New Haircut

Hawksbill said it was time to update the blog, and what could be better than a tale from the kiddos this weekend.

I am home sick today fighting some bug I have had for almost 3 weeks now, and Simon has it, too. Friday I was totally miserable, and my mom-radar did not kick in properly when Simon came downstairs to say, "Gwen and I need some privacy."

"Why?" I asked, too sick to budge from the couch.
"Just 'cause," answered Simon.
"Are you doing anything bad? Are you making a mess?"
"No!" Simon answered, and although I could tell he was lying, I was still too tired and sick to get up from the couch...until Super Model Gwen came down to show off her brand new haircut...

Here are some before and after shots...and some pics of what it looks like after a trip to Borics to see if there was anything they could do to fix it...sigh...

The evidence

What Gwen looked like a week ago

The new haircut, a la Simon (ok--Gwen actually cut her own hair here, but Simon stood watch so I wouldn't catch them in the act)


She's so proud!!

The mullet....



Trying to avoid the camera, but look how long it WAS -- almost down the middle of her back :(

Here is what the outcome was after the trip to get it fixed...Gwen loves it...she said she looks just like Simon now...it's just hair...it will grow back....at least it is easier to brush.`

Winter Break

Since Simon's right arm has been broken for the past 3 weeks we've put a hold on school lessons. We're calling it a month long Winter Break. No math, no spelling, no handwriting. Aside from the broken arm thing it's been a pleasant reprieve for all of us.

The kids have still been doing a lot of things. At Simon's suggestion I made up several signs that said: "What shall we do today? Games? Activities? Music? Stories?"

Then, when they get bored we go to the sign and pick one. We went to Target and bought a bunch of games like Bingo, Operation, Let's Go Fishing and a Curious George dice tower game the kids like. Out of all of these the favorite is Bingo, for some reason. They really like spinning the hopper and watching the ball fall out.

Gwen's also been doing a ton of coloring and drawing. We've given her free access to the printer paper and she goes through about 20 pages a day of just drawing pictures. She's also taken up playing with the word processor. It turns out she really likes typing the words she's been learning how to spell. So far it's just "Mommy" "Daddy" "Simon" "Gwen" "Cat" and "Dog", but it's a start.

While he's waiting to get out of his cast Simon has been playing with a lot of Legos. Here's some pictures of the new set he bought with his allowance today. He no longer wants or needs my help putting legos together. Kind of a bummer for me, but I like watching him be so absorbed.



Not much else to report. Next Monday he gets his cast off and we'll start back with our formal lessons on Tuesday.

First week of non-potty training....

So we have completed one week of non-potty training. No bringing up the bathroom, the toilet, peeing or pooping, nothing. Hawksbill did invest in some cheap diapers in the hopes that Gwen would be uncomfortable and want to use the bathroom, but no...she is fine soaking through to her pants...whatever.

At the beginning of last week, when we started this, Gwen mentioned the potty a couple of times, in terms such as, "If I pee on the potty, I'll start to get my allowance again, right?" To which all we replied was, "yes" and that was that. No other interest in taking control over this bodily function...

So, we are no closer than we were a week ago, however, there is no crying, screaming, fighting, arguing, begging, pleading regarding the bathroom. I like that part, at least. And the next parent who tells me she is too old to be in diapers...again, I offer you $200 cash...show me the way!!!

Not much else is going on that is fun to report. We are all just chugging along. So tired, but what else is new. :)