A Christmas Gift for the Girls

All the girls have been wanting since we found out we were moving to Germany has been to dye their hair a fashion color.  I had a bit of sticker shock after I did my blue last year and so was putting this off, but then we won't be here that much longer, so I decided to make it their Christmas present from their dad and me.  It has been a much enjoyed and long lasting gift for Christmas!  The boys have lost parts of their gifts and broken things already, but this has actually been worth it.

They got to spend half a day at the salon with my hairdresser working on them together.  I was able to drop in and run out to keep the boys busy with friends and such so they didn't all have to sit at the salon all day.  Nobody would have wanted that! 

Hannah chose purple, but it turned out a little pinkish purple.  Don't tell her that though because she is not a fan of pink.  She does love her hair though!  I was hoping to see fewer ponytails and more braids and hair down on her, but, alas, the pigtail hangs behind her. 

Genevieve chose blue streaks and she loves it.  I also got her a little bit of layers in her hair cut too.  She is happy with it too!  Her hair didn't take as well, so we actually went back at the request of my hairdresser to do another foil to get it darker the next week.  It looks a little more navy now than in this picture.  It really brings out her eyes and goes well with her new blue robe that she got from her Mimi which has become her new "uniform" when at home until the second we leave when she trades it for a coat.

New Hair: Fried Green Tomatoes Edition

The day before the pumpkin patch tour, I got a little crazy.  I had my hair dyed ombre blue.  This was not a wild hair, spur of the moment decision, I have actually been planning this for over a year.  Basically, when we found out we were moving to Germany, I started planning it.  It is very common here.  I knew I wouldn't stand out too much (dare I say, I might even blend in a little more...at least when not behind the wheel of my 12 passenger van,) but I'd still get to do something bold.

I waited so long because I was nursing Bobby and this takes a long time to do this at the salon.  It actually took six hours because of my hair being so long and thick.  It was estimated at 3-4 hours, so Wow!  I am glad I made sure Bobby was weaned before taking the plunge.

I love it, but I guess I didn't show Brian what "ombre blue hair" actually looked like because he was initially not a huge fan.  He said it has grown on him now, but at first he was not pleased that I had spent so much money on something he didn't love.  I was bummed he didn't like it, but the kids all thought it was super cool.  

It takes a lot more care than I realized.  I have to wash it in cold water to keep it from fading too quickly.  Although it is a permanent color, fashion colors apparently are more semi permanent depending on how well you take care of it.  FYI, I am really not a fan of cold water in the fall when my husband won't turn on the heat yet!  Then if it rains, I have to cover it so it doesn't run and stain my clothes.  I now travel with a blue towel and pillowcase since when it is wet, it stains everything it touches.  I even stained my toilet seat cover when I rogue wet hair escaped unnoticed.  It took a Magic Eraser and a lot of hard scrubbing to get it off.  Nothing too major, but I thought it was funny that I found out all this while getting blue dye painted on my hair and not before.

The day after the pumpkin patch tour, Genevieve and Drew had hair cut appointments at a much cheaper salon.  Drew got his first good hair cut at a salon ever.  We are going back to Paulina for sure.  First time ever Brian has come home and not told me that he will never let me take him to get his hair cut again.

Genevieve wanted a big change.  She wanted a slanted short Bob cut.  And, boy, did she get it!  When the lady showed her her hair with the mirror, Genevieve was practically bouncing out of the seat with the biggest smile ever and said, "I love it!  It's gorgeous!"  One of the cutest moments ever!  So genuine and so sweet!  I truly love that girl.

I love it because she doesn't have to do a thing to it and it looks precious.  The natural waves really work in her favor with this cut.  Somedays it's curlier than this and it looks even cuter.

Post Valentine's Post

Even though we didn't go anywhere, I wanted to o this to Genna's hair.  I saw this "heart" hairstyle on Pinterest.

Drew had a crabby day, but he liked the balloons on a stick that I got for everyone.

Hannah had a rough day, but she woke up feeling much better this morning.  She napped on and off all day and so she stayed up later and slept with me in the "sick" bed.  She talks in her sleep, by the way.  Funny thing is that the other kids were so thrilled to be able to watch almost nonstop TV, but she was bored with TV by 8:30am.  She read her books in between naps and watching a movie or two.  She is reading Shel Silverstein poems and The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler right now.  She'll be in bed for another two days, I guess which means no basketball or co-op or playdates.  Poor girl!  The important thing is that she gets all better by Sunday because after Mass we have a special girl adventure that has already been paid for. 

Braids on Sunday

Due to Drew's nap schedule lately we have been going to a later Sunday mass. This gives us extra time in the morning to get ready. So this Sunday I tried my hand at some complicated braiding. I got my ideas from this blog and this website. I didn't follow the directions exactly, but I think I got the gist of it. The girls love it!

Hannah had a crown braid which took a long, long time to do.

Genna had a headband braid which wasn't too labor intensive.

If you remember, Genna gave up vanity for Lent. (Side story: The other day she asked how much longer Lent would be, and then said, "I can't wait to have vanity again when Lent is over." Umm, missing the point?)The girls have been memorizing 1 Peter 3:3-4 which talks about beauty not coming from braided hair and jewelry, but from the inside. Since it was Sunday though, I thought I could indulge them in just a little gussying up for Jesus. Not to mention that I equate a fancy, challenging hairdo to a work of art, and I love creating pretty things.

Last night

The girls were invited to go to their friend's dance recital and so we got them all gussied up with a fancy Princess Waterfall hairdo. This looked much easier on The Story of a Princess and Her Hair than it actually was. It took me 30 minutes per girl. Good thing I didn't need a nap, right? Ha! This will be for special occasions for sure, most likely ones in the evening since their is no way we could do this in the morning and get out of the house too. You need a Topsy Tail Tool which Genna asked for and received in her stocking on St. Nicholas' Day.

Isaac, Drew, and I got some much needed alone time at home. Isaac was pumped about our game and movie night. He told the girls that he was going to spend time with Mommy and Drew, but Drew was just going to "lay around." As if Drew does anything else yet. We played 3 games of Guess Who? where I walked him through every step since he just doesn't get that game. My favorite was when I asked if his girl had black hair and he replied, "No, she has white." Thanks, Isaac, for telling me who you had since there was only one white haired girl.

Then we watched Peter Pan and had popcorn. He was way into it! Can you tell?

Drew watched a little bit too. He's not nearly as into it though. :)

Wow, having two kids is so peaceful compared to the chaos of four!