They just keep growing up!

One week ago today, my beautiful Catiebug had her first haircut. She is three and a half.

Her hair is gorgeous, long and curly in the type of perfect ringlets rarely seen outside of Shirley Temple movies. Unfortunately, in order to maintain those perfect ringlets it also needs a LOT of maintenance, which neither of us have been enjoying. She decided last Sunday night that she would like to get her hair cut and donate to Locks of Love. She’s said this in the past and I’ve always balked at the idea.

This is a great cause, and I get my own hair cut to donate every 12-15 months. I was very sick for a large part of my life, and I’m very grateful to be healthy now. Giving up some hair seems like the least I can do.

My reluctance comes from the fact that Annie got her hair cut to donate last year (see picture in the slide show) and it was a bit painful for me. She looked so much older after that, and no momma likes to see her baby grow up. On the flip side, generosity and compassion are exactly the character traits I want to foster in my girls, so of course I can’t say no. Annie is anxiously awaiting her hair to grow long enough to donate again (only 2 inches to go!), and Catie felt it was her time as well.

So here she is, just moments before the big event (yes, she dressed herself. She always makes interesting fashion choices. She gets that from her mom – I did the same as a child.)

Getting her hair shampooed was the clear highlight of the experience for Catie. She had this look of absolute pleasure the entire time, broken only by the occasional sighs and “mmmmm, that feels so good”s:

The first cut!

Pardon my lousy picture, I was fighting the mirror and the sun glaring through the window, plus trying to angle so that I wasn’t accidentally in the picture. This is the first glimpse she got of her new ‘do:

And here’s my girl, showing off her donation. 16 inches of beautiful curls were snipped off that day, and a very lucky little girl will be sporting that hair in a wig one day soon. I’m so proud of Catie…for many reasons. But back to the hair – I think the new cut suits her. She does look older, there’s no denying that, but she’s still cute as a button:

It’s only just hair until you don’t have any, and then it means a whole lot more. Again, if you’ve never done it before, I urge you to consider donating to Locks of Love. 10 inches of ponytail or braid is the minimum requirement, and it’s a little gesture that will mean a lot to a sick child.

Locks of Love

Every year I get my hair chopped off for Locks of Love, and the time has come. Or had come, I should say, since this was a few weeks ago. What can I say? I’m behind on my picture uploading as usual (which is why you’re getting suddenly bombarded this week!) 12 inches was gone! This is the shortest I’ve ever had my hair and it was a bit shocking at first. I think it makes my fat face look even fatter. But oh well, I’m used to it now and I do kinda like it. I’m still growing it out again though.

Catie also wants to donate, and what a gorgeous wig it would make, too. Her hair is down to her bottom and large wavy ringlets – just gorgeous. But when she mentioned doing it Annie nearly cried, and told her she couldn’t cut off her beautiful curls! lol So I guess they’ll remain for a bit longer. I can’t say I’m sad about that. Annie looked so much older when she got her hair cut, and I’m not ready to face that with Catie, too. Mommy does not like these girls growing up on me!