A full decade! All the fingers! Two hands! Chase is officially TEN!
Ten years old for Chase looks like running, playing, imagining, reading, wrestling, later nights, sunrise wake-ups, martial arts, trampoline parks, soccer, piano and SO MUCH FISHING.
I realize we’re likely in a parenting sweet spot with a 10-year-old (you don’t have the constant neediness of a younger child or the raging hormones of a teen) but 10-year-old Chase is a true delight. He’s curious and kind, immensely imaginative, inclusive and empathetic and still every bit of the animal lover he’s been his whole life.
Chase also just plain FUN to be around, as he’s easily excitable about most activities, easy to please (just being outside is all he needs for entertainment) and the absolute best big brother to Rhett and Ryder that we could imagine. He makes every single day better in our family and not a single day goes by that I don’t feel immensely grateful and proud to be his mother.
When I went to Chase’s school to celebrate his summer birthday at the end of third grade, his teacher did something special called a “standing O” where everyone in the class said something kind about Chase as part of his mini celebration. His classmates and teachers called him kind, friendly, funny, inclusive and smart which made me so proud of our oldest guy. One specific thing his teacher said about him stuck out the most to me, however, because she put into words something I love about Chase that I had never really put a pin in before. She said, “I love that you are so well-rounded. When we do our ‘what’s the news’ shares on Mondays, I never know what you are going to say because you’re into so many different things and love so many unique things.” Chase’s pendulum of interests is wonderful for me to witness as a parent, as he’s just as happy reading on his Kindle as he is sprinting on the soccer field. (Fishing tops it all though!)
I am so incredibly proud of the kid Chase is both inside our home and out. Chase’s teachers have always complimented his abilities and listening skills in the classroom but, most importantly to me as his mother, they’ve highlighted his kindness and the way he doesn’t hesitate to include those around him. Chase is the kid who always ends up with a bunch of children he doesn’t know around him at the park because his imagination is on fire and he’s always thinking up the most creative games for anyone who wants to join to play. Rhett said it best when he said, “Chase thinks up the best games,” and his clever imagination has always, always been one of my favorite things about him.
At 10, Chase is more independent than before and friendships are becoming increasingly important. Chase will happily play with just about anyone but has a few very close friends he really adores and feels most comfortable around. He likes school a lot and thrives in a learning environment where he’s surrounded by his peers. At school, Chase especially enjoys math, science and recess.
He is also very into martial arts (he’s a purple belt now) and continues to enjoy his piano lessons even though practicing his assignments and not just the “fun songs” takes some nudging.
Soccer continues to be his favorite sport and this doesn’t surprise us at all because Chase’s athletic sweet spot seems to be running and sprinting his heart out. He’s not interested in soccer beyond our local rec league as he still “wants a lot of home time” and wasn’t crazy about the idea of more than 2 days a week of soccer. (Ryan and I were very much aligned with this choice. Sometimes I’ll randomly feel like we should be doing more in terms of competitive sports just because it seems like the thing everyone is doing these days but when I stop and think about what’s best for our family and our kids, I feel more secure in our decision to stick with lower-commitment rec sports.) Chase is a fast kid with strong endurance and also completed in a children’s triathlon and a number of 5Ks this year, even claiming the top spot in a smaller local race. (Gone are the days when I can keep up with him!)
Chase has a lot of energy and keeping him cooped up inside all day is a recipe for disaster. Outside + Active Chase = The best version of Chase!
Big Brother Chase + Sibling Dynamics
Though his independence is growing, our family is still Chase’s world. His brothers continue to be his favorite playmates and he’ll spend hours with Ryder and Rhett, e...
