January 21, 2009 - The Meeting

I had to giggle when Wil announced that his meeting was in progress. Handing me his notepad, he asked "Mom, please write -stop playing toys and listen". I did so and he then took the paper over and instructed his dinosaurs and assorted meeting attendees to read. He conducted the meeting and all were quite attentive. He was pleased.

January 20, 2009 - Migrane

Last night a migrane hit hard and fast with blinding, flashing lights and then ... tunnel vision! I tried to sleep during the night, but was unsuccessful. The alarm went off at 7:00 am and Bil kicked into gear and took over... for the entire day! He got the kids ready and off on the buses, made and cleaned up after meals, kept the noise to a dull hum, and even made a pie! Sorry Ladies... he's taken! I finally crawled out of bed around 5:30 pm. The throbbing pain had subsided to dull pulsing. I can live with dull pulsing. I walked out to find Em and Wil playing happily in the front room and Ben helping Bil make his pie. Ben was quite pleased with his baking contributions!

January 19, 2009 - Birthday Ice Cream

Papa and Ma take each of the Washington grandkids out for birthday ice cream. After a Sunday invitation, she could hardly wait for Monday night to arrive. As she rolled out of bed this morning, she excitedly reminded me "Today is the day I go out for ice cream!" Emma shared this experience with her oldest cousin Alyshia Hunt (Dolly attended as well). Em had a ball and felt very grown up this evening.

January 18, 2009 - Georgie

Our kids have special lovies. Em has Dolly, Wil has Jackie, and Ben has Georgie. They sleep with these special friends every day (naptime and bedtime). They have been known to attend long volleyball tournaments, doctor appointments where shots were to be administered, or long drives to the beach. Heaven help us when one is M.I.A. We have spent many a night looking for these little guys... muttering to each other that they should be restricted to bedrooms only! This week Georgie disappeared. We looked EVERYWHERE... or so we thought. Thankfully, Leo (Georgie's brother) helped weather the nighttime and Wil found Georgie hiding in his jammie drawer. Wil was thrilled to be the "finder" and thought Georgie's hiding place was the funniest ever! Ben was simply overjoyed to have George back for the night!

January 17, 2009 - Tippy Toe and Tappy Shoes

She has anxiously awaited this day! The day of tappy and tippy toe ballet shoes and lessons. The first time Emma put on her ballet slippers, she tried to go up on tippy toe and disappointedly informed me that they didn't work. We explained that special shoes and countless hours were required for dancers to dance on their "tippy toes", but she was saddened nonetheless. Although we must share that at the age of two, we watched as she stood on her tip toes, curled them under slightly and walked across the room. We had never seen anything quite like it and still are impressed when she does it now! She has been leading her brothers in warm up exercises today. We'll have to catch that in action!

January 16, 2009 - Worton Girls

Tonight Tyler and Crystal's girls (Claire and Jocelyn) spent the evening with our crew while they caught dinner and a movie... alone. You forget how small they are, until you catch a glimpse of a bundle held in the hands of your husband!

January 15, 2009 - Secret Agent Ben

Lately, the boys have adopted a new identity... that of a secret agent. They love the new walkie-talkies that Papa and Ma gave them for Christmas, as well as any old cell phone they can get their hands on! They take on secret missions and sneak around, hiding things, from each other. I caught Ben talking into his cell phone, giving directions regarding a bad guy tonight... when he should have been in bed! Mission canceled - busted and sent back to bed.