Crazy Hair Day

Dear Em,
This week is spirit week at your school. I remember loving spirit week when I was younger. Honestly, any phrase with the word "spirit" in it is probably my jam (I was a cheerleader, after all). I remember looking forward to spirit days & planning out with precision what I was going to wear. Back then I had all the time in the world to plan.

These days, things like having a career & taking care of a child & a home kind of get in the way of my spirit week planning. So as I lay down in bed the night before it was Crazy Hair day at your school, I realized we hadn't even thought about what kind of crazy hair we would give you.

My best friend Ali sends me amazing little girl hair ideas. I think she sends them mostly just to tease me. Your hair probably seems stylish, but I'm only competent with the simplest of hair styles. The first few times I tried to give you a french braid ended up with you screaming & crying. Since then you run away & hide anytime you hear the word braid. In fact, your favorite hair style (two half pony tails) is something you like to call "fast & easy." You request it on a daily basis.

When Ali sends me these amazing hair styles, I mostly laugh at how they're never going to exist for you & I (seriously, I thought about bringing you to a hair dresser for this year's Halloween Elsa hair). BUT...then came Crazy Hair Day. I'm not going to lie, this spirit day stressed me out a little bit. Of course, Ali had sent me a link of fun Halloween hairstyles a while back that I laughed at & thought "no way, Jose."

So there I was, the night before Crazy Hair Day, scouring the internet trying to find the link (& hoping & praying one of the hairstyles was something I could do without you screaming & crying). Ali kindly resent the link. I took screen shots of a few I could maybe pull off. When you woke up the next morning, I left it up to you, & you chose one that looked like a spider web. I said a little prayer & hoped for the best.

Luckily, there were very few ouches & no tears. While the hair style actually wasn't challenging to execute, it was time consuming. I ended up giving you my phone & you looked at photos just so you would sit still while I worked. It took a lot of little hair elastics & a lot of time. Since I hadn't woken you up any earlier than usual, we were running a little late. I barely had time to take photos of the end result as Daddy pushed you out the door.

I have to say, we didn't do so bad for our first Crazy Hair Day (thanks to Ali). You loved your do & were so excited to show all your teachers & friends that day. I was just glad to participate in a little bit of spirit.

Unfortunately, it took almost as long to take your hair down as it did to put it up. So, I don't see us recreating that masterpiece anytime soon. In fact, even after all the fun of yesterday, you were very happy to request your "fast & easy" style when it came time to do your hair this morning.

I love you so,
Mommy

I'm a player not a maker.

Dear Em,
About a month ago, we got your hair cut for the second time in your life. The first time the hairdresser dried your hair, & you got to wear your hair down plain for the evening. This was actually a special treat. You almost never get to just wear it down. This time, she asked you if you wanted fancy hair. You agreed to braids, & she seamlessly french braided your hair.

I watched in awe as you didn't wiggle. You didn't squirm. You didn't say ouch, but every part of the braids were perfect. I explained that I has never learned how to french braid, & the hair dresser admitted it had taken a lot of practice. Since then you have been reminding me I need practice so I can learn as well. You told me that once you didn't know how to ride a bike, but you practiced & now you can.

"If you practice, you can learn to french braid just like I learn things. Bye Mom. I'm going to school, & while I'm at school you can practice french braiding my dolls' hair."

It would be the perfect plan, except, well, I have to work while you're at school. When you're not at school, you typically want attention from me. So, to your dismay I haven't been practicing at all.

"Mom, you need to practice french braiding," you urged. "Why don't you practice your french braiding, & then you can french braid my hair," I replied." You looked at me very simply. "I'm a player, not a maker. Well, I do make food. Just not hairstyles."

One night last week you were sitting in my lap reading me a book, & it felt like the perfect time to get a little practice in. I asked you if I could braid your hair while you read. You were so thrilled I might finally learn to french braid, you agreed. The first side wasn't too awful. It was a little bumpy & not quite tight, but not bad for a practice run.

I asked you if I could french braid the other side. You were not as excited but agreed. There was squirming. There were ouches.

"You told me you wanted me to practice," I said exasperated. "I told you to practice ON MY PRINCESS DOLL, not ME!!!!"

I might need more practice.

I love you so,
Mommy

Throwback Thursday: Bunny-Buns & Baby Dolls

Dear Em,
You are your own person in every way. You're unique & independent & very clear about your likes & dislikes. At the same time, there's a lot of me that I see in you- like your love of bunny-buns & baby dolls.

This TBT photo comes from when I was four years old, the same age as you. I imagine I was probably excited to have my hair up in a ballerina-like bunny-bun (or maybe it was just so my baby sister couldn't grab it), & I was holding a real life baby-doll, your Aunt Jennie.

When I asked my parents if I could have a sister, I'm pretty sure I thought a little girl the same age as me was just going to show up at our house & be my best friend. When my sister came home, a tiny baby, I thought there was some kind of mistake. Instead of a best friend, I got a new baby doll- except a lot louder, squirmier, & sometimes stinkier. I cant say I was always the best sister as I transitioned to the reality of what a baby sister really meant. It was hard to not be the only child anymore. I think I was really an only child at heart...kind of like you.

Except in your case, we're going to stick with bunny-buns & regular baby-dolls.

I love you so,

Mommy

Sock Piggy Bunnies

Dear Em,
Your hair is getting longer & longer, & while in some ways that opens you up to more hairstyles, it's also become more difficult to keep your hair out of your face...or your food (after halloween you somehow had ice cream, candy, & frosting in your hair). What we fondly refer to as "messy bunnies" have become progressively messier with the length of your hair. It kind of ends up looking like a big, floppy loop with a long tail. Neat buns are harder to pull off. How do you get them to stay in children's hair without a million bobby pins?

I have seen tutorials for sock buns on blogs & pinterest, but have been too lazy to attempt to cut a sock up. When I was browsing 5 Below for stocking stuffers, I came across sock bun tools & thought "why not try them out?" They came in a pack of two. I brought them home, showed them to you, & you were excited to try them out the next day.

"I want piggy bunnies," you declared that morning (piggy bunnies= 2 buns). So, I put your hair in pigtails, put the tips of your pigtails into the sock bun tools, & rolled each pigtail into a cute little bun.

No bobby pins were needed in the creation of your piggy bunnies. It really couldn't have been any easier, & you loved your new look. Unfortunately, they didn't stay in the whole day. When I went to pick you up from school, your teacher had told me that after a day of hopping around, they had just fallen out. Instead, you had a set of beautifully curled pigtails. I would take it.

Just like that we have a fun & easy hairstyle that will keep your hair out of your face...& food.

I love you so,
Mommy

Princesses & Baseball

Dear Em,
Yesterday after work you, Daddy, & I snuggled in bed & watched a movie. I drifted in & out of an amazing nap. We ate oatmeal for dinner. We were lazy bums, & I loved every second of it. We needed every second of it. We were recovering from our fantastic weekend.

The highlight of your weekend (other than scoring your very first soccer goal) was going to Disney on Ice: Princesses and Heroes with Grandma & Papa. You couldn't wait to dress up as a princess yourself & were very particular about the princess look you wanted. You gave me detailed instructions on how to put together your outfit, accessories, & hair. We ran into a few...battles.

I insisted you wear a turtleneck under your princess dress. The summer heat is long gone, & I figured an ice skating venue would be chilly. You looked at the turtleneck in disgust. "I am NOT wearing that," you shouted while giving me a look that said, "Let's see who can be more stubborn." I explained to you that I didn't want to be chilly & that if you didn't wear the turtleneck, we would need to find a non-princess, weather appropriate outfit for you to wear. "Fine, I'll wear it," you pouted. I was surprised that you gave in that easily. Win for Mommy.

We used the curling iron on your hair for the first time, & I spent almost 40 minutes on your curly up-do. You insisted on wearing a crown that fell off your head at least ten times while I was fixing your hair. I felt like there was no point in fixing your hair if your crown was just going to fall out every fifteen seconds. I suggested a different crown. You stomped your feet & screamed. We finally compromised on a third princess crown that was really made for dolls but would actually stay on your head (Is it weird I felt a little like Macgyver?). It wasn't your original vision, but it would work. Win Win.

When I finally finished, I couldn't wait for you to see the end result. You looked amazing, the perfect picture of a 3.5 year old princess. You ran into my room to look in our full length mirror. I waited to hear "oooohs" & "awwwws" & exclamations of glee. I heard nothing. I walked into my room, a proud grin covering my face. "What do you think? Do you love it?!" I was practically bouncing with happiness.

"I look like a witch," you said matter of factly.
My grin transformed into face of mass confusion. "Wha...?!"
"A witch with a pretty dress & pretty crown &...yucky hair," you continued.
You've got to be freaking kidding me. God help us all if you do somehow become a princess. You can be a little....how should I put it...high maintenance.

"How probable do you think it is that we can get out the door by 11," Daddy asked me. I gave him a look that said fat chance. We headed back into the bathroom. I reworked your hair until you gave me the seal of approval. Win for Emma.

I was just happy to come out of it without any all out wars. I had to admit. You did look absolutely amazing. My reward for pulling together an acceptable princess look & a hair victory? Daddy & I went to Boston for the RedSox vs. Yankees game while you enjoyed your magical Disney experience with Grandma & Papa. I have to say watching my favorite team (beat my least favorite team) with my favorite guy is not a bad way to spend an evening.

Picking up my sweet, high maintenance princess from school & listening to her recount her dazzling Disney experience is not a bad way to spend a Monday either ("Mom, it was so amazing!").

I love you so (even if you are a little high maintenance),
Mommy

Going Curly...Again

Dear Em,
While you're a blondie & I'm a brunette, we have do have hair similarities. You have the most adorable ringlets in your hair that I'm sure are going to grow into my hair type: Curly hair. Actually, yours may be even curlier since your daddy also has curly hair.

You may be shocked as I write this because my hair is almost always straight. At least it has been for the last six years or so. I used to rock curly hair all the time. Yes, I have naturally curly hair, but my curls were never the neat & perfect banana curls you see in magazines. Growing up, I envied my classmates with silky, straight hair. I envied the fact they could shower, brush & let their hair air dry without having to worry about looking like a chia pet hours later. Meanwhile, I was using mousse & almost always using the curling iron to mix some perfect non-frizzy curls into my hair.

So, then I went straight...for a long time. I like sporting straight, smooth hair. There's just two things. My hair mostly turns into a frizzball as soon as any moisture comes in contact with it & it takes forever to blow dry my hair straight EVERYDAY. It's actually one of the reasons I've kept my hair mostly short the past few years. It doesn't take as long to straighten shorter hair.

Recently, though, I've been inspired by my best friend & her gorgeous curly hair. I don't typically envy curly hair, but hers looked so amazing I kinda did. So, I picked her brain about what she was doing & what products she was using. The next time I went to the hair salon, I also asked my hairdresser about what to do about curly hair. She suggested a bunch of products that have the word "organic" highlighted on them & were organically expensive (which I promptly bought because I'm a dummy).

Then I read a couple blog articles about curly hair. Did you know there is a Curly Girl Method? Megan from Not Martha posted about her experience with it & her hair washing methods for curly hair (& a super inexpensive shampoo conditioner from Trader Joes). Jenny from Karma (Continued...) posted about what's working for her with the Curly Hair Method.

Today is day five of going curly for me (which is 4 more days in a row than I've had in 6 years), & I wanted to write about some of the things that have worked for me so far (in hopes that this might help you rock curly hair too).

- Shampoo/Conditioner: So everyone is pretty much in agreement. No sulfates & no silicones. That pretty much eliminates all of my typical choices. I'm still using the wicked expensive shampoo & conditioner I purchased at the salon, but when I'm out I'll be heading over to Trader Joes for their Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo and Conditioner. I've heard really good things about it from a bunch of people, even my best friend. The best part, though, it's only $3.99 at Trader Joes. Take that wicked expensive organic salon stuff!

I've also only been washing my hair with shampoo only a couple times a week. I've found that I have to start over with wet hair each morning (I have serious, non-reparable bed head each morning). Most mornings, I wet my hair & gently massage my scalp with my fingertips to loosen up dirt & oil. I rinse before applying conditioner to the ends of my hair & then rise again.

- Towels: Apparently, regular towels are also out...when it comes to your hair anyways. I do as little as possible with my hair when I get out of the shower. I wrap my hair turban style in a micro fiber wrap that I picked up at the dollar store (I've read that t-shirts also work well) & let the wrap soak up some of the moisture while I continue to get ready. My hairdresser had told me to eliminate anything that would weigh my curls down, & water does just that. Using the blow-drier seriously frizzes my curls out, but wrapping my hair allows the moisture to go out without letting frizz in.

- Product: I've tried a bunch of things that have either made my hair feel greasy or crunchy, but there are two things I've been using recently that have been pretty great.

Davines Sea Salt Primer: I spray this into my hair starting at the roots. Then I use a large tooth comb to comb it through from the roots to the ends.

Davines Moisturizing and Anti-Frizz Protective Fluid: I put a little, the size of a nickle, in the palm of my hand, work it into both hands, & scrunch it into my hair.

After that I make sure my hair is parted correctly, let my hair air dry, & play with it as little as possible. Wicked easy.

I'm not going to lie, I DO still use the curling iron a little. I just use it for a few curls to try to form my bangs the way I want them. There are days where frizz really starts to pop-up at the end of the day (I need a good end-of-the-day-curl-fixer product), but it's way better than it's been for a long time. It's also way quicker to do my hair each day, leaving me time for...well, everything else.

Here I am, rocking the curls, with my curly hair best friend. It's so nice to have someone to bounce curly hair tips off of. I'm going to keep with it & see if I can be a curly hair girl permanently. 

I love you so,
Mommy

* Readers, what am I missing? What tips have worked well for you & your curly/wavy hair? *