Prelude to the party

Even though Lil E was sick on his birthday and for a few long days afterward, we squealed with excitement when our costumes arrived in the mail. We tore open the plastic envelopes, so anxious to unfold the Star Wars party that was only several days, many doses of cough medicine and Emergen-C away.

Lil E wore his full Luke Skywalker costume several times, posing for me, the camera and himself in the mirror. He wanted to perfect the face of a Jedi Master, wanted to make each light saber-wielding moment last as long as possible. But once his robe and leggings and fake boots were off -- as were each of us -- all about the wig.

Oh, no. His Luke gear would be perfectly topped by his own sun-bleached brown bedhead. It was the wig for my costume that compelled us.

And so, in between sneezes and ice cream cake, Lil E and my parents and I all gave that wig a go. As soon as I saw it being handed from person to person and saw my feverish child laughing as hard as he was, I knew no more unfolding was needed. To the four of us, the party had already begun.

[Peek at the pics after the jump.]

My dad actually is quite precious about his hair. It's sweet to think of him unwrapping those buns and using the plastic mini-comb he keeps in his pocket at all times.

I think I was in the womb the last time my mother had long, dark hair, so this was fun to see. Anyway, if you know my mom, you know she is way more slave Princess Leia material.

I am shocked here because Lil E actually let me hold a light saber. And with my own hair down, I am totally rocking this Henry Bentley-style.

Sometimes, he's so pretty it almost makes me forget he was probably just taking a deep breath in between some intense monologue on boobs or boy parts (or more often, both).