Her hair

I had to capture this particular phase Anna is going through. She is obsessed with her hair. Before school each morning she will gaze at herself in the mirror and ponder which hairstyle to go with.

She has her own style vocabulary: Circle braid, sidetail, full hairtail, alien buns, twisties, half braid, full braid, flat, the list goes on.

The style is not the only choice, either - then come the accessories. Flowers, clips, bows, headbands...

And boy, is she particular. Most days the hair gets done without incident. But then there are the other days. The days that make me cringe because they foreshadow days of melt downs over her hair in high school.

If she can't get the curls to lay just right or the clip to go where she wants it to, stand back. She will proclaim her hair "weird" and stomp/roll her eyes better than any 13 year old.

I try to console her as best I can (if my patience allows), but my words usually make the situation worse (a daughter getting annoyed with her mom?!?). I just hate that she would ever not like the way she looks (having those beautiful curls and all), but we've all been there. And, I do believe she has a flair for the dramatic.

I hope the future isn't too hairy in this arena (ha ha)...

I think she's beautiful no matter what!

Circle braid with flowers

Half sidetail with a twist (and blue arms/red face)

Fancy sidetail

Twisties

Headband (and a beautiful sweater made by Grammy)

Shaggy no more

The time finally came - after one too many "cute mullet" comments, I packed James up and headed to the barber shop. I had attempted a minor trim about a month before, but knew my weak shearing skills were no task for a full on "big boy" cut. He was a cooperative subject for most of the cut (I think the lollipop helped), and the results were fantastic. Such a handsome boy.

September 365

James at 18 months

At his 18 month doctor appointment James continued his 90th percentile run on height and weight. The little guy (cause he's still little to me) is a big boy, and regularly outweighs the playground competition.

And, he has a big personality to match. In the last few months James' personality has blossomed and it's evident he wants to be noticed and entertain those around him with his persistent jolly nature.

He is a ham and appears to have the makings of a potential class clown. For example, he has a face he makes that we call "going electric". And, his speaking is starting to improve, and he's picked up some funny phrases.

Any question you ask is answered with "I dunno", and he smirkily says, "Muse me" (excuse me) after any err...bodily function.

What amazes me is how "boy" James is. He loves trucks and cars and balls and jumping and yelling and watching football and expresses everything physically. He is constantly head butting, stomping, pulling, pushing, patting, jumping, clapping and yelling. All in a good way - an active big boy.

He also has a proclivity for annoying his sister.  And, adoring her.  Both often in the same minute.  In 18 months he's definitely learned how to be a little brother.

Practicing his words...

"Electric" in action.

The big boy with his beloved cows.

Electric mohawk!

Wearing Anna's headbands.

Twirling on the playground.

Anna's headbands, again.

Sleepover!

Jason remarked this weekend that all of a sudden Anna looked so big to him. All traces of baby features are gone from her face. She certainly has been acting like a "big girl" of late and more and more wants to take control of her activities and, well, her life.

Anna has always been independent, and that was definitely apparent this weekend when she had what I consider to be a major milestone in every little girl's life…the first sleepover!

It was an impromptu event, which in hindsight was probably better than one that was planned and much discussed before taking place. As soon as I told Anna that she was going to spend the night at her friends Sophie's and Olivia's house, she dashed upstairs to pack a bag - "without help, mama!"

She was so excited to go to their house that she couldn't sit still (but she had to get through a soccer game first which was like death to her). When we arrived at their house, I may as well have not been there for all the attention that she showed me on this "monumental" occasion.

She had her trusty bear, Bunny and Rosie (yes a trio of lovies she sleeps with every night, to "keep her safe"). And, they appeared to do the trick. She made it through the night with no incidents and, when we went to pick her up the next morning, of course did not want to leave.

Part of me is relieved that she did so well spending the night at someone else's house without Jason or me around, but of course, there's a part of me that wanted to receive that middle of the night "you need to come pick up Anna call."

I know in the long run this independent vein of hers will serve her well, but why does she have to be so grown up at 4??

Deja vu - In a really good way

When Labor Day rolls around, the Bergstroms head up to Wellfleet for our annual Cape Cod trip.  We were a little nervous about the weather considering how rainy our week was in 2011, but we were treated to a near perfect week (one rainy day, but we'll take it!).  Here are some (a lot of ) shots from the week - no need for words when the pictures say so much.

Always an amazing view.

Sweet, sweet boy (who took a head-first spill on the first day we arrived).

Daisy crown ;)

Impromptu photo session with Grammy & Fafa

Beach bonfire - a first, and oh so fun!

Collecting treasures.

Wish lanterns

Beach love

Fishing lesson with daddy.

Mr. Crab

An amazing rainbow

Rainy beach days bring out the curls.

Anna taking photos on the rainy day.

Blondie cousins

Enjoying a beautiful day

I like this place!

Beach friends are the best.

Buried Anna.

Love this boy.

Catching crabs.

Love this girl.

Old friends are the best.

August 365