Saturday, December 6, 2014

On Saturday afternoon, Chase came over to Nanaw’s house to help Nanaw, Uncle Mike and Aunt Becky decorate Nanaw’s humongous Christmas tree. Chase seemed to have a grand time putting ornaments on the tree. He especially seemed to like climbing up the ladder and putting on the Santa hats. He went around examining each of Nanaw’s Christmas decorations – it was very cute. Nanaw told Chase and Mama about the Christmas tree and Christmas decoration display at Handyman Hardware that she, Uncle Mike and Aunt Becky saw earlier. Nanaw asked Mama if she could take Chase to see it, and Mama said "Yes." So Nanaw and Chase went to Handyman Hardware, and Chase really seemed to like the display. He saw a train, a nativity scene, lots of Santas and snowmen, Elmo¸ Big Bird, Cookie Monster and lots more.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Chase had two very special, out-of-the-ordinary adventures today. First, he and Nanaw had lunch with Nanaw’s friend Cathy that she worked with at Edward Jones. They went to California Pizza Kitchen at West County Mall and had a great time. Chase had an ice cream sundae and two glasses of chocolate milk. He was totally charming and delightful, flirting with Cathy and smiling the whole time – it was delightful to watch. In the evening, Mama, Daddy, Chase and Nanaw went to see Santa and get Chase’s picture taken with Santa at Gander Mountain at Gravois Bluffs. Chase was really well-behaved and very friendly toward Santa. He told Santa he wanted a dinosaur for Christmas and sat on Santa’s lap to get his picture taken. The picture ladies were really great and took several pictures until they found one that Mama liked. All in all, it was a very successful first visit to Santa for Chase and a very successful day.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Chase and Nanaw’s Thursday adventure was a visit to the Train House. But amazingly enough, Chase did not want to go play on the Thomas tables – he wanted to watch the trains in the Christmas display in the lobby. So Nanaw told the ladies in the Creation Station that maybe they would be back or maybe not – it turned out to be not. Chase spent an hour and a half running from one train display to another. His favorite display seems to be the one with the Thomas, Percy and Toby trains. One of the ladies from the Creation Station, the one named Carol, came to tell Nanaw that this was her last week working at the Creation Station. She’s taking a job giving hearing and vision tests to elementary school children. She said she was afraid that her job at the Creation Station would be ending so she went looking for another job. Nanaw will be sad to see her go – she’s very nice and has one of the best names ever. After the train house, Chase and Nanaw went to Walmart¸ where Chase had
"bones" and "fishies" from the ending machine and rode on Elmo. When Chase and Nanaw leave or return to Nanaw’s house, Chase always has to visit the "snow family" and "baby Jesus." They also have to drive down to the circle so Chase can see the Santa train in someone’s front yard.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Chase and Nanaw had an adventure at Powder Valley today, the first time they’ve gone there in almost a month, since November 5. They didn’t walk on one of the trails because it was cold outside, but they spent a long while inside the Nature Center looking at everything. Chase got to see two deer eating in the outdoor feeding area. He also spent time watching the fish in the aquarium, which seems to be one of his favorite things. There were several children there, and Chase did his usual social thing of hanging out around them – it’s very cute to watch. The scary snake was back so Chase visited him (her?). He also pressed the button on the bear so that the stuffed bear made bear noises. He played with the hand puppets and the levers on the displays and watched the bees. When Chase and Nanaw left, Chase crawled on his friend, the big ceramic frog, and Nanaw took pictures.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Chase spent most of his time at Nanaw’s house today playing trains on Nanaw’s large coffee table in the living room. Nanaw set it up with a Christmas tablecloth and three of the trains she uses at Christmas. She and Chase also put houses, trees, snowmen, Santas, and mailboxes in the display. Chase seemed fascinated with the whole thing and he and Nanaw played with trains on it all day. When Chase and Nanaw ran errands today, Chase had to go say hello to the snow family and baby Jesus. They also had to drive down to the circle to see the Santa train display in someone’s front yard. They also went through that same routine when Nanaw took Chase home.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Chase and Nanaw stayed home today – it was rainy and snowy and Chase still has a cough and a runny nose. Chase and Nanaw had story time with Spot’s First Christmas and Elmo’s Night Before Christmas. He played with the little $5 train on the coffee table in the living room – Cranky was still upstairs but Chase had Nanaw take Crany downstairs. Chase and Nanaw "vacuumed" upstairs and downstairs. Then they played trains downstairs. Chase watched Thomas videos downstairs and then in his room – he seems to really love Thomas. Tomorrow, Chase and Nanaw are going to have school downstairs – first, they’ll have to straighten up the schoolroom – Chase has sort of tossed things around the room.