My Eldest

Corbin at 7 years old . . .

Loves to read.  Every morning he wakes up before 7am and hides in his closet with a pile of books, until he knows it's safe to come out.  He and Russ have been reading the Percy Jackson series.  They read the first book before seeing the movie in the theater.  Now they are on book 3, and Corbin loves reading while Russ is at work and then telling him he has to catch up.  Other books he loves include: Magic Tree House (I think he is on #28),

Loves to play pretend.  Suprisingly, him and Cody play quite well.  They like to play "Daddy and baby", "Daddy and sharky",  restaurant, and various warrior/ninja type games.

Loves lots of other quiet activities - coloring, doing workbooks, making cards and writing notes to people.

Still loves legos and any other building toys.  He likes to build according to directions, but has also found that he likes playing with the toys as much now as he does building them.  Our guest room has been dubbed "the Lego room" for the last couple years, because it was his only place to hide from his brothers, but now Cody is into it too, and I think the Legos have taken over the whole house.

Loves all things science.  Recently at school he was asked to do a presentation on whatever he wanted and he chose The Solar System.  Coincidently, I had a book I had been saving for his birthday on just that, so we read all about it and he and Russ made an awesome solar system mobile.  He painted each styrofoam ball to look just like the pictures of each planet in the book.  It was very well done.  He picked a couple facts from his book about each planet and we made notecards for his presentation.  He did so awesome, I was so proud of him!  He loves reading books or watching any and all shows about anything related to science.  He also had a "space party" for his birthday.

Loves working out with his dad.  They do these insanity workout videos and both Corbin and Cody get really into it.  It makes me smile.  Corbin is also very proud of all the laps he runs at school.  I think he can run farther than I can!

Loves to swim.  He has always loved this, but especially lately.  Since swim lessons last month, he has advanced from the level of just playing around in the water to diving under, holding his breath, and starting to do real strokes.

Loves collecting rocks.  He picks them up anywhere and everywhere.  I think he gets this from his Dad.  He also likes to give them away as special gifts.  He loved looking for them on our recent trip to Eastern Utah.  We have gone to the Gem & Mineral show the last couple of years and he loves learning about what they allare and where they come from.  He has some pretty enviable ones in his collection!

What I love about him:
He is very thoughtful.  He often tells me I look nice or he likes my hair.  He compliments his brothers when they accomplish something new or difficult.  Recently, my mother-in-law had surgery on her shoulder, and every time we see her he asks her how it is doing and how she is coming along on her excercises.

He is very helpful.  He is always doing things to help me with his brothers - bringing me things, getting Colton out of bed, getting them snacks and drinks, helping them with their toys or other activities, watching them while I take a shower, etc.  He also does well with chores around the house.  When he makes up his mind to get it done - he just does it.

When he sings.  He has a great voice and learns the words to songs easily.  I think he wil have great musical talent, just like his uncles.  He likes the music that I like and we have had some fun dance parties right in our living room.  He also like dad to crank up the techno when its time to clean the house.

He is a great story teller (not in the same way that I was a storyteller when I was a kid).  He will often repeat a book word for word that he heard at school.  He remembers things well and I love it when he tells me about all the things he has read or heard.

He loves to learn.  Besides reading about anything and everything, he listens intently when I tell him about places I have been, things I have seen or something I heard on the news.  He always asks questions and wants to know more.  He wants to know what big words mean and tries to use them.  He loves going to museums and reading all the diplays.  He likes reading pamphlets and any other educational literature he can get his hands on.  Oh, and I'm pretty sure he has a photgraphic memory.  He is a very good learner.

Our goodnight hugs and kisses routine, which includes skunk kisses.


What his dad says:  He is sweet and kind.  Loving.  He is never just thinking about himself.  Pays attention to what is going on with everyone, and really cares about them.

I just love this boy and I am so glad he is in our family!  Happy 7th birthday Corbin!