So I am trying to give Kaelan a little bit of freedom and independence in certain day to day activities....I am really working at not being the "helicopter mom" who hovers over her at all times. Lately, she has taken a keen interest in what she wears....I don't know what clicked, she really has never cared about fashion. Purple socks with green shorts?...works for her. Plaid dress and polka-dotted tights? ....gets the job done. However, as of late, she wants to pick out her clothes, and she is especially fond of choosing her own special panties. I even had to move her "panty drawer" to a lower level so she could spend upwards of a half hour each morning caressing each pair and pondering which Disney Character would best accessorize the day's outfit. Little Mermaid today? Oh no, she would clash with her red skirt. Perhaps, the hot pink, embroidered Cinderella ones? Too dressy...those are good for church days. AHA! Lime green Tinkerbell with the magic dust stars all over.....Perfecto!
I have learned on school days, that Kaelan has to take care of the panty process the night before....otherwise, we will be late.
So, last night I told her it was time to pick out the perfect panties to go with her school outfit, and I plaed her little pink flower dress out on the dresser so she could coordinate. I started her night time bath and returned a few minutes later to hear her announce, "There, these are the perfect ones...all the Princesses on them." Great, I thought....that was quick and painless. She carefully placed them atop her dress, and we headed off for our night-night routine.
This morning, Kaelan was dragging, and I constantly had to remind her to "Hurry, hurry...we don't want to be late." When I went to dress her, she let me put her dress on, but informed me she was a big girl and could do the rest by herself....in that wonderful, whiny, toddler fashion.
I conceded and the left the room to find her ready to go....shoes on the wrong feet, mind you, but she was very pleased with her work!
I did the quick pancakes off the face wipe down, grabbed all our stuff, and headed for the door. I did a quick shoe switch while I loaded her in her car seat and distracted her with praises of how proud I was of her.
We turned on her favorite Joe McDermmott song, and we were off! On the way we talked about alligators and french fries...the usual stuff...just enjoying our time together. About a mile from the school (which is in our church, I need to remind you), Kaelan called to me from the back seat, "Mom....I look pretty today!" I nodded and smiled, "You sure do!"
"Mom!", she called again, "I didn't even have to wear panties to look cute!"
WHAT?????
U-TURN....we were late for school today after all!
