Tresses

Darby is- in my very biased opinion- the most beautiful little girl EVER. Over the 5 years of her life we've taken quite a journey with her hair. For the longest time it just didn't really grow.

July 2005, 14 months old

July 2006, 2 years

May 2007, 3 years

Then, all of a sudden, her hair began to grow...

May 2008, 4 years

and grow....

May 2009, 5 years

For the past year we have had the most fun playing with Darby's hair. French braids, ponytails, pigtails, buns. It's been a blast. For the past several weeks we've been talking about getting Darby's hair trimmed, the ends were getting pretty dry and unhealthy and it was getting difficult to do quickly. I'd been putting it off and putting it off because I couldn't bear the thought of touching scissors to the beautiful hair we'd waited so long for.

This past Sunday, Kyle and Darby were talking about her hair and how fast it had grown. Darby, on her own initiative, told Kyle, "I want to cut my hair and give it to people with cancer like my Grandma Gail." The 3 of us spent a while talking about what that meant and how short we'd have to cut her hair in order to donate it. I won't lie, I think Kyle and I were both kind of trying to talk her out of it. But Darby was determined. So, yesterday after school Darby and I went to Pigtails & Crewcuts for more than just the little trim I'd been trying to talk myself into.

before

during

after

She looks adorable! And so much older! The ladies at the salon were all so impressed with Darby. And Kyle and I couldn't be more proud. When the stylist cut off Darby's ponytail and showed it to her, I was a little worried about her reaction. Darby's eyes got really wide and she looked a little shocked. Then she giggled and on we went! In the car on the way home I was saying that the best thing about hair is that it always grows back (I was soothing myself more than Darby!). Darby responded, "Yep! It'll grow back and then we'll donate it again and it'll grow back and then we'll donate it again! We'll get to help so many people!" What a sweetie!

Today I'm mailing the 1st of what I'm sure will be many envelopes to Locks of Love. I'm so proud of my sweet, generous and loving little girl. I'm glad that she knows and loves her Grandma Gail so much, even though they never met. I've no doubt at all that my mom loves sweet Darby Gail just as much!

Sutton's 1st day of school

Today was Sutton's 1st day of preschool. He has been SO EXCITED about this for a long time. Last week, when we were all ramping up for Darby to start school, Sutton was running around thinking that he was going to kindergarten too! He's so used to being with Darby all day everyday. And he knew that we'd gotten him a backpack and lunchbox. So, he just thought he was going to kindergarten too! When we went to Darby's open house the week before kinder started Sutton declared that the classroom next door to Darby's was "my school." For Darby's first few days of school he wasn't very happy not to get to go in too. So, he has been very, very ready to go to his own school and play on his own playground.

When we dropped him off this morning he just ran in, started playing and sort of yelled, "Bye, Mom!" over his shoulder. His teachers told me that he did just fabulously well and couldn't have been better! I'm so proud!

I don't know what I'm going to do with myself having 10 child-free hours a week now. Probably do super exciting things like take a shower, go grocery shopping or maybe even eat lunch without having to share! :)

Darby's 1st day of Kindergarten

Today my baby started kindegarten. I won't lie... I've been a bit of a mess about this. And it's really surprised me. For the most part in the months since we registered Darby and started the whole process of getting ready for kindergarten I've been pretty excited. Then, 2 weeks ago, we went to kindergarten orientation. The kids all went into the multipurpose room to play while the parents met with the principal. Darby, who is extremely sociable and not afraid of anything, just walked in and sat down without any hesitation. As Kyle and I walked away I realized that my face was wet. I was crying! And I never even saw it coming! Well, ever since then I've been a little emotional about the whole thing.

Last night after the kids were asleep I peeked in on them. As I watched Darby sleeping I just fell apart. And that's not an exaggeration at all. I had to sit down I was crying so hard. Again, did not see that coming. But seriously, where did the last 5 years go?! She was a tiny baby 5 minutes ago! And now she's off to school and not such a baby anymore. I did okay today. Got a little teary on the drive to school and a little teary peeking in at her as she started making friends with the kids in her class. But no actual crying. I guess I got it all out last night!

Darby is going to do fabulously. She's so smart, she loves to learn new things and is so inquisitive and curious. And Sutton and I have had the most fun today playing and reading and singing and dancing. He even helped me do the dishes and we laughed and laughed. I'm excited to have some good one-on-one time with him. He's so much fun! Sutton starts pre-school next week... so be on the lookout for another weepy post! :)