Predictably, Harrison and Carter hated their haircuts, and also predictably, they developed wrenching, debilitating stomach ailments when it was time to get ready for school. Dear children, that's why we have the Xbox... it comes in so handy as a bargaining chip.
During his little breakdown, Harrison said that kids would make fun of him and he'd end up seeing the school counselor "again". The fact that he had visited her before today was news to me, so after I took the kids to school, I called her and left a message.
I spent the day dyeing my hair, folding laundry - finally got through that horrible green basket that had taken up semi-permanent residence next to my dresser - and doing my usual stuff. The school counselor called back and we had a lovely chat; it turns out Harrison has seen her less than five times throughout the school year, so that was a relief. The school counselor was very kind and remembered Bella, and asked how she was doing.
Went to pick up Bella and brought her home. Carter and Rosalind came home; Carter said one kid insulted his hair. We have a goofy tradition of paying the kids for every insult they receive because of something we made them do, like get their hair cut or wear pants they absolutely hate but are the only ones clean, so Carter wanted to know how much he was getting. I told him we would wait till Harrison came home so I could gauge how much I would have to cough up. Otherwise, Carter handled it well - gave the kid a big smile and a sarcastic "THANK YOU!" when the kid told him his hair looked stupid.
Brennan's doctor called, and he now has an appointment to see him tomorrow.
Harrison had me pick him up at school because it was raining and he had a project to bring home. The grand total of insults for him today was four - once his hair was "gay", twice it was "stupid", and one girl just kept coming up to him and laughing every time she saw him, and he assumed (probably correctly) that it was about his hair. I figured a quarter per insult was fair. We talked about how he handled it - quietly, not answering back, which was wise - and about having clever, witty comebacks to use next time he's in this situation. I could tell he felt better, having lived through his day with ugly hair and odious classmates. Later we watched some TV together.
I made dinner and started cookies and made the kids pick up the living areas for Family Home Evening. Picked up Hubby near the bus stop. Wrote an agenda so Harrison could conduct FHE with it, had Brennan choose songs, asked Bella to lead the music. We had a nice lesson about following the prophet and then bullying, including reading from a pamphlet Harrison brought home and role playing and lots of silly insults like "When was the last time you wore deodorant?" I think the kids will be better equipped after this. Then we ate chocolate chip cookies.
We ran to Winco to pick up a few things, then came home. And all was well.