be a good team player/sport... and not just the "star" of the show.

I'm pretty sure Quinton is just as excited, if not more excited for Corbin's soccer games as he is. The first game I literally had to hold Quinton back from running in the game. He's so ready to play next year. He has also learned to be a good cheerleader for his brother's team.

Deagan, on the other hand, loves Corbin's soccer games for a different reason.
The cones.
"Go Corbin!" (We're pretty sure that's what he's saying here.)
Peek-a-boo!
This is one of Deagan's classic faces. The "crusty" is what we call it. When we do or say something he doesn't like he gives us the crusty. Such an expressive kid.
We're sure proud of our big Corbin. This was the season that sure helped him develop into a little athlete. As I type this he's playing soccer in the living room.... even though he knows that's against the rules. "But I'm practicing for my last game tomorrow mom.... I'm gonna score a goal for you!"

Okay Corbin. I'll be happy to cheer you on. GOAL!

Argh! Matey!

Corbin anticipated this PIRATE PARTY for weeks!

As a 4-year old this was his first friend party and he (and I) had a blast planning and preparing for the big day. Here is Captain Corbin with his treasure chest.... just before it was stolen and hidden for the party. (Thanks to cousin Kimball for the great costume!)

The captain with his ship!

Walking the plank...

...they were so good at it they walked it forward, backward, sideways, and with an eye patch on!

Parrots, ear rings, eye patches, sashes, bandannas... who says boys don't play "dress-ups"?

Taking the pirate oath...

Making oceans in a bottle, argh!

On a treasure hunt.... for clues and TREASURE matey!

At the "bermuda triangle" Ty gave orders: to basketball isle!

After several stops the pirates finally found the treasure chest....and the TREASURE!
That's a good looking crew of pirates!

When all the treasure was unearthed a ship sailed into view...

...and some of those pirates wanted to jump on board!

Turns out the ship tasted pretty good with a side of ice cream...

Corbin was pretty wiped out after the day's activities. He was one happy captain, tho his face didn't show it. It was certainly a day to remember. We sure love our big 4 year old!

Corbin is 4!

August 5, 2010
My oldest son turns 4 today!
It seems to be a milestone of sorts.... nothing big really, but yet he's not a toddler anymore...
so this IS a big deal. My little man is growing up so fast and is now more of a real boy than a toddler. We always decorate the night before when the kids are asleep....and set out the presents and the annual silhouette picture.

Corbin was so happy to wake up and see that his birthday countdown chain was FINALLY at his big day! (Except the even bigger day is his pirate birthday party yet to come...) He skipped breakfast and got right to opening presents before dad left for work. A live butterfly treehouse. (I love his real grin in this picture...with those cute little cheeks.)

A remote control jeep! (This is his that's cool, but I can't show too much emotion face.)

A remote-controlled race track!

Corbin and Quinton spent ALL morning playing with that race track (after mom spent 45 min. assembling it.) Dad made the day and came home from work early to play with the boys. (I love Deagan in the background doing what he does best....getting into EVERYTHING! That cute little mess-maker.)

Just when we thought the day couldn't get any better 2 packages arrived in the mail. One from Grandma and Grandpa Larson and one from Mandy, Dusty, and Kimball Heal.

Of course, there were still preparations to be done for the pirate party...and Corbin was such a good helper to paint all those parrots.

Quinton can never be left out!

There was no twisting the arm to get Corbin to stuff his treasure bags... Look at all that booty!

We ended the big day with a birthday dinner at Panda Express....Corbin's choice!
As a 4-year old Corbin has really become such a balanced kid. He still loves books and stories and we read EVERYDAY. He is starting to sound out simple words and can thus read simple books. He can count to about 39 by himself and will count all the way to 100+ if you prompt him on the 10's (i.e.- 40, 50, 60, 70...etc.) Strange thing is he can count by 10's to 100 by himself. He has also learned to write his name, play pretend, use the mouse on the computer, play soccer (his 2nd season), ride his bike better (still with training wheels), and explore nature. He loves to go on bug hunts, help me in the garden, observe birds and animals, go to the park, go to the library, playgroup, primary, and preschool at Ms. Roper's. He's recently taken a liking to playing with friends...at their house. He likes to go to Michael Jones', Evelyn Jacobsen's, Sarah Simmons, Julian Anderson, and Chloe Bryant's house. Corbin also loves playing with ALL of his cousins (near and far.) He's not the biggest eater but prefers fruits, veggies, and breads over meat. (Totally opposite of Quinton.) His favorite treat right now is BYU creamery chocolate milk (like his dad) and In N' Out Burger's strawberry shake that his Grandpa Dick introduced him to. He loves to be the big brother and play and boss around Quinton and hold and sing to Deagan. He's got a fun personality, still cuddles with us, is such a smart kid, and we just know our home and life would not be the same without him. Sure love ya Corbin!

Sleepy Head

This big guy thinks he's too old for naps now. So, instead of fight him I allow him his "quiet time" in the day when his brothers are sleeping....and then we insist on an 8pm bedtime.

Sometimes, he's so tired he falls asleep before his head even hits the pillow. You ever been THAT tired? :)

now I know my ABC's...

I just love when I see the "lightbulb" go on with my kiddos. Corbin has always been an early bloomer when it comes to communication, letters, and words. He loves books and stories and watching LeapFrog videos that teach about vowels and consonants. Well, just last Sunday before church he started putting words together with "glue" (=vowels). A simple consonant, vowel, consonant word... then he sounded the letters out and read it fast and couldn't believe that he'd read a word.... all on his own! So, I made about a dozen words for him on the fridge....

Before I knew it he was reading a bunch of self-made words! (I apologize about his choice of a pointer finger. We haven't made issue of it yet to correct him and hope it doesn't offend anyone.)

Of course, now Corbin has a lot of teaching to do.... Quinton won't be left behind!

Brothers need each other....

These 2 boys have a brotherly bond that's formed in a short time....
Whenever Deagan hears Corbin laugh he comes alive. Whenever Corbin hears Deagan cry you can be sure Corbin will be at his "rescue" to sing to him or talk to him or tell him a story or give him a toy. It's pretty cute.

Quinton and Corbin are pretty good friends too. There was a time when Quinton and Corbin both had a hard time falling asleep in January. Finally one night they were silent and we went in to check on them and Quinton had crawled out of his twin bed and into Corbin's Queen.

They slept that way all night.
Sometimes, brothers just need each other...

Deagan's Debut

Late one Monday night Corbin came and found me and asked if we could do a "Christmas play" for Family Home Evening. Don't you just love when your 3-year old keeps you on the ball? So, with a little help from mom Corbin quickly gathered all the costumes and assigned all the roles for each person in our family...

Jeff and I were Mary and Joseph:

Corbin was the shepherd (with that nice green sheep):

Deagan was the baby Jesus:

and Quinton wouldn't wear any costumes, but he was a King, as assigned by Corbin.
Jeff read the nativity account out of Luke 2 and we acted out the "Christmas play" in our living room for ourselves. It was pretty cute. Afterward Corbin informed us that we would do the play again tomorrow and he'd change up the parts..... He seriously wanted to act it out every night for about 2 weeks! :) Needless to say, we think he's caught on to the idea that Jesus is the reason for the season..... and he sure loves his baby brother.

Corbin's Christmas Program

Here's a short clip from Corbin's Preschool Christmas Program. I'm surprised how many of the words he remembers from all the Christmas songs. Thanks Mrs. Roper!

snow.

My boys are loving playing in the snow.

Quinton isn't quite sure how to move with all those heavy clothes on.

Fun videos for the grandparents:

Christmas-time

The other day we found Santa at the mall! Corbin was so excited to talk to him and tell him the 3 things he wants for Christmas... and Quinton was less than impressed even though he walks around at home with a Santa hat on saying "Ho-Ho-Ho!" (Typical age-appropriate reactions, I guess.)

Deagan woke up when Santa held him and Santa was happy to hold a not so big and squirmy child!

Later that evening we enjoyed warm soup with the Christensen cousins and ventured out to Spanish Fork to see their Festival of Lights! It's an impressive display of holiday magic.
The huge rocking horse that really rocks...

The Nativity (with Q's breath added for ambiance.)

An enchanted castle

The light tunnel

And of course the North Pole....

...and Santa

Polar bears

... and the reindeer.

After the lights we stopped at Grandma's house for brownies, hot coco, and wassail. MMmmm-mmm!
What are some of your family's fun Christmas traditions?