Helping them see: I am beautiful

Last week Greta and I spent a day doing errands together; four-year-olds are fun to take places.  They (mostly) hold hands in parking lots, (mostly) have good behavior, and always have awesome conversation and make the mundane tasks much more interesting.

Greta is always pretty animated, so there is never a dull moment.  As we were rounding up one of our stops, she said, “I think I’m ready to get my hair cut!”

Since this is something I’ve had on my mind for a while and been actively suggesting, I jumped on the chance, and called our favorite salon.  (Shout out to Lunatic Fringe in Liberty Township.)  I’ve had several terrible (and you know how bad it must have been for me to use the word terrible) salon experiences since dealing with baldness/cancer hair, and so was delighted to have found a great spot with wonderful service in 2015 that is sensitive to the needs of a cancer family.  I can’t recommend them highly enough if you are looking for a salon in my area.

Greta and I were lucky enough to steal a same-day appointment, and she emerged with an awesome new ‘do.

She is such a fun kid, and she loves her look.  Her outfit pictured was compiled herself: I just wish you could see the polka-dot/kitty-cat tights better.  Her sense of style is legit.  Yesterday she was trying to convince me to let her put on make-up, something that Maren has never shown interest in.

The morning after Greta got her haircut, Maren was working on her morning routine, which obviously involves brushing her hair.  She has lots of curl, especially underneath, so I could exactly envision the tangle she was working through when she called down to the kitchen with a note of exasperation in her voice, “Mom!  I am ready to get my hair cut like Greta’s!”

I fist-pumped in the kitchen as I called back, “Can I make the appointment today?” as I wanted to seize the opportunity of willingness and end the tangle-drama we’ve been experiencing.

Two-for-two, we got another same-day appointment (they are really accommodating!), and Maren is thrilled with her light and free look.  The stylist straightened it which was neat for a day, but we both prefer her natural curl that pops out when it dries on its own.

I don’t know what prompted the readiness for the girls to change their hair; maybe it was my abrupt buzz, maybe its the spring-like weather we had last week that encouraged it.  Either way, it is making for some adorable girls and some easy mornings around here.  Yay!

What I love most about this is that the girls look at themselves in the mirror, twirl, and their dimple pops out: Maren’s on her left cheek, Greta’s on her right cheek.  They recognize, acknowledge, accept, and state “I am beautiful.”  And that is something that I will go to the ends of the earth to reinforce over, and over, and over again.