"Hair" we are together

This picture certainly does not deserve being framed but it is nice to get a family shot every once in a while. Taken April 27, 2008
This picture is kind of celebratory over everyone's haircuts. Over the past eleven years I have roughly calculated that I have saved $3,240 by having Birch and the boys haircut at The Ditto's Salon. It is certainly not my favorite task but the convenience and financial benefits certainly outweigh the squirms, whining, and complaining (just so you know Birch is always grateful even when occasionally he ends up getting a less than professional haircut).

(Side note: Monday night we were especially grateful that we had taken this family picture. Tyler had been wearing a hat all day but that isn't really anything new. Upon removal of his hat Birch found that Tyler had gone to town with some scissors on the front part of his hair. What seven year old does that?, was my response. Guess he thought that he would look good with even shorter hair. By this time he was tearful and said that after he finished cutting his hair he decided that he didn't look so great and wished he had never done it. Birch lovingly highlighted Tyler's dumb idea at Family Home Evening that night and reminded the kids that only mommy is good at cutting hair. Tyler now has a buzzed head and I think everyone learned a good lesson.)
Notice anything different about this beauty queen? Alysee has been begging to have her hair short for about a year now. When she was little she would always say that she wanted to grow her hair so long that it touched her bum when she sat on the toilet. Now that she is a mature Kindergartner she has changed her mind. She has only had her hair trimmed a few times over the years by my mom. Saturday I decided that I was going to have to buck it up and do the trimming myself. I was a bit nervous and as I began cutting I learned quickly that it is tricky getting everything cut even and the same length. Alysee was THRILLED with the outcome even though it was a bit shorter than I had originally planned.
When Alysee's appointment at The Ditto Salon was finished she was so excited to show Birch and her brothers her SHORT hair. Alex, being a temporarily terdy big brother, responded to her new du by saying, "What's the big deal? You didn't have any hair when you were born." Alysee took it in stride and basked in all the compliments from the other kids and Birch. She was so excited to show her friends at school and church. I'll miss her long braids and buns but I am glad to have brought her such joy!