school shopping (aka fashionista on the loose)

Thanks to a little grandparental help, we took Ella school shopping.



Overheard on this adventure:



"I do NOT like leggings."



"Momma, this is my school shopping. Shouldn't I get what I want?"



"I really want the pink sparkle shoes."



"Maya looks so pretty when she is accessorizing."



Overheard by Sandi and I:



"Wow, Target doesn't have any fun tights at all."



And I knew I would say it someday, but wanted to stuff it back it as soon as it came out because it sounded like my mom: "These clothes are so impractical! Why would they sell short sleeves for a Maine winter!"



And because she is adamately against the legging, Ella may freeze this winter in tights and dresses. What is a parent to do when fashion is on the line??



We had to remind ourselves that the point of shopping could no longer be to return home with clothes. We had to surrender to the fact that Ella has her own sense of what looks good and there is simply no getting in the way of it. Equally as important, it is impossible to quench this fashion thirst in one trip to the mall. The shopping has to just be for the pure "fun" of it.



If we are committed we are going to have to make frequent trips to the stores to peruse the new merchandise. Probably wise to get on a first name basis with the manager of the Children's Place.



Perhaps the most heartbreaking...Ella is now in a size 5 which means, at JCPenney anyway, that she is the "big" kid section. You know the section that also contains training bras??!! We are so not prepared for this. Both Sandi and I are practically in tears as school gears up knowing that we only have one more year at home with Ella before she goes off to school all day, five days a week, never to return to the nest of home full-time, except in summer. Mind you, we know this is an entire year away, but it might as well be tomorrow.



Not that we are tempted, but I now understand why couples have that baby so many years behind their more grown-up kids...