He did it!

Two springs ago, we encouraged the kids to try riding bikes sans training wheels. Jackie was willing to try and stuck with it. Zac attempted it once and 'put the breaks' on that idea. He just wouldn't practice and chose to ride with the training wheels all last summer. I've learned not to push Zac. In his own time, he will eventually meet the challenge. This summer, he was showing all signs that he could do it, but try to convince him of that, was another thing. On this particular day, I told him this would be the day he would go two wheels. He still said 'nope'. So I went along side him with my hand on his back giving him absolutely no assistance trying to determine how I was to prove him otherwise while I promised not to 'let go'. So I begged for only 5 seconds of no help....finally he agreed. Then I asked for 10 seconds, and on and on like this. Jackie was right alongside us cheerleading him on. Then the switch turned. He finally had proven to himself that he could do it. And he was off! In about 5 minutes, he was starting up from a stop solo, standing on his pedals, navigating the entry to the rollerblade hockey rink, riding off curbs and smiling for the camera. He kept saying, "Mom, did you get that shot?" Yup-Zac, I got it! So did you!!! and I couldn't be prouder of you.

Now biking is all Zac wants to do. This fall we look forward to some family bike rides. Now, on to the next challenge.....getting Zac to be willing to swim with face in the water. Where's the switch?

A make-over de ja vous

For over a year, Jackie has wanted to cut her hair short. I wouldn't consider it when she was 6. We had just finished growing out her bangs, and I was looking forward ponytails, braids and hair bows. The only problem was, Jackie wasn't. She and I struggled with the combing and hair tidying routines. Every morning I was faced with lies about combing her hair, which resulted in me having to comb her hair, leading to tears and ending with absolutely no ponytails and hair bows. She liked her hair long, but wouldn't maintain it appropriately. She also liked bob style cuts on others, especially her first grade teacher. After persistence in knowing what she wanted, I eventually gave in. After all, when I was 9, I cut my long mane for a Dorothy Hammel hairstyle. I showed her the old photos of my hair long and then short to assure she was ready for a drastic change. Her response was, " You looked like a boy, I'm not getting that cut!" So, one day we were in Macdonalds and saw a cute style on a 9 year old girl. I asked the mom where her daughter got her cut and we got a referral. The next week my girl was transformed. Dispite her Mom, Dad, Brother, and Mimi trying to convince her otherwise, she happily chopped the locks.

The day before the cut, Jackie allowed me to braid her hair.

Before photos.

Her hair stylist is Jen at Embellish.

The transformation took almost an hour and Jackie was dying to get out of the chair. Zac was a behaved boy waiting. I remember me praising him for his good behavior. He asked me, 'Can I play the Wii when we get home?' I said yes....then he reminded me he had owed me punishment and all screens were taken away from him that day. The women in the salon were amazed with his honesty and felt I should lift his punsishment, so I did.

Jackie being a bit shy with all the fuss and attention...and just wanting OUT OF THAT CHAIR!

First thing we did was go to Mimi and Papa's to show off the new look.

The consensus is the style makes her look so much older....and a bit of pang is felt with letting go of a little girl look achieved with ponies and braids.

Jackie is thrilled with the freedom of less fuss.

About 8 inches were cut.

I must admit, my little 7 year old girl made a really good decision and is showing no regrets....for now. The cut is very flattering and much easier! No more tears!!

So, here's the de ja vous part......my before: Here I am on the right at age 7, with my pal Dori.

And.....my after: Here I am styling my 'just-out-of-the-salon' Dorothy Hammel cut around age 9 with my pal Lori. It certainly didn't look like that everyday....so Jackie was right I did look like a boy. But it was fitting as I was in my tomboy stage anyway!

Now that Jackie has worn her new cut for a month or so and we all have embraced it, she is telling me she wants to grow her hair out. LOL!!! I will end by saying, "A girl is going to be a girl!"

Spring Brook Park, Our Favorite 2010 Summer Go To

Just 15 minutes away is a man-made pond and spray park. This was a weekly destination this hot summer. There's a playground, snack stand and tons of lifeguard staff. While the kids enjoyed the pond or spray park, I got to relax and read a book. With karate and swim lessons, both twice weekly, we were only at the beach once this year. This place was a great afternoon get-away.