Category: monkey antics

About six weeks ago, the Babe had her first haircut and it was very traumatic for all involved.

Today it was time to do it again, so I took her to Cookie Cutters, and I have to say, it was worth the extra $ to have a tear-free experience.

Her joy started when we walked in and there was a giant dinosaur slide in the reception area. This, coupled with a kid-sized bathroom, would have been enough to make her day. After a short wait, it was M’s turn to pick a Moo-Vie, which of course, had to be nothing else but a Baby E DVD.

As if that wasn’t enough on the bliss-scale, she got to pick a “car” seat to ride in while her hair was being cut. She picked a police car, complete with steering wheel.

Miss Tabitha, our stylist, being the pro that she is, started the Moo-Vie and didn’t attempt the cape until M was in the Baby E standard trance. Then she combed her hair with a fine tooth comb. The woman combed M’s hair more in those three minutes than I have combed all week (not for lack of trying). She then commenced to spraying, and ultimately clipping M’s hair, all without protest (or even acknowledgement). When she was done, she remained seated to drive a little more, then was happy to get out of the car with the promise of a BALLOON. Damn, those girls are good.

So seriously, Cookie Cutters, unti today, ranked right up there with Chuck E Cheese type places that I would normally try to avoid at all costs. Over-stimulating, over-merchandized chaotic places that really don’t do anything for children but teach them to consume more. Like the shopping carts with video screens, is it really necessary to watch TVwhile you get your hair cut??

After today, I am firmly in the pro-Cookie Cutters camp, if there is such a thing. At some point in the future, when she’s too big to sit in the “car” seat or something, I’ll start taking her with me to go see my stylist and we’ll lunch or something to encourage good behavior if necessary. Til then, it’s Cookie Cutters and Baby E all the way!!

Today I was talking to my mom and when I mentioned going back to school (for elementary Montessori training) I told her my choices were starting in the summer of 2008 or the summer of 2010. Sh did a little math, and said, “So that’d be the summer when M turns five.” And I thought, “OMG!! That can’t be. That’s just around the corner. I don’t want her ever to be five! I want her to drink sippy cups and take naps and call me ‘Mama’!”

About twenty minutes later there was a particularly gross diaper change. I changed her, was wiping my hand with a wipe when I looked at my ring finger and said, ” Honey, why don’t you go play–Mama has to go clean her wedding rings–there’s poop on them!!”

I’m not ready for her to be 5. But BM’s in the potty would be nice. ACK!

We’ve reached the Ketchup Phase.

If you’ve parented a child through toddlerhood, you’ve read that statement, smiled and nodded. Not listed in any parenting book is the “Ketchup Phase”, although I think it really is a rather common phase of development for young American children.

The Ketchup Phase happens somewhere between the ages of 18-24 months and may last until a child reaches age 4 or possibly 5. It begins innoccently enough, when ketchup is served with an appropriate food, such as beef or french fries. It soons spirals out of control, when the child learns that dipping into ketchup is more fun than actual eating. That dipping into ketchup, licking the ketchup and then dipping again (known as double-dipping) is a great way to stay occuppied at the otherwise boring dinner table. Once the activity of dipping takes precedence over eating. it is soon discovered that just dipping your finger into ketchup is just as easy and your finger doesn’t get nearly as soggy as say, an over-used french fry. Or piece of string cheese. Or piece of bread. Or broccoli (that is fun to dip with due to it’s tree shape, as long as you only lick, and don’t bite). And so, for atleast one meal a day for the span of the Ketchup Phase, your child’s main source of nutrition is simply ketchup. And since your child is toddler, if she’s not throwing anything, shouting no or running around naked, you let it be.