four

to

four and a half

(November 6 - May 6)

Colson is all about playing with friends whenever he gets the chance. In our neighborhood, however, there just aren’t any boys his age. One Sunday, the older neighbor boys (Elijah and Fielding Sites) started interacting and playing with Charlie and Colson outside. This started a months long friendship that Colson was THRILLED to be a part of. He would literally ask me if he could play with them every day. I would allow it some days, but had to divert him elsewhere on other days, just so the Sites didn’t feel like they were babysitting Colson every day. Elijah and Fielding, after all, were I think 12 and 9.

Colson did a winter season of soccer that was indoors. This was a first and interesting experience. Their practices were right before their games, and they were held on week nights. His team did really well. He made a few goals in the season. Colson was with the older age group this time, so he was especially small. He seemed more interested in watching us watch him and seeing our reactions than really getting aggressive and playing hard. He would get tired pretty quickly, but overall he still loved it and would dress up in his soccer gear even on the days that Charlie had games.

that little belly of his

cheering section

Colson also started a spring season of soccer. His new coach was Coach Richelle. He loved it and did awesome.

Colson is ALL about the video games. With it being cold outside, we brought the Wii back out. Colson got a new Lego Star Wars game for Christmas and LOVES it! He is dang good at it too! He wants to play it every day. We have already had to take it away a few times because he gets so obsessed and upset when it is time to turn it off. It is the first thing he wants to do in the morning and if he wants to play more than once, he is willing to do three extra jobs for it!

Colson and Charlie did two weeks of swimming lessons at the Orem Rec Center. Colson made progress and I was proud to see him out there with his swim instructor. I was impressed to see that he could swim to the wall and climb out of the pool. Colson did not like jumping into the water and submerging his head while swimming in the deep end. But he did really well in the shallow end swimming underwater. Charlie's lesson was 30 minutes before his, so he would spend that time doing some free swimming in the kiddie area. He was so cute in his little goggles. I remember there was this soft, smooth little bulge or bubble that the kids could slide across, and sometimes Colson would stand on it and just jump right into the water belly and face first. It was startling at first, but once I realized he was okay, it was hilarious!

Colson is so cute at all of his preschool programs. He is usually the loudest singer, and he is so focused on the words and actions. I just love watching him. He truly is a good little boy and a great student.

Something that I love about Colson is that he is just up for anything, and he is about ALL of the things. He seems to want to be a part of anything that is going on, is a good sport, and up to try things and to come along. I love his good attitude and willingness to try things. Maybe it is something that just comes with this age and stage in life, but I sure do love it!

Colson learned how to ski!! Dad taught him for the first time on the free rope tow at Sundance. Dad had taken Charlie the night before, and then Colson joined them the next day. He rocked it and loved it instantly! We were so proud of him. The rest of the ski season we tried to get up on the slopes as much as we could. The boys couldn't get enough! My favorite was watching Colson kind of dance while he skied when he was having a particularly fun run. I also loved the little yelps of glee that would burst out of him sometimes, like, "Woohoo!" "This is so fun!" Jason was such a good teacher and was wise to bring snacks for the lifts and hot chocolate for the drive home. Another favorite thing was Colson singing along to Newsies as they watched it in the van to and from the ski resort.

hearing about Charlie's great first night, getting anxious for his own turn

Colson's First Day:

The many times that followed:

not wanting to take his boots off

a solo time with Dad:

and many more...

Brighton in March:

The boys continued to enjoy watching Newsies in the van, to and from skiing. The boys loved singing to the songs, especially Colson. It was so cute! At home, we would play the music and the boys would sing and dance. They both said they wanted to do gymnastics so they could do the moves like the newsies. I kept telling them that gymnastics would start in the spring after the snow was gone so we could focus on skiing.

Here are more pictures from the past six months:

Saying goodbye to Uncle (now Elder) Bryan before his mission:

Thanksgiving:

of course Colson was obsessed with this

more games

preschool field trip to the mall to sing carols, see Santa, and eat donuts

ward christmas party

the thickest, prettiest eyelashes, even when filled with tears

Christmas:

excited about his new cowboy getup

love this so much!

all the boys cousins...love!

gaming...of course

so proud of his new photo book, brought it to show everyone

thanks to the cousin inspiration at Christmas time, the boys wanted to do their own hair using learned techniques

still falling asleep in the car

preschool field trip to Bean Museum

watching Star Wars YouTube videos with Uncle Tyson

meeting new Primary teachers for the year

Colson had his turn to stay at Grandma and Grandpa A’s for a special sleepover. He loved it! He was really spoiled with a McDonald's dinner and games of Flow. They even took him sledding, where he frequently would bail out at the bottom of the hill and of course Grandpa would carry the sled back up. They also went to visit Aunt Camry at her apartment. While he was gone, Charlie and I worked on his Star Student poster for the next week.