just make it nice and neat...

We took Gracelyn for her first hair appointment this weekend. Her wig was wild and just not doing it for the little boys out there. We went to Kid's Kuts in Arizona. (As an aside, I got my first haircut in Arizona visiting Grandma, so we brought the one-time activity to the next generation creating the beginnings of a tradition.)

Before...

...during...

...more during...

...after.

She did great actually, despite what you see in the picture above. She only was pissed there because she had been in the chair for so long and the lady was taking too much time to style her shit.

Overall, it was perfect. I am so glad we didn't put a cereal bowl over her head and go to work. The cut is very clean and Gracelyn is not the mess she once was. We even stopped by a bow specialty store to get her some new accessories.

16 month weigh-ins

Today was Gracelyn's 16 month birthday. Her day started off pretty good. She slept in, had an exotic fruit breakfast, and then went with Mommie to a Gymboree music session. Following this, she ended up a the doctor's office for a regular appointment. Here is where shit goes down hill. They say she is on track and doing fine. (This is probably right.) They say this and then stab her 3 times in the leg. As a result, the rest of her afternoon was shot - no pun intended - since her legs ached so badly.

Her latest stats:

• 32" above ground (75%)


• 20 lbs round (20%)


• 18" dome (25%)

Okay, and if that wasn't enough for the little one, this bitch stole her bear from her. Now, if you don't know, her bear (her GUY) is her comfort toy, her friend, her everything. At first, Gracelyn pointed to her GUY and was trying to figure out where this little girl was going with him. She followed her and asked for it back, in baby talk of course. The little bitch ran off acting like Gracelyn was out of place. Then her mom told her to give it back. They were speaking another language, but I think that is what she said. The girl refused and then finally her mom took it from her and gave it to Gracelyn. Gracelyn was happy until the girl swooped in when her mom wasn't looking and stole it back. Gracelyn was pissed; she burst into tears. The mom looked up, got mad at her daughter, and gave Gracelyn her GUY back. We took off right after this because I was so close to retiring a 2.5 year old. Woo-sah...

Popping bubbles is WORK at Gymboree

Hmm...let me take off my bandaids and stick them on my head. Awesome.

drink and be maui

We recently got back from Maui. It sucked...mostly because we had to leave at some point. We dodged a few natural disasters - canes 'n quakes - and managed to a have a good time along the way.

Thing to note:

1. We drove the road to Hana for about 3.5 hours and never saw Hana. Most everyone was car sick. There were some nice hikes, waterfalls, and beaches, but if we knew in advance what we were getting into, uh...we wouldn't have gotten into it.



2. My sister and I biked the volcano. We woke up at 2 AM to get up there for sunset. Very cool, but never again. It was cold and damn early. Plus, who wants to listen to a bunch of chipper vacationers bullshit with you at that hour.



3. We went on a snorkle cruise that turned into a boose cruise. That worked. We saw sea turtles and lots of cool fish.



4. We went to a very cool aquarium. You could see the sharks swim overhead and under you.



5. We ate at a Luau. All you can eat and all you can drink. Nothing else needs to be said.



6. We hung out on the beach, relaxed, drank, ate. Some of us got tan. We live in difficult times.

The road to Hana was tough for everyone...even Gracelyn broke down!

Amanda and Gracelyn, on the black lava beach near Hana.

Cool, sharks!

Gracelyn eating ice cream at Roys. This is bullshit. I told everyone, "No sweets!"

You don't have to know Hula to dance at a Luau. You go Gracelyn!

Overall, Maui is cool and I would like to return. It is not over crowded like Honolulu and there are no excuses for not sitting on your ass. Oh yeah, thanks ATA for losing our car seat; I hate you.