Growing Up

In our efforts to keep up with the blog over the past couple of years, we too often have failed to capture some of the basic growing up moments. Things tend to be a bit busy around our house, and the blog has been a great way to capture the big events. So it is high time that we took a moment or two to reflect on some of the ways that Callie and Reese are just getting older.

This is one of those pictures that demands to be included on a blog post. Reese is truly a spitfire, and this picture captures some of her mischievous/cute/feisty attitude. She is not a shy and retiring wallflower, that's for sure. And she can definitely hold her own with her sister and all the other big kids who adore her and want to pick her up. As her parents, we see her ability and willingness to say no as both a blessing and a curse.

One thing that Reese loves is to be with her sister when Callie goes to dance class. The one week Reese did not get to go, she literally tried to climb the back door so that she could get out of the house and make her way to the class. And yes, we mean literally. And Reese doesn't just want to go to the class, she wants to dress the part. We must admit she looks pretty cute. Meanwhile, Callie is happy to be back dancing again and doesn't mind that her sister wants to tag along.

The next photo is one we hope to use for some PSA campaign in the future. November marked Callie's second presidential election and Reese's first. They earned their "I Voted" stickers by standing in a very short line with John and hanging out behind the curtain with him while he cast his ballot.

It is fun to have them come along for the voting. It'll probably be even more enjoyable when they have a better sense of what is going on. However, we must say that Callie is very aware of who the President is and we are very proud of that fact.

Callie is in a very good cycle of visiting the dentist every six months. Fortunately she has no cavities and her teeth look good. But we still never know exactly how she is going to react at her appointment. This time was an okay visit, but we had to have a discussion about the next one. She is going to have to be the perfect patient so that she can show Reese how it is done. And based on how tooth brushing goes every morning and evening here, Reese needs all the good role models she can get. At present it takes some professional wrestling skills just to get Reese's teeth somewhat brushed. But we are persistent, and one of these days our efforts will pay off. At least that's what we tell ourselves each time we are sitting on top of her and trying to brush her molars while she screams. Good times.

But nothing says growing up like the first haircut. In this picture we see Callie's long flowing locks. Not one scissor blade had touched that hair in the first five years of her life. Her parents were too afraid to lose those cute curls that had been growing most of that time. But it was going to have to happen, if only so John wouldn't have to spend 20 minutes every morning fighting through knots just to get a ponytail in place.


Based on Callie's attitude towards change, Sarah had done a great job of prepping Callie for this big event for at least a year. And the key element of it all was that Callie was going to be able to donate her hair to a child in need through an organization known as Locks of Love.

We knew we needed at least ten inches, but we are happy to report that in her hand, Callie was holding twelve inches worth of fine Kentucky bred hair.

Of coures, Reese didn't want to miss out on the fun. She enjoyed capturing the moment with her iPhone. This is something that she has taken a special liking to. It is difficult for Sarah to go anywhere without Reese demanding access to this piece of technology. Sometimes we are amazed at the pictures taken without our knowledge. Highlights mostly include interior shots of Sarah's car and Reese's shoes. At the moment it appears she has the passion for but not the skills necessary for a career in photography.

Callie had no problem embracing the full salon experience. She particularly enjoyed reading the gossip magazines while the stylist took care of her. The funniest part about this experience is that we went to Sarah's hairstylist that she goes to once a year. We'll have to see if Callie will demand more frequent visits. John still thinks everyone in the family should cut their own hair with clippers like he does, but that probably won't happen.

As Reese would say, "Ta daa!" Below we have the finished product of the hair cutting and styling session.

It is amazing what one haircut can do. When we go back and look at Callie with long hair she seems so much younger. Her shorter, more mature look is one we are still trying to get used to. Callie is a big fan. She spent the first week afterwards flipping her hair around every chance she got. It was pretty cute. And John is happy to report that her hair is much easier to do in the morning. And that is especially good now that it is necessary to spend a little more time with Reese's hair before she leaves the house every day.

The girls are growing up fast, that's for sure. We are just doing our best to embrace every moment, and them, as much as possible.