How to Have a Kick Ass Holiday Weekend

First of all, you take your kid to get his first haircut. Because even though his longish, rockin' hair was awesome, I will admit that I was getting really annoyed with people calling him "she."

(I'll let the pictures do the talking.)
















What an experience. I had spoken with a hairstylist friend the night before who told me that the first haircut would be fine - it was the second we had to watch out for.

Obviously, she doesn't know Charlie. Damn, my kid can tantrum. I wanted to take more photos but he was such a basket case that I had to put down the camera and take over the chair-sitting duty. It took the two of us to "subdue" him while the hairstylist tried her best to give Charlie a somewhat decent-looking haircut. At one point, Charlie was screaming in my face, and Roy and I were cracking up. What else were we supposed to do?

Poor Chuckles! Mean ol' parents! (Next time we'll slip a little Valium in his sippy cup, methinks.)

For the 4th of July, we went to a little get-together at my friend Becki's house. Her whole block had pulled out their kiddie pools and water slides, so we walked and watched and played. Then we had dinner and cupcakes and fun family revelry. I so wanted a beer. Instead I ate copious amounts of Becki's kick ass potato salad, along with three cupcakes and a piece of some mighty tasty Snickers cake. And watermelon. And kebabs.








Before we left, we had a mini photo session in the front yard. The light was too gorgeous to pass up.










These two little girls were pretty much the cutest thing ever. Photographers in training!






This year I really wanted to set up my tripod and try to catch some fireworks, but you know, kids tend to make those decisions for their parents. We put Charlie to bed, but he woke up once the fireworks starting going off. We decided to get him out of bed to watch with us. We had a great view from our bedroom window, so we all got to watch in our pajamas. I took some shaky, handheld photos.






It was the best 4th of July I've had in quite some time, maybe even since I was a kid. It's funny how having a child really brings the magic back into things that kind of lose their luster and excitement as we grow into adults.

And that, my friends, is how you have a kick ass holiday weekend. A first haircut, some fireworks, and some friends; add a 13-month-old and you've got a great recipe for unforgettable happiness.