Thursday, August 25, 2011
More!
I forgot to mention Abby's newest trick in my last post: signing "more." It'd be a real handy trick if she used it correctly and helpfully. Last night she just about drove her Daddy crazy at the dinner table with her signing. She'd sign "more" and he'd hand her something and she'd say no and hand it back (or throw it or swing her arms like a madwoman). This continued for several food items, while I was trying to hide my laughs and Coleson was trying to resist the urge to run out the door screaming. It was quite funny. She ate a ton of food, but still continued to sign "more." Finally we thought to offer her a drink and that did the trick! So now I am desperately trying to teach her "drink" in addition to "more." She pulled the same "more" trick at lunch today, but fortunately I was on to her and knew to offer a drink. Hopefully she'll learn the difference soon!
The coolest, craziest kids ever!
Ryan is super talkative these days and can communicate very well now. We have real conversations and it's lots of fun. This morning while driving to preschool I asked him if he would like to go out to lunch and meet Grandma after school. Of course he was excited, so we talked about where he wanted to go. He decides on Taco Bell for a quesidilla. Then he wants to call Grandma and tell her, so I dial and hand him the phone. When Grandma answers I hear: "Would you like to go to Mexico after preschool?" Apparently, Grandma did not immediately realize this meant Taco Bell for lunch (I don't know why not!), so he has to repeat himself several times. Needless to say I had a really good laugh this morning and yes, we are going to eat Mexican for lunch at Taco Bell in a little bit.
Do you remember being a kid and thinking your teacher was only your teacher? The surprise and shock when you realized they were real people and had real lives? Shortly after we hung up the phone, we were sitting in the preschool carline and there were several cars parked in the parking lot and Ryan wanted to know why. I told him they were probably the teachers' cars. He didn't like that answer and told me, "No, teachers no drive." I pushed him a little and he said "No, them have to stay at preschool for kids." I asked where teachers eat dinner and go night-night and he told me they do that at school. And then that was the end of that: "Let's no talk about that anymore." Okay, we won't rock your three year old view of your teachers.
Abby is doing well and picking up her share of silly-goose-ness too of course. One of her current favorite things is to show off her belly; she LOVES her belly. She pulls up her shirt for anyone and everyone to see, including the cashier at the grocery store this morning. Fortunately it hasn't happened in public yet, but she also likes to pull up Mommy's shirt and see my belly too. And she likes to touch all our noses too. She's still into sitting and has her own baby Tinkerbell papasan chair (she's sitting in her chair next to me, drumming on a drum). She has also started spinning til she gets dizzy, then she throws her head to the ground while still standing so she looks like one of those beetles with his bottom up in the air. Not really sure why she ends that way. She cracks herself up and is always smiling & laughing. And of course she still adores her big brother and thinks Ryan is the coolest kid ever. And I think I have the two coolest kids ever, even if they are a little crazy!
Do you remember being a kid and thinking your teacher was only your teacher? The surprise and shock when you realized they were real people and had real lives? Shortly after we hung up the phone, we were sitting in the preschool carline and there were several cars parked in the parking lot and Ryan wanted to know why. I told him they were probably the teachers' cars. He didn't like that answer and told me, "No, teachers no drive." I pushed him a little and he said "No, them have to stay at preschool for kids." I asked where teachers eat dinner and go night-night and he told me they do that at school. And then that was the end of that: "Let's no talk about that anymore." Okay, we won't rock your three year old view of your teachers.
Abby is doing well and picking up her share of silly-goose-ness too of course. One of her current favorite things is to show off her belly; she LOVES her belly. She pulls up her shirt for anyone and everyone to see, including the cashier at the grocery store this morning. Fortunately it hasn't happened in public yet, but she also likes to pull up Mommy's shirt and see my belly too. And she likes to touch all our noses too. She's still into sitting and has her own baby Tinkerbell papasan chair (she's sitting in her chair next to me, drumming on a drum). She has also started spinning til she gets dizzy, then she throws her head to the ground while still standing so she looks like one of those beetles with his bottom up in the air. Not really sure why she ends that way. She cracks herself up and is always smiling & laughing. And of course she still adores her big brother and thinks Ryan is the coolest kid ever. And I think I have the two coolest kids ever, even if they are a little crazy!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
3 day 3's
Ryan started back at preschool last week. Hard to believe summer's already over, at least according to the school calendar. This year he'll go three days a week- Tues, Wed, and Thurs. I wasn't thrilled about three days in a row initially, but I do like having the long weekends. And Ryan doesn't seem troubled by three early mornings in a row. In fact, he's doing great at preschool. Even at the end of last year, he was still giving half-hearted cries every morning, although they didn't last long. This year he is practically jumping out of the car during dropoff! I will confess this was actually harder for me the first day or two; I guess I'm just used to my baby being sad to leave me! But I'm so proud of him and I'm doing much better now :)
His teachers are Ms. Kathy and Ms. Marlene and he seems to really like them. He's so much more talkative and fills me in on all sorts of details that I didn't get last year. Going to the playground is his favorite part of the day and he plays on the see-saw, swings, and slides. He also says that he sees Wyatt and Seth on the playground (two of his buddies from last year that aren't in his class this year). He'll tell me all the yummy things he eats for snack, what they colored/painted, whether or not they sang any songs, or if they sat in circle time and learned about God and Jesus. He'll also start a Spanish class of sorts, a monthly chapel service, and of course music class again. He still doesn't know all his new friends' names, but I'm sure that will come soon. Until then, when I ask him who he see-saws with, he'll say I don't know their name yet!
He also continues speech this year, although I'm much happier with the situation. I've been afraid recently that he's simply stuck in the system and he doesn't really need it anymore. And I'm sure it didn't help that I did not like his teacher last year. But this year has started off much better. Because of the extra day of preschool, I asked his teacher if we could drop to one day of speech. So now he only goes Mondays and it's from 8:30-9am. While a little earlier than I would have liked, it's sooo much better than 1:00 which always made lunch and naps very stressful. And he has a new teacher this year, Ms. Holt. So far she seems great and she has three kids of her own which makes a huge difference. She is very nice to Ryan and engaged him from the very beginning. He now walks down the hallway to speech all by himself with no tears; last year his teacher usually had to carry him crying.
The school year is off to a great start. Next week Abby starts her Music Class again, so that will be really nice. It's such a great program and I'm looking forward to Abby having something all to herself again. Like last year, it'll be Thursday mornings while Ryan's in school.
His teachers are Ms. Kathy and Ms. Marlene and he seems to really like them. He's so much more talkative and fills me in on all sorts of details that I didn't get last year. Going to the playground is his favorite part of the day and he plays on the see-saw, swings, and slides. He also says that he sees Wyatt and Seth on the playground (two of his buddies from last year that aren't in his class this year). He'll tell me all the yummy things he eats for snack, what they colored/painted, whether or not they sang any songs, or if they sat in circle time and learned about God and Jesus. He'll also start a Spanish class of sorts, a monthly chapel service, and of course music class again. He still doesn't know all his new friends' names, but I'm sure that will come soon. Until then, when I ask him who he see-saws with, he'll say I don't know their name yet!
He also continues speech this year, although I'm much happier with the situation. I've been afraid recently that he's simply stuck in the system and he doesn't really need it anymore. And I'm sure it didn't help that I did not like his teacher last year. But this year has started off much better. Because of the extra day of preschool, I asked his teacher if we could drop to one day of speech. So now he only goes Mondays and it's from 8:30-9am. While a little earlier than I would have liked, it's sooo much better than 1:00 which always made lunch and naps very stressful. And he has a new teacher this year, Ms. Holt. So far she seems great and she has three kids of her own which makes a huge difference. She is very nice to Ryan and engaged him from the very beginning. He now walks down the hallway to speech all by himself with no tears; last year his teacher usually had to carry him crying.
The school year is off to a great start. Next week Abby starts her Music Class again, so that will be really nice. It's such a great program and I'm looking forward to Abby having something all to herself again. Like last year, it'll be Thursday mornings while Ryan's in school.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Stone Mountain
Last weekend we finally made it to Stone Mountain! It's been on our 2011 Bucket List and we've been talking about it all summer. We used to go all the time, but haven't been since before Ryan was born. It was a wonderful afternoon/evening and I really enjoyed seeing it through Ryan's eyes. I really think he loved it!
Ryan was so excited as we were able to see the mountain while driving up. And we had talked about the cable car and train and viewed Auntie Sarah's pictures from when they went, so he was somewhat anticipating the fun. It was neat to watch the wonder and awe and I caught him just staring up at the mountain as we were walking to the train.
So we rode the train and both Ryan & Abby loved it. Abby enjoyed the wind in her curly locks and waving at everyone as we passed through Memorial lawn. Ryan loved being on a train and sitting with his Daddy. From there we rushed over to the cable car (it was Saturday and quite crowded). The cable car was Ryan's favorite part; we rode the red one both up and down. At the top they enjoyed running all around and had no fear at all. Ryan asked to have a few pictures taken, we walked right up to the fence to peer down on everyone setting up blankets for the laser show, watched a really big kite that was actually sort of scary, and just enjoyed a nice evening. Once we made it back down, we met up with Grandpa and Grandma and Aunt Lolly and Uncle Brian for a KFC picnic dinner and of course the laser show. The show was good, although very different, and they didn't play Proud to be an American! I loved that Ryan was exhausted by then and watched the whole show while laying in my lap (and I was laying in Coleson's). Abby was up and dancing around and going back and forth between everyone, mostly Grandpa though, her current favorite person in the world.
Ryan talked about Stone Mountain for days and poured over the park map as well. And he must have talked about it quite a bit in speech seeing as he teacher mentioned it and said he must have really enjoyed going there! Such a fun evening!
Ryan was so excited as we were able to see the mountain while driving up. And we had talked about the cable car and train and viewed Auntie Sarah's pictures from when they went, so he was somewhat anticipating the fun. It was neat to watch the wonder and awe and I caught him just staring up at the mountain as we were walking to the train.
So we rode the train and both Ryan & Abby loved it. Abby enjoyed the wind in her curly locks and waving at everyone as we passed through Memorial lawn. Ryan loved being on a train and sitting with his Daddy. From there we rushed over to the cable car (it was Saturday and quite crowded). The cable car was Ryan's favorite part; we rode the red one both up and down. At the top they enjoyed running all around and had no fear at all. Ryan asked to have a few pictures taken, we walked right up to the fence to peer down on everyone setting up blankets for the laser show, watched a really big kite that was actually sort of scary, and just enjoyed a nice evening. Once we made it back down, we met up with Grandpa and Grandma and Aunt Lolly and Uncle Brian for a KFC picnic dinner and of course the laser show. The show was good, although very different, and they didn't play Proud to be an American! I loved that Ryan was exhausted by then and watched the whole show while laying in my lap (and I was laying in Coleson's). Abby was up and dancing around and going back and forth between everyone, mostly Grandpa though, her current favorite person in the world.
Ryan talked about Stone Mountain for days and poured over the park map as well. And he must have talked about it quite a bit in speech seeing as he teacher mentioned it and said he must have really enjoyed going there! Such a fun evening!
Happy 60th Birthday Grandpa!!
So it's a little belated, at least the blog version, but happy birthday wishes to my dad!! We celebrated Grandpa's 60th birthday, wow, almost two weeks ago now. Hmm, further behind on the blog then I realized. Anyways, happy birthday!!
While on our family vacation to the beach, we celebrated with a surprise pontoon boat ride (it was also Uncle Brian's 30th birthday, so happy birthday Brian!). We had a great time cruising around the sound, watching dolphins, eating cookie cake, and taking a quick swim.
On Dad's actual birthday we had a very yummy dinner and then we had another surprise the weekend afterwards; Laura & Brian drove home to join us in a birthday brunch, along with Nana/Barbara and cousin Steve. We had some good food and great company.
I hope it was a wonderful birthday Dad! We love you!!
While on our family vacation to the beach, we celebrated with a surprise pontoon boat ride (it was also Uncle Brian's 30th birthday, so happy birthday Brian!). We had a great time cruising around the sound, watching dolphins, eating cookie cake, and taking a quick swim.
On Dad's actual birthday we had a very yummy dinner and then we had another surprise the weekend afterwards; Laura & Brian drove home to join us in a birthday brunch, along with Nana/Barbara and cousin Steve. We had some good food and great company.
I hope it was a wonderful birthday Dad! We love you!!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
R-y-a-n
Time to brag on Ryan for a little bit! He starts preschool on Tuesday and last week was his open house. We were able to meet his teachers, see his room, play for a bit. While I was talking with the teachers, they had Ryan coloring a frog. When he was done they wrote his name so they could hang it from the ceiling and Ryan could look for it on Tuesday. So as Ms. Marlene's writing his name, she stops and asks Ryan if he knows how to spell it. Without skipping a beat, he tells her R-y-a-n. She then asks if he knows how to write it and turns it over to let him try. He writes it just about perfectly! They were both very impressed. She said there was one other 3 year old who could write his name this year and none on the first day last year. Yay Ryan! I decided not to brag too much to his teachers, but yes, he can also write Abby, Mommy, and Daddy. :) I love you my smart little Bugs!
Playing catch-up :: NC Zoo
On our way to the Outer Banks, the Chase family took a long break to explore the North Carolina Zoo. We had a blast, although the zoo was huge and we only saw maybe half of it. It was hot and several animals were hiding in the shade, but we got a good look at a few of them. We enjoyed watching the elephants, especially one that kept splashing himself with his trunk, and Ryan really liked the white alligators. We saw a 4-D movie with Dora and Diego, two of Ryan's favorite tv characters. We also rode a carousel and checked out the playground. It was a fun day and a great halfway spot for stretching our legs!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Playing catch-up :: OBX 2011
So I've been really bad about blogging. I think about it; I just haven't done it. I imagine it's because the next chronological event is our beach vacation. It was a wonderful week full of lots of fun with my side of the family. And honestly, I think I'm a little overwhelmed trying to write about a whole week in one little post. So let's do a real quick summary and hope it takes care of my recent writer's block. :) For the whole story in pictures, check out my picasa. Between photos and captions, that's going to be the best place to see the whole trip!
We spent most of our time on the beach. We had a wonderful house that was maybe fifty yards from the water. It was great to be able to walk to the beach, not have to put dirty wet kids in the car, run back for bathroom breaks, and then when we were down for the day throw them in the outdoor shower. Ryan and Abby loved the sand and the water. They had a blast building sandcastles, riding the boogie board, digging holes, lounging in the chairs, and basking in tons of attention!
We ventured out a few times of course: putt-putt golfing (yes, when a 3 and 1 year old are involved, it's as crazy as you'd guess it'd be!), a yummy dinner at Mulligan's, shopping (Ryan picked out a can coozie over all the other junk in the huge souvenior store, silly kid!), walking around downtown Roanoke Island. The highlight was a surprise pontoon boat ride on Friday afternoon. We celebrated Dad's 60th birthday and Uncle Brian's 30th. We watched dozens of dolphins about twenty yards from us, ate cookie cake, jumped in the bay for a quick swim, and even tried to sink the boat by leaving the ladder down and all sitting up front. Oops :). We also witnessed the relocation of sea turtle nest. They are restoring the beach in Nags Head, so they move any eggs to safety. It was a very interesting process, the volunteers were super nice, and they even let Ryan "help" at the new nest site.
Thanks to Mom and Dad for a great vacation and the perfect beach house. We enjoyed spending time with you guys and of course with Aunt Lolly and Uncle Brian too. Still can't believe how fast the week went!
And of course, no post would be complete without a picture...
We spent most of our time on the beach. We had a wonderful house that was maybe fifty yards from the water. It was great to be able to walk to the beach, not have to put dirty wet kids in the car, run back for bathroom breaks, and then when we were down for the day throw them in the outdoor shower. Ryan and Abby loved the sand and the water. They had a blast building sandcastles, riding the boogie board, digging holes, lounging in the chairs, and basking in tons of attention!
We ventured out a few times of course: putt-putt golfing (yes, when a 3 and 1 year old are involved, it's as crazy as you'd guess it'd be!), a yummy dinner at Mulligan's, shopping (Ryan picked out a can coozie over all the other junk in the huge souvenior store, silly kid!), walking around downtown Roanoke Island. The highlight was a surprise pontoon boat ride on Friday afternoon. We celebrated Dad's 60th birthday and Uncle Brian's 30th. We watched dozens of dolphins about twenty yards from us, ate cookie cake, jumped in the bay for a quick swim, and even tried to sink the boat by leaving the ladder down and all sitting up front. Oops :). We also witnessed the relocation of sea turtle nest. They are restoring the beach in Nags Head, so they move any eggs to safety. It was a very interesting process, the volunteers were super nice, and they even let Ryan "help" at the new nest site.
Thanks to Mom and Dad for a great vacation and the perfect beach house. We enjoyed spending time with you guys and of course with Aunt Lolly and Uncle Brian too. Still can't believe how fast the week went!
And of course, no post would be complete without a picture...
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
He's Brilliant!
To continue the theme from my last post, here is Ryan with his train table. The train table that he put together all by himself. Every last piece. Without any directions or pictures. In no time flat. And perhaps most impressive is that the pieces have been apart and in the toy box for a good two months. This is completely from long-term memory. Not sure why it took Uncle Christian, Uncle Tyler, and Sara so long on Christmas Eve :) :)
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