A Hairy Situation

Since she's been old enough to know the princesses names, Avery has declared that she is growing her hair out like Rapunzel.  It was getting very long! So long, in fact, that washing and brushing it had become quite a pain (literally and figuratively) for little Avery and for us.  I had suggested getting it cut once or twice to Avery, but I wasn't going to push the issue.  Then, one day in the bath tub, out of the blue Avery said, "I want to get my hair cut short like Snow White.  I wanted Rapunzel hair, but now I want Snow White hair".  Within 2 minutes I had called and scheduled an appointment at the salon before she could change her mind.  Thank goodness, she remained excited about it and LOVED the finished product!

Before heading out to the salon. This was straight out of bed, not even brushed bed head. I am envious of this girl's thick beautiful red hair!

It was almost down to her waist.

Over 10 inches chopped off!  Avery asked our friend Mackenzie to give her "princess curls like Snow White". She left the salon with fancy curls, but trust me... it's been straight every day since then. I don't even own a curling iron. Poor Avery who loves having her hair done, was born to the most unstylish boring hair mom ever.

The official "after" photo with curls and a braid... right up her alley!

We talked a lot about it and although she was hesitant at first, Avery decided to donate her hair to an organization similar to Locks of Love that makes wigs for kids who have hair loss due to cancer treatments and other illnesses.  I think she was kind of weirded out by the idea at first, but she eventually got really excited about it.  She not only has a great head of hair, she has a precious and giving heart. I'm thankful that she branched out and got her hair cut, but I'm even more thankful that she had to opportunity to learn about giving to others who are in difficult situations.  It was a great experience for her. (and bath time is a lot less frustrating for everyone now!)

Let It Snow!

Winter in Toledo this year was so bad that most people would probably think we were exaggerating if we told them about it.  Trust me, as the momma who was stuck inside for days on end with 3 girls ages 4 and under... and as the daddy who spent hours upon hours out in the cold shoveling and snow-blowing the driveway... it's no exaggeration.  It was the worst winter Toledo has ever seen.  The winter of 2013/14 set records for both total snowfall (beating the record previously held by the great blizzard of '77) and for record low temps.  We had many days with temps and wind chills below -20 degrees.  We didn't know whether to feel boastful or depressed when this news broke in March (taken from a Toledo Blade news article):

"The Weather Channel announced Friday that Toledo’s winter of 2013-14 has been the worst of any major city in the United States this year.

Toledo was “the winter misery champ” because of its record-breaking snowfall and significant cold throughout the season, the weather-focused channel pronounced in placing the city atop a list of the 10 U.S. cities with the nastiest weather during the season just ended."

All of that to say... with a new baby and bad weather, the girls and I barely left the house for 3 months. Erich still faithfully drove to work each day, even amidst the level 3 snow emergency days (people still get sick in bad weather!).  But Avery, Norah, Paige, and I had to get creative and stay sane as we hunkered down through the snow days.  In the entire month of January, Avery only had 4 days of school due to cancellations.  The homebody in me didn't mind it too much.  I'll cherish those days with them!  Avery only played out in the snow once or twice because it was so cold.  We had lots of days full of Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Tumblin' Monkeys, crafts at the kitchen table, movies, books, "sleepovers" in the living room, hot chocolate, and playing "secret mission", "house", and "doctor". And before it all gets painted too rosy, don't worry... there was plenty of sister fighting, "I'm bored", "When will we ever get to go outside", and crying mixed in among the fun.  All in all though, it was a good winter.

Doc McStuffins gave us all lots of check ups throughout the winter.  Every check up ended with "oh no, you have a fever!" and lots of "medicine" to make us better.  Thanks for keeping us healthy, Norah!

Almost every day, Avery and Norah would bring their sleeping bags down to the living room to have a "sleepover" while they watched a movie (don't forget the sleeping bags for baby Izzy and baby Hallie. Thanks for making those Grandma!). 

Another fun winter activity was decorating all of our windows with window markers. The snow provided a white backdrop that really made the colors pop!

Avery "helping" daddy shovel the driveway.  The snowdrifts were taller than her in some spots.

Avery learning the art of throwing a snowball (good aim!)

They started to get a little stir crazy by the end.  Shenanigans like this were common (the girls ask to watch this video over and over again. They think the end is hilarious)

The Weather Channel may have dubbed us "the most miserable city" of the year, but I choose not to remember it that way.  I'll pick out the good parts and leave the rest behind.  I regret that there are no pictures of Paige in the mix.  There were many hours of feeding and cuddling my baby girl. The rest of the time she was sleeping. Sorry, 3rd child, for the lack of documentation!