Saturday, January 31, 2009

The one time I don't have my camera...

...I actually need it.

I went to a Texas Educational Theatre Association conference last weekend in Houston, which was really great. I stayed with my friends Katie and Ryan and got to meet their new baby, Ashlyn (who is too sweet!). So it would have been nice to have my camera for that. But another reason I was mad I didn't have my camera was because Angela Lansbury and Jason Alexander spoke at the conference. Both were amazing, but I'm afraid my camera phone didn't do the experience justice. Here is Angela Lansbury (on the left):

And here is Jason Alexander (again, on the left):

Ah, well. They were both amazing. I was especially impressed with Jason Alexander. Don't get me wrong, Angela Lansbury's story was amazing... to hear how different it was back when she got into Hollywood (when she was 17.... Did anyone else know she was that young when she got her "big break?")! But Jason Alexander actually requested to hold a master class with a group of 11 students while he was there. His interview showed he was very generous, but very honest. He gave the students there great advice and was just all-around very intelligent and inspiring.

The conference was a great experience but it was definitely different than the old meeting planner conferences I was used to attending! Here's what happens when you get a bunch of theatre teachers in a room together:

(We designed costumes out of trash and then strutted our stuff on the catwalk!)

Monday, January 19, 2009

Fun with the New Bed

Chase decided to have a little fun in his toy chest when he woke up this morning. I put him in bed to pose by his redecorating efforts, but he wasn't so happy about the camera.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Big Boy

We have been very productive this weekend. We pulled most all of Chase's toys out of his room and finally transformed our previously empty game room into a playroom for him, while also putting some seating in there for us. With all the toys out of the bedroom we finally felt confident enough to convert his crib into a daybed.

Last night was his first night in his "big boy bed" and he did great. I wasn't sure how it was going to go (actually, I was sure keeping him in bed would be quite the challenge). Much to my surprise he went right to sleep... no problems whatsoever.

Around 10:30 Chase started crying, which is unusual for him. When he didn't get over it right away I went upstairs to check on him. There he was, sitting pathetically on the floor. When I came in he stood up and reached for me. I just said, "Chase, can you get back into bed?" and he climbed right up, hugged his blanket and plopped face down on the mattress, butt up in the air. I don't know how he ended up on the floor but I didn't hear a thunk so I don't think it was a traumatic fall or anything!

I thought for sure nap time today would be a greater test, because he does not like to go down for naps. But he surprised me again by climbing right into bed on his own and curling up with his blanket. I had no idea it would be so easy to make this transition (*knock on wood*)! I was dreading it for nothing!

I do have to say it was a little sad to stand at his bedroom door and see him staring back at me without the "baby crib" bars there. He's becoming a little kid vs. a little baby and it's a little sad... but exciting at the same time. My baby is growing up! *sniff* *sniff*

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Stunt Man

Our little guy has finally figured out how to climb up on the furniture by himself. Shortly after figuring out how to get up, he came up with a creative way to get down.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Fun at the Zoo!

We took Chase to the zoo today and we had a lot of fun! His favorites of the day: The big fishies and the otter. We took the opportunity to test out Chase's new wagon and it was SO much nicer than using the stroller. It was so easy to get him in and out to look at the animals and we also had a lot of room for his bag, our jackets, etc. Plus, he thought it was cool! Here's a photo I took of Daddy hauling him around the zoo:

(Yes, Brian is wearing shorts in January. This is too weird.)

And here's one I took of Chase while we stopped for a PB&J sandwich:

We really need to work on that "smile." It's a tad scary! Click on the photo to enlarge it and see just how scary it really is!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Grandma & Grandpa K's Visit

Happy New Year! I have finally organized all the photos from my parents' visit so here is a brief summary of all the things we did while they were here.

Of course a big part of their visit was all the quality time Chase got to spend with them! He and Grandma played in our sofa pillows and I just had to share this photo. He needs a comic strip balloon above his head that reads, "Relax, Grandma.... It will all be over soon."

Grandma did get back at him:

They also watched Frosty the Snowman together (Chase's holiday favorite) on more than one occasion!

(He is totally entranced.)

He and Grandpa hit it off right away. This photo was taken within the first 30 minutes of them being here:

Grandpa also encouraged Chase's natural drumming abilities:

And both Grandma and Grandpa got their fill of dinosaur play while they were here!

We went to one of Fort Hood's museums and Chase got to see helicopters, which he LOVES:

He also had a chance to play dress up and give Mommy nightmares:

We went to a big holiday light display and Chase got to see two of his favorite things together... Santa and a dinosaur!

Last weekend we took an overnight trip to San Antonio so my parents could be the photographers that they are. Here they are doing their photographer thing at The Alamo:

On the way home Chase was tired and cranky when we stopped for lunch. After he finished eating I asked him, "Chase, are you sleepy?" and this was his immediate response:

We had a wonderful time and are already trying to figure out our next visits!

I posted a plethora of photos to our Photo Album if you're interested ("Christmas Festivities" parts 1-5, "Christmas Eve & Morning 2008" and "Chase's 2nd Birthday").

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