When Jessie heard that she was going to have a week break from school, practically the first thing she asked me was if I could put beads in her hair. Let me just say that every time I do braids and beads, by the end of it, I am swearing I will never do it again! At least, not for a very, very long time! (I think it's been a year since I did it last!) Needless to say, I did not immediately say yes. Because it takes so LONG and when I do one head, I have to do all 3! While I love the results, I hate the time it takes, the endless TV watching, and whiny-ness! I don't know what it is, but for some reason, when the TV is on - all 3 girls think they need to be right there watching it, even if they are not the one getting their hair done! So by the end of about 5 hours in front of the TV you can imagine how much energy they had. This was day 2 of the braiding process. I started Jessie's hair at 2 o'clock and ended at about 7pm. They ran around for 3 hours before I could bear to put them to bed. And I mean literally running - they were chasing each other all around the house!
So, why would I torture myself, one might ask - because it's worth it! Even though it took 3 days, and roughly 19 hours to complete every head of hair, it was worth it! Some people take their girls out shopping, or to get manicures... But me? I do my girls' hair. I LOVE to do their hair! I love the connection - literally and figuratively - I love the talking and just spending time with them! I suspect that one day it will end, when they become teens and Mom's ideas aren't "cool enough" anymore. But, until then (once a year) I will put up with the whining and the endless hours!