Purple Pants

It's fall and the weather is really shifting, so we did our fall clothes shopping recently.  It is always interesting to see what my girl decides is worthy of her wearing as she peruses the racks of clothes.

She has been through so many interesting clothing phases since she began deciding what she would and wouldn't wear (at the age of two) --  remember these?? 

*the Thomas t-shirt
*all red, all the time
*no pink, no white, no ruffles, no skirts....
*tie-dye
*layered socks
*the unicorn nightgown/dress
*animal prints
*bright colors and rainbows
*pant legs tucked into socks
*red velvet dresses for all occasions
*lots of dresses and skirts and twirly girly things
*glitter on everything


She sure has changed and evolved, and amazingly every season brings something new and more interesting.  Her current loves are:

*hearts on everything
*sparkly stars
*bow details (!!!)
*glitter shoes  -- still
*super soft fabrics  like velour or corduroy
*black shirts with sparkly designs  (black!!??!!)


And once again for Chloe, the bright colors prevail.  So when we were shopping this is the sort of clothing she was drawn to.  I shouldn't have been surprised at all by her choice of purple corduroy pants, but I was. 

I didn't really like them and didn't really believe she'd wear anything with a snap and zipper (she still hates jeans).  But, persuasive as she is, she convinced me she would wear them so we brought them home. 

She could not be more pleased and proud in those soft purple pants.  And, you know, they actually look really pretty on her.

This sort of thing is still hard for me.  Moms are supposed to pick the clothes and the kids are supposed to put them on and look adorable.  Alas, that is not how things are for me and Chloe.

I always have a bit of a struggle just letting go when it's shopping time.  (That's weird, I know and maybe I shouldn't share that here, but it goes with this whole story, so there it is.)  But, I have never been willing to fight over clothes, so we don't.  She picks.  I smile.

More than anything, I want my sweet girl to know that nothing like purple pants (or Thomas t-shirts or crazy orange knee socks with khaki shorts) will never be an issue between us.  I love her just the way she is, and that 'way' is quite often different from me.  I like that.  I can't let my pride or expectations get in the way of that.

I hope someday she knows that when I am supporting her (through things that are uncomfortable or even mildly embarrassing for me), I am expressing my unconditional mama guarantee:  I love her and I accept her, no matter what.