It started when she was about two and a half years old. It wasn’t all the time, just every now and then. But, now, I realize, when I wasn’t looking, my child apparently obtained a fashion degree.
I remember the first time I pulled a dress out of her closet to get her ready for church. I can’t recall what dress it was. But, I remember turning from the closet, Kiera spying the dress in my hands and saying, “I don’t want to wear that.” It was only after showing her several dresses that we found one she deemed worthy to wear to church. I put it off as a weird random moment and went on.
A year and a half later, I have started seeing her fashion choices more often. It was so much easier when she was a baby. I could find something cute, put it on her and tickle her little belly. Now, I have an opinionated four-going-on-twenty-year-old munchkin walking around.
I have learned dresses have to be flowing, “like Cinderella” and “fabulous.” How many of you know how hard it is to find a fabulous Cinderella dress now days?
I don’t remember being picky about clothing when I was her age. Although, I am sure both my parents will weigh in on that after reading my column.Quick with the compliments toward her Dad and I, she can also be brutally honest. She informed my husband, Aaron one day after he slid a shirt on that he “looked like a dork.” I’ll give you a minute to process that.
I do have to say that most of the time she gives us a positive compliment, telling Aaron he looks “handsome” or me that I am “beautiful.”
Last week, I bought a tank top and a pair of yoga pants. When we got home, I went to our bedroom and changed into the tank top. I walked into the living room to show Aaron. He looked up and said, “It looks nice.” I turned back to our bedroom to try on the yoga pants. Kiera stopped me and said, “Mommy, you look beautiful.” My heart melted a little, as I replied, “Thank you, sweet girl.” I returned to the bedroom, quickly slipped on the yoga pants and went back to the living room. Aaron gave me a once over and said, “Those look nice too. I like them.” Not to be outdone, Kiera followed me back to the bedroom. She looked at me and said, “I like them, too. You look beautiful.” Insert melting Mommy heart here.
I turned and smiled at my baby girl and said, “Thank you!” I then slipped out of the tank top and yoga pants. As I walked to my dresser to grab my pajamas, Kiera glances my way and says, “Now, you don’t look so beautiful.” She gives me her angelic grin and walks back to the living room. Thanks, munchkin. Thanks.
I bought her an adorable blue denim dress with white flowers for Christmas. I was so proud of it. I texted a picture to my best friend, JoLynn, when I purchased it, bragging about the great deal I received on the dress. JoLynn, replied exclaiming how adorable it was. Now, I have realized how little she and I actually know about fashion.
Last Sunday, I pulled the blue denim dress out of her closet, along with a black dress that also had white flowers on it. Kiera was lounging on her bed. I turned to her with both dresses in my hands and asked, “Okay, baby, which dress would you like to wear today for church?” She proceeded to analyze them from her position, pointed her finger and waved her hand for a moment. “Ummm….the black one.” She paused, still studying the dresses. “I think the blue one is a jacket.”
I set the black dress down and showed her the blue denim dress. “No, baby. It’s a dress. See?” I showed her the length, belt and how pretty it was. “Ok,” she responded, “I will wear the black one.” I hid my disappointment and hung the dress up for another Sunday. After I helped her change into the black dress, she stood on her bed, gathered the edges of the dress in her hands and dropped to a curtsy. “Yes, it is fabulous.” She said. I love this little girl and because of that, I keep myself from bowing at her feet and responding with, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Fast forward to this weekend. She spent Saturday night with her Gigi and Pop. As I packed her bag, I grabbed the blue denim dress. I thought if it is the only dress I pack, then she will have to wear it with no complaints. I touched the collar up with an iron, while congratulating myself in my head on a perfect plan. I packed her tights, a matching bow and a pair of white shoes and my husband and I delivered her to her grandparents’ house for a night of fun.
When we arrived at church, Sunday morning, I was so excited to see my doodlebug. She doesn’t often spend the night away from us. As we walked into church, Kiera comes running to us for hugs. She then backed away and twirled around to show us her “fabulous” dress. But, wait! It is not a denim dress with white flowers. It was a white and black striped dress with black, flowing tulle for the skirt and a purple bow around the waist. I glanced down to see silver glittery shoes on her feet.
Aaron and I compliment her on her beautiful dress and turn to Gigi. She shrugs her shoulders and says “I took her dress out of the bag this morning and she told me that she thinks it is a jacket, so we found another dress.” Insert Mommy’s face palm here.
Out witted once again, the blue denim dress will go back in the closet to try again next Sunday.
Rowonna McNeely is a graphic artist for Willie’s T’s Screenprint & Embroidery. She is a mother of a four year old girl and step mother of two adult girls. Her crazy life includes a dog, Sloane and psychotic cat, Gracie. Both females. She is married to her prince, who is outnumbered by the opposite gender.
