Trying to be strong

James and haircuts...not fun.  He did alright the first few times, but since then, well, Remember the scene from Steel Magnolias where Julia Roberts has a diabetic fit while getting her hair done. Yep, that's about right.  So, we tried to buzz it at home, but it was so frustrating that we decided it was worth paying for someone else to deal with it. 

Nothing worked to keep him calm, not even bribes.  So, it was time for a school picture haircut. It was getting really crazy around his neck and ears, so off we went.  We went as a family this time because Ryan needed a cut also. Alex told James that if he didn't cry or scream he could pick something out from Target...

So, he sat in the chair and they started cutting.  I looked at his face and almost starting crying because he was physically trying to not scream.  He was trying so hard that I just wanted to hug him and tell him that it was okay and he could scream.  He made it through and he picked out some cotton candy from the dollar bin. WHEW! I thought it was really gonna cost us.

Fair Time Again?!

Where has the year gone?  It seems like just yesterday we were driving towards the fairgrounds and looking at all the World's Shortest Lady and the World's Smallest Horse.  I must say that this was the first really enjoyable time we've had.  We have gone with newborns and crawlers and this time, I actually had fun.  Ryan is finally tall enough to ride some rides and James likes to play the games.  Olivia stayed in her stroller, mostly against her will, but was let out to pet the goats and sheep.  She REALLY loves animals and gets super excited anytime she sees a dog, cat, bird, squirrel or any other creature. 

We met up with Mom Mom and Pop Pop Kalman.  Turns out the flannel twins had a great time on some rides too :) 

The evening started off rough when we couldn't find our advance purchase tickets, but I was able to sell those on Craigslist once we found them :)

And that was it.  More pictures will be posted on Facebook.

Where are my...?

Ryan: Where's my hand-slappers?

Me: Your what?!

Ryan: My Hand Slappers!!!

Hand Slappers = Hand Cwaps = Hand cuffs.  From the plastic police toys they got from the Fair.