No More Training Wheels

Today was a big day! It was no more training wheels day!! We have tried several times for Corbin to ride his bike without training wheels. He just has never seemed quite ready yet. Well, today he was ready! A little before Valentine's Day we got him a Razor (2 wheel scooter). We noticed that he picked it up pretty fast and his balance was improving because he was practicing on his Razor so much. Our neighbor told us that the Razor really helped his son conquer the no training wheel bike. So today, since it was such a beautiful day, we thought we would give it another try. We told Corbin how great he has been doing on his Razor and we think his balance is Awesome! I think that boosted his confidence, because HE wanted to try to ride his bike instead of his Razor. We went to the soccer fields at a nearby park....so it doesn't hurt when you fall. Well....that boy took off and did great. By the end of it...David got a workout trying to keep up with him. Corbin (as were we) was so proud of himself. We got in the car to come back home so I could get some pictures and video and he said, "I knew this was the day!" So here is another example of how my 5 1/2 year old baby is growing up. We are so proud of the hard worker he is and his great attitude today with this milestone. Love ya, bubba!

And he is off.....We were making such a fuss over Corbin, that Chloe wanted to ride in the street too. Chloe kept saying, "Look at me!!" She is doing great on her little bike and we kept clapping for her because she uses her pedals now! She was a big cheerleader for her brother too!

What have we been up to in February?

I thought I would post a few of my favorite pictures from February! This is more of a Random Picture Post...these pictures do not at all go together....but we have had a fun February!

We have had several pretty days for February! So when it is pretty outside you know people are hanging out on our street. The kids and "Big Kids" love to visit with the neighbors and get some fresh air. I do have to brag and say we have the best neighbors. We are more like family, now living on this street for almost 8 years now!
Here is Emma and Chloe playing babies outside. They are best buddies as are the girls brothers who are below riding their scooters. Most of Corbin's good friends have gotten a "Razor" (which is a two wheel scooter) for their 6th birthday's or for Christmas. Corbin only has a 3 wheel scooter and his 6 birthday isn't until this summer. Well, since we have had such pretty day's lately and our poor kid is really having to scooter hard to keep up on his 3 wheel....we had a little surprise. In this picture of the boys you will see Alex has a Razor and Corbin has his poor little Spiderman 3 wheel. Now, Corbin has been such a good sport and not complaining that he doesn't have a Razor. So after this picture we all piled in the car and took a trip to the toy store. We told Corbin we had to pick something out for his cousin Mia, so he didn't think twice about going. So when we get to the store we said, "Just Kidding!! Happy early Valentine's Day you get to pick out a "Razor!" He was so excited and for about 2 weeks never got off that Razor. He really picked it up faster than we thought. So now he can hang with his 6 year old friends. (Now Spiderman scooter has become Chloe's)

The first night he had it home, we had been letting him practice in the house on our wood floors in the small hallway. (I know...things you take back when you have kids that you said "I will never let my kid.." Anyway, he asked if the Razor could stay in his room over night? Whatever, we said "fine!" Well, that night he came in our room in the middle of the night and said he had a bad dream. So we made him a pallet on the floor. The next morning before Corbin got up we saw the Razor in our room too. So funny, he must of road the thing into our room in the middle of the night. He loves that Razor! Oh by the way, you cannot call it a "Scooter"....it is a "RAZOR!!" I still get corrected all the time! :)
Here are Emma and Alex's parents...whom are our good friends. This is us out for Valentine's Dinner. We share babysitters all the time and it is so nice to get out for an adult night! They are great friends to us.Here are my sweet Valentine's! They really do love each other....which I love to see and feel blessed about.
This picture cracks me up. So Corbin doesn't have school on Fridays and at times for a reward he gets to fall asleep in our bed watching a show. Once he is asleep we carry (or David does) him to his own bed. Well this night he must have been pretty tired....it didn't take long for him to crash while he was watching a show.

So here is my baby girl. She loves to watch me in the morning put my make-up on and get ready. I have some lip gloss and brushes that I let her play with and we get ready together. Well, the other day this is what I found. She was playing with Mama's mascara....which is not allowed! I walked in on her and she said, "Oh, sorry! Pretty?"
I had to take a picture close up...she really got some on her lashes.
When it is cold outside....one thing Chloe LOVES to do is go "shopping and ride train!" She usually goes all by herself, but this was a special day and bubba got to go along for the ride!

We had such a fun, busy month.....and it is not over yet! I have such a blast with my family and I am really trying this year to slow down and enjoy the small moments that go by so fast!

In God's Family

This picture was taken on February 12th 2009 right after evening bath. I laugh when I think of all the time Corbin's has surprised me with deep questions when I am not prepared. I love how he is always thinking and always asks great questions.

Corbin has such a heart for the Lord. He loves to learn about Him and ask questions and go to Church. He has been really into asking about Heaven and when we will all go there and at times his little heart is worried about Heaven. It can be a scary thing to think of when you are 5 years old...or any age for that matter! He has been worried that Poppy will go to Heaven soon and really wants to know when that will be. We just pray and ask God to help us not to worry and we remind him that in Heaven there is no pain or sadness and it is only a happy place where we can be with God our King.

Now back to my story of February 12th after bath time. So I am getting him out of bath and Corbin says, "Mama, are you in God's family?" I said, "Yes, bubba...and so are you!" Well, he put me in my place and said, "No I am not...I haven't said the special prayer to be in God's family forever!" So I said, "Well, do you want to say it right now?" He said, "Yes, I want to be in God's family forever!"

So, we called Daddy into the room and we all held hands on the bed and Corbin said the special prayer. Praise God for young hearts who yearn to be close to Him. What a blessing...I look forward to watching his growth and walk with God. I pray that the Lord will guide David and I as we help Corbin in His walk.

I had David take the above picture of Corbin so we could remember Corbin just how he was on this amazing day.

Ranch Feb. 2009

Every year around this time we take this picture at the Ranch of Corbin and Poppy. My Mom names all the areas of the Ranch and this is "Corbin's Tunnel!" So every year we take a picture of the guys walking down the tunnel. It is so neat to see how much he has grown. The first one was when he was 18 months.

Okay now this is funny! David and I had just got back from a long trip from Dewey and so I didn't want my picture taken....BUT Corbin wanted me to go up with him in the "bucket!" So, I went....even though it is not my favorite thing to do at the Ranch. So we were at the top and then my Dad put us down in a fast motion....in which I began to scream. My Mom took the picture (below) and it looks like I am screaming and only a few inches off the ground. BUT it was really fast and scary...trust me...it just doesn't look like it! :) Corbin was being so sweet and took my hand. He does this all the time and wasn't worried at all!

Can you tell he paid attention at the Rodeo?

Flying a kite with Poppy. It was Chloe's first time...she loved it!

RODEO

So everyone January we go to the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. This was Corbin's 5th year to go...can't believe it...the first time he was 18 months old. It is something Poppy and Corbin look forward too...and actually everyone has a good time! :) He has always called it the "Radio", but this was the first year he could pronounce it correctly...I kinda miss the "Radio!"
Take another glance at the first picture! This is how we arrived at the Rodeo....after 30 minutes of some intense shopping with a 5 year old...the below picture is how we looked for the rest of the day! He was set with a new shirt, hat, boots and a vest like his Poppy! I know he is my kid, but he was the cutest darn thing at the "Radio!" So we have some traditions when we go to the Rodeo and we had some firsts this year as well!

We always sit and try out all the tractors they have on display! The picture with the Bull is something we "try to do" every year, but this was the first time he wanted to sit on it and take a picture. He told Poppy, "why don't you sit with me....not because I am scared...just because I want you in the picture!" It was cute and he wants to do it next year again!
We always pet and see the animals at the Stock Show! For another first...we ventured out to the carnival this year. Poppy and Corbin rode a roller coaster...which Corbin loved. They are in the fourth car back. Corbin loved it! Mum and Mama were worried about Poppy because he looked a little pale when it was over, but he said he was fine! :)


Corbin was also ready to tackle the big Ferris Wheel. If you know me, you know I hate rides and especially at Carnivals....they just don't look safe to me. Poppy and Corbin were in line to get on the Ferris Wheel and I called David (who was with baby girl at home) and I said that I was nervous. He spoke in a firm tone to me and said, "Carrie, encourage him to be brave and enjoy rides....don't make him scared like you!" Yes sir!! So I put MY brave face on and did exactly that and told him how cool and fun everything was and what a BIG KID he is now to go on all the rides. Well, we about never got the "BIG KID" out of that Carnival! He loved it and wanted to go on everything. We were even a little late to the Rodeo!
Now this boy can get into the show. He loves the wagon races, but of course the Bull Riding is his favorite.

This is at the end of the day.....one happy COWBOY! Until next year!

Chloe Hearts Little Gym

So baby girl loves her some Little Gym! I have been going to Little Gym since Corbin was a baby. Corbin liked it but I have to say not as much as Chloe. Chloe is a little monkey and likes to try EVERYTHING! Some days she wakes up in the morning and says, "Little Gym Day?" and she puts her little hands out like she is asking...."is it today?" Every time we pull up into the parking lot she says, "Little Gym" and claps her hands and says, "YEAH!"

So all that to say, she loves it and it keeps me going back. Chloe is very shy in public (???) but not at Little Gym...she is a show off. *(parent brag alert) Yesterday, during opening we always introduce ourselves and Chloe was the only little person to say her own name. Which from the teachers reaction is a big deal???? Also, after we say our name we were suppose to pick a body part to touch and then everyone touches what we picked out. I said, "let's touch our tummy!" Then Chloe said, "No, touch nose!" WELL..excuse me! So we all touched our nose.

I would have to say swinging on the bars and the parachute are her favorite things. She also loves the bubbles and playing balls.

The SKILL of the week....Toes to the bar!

The parachute...."all by myself."Getting bubbles with my TOES!

Can't leave Little Gym without stamps....stamps go EVERYWHERE...even on the tummy!

Learning to Tie!

So....if you know my son...we can't rush things with him. He tends to get really frustrated if he can't do things just right! So we haven't pushed the learning of tying shoes. Well he has been asking and he has learned how to "tie" his robe. So today I gave him David's shoe and taught him how to tie like I used to teach my Kinder kids. (the bigger the shoe and shoe laces the easier to learn) I told him it takes lots of practice and if you get frustrated I will take the shoe away and we will try another day. He really impressed me...he said, "I will not get frustrated and just keep practicing!" Well...he did it! It was so fun to see him so proud of himself!

So it begins......

We are laughing instead of getting frustrated....good sign! It took a couple of tries but.....TA DA!!!