Fanning The Flames

I am getting lost again in a backlog of photos. And laundry. And dishes.

The twins have had hot lunch the last 2 days because there is no bread in the house and yesterday I gave Saoirse Ritz crackers for lunch. Hey, there was peanut butter on top. 

Today is my busiest day of the week (Thursday being a runner up) because it's straight to ballet after school and Micah needs a pick up from choir practice in the middle of rush hour, in the middle of nowhere. I'm sorry Franklin but you are in fact rather inconveniently located. Initially I told him no when he asked to join choir, knowing it would be a logistical nightmare, and I'm just that type of mom sometimes. The one who says no. Or at least I used to be? To his credit, he took it with grace. He came home with tidbits of information, "Mom, they're doing the Grinch this year" and would happily go about his business. I'd catch him humming "you're a mean one mister Grinch" while doing homework and I guess it made my heart grow a few sizes bigger? I'm sure it will shrink again during the commute.

In all seriousness though, he participated in the choir last year at school and loved it and it gave him the boost in confidence he needed to try out for the school play which in turn helped him land a leading role (Scarecrow? Wizard of Oz? Did I ever tell you any of this?). It was fantastic and it lit him up you guys. It helped him glow. And that type of light needs a little help sometimes. Someone needs to fan the flames just a bit. I'll drive to Franklin for that. 

I'm almost certain that the only thing worse than posing your baby in a basket that is used as a garbage bin, is putting him back in it a year later. We should probably stop using it as a garbage bin. That, or stop putting the baby in it.

Maija took Oscar to the library this weekend. He expressed some curiosity about various religions last week and she told him they could go get some books if he wanted to and of course he jumped at the chance. Brendan dropped them off on his way to Micah's football game and they caught the bus home. It was quite an adventure and the little girls were practically green with envy, especially when they heard he got to ride the bus! It really is the little things, right?

Nuala lost her second tooth. She actually just pulled it out herself. The first one hung around for ages and ages before it fell out and I think she just ran out of patience this time around and took matters into her own hands in true Nuala style.

We spent some time at my mom's work this weekend. I'm pretty sure the kids were in heaven. The University is tearing down the building she works in and so I agreed to go and photograph the classrooms as a way to help preserve the history of the center. Wow, was that a lot of work or what? And it sounds easy enough right? Taking photos of rooms? But it was not, and I have about 500 images just waiting for me to start organizing and editing. I should really be doing that right now......

Maija disappeared into the craft room this weekend and whipped up a few sock monsters. 

Othello is the next big thing around these parts. 

What can I say, it's a simple life friends.

And I can't leave you hanging any longer....

Ruari went with purple this time. Manic Panic did not disappoint.

And Sidhe went with pink, which looks super vibrant here but is meant to be a pale rose color.

And did wind up turning out quite light and lovely.

These ladies are so beautiful.

Poor Nuala is still a bit annoyed that she didn't get to dye her hair. Time child, there is plenty of time.

And still no rush to grow up faster than need be, it will happen quickly enough as it is.

Maija needs to dye hers and then we are done with hair for little while. I think?

Until the next wave of change begins.

For now we'll just enjoy the moment.

Go On And Be Fabulous

Maija went super short last week. I can't lie, initially I was a little bit shocked. Like, I was quietly freaking out and trying not to let it show (unsuccessfully might I add) but I have to tell you that she looks absolutely amazing. She loves it and it shows, and that type of confidence does not just come easily to everyone. I had a friend comment that she didn't think she could ever let her own daughter get this type of cut and it made me laugh a little bit to myself. I'm pretty sure that when Maija was a baby I could have been overheard saying the exact same thing. 

But the problem with that is babies grow up into kids, into teenagers, into people. They grow up and start making their own choices and taking control of their own preferences, ideas and dreams, and isn't that the whole point? I mean isn't that what life has been preparing them for since birth? If there is anything I've learned in the last few years of parenting it's that there are serious challenges and real life issues that we will face with our teenagers. Hair cuts? Hair color? Those don't even make the list in terms of what I need to spend any amount of energy worrying about or arguing over. It's just hair. Brendan and I decided that anything permanent (tattoos, piercings) needs to wait until the kids are 18 and out on their own, but as far as anything else goes? Go on and be as fabulous as you want to.

Seems that all I have to report on lately has to do with hair, hair and more hair.

I swear there's more to us than just hair.

At least we're moving past the cutting stage and entering the bleach, foil, dye phase.

And I'm pretty sure it's time for them to start branching out and taking charge. I know I did all sorts of things to my hair when I was younger (anyone remember the blond yellow crew cut I sported for part of junior year?). These girls have way better taste than I ever did. We had a lot of fun this weekend playing beauty salon. I don't have all of our "after" shots yet, but for now I'll just share a few glimpses of what it looks like when 3 teenagers take over the bathroom and mix up a bowl of bleach.

The two little girls were totally intrigued and kept close tabs on what was happening. Saoirse kept running through the house commenting on what a cutie Sidhe is in the most delighted voice. They wanted to know when they could dye their hair and were not very amused with my answer. I think it's safe to say I'll be a hair dye professional before all is said and done.

Get ready to ooooohhhh and ahhhhhhh over the amazing colors they chose.

Oscar's Famous Shoulders

We finally did it.

We finally got Oscar's hair cut. He's had a few teeny tiny trims over the years but never actually gotten a full blown cut before and after nearly 6 full years of growing his hair long we agreed to let him choose. For months he said he wasn't interested, that he was planning on growing his hair all the way down to the floor, thanks but no thanks. 

However, once Nuala got her hair cut and he saw just how easy it was for her to "brush" her hair he started having second thoughts. When Saoirse quickly followed suit and reveled in hair tangle free tresses he decided that maybe his sisters were on to something and told me he ready. Brendan agreed but only if Ashley (the world's best stylist) was the one to do the honors. She came over last week on Oisín's birthday and spent about an hour meticulously grooming his soft little baby hair...

The first thing he said after she was done was, "My SHOULDERS are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!".
He was still commenting on them the next morning.

As we got ready for school I orchestrated a quick porch photo, which everyone told me I didn't have time for, but I'm so glad I did it because LOOK......

Wow, just wow, I knew it would be a change, but I can't take my eyes off of him. I mean, I love this guy no matter how long his hair is, but seriously I wasn't prepared for just how beautiful his shoulders are.

Plus now the baby doesn't get to pull his hair.