Six. Again.

I can't believe I am posting about a six year old AGAIN.

We have a book, the pretty much sums up this six year old.

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer

Olivia was depressed.

"I think I'm having an identity crisis," she told her parents. "I don't know what I should be!"

"Well," said her father, "you'll always be my little princess!"

"That't the problem," said Olivia. "All the girls want to be princesses."

"At Pippa's birthday party, they were all dressed in big, pink, ruffly skirts with sparkles and little crowns and sparkly wands. Including some of the boys. I chose a simple French sailor shirt, matador pants, blank flats, a strand of pearls, sunglasses, a red bag, and my gardening hat."

"Why is it always a pink princess? Why not an Indian princess or a princess from Thailand or an African princess or a princess from China? There are alternatives."

"For the school dance recital, everyone was trying out for the fairy princess ballerina. Even a couple boys."

"But, Olivia," said her mother, "I seem to remember last year you wanting to be a ballerina."

"That was when I was little. I'm trying to develop a more stark, modern style."

"Olivia, it's time for your bath," said her mother.

"And on Halloween," said Olivia, "what did all the girls go as?"

"Princesses." "Princesses."

"I went as a warthog. It was very effective. If everyone's a princess, then princesses aren't special anymore!" said Olivia. "Why do they all want to be the same?"

After her bath, Olivia's mother read her a story. It was about a beautiful maiden who was locked in a tower by an evil queen. "When a prince came along, rescued her, and made her his---"

"NOT HIS PRINCESS!" cried Olivia.

"Fine," said her mother, who was tiring of this discussion. "I'll read you the story of the Little Match Girl. 'Once there was a little girl who was forced to sell matched barefoot in the snow. The matches kept her warm for a while, but all too soon they ran out..."

"Oh, Mommy, that's so sad," said Olivia, tearing up. "I may not want to be a princess, but I wouldn't want to be freezing in the snow."

Her mother said, "Well, I want you to be ASLEEP in five minutes!"

"But first read me the story about Little Red Riding Hood!"

"No, Olivia, it's bedtime."

"Just the parts where everyone gets eaten. Please?"

"No, I'm turning out the light."

Olivia lay in the dark trying to sleep, but her brain wouldn't let her. "Maybe I could be a nurse and devote myself to the sick and the elderly. I could use my brothers to practice bandaging. And various other treatments. Or maybe adopt orphans from all over the world! Or I could be a reporter and expose corporate malfeasance. "

HMMM....

Then it occurred to her. " I know...."

"I want to be queen."

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Happy Birthday to the most unique, self-confident, spirited, trail blazing SIX year old I know!

Hairism

The latest edition of Orthnerism is once again brought to you by the Elli's love for hair...in particular my flat ironed hair.

Yesterday, I choose to put moose in my hair and 'diffuse' it to get my loose wavy "rainy day hair" look.

I did this style early in the morning when Elli was still in bed. After Elli woke up, I went to pick her up and get my morning hug. She immediately and reflexively reached for my hair during the embrace. But she popped up and looked at me with a product-filled lock in her hand to show me.

"Mommy, your hair isn't working!"

The Power of Hair

As many of you know, we are lightly potty training Elli. We were told by her nephrologist to NOT potty train. So our answer was to casually do it, because she was ready. So we almost never force her to sit on the pot. We ask if she wants to, then if she says no, we don't. Tonight I knew she was overdue, so I asked her if she wanted to go. She said "no thank you, mommy". I then said if you go, I will take my hair down (currently in a ponytail) and let you play with it. That little girl ran to the potty.

Then I thought, did I really just bribe my child with my hair? And did it really just work? WOW!

She did her business and immediately started playing with my hair. Then after about 6-7 minutes, something drew her attention away (I think it was Daddy reading a book in the other room). She took three steps away from my hair, then turns a 180 while saying "one more time." She caresses my hair for a few strokes and then runs off to listen to the book.

Fast forward one hour:

I am singing Elli her good night song, the last step in the good night routine. She normally assumes her position, sucking her right thumb while rubbing my hair with her left hand. I give her a kiss and say "Good night, Elli, I love you"...Her reply... " I love your hair, Mommy"


This is a habit that started very early. I was blogging about it by her 8th month.

What a sweet little Elli Dew!

The Official SNIP SNIP

Yep, that's right...

ELLI GOT HER FIRST HAIRCUT!

Originally I was going to bring her to one of those fun places with the car seats and DVDs playing. Ya know, the whole nine yards! Also it was going to be when she was like TEN. This is my baby girl, I am not suppose to let her grow up, right?

Well, when Reese had her appt, I got talking to my 'regular girl' that did Reese's awesome hair back in December.  I constantly have people asking me about my or Reese's hair. I think I have sent her at least 5 new clients. SHE IS AWESOME!

So why would I send Elli to some chain just to get a cute picture, when I could get a QUALITY cut. So, on a whim we put Elli in the chair and I snapped my photos with my iphone. 

 Every single day since, I have gotten a compliment on her curls. I guess removing those tattered split ends really made her hair spring up.

So while the process may not have been fancy, it was done right.

The Big Purple Chair

The local Children's Museum has a giant purple chair that is the perfect photo op. So of course we take our picture every time we visit.

This is December 14, 2008. The day before Reese was born. It was our last hoorah for Brady before her life changed forever (for the better obviously). 

Elli made her debut shortly after we moved back to Virginia Beach. This is February 2013.

Then we visited about a year later. These pics are from March 16, 2014.

 Glad to have a flock to fill up the chair now. 

Life is Good!

Here are more fun pictures from our recent visit.

Cold windy Brady

 Elli wanting momma.

 Reese rocking the Pixie.

 Orthner shadow

 Reese in her domain...performing

 Brady learning how to run light and sound board.

 Things that go.

 Karl using his muscles on the pulley chair.

 Cha-ching

 Stray dog in the museum.

 Another lost mutt,

 Cutest fire fighter EVER!

 Three little Orthners in a bubble!

 Book worm

Another item on our bucket list completed!

How Do We Solve a Problem Like Maria

Reese said she needed a haircut. Apparently chin length is much too long.

On a whim, I brought her upstairs and cut it. I was quite pleased with the little bob I gave her. It feel right at her ears. I kept the back the same, it was stacked beautifully from the last cut. All she sees is the front so that is all she cares about. I asked her, if that was what she wanted. "Nope! I want it to here!" Strategically placing her hand at her eyebrows.

Confused, I resorted to the internet. Pull up a display of pixie cuts, cute ones too, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, cuteness abound. Ask Reese which is the one you are picturing. She intently studies them. "None of them! I want to look like Maria."

Leave it to my child to want a 1960s style cut.

 So back upstairs we went. Clip clip clip, trim trim trim. BAM

Initially I wasn't a fan. Not too keen on bangs most of the time. Especially short ones. But this girl knew what she wanted. She wants a cut that doesn't need to be brushed. I am sure she will have a buzz cut someday.

Here is the best part...

Me: Reese, you know, I wasn't a fan of your haircut at first, but it is REALLY starting to grow on me.

Reese: Oh no, let's go cut it again!

Orthnerism brought to life

In the van, about two months ago, Reese and I had a conversation along the lines of this:

Me: Reese, how do you want your hair this time?

Reese: PINK!

Me: laughing No I mean how LONG do you want your hair.

Reese: For one hundred million thousand days I want pink hair.

That wish never left her imagination.

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Fast forward to December

Why not let her get pink hair. The stylist said they have semi-permanent dye that lasts about 6 weeks. Her hair is already blonde so it is a 20 minute job. I say why not? It is just hair.

 Here is her first peep in the mirror. I would say she is pleased!

A little before and after line up

 Gosh, isn't she purty!