20/52

It was a busy weekend.  Like one of those weekends so filled with family and fun that you feel like you need another weekend to recuperate.

First of all, a big shout out to the 93# Hurricanes.  They made it to the playoffs, and tried really hard on Saturday morning, but the Bears outscored them. And a very special shout out to #48 - my nephew Luke! He's just the sweetest and kindest little guy.  He (and many other boys on the team) took the loss pretty hard.  It's a good thing he has a great big brother who can empathize with him and remind him that there is always next year.

Jacob and Luke - after the game

I really capitalized on a couple opportunities this weekend.  Opportunity #1: Abbi has always liked doing fun things with her hair.  She's asked for blue, pink and purple highlights, or to dip dye her ends (this involves Kool-Aid people - nothing good could come of that).  I've said no to a few things, but we've put in blonde highlights and turned it red temporarily several times.

Abigail in 2012 - with Raspberry Creme temporary hair color

Recently she asked if she could have the ends of her hair dyed purple.  She showed me a picture and I realized that of all the things she's ever asked for, this was the easiest to undo if she doesn't like it (you just take the bottom four inches off and viola, it's like it never happened!).  So Saturday, we arrived at Hairology in Roselle.  

We were trusting Julie with this transformation.  Julie's been doing hair longer than Abigail's been alive (not to make you feel old Jules!).

Abigail's hair is quite long.  It's gorgeously thick and a little wavy.  Julie started with dying the ends blonde.  Which all by itself looks really pretty.  Then Julie applied the color.  It was the perfect shade of purple.

The thing about purple is that you really have to take care of it.  It can fade fast.  So you must use sulfate-free shampoo and cold water!  Brrrr!  That seals the deal.  I'll never get to have purple hair. There is no way I can take a cold shower.  It's just not going to happen.  

So this is how it turned out after the purple was applied and it was blow dried.  You might notice there are a few streaks of purple - it turned out really cool with some faded shades of raspberry creme temporary hair color still in her hair. Who knew that temporary hair color is not actually entirely temporary??

In the picture that Abigail showed us, the girl had curls in her hair, so she had requested that Julie curl it. It looked adorable.  She walked out of there practically glowing.  She talked a mile a minute on the way home about her hair, being so thankful for Julie (yes, thank you Jules!) and predicting her friends' reactions.  

Purple curl selfie

So onto opportunity #2: On Sunday, Escapar Farm held their 3rd annual Julie Berls Memorial Horse Show.  It was an early morning dropping Em off at 6:00 am. (why are they ALL so early??  Actually I know why - because even with getting there that early, you are there ALL day.  If they started any later, you'd be spending the night with the horses in the barn). She needed time to get Savannah (apparently she likes to run away when you are trying to bring her in so you must factor in extra time to catch her - you should hear the elaborate plan Emma hatched to get her.  She had treats and was hiding the lead rope under her sweater - it was crazy!) and be ready to ride at 7:00 am.

Savannah and Emma - <3

  

Emma competed in the 2'0" over fences (jumps), 2'3" over fences and a couple other events.  She's done the 2'0" over fences before with Talledega, but the 2'3" over fences was new.  Each rider does two runs for each event: one round they, the rider, are being judged and the second round, the horse is being judged. After placing 1st and 3rd in the 2'0" over fences event, Emma was smiling so big her dimple was showing.  This isn't something you see everyday, so it's a big deal.  

Emma and Savannah - over the 2'3" jump

So I got extremely lucky this weekend.  I got to take pictures of the girls without having to bribe them with Starbucks or endure their moans and groans of disgust.  They were both elated to have their pictures taken.  Why can't it be like that all the time?!  I've started resorting to bribing friends to borrow their children to take pictures of them! 

Any volunteers?  ;)