Chase is Six!

Though just typing this out makes my head spin, we officially have a SIX year old in our house!

I’m honestly having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Chase is no longer a baby… or a toddler… or even a little kid. He’s just a kid now and the past six years have passed at warp speed. My 5 pound 10 ounce teeny newborn is a six-year-old who will be off to kindergarten this fall. What!?

Chase has made our lives better in every single way. He talks a mile a minute, has an imagination that blows my mind, asks a million questions every day and never stops moving. I’m so proud of Chase for a myriad of reasons, with his sensitivity and kindness toward others topping my list. He’s thoughtful and aware of the way others are feeling and quick to check on anyone who might be hurt or sad. He loves his friends and is a social guy, always requesting playdates and chatting up any new kid he might meet at the park.

We spend a ton of time outside every day and that’s because that is where creatures can be found! “Creature Man” Chase is still going strong and he loves searching for animals, reading about animals, teaching us about animals and doing any activity that might involve an insect, fish or furry friend of some kind. Fishing, catching and releasing butterflies and chasing after lizards and sand fleas (mole crabs) during our Florida visits are some of his absolute favorite activities.

Chase loves books and reading and will listen to us read books aloud to him for hours. (This is not an exaggeration. He adores books!) He loves a variety of books but chapter books are his top choice and the Dragon Masters series became a fast favorite this year.

Big Brother Chase

As a big brother, Ryan and I feel like we majorly lucked out because Chase is pretty darn amazing. He loves his little brothers fiercely and though brother battles happen in our house every single day, for the most part, brother playtime lasts all day long and is filled with imagination, adventure and lots of physical activity.

Chase and Ryder began sharing a bedroom this past year and the transition went well. Chase loves sleeping on the top bunk and we’ll often hear our two big kids talking, singing and laughing the second we turn off the lights and shut their door.

Chase and Ryder come up with imagination games all day long and many of them center around pretending to be various animals, rescue workers, detectives, construction workers or ninjas. They are very physical together and love running. Soccer and basketball top Chase’s list of favorite sports at the moment.

Rhett is still a baby (he turned 11 months old on Chase’s birthday!) and Chase takes it upon himself to watch out for Rhett and alert me to anything that might be a safety concern — small things he might eat, when he crawls toward the stairs, etc.

He loves holding Rhett, encouraging him as he attempts new skills, riding around on his Plasma Car with Rhett in his lap, “teaching” him how certain toys work and building forts for his baby brother. Rhett often looks to Chase for play and attention and it’s so fun to see their relationship grow.

RANDOM THINGS TO REMEMBER

Favorite Foods: Mango, apples, bananas, pizza, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabars, carrots, burgers, cucumbers, strawberries, ice cream and nectarines
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Book: Dragon Masters
Favorite Podcasts: Molly of Denali, What If World, The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian
Favorite Song: “Thriller” and “Big In Japan”
Favorite TV Show: Wild Kratts
Favorite Animal: All of them! “I just love every animal.”
Favorite Friends: Matthew, Grey, Ayden, Claire, JJ, Lilly and Tommy
Wake Up Time/Bed Time: Chase typically wakes up around 7 a.m. and goes to bed around 7:30 p.m.