Some Ideas on kids

Feeding toddlers is messy and wasteful. Some day, I will learn portion sizes. Of course, Jocee always surprises me by wanting different amounts at different times. I made a whole sandwich, she ate 1/4. I made a half, she ate it all. I guess I should just learn to give less than I think she might want, and give her more later. That is hard though, because I nurture people through food. I always try to make sure everything someone could possibly want is available. But I hate to be wasteful. Oh well, it is only day 4. We will get it.
I was looking for activity ideas to do with the kids and stumbled upon (not the website) a blog about a mom that does Montessori-type schooling with her kids. I am intrigued. I've heard the word before, but never knew what it was all about. From what little I have read, it is about teaching real-life skills in ways that kids can master- i.e. learning to lace shoes on a board, then transferring that knowledge to a shoe. They also have "error controls" which is basically the answer so that the kid can check themselves. I like the activities in general, so I will keep looking into it. Once I can place more holds on books. I have "exceeded the hold limit for the borrower type" at the library. I didn't even know I HAD a hold limit. (Which is 10, btw.) Most of the holds are DVDs. I don't even know if I will check them all out. My library only does dvds for one week, so I don't have much time to watch them. I just get excited and place a BUNCH of holds at once, whether or not I can actually use all the items before the time limit. Someday, I will learn that too.
As soon as Claire gets up from her nap (yes, it is 6pm and she is napping. This is a new thing.) we are going to Target to get some stuff for Jocee. Well, stuff we will use and need with Claire eventually, but Jocee can use now. We need a step stool for the bathroom, a booster seat for the table, and some toys. I really want to go to Ikea this weekend and get the step stool they have. And look at other stuff. And buy lots of stuff. But I probably won't do that. I shouldn't anyway.

And now, for something completely different, we contemplate my hair.


Okoboji, IA 2004- growing out from my previous cutting my senior year of HS.


Okoboji, IA 2005- long. I curled it especially for this night. Usually when it is long, it goes in a ponytail.


Christmas 2006. Sheesh. Super long.

Current. I've had this specific hair cut since about early spring 2007. (apparently before Shannon and Ian moved in because Shannon has seen the Christmas picture and didn't believe it.) (I can't find a single picture with my hair right after a cut. Strange. It is usually shorter than it is now.)
So, it's been over 2 years. I like it. In general. But it needs something done to it right now. Headbands don't contain it. I can put it in a (very stupid looking but functional) ponytail. Either I need a cut, or I need to decide to let it grow. I see the pictures of it long and kind of miss it. And then I think about all the maintenance (I have THICK hair) and the washing and the brushing (I rarely brush my hair these days) and the blow drying and the washing and the constant need for hair ties and the washing and the static and did I mention the washing? When it is long, I put it up in a ponytail most of the time (when I am home anyway. Which is always now). I have to pony it to sleep or Alann complains about it attacking him, and it hurts to lay on it. Then there is the baby. She LOVES to pull hair. It's a handy place to grab on. So I just don't know what to do. I haven't colored my hair in years and years. That used to be my go-to "hair boredom" relief act. But I like my color. And it is easier and cheaper to maintain naturally colored hair. So what do you guys think? Long or short?