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!!!

Christmas Eve and New Years Eve

We finally made it to Christmas Eve....not with out TWO advent calendars to help us get there with style. It is tradition in the Maulsby/Hines households to do Christmas opening on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day we do Santa and stockings and relax and play with new toys. So below are some pictures from our Christmas Eve night. We missed Mia and Miss Chloe got RSV two days after Christmas so we weren't able to open gifts with Mia.

Corbin is hugging and thanking Bones for his gift and for his gift of finding his old, cool Star Wars men!


There was a lot of Boomer Sooner gear for Christmas! (as always) Corbin got the Wii Nerf game....we think Poppy wants one next year. Let the kids play, Poppy! Chloe loves to color and had fun opening this year. She would say, "next present please!" Chloe and Bones playing with princess dolls.
Bones is playing with Chloe's dress up princess gift that we got her!

I am not sure, but I think Corbin is excited about this gift?

Thanks for my "American Girl" Ity Bity doll, Poppy! I love her!

Kisses and Hugs all around!
Yes...yes...that is right...Bones is still wearing the dress up earring!

Corbin and Daddy are tracking Santa on the web. He went back several times that night to see if he was getting closer.

Mama and Corbin are making "reindeer food" to put on our grass so Rudolph and the others will hit our house first on the block! Oats for the smell and glitter so the sparkle will catch the reindeer's eye!
I am thankful and grateful for a wonderful Christmas!



As for New Year's Eve.....Daddy and Mama went out to eat with several friends and then back to our friends house for games and fun. Mummy and Poppy were kind enough to keep our kids. Since Chloe was sick we felt much better leaving them with Mummy, Poppy & Bill and Carol Brewer.
Corbin tried really hard to stay up till midnight...but this is how they found him at 10:00 p.m. He was out for the night!
We look forward to watching our kids grow in 2009!!!

Busy December!!

We had a busy December...so hold on to your hats as I catch you up!



First we had Corbin's school program! The pictures didn't turn out but it was so cute. This is Chloe and Mummy getting ready to watch. Chloe kept shouting, "where's bubba?" during the performance?

Little Mommy!
This is the only picture that kinda turned out. They were getting ready to walk our and he was having fun with his buddies!

This is after the program at the class party decorating cookies. You didn't hear it from me....but...the blonde in the big bow....she is a "good friend" of Corbin's. It is Lauralee.

Here is Chloe soooo proud of her "Santa Claus" shirt. Whenever she wore this season she would show everyone and say, "look it is Santa Claus!"

This year we were able to go to a friends Church and see the "Living Nativity" and hear the story told of Jesus' birth. The kids really enjoyed it. We went with our good friends the Myers. (Emma and Alex are Corbin and Chloe's best buds)

All bundled up and ready to go...they had real cows, donkey's and camels.
Emma and Chloe in line....and Corbin is headed to the town of Bethlehem!This is my favorite story of the night. After we went through the "town" they sat all the kids down to start the walking story. It was quiet at first then all of the sudden you heard this loud banging noise. (the story teller was hitting his staff on the ground) He came out into the room and it was quiet and all you could hear was a little Chloe voice that said, "D-a-d-a?" I thought it was funny....so Chloe had to stay with Dada or Mama the rest of the way. Corbin, Alex and Emma did a great job sitting with the rest of the kids and listened to the story.

Poppy and I got to take Corbin to the Myerson this year for their annual Christmas concert. Corbin was so excited to go to his first "grown-up" concert. Dad and I almost cried when the symphony began because Corbin's eyes got so huge and a big smile went across his face. It was so beautiful and it was so wonderful to see it through a 5 year old's eyes. Corbin made it through the whole concert. (It probably helped that we had box seats for him to move around in....he was a pretty spoiled 5 year old that night) We asked him what was his favorite instrument was and he said, "the conductor....I want to be a conductor when I grow up!"
Another fun night was when we went on a carriage ride to look at Christmas light. It was a little chilly, but so much fun. The girls LOVED the Cinderella looking carriage that we rode in.

We are not sure what Bones is dressed for....but it is some kind of outfit! Looking Good!
Corbin, Chloe and Daddy getting ready to head out! When Chloe saw lights this season she would say, "Oh My Goodness!"