Whose Crib is this Anyway?

Hi! My name is Chase and this is my crib.

This is my big brother, Charlie, and today, he dropped by my crib to say hello. Charlie told me that this used to be his crib, but I'm not sure if I believe him or not. (It's also hard to understand him sometimes, so I'm not exactly sure that's what he said anyway.)

What? You mean he's telling the truth? I am sleeping in a hand-me-down crib? I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Charlie did show me a couple of cool tricks, though, like how to "rattle the cage." It makes a great racket which I'm sure my Mama just loves.

I really got into "rattling the cage." This is my rocker look. I got some tips from KISS frontman, Gene Simmons.

Wait a minute. Where'd Charlie go? I was having so much fun with him! (I can't believe I just admitted that. Don't tell Charlie I said that or I'll never hear the end of it.)

Hi! I'm Charlie and this is my little brother, Chase. I'm teaching him everything I know.

As you can see, he really needs to work on his social skills. He sometimes makes loud noises and funny faces and he drools constantly. It's kind of embarrassing. He doesn't really know how to play it cool yet.

It's me. Chase, again. Charlie likes to tell me what to do, and most of the time, I just pretend like I'm listening. Really, Charlie can be quite boring. Just talk, talk, talk, talk...

See! I make faces behind his back and he doesn't even notice!

And, when Charlie isn't looking, I TACKLE him from behind. It's quite fun. You should try it sometime.

Brotherly love. This is what it's all about...

Ok, enough already. It's me, Kellye/Mama, back at the helm of the blog again. Here's video of Charlie's visit to Chase's crib. I'm sure this is a glimpse into the future - Charlie finding ways to aggravate Chase. Enjoy!

Puzzle Master

Of course, I am being totally unbiased when I say this, but my just-turned-3-year-old son, Charlie, is a puzzle master. He absolutely loves them!

This is video of Charlie putting a 12-piece puzzle together for the first time. He had never seen this puzzle before I took this video. I am amazed at how fast he can do it! He's barely three!

By the way, he also has several 24-piece puzzles that he can put together with ease, but I wanted to show you how good he is at a puzzle that he's never seen before. Amazing!

Has Anyone Seen My Chase?

Has anyone seen my Chase?

He's the cutest, sweetest little boy with long, brown, Justin Bieber-type locks, a cute button nose and a million dollar smile, but he's also very dramatic, extremely daring, an early riser and a horrible, horrible napper!

Several days ago, someone switched my Chase for this incredible look alike!

It's uncanny, isn't it?

Let's compare the similarities and differences between my Chase and this new version of Chase.

Cute? Most definitely!

Sweet? Absolutely!

Long, brown, Justin Bieber-type locks? Well, they're a little shorter now, but still...

Million dollar smile? You bet!

Dramatic? Uh, at times.

Extremely daring? Yes, but has been listening to the word "no" rather well and even sitting still in time out for the full minute when he's being punished.

Now here's where it starts to get strange.

An early riser? NO! In fact, this new, look alike Chase has been waking up at 7 am and even slept as late as 7:20 am this morning! Oh, happy day!

A horrible, horrible napper? NO! New Chase has napped like a champ and even took a 2 1/2-hour nap yesterday!

So, as you can see, I have a problem. Someone has switched my Chase for this new (and, dare I say, improved) look alike. I am not sure what to do, because I rather enjoy new Chase. I kind of hope he sticks around for awhile!

(Don't tell old Chase I said that. I don't want to hurt his feelings...)

Umm... by the way, there will not be a reward for information leading to the whereabouts of old Chase.

Thank you.

At a Dinner Table, Far, Far Away

Well, I don't know what goes on at your dinner table, but this is pretty common-place at ours. (Not sure if I should really admit that, but...)

Regardless, we always have a few laughs around the table. Dad is quite the impressionist!

When the Cat's Away...

Ever wonder what Chase does when Charlie's not around? Well, let's just hope Charlie never sees this blog entry...

Chase sits on Mama & Dada's bed.

Chase sucks his thumb, just to see what all the fuss is about.

Chase gets away with things he shouldn't be doing...
...like standing on the rocking chair!! 

He lays on Charlie's bed.

He knows Charlie would be really mad about this, but Chase doesn't care.

He sits in Charlie's chair.

He plays with George!

And Charlie's favorite toy!

Now this is just going too far. Charlie would have a heart attack if he saw this!

And now he's just gloating, soaking up the sun and thinking about all the fun he's had while Charlie's gone.

Ok. So, this picture has nothing to do with this blog entry, but it's cute, so I included it.

Don't worry, Chase. Your secret's safe with me!

2010 Year in Review (Part 4)

Ok, so I know I've drug this out long enough.

We're finishing up with our 2010 Year in Review today, regardless.

So, here goes!

In August, we took a family trip to Hilton Head with Oma, Grandma and Grandpa.

It was Chase's first trip to the beach.

He wasn't a big fan of the sand, but he did like to walk down the beach with Mama and Dada, which made for an awfully stunning picture!

And here's the entire family.

And this is just about the only time the two boys sat together.
You should have seen us crazy folks in the background trying to get them to look at the camera.

In September, Charlie started preschool. He was a natural and loved it from day one.
He had no problems being left there on the first day.
In fact, as we all remember, his exact words were "Mama, GO!" Nice.

And then there was this. I don't think I need to say anymore about it.

And moving on to happier times. Chase turned one in October.
Unfortunately, he was sick during his party but the rest of us had fun!

This is was the first parent-inclusive party at preschool.
The kids sang a song to the parents and had decorated their desks with all kinds of adorable things.
We had so much fun watching Charlie in his element.

Soon thereafter, we became members at the local science museum that they built just for Charlie and Chase. Wasn't that nice of them?

And here's Chase at Discovery Place KIDS (the science museum). Isn't he cute?

The first week of December, we headed to the Christmas tree farm to select, what turned out to be, our very own Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

Charlie was absolutely no help. He sat on the tractor the entire time.

Which means that Mike left Chase to pick out our tree.
Suffice it to say, that will never happen again.
Can't blame poor Chase though. He was only 14 months old.

Mike on the other hand...

Next was Charlie's racecar themed birthday party.
Shelby, in particular, really enjoyed herself.

Charlie loved his cupcake.

But mostly, he really loved all of these cars...

Then, we all headed to Bass Pro Shops to meet Santa.
I think Chase has been scarred for life.

(Maybe Santa too.)

Later in the month, Charlie participated in his first school Christmas program.
I'm just happy he wasn't picking his nose in this picture.

(Although, it does appear that he may have been picking something else...)

Right after the Christmas program, we packed up the car and headed to Tennessee.
First we stayed with Grammy.

And then we headed to Grandpa's house.
I think this is all Charlie remembers about the trip.

Meanwhile, Chase actually sat on someone else's lap!
(He also really loved playing with Poppy too.)

And then there was Christmas morning.
I think this picture sums it all up.

Charlie got the biggest surprise, by far, when he opened his present from Grammy & Poppy. It was his very own racecar!

And this was the very first time he actually DROVE his very own racecar.

(I think Mike has some work to do...
...both with Charlie's driving skills and on the neighbors bushes.)

Moving on...

Then, we had SNOW on Christmas Day!

That's when Frosty made his appearance.

So, that's our 2010 Year in Review, in a (four-part) nutshell.
I hope you enjoyed this little walk down memory lane.

I would like to leave you with a couple of things.

First this...

And then this...

Bust mostly, this...

And definitely this...

What an amazing year it's been!
Can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for us.

H A P P Y    N E W    Y E A R!

We Break for Snow!

We're going to take a little break from our 2010 Year in Review - which I must say I have done a very good job dragging out - to showcase pictures of our first snow day in 2011.

And this snow was a big one too! In fact, we're iced in today - ice on top of snow. What fun!

Chase obviously hasn't seen "A Christmas Story." He doesn't know the perils of sticking his tongue out in this cold weather. Stay away from flag poles, buddy!



I think this picture is funny, because that is an honest to God, big snowflake that fell in front of Mike's face, just as I was taking this picture.



Even Charlie is impressed with the snowfall.

Another big snowflake fell just as I was taking this picture. It is precariously placed, wouldn't you say?

Mike and Charlie, getting ready to sled down the hill beside our house.

Leave it to Charlie and Mike to figure out some way for him to ride a big wheel in the snow.

Off they go, into the sunset, riding a big wheel on a sled. Go figure.