$40 Haircut(s)

Yes, you read that right...$40 haircuts...for my kids mind you.

Last Friday after picking up the boys from Josh's parents house I stopped off at a kids hair cut place in Tacoma to get their much needed hairs trimmed!  We go to one of these places in the Supermall from time to time (one of the only places Landon will actually not scream the entire time - there's something about sitting in a toy) and it is usually about $15 for a cut.  I figured that this place would be about the same price, so didn't even look at the pricing board when I walked in.  There were no other customers (shocking I know), so both boys got in right as we walked in and...then...I looked at the pricing board; $19 for Zane and $21 for Landon (it was priced by age).  Oh.my.gosh - I about died.  I'm sorry, but $40 for two KIDS haircuts seems outrageous to me...maybe because Josh usually cuts it at home for free or because the 1-2 other places we have gone from time to time range between $12-15 - I was amazed.  One of the stylist mentioned how slow it was that day and I told her it was probably because of their outrageous prices - she didn't seem to like that, but thankfully didn't accidentally shave one of my kids bald because of my smart mouth!

I will say, they did a pretty good job, albeit not any better than anywhere else we've been though.  Landon didn't shed one tear, so that was a success in itself, but still not worth it.  When it came time to pay she asked me if I wanted her to run it for the total or add a tip...I hate when places ask you that.  Can't they just put a stupid tip line on the receipt you sign and not put you on the spot like that?  Strike 2 against this place!  Anyway, I didn't want to leave a tip because I felt like I paid enough, but I have a little (not much) more class than that, so did leave a couple bucks.

Oh and strike three...Zane peed his pants right after getting his hair cut.  SERIOUSLY??  He is 5 and has NEVER done that since the week of potty training.  I was in shock and I think he was too.  He got down and started to play, then asked me to go potty, to which I started to open the little doorway for him to head to the potty and then he just let loose.  He was so embarrassed, but honestly was more mad that I wouldn't let him play anymore...didn't want him getting pee all over the kids play are!  Landon was still in the chair getting his hair cut too.

Needless to say...we won't be back.

Hair be gone...

I have been toying with the idea of chopping my hair off for quite awhile.  About 2 weeks ago on the way home from work, I just couldn't stop thinking about it, so decided it was a sign it was time to be done.  I called my hair lady to see if she had an appt on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and figured if she did then it was meant to be and if she didn't, then I wouldn't get it cut.  Low and behold she had an evening appt available.  I went in on Tuesday night and told her to chop away.  Mind you, I didn't tell Josh what I was doing...just that I had a hair appt, but he of course figured a couple of inches, nice trim...

I did a little more than a trim - about 8 inches is my guess.  Josh isn't a big fan of my new do, Zane asked me why I did it and Landon didn't even notice.  Not sure what to make of all of that - but in the end I am happy, so I guess that's all that matters.  Its a little shorter than I wanted, but the nice thing about hair is...it'll grow back!

I've had a lot of people as me if I donated it...no I didn't.  Two reasons...1. my hair had hair dye in it from my many years of coloring my hair - finally got all of the remnants cut off and am back to all natural and 2. it wasn't enough to donate, I believe the minimum is 10 inches.  I envy those who are able to donate their locks to those who need it, maybe one day I'll have dye free long enough hair to do that myself!

His own tree...

Zane used some of his birthday money to buy his very own Christmas tree for his room a couple of weeks ago.  I surprised him and bought a few ornaments for it this morning before I picked him up.  I told him as soon as Thanksgiving was over, he could put it up, but not a day before...I know, I'm so mean!

The first thing he did when he got home today was decorate!!!  He loves it and I've caught him numerous times in his room with the overhead lights off and just staring at it...love it!

Thankful

The list of things we are thankful for in this house is endless.  We are so thankful and blessed for our beautiful family, two mostly healthy boys, roof over our head, warm beds to sleep in, food to fill up our bellies, medical insurance, jobs, the good times we have together and so much more.

We spent a beautiful Thanksgiving over at Josh's parents house yesterday afternoon - the view is wonderful , the food was delicious and the company is always great.  I am very thankful that they agreed to keep the boys all night again this year so I could hit up the sales last night and this morning!  This is something I have done since I was a little girl with my mom and something that I absolutely love and look forward to every year!  Normally I cannot stand crowds, but on this one night and one day - I welcome them...its the start of the Christmas season to me!

Before we kissed the boys good-bye we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and time together!

Landon and Papa have a very special bond - just like Zane and Papa.  It is so wonderful to see this.  I had the exact same bond with my grandpa when I was little - oh how I miss him.

Zane doesn't want to leave the house without his Legos much anymore - so we lugged them over with us!  Good plan - kept him busy for quite awhile!

Landon is going through a little "avoid the camera like the plague" stage again right now!

Just as Zane always needs his Legos near by - Landon always needs his "beep beeps" with him!

Jerry carving that delicious bird!!

Landon and Great Grandma Alexander!

Zane was pretty excited to drink out of a wine glass at dinner!

Finally one of him looking at the camera!

And the always eventful and rarely successful family photo - one of these days!

I didn't get a picture of my mother-in-law JoAnn for some reason, but trust me she was there and she cooked a fabulous dinner that left me wanting more and more!!!  Thank you Jerry & JoAnn for hosting once again!

Rainier

I love snow!  I can't wait for it to snow here...but for now we have to drive to find it!  Last week Josh texted me at work and suggested I take today off (since its his day off) and we take the boys up to play in the snow!  It didn't take a lot of arm twisting to convince me this was a great idea since like I said before I love snow...and also it would mean I would have a 5 day weekend - double score!

We decided to head up to Paradise since we knew driving up to Snoqualmie would be a nightmare due to all of the holiday travelers, plus I'm not sure there is enough snow up there yet to really play in.

The boys did wonderful in the car and we were all very excited once we climbed up high enough in elevation to start seeing snow!

We parked and the work of getting the boys all bundled up started! 

We headed off to do a little snowshoeing...our fun ended real quick once we got up onto the "mountain" a little more and the winds started picking up.  It seriously felt like we were in a blizzard.  The wind was blowing the snow (which felt like ice pellets) in our faces and we could hardly see.  Josh of course said "it wasn't that bad and he's been up in worse conditions", but the kids and I were miserable!  The snow was very fresh and powdery which normally is great, but it was so deep and every time we would step, we would sink down (up to my hip most of the time)...this made it very difficult considering I was carrying Landon.  Needless to say, our day in the snow ended very quickly! 

To help shield the "ice pellets" from Zane's face heading back to the car, I wrapped my scarf around his face. 

Poor Landon, he didn't know what to think :( I really need to invest in a pair of water proof mittens for him!

Even though our time in the snow wasn't the greatest...we did have a great day with our little family and regardless made some memories!  I don't think any of us will be forgetting this day anytime soon!!

He finally warmed up and fell asleep after about 35 mins of crying once we got back to the car!

We headed back home and went out for a yummy dinner and dessert - made up for everything!

Santa Trial...

Again this year we headed to the BECU Costco Night - I like to call this our "trial" Santa picture.  I didn't get the kids dressed up, its not the Santa I prefer because he doesn't have a real beard (technicalities I know) - its basically a trial run to see how the boys Landon will act on the big man's lap!  Last year, he did great...I was very prepared for him to cry this year.  Well, he didn't cry...but he was less than happy about it!!  Lets hope for a smile - or at least no tears again - for their real Santa picture next month!

Blue

Today is World Diabetes Day, it is also the birthday of Dr. Frederick Banting.  Thanks to Dr. Banting and his colleagues Zane has lived to see the rest of age 3, all of age 4 and starting age 5.  Prior to 1923 Zane would have lived maybe a year after his diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes.  Children were handed a death sentence back then when they were diagnosed and parents had to literally starve their children to death just so their kids didn't die any faster than they were already going to.

Because of Dr. Banting's discovery of insulin, Zane has been able to eat what he wants, play the sports he wants and live the life any child deserves.  Without insulin we would have lost Zane at the tender age of 3.  Insulin is NOT a cure - although many uneducated minds may try to tell you different.  Insulin is a tool, it is a tool that must be injected into Zane all day everyday so he can do the things kids should be doing.

Zane didn't do anything wrong, he didn't eat too much sugar, he isn't overweight, he doesn't live an unhealthy lifestyle - Zane has Type 1 Diabetes (big difference between Type 1 and Type 2) and it was not caused by anything except his pancreas deciding that it was done making the insulin producing cells.  There is nothing we could've done differently, there is nothing we could've done to prevent his diagnosis.

Do we ever wonder "why Zane?".  Not really, my thought always is: "why any child or adult, why anyone?".  No one deserves a life where they have to poke their finger to draw blood 6-10 times a day, give themselves 5-8 injections a day or wear an insulin pump 24/7/365.  No one should have to wonder if their child will wake up the next day because they may have fallen into a diabetic coma or had a hypoglycemic seizure and died in their sleep.  No parent should only get 5 hours of sleep every night because they have to be vigilant of their child's blood sugar and check them multiple times a night, every night.  No child should be woken from a peaceful sleep to drink a juice box.  No child should ever be worried if they will be invited to that birthday party or not because they have to take a few extra steps just to have some cake.  No child should be made to feel like they are a burden to anyone.  No child should ever have to worry about sitting out of a soccer game because their blood sugar is an unsafe level.  We need a cure, Zane needs a cure. 

On this World Diabetes Day, I am very thankful that we recognized the signs and symptoms of Type 1 and got him to a doctor and diagnosed before he fell very sick.  I am thankful that Dr. Banting and his colleagues were smart enough to develop a man made hormone so my child could continue living life.  I am thankful that everyday somewhere in the world someone is working on finding a cure or better treatments for those living with the disease.

As crazy of a life this is, I wouldn't trade it for the world, if it meant not having Zane.  I am so thankful that I am blessed to be his mama!

Thank you to all of our friends, coworkers and family who sported their blue today!  Always spread awareness and please never let a day go by that you don't hope and pray for a cure.