The good and the bad

We show it at any given point with no warning ...

The good - Ava's got her first haircut!

While we were in Illinois we went to see Ellen to get the girls hair cut. Ava went first (because Mai said so - I thought she should go first to show Ava how it's done. Nope. I should have known I was in trouble right then). So Ava got her first haircut complete with a wash and she did great.

Isn't she cute? We just had her hair trimmed but it looks good.

I do think she was a little nervous though she had this funny tongue thing going on the whole time.

As easy as that was next came Mai.

The bad (this time) -

Remember this?

She's 4 now so it was a different version and Ellen isn't scary but today was still as messy. She has had her hair cut since the car and by Ellen and she's loved it but today was a different story.

She was not going to get her hair cut, she was not going to wear the cape, she wasn't sitting in that chair she just wanted to keep her own hair she said. I had flashes of past Mai moments so after I tried all of the tricks I could think of to make her think it was a good idea it was time to go outside and discuss it further. It was really cold outside though so after some "talking" we went back in to the bathroom. In Mai fashion she found a penny on the ground in the bathroom and suddenly she was going to get her haircut because she had money to pay for it - we had to wait our turn since we had missed it but she was willing. Our turn came and the chair became exciting the cape was still not happening, (don't ask I have no idea). No hair wash. No hair clips. Poor Ellen tried to clip up her hair and it sent Mai right back out of the chair... okay, no clips. I held her hair up (I really wanted her hair cut and no way she was going to win - but I was willing to compromise). We didn't get a "cut" but we got a trim. Here's the nut.

Thanks Ellen for putting up with us. Aren't you glad we live in Texas :).

A little sassy but kind of funny.

Just don't tell her I think so.
Mai has been fighting the colder weather for a couple months now. She doesn't want socks, jackets, anything warm. Some days in Texas that's fine other days it's not. In Illinois it isn't okay in December so we were always trying to get Mai in her jacket. She was frustrated with Galen and with a big huff she says "Daaad you're wearing me out!"

Baby Names...

Ava got a new Bitty Baby from Santa. Galen and I asked her what she was going to name her baby and her answer without hesitation was- "Baby Jesus". Hmm that one's taken Ava...

Christmas Cards...

It's December 20th and I still don't have a picture I can use. I have been trying. If only my friend Tracy hadn't moved away... For more reasons then our Christmas picture but I know she would have done a great job and I would have cards to mail!
I had the perfect opportunity - Santa came to our friends house. He was great. He took time with all the kids. Let them warm up to him, gave them gifts. Should have been perfect but not for these Z's. Here are our Santa lovers who were SO excited to go see him. No chance they were going to be peeled off Daddy! At least he and Santa look happy.

Mai did warm up once he called her over for her present. And even gave him a big thank you hug.

Ava got close enough to grab her present and offer a quick thank you but she preferred to keep her eye on him from a distance.

We tried again last night at the Gaylord (another perfect spot) but with a late start and Ava feeling a little sickie it was another bust. I'll post those fabulous pictures soon.

4? Really?

Seriously how did it happen. Has it really been 4 years since "baby Mai" joined our family. What a ride it has been so far. I just don't see that changing anytime soon and I'm okay with that. Mai decided she needed to have a flower party this year... so much for my winter themed parties. I new it was going to end but it's hard to give up control. I guess we could have gone the poinsettia route but that just doesn't seem very 4 year old :). Since I'm still barely keeping up these days we celebrated at Prosper Pizza/Party Place. It was great fun and had all of the essentials on Mai's list - friends, balloons, cake and goodie bags. Throw in some bouncing, dancing, games and pizza and you've got a party!

All of my pictures of Mai are seriously a blur so here's Ava bouncing! She had great fun using the blow ups as tackling dummies.
Here is a little Mai after the party action. She got a new guitar that she direct quote "rocks out" on. What do you think? A future star?