February 8, 2009 - Pink Foam Curlers

I have fond memories of bath night with my folks rolling my long blonde hair up in pink foam curlers, sometimes we'd be watching the Muppets or Lawrence Welk. I thought of those silly pink curlers, which were not very comfortable to sleep in, the other day and bought a package for Emma to try. I cut about two inches off her hair length (she was due a trim) and then began the process of rolling. We were nearly done, when Wil came in.
"What are you doing to Emma, Mom?" he asked.
I responded, "Well, these pink curlers will help Emma have beautiful, curly hair tomorrow for church".
To which he excitedly replied, "Oh Emma, I can see it now! You are almost already quite beautiful"!
"Thank you Wil", smiled Emma.
I wish I had thought to take a picture last night. The results were cute this morning. She didn't seem to mind them at all during the night and posed and flashed her curls around for all to see as we were getting ready for church. We'll give it another shot next Saturday!

February 7, 2009 - Big Ships

February 6, 2009 - Dinosaurs Alive in 3D

We wondered if the IMAX dinosaur movie MIGHT be a bit too much for our kids. After all, they begged us to turn off Robin Hood (yes, the animated Disney version) during their first viewing because it was too scary! :) Ben typically does the best, but it's the music and anticipation that gets the other two. We explained that it might be a bit realistic. Wil is our dinosaur expert and he was adamant that he could do it. Em, who had previously viewed the movie, also agreed. Ben was the least of our worries. :)
We loaded everyone, stood in line for the tickets, stood in line again for the show, and finally found a great seat... right in the middle of the theatre. As predicted, Ben wasn't too ruffled. He was more intent upon touching or grabbing the dinosaurs as the 3D effects brought them right in front of our faces. In fact, at one point we had to physically grab him because he was mauling the head of the man in front of us trying to grab on to the dinosaur (or giantsaur as he calls it) bones. Wil did okay... with a bit of persuasion, he left his glasses on and as long as I plugged his ears when the "scary" parts were on he was fine. Em sat on the other side of Bil. He reported that she didn't watch the whole thing because her head was buried, but she felt that it was a great experience after it was over. My favorite parts: when the paleontologists dug and tossed the dirt.. it looked like it was falling over us (Wil was a bit upset that they would do that), when it rained both boys covered their heads with their arms to shield from the wetness, and the excited comments such as "it's so close Mom". We loaded back into the Terazza and headed off to Red Mill for burgers to end a fun afternoon.

February 5, 2009

February 4, 2009 - Daddy's Turn

Tonight was volleyball practice again! We decided to share some of the heart attacking fun with him! We drove to the dollar store to purchase ten Valentine balloons and more gel hearts before heading all the way out to Kentlake High School where we tied balloons and attached hearts all over his Vibe! We were very pleased with our masterpiece ... unfortunately, I forgot the camera! Apparently, one of the girls caught a shot on her cell phone and sent it to a few others. The kids wondered if Dad was smart enough to figure out who did the heart attacking. I told them that if they were in bed and asleep before he got home, they just might fool him. :) Hehe... who fooled whom? LOL They were asleep!

February 3, 2009

February 2, 2009 - Heart Attacks!

Tonight's Family Home Evening involved quite a bit of driving and sneaking around! :) We began at the Bybee house and then went to the Tyler and Crystal Worton home. As luck would have it, they were easy peasy stops where one at a time, our kids quietly and quickly decorated the doors with little gel hearts before wildly racing back to the van for the getaway. Papa and Ma's stop was a bit trickier. For starters, they were home! :) (Although the first two were as equally exciting as we didn't know the Bybees were gone or when the Wortons would return!) As luck would have it, the Wortons were at Grandpa and Grandmas. Not only were the blinds open, but all were in the front room... Emma and I decorated the cars and left with the hope to return for better success! We drove past the Nordquists, but saw Anna waving at us in the window. Foiled! We drove to the Hunts to see all in the front room and kitchen. Foiled again!! We decided to head to Orting, in the hopes that folks might settle down and we could try again. Uncle Tom and Aunt Jennette were home. In fact someone was in the office and I prayed that Scout the dog would allow us to come and go in peace. Ben and I silently snuck up and attacked without getting caught! Victory! Emma and I decided to give Grandpa and Grandma another shot. We saw a flashlight beaming in the backyard; however, decided to attempt it regardless. We crept up the steps, crawled under the windows, and began quietly applying the hearts. We could see movement just in side the door. Emma giggled nervously as we hurriedly tried to finish our task. Suddenly, I knew we were caught! "RUN!!!", I hollered... Emma froze! "Oh, how nice..." said Grandma. Emma remembered how to run and caught up to me in the van. We completed the list, successfully attacking the Hunts and Nordquists. Emma later that night informed me that we (her parents) were right, "It IS funner to give that receive! Can we do this every year Mom?" Yeah!!! Mission accomplished.

February 1, 2009 - Dino Sunday

Wil received a generous assortment of dinosaurs for his birthday... each one loved and different. Today he took the handmade gift from our neighbor, Kim, to Grandma and Grandpas for Sunday dinner. It was a hit and I was so pleased so note how he shared with his siblings and cousins. He called Kim after we returned from his friend party last night and thanked her sweetly. Before hanging up, his shy side emerged and he quietly told her "I love you Tim" (he can't master the "c"/"k" sound and it comes out "t"). How grateful I am that this patient neighbor has a soft spot for this one.

January 31, 2009 - The Paleontologists

Do you see a trend with our family? :) Uncle Ty, Aunt Crystal, and girls gave Wil a fossil egg kit, complete with brush and wooden chisel. It was quite a feat getting through that egg to the dinosaur inside. The first glimpse Wil had of the dinosaur was a tiny speck of a plate on his back. Without hesitation, he excitedly announced "A stegosaurus!". How he knew, I'll never know. Fun fact: Did you know that the plates on the back of the stegosaurus actually helped heat their bodies. They would sun bathe and scientists believe that somehow the plates were instrumental in absorbing, delivering, or storing the heat throughout the body. :) Anyway, thanks for a fun gift!

January 30, 2009 - The Tyrannosaurus

Here's the second dino from the Lego set. The eyes light up and glow and it's really "quite cool" (as Ben would say).

January 29, 2009 - Christmas in January

January 28, 2009 - The Stegosaurus

The hardest part about having a boy who loves dinosaurs is knowing how to pronounce... much less spell... the appropriate names. I'm great with Long Neck or T-Rex, but most are a bit challenging for me. I readily admit that Wil, at the age of five, has surpassed my abilities in the pronouncing category. It didn't take Wil and his Dad long to begin the Lego project.

January 27, 2009 - Family Celebration

All birthdays are also celebrated with a Worton family dinner. Mason and Wil share this event each year as they are less than two weeks apart in age. Here are a few cute pics of the event. The dinner was Bil's amazing Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Rice and Beans. (Chicken nuggets for the kids!) :)
Mason opening his new welding kit.
Papa showing Wil how his new dinosaur Fuzzy would make sounds and move to his touch.
Mason and his cake
Wil and his Dad with the new Lego dino kit.

January 26, 2009 - Happy 5th Birthday Wil

This post could be extremely long, but I will try to condense! All birthdays in the Caillier house begin with breakfast in bed. What this usually means is that we all join in the breakfast and bed with the celebrating member. This year was no different, even thought it was a school day and we had two kids to get to the bus... on time! It was a bit crazy, but all were present and accounted for at the bus stop before the bus arrived. Joining Wil at breakfast is his new birthday buddy "Fuzzy" the dinosaur.
After naps, we also hustle down to the Auburn station to catch the Sounder, aka Scuffy to our kids. It was freezing cold, but that did not deter the excitement! We made the bus with mere seconds to spare and headed off to Kent Station for dinner at Fondi's for pepperoni pizza with LOTS of Parmesan cheese! Wil had a ball and was tickled to receive a birthday wish phone call from Papa and Ma while there. After pizza, we headed to Dilettante for hot chocolate and froze a bit outside as we sat at the outdoor fire pit. (The fire did not penetrate the cold air or the metal chairs were were sitting on!) On to Cow Chip Cookies, we completed our event and headed back to the station to wait for our return train ride where Wil alerted security by pushing the emergency button. :) Thanks Wil! A wonderful evening to honor a wonderful boy!

January 25, 2009 - The night before Wil was born...

I clearly remember laying in bed the night before Wil was born. As midnight approached, it was as if a timer went off in my head. I knew he was coming and was relieved that the bedrest and toxemia would conclude. Although it was a full month earlier than his due date, I knew we were ready and could hardly sleep. So many memories came flooding through my head, I could hardly sleep and I remember thinking I needed to or I would definitely wish I had caught some rest. I thought back to that very day in 1987 when his Dad kissed me for the very first time. (It had taken him nearly a year!) I tiptoed in to check on his barely one-year-old sister and kissed her, wondering how her life would change with a new sibling. I cried with gratitude as the ten years of waiting for these little miracles seemed to fade into the distance. I was ready!! I am thankful for our Wil Ry.

January 24, 2009

January 23, 2009 - Haircuts

It's been quite a while since I gave the boys haircuts. Animals typically allow their hair to grow thicker and longer in the winter... why not my boys! :) Ben has a double cowlick at the crown of his noggin. :)It either needs to be LONG or SHORT. Lately, long has been tricky as it tends to stick straight up after naps and sleeping. I am a no-fuss mom when it comes to their hair. When I have to spend more than five minutes per head, I know it's time to cut! I wish I had gotten better lighting for Ben's "before" shot! He looked like a little hedgehog. Reminded me of his birth. Born five weeks early, he was still covered in fuzz and had long, highlighted fuzzy hair. The "after shot" includes both handsome boys.

January 22, 2009 - Show Time

Bil had volleyball tonight. The kids informed me that they had planned a "show" and invited me to attend. They prepared a seating place and then proceeded to dress up, dance, and whisper directions loudly to each other. Apparently there wasn't a real "plan", but they were having fun. I thought the pics of Ben in his Super Girl outfit quite darling, but REALLY loved when they put on my old Dance Festival costume underskirting (the one with the red and white checkered bloomers and a red shiny vest)and found bunny ears to complete the outfit. I love the world of "pretend".