Monday, November 30, 2015

Chase was happy to go back to school after a week off. Nanaw asked Ms. Merz about the children learning the months of the year, and Ms. Merz said they started working on it a couple of weeks ago. Nanaw told her that over the weekend, Chase started reciting the months of the year, and Mama, Daddy and Nanaw were so surprised. When Chase came out of school, he had his head down and moved slowly over to where Nanaw stood -- very different from the usual smile and hug he gives Nanaw. Chase told Nanaw he was sad, and when she asked why, Chase said it was because he wanted to go to the playground with the other boys and girls. (Some of Chase's class stays in pre-school all day, and they go to the playground after regular pre-school is over.) But Chase's mood soon changed to a good one because Nanaw brought him a donut to eat on their way to Chase's adventure for the day: the library on Telegraph Road. Chase played with the Star Wars game and the Connect 4 game and seemed to have a really good time. He also played with the computer. When it was time to go, he wanted a Thomas book so Nanaw found one to check out for him.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Mama invited Nanaw over for dinner again Sunday night, chili this time -- Nanaw had a meat loaf dinner at Chase's house on Saturday night. Mama had been putting up Christmas decorations all day -- Christmas trees were up in the living room and in Chase's room. Chase's nativity scene was on the hearth along with all the musical toys from Hallmark. Chase was very excited about all the Christmas decorations and took Nanaw on a tour to see them all. Chase and Nanaw played for a long while on Chase's new bed -- he really seems to like it. Chase played with one of his light sabers, and he gave Nanaw his orange FBI gun to play with. Saturday evening, Chase recited the months of the year at the dinner table, much to Nanaw's surprise. She had no idea he knew them. He must have learned them in school. Chase goes back to school Monday morning, after a week off, and he's gong to be very excited about that.

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Saturday was a big day for Chase -- Mama and Daddy bought him a big boy mattress and box springs for his bed. When Nanaw came to Chase's house on Saturday morning, she showed him two pictures of deer she saw at the cemetery -- Chase really liked the deer. While Mama and Daddy were shopping for the mattress, Nanaw took Chase to the Train House to see the train displays again. They didn't go to the Creation Station -- Chase spent all his time looking at the train displays. Nanaw had hoped Santa Claus would be there again so Chase could visit with him, but Santa won't be there again until December 12. Nanaw will find out what other days Santa is visiting and see if she can take Chase one of those days. December 12 is the day of Uncle Mike and Aunt Becky's Christmas party so Chase might not be able to go see Santa. Chase and Nanaw got popcorn on their way out -- one of their favorite parts of the visit to the Train House. At first Chase wasn't sure he wanted his new big bed -- Mama said he told them a couple of times that he wanted his old be back. But eventually he liked it -- there was lots of room for his stuffed animals, and he used his Thomas step stool to climb into bed because it's really high. Mama had bought Thomas the Train sheets and comforter, and Chase really liked that. Mama and Daddy joked that they had an ulterior motive in buying the big bed -- Chase still wants one of them to lie down on the floor next to his bed when he naps or goes to bed at night. So now they'll have a much more comfortable place to lie down.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Chase's adventure for Friday was a visit to the Train House -- aka the Museum of Transportation. It was the official opening day for the annual Christmas train display at the museum. Chase has been watching the volunteers construct the display for several weeks now and has been enjoying the activity. One of the special activities for the day was the visit by two of Santa's reindeer -- Dasher and Prancer. They were beautiful and had huge antlers -- Chase was fascinated with them. There was quite a crowd there but Chase and Nanaw were there early enough to get admission to the Creation Station. As usual, Miss Linda was delighted to see Chase and Nanaw -- she shared a new book with them, and Nanaw read the book, Large, Medium and Small to Chase. Chase played with a new toy -- a garage with keys and an ambulance, a taxi and a fire truck. He also wore a Santa hat while he sang Christmas songs with the other boys and girls. Santa Claus was visiting the Train House but there was a huge long line waiting to seem him. Nanaw promised Chase they would come back another time to see Santa -- he cried for quite awhile about not getting to see Santa but eventually calmed down.

Happy Thanksgiving Day! Thursday, November 26, 2015

This year was the small Thanksgiving dinner at Nanaw's house with just eight around the table -- Nanaw's five older grandkids spent the holiday with their mother. In the afternoon, Mama and Nanaw made their traditional visit to Walgreen's. Mama brought Sam to dinner, and Uncle Mike and Aunt Becky brought Cheyenne. Cheyenne loves chasing Chase around and licking his face -- it's very cute, and Chase seems to like it. Nanaw put together a box of Chase's little toys and called it his treasure box -- it was for him to play with on Thanksgiving evening. Dinner was delicious -- turkey with all the trimmings, plus pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Nanaw made a gluten-free pumpkin pie for herself, and it was also delicious. Nichole and Natalie came after spending the day with their father. Chase got to sit in a regular chair at the dining room table -- he's such a big boy. All in all, it was a wonderful day, and everyone is very thankful for all the good things in their lives.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

First thing Wednesday morning, Mama sent Nanaw a photo of Tyler chasing a bug on Chase's red rocking chair -- the infamous time-out chair. Chase had the day off from school for the Thanksgiving holiday so he and Nanaw ran errands in the morning and then baked turkey cookies and a pumpkin pie. First, they went to Walmart to get the rest of the makings for Thanksgiving dinner. Then they went to Goodwill and dropped off six bags of donations -- Nanaw is going to get rid of the things she no long needs or uses -- so far, in addition to the six donation bags. she's thrown away 12 bags. Last, they went to the vitamin store. When they came out of the vitamin store, a huge train was going by -- the tracks were right next to the store, and Chase was excited to be so close to the train and the track. When they got home, Chase and Nanaw baked gluten-free turkey cookies with orange icing and orange sprinkles. They weren't very good but Chase enjoyed playing with the sprinkles and eating lots of them. Next, they baked a gluten-free pumpkin pie and that turned out really well. When Chase got home, he was excited to see that Daddy had put up the outside Christmas decorations, including the lights and the big blowup R2D2 Nanaw bought Mama for Christmas yesterday at Walmart.