"My Head Have YIGHT!"

Over the past few years, my Two Little Nguyens have developed a profound appreciation for firefighters. We visit fire stations and have been known to take brownies with us. The appreciation runs so deep that the dress-up gear we have for everyday, fire-related imaginative play has gone through transition after transition as we acquire new knowledge of what firefighter's do and the tools they use. The First Little Nguyen, who has a penchant for accuracy, began this imaginative fire play a few years ago with just a cheap plastic hat. Here is a basic chronology:

• July 2003 Basic red plastic fireman hat picked up at the Teach Me store


• October 2005 Mom "sews" new yellow fleece fireman jacket for Halloween costume


• November 2005 Yellow fleece fireman jacket begins to fall apart


• September 2006 New yellow fireman hat purchased


• October 2006 Grandma B. sews a really kickas_ fireman jacket that stays together and Mom makes fireman pants


• February 2007 Aunt Susan buys a real fire safety ladder for our house as well as fireman boots for both boys


• February 2007 First Little Nguyen buys accessory set which includes another hat, an ax, a breastplate, a badge and a face mask with attached breathing apparatus


• October 2007 Second Little Nguyen receives toy fire extinguisher and chainsaw

Many of you would think that these additions signal completion. Well, think again. Today, the costume evolved to a new level of accuracy. Jenny and Don sent a helmet mountable light!!! Very cool...very cool, indeed. The First Little Nguyen was most impressed. The Second Little Nguyen kept repeating, "My head have yight!" Now, we can also go spelunking! Thanks, Jenny and Don. Very cool gift!