And year #2 begins...

(This is a "two-poster" day. Be sure to read the other post immediately following this one).

Yesterday marked the anniversary of our taking Ellie out of the orphanage to be 'ours' for keeps! Ellie has changed in so many ways, most obviously in her appearance. When we got her first referral photos over a year ago, we told her smiling image looking down on us from the refrigerator that someday that scalped orphanage hair cut would grow out into something a little more feminine. As weeks turned into months, her hair finally began to lengthen and thicken. And with each inch of growth, the protests at 'hair time' also grew. Finally her mane reached the place where we could give it a little bit of style - but clips and pony tails proved challenging to apply to the impatient todler who had no interest in 'looking cute'. Styling Ellie required quickness and at least four hands, so I decided this week that it was time to deliver on my oft repeated threat to get her hair cut.

With today marking the end of the fall semester at the college, we wrote a note on the office door and took a trip into town over lunch to embark on another first with our daughter: a seat in the beautician's chair. I could go on and on about the ammenities offered by "Kiddie Kutters" (?), but I believe the photos speak for themselves. It was worth the extra drive for such a quick and relatively peaceful Ellie. And now we start year two with a bona fide little girl!

last photo with 'long hair'
We knew this place was a winner when we pulled up and saw the giant slide in the waiting area.

Dad removes a rubber band from Ellie's hair

The fire truck above reads, "Discover how much fun a haircut can be!"

I was skeptical, but hopeful...

Nathan tries to draw Ellie's attention to her feet since the stylist couldn't get her to tilt her head down. In a few more photos, you'll see why...

Yep. Thank goodness for Veggie Tales. And barber shops for kids with TVs at each chair!

All done. But Ellie doesn't want to leave!

(Driving home) Unlike Kroger's (which used to give out free baloons, but doesn't anymore so we can't shop there anymore, so long as Ellie is with us), this place doesn't seem to be affected by the helium shortage. I think we will be back! Oh, and we got a ziploc bag with her clippings, from her first hair cut. Any takers?*


*Albanian tradition has it that whomever gives a child his or her first haircut obligates the scissor holder to 'god-parent'-type status and to help meet the child's financial needs until reaching adulthood should the parents be unable to provide. Funny, we forgot to mention that to the nice lady who cut Ellie's hair today...