Snip Snip, Cut Cut

This is the story of the day that we cut Graham's hair.



In reality, I should have written this down after we had gotten home from this event {it was most definitely an event}, but I think we were are still too traumatized and the wounds were still too fresh to even contemplate the idea of putting it down on paper.



We have both healed since then, and I believe that I have the courage to sit down and write about this. In the car on the way to Ohio of all places. After working two nights in a row and getting about 6 hours of sleep total.



So. Graham's hair.



The timeline begins the day before when I had decided that Elliana's hair needed cut. I was brushing it completely out {vary rare occurrence as she hates her hair brushed}, and that was when I had noticed that it was almost down to her bottom. It looked stringy and dead. Far outgrown and in need of maintenance. There really was not enough time to head out to the cutters and have it professionally done, and since I'm used to just trimming it up, I thought that I was fully capable of doing it myself this time as well.



Pony tail in about 6 inches up {rough estimate}, precisely where I wanted her length to be. Snip, snip, cut, and all done.



It looked rough, and there was a lot of "fixing" to be done, but after about 20 minutes, I felt pretty satisfied. Really, if nothing else, it confirmed that I can save $20 from now on and just simply do her haircuts right at home.



Graham though? That's a different story.



Snip, snip, cut, cut---that doesn't quite work out the same way for him. It may be because I have no idea how "boy" haircuts go, or maybe the fact that he screams bloody murder the minute he sees the scissors come out {or most likely a combination of both}, but regardless, it is by far a bigger challenge than it should be. I have done harder things in life.



My sister was over out my house at the time when all of this went down. I had her try to distract him as I went for the prize---the hair. The first cut didn't go over very well. He moved as I snipped and it basically only cut half of his hair. I then proceeded to chase him for the second cut. Tried to bribe him with a lollipop with the third. TV with the fourth. And by the 5th time I realized that I had just made the biggest mistake in regards to this child's hair and that there was no way that a 5th, 6th, or even 20th cut would ever fix the mess that I had gotten us into. In fact, if I even wanted to spare this kid a decent "do," then I better think of something quick.



Well, I mean, unless we were dealing with rocket science here, the only real solution to this problem would be to head to cookie cutters. And so cookie cutters it was.



My sister looked up haircuts for me while we drove and we narrowed it down to two favorites by the time we got there. One short, one long {er}. Both had the same idea, but I just could not yet pick which one would better suit Graham. Actually, I could not for the life imagine him with anything but long hair, but toyed with the idea of doing something crazy and unexpected. And it was not until we actually stepped foot into the door that I knew exactly what we would do.



We attempted to place him in one of those kiddy cars. You know, the ones that he kids just gush over and get all this excitement in their bellies about. If not that, then surely they would be thrilled about the movie that they get to pick out. Or the idea that they get a lollipop at the end? I should have known better. Remember, it had only been an hour since I was running around the house chasing him with scissors {scary scene, I know}.



I had to sit with him, and even when I sat with him, he would try to arch his back and scream the most shrilling screams with the biggest crocodile tears coming out of those big beautiful brown eyes. He wiggled. And screamed. Wiggled and screamed. Over and over and over. The entire time.



I'm telling you, if you want to crush your heart go to cookie cutters.



Thankfully no one was there, and thankfully the lady had experienced this before, and thankfully she was so patient and just went with the flow. No cover, just snip, snip, cut, cut, and hair everywhere. On me, On Graham, and no one cared. Except Graham of course.



I went short. I went incredibly short. And when I saw his sweet little face after all the trauma had ended, I couldn't help but think to myself---heart break was worth it. That face was precious. The tears stopped right away. And it was as though nothing happened just then. Seventeen months of hair cut, right there on me and the floor. And I had not a single regret. In fact, I couldn't help but think---why had I not done this sooner?



It's been almost a week and I still stare at him in amazement. Almost as though I brought home a completely different little boy. A more grown up version of Graham and left my little baby Graham behind. In cookie cutters.



Who would have ever thought that a little snip snip and cut cut would lead to what he is today. Handsome if you ask me, but I believe he will always be handsome---long hair, short hair, blue hair, or no hair.

Earning $75 is as easy as 1-2-3

I'm going to step on to my Ebates soap box just for a second. Although this is a referral link, just so you know I would promote this program regardless {just like I do retailmenot and any other deal site} simply because it means more money in your pocket with no strings attached. NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

How it works?

1. You sign up ---for free.

2. You search for the retailer that you are looking to shop at {macy's, target, kohls, etc}

3. It directs you to that site.

4. You shop like you normally do. And checkout like you normally do.

5. Ebates then tracks that order and gives you a percentage back for your purchase {many times they have promotions as high as 12% back}.

6. After 3 months, you get a check in the mail for your past 3 months of purchase cash back. {My highest check has been $900---included referral to friends and family}.

7. Recommend it to your friends, just THREE people right now, and get an additional $75.00 bonus!


Guys...it's really just that easy! GO CHECK IT OUT. I promise you will not regret it.

News Flash. Stuff that make headlines..... maybe.

11 pounds of strawberries.

That's how much we picked the other day with the kids and that's how much will be eaten and in our bellies the next few days. Actually in the past week, we would have eaten 18 pounds of strawberries. No rough estimate. No exaggeration. 

I'm certain that in no time, we will all turn into those little red delicious fruits ourselves.

Graham Got a Haircut.

Usually, I wouldn't blog about such an event as a haircut, and I never did when E got her first one last year {at almost 3 years old}, but this one is kind of different. For one, I had never had any intention of actually cutting it {even when it became a raggedy mess}, but then something happened and I had no other choice. To be honest though, I am so happy that we did and I love it more than I did his long hair.

Never did I imagine myself saying that.

Pool Weather

This past week has been in the 80's, sunny with a perfect breeze. I had promised the kids a pool day on Friday, and what do you know, Elliana did not forget when Friday came around that she would be putting on her swimsuit and splashing in water all day. And that we did. Graham surprised me though and didn't get as in as I had expected to him to since he's our daredevil child, but he really doesn't like being cold at all and his little body would shiver so I'd have to scoop him up in a towel and snuggle him.

No complaints there.

Our Butterflies are here

I know that I should not be this excited about the metamorphosis of the caterpillar to pupa to butterfly, but I am. E is equally {if not more} excited than I am. We were pleasantly surprised when we saw that 5/6 of the butterflies were already flying around, and after the kids wake up this morning and we eat breakfast, we plan on going outside to let them free!


A couple extra things to add....

link

Our favorite ride-on toys are on sale

I just snagged another one because the kids always fight over this {as do I}, and it's such an awesome toy to have around the house. I mean, until your toes get run over.

Recall to be aware of

Another baby has died in one of these nanny chairs and although they are not being sold anymore, they are still out there given as gifts or sold at garage sales.

DON'T FORGET

2 days left to enter the Kohl's Giveaway
Father's day gift guide is on the blog!

The 10 Commandments to Parenting

How many times do you log into Facebook and see another article on the "rules" of parenting. What you should or shouldn't do. What your parents did that must have left you traumatized and broken. What you will do now that will surely damage your children. What will spoil, neglect, and leave them depressed and hopeless in their future.

I could go on, but, I think we get it.

You formula fed, you let them cry it out, you said NO to them, you said YES to them, you gave them McDonalds, you didn't let them have ice cream, you vaccinated them, spoon fed them pureed food, sent them to preschool, sent a text at the park, put them in a crib, a stroller, and....in front of the TV.....THE HORROR.

We get it. We are the first parents to parent, the first moms to become moms, and the first to come to the conclusion that not everything is good for our children. In fact, everything is bad for them. That's what I got out of all those articles and all the future ones to come as well.

No, really.

One time, I stumbled upon an article devoted to telling me not to say to my kids "hurry up." I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to do is teach my children it's okay to be late, that the world revolves around our schedule, and that they do not need to respect another persons time. Sure, I get it, it's a great thought. It is. It is important for us to teach our children patience and that their time is also appreciated. However----a big however, I can sugar coat it any which way, change my wording around and talk and explain myself every single time they want to fiddle around, but at the end of the day.....HURRY UP KID works just as well.

 So does bribery and threats. Another no-no in the book of parenting.

It seems like these days we worry more and more about every word that comes out of our mouth, every move that we make, and every decision that we decide upon in regards to our children. Trust me, I get it, I'm one of those people. But then on top of that we have to worry about whether we should expose ourselves to the public and what they could possibly think about our parenting when we do.

Every time.

Talk about scaring all the mothers to be in the this world. And not to mention: exhausting.

So, to make things simple, I'm going to be that obnoxious individual that makes a list of "rules" to parenting. Simple though, just ten. Everyone, raise your right hands up and repeat after me:

10 COMMANDMENTS TO PARENTING

1. I shall say "no" to my children whenever it is appropriate, I deem necessary, and for the better sake of their health {and mine}. Without explanation. And if I want to say "because I said so" then I can. And I will. And if I want to say "because I'm the boss," then I will. Because I can. Because it won't hurt my children to know that I am an authority figure, that although I will teach them that they should always question things that may not seem right {even if coming from an authority figure}, they should always do so with respect. And that I need not repeat myself over and over again for them to finally get it. First no gets an explanation, second no gets a:

"No is spelled N-O, not W-H-Y."

2. I shall say "yes" to my children whenever it is appropriate, I deem necessary, and for the better sake of their health {and mine}. Without explanation. That means that if I'm at the grocery store and my kids have been angels and I'm so darn proud of them for being patient with me for 1.5 hours while I browse the aisles of Target, then they sure as heavenly J deserve a treat at the checkout line. Maybe it happens once, maybe it happens every time, maybe it never happens---regardless, I shall say yes whenever I please and never feel like I need to make an excuse to the lady standing behind me rolling her eyes for doing so.

3. I shall not publicly judge or shame a person or group of people. Look, judging is second nature to a human being. Many people do so silently [in their heads, often times without control}, and many do so publicly.  Thank you social media. But let us just get one thing straight: don't be a jerk about it. It's one thing to believe, and it's another to bring someone down with your beliefs. Fine if you want to tell the world that you don't practice the "cry it out method" but don't add in there.... parents that do are causing their children emotional damage.

First, not a fact. Second, jerk move.

4. I shall practice what I preach. If I want to raise these little ones to grow up to be respectful, kind, encouraging, supportive, responsible adults, I have to set the example. To be nice, to give a lending hand, to be positive and patient with others. As hard as it may be at times, and as much growing as we may do throughout our life, nothing is as important as the time that our children are looking to us for guidance.

Thus, I shall be the role model that I want my children to follow and live by example.

5. I shall use electronics to my advantage. Even maybe before they turn two. I shall remember that these things are available in my home and they have two advantages: 1. Makes child happy and 2. Makes parent happy. Oh and for some 3. Makes husband happy because you cooked dinner.

1+2+(sometimes 3)= Happy. Got it.

6. I shall remember that tomorrow is a new day. I know I'll lay in bed replaying some days in my head. I'll think about the time I yelled at Johnny, or the time that I blamed Susie for something that she didn't actually do. I'll have mom guilt about things----many things. I'll have regrets. But I have to remember that tomorrow is a new day, that we all make mistakes, and that they're there to make us grow.

And? Our favorite line..... this too shall pass.

7. I shall take care of myself. Whatever that means---sneaking upstairs to read a book, running to target {by myself}, or going out for some retail therapy with friends. I shall put me at the top of my own priority list.

It really is a pretty simple concept:

Happy wife=happy life. Happy mom=happy life. Happy person=happy life. 

8. I shall not trust everything google says....or Facebook. Remember not to believe every word you read or every picture you see. People have a way of playing with your emotions. And google, well google can lead you to a dark dark place with further searching {or as some of us like to say..."researching"}, leading to you dancing around in circles and your head spinning round and round. And two hours later, still not sure what to do, or what the right answer is.

That is when we say: I SHALL FOLLOW MY MOMMY INSTINCT.

9. I shall share my mom stories with other moms and feel better about myself. Because how will we ever know if I am the only one that has a toddler that throws himself in the middle of the store screaming at the top of his lungs, or the baby that never quits crying from the hours of 5-9pm, or the teenager that writes me off the minute she sees my mouth open. How?

Maybe I'll even be that mom at that park texting her mom friends the story of the day. We will laugh about it, they will make me feel better, and I'll realize a really important lesson:  

I'm not alone in this parenting gig after all. 

10. I shall love my children. Really, really, love them. I may not always like them. I may even have days where I want to put them in the front lawn with a sign "FREE--please take,' and I may have moments when I'm physically tired and worn down---but regardless, I will always love them and they will always know that, and there will never be a moment, day, or act of disobedience that would make me want to trade them or this life for anything else.

Because nothing is better than being a mother to my children.