The next birthday in our family will be Chase's.
It really wasn't that long ago Chase swore he would never turn six and never go to first grade. Regardless of these statements his sixth year came and now it is almost gone.
He's come a long way this past year. He has realized that school isn't the worst thing in the world. He's even willing to participate in PE just so long as his aid participates with him (in fact, she's lost 20lbs because of it). He decided he likes Church just so long as he doesn't have to read a scripture, give a talk, or say a prayer.
However, my favorite thing Chase has started doing this year is talking more. What he says is often unexpected and random but we get these amazing little glimpses into his mind. When he talks he says slowly with little to no emotion. Everything he says is dead pan, which makes it that much more enjoyable.
When Michael dropped him of at school and told him to have a good day Chase got nose to nose with his dad and flatly said, "I will. If my pants fit." Then he gave Michael a kiss on the cheek and jumped out of the car. He was at my brother's house when he saw an old typewriter on their bookcase and in his slow monotone voice said, "A typewriter? What is this? 1975?"
It hard for me to believe that Chase will be seven in March. But he is constantly reminding us about his upcoming birthday and keeps asking how many days are left. It seemed like for the first time he was excited about his birthday so I asked him what he wanted to do celebrate. He said, "I want to have pizza. Real pizza from the pizza guy who comes to your door.* Then I want you all to have a party while I go to my room and take a nap." Wouldn't you know it, that's what I want to do on my birthday too.
*Because Kai can't eat gluten we don't really eat pizza anymore. Sometimes Michael will make a gluten free version but Chase misses "real" pizza.