In June, we visited the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. We had a great time with Grandma Pitt, sister Sheryl, several of Sheryl’s adult kids and grandchildren, and our friend Dante.
Will loved the day we spent there. He repeatedly visited the petting pools where he could pet sharks, manta-rays, starfish, sea anemones, jelly fish and other fish and sea creatures. We fed birds and visited every single exhibit, making sure not to miss anything. Will was even chosen to be the helper for the seal and sea lion show (he is always quick and enthusiastic to volunteer for such things).
Near the end of our day, we watched a cool presentation about the melting glaciers and ice caps around the world and the predicted affect that could have on the planet and the land we live on. Will didn’t seem to be paying attention and gave his usual, “it was great,” when I asked him what he thought about the movie. Later that day he approached me and a few days later he talked to Lori concerning the presentation. He had a genuine concern for all of our friends and family who lived on the coasts of California and felt we should invite them to move to Utah.
Our hearts were touched by the concern he had been carrying with him since visiting the aquarium.
Lesson to us: William is paying far better attention that we think he is and he holds on to things he hears, and ponders them. I must admit that this makes me more than happy.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, May 06, 2011
The Mohawk
Yesterday, as we drove home from our Cinco de Mayo dinner, I spotted a tough looking motorcyclist sporting a mohawk. I pointed out the burly cyclist to Will because he seems to have a fascination with that particular hair style.
“Awesome!” he cried.
Lori started to inform Will that he will never have one and I quickly hushed the comment. I’m thinking if we put a verbal ban on his adolescent desire for what he sees as a fun Mohawk, the seed of rebellion is then planted in his mind. I can clearly imagine Will crawling into his bedroom window instead of walking through the front door because of his newly unispiked hairstyle. I think Lori saw what I was thinking, so she resumed with a different approach.
Lori: I don't like mohawks.
Will: You don't like them?
Lori: I don't like how they look on people. Do you like how they look or do you want one?
Will: I want one.
Lori: No. Not on my watch.
Will: So you are saying it's not ever gonna happen?
Lori: Yes. That's what I'm saying.
Will: We'll see about that.
Seed of rebellion firmly planted and sprouting.
“Awesome!” he cried.
Lori started to inform Will that he will never have one and I quickly hushed the comment. I’m thinking if we put a verbal ban on his adolescent desire for what he sees as a fun Mohawk, the seed of rebellion is then planted in his mind. I can clearly imagine Will crawling into his bedroom window instead of walking through the front door because of his newly unispiked hairstyle. I think Lori saw what I was thinking, so she resumed with a different approach.
Lori: I don't like mohawks.
Will: You don't like them?
Lori: I don't like how they look on people. Do you like how they look or do you want one?
Will: I want one.
Lori: No. Not on my watch.
Will: So you are saying it's not ever gonna happen?
Lori: Yes. That's what I'm saying.
Will: We'll see about that.
Seed of rebellion firmly planted and sprouting.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point
Saturday we met our friends Sarah and Terry Price and four of their kids, T, Sam, Rachel and Rebekah at Thanksgiving Point for the Tulip Festival. We hadn't seen them in such a long time, we had a great time catching up and enjoying the beautiful scenery!
the lovely Sarah Sue
purple tulips.. always a highlight!
Will spent a good portion of the day running from
Rachel and Rebekah... he loved it!
Sam, Will and Rachel
Thanks to T, who had quarters, they were
able to buy fish food and feed the Koi
Will has a fascination with water...
one day he will put his face in it :)
Will, Rebekah and Sam
Will's favorite spot at TP is the Secret Garden
where he can play in the fountain.
... a good day!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Education & Priorities
Will was talking about which university he will attend. He is 7. He is thinking about his advanced education. I'm pretty sure I didn't know anything about advanced education when I was 7.
The discussion turned to the possibility of BYU (he could go to any respected institution as far as we are concerned). He liked this idea because he could live at home. Our hearts are warmed by his desire to be near us, but we figure in a few years he may not want to be so near his parents. Lori asked if he would want to actually live in the dorms with his friends, but he figured it would be nicer to live with us.
After a few moments of silence Will inquired, “Mom, is the BYU Creamery closer to our house or the dorms?”
“Well, it's closer to the dorms,” she responded.
“Hmmm, then that’s tricky.”
At least he knows what his priorities are.
The discussion turned to the possibility of BYU (he could go to any respected institution as far as we are concerned). He liked this idea because he could live at home. Our hearts are warmed by his desire to be near us, but we figure in a few years he may not want to be so near his parents. Lori asked if he would want to actually live in the dorms with his friends, but he figured it would be nicer to live with us.
After a few moments of silence Will inquired, “Mom, is the BYU Creamery closer to our house or the dorms?”
“Well, it's closer to the dorms,” she responded.
“Hmmm, then that’s tricky.”
At least he knows what his priorities are.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Heartbreakers
Early in the mornings, Lori takes me to catch the bus. On the rare occasion that William is awake at that dreadful hour, he goes with us, but he usually stays home with Jennifer, Tana, and Lucky.
Will has been told that he must go down to the car with one of us in the instances he wakes up. He cannot just walk down to the car on his own just in case we do not see or hear him and the worst occurs (just the thought tightens my chest and gives me shivers).
This morning Will woke up and starting coming down the hall as I was rushing down the stairs to the running car, where Lori was waiting for me. He was a good boy and did not go down to the car alone. He did go into the library where the bay windows hang over the driveway below. He banged on the windows, crying, tears streaming down his face, and yelled for us to let him go along as we were pulling away from the house. We neither heard nor saw him.
Lori arrived back home and found Will sitting in the family room chair with puffed red eyes and a quivering bottom lip. With a shakey voice, he told her what had happened. While typing this, it breaks my heart as I consider how he was feeling.
Will and Lori now have a plan, should this happen again. He is to flash the lights off an on in an effort to get our attention. In the mean time, I will tip-toe as light as possible in the mornings to allow him to sleep as much as we can. I love to have him with me, however, his evening moods are not so cheery when he rides along to catch those early busses.
Will has been told that he must go down to the car with one of us in the instances he wakes up. He cannot just walk down to the car on his own just in case we do not see or hear him and the worst occurs (just the thought tightens my chest and gives me shivers).
This morning Will woke up and starting coming down the hall as I was rushing down the stairs to the running car, where Lori was waiting for me. He was a good boy and did not go down to the car alone. He did go into the library where the bay windows hang over the driveway below. He banged on the windows, crying, tears streaming down his face, and yelled for us to let him go along as we were pulling away from the house. We neither heard nor saw him.
Lori arrived back home and found Will sitting in the family room chair with puffed red eyes and a quivering bottom lip. With a shakey voice, he told her what had happened. While typing this, it breaks my heart as I consider how he was feeling.
Will and Lori now have a plan, should this happen again. He is to flash the lights off an on in an effort to get our attention. In the mean time, I will tip-toe as light as possible in the mornings to allow him to sleep as much as we can. I love to have him with me, however, his evening moods are not so cheery when he rides along to catch those early busses.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Charmer
Lori has many talents I admire. There is one, though, at which I marvel. She is a master mood charmer.
When Will is crying, she has always had a way of saying just the right thing, making the perfect noise, or masterfully distorting her face in a way that instantly turns his tears into chortling laughter (tears still on cheeks). Now that he gets angry at us on occasion, she has been honing her skills to alter his deeper, more determined moods with increasing success. I have tried to emulate this skill, but no go. It simply does not work. Perhaps it is because I am not humorous; at least not on purpose.
I am not a charmer, but am ever grateful that she is.
When Will is crying, she has always had a way of saying just the right thing, making the perfect noise, or masterfully distorting her face in a way that instantly turns his tears into chortling laughter (tears still on cheeks). Now that he gets angry at us on occasion, she has been honing her skills to alter his deeper, more determined moods with increasing success. I have tried to emulate this skill, but no go. It simply does not work. Perhaps it is because I am not humorous; at least not on purpose.
I am not a charmer, but am ever grateful that she is.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Best Day Ever!
We spent this past Labor Day doing anything but labor. We began the day by eating breakfast together. This may seem minor, but for us it is a rare occurrence.
We then gathered our much-too-infrequently-used swim gear, loaded the trunk of the car, and headed off to the pool of Will's choice. It was actually his second choice; I was not about to spend the money for just a few hours at Seven Peaks. We were so anxious to hit the water that when we arrived, the pool was not even open yet. So, quick-as-a-flash (Will's term), we ran to grab something we could eat for lunch later in the day.
It was a great afternoon of swimming, sliding, running--wait, it says "no running" about every 3 feet at the pool. Will did not seem to care, so we spent the day yelling, "don't run," "no running," and "Will, what does that sign say?" Will brought his new (by new, I mean purchased LONG ago and finally used for the first time) blow-up sea turtle that is about 4' by 5'. It was the hit of the pool. Everyone wanted to either ride it, push it, or swim under it.
I spent part of our pool time tyring to help Will overcome his dislike of having a wet head or face. Lori does her water therapy when he is in the bathtub a few times a week and it seems to be working. I figured this was my day to contribute to the progress. The pool has metal buckets hanging from a pole about 20 feet above the pool. They continually fill up and one at a time, tip over, and dump on the heads of those swimming below. Pushing Will, the fearless turtle rider, I inched closer to the dumping buckets. Just as the water started pelting the turtle, Will cried out in protest. Too late. Spuu-laaa-sh! Um, he was not happy!
After Will forgave me, we enjoyed the rest of our time at the pool. The water therapy, however, may have actually worked. The next thing we knew, Will was running in and out (again and again) of the giant, towering water mushroom that continuously pours solid sheets of water from its top, down into the pool. Progress.
Our next phase of adventure was the annual Labor Day Luau at Thanksgiving Point. We sped home, showered, dressed in our best luau gear, and headed to the gardens. You see, Lori LOVES Hawaii and has been several times because she used to work for a Hawaii tour company (I consistently remind her that we have never been). Also, we all love Thanksgiving Point and go often. We go to the gardens, shops, dinosaur museum, movies, glass studio, and restaurants. Sometimes we go just to read books together in the gardens.
The Luau was very well attended. There were hundreds of people there. Initially, the pre-purchased ticket line was long, but the mood was festive, the food was plentiful and oh-so-good, and we loved the entertainment. Everyone was in a friendly mood (except for the major complainer behind us in line--we made sure not to sit by him). We all had a great time.
While driving home, I pondered our full day together as a family. We were all very quiet. As we pulled into the driveway, Will stretched and said, "This was the best day ever!"
We then gathered our much-too-infrequently-used swim gear, loaded the trunk of the car, and headed off to the pool of Will's choice. It was actually his second choice; I was not about to spend the money for just a few hours at Seven Peaks. We were so anxious to hit the water that when we arrived, the pool was not even open yet. So, quick-as-a-flash (Will's term), we ran to grab something we could eat for lunch later in the day.
It was a great afternoon of swimming, sliding, running--wait, it says "no running" about every 3 feet at the pool. Will did not seem to care, so we spent the day yelling, "don't run," "no running," and "Will, what does that sign say?" Will brought his new (by new, I mean purchased LONG ago and finally used for the first time) blow-up sea turtle that is about 4' by 5'. It was the hit of the pool. Everyone wanted to either ride it, push it, or swim under it.
I spent part of our pool time tyring to help Will overcome his dislike of having a wet head or face. Lori does her water therapy when he is in the bathtub a few times a week and it seems to be working. I figured this was my day to contribute to the progress. The pool has metal buckets hanging from a pole about 20 feet above the pool. They continually fill up and one at a time, tip over, and dump on the heads of those swimming below. Pushing Will, the fearless turtle rider, I inched closer to the dumping buckets. Just as the water started pelting the turtle, Will cried out in protest. Too late. Spuu-laaa-sh! Um, he was not happy!
After Will forgave me, we enjoyed the rest of our time at the pool. The water therapy, however, may have actually worked. The next thing we knew, Will was running in and out (again and again) of the giant, towering water mushroom that continuously pours solid sheets of water from its top, down into the pool. Progress.
Our next phase of adventure was the annual Labor Day Luau at Thanksgiving Point. We sped home, showered, dressed in our best luau gear, and headed to the gardens. You see, Lori LOVES Hawaii and has been several times because she used to work for a Hawaii tour company (I consistently remind her that we have never been). Also, we all love Thanksgiving Point and go often. We go to the gardens, shops, dinosaur museum, movies, glass studio, and restaurants. Sometimes we go just to read books together in the gardens.
The Luau was very well attended. There were hundreds of people there. Initially, the pre-purchased ticket line was long, but the mood was festive, the food was plentiful and oh-so-good, and we loved the entertainment. Everyone was in a friendly mood (except for the major complainer behind us in line--we made sure not to sit by him). We all had a great time.
While driving home, I pondered our full day together as a family. We were all very quiet. As we pulled into the driveway, Will stretched and said, "This was the best day ever!"
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