sundevil that shines

I'm sure many of you have heard me lament about my Abby. Parenting a teenager is HARD WORK for me! I find myself focusing on the hard and negative aspects of it. Somehow parenting little kids seems like common sense to me, it comes more natural. You can sort of figure out how to do it. But when it comes to Abby, it is a whole new ball game. I am constantly second guessing myself, and worrying about her, her friends, the way she dresses, her self- esteem, and tons more. So I find myself presenting life with Abby as a negative thing. She really is a super great kid, and last week this was confirmed to me. (Thanks, Mom, for driving down to SJH to take pictures for me!)

Here is a portion of the letter I received from the school. This is what the teachers and staff who nominated Abby said about her:

"Abby Arnell is an amazing student. She is kind and conscientious and a great example to those around her. Students who sit near Abby get along better because of her excellent example. As a student who turns in work of the highest quality, Abby knows how to work hard and achieve her goals. She is fun, enthusiastic, and laughs easily which puts everyone in a good mood. It is wonderful to have Abby in class."

I'm super proud, and she is super embarrassed. At least now I can remove the letter from the fridge, like she has been begging me to do! :)

a hair-raising tale

Will just turned 8 last month. What a milestone age. We are all so excited for his baptism on Saturday. But there was also something else some of us were excited for....

When Will was about 5 years old, he started talking about his long hair, and how he wished he could see his eyebrows. I LOVED his long hair, and wasn't quite ready to part with it yet. I told him when he turned 8 we would cut it for his baptism.

I've always loved the classic "dutch boy" haircut on little boys. Think Nicholas Bradford from Eight is Enough, or those 2 little twin boys on Full House. Plus Will has this huge head that I felt was better covered up by long hair. :) He actually won "Shiniest Head" in the SW baby contest one year (I chose not to be offended) but soon after that his hair became a trademark for him. I remember one year in Yellowstone when Will was probably only 2. We were going to the Ranger Program one night and people commented that his hair glowed in the dark. It was seriously WHITE back then.

(ok, not so much in this picture, but it was taken on Thanksgiving...not much sun bleachin going on in the fall...couldn't find any on my computer of the glow in the dark stuff...)

It has gradually darkened over the years, but I always thought it was just meant to be nice and long.

As his birthday approached, we began discussing his haircut. He was so excited, and was sure that he wanted it "spikey". We made the appointment for the saturday before his birthday. I have to admit there were tears shed. Not at the actual haircut, and not by Will, but by me. (and it was before the haircut) I think it was more about my boy growing up than the hair, it was just a sign of him not being my little boy anymore. After the cut, you couldn't wipe the grin off his face. He was thrilled. I think it looks pretty good, too, but he definitely looks like a different kid!

coming soon:

a hair-raising tale...
sundevil student of the month...
no more dipeys...

stay tuned!