Growing Up....

Yesterday was a lovely day.

It began with coffee with Creme Brulee creamer, as all good days do.

I straightened my big girl's hair (a major feat!), and she and I got all gussied up.  I even let her wear my wedding pearls.

We went to a fancy tea party with all of her sweet friends...laughter, silliness, learning to be gracious and proper, sharing gifts, making memories.  And the mamas had a great time too.

Beautiful mini-cupcakes that Mrs. Mary Kay got for the girls.  They were delicious.

I love that no matter how many times you tell children to sit on their bottoms to watch others open gifts, they just can't help but lean in close, full of excitement, wonder, curiosity.

It's quite possible that these three were still recovering from the sugar high their mothers gave them the night before...

Then came a surprise.  I offered Mary-Grace a trip to the mall with Zoe, Marie and Ani (and their mamas) to get her ears pierced.  At first, she said no even though she's been asking for awhile.  Then she asked if we could just go to the mall to check it out, see if anyone else was getting theirs done so she could watch.  So off we went.

This is Mary-Grace's first mall experience with just the girls.  I'm so glad I pulled out the camera when I did.  Thank you Kelle Hampton!

Not so sure about this...

Thankfully, Mrs. Kessie knew to ask for two ladies to pierce both ears at the same time.  We found the right place.  We watched a man get his ears pierced (Kessie went and told him that he had to smile the whole time because a little girl was watching him).  She was unsure.

We picked out earrings, sat in the chair, asked the friends to go walk around and not to watch, and commenced wiggling and crying.  The lady cleaned her ears and she FLIPPED OUT.

Then I found out that once the earrings were opened I still had to pay for it.

I begged and pleaded, telling her that I didn't care either way, but could she please just do it since it was paid for.  I said that I was paying this time, but that was it.  The next go round was on her dime.  She cried and wiggled and said no.  A lady and her daughter (she looked about 10) were waiting their turn, staring her down.  I told them to go somewhere else; I hope I was polite, but I really don't remember.  I was trying not to lose $30.

Then my girl got smart on me.  She asked for a treat, like an ice cream, if she did it.  I said sure, absolutely.  Then she asked if she could get a toy if she went through with it.  I said I'd think about it.

Then I got smart. I said, "If you do this, I'll buy you a flexible Barbie."  This is the Barbie she's been wanting for months, but we've been telling her she had to wait until Christmas or her birthday.

She was sold.

I held her arms, the ladies pierced, she SCREAMED, then curled up on my lap and cried.

Her friends, and more importantly my friends, were watching through the glass from afar.  They came running in with yays! and you did its!, and she was so proud.

I think this is my favorite picture of the day. I love the glisten in my girl's eyes, still left from her tears, and the support of her friends around her.  It feels prophetic...like there are so many of these joy-filled and tear-filled moments ahead of these girls...moments they will share together. And I was beat red in the neck, just like my mom gets when she's hot and stressed. Last night after Mass, we went on a wild goose chase for the Barbie.  We'd already been to the south side Target with Kessie and Zoe.  Dad and the siblings came along and we hit ToysRUs, Walmart, north side Target and Albertsons.  Would you believe we found the darn thing at Albertsons?!  And for $5.50 more at that!  But my Gracie was happy, and that made me happy, so there you go. When we got home, we went about the bed time routine, and sat on beds for prayers.  I looked at Mary-Grace sitting on her bed by her Daddy, with her freshly straightened pony tail and newly pierced ears, wearing her new cupcake shirt, and it hit me:  she is a big girl now.  I looked at Phil and mouthed, "she looks different".  She looked older, bigger, less "baby".  I was proud, sad, overwhelmed at what's to come, but mostly just grateful that she's ours. And then I snapped this picture... She's still my big baby girl...she always will be.  And tonight, I'm not so worried about getting her to stop sucking the fingers and give up the blankie.  There's plenty of time for that...later.