Tales of Life with a Girl on the Go

Before Ken left, I joked that maybe I’d get Reid’s hair cut as a “welcome home” present for him. His response was, or was something close to, “Please do.” We’ve been discussing – maybe “discussing” is too mild a term – Reid’s hair since she was months old. I’ve been putting ponytails in Reid’s hair since she was 6 months old and she has been crying or fussing during the process ever since. Ken takes her tears to heart whereas I think of them as normal for a girl getting her hair done. I’m sure that means I’m evil or tricked by the fashion industry to accept pain for the sake of beauty but that’s what I think

In any case, when Reid asked to get her hair cut when we were in Niagara Falls, I agreed. When she changed her mind, I said that was “okay” also. When Reid asked again about a haircut last Friday, I agreed and mentally delegated the task to Aunt Karin and Uncle Roger. I was afraid that I’d cry when the stylist cut off Reid’s braid and that would be an especially bad thing to do to a girl who has a bit of a phobia about her haid (see above ;+) I duly made an appointment at the Melon Head’s hair salon for kids and Aunt Karin and Uncle Roger took Reid while I cleaned my house – or at least worked at cleaning my house – in anticipation of Ken’s return.

Uncle Roger took some pictures of the process. In most Reid’s eyes are looking off in space but she is, in fact, watching one of the televisions hanging from the ceiling. It wasn’t a stressful experience for her at all. Aunt Karin said that *she* had tears in her eyes when Reid’s ponytail was cut off but Reid shook her head to feel how light it was without the 10-12 inches the lady was holding. The stylist was a bit worried once she realized that she had cut Reid’s hair in the presence of an aunt and uncle and not Reid’s parents. It was too late to fix the situation by that point but I wonder if she asked the adults who accompanied the next child if one of them was the parent.

Two of the other stylists braided Reid’s hair – or the hair that had been Reid’s – to donate to Angel Hair, one of the charities that makes wigs for people who have lost their hair due to cancer. Aunt Karin said there was a moment when it looked like was going to protest not being allowed to take her hair home but it passed and she is now proud to have shared her hair with a child who needed it.

Reid’s hair is now cut to her chin. I told her that was the choice: as was or chin-length. She talked about cheek-length, as in cut even with her cheek bone but I vetoed that. Even Ken would have thought that a bit drastic. It seems Reid has a bit of her dad’s curls in her hair – not a curl exactly but body at the back – I remember that it was there when she was wee little and had hair this short but I’d forgotten. Washing and combing Reid’s hair is a dream at this length but I think she’ll protest more about the combing as her memories of having long hair fade. For right now, I remind her how much better it is and she stops complaining. I miss the braids but I guess I can always do my own hair. (But I probably won’t.)

Now for the reveal…

Normally, I think that people shouldn’t be allowed to discuss Christmas before Halloween but the topic has already come up a few times at our house.

Reid was caressing her Christmas gown last Wednesday morning – it really is more a gown than a simple dress, it’s that beautiful and Grandma Joyce is that talented – and she asked when it would be Christmas. I told her that she’d have to wait 2 months for Christmas. Her shoulders slumped. I added that she’d be able to wear her dress for pictures this month and Reid perked up. She stared at the dress for a few more seconds and then noted that it lacked a belt. I pointed out the sash of the dress but Reid thought it needed a belt. I also demonstrated the jingle bell in the hem that would further accessorize the outfit but Reid remained firm on the need for a belt. To be precise, she thought it needed her pink, shiny plastic belt with a large heart-shapde buckle that is studded with pink rhinestones. Since I was hoping to leave the house without tears (on her part or mine), I allowed that belt could stay for a while but that it couldn’t be in her pictures. I’ll have to disappear it in the next week or so.

Reid discovered some coins somewhere or another once day recently and, as she gathered them together, she told me that she was going to give them to Santa so that he could buy her some presents. She didn’t specify what she was hoping for but rather said that Santa should choose whatever *he* wanted. It seems we’ve missed some part of Reid’s education vis-à-vis Santa.

Remember the year I wanted nothing more than for Reid to want a train set for Christmas? Well, this year I think my dream present for Reid will coincide with her preference, too. Several times I’ve had to pry Reid away from a dollhouse at post-care and so I started looking at wooden dollhouses but the dolls seem intended for younger kids – maybe 3-6 year olds. The Playmobil ones have people that seem more suited to the 4-8 year olds. Initially I wanted to avoid plastic, for environmental and quality reasons, but I think purchasing a sturdy Playmobil house that Reid will play with longer balances out the eco-friendly wooden house that will come and go more quickly. Plus, who can resist the look of the Playmobil Victorian dollhouse? It comes unfurnished, unfortunately, and so I’ll be soliciting room furnishings and people from anyone inclined to buy Reid a present.

Remember, there are only 52 shopping days until Christmas. I’m pretty sure Grandma Joyce has already started decorating.