It was probably a foolish choice, given the kind of week we’ve had, but I decided we were taking the kids for a haircut today. Nothing major. Daniel’s hair still isn’t particularly thick, but it was getting a little long around the ears, and I like a nice neat trim on him. And I decided to have Rebecca’s trimmed just a little, as there’s a layer of hair on the back of her head that’s about 2-3 inches shorter than the rest, so I’m trying to give it a chance to catch up and even out. Plus, their first haircuts went awfully well, I’m sure they’ll do fine….

Oy. The screaming.

The only good part is that we showed up at the kiddie salon shortly after it opened, so there was no waiting and really no other kids that had to put up with my kids’ ruckus. Rebecca was inconsolable. Daniel was eventually distracted by bubbles. Five minutes later, we were outta there. Rebecca’s trim is barely noticeable, if I hadn’t watched it get cut, I wouldn’t believe it. For Daniel, I was hoping to avoid the super-buzz-cut from the barber shop, but as this woman didn’t use the clippers at all, it’s only a very faint trim (and kind of choppy and uneven around the ears). All that for the low-low price of $18/kid. Charming.

On the plus side, both kids discovered the joy that is the lollipop. Could not stop talking about “Becca red (‘wed’) lollipop” and “Daniel orange (‘oh-didge’) lollipop.” So, there’s that.

I had a really, really lovely day of freedom on Saturday.  I was well overdue for a little break from the kids, especially after the vacation from hell.  I felt a little bad that I actually wanted a day alone even more than a day with M, but I guess that says something about how much I need to decompress.  I mean, think about it… with the exception of naptime, I’m pretty much never alone! Sigh.

Anyways, I left before they were out of bed, and started the day with a leisurely breakfast at Starbucks.  Ah, the inside of one!  I usually go to the drive-thru!

Then it was time for my facial at Bella Santé, a super fancy day spa in the Boston area.  Apparently voted Best of Boston a whole bunch of times.  Holy moly, I can see why.  You walk in, and immediately feel fabulous.  Everything was super classy, relaxing, lovely.  Not quite ostentatious, but you feel sort of wealthy just being inside.  In a good way, without anyone looking down on you.  If you’re not really the type to do the day spa thing, but feel like splurging every now and then?  Go for the real thing, for sure. Don’t try and save a few bucks.  Go for the best.

The facial itself was awesome. An hour of pampering.  The room was cozy and warm, the massage bed extremely comfortable (complete with contours to rest your knees and warmed sheets).  I got an extended scalp massage, all variety of exfoliation and creams, and even a quite unexpected foot and lower leg massage while my face was being steamed.  I even went nuts and purchased the rather expensive cleanser and moisturizer she recommended. Hell, I turned 30, time to take care of my skin for real.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t spend all day at the spa.  I had a haircut at 10:30.  More luxury! Foils, a cut. My hair seems to keep getting a bit shorter every time, and I think I like it. My hair has been long and longer for ages, so sometimes it feels good to do something different.

It was just after noon when my haircut was over, but I was in no rush to go home.  I would feel occasional twinges of guilt, but always remembered that a) I needed and deserved it, and b) M was fully supportive and was taking great care of the kids without me.  I grabbed some lunch, and then headed for my third and final destination: the quilt shop.

I know, seems a little out of step with my other two pampering choices.  If anything, it was more like something on my to-do list.  I have a quilt that I’m stuck on and needed some guidance, as well as some thread.  Plus, I’m considering starting a new one.  But honestly, I love going to this store.  And I usually only manage it with the kids in tow.  That means I’m rushing to find whatever I need while throwing crackers at my increasingly crabby kids, who just want to run around and pull all of the fabric off the shelves.  So the ability to just go, chit-chat, and take my time looking at things was one more luxury.  I got the bits I need to finish my quilt-in-progress, and… well… I may have picked up some lovely new fabric to make my largest quilt yet: a queen-sized one, possibly for my very own bed.

Doesn’t it look scrumptious?  And so not-winter-y?  I’m not sure if it exactly goes with our bedroom, but I may just have to redecorate to accomodate it.  Hopefully it’ll work nicely with this pattern from The Teacher’s Pet.  It wasn’t a cheap day, by a longshot.  Several hundred dollars were spent.  Totally worth it.

Anyways, got home around 2pm and both kids were still asleep.  It felt really great to have a break and do things by myself.  I highly recommend it, and must aim to do it again before too long.  She did say I should have a facial every three months or so…

My beautiful boy Daniel doesn’t have a ton of hair.  Though it came in earlier and darker than Rebecca’s, it seems to be growing and filling in quite slowly.  But I have noticed for a while now that he’s getting a little bit of the balding man’s mullet going on.  Despite not having a lot overall, the hair in the back and over the ears was getting long.  But it seemed ridiculous to take a child with that little hair to an actual barber.  So I committed the cardinal mommy sin and went out to buy a pair of scissors at the beauty supply store.  “Just a little trim,” I told myself.  Clearly, Daniel knew better than I did…

I sat him on a stool, M attempted to entertain/distract him, and my sister-in-law held the camera.  No, he wasn’t injured.  Though from the way he was carrying on, you’d think I was using those scissors to stab him in the back.

And you know what?  It looks like shit.  I mean, the mini-mullet that was bugging me is no more.  But there’s a reason people get training to cut hair.  And it’s so their hair doesn’t look like their idiot mother decided to do it herself.

So, for anyone thinking they’ll spend the $10 on a pair of scissors instead of $10 at the barbershop or kiddie salon?  Don’t.  Just don’t.  I’m resisting the urge to pick up the scissors and attempt to “even it out.”  I have come to my senses, and next time will just leave it to the professionals.

I feel frumpy.  Dumpy and frumpy and schlumpy.  Bleh.  There’s plenty of reasons for that.  Weight, clothing, time, energy.  Whatever.  Standard mommy stuff, right?  But one thing stuck out as a downer that I could actually do something about in short order.

Finally, after nearly eight months, I made an appointment to get my hair done.  Ahhhhh.

Literally, my last haircut was shortly before my brother’s wedding.  Since then, it’s just been roots and stringiness and lots of ponytails.  I finally caught myself in the mirror the other day while trying on new glasses (since, um, I lost my last pair six months ago and I’m starting to get headaches).  Oh, it was just so ratty looking.  Got home and finally made the phone call.

Saturday morning, I went to see my dear hairdresser friend Joann, who doesn’t even give me too much of a hard time when I go way too long between cuts and foils.  I felt a little bad leaving right after Rebecca and M’s hospital outing of the night before, but I’m glad I did.  Nearly two hours of just sitting and having no one climbing on me or screaming at me.  It was quite nice.

And, because I’m a blog-aholic, I even took pictures.  Just for you guys.

The "before" - long, straggly, and roots, roots, roots. At least the highlights are a subtle shade. It could have been worse.

Alien phase with lots of tin foil and a rotating heat lamp.

Back at home. More than six inches shorter, layered, and blonde again. Don't I feel sassy? Now I just have to learn how to wear makeup...