Chase Matthew

Dinosaur museum

2012-01-30T07:23:00.000-08:00

We visited the Smithsonian Natural History museum on Saturday to see the dinosaurs. I told Chase early in the week that we would go on Saturday, and every day he asked if today was the day we would go to the dinosaur museum.

Chase tries out for Mr. Wizard

2012-01-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

To say that he was less than impressed is an understatement.

American Idol: Holiday Edition

2012-01-26T05:30:00.000-08:00

Chase may be a bit young still, but he is working on his own rendition of "Frosty the Snowman"

Fun with Nana

2012-01-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

Chase being a spy with his Nana

Chase directs a movie

2012-01-24T05:38:00.000-08:00

We turned the video camera over to Chase when Chloë came to play.

Climbing on Mom

2012-01-23T05:56:00.000-08:00

It's video week on the blog -- you'll find a new peek into our lives here every day this week!

Let's get started!

A new hobby

2012-01-19T05:56:00.000-08:00

This post would be better with sound.

Thank you Mama Kat and Papa for the (not too loud) drums!

More Christmas with GG!

2012-01-19T05:48:00.000-08:00

Having a chat with Grandpa

From the lunchbox, eating peanut butter sandwich as a walrus with apple tusks. The lunchbox is a hit, Auntie Michele.

In GG's fantastic tub -- plenty of room for swimming

Christmas Day

2012-01-18T05:42:00.000-08:00

Checking out a full stocking and a pile of presents brought by Santa

Santa brought a telescope ... just what Chase asked for

Thank you for the scooter Grandpa Paul!

Chase's (Hair) Situation

2012-01-17T05:37:00.000-08:00

For Lilly

2012-01-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2012-01-16T05:24:00.000-08:00

A Christmas Eve tradition at the Hoyle house is the String Thing game -- follow a twisty path of string to find a present at the end. Chase navigated it with Dad's help.

A recorder was at the end of Chase's string.

Aunt Meredith's present at the end of her string was a bra. Chase had to try it on ...

... and play the recorder.

Chase decided on traditional foods for Santa -- milk and cookies. The reindeer were served ham.

Now we were ready for Santa!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T18:30:00.001-08:00

With our child nestled snug in the bed and his stocking hung by the chimney with care, we eagerly await Santa's arrival.

When we asked Chase what he wanted to leave Santa for snack, he said peanut butter sandwiches. Then, Chase decided HE would rather have the peanut butter sandwich, and Santa could have milk, cookies, and ham. The ham is for the reindeer -- there are eight bite-sized pieces on the plate.

Merry Christmas, everyone, and to all a good night!

Sitting with Santa

2011-12-19T05:39:00.000-08:00

Chase met Santa on Saturday, wished him a merry Christmas, and asked for a telescope.

Behind the scenes: In the first few photo shots, Chase's smiles were toothless grins. The photographer was working for more expression, so she asked Chase if he had any teeth. He nodded ... then gave us a big smile.

Dinner is served ... or not

2011-12-16T05:18:00.000-08:00

On the way home from school yesterday evening, Chase told me he wanted bacon for dinner. And bread.

I did not oblige.

Zoolights

2011-12-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we bundled up and went to Zoolights, the National Zoo decorated in lights. We walked around and saw the animals, mostly in light form because the real ones were hidden either from the cold or to sleep.

ZooLights Highlights - National Zoo| FONZ (Enjoy a pro's pictures since we didn't take any.)

Bonus: We knew Chase reached another milestone when we heard these phrases:
"Are we there yet?"
"Because why?"

Letter to Santa

2011-12-14T05:43:00.000-08:00

Chase wrote a letter to Santa ... "Dear Santa I want". He told us he was asking Santa for a building, a telescope, and a penguin.

Christmas on the farm

2011-12-13T07:14:00.000-08:00

We visited a local farm on Sunday for some Christmas activities.

Cookie decorating ...

... and eating

Playing games

Chase's wind-up technique is unique

Watching a puppet show about farm animals searching for holiday spirit

Tractor ride with Santa and Christmas carols

Watching a movie on Chase/Daddy Day

2011-12-12T05:52:00.000-08:00

Chase at the movies with Dad watching 'Arthur Christmas' on Saturday, also known as Chase/Daddy Day. Popcorn is key to seeing at least half a movie.

Chase/Daddy Day is any day Chase and Dad go on an outing together by themselves. Chase loves it, and Dad wins 'favorite parent' status for at least three days. The perks of 'favorite parent' status include doing Chase's bath and bedtime routine because he refuses help from the other parent, providing complete and undivided attention to a child who calls you out when you're sneaking a peak at a football score or glancing at a magazine, and of course being completely adored. Who doesn't love that?!

Three Christmas tenors

2011-12-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

This is what we've been listening to ...

My hero

2011-12-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

Looks real, doesn't it?

Chase's advent present on December 4th was a small green caterpillar toy. Since then, Chase has enjoyed setting up this little scenario:
Chase: Mommy, I put something on the counter in the bathroom. (walks away)
Me (hands in the air, scared face, hamming up the horror): Eeek! Eeek! What is it Chase?! There's something on the counter! Eeek!
Chase (in a patronizing voice walking slowly back to the room): Okay, okay. Calm down, calm down. Let me see. It's just your friend green caterpillar.
Me: Oh, what a relief! Just a caterpillar.

Chase has asked me to play this game every day -- sometimes multiple times a day. He says, "Let's do Eeek!" And his tone in response to my fear gets more dismissive each time. I think he likes being the hero.

Gingerbread man

2011-12-06T05:59:00.000-08:00

Enjoying a cookie of the season

Bonus: Chase is very excited about the Christmas advent calendar. Because we tell Chase that surprises appear behind the doors each morning when he wakes up, he will go back to bed and get up again (multiple times!) to see if something will be behind the doors.
Day #3 a sticky red bug
Day #4 a Lightning McQueen Christmas ornament
Day #5 a worm
Day #6 a growing animal

Fireman Chase

2011-12-05T05:46:00.000-08:00

We went to a Christmas pancake breakfast hosted by the local volunteer fire department on Saturday morning. We didn't wait around to see Santa because the fire trucks were more appealing. Chase sat in the firetruck and talked to a real fireman. He wanted to ask the fireman what they do in emergencies.

The countdown begins

2011-12-02T06:28:00.001-08:00

With Chase's love of counting (and toys!), we thought the advent calendar may be more interesting for him this year. Yep, he's into it. We missed documenting December 1, but he had barely woken up this morning when he asked if we can look at door number 2 to see what the surprise was.

Today is a blue laser-equipped race car that fits on his finger. Yesterday, a Christmas tree stamp.
'

Another 'say cheese' face

Deck the halls!

2011-11-30T06:14:00.000-08:00

We closed out the Thanksgiving weekend with a start to the Christmas season by decorating our tree and hanging lights outside.

Chase helped pick out the tree from a nearby high school

Big Jerry and Little Jerry showed up to creatively rig up the lights outside

Chase is working on his "say cheese" smile.

We hung a lot of ornaments. Chase broke three.

Chase abandoned tree decorating for a more interesting activity - popping bubble wrap.

Chase tells us that Santa will be here very soon! Be good everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-29T05:59:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving at Mama Kat and Papa's house playing outside and eating turkey - both the gobbling and candy kind.

Later in the weekend at Nana and Granddaddy's house, we went on adventure walks on nearby wooded trails where we saw turtles, and Dad taught Chase how to pee outside! We also visited a bird sanctuary and saw some real, live turkeys and held a just-hatched chicken.

Chase and Chloë

2011-11-17T05:49:00.000-08:00

We had a great playtime and dinner with our friends on Saturday. Here are some highlights of our entertainment.

The dinosaur and the pirate

Lucas is growing so fast

Hiding in the rocket ship

Chase was moody that day and would turn grumpy as soon as he would be happy to play with Chloë. To cheer him up, Chloë serenaded Chase with her sad song. Cris and Josh say she sings a song when she or others around her are sad. So cute!

Funnies

2011-11-16T05:37:00.000-08:00

Chase continues to learn shapes. He calls a pentagon a 'pentangle'.

The first word Chase has learned to read is 'Boo!', a side effect of Halloween I guess. He says 'B-O-O-I Boo'.

We were listening to Huey Lewis and the News' 'Hip to Be Square' yesterday on the way home from daycare. Chase told me that the song is about shapes.

Wheeee!

2011-11-15T06:44:00.001-08:00

Chase flies down the hill near our house, yelling with delight all the way.

Chase's drawings

2011-11-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

Chase can write his name!

"Bullfrog" by Chase. This is one in a series of about two dozen. He drew the same picture using each color in the crayon box on separate sheets of paper.

Grandpa's Visit

2011-11-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

When Grandpa came to visit last weekend, we took a train trip to Baltimore to the Port Discovery children's museum. Chase loves trains, so this was a thrill. He asked where everyone else was going.

Assembling lincoln logs at the museum with Grandpa

Reading books with Dad

Another favorite - being a knight with a sword

Thank you for the Batman cave, Grandpa. Chase loves it! We had a great time on your visit!

Another trip to Dinosaur Land

2011-11-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

During Maga's recent visit, we made another trip to Dinosaur Land. Chase will tell you this is where he wants to work when he grows up. It was a chilly day with a few remnants of snow from an early winter storm over the weekend. Chase and Maga had a snowball fight.

Here's the windup ...

And there's the pitch.

We also toured nearby Skyline Caverns. Chase wasn't sure about the caves at first and said he wanted to go home. But by the end, he was serenading our guided tour with the theme song to Sesame Street. He figured out the underground acoustics were perfect.

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

Chase was a pirate for Halloween and trick-or-treating. He perfected his 'trick-or-treat', 'argh', 'yo ho ho', and 'thank you' as we made our rounds in the neighborhood. We had a great time with Maga!

Mom's helper

2011-10-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

I wonder for how long cleaning will seem fun? Chase just picked up the sponge and started washing. He thought the sponge and bubbles were great.

The classic photo ... kid in a cabinet

2011-10-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

After I cleaned out a cabinet, Chase inspected it with his flashlight and binoculars. It all checked out according to him.

Bonus: One morning this week, our alarm clock (Chase) didn't wake us and himself until 8am. Very late for all of us, although we were happy to have caught a few extra ZZZs. Groggily getting dressed, Chase said "I want to go back to bed." Our sentiment exactly, except we usually think that in the early a.m. hours when he is wide awake.

Explorer

2011-10-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

Explorer found a mud puddle.

School Halloween Party

2011-10-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

Chase was an astronaut for his daycare's Halloween party.

Josh gives a food order to Chloë and Chase at the drive-thru window.

Chase wanted to leave the party as soon as I arrived -- lots of tears. I guess he is used to that routine on every other day. A little bag of M&Ms convinced him to stay.

Cooking montage

2011-10-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

Plum cake
http://www.thenaptimechef.com/2010/08/only-plum-torte-recipe-ill-ever-need/

Pasta for Veal, Sausage and Porcini Ragu
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pasta-with-Veal-Sausage-and-Porcini-Ragu-103450

Jack-o-lantern

2011-10-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

Bonus: a few quotable quotes ...

We tried to get Chase to use a portable toilet at a pumpkin patch last weekend. He absolutely refused in tears. Admittedly, it was gross. The next day we went to another farm for fall activities. He told us that he didn't want to use the "stinky toilet" at the "fall festibal".

On the way home from daycare, Chase said that he cries there. I asked him why, and he said because I go to work. Heartbreaker.

Rescuing Diego

2011-10-20T05:53:00.000-07:00

One evening last week, Chase and I were playing and drawing on construction paper. He saw a piece that he thought resembled a volcano - what else would it be?! So, that little idea sparked a bigger idea, with him asking me to make Dora, Diego, and Boots out of construction paper so they could explore the volcano. Whoa. First, his imagination yet again made me laugh - and second, I was struck by the challenge this would be. We're no stranger to paper animals -- I've made fish and octopus and sharks -- (hey, you think of crazy things to entertain a kid at 6 a.m.), but this was a new level of creativity.

Anyway, here are the passable results. Good enough for Chase's story, which went like this: Diego got stuck climbing the vines on the volcano (in the last picture, they're the green stringy things coming off the big brown blob), so Dora and Boots had to rescue him. After they rescued him and scared away Swiper (thankfully invisible), they all went back to the forest to play. Diego hid in the tree for Dora and Boots to find him.

Although you can't see it, Dora is complete with Backpack and Map. Diego also has his Rescue Pack. Go Mom.

Note our liquid creativity in the above photo -- you know Chase and I both have our vices.

Halloween costume preview

2011-10-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

An ordinary day in our house includes lots of pretending -- dressing up, playing swordfights, wearing hats. So Halloween is a good excuse to amp up the fun with full costumes. Witness below the evolution of Chase's Halloween costume choices. We have plenty of holiday activities to attend, so they will all get a good showing in the official events. ... And we plan on extending the novelty of these outfits all the way through a cold winter indoors.

Astronaut: This is Chase's most recent whim. We got creative in using what we could find at the costume store -- a Star Wars storm trooper or something -- close enough.

Every astronaut keeps a lollipop in his belt.

Daddy made an awesome rocket out of a big cardboard box, complete with windows, steering wheel, and 'blast off' button.

Dinosaur: Chase's love of dinosaurs can't be overstated. Lots of roaring, stomping, and claw-showing in this pteradactyl number. Thank you GG for the costume! Chase loves the wings, and I get a kick out of the tail wagging behind him.

Pirate: Chase frequently plays 'pirate boat' on beds and couches and requests all his stuffed animals salute him with 'ahoy!'. So this outfit makes the adventure all the more real. Thank you Maga for the costume!

It turns out that pirates are also good pumpkin carvers.

Potty humor

2011-10-18T06:01:00.000-07:00

In the few weeks since our last post, Chase continues to refine his comedy routine. His latest schtick is to respond "poopie diaper" to any number of questions. An appropriate answer, of course. Don't we adults wish we could just say "poopie diaper" sometimes?

Shameless proud parenting moment: Did you hear our boy is learning his letters?! He practices writing them at school.

Bonus: Chase made up his own joke. "Why did the giraffe [any animal can be used here] eat the plant? Because it was red." We don't get it, but we admire his avant-garde style and laugh heartily.

Footprints

2011-10-01T03:59:00.000-07:00

Just after Chase said he did not need to use the toilet when I asked him (the toilet training adventure continues), he had an accident. He waddled off to the bathroom in wet stocking feet, and I asked him what happened -- hoping he would tell me and I could reinforce the idea that using the throne is better than not. Instead, he said coyly, "Just follow the footprints Mommy". Smarty.

Funny faces

2011-09-29T05:42:00.000-07:00

Happy face

Angry face

Bonus: Chase and I have been reading Beatrix Potter boxed set (thank you Uncle Carson!) recently. Chase loves animals, of course, and he thinks the characters' names are funny: Hunca Munca, Flopsy, Mopsy, etc. I didn't realize there are a few dark twists in the stories, such as Peter Rabbit's father baked in a pie by the farmer's wife, Jemima Puddleduck's eggs eaten by dogs and her trouble hatching eggs, Squirrel Nutkin almost eaten by an owl that he annoys. In my story-telling version, I gloss over those parts and keep it light. That leads to lots of pauses and 'ums' as I try to improvise. Chase doesn't seem to notice -- he keeps the pages turning anyway.

Pumpkin patch - part 2

2011-09-28T05:47:00.000-07:00

I realized there are no pumpkins in the pumpkin patch videos. But with a month of fall activities ahead, I'm sure we'll see some.

Bonus: Chase is into joke-telling these days. His line-up includes "why did the chicken cross the road?" and knock-knock jokes. Chris taught him a new one: What happened to the elephant when he sat on the marshmallow? He got a mushy tushy. Chase's answer is "splat", which is probably what really happened. It's the duo of Chase's Dean Martin to Chris' Jerry Lewis.

Pumpkin patch

2011-09-27T05:51:00.000-07:00

Highlights from Chase's visit to the pumpkin patch -- 1st of the season. More videos tomorrow!

Bonus: Chase made it through daycare yesterday with no accidents! Can't say the same for the evening at home. Oh well.

Haircut

2011-09-26T05:49:00.000-07:00

The lollipop is the key to a great haircut.

Bonus: In our potty training journey, yesterday was Chase's first day wearing "big boy" underpants - cotton training pants. He wore them to daycare today, too. We'll see how it goes!

More baking with Chase

2011-09-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

Chase and I were back in the kitchen tonight. After I told him he couldn't eat cookies for dinner, he said he wanted to make some. Fortunately, I was planning to bake cookies anyway for Chris returning home on Friday after spending a few days away.

Here's one of the most delicious cookie recipes ever: Cherry Cream Cookies. The recipe is courtesy of my former coworker's wife, who is a food blogger and will publish her first cookbook next year. So many quick, yummy foods. http://www.thenaptimechef.com/2010/09/cherry-cream-cookies-on-whim-webisode/

The highlight of tonight's baking session was using the stand mixer. I thought Chase would get a kick out of knowing his numbers and manning the speed control on the mixer as we followed the recipe for medium speed: "Chase, set the mixer on 4." Yep, he got it. Then, he got the next logical step that if 4 means medium fast, then 10 must mean super fast. So ... this cookie batter got whipped on a 10 -- full speed ahead. Flour clouds plumed around us as he squealed. I think he equated it to a racecar.

In the end, the cookies didn't suffer for the beating they took. And it was well worth the laugh. Yum.

Rabbit wants to talk to me

2011-09-15T05:28:00.000-07:00

Lately, this rabbit has been one of Chase's favorite toys. He and rabbit jump, play, and hide together. Chase says "Rabbit wants to talk to me", so I'll be the rabbit's voice as they play. Rabbit rides to school with us. It can get Chase do to things (like pick up toys!) that I can't. If memory serves, Auntie Michele gave this to Chase in his Easter basket.

What have we been up to?

2011-09-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

Taking the tricycle out for a spin

Making homemade ice cream at Mama Kat's house

Bonus:
Stats from 2 1/2 year check-up: 33.5 pounds, 37 inches tall. Growth is evening out, but still holding his own in the 75th-80th percentiles.

Golfing in the Lost Jungle

2011-09-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Here is the lost jungle that Chase talked about in the last post. This was the craziest mini-golf place the three of us had seen -- and located only half an hour from our house. But with animatronics, sound effects, and a fog machine, we felt like we were a world away. Chase asked to go home halfway through -- it takes a lot to unsettle the kid. However, he did like the monkeys laughing in the trees at this hole.

Being an only child is tough

2011-08-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes being an only child is tough and you have to improvise. This is a video of Chase playing with his "computer" while simultaneously making a new friend on the iPad. Enjoy!

Pizza night

2011-08-25T18:51:00.001-07:00

I planned tonight's quick homemade pizza dinner to be another opportunity to get Chase back in the kitchen. He wasn't as interested as I had hoped. Where is my sous chef?

Ah, here he is. Digging into a bowl of mozzarella that's supposed to go on the pizza. Cute anyway!

Dinosaur Land

2011-08-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went back in time to walk among the dinosaurs at a 1960s-era roadside stop near the Shenandoah Valley -- Dinosaur Land. It is a park filled with 30+ lifesize steel/fiberglass dinos, and Chase was thrilled.

"Nice to meet you, dinosaur." Chase introduced himself to each one.

The exhibits included a few lifelike gory fighting scenes.

What's a dino park without King Kong?

And a shark? Maybe this is Jaws.

It's 6am on a Wednesday and you're cranky. What do you do?

2011-08-17T05:44:00.001-07:00

Take off your pants and stand in front of the freezer, of course.

On a growth spurt?

2011-08-16T13:35:00.001-07:00

Last night for dinner Chase ate:

- two tangerines
- macaroni and cheese
- green beans
- turkey
- graham crackers for snack

and this morning when he woke up he asked for an apple and another tangerine.

The Lone Dinosaur

2011-08-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

Chase's new favorite song. We get many requests to sing this one. It's catchy.

C is for cookie and D is for dinosaur

2011-08-12T03:27:00.000-07:00

In another cookie adventure, we attempted sugar cookies in the shape of dinosaurs and farm animals. Going easy on the baking effort with premade dough for an impatient chef Chase, we focused on the cutting out and decorating. The first batch went super well -- which is why I have no pictures. I rolled out the dough, Chase cut out the animals, then we decorated with food coloring and sprinkles. Fun. Easy peasy. All neatness and no craziness. Mom is feeling confident about this venture, then ...

The second batch changed course. Here are the cute little cookie cutters, and notice to the side, a green dinosaur sneaking his way into the scene.

You can guess where the rest of his dinosaur buddies went ... climbing cookie dough mountain.

Chris follows a general rule to not eat or drink anything prepared by a child. Chase is demonstrating why that's probably a good idea.

Then the cookie dough became like play dough -- shoved into the dinosaur's little case, enthusiastically shaken on the floor, and smeared all over.

Lilly gobbled up the floor remnants of dough. Here she is saying, "I want more." I was hoping she would not throw up.

But in the end we have some good results. Can you spot a sheep and a T-rex, or is it a turtle and a rabbit? Now, who wants one?

Mr. Potato Head

2011-08-10T06:29:00.001-07:00

Playing with Mr. Potato Head ...

Chase said, "He looks like Daddy."

Toddler life

2011-08-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

"The Toddler's Creed"
Author unknown

If it is on, I must turn it off.
If it is off, I must turn it on.
If it is folded, I must unfold it.
If it is a liquid, it must be shaken, then spilled.
If it a solid, it must be crumbled, chewed or smeared.
If it is high, it must be reached.
If it is shelved, it must be unshelved.
If it is pointed, it must be run with at top speed.
If it has leaves, they must be picked.
If it is plugged, it must be unplugged.
If it is not trash, it must be thrown away.
If it is in the trash, it must be removed and thrown on the floor.
If it is closed, it must be opened.
If it does not open, it must be screamed at.
If it has drawers, they must be rifled.
If it is a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, wall, or table.
If it is full, it will be more interesting emptied.
If it is empty, it will be more interesting full.
If it is a pile of dirt, it must be dug into.
If it is stroller, it must not be ridden without protest.
If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.
If Mommy's hands are full, I must be carried.
If Daddy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.
If it is paper, it must be torn.
If it has buttons, they must be pressed.
If the volume is low, it must go high.
If it is toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.
If it is a drawer, it must be pulled upon.
If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.
If it is a phone, I must talk to it.
If it is a bug, it must be swallowed.
If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.
If it is not food, it must be tasted.
If it is food, it must not be tasted.
If it is a carseat, it must be protested with an arched back.
If it is Mommy or Daddy, it must be hugged (or maybe ignored).
I am toddler!

Spelunking with sharks and divers

2011-08-04T09:42:00.001-07:00

Chase's imagination is taking off. A recent favorite game is to hide in the blue blanket "cave" with a flashlight and his shark and scuba diver figurines. Some of the scuba divers carry flashlights, so Chase got the idea to use his own flashlight to help them look for sharks. That, everyone, is how you play sharks and divers.

Stamping

2011-08-02T03:33:00.000-07:00

Chase ends up ink-covered, but the entertainment provided by these stamps from the $1 bin at Target is worth it!

Thanks for the table cover, Maga! Perfect for projects like this.

Chase in a bad mood...over the debt ceiling

2011-07-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

Beach weekend

2011-07-27T04:49:00.000-07:00

It was a hot weekend in Virginia Beach, but we had a great time with Nana, Granddaddy, KK, and MerMer. Chase loved jumping in the waves on the first day, but preferred digging in the sand over everything else. Being in the big pool with everyone was fun -- especially encouraging Daddy to jump off the diving board.

Putting on a show for everyone in his swim diaper and "maracas" pool toys after showering off after a day at the beach

How yummy is pizza for dinner on the beach?

Chase loved mini-golf. He plays with his golf set all the time at home. He stuck with all 18 holes -- he teed off with Daddy, then moved the ball closer to the hole for a birdie every time. Chase won, of course.

"Hello ball."

To escape the afternoon heat, we went to a nearby children's museum. Chase pretended to be a fireman while wearing a coat and driving the truck. He played with a giant wall of colored rods.

Triathlete

2011-07-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

Funny stuff

2011-07-19T04:18:00.000-07:00

Chase has picked up the phrase "That is awesome!"

When Chase drops something or things doesn't go as he planned, he'll say "Oh, coconuts!", a phrase he heard on one of his favorite cartoons.

Chris played the guitar for Chase to sing and dance to, but after a while Chase said, "Daddy, stop. The music is bad."

Chase and I reenacted scenes from Wonder Pets cartoon, where all kinds of animals are rescued by a team of pets. Chase was a mouse, a cow, a dog, a panda, and many others -- he would call for rescue from inside the ball bin. When he became a crow, the ball bin became his cage. I patted the feathers on his head, his little beak nose, wings, claws. We ran this scenario at least 10 times! Much later when Chase was going to bed, he asked for me to pat his feathers and beak.

We've mentioned Chase loves hide and seek, but the extent of his obsession with it has been understated. Over and over and over we play this game. Often, it's no more than him hiding under a blanket or in a sleeping bag and us hamming it up as we wander around the room and ask where he is. It's even better when we enlist his stuffed animals to help us look for him. Sometimes he'll turn the tables and tell us where to hide, so he can seek. He hams it up, too, even though he knows where we are.

Friends

2011-07-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Chloë turned 3 last weekend. Here are some pictures from her birthday party at the park where Chase saw many of his friends from daycare.

Khush, Chloë, Preston and Chase play in the sandbox. Later, Chase was belly-down swimming in the sand.

Doritos - yum. Chase is holding Preston's football, which he carried for most of the party. Even going down the slide.

Swim time

2011-07-13T06:01:00.000-07:00

New favorite sport is T-ball

2011-07-11T05:18:00.000-07:00

Bonus:
Chase has a toy computer which asks him a few questions. Today in the car, I could hear him answering:
- What is your favorite toy? Lilly's toys
- Who is your best friend? My sister
- What is your favorite game? Hide and seek

Grumpy pirate

2011-07-08T05:49:00.001-07:00

After this picture, Chase probably proclaimed "I'm NOT!" and crossed his arms. We hear that a lot these days. Doesn't matter what for, but he will say he's not going to do it --- even sometimes telling the characters in his favorite TV shows.

A cuter phrase we hear when we ask him a question he doesn't know the answer to is "um, um, um" while tapping his finger on his chin and looking thoughtful.

Baking with Chase

2011-07-06T05:38:00.000-07:00

Chase and Daddy had a good time making Chocolate Chip Cookies...Chase has a knack for baking:

Summer fun

2011-06-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

More eating

2011-06-02T18:27:00.000-07:00

Realizing now that we have many posts of Chase at mealtime, here's another one from this evening when he asked to eat corn on the cob.

And then he asked to take a picture with Mama!

More funnies:
- In the checkout line at Target, Chase spontaneously sings "shake your booty" over and over and very loudly. Don't know where he picked that up, but the other people in line thought it was cute.
- When I arrived at daycare to pick up Chase this evening, he was in timeout for pulling a girl's hair and putting wood chips in it. The little mischief.

Friday fun

2011-05-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

Chase looks for animals with his "mi-noc-a-lers" (a lego becomes binoculars). Thanks Maga for the shirt!

Play-doh time!

A little fun

2011-05-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

Taking a break at the petting zoo with Dad

Sticker belly

After eating macaroni & cheese: "There is doodle on this hand!"

Turtle

2011-05-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

We had a visitor last week who spent some time in the flower beds. Chase describes the turtle as brown, and we looked for him in the morning and evening.

Also, we've been scootering around the driveway.

Pasta and potato head

2011-05-20T05:50:00.000-07:00

Lately, getting Chase to eat dinner is a challenge. Some days we can barely get him in the highchair when he declares "all done!". But it's a different story when pasta is involved -- especially long stringy pasta. Loves it. Notice the technique -- stretch it out and bite the middle. He even shared with a naked Mr. Potato Head.

Here are a few gems we hear from Chase often:
- "I don't like [insert anything]". No matter how much Chase really does like an activity, a food, a toy, a person, etc., he will lead with the negative. Do the thing anyway, and he comes around just fine.
- "Sorry" in the most pitiful, remorseful tone. This I hear after Chase hits me to get my attention, I tell him no, and ask him to apologize. His acting regretful is funny, and it's hard not to laugh when I'm trying to scold him. Of course, the pitiful "sorry" can also be followed by another swat and "I hit Mommy!" and a little giggle. This is a problem.
- "What are you doing guys?" A favorite of ours. Usually if we're in another room, Chase will run in asking this with such curiosity.
- Words Chase finds funny: mosquito, Guido (the name of a character in the Cars movie)

Faces

2011-05-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

This video is from two months ago, and it's funny how Chase has changed slightly even in that short amount of time. Also, angry face has since become happy face.

I'm growing animals

2011-05-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Maga for the capsule animals. A little nostalgic for the parents, and Chase was certainly amazed. As part of this child rearing gig, we often hear each other and Chase say things we never thought possible -- this activity added another phrase to the list "Mommy, I'm growing animals!"

The dinosaur shapes were a hit -- and the bonus random piggies were, too.

Also, the novelty of Easter egg hunts has not worn off yet.

Wednesday fun at Chuck E Cheese

2011-05-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Grandpa Paul for the tshirt!

Chase's favorite - the shark game.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-09T05:44:00.000-07:00

A big THANK YOU to all our moms who do so much for us!

We spent a fun weekend at Nana and Granddaddy's house.

Chase's 2 year photos

2011-05-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

What have we been up to?

2011-05-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

After a noticeable absence from the blog, we're back to share what we've been up to for the past month. We've had family visitors, went out of town ourselves to see friends, and celebrated Easter.

In early April, we trekked to the Jersey shore to join friends for a 6-mile MS walk. Our team "Mr. Cheerful and His Goodtime Buddies" (named after our cheerful buddy Ken, of course) raised more than $5,000 -- so thank you to our friends and family who contributed in this great achievement! Little Florence makes these boys look good. We walked the entire 6 miles, and Chase did very well, even walking some himself.

The following weekend we were treated to a visit from Michele, Ken, and Lila. We took Chase to his first circus. His favorites were the elephants and tigers.

When we ask Chase to show us his happy face, this is what we get ...

Chase was so happy to meet the Easter bunny when Maga came to visit at the end of March.

On Easter weekend, we dyed eggs, and Chase called out the colors he wanted to make. Thank you Maga for the Easter egg kit -- it was a hit!

The Easter Bunny came to Nana's house and brought a basket filled with books, cars, stickers, and water guns.

The water guns were a quick favorite. He loves to squirt other people, but he's just as happy to spray himself.

Plenty of egg hunts ...

The hardboiled eggs did not last long in the egg hunt. After finding them, Chase would squeeze them, break the shell, and "hatch the chick", as he said.

For Chase, Mama Kat made one of her famous cakes that we as her grandkids remember from our childhood. Chase enjoyed poking the icing and decorations.

Chase in his St. Pat's best

2011-03-17T06:07:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Thanks for the shirt MaGa!

Snot

2011-03-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

Apparently both Dad and Chase enjoy the same humor...

Weekend entertainment

2011-03-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

While Dad assembled this ...

Chase did this ...

Then it was playtime!

Thank you Nana, MaDaddy, Mama Kat and Papa for the new toy!

A few funnies

2011-03-09T05:33:00.000-08:00

Apparently Chase didn't hit his drive past the ladies' tee.
He didn't want to pull his pants up, but he didn't want to take them off either -- he spent most of the evening like this. (Thank you to Chloë for the golf clubs!)

Chase did not want to eat dinner on Monday night. Instead, he grabbed a fistful of food to throw on the floor. I told him not to throw it, and he responded "No way!". Not just "No", but "No way!" Talking back already ...

If you think Chase is saying nipple, he's really saying meatball. A good translation to remember.

As I put Chase to bed last night, and he asked simply, "Kiss?" Of course!

Now when Chase falls down and isn't hurt, he'll say from the floor "I'm ok!"

Chase is very attached to his cup with Diego on it. If milk isn't served in this specific cup, you're in for a tantrum - an on the floor, wailing, thrashing fit. Because Chase's love for the Diego cup outweighs the milk that's in it, you know he's attached.

Second birthday!

2011-03-07T05:47:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Chase's second birthday on Saturday, along with Aunt Mer-mer and Uncle Bruce. A big party for each generation!

We joked that the youngest birthday boy received the biggest pile of presents.

Lots of spectators and their cameras

Chase got some help opening gifts from a neighbor friend Reagan. The boys seem unimpressed by socks.

Birthday cake for Chase's animal party -- baked by Mom and decorated by Dad. A few little fingerprints on the end ... wonder who did that?

Mmmmm ... cake

Freeze Frame

2011-03-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

Chase turned 2 on Saturday (party post to follow)...Uncle Carson decided he was old enough to operating his own camera...please enjoy Chase's pics from his new camera courtesy of Uncle Carson.

Self Portrait (looking at feet):

Faces in the Crowd:

Bonus Liz Pic (OK Daddy took this one):

Highlights from the week

2011-03-04T06:12:00.000-08:00

This morning Chase put his pajama pants on his head and declared himself a pirate. With lots of "Ahoy!" and "Argh!", he said he was looking for treasure. He grabbed his camera to take pictures of me because I was taking pictures of him.

Chase has a bus toy (almost visible on the floor in the photo) that makes a police siren noise. We don't know where he learned it, but he makes a funny face and circles his finger in the air when he hears it.

Gearing up for Chase's 2nd birthday on Saturday ... thank you to everyone for spoiling our little buddy. He doesn't know how lucky he is to have such great friends and family ... but we do! (Thank you, Jean and Con, for the hat featured in the photo!)

Chase's 2 year check-up with the doctor went very well yesterday. He handles doctor visits better and better every time. Chase weighs 32 pounds and is 36 inches tall -- 90th percentile for both measurements. We have a big healthy boy on our hands!

Lessons from Mickey's Magic Show

2011-03-01T05:45:00.001-08:00

On Sunday, we had a fun afternoon at Mickey's Magic Show with Chloë and her parents. Mickey and his pals did card tricks, floated Minnie, disappeared Donald, and lots of other fun stuff.
Here are a few things we learned:
1 - Chase loves popcorn. He will eat your entire bucket. Chloë, you shared so well.
2 - Chase does not like cotton candy. We were so surprised!
3 - If one kid wants something (whether it be $10 nachos or $15 Disney tchotchkes), get one for the other kids. They will want it, too.
4 - You don't want to sit in front of us. You will get kicked or hit in the head with a giant glowing magic wand. Sorry, mister!
5 - Chase and Chloë are too cute together! They make each other laugh and are a devilish pair!

Playing in the couch cave

2011-02-24T05:25:00.000-08:00

Words of the day:
- igloo
- burp
Chase thinks these are hilarious.

Fun with Dad

2011-02-12T15:07:00.000-08:00

Chase having fun with Dad...

When Chase's "Oh dear!" becomes our "Oh #&@*!"

2011-02-06T18:21:00.001-08:00

You can see almost perfect handprints on his face.

In the last photo, there was a split second when he was ready to brush his teeth with the paintbrush. Nevermind how much he dislikes brushing his teeth for real.

Flashlight

2011-02-04T05:23:00.000-08:00

After Chase woke up this morning, he played and hid under the bed sheets. Completely covered, he declared that he made a cave and needed a flashlight.

Batman!

2011-02-02T05:39:00.001-08:00

Chase says it's Halloween.
Thank you MaGa for the costume!

He's a quick mover -- it's tough to get little Batman to be still for a photo.

UPDATE: Chase can sing the Batman theme song.

Paper towel roll at dinner

2011-01-31T09:50:00.001-08:00

While recovering from ear infections and a fever over the weekend, Chase summoned enough imagination to build a food rocket. At least his uneaten dinner didn't go to waste.

Next, the rocket became a spyglass which he used to look for Dora's map. We saw a lot of cartoons this weekend while waiting for Chase to feel better.

Role reversal

2011-01-26T05:18:00.000-08:00

Maybe Chase and Lilly have influenced each other too much -- Chase snacked on the Dora DVD insert, and Lilly found a regal rest in Chase's chair. (wish you could have seen her circling in it to find just the right spot!)

A conversation with Chase

2011-01-25T05:26:00.000-08:00

After Chase's bath last night, he noticed his hands and fingers were wrinkled from the water. He held them out and rubbed them.

Me: Your hands are wrinkled.
Chase: I need gloves.
Me: You need gloves?
Chase: I want to go outside. (nevermind he was half-naked as we were putting his PJs on)
Me: It's cold and windy outside.
Chase: I want to go outside in snow with gloves.

Lots of "ah's" and "eh's" as he really tries to put longer sentences together. You can literally hear the wheels turning in his mind. Amazing!

Chase's new bed

2011-01-24T05:32:00.000-08:00

Chase got a new bed on Saturday after showing us his acrobatic crib climbing skills. Chris had the great idea to entice Chase to sleep in the new bed with linens featuring his favorite animal rescuer Diego.

How does Chase like it, you ask? Daytime naps, no -- he ran around his room instead. Nighttime, yes -- a little crying at first, but he slept pretty well. Funny, now he requests every stuffed animal in sight put in the bed with him.