I can't believe I'm doing this.

So I'm about to get really deep right now. Brace yourselves. Here is my question: What should I do with my hair? Good thing I warned you for that. So, the story goes like this...

For a few years, I had been wanting to cut my hair but could never muster up the courage to do it.  I got really sick of managing my long hair, especially with the curl it has in it.

And then I did! And I loved it! It's actually kind of a funny story. I went to this fancy local salon and felt completely out of place. Do I go put on a robe cape thing like everyone else? Wow everyone's hair is shiny and they are wearing a lot of makeup. Why are there cucumbers in the water? When the Asian girl with super blonde hair was taking me back to my chair, she asked me what I wanted to do with my hair. I showed her the reference photos I brought, she told me I would be a perfect model for a shoot they were going to be having. Long story short, I got my hair cut and colored with highlights FOR FREE, was given a certificate for another free cut and color, AND was paid $100 to let them take photos of my beautiful hair. Pretty sweet deal, I'd say.

Something that I didn't really think about though was the maintenance of the hair dyeing. Oh goodness they got me there. I had no intention of starting to dye my hair, but they wanted to for their photos. So I let them. I am a natural blonde with highlights from the sun, but they just "enhanced" it I guess. I was thrilled with my new do, until the roots started to grow in.

When I went to get a trim before my graduation, I was planning on using my certificate for another color, but when I was told that the certificate didn't cover it all and that I would have to pay an additional $90, I laughed and walked out. So, here I am, with obvious and annoying roots. 

Now what should I do? Dye it back to my original color and cut it to the length it was when I first got it cut? Or should I let it keep growing? OR should I dye it another color?

Red perhaps?

I am just in love with this hair color! It is dynamic and beautiful and would go great with my blue eyes. I don't know if I am brave enough to do it though! But I need a change. 

So I need your help. What do you think? What should I do?

Hope you guys are having a great week so far! I am definitely having fun in San Diego and I apologize for all of the vacation photo spam ;)

It's pretty fun to do things with kids. As long as they don't fight. We had a good time making these pizzas last night. I sent my sister and her husband to have a little date night so I could have the boys all to myself. Gosh it is a lot of work. By the time we prepped our pizzas for baking, went to the store to rent a movie, baked our pizzas, built a fort, ate dinner, baked cookies, and watched a movie, I was pretty exhausted. I felt bad that the boys stayed up a lot later than they were supposed to, but everything  took longer than I thought it would. Oh well. They had fun and it was nice to hang out. You know, gotta be the "young, fun aunt!" Sigh.

Even though it was a lot of work, look how cute these boys are :)

P.S. Have you noticed that I've gotten more competent with my photo formatting?? :)

The big 3-5.

I hope everyone got to enjoy this beautiful weekend. Gosh it has been wonderful down here in San Diego. I don't think I've mentioned it on my blog, but I actually grew up here and moved up near San Francisco six years ago. So this place is my second home. I was so happy to be able to appreciate and enjoy the beautiful bay and my family. I have missed them and the fabulous weather. These three little ones above are my nephews and niece (left to right: Atsede, Matias, & Amare). Yes, they don't have blonde hair or blue eyes, but they are my family. My sister and brother-in-law made the decision to adopt from Ethiopia, and now I have these great kids to hang out with and watch grow up! And there you go.

Anyway, we celebrated my brother-in-law Justin's 35th birthday party fishing and hanging out on the water. 

This would be the birthday boy. You know what I love? Whenever he introduces me to people, he says "This is my sister Jessica", not "This is my sister-in-law Jessica." I know it is just one little phrase, but for some reason it means a lot to me that he just thinks of me as his sister and doesn't feel the need to explain, since I feel the same exact way. As far as I'm concerned, he is my brother. Seeing that he and my sister have been together since they were 15-years-old, I have known him my entire life and became his "sister-in-law" when I was just 5-years-old. Kind of crazy, right? 

This is the unfortunate failed attempt at making a fish trap. Guess the bread didn't quite do it for them.

The kids caught tons of fish all by themselves! It was pretty great to watch. You should have seen how excited they got when they hooked one. 

I wish I had gotten more photos of my niece and nephews, but they were all over the place and my camera battery died! What kind of aspiring photographer doesn't have an extra battery?

What did you do this weekend? :)

Road Tripin'

Hello all! Our road trip went pretty well! We made it safely without too much trauma. I must say, it is a LONG drive for three little boys. Delirium definitely took over towards the end. The GPS decided it was over the trip too, and dropped us off in Friday evening traffic in downtown LA. We got a little lost.   After employing iPhone maps, we eventually made it home to my sister's house though! I am so glad to be here. And for the quiet.

Today I am going to see my other sister and her family. We are having a big day at the bay to celebrate her husband's 35th birthday. I am excited for a day filled with whiffle ball, sun, and my nephews and niece. Should be a great day!

Peace out, Girl Scout.

Today I am leaving to go to San Diego! I am driving with my sister and nephews on their way home from the visit they just had here. I am going to see my other nephews and niece finally and visit some other family! It should be a good time. Plus, I need a break from work. Retail can drive you insane. I am just about done. I don't think I mentioned that I got a job nannying during the school year! I am so excited to make more money, work less hours, and not deal with the general public! It should be great. I think I might quit my job at the clothing store, or just work one or two days a week. We shall see! 

Well, I'm off to work on my tan! :)

Sunday Slides.

 There's nothing like some great concrete slides. Of course, I had never been on any since I found these ones in San Francisco back in May. What a gem. When my sister's were visiting for my graduation, I dragged them here to revive their inner kid and they were an instant hit. And we immediately decided that we must bring my nephews and niece back when they come to visit. So here we are! We also found some metal ones later, but the concrete ones are definitely the winner. I'll be honest, they are a big scary because they have a pretty sharp and you pretty much feel like you might just fall. Then you get the hang of it. My nephews were so funny and excited, and Logan (the youngest) was going down by himself by the end. Those kids are pretty fearless. As you can see from my face, I was pretty much scared every single time. But hey, Aunt Jess is down for pulling up her maxi skirt and hopping on a piece of cardboard. And then grabbing a kid and climbing up the hill again. And again. And again. Until my straightened hair is all tangled and my face is sweaty. I am such a good aunt. 

Man and his city.

This kid has so much laid ahead for his future. He is going to be a great man.

I just love these photos so much, especially this last one. Caleb is so sweet and I love our special bond. He is one of my best friends! While my sister and her family were here, we went to Twin Peaks to see the spectacular view of San Francisco. We were lucky that it was a pretty clear day, but gosh it was windy and freezing up there. We didn't stay long and I didn't really get photos of my other nephews, but Caleb and I had a great time running around and I let him snap some photos, which he always loves. I'm gonna make him into a little photographer :)