Fun Times

Yesterday Riley did something most people take for granted. She got her hair cut at a salon, and in doing so, she allowed herself to be shampooed in the salon sink. Usually the hair stylist has to wet down her hair with a spray bottle. Riley white knuckled it, holding on to the chair and flinched each time the water was turned on. She even asked for a break because her neck was getting tired. She didn't start crying or have a meltdown.

Her stipulation for even going was, "No blow dryers."

But...Lori the stylist said, "I have this glitter spray, and your hair needs to be dry for it to work. It's totally up to you though."

Riley's eyes went wide, "Glitter?"

We agreed to use the blow dryer on the very lowest setting. Lori turned it on and let her get used to the sound before coming near her head with it. Riley's shoulders were up to her ears the whole time, but that little girl had her first blow out!

We needed to cut her hair because combing it had become a nightmare. Her sensory issues made it a 20 minute screaming fest each morning before school. Her worst fear was that she'd look like a boy with her hair cut shorter.

The expression on her face, grinning ear to ear as she checked herself out in the mirror was too precious to even fathom. Her hair is cut to just below her shoulders in a little bob. In the car on the way home, she said, "We have a lot of fun times together." I'm sure I've never heard a more beautiful sentence.

This morning I anticipate a very hard time getting her out the home door and in the school door. The fear of everyone noticing her hair will likely be overwhelming.

Living and learning here.

She has decided to grow out her bangs, and she is giving her ponytails to Locks of Love.

I have decided to be happy about the experience yesterday no matter what happens on the way in to school today.

Love and glitter,

MO'N