Princess for a Day

Miranda loves princesses. All of them. Belle. Aurora. Tiana. Ariel (who is more mermaid than princess, but we go with it). We bought her a princess gown for Halloween and then remembered that we had a hand-me-down chicken costume that would only fit her this year and was nice and warm and so the chicken costume won. It was a great costume and served her well.

This morning, while getting Miranda dressed for school, she stumbled upon her princess dress hanging in her closet. She insisted that she was a princess and had to wear the dress. Luckily we were able to get her clothes on underneath the dress, but she still went to school with the gown on over her outfit.

Her teachers were amused. The other parents gave me a knowing look. Apparently, this is the age where Miranda starts to decide what she likes and does not like. As much as it may cause some headaches for us, I kind of like this new independence. For now.

I do not believe that there is anything wrong with our daughter believing in fairy tales and make-believe. I do not have an issue if she wants to twirl around and "be pretty". It makes my heart burst that she is so easily amused and that she is so carefree. 

Miranda picks up on everything we do. She sees the way Gary treats me and vice-versa and I hope she sees how lucky we are.

Gary started a new job today. It's a very exciting time in our house. Change is scary, but also very good. We spent his last day home yesterday by going out and shopping. For me. Who does that? At least he let me treat for lunch.

We are not perfect parents. Who is? We make mistakes along the way and we learn from them. Candy corn for dinner, for example, was not a good idea. Asking her if she wanted a time out? Another poor decision. The journey to figure out what works and what doesn't is exhausting, but also exhilarating.

There will come a time when we have to talk about difficult things. When the battles are about more than clothes or food. I hope that we are setting the stage for a tolerant and loving and compassionate girl who will do her best to handle what comes her way. And if she becomes that girl with a tiara on her head and a wand in her hand, then more power to her!