Justice Gets A Serious Haircut, and Other News

Since Justice was beginning to look like a toddler Justin Bieber, Mama decided it was time to get him his first Haircut. Now mind you he's had haircuts before, but not a Haircut. We had been to Great Clips in St Louis a few times for trims, but never for a total hair overhaul. He was getting very hot and sweaty with his head of luscious blonde hair and I was getting weary of swooping it over out of his eyes (in true Bieber fashion) every 2 minutes. You can imagine that an almost 2 year old is not fond of having his hair adjusted frequently. Especially one who has earned himself the nickname "Dennis the Menace"- but that's for another post. So one morning I decided it was time for Justice to encounter the scissors in a transformative way. Mom and Howie accompanied us to Great Clips. In the past Justice hasn't ever been that bad for a haircut- give him a lollypop and put him on my lap and snip away, for the most part. Not this time. I think he definitely would have won the award for loudest, squirmiest, most complaining patron of the day. His behavior, in true Dennis fashion, was awful. Not even my lap and his lollypop with his paci thrown in out of desperation were enough to satisfy him. Thankfully his stylist had kids almost exactly his and Howie's ages, so she was well-armed to cut his hair despite his antics. She asked me what we wanted for his hair, and I said "we just want a summer cut. Surprise us." Then she pulled out the clippers. I got cold feet momentarily, thinking of all of his silky baby hair falling to the floor, but when I remembered the sweaty hair and swooping requirements, I strengthened my resolve and helped pin him down as needed. He emerged from the chair looking quite handsome but was almost unrecognizable at first. I initially panicked as I saw how different he looked, but now I love it. He looks like a very handsome big boy, and I haven't had to touch his hair once since he got the cut!! Makes for a happy mama and a happy Dennis!

Here he is, fresh from the salon. Please notice the pacis (one in his hand as a security blanket) and lollypop stickiness on his romper. The pic doesn't show you all the hair covering him all over, but if you look closely you can still see evidence of tears. But how handsome???!!!!

Josh in the blow-up pool with the boys!! This has been wonderful!! They love wading around and goofing off. The water from the hose is too cold to be submerged for very long, but refreshing!!

Howie and Justice have soooo much enjoyed spending time with aunts and uncles!! And cousin Pax!! Here they are enjoying a story read by Aunt Marnie, a world class reader.

Cruising around in their junky old car on Grandma's driveway!! Fun!!

Grocery shopping with Mama. They will both be toothless by age 5, I promise. Justice bites his lollypops instantly. Good mothering moment? I think not. I am trying to teach him the difference between licking a lollypop and biting it. Usually feels like an exercise in futility.