Chase's first "Time Out"

So lately Chase has started to hit Ben... which part of me thinks... it's payback time Ben. It really became a problem yesterday though. Chase hit Ben with a tent stick and made Ben cry really hard (understandably). And then when we were giving them a bath last night Chase hit Ben on the head with a hard Bath toy. I thought... "That's enough" and pulled Chase out of the bath and sat him in the middle of the Kitchen floor wrapped in his towel for "Time Out." He may only be 15 months but he knew exactly what was going on because he sees Ben go through it all the time. Anyways... it was hilarious watching him sit there. He seemed perfectly content and patted his little naked legs with his hands and sat there very well for the whole minute. Then I got down and told him, "We don't hit Chase. That hurts Ben. Can you tell him you're sorry?" And he immediately said, "I sar." I couldn't help but smile and laugh a little and then he got up and went and told Ben, "I sar." I thought it was so cute. And Ben thought it was hilarious too and started asking Chase to hit him again so he could hear Chase say he was sorry again. They are so funny.

They love each other and are always making each other laugh... and they make each other cry half the time too. I love seeing Ben grab Chase's hand and say, "come on Chase... let's play." And yesterday they were in their room playing and I heard Ben say to Chase, "I love you so much." He never says that to me!

I love seeing their personalities unfold. I was listening to an interview with Julie B. Beck the other day and she said about her Children that they were naturally good/great spirits that were sent to her with their own personalities, and she was there to "unwrap the package." I don't remember the exact words... but the point was that she wasn't there to form them into something different, but she was there to guide them "unwrap the package" of who they were. Anyways... I really liked that and that's how I feel about Ben and Chase. They are both so good and so different at the same time. Don't get me wrong... they have their moments, but their core is tender, happy, and just good... I love that. Here is a little about what is going on with each of them.

Ben is LOVING preschool. He was really ready to have some time of his own and make new friends. The other night he was scared and so I sat by his bed and told him to think of all the good things like his friends and... I don't even know what else I said... but then he said, "and the Beach and School." I thought wow... School is ranking up there with the Beach! Nice... I hope it stays that way for the next 20 years of your life. Anyways... he makes friends easily, has the best laugh, and is really sweet. I love him SO much!

Chase is blowing me away with how much he is saying already. I think it's partly because he is always hearing Ben talk... but it's awesome. He really communicates and I love it. Some of the words that he says are: I want that, no :), again, airplane, car, dog, bye bye, hi, momma, hi Dadda, I'm sorry... and I can't really think of everything, but he's surprising me everyday. And he is not scared of anything. When he sees a dog he runs after it and starts laughing really loud... usually scares the dog. And if I happen to step inside for two seconds with Ben and Chase in the driveway riding bikes... Chase will usually take off and start heading down the street to the park... not good. Luckily we live on a Cul-de-sac... but yeah... he's fearless. Anyways... he's a ton of fun and has a great laugh.

It's early morning right now and they just woke up and I haven't gone in there yet and I'm listening to them talking and laughing with each other. Ben will probably soon be in the crib with Chase with all their blankets and half of their toys. I better go now... the laughing is turning into almost screaming and could possibly soon be crying.