And it Starts Now . . .

Natalie is growing so fast. I can hardly believe it. When I look at the kindergarteners at school I think, Oh my goodness, she'll be there soon. Yes, I know it's a whole year away . . . but my gosh, look how fast the first four have flown by!

She helped my go through her clothes the other day. We got rid of (well, they're for Sarah) a huge bag of her 3T and even 4T clothes. She's gotten so tall that they are much too small. With the closet overhaul now comes slim pickens for things to wear.

That leads me to my next dilemma is that she is now wearing a size 4, a regular 4 not the toddler, where do I buy her clothes? I haven't actually searched much for 4's since this is a new development, but from just glancing Ihave nocticed that the little girl clothes tend to be a bit more grown up than they should be. Even stores like Target and Kohl's seem to cater to the fashion trend. Where do I buy my daughter's clothes, then?

I love Gymboree. Everything in there is beautiful. But it's rather pricey for an outfit that has a good chance of getting a grass stain or wearing a little spaghetti around the collar, not to mention the outgrowing factor. Thank goodness we live in a warm climate because at least I can hit the sale racks (which are awesome, by the way) and buy last season because I really can't see spending 50 - 60 dollars for one outfit when I have to wardrobe the whole season. The Children's Place is certainly reasonable and I like their toddler clothes - simple. I haven't checked out their big girls clothes. I have recently discovered Disney shopping online. I have found that I can get some good sale prices on last season items too: Halloween costumes, dresses, shirts, pj's that work almost year round.

Am I overprotecting my children? Absolutely not. I'll get up on my high horse and defend every parental choice I make from television to toys to clothes, friends, and activities.
For us it's important that she wears age appropriate clothing and does things little girls do. There is no need to rush. I want my children to revel in being a kid. We watch age appropriate television even it it's just background and will not have Bratz in our home. If I am going to be all crazy about the make up, you can bet I'll have other issues to get up and talk about. Is my box ready?

Hello, Hello? Anyone There?

I've got myself a little Joey Tribiani here. Picture this: the little guy picks up the phone (and he turns it on too.) Then he says, "Hi, how you doing?" Of course he finishes with, "Bye." Priceless. Of course he only does this when it doesn't ring!

Bravo! Encore! I Am So Proud

Could I ooze with any more pride? I don't think so. The big show was a success. Natalie was third go on after an introduction of seasons and a winter dance. The penguins were adorable, especially Natalie. Gosh, every time I see her do something like this it actually brings tears to my eyes.

Oh, and the make up? I told her that she could wear some make up for her show and the only thing she wanted was her Hello Kitty lip gloss. My sister offered her some blush and eye shadow. "No thank you," she politely refused. I offered her some of my lipstick in the car because she ate hers off when she gobbled up her string cheese. Of course that was my fault because I forgot to feed her and remembered on the way out the door that we wouldn't be finishing up until after 7:00. "Quick, have some cheese!" But, no - she didn't want any part of the grown up make up. In fact, the more you offered, the more stubborn she became.

Aw, she does take after her mommy. That's my girl, Natalie. Stand up for what you believe in!

And as for the other girls wearing it? Well, they were all pretty much decked out. She didn't even notice.

What My Daughter is Doing Right This Minute

She is in her room listening to music on her cd player!

But . . . she's wearing an Ariel dress and this is the music!

Oh, she knows all the words.

A Pretty Pickle of Sorts

Natalie has a dance recital on Saturday evening. It's a pretty big deal. We're very excited and so proud of her. She loves dancing and does a good job.

There's one thing I am not too thrilled about, though, and that is the part where she is supposed to wear make up. Actually, I refused to put it on her. Ryan made a comment about how all the mothers at dance class said today that they were going to put make up on their girls and I was shocked. I wasn't shocked that the moms said they were going to do that, but surprised that he even suggested I put make up on Natalie. I flat out refused to put make up on her saying something to the effect of, "I am NOT putting make up on my three year old daughter!" Then I read the show requirements on the website. It said make up - blush, eye shadow, and lipstick -is required!

I am really put out by the whole idea that the dance teacher is telling me to put make up on my daughter. She's three! Okay, lights, whatever. But she's three. Make up is so bad for your skin. Then, I remembered Natalie trying out a free class at The Little Gym for gymnastics. When I asked the center what she should wear, the girl said some girls wear shorts and shirts and some wear leotards. Well, wouldn't you know that they were all wearing ruffly dancing dresses. After Natalie cried real tears of 'I don't fit in," I bought her a new leotard with a ruffly skirt. So, would she feel bad if she's the only one not wearing make up?

Ryan questioned if everyone else is looking "pretty" with their make up will she feel bad? Gosh, society really sucks because he is absolutely right. Of course she's going to want to look like the other girls.

It reminds me of a story when I was going to go to an all girls Catholic high school my sophomore year in high school. I never wore much make up but I asked my friend who went to school there if the girls wore make up. She said, "Oh no. We don't wear make up. Why would we? There aren't any boys here." The first day of school she agreed to go with me to make me feel at ease. We picked her up. She got into the car all done up in make up. My heart sank. My first stabbing in the back. Bitch. ( I don't swear but that brings back an awful memory and . . . well, the shoe fits.) It was all downhill from there and I didn't last two days at that awful school. But that's another story!

So, will put make up on my daughter so she can fit in? Or do I encourage her to be an individual and not care what others think?

Well, I will certainly continue to instill good values in her. I will point out diversity. I will praise good moral qualities. And, yes, I will be putting a "little" make up on her tomorrow so she can feel like she belongs and so she can feel like she's dressing up because . . . she is only three . . .and I want her to be happy on her big day

Although, I think I am going to have to go out and buy some blush because I don't have any!

Oh, and The Little Gym rocks by the way. It has a fantastic gymnastics program and I am sure that their dance program is good too. It's nurturing, nonthreatening, and not competitive. It's just expensive.

Advice

A little bit of advice . . . from a little somebody. If you love someone then they will always be in your heart." Sweet. Thanks, Nat. And thank you "Brother Bear Two."

Natalie is Not Bilingual

This morning Natalie came into our bedroom to tell me Matthew was awake. Seeing that it wasn't quite 7:00 I convinced her to go into Matthew's room and play with him so I could wake up. She came back after a few minutes and said, "Matthew's talking a lot." "What's he saying," I asked her. "I don't know," she replied, "I don't speak baby."

A Quiet Evening Out . . . Or Not

I have been a little disappointed in people lately. Where has all their wonder gone? Have they forgotten what it is like to be young or have young children? Last week we were on vacation in San Diego and met my sister at The Cheesecake Factory. My first complaint is that the restaurant doesn't even have a children's menu. We should be ever so thankful that they bring children a plate of bread and bananas. I guess that's their thing. But as for a kids' menu . . .nothing . . . nada. . . zip. "Everything on our menu is kid friendly, " is what the server told me. Then she offered me some suggestions: chicken strips, mini cheeseburgers (an appetizer), or bowtie pasta with one of three sauces. Knowing my children, I opted for the pasta with marinara sauce. I figured it was simple enough and I know my kids eat pasta. Well, it arrived in two small bowls. One was just naked bowtie pasta looking up at me. The other bowl had the sauce. So I had to mix them myself in their too small bowls. Neither one of them ate it. I don't even know how much that cost us because I didn't see the bill. It was probably too much.
Fortunately, Matthew could beg avocado from anyone who had some. He's cute and very persuasive. Natalie was happy just sitting next to her Auntie. But there did come a time when Matthew had had enough. He started to scream. They were happy and playful screams, but screams none-the-less. We got some evil looks from an older group across the way more than once. And that's when I got a little put out. I am sorry that my child was ruining your dinner in a very LOUD restaurant to begin with. He wasn't crying. He wasn't throwing a fit. He was laughing. Lighten up and smile at the cute toddler. That would have definitely quieted him down. My sister said, "Oh, they're just old." Well, that's all fine but why does old have to be so grumpy. Remember your happy times and reminisce about your children or grandchildren. Get off your crabby high horse and don't give me and my family evil glares. Oh and as for The Cheesecake Factory . . .I won't be taking my kids there again.

***After writing this post I emailed The Cheesecake Factory with my complaints about them not being family friendly like they boast. I got a response back. It said we will forward your concerns and comments to our management. I think a free piece of cheesecake would have been nice!