I've heard good things about haircuts at the beauty institute around here, but since we generally don't spend a lot on haircuts and I stay away from SuperCuts after many a bad cut, it didn't sound terribly appealing. Not that I go to the salon, but I have been much more impressed with Great Clips - and is quite cheap. Though I must admit you have to take the risk of the occasional bad haircut anyway.

However, was flipping through a coupon book in the mail and they had a big ad for kid haircuts at the beauty institute. $1 for every year of age. WOW! I cut both kids' hair to about 2 & butchered LM's hair so bad last time I figure it was time for the pros. BUT the thing is we take him to the kid place with the car chairs and the TVs. Beauty institute does not have the TVs apparently BUT they have the car chairs and even give you a balloon for free with your very first haircut. All this for $1 if we get him in before his birthday next week! Not bad, not bad. I think for the kids it will suffice. We'll give it a try. You can also pay a small premium for the more experienced people. Will have to check out the rates again.

I think with tips BM's last haircut cost $15. We just try to limit it to 2 times a year and not worry about it, it's not terribly expensive. But I meet keep him more trimmed at $4 a pop.

As for me I got a cut around January and I was thinking it was time for a chop. But 2 people asked me if I had had a haircut, my hair looked really nice. LOL. I decided why bother. I got the most excellent cut last time and it still shows I guess.

In other news dh finally got a date for his Mt. Shasta hike and I am happy that preschool had a spot for LM. So I got the kids covered for M/W and my mom will come help with the kids on the Tuesday. The alternative will be to just take T/Th off and work the weekend instead. I have plenty of vacation time, but too much work to do!!!! Anyway, LM full-time for 2 days is $70 and so dh's focus group money will really help for this. Woohoo. If he only stays 1/2 days it will be $50. We will just have to play it by ear. I am not sure he is up to the all day thing, but if he naps with the other kids and doesn't disrupt them he will probably be just fine. He'll have his brother and he just loves it there. The alternative was for grandma to take them all week but I wouldn't like that. I would miss them. I am pleased I arranged something that won't interfere too much with work anyway.

Dh went a little crazy and bough a few toys for the kids' birthday last night. Oh well. Just more spoiled as usual. MIL told me all she got the kids was a couple of books (outside of cash) in respect for my request for no gifts. Well, we'll see. LOL. I'll believe it when I see it?

My grandma sent me a bunch of shoes she did not want to throw out but could no longer wear. Funny enough a lot of then said size 10 but were too tight on my. Figures. Others were not my style or just more worn than I cared for. So I told dh we should run a batch to Goodwill (I did make out with a couple of very nice pairs of shoes though!!!). & we really need to go through the kids' stuff and make a Goodwill pile. We just got crap spilling out of every cupboard. I know we can get rid of a few million toys. & a few from Christmas that we might try to sell. BRand new in box. Though for the most part I think we'll donate most of it.

The weather has been rather mild here but it is s'posed to be in the 105-110 range the rest of the week UCK!!!!

We haven't decided what to do for the 4th but will probably see some fireworks somewhere (if nothing else, at the mall). For the rest of the week we plan to go see the new rat movie. Will be experiment - take both kids. Not sure LM is up for it but we can leave and go for a walk if it is too much. BM will love it.

Going to a redwood forest just north of san francisco another day. I am not sure where dh's brain is but he is like, I don't think we can go on a hike in 100+ degree weather. You think? I said all the more reason to get the heck out of here. I looked and weather in SF will be around 70. Sounds QUITE refreshing. I have no idea why dh thinks it would be 100 degrees in SF though. LOL. Silly. But anyway, there is a very small hike. We tried a smaller hike a few months back and LM had a freakout, but he tromped all over the zoo without a prob last week so we decided to give it a whirl. It will depend on his mood I guess. I REALLY look forward to next year when he is up to more hikes. We really want to do more outdoor stuff with the kids. But it is nice when you don't have to pack the diapers and bottles and stroller. My kids were huge and way too big to carry any length so we just haven't done much hiking with them. But we went on some big hikes in Hawaii last year and BM LOVED it so we are trying to get into it with him. The abundance of day hikes around here is beyond belief so I think we will have much to explore as the kids get older. I hope LM shares the same enjoyment as he gets longer legs and can keep up better!

Saturday is the kids birthday party, but looks like mostly family. Very low-key. Not much to prepare.

Well today is my Friday. I will bring a ton of work home for the long weekend but not sure if I will get to any of it. No more vacations for a LONG time after this though.