Dressing Up.

Marley's first grade class has earned lots of good behavior paw prints for being respectful, responsible, and ready, already enough for a pajama day and a dance party.  Unsurprisingly, Marley was preoccupied and a little distraught about what she might wear on the day of the dance party.  She wanted to be fancy, but not overdressed.  And now that she's seven and such a big kid, it's not all about pink and tulle and glitter anymore.  Which in most ways is a relief, but in other ways, and I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M SAYING THIS, so sad, because I miss that little, sparkly, pink munchkin.

 Anyhow, I like to think that I was the one who helped Marley understand that a glittery sweater might work best with understated basics.  Moderation, Beanie.  She was thankfully already aware her that her boots don't have to be sequined to be cool, but she wanted something more, so I told her she could borrow one of my three fun necklaces, and then my first grader began her day looking way more put together than I have in a long time.  When I showed this picture to my sisters and friends, they all responded by saying they wished they had an outfit like that.  Me too.

 Rudy, on the other hand, is in the thick of Little Kid Dressing Up Life.  And it doesn't have to be pink.  For Halloween, she was overjoyed to wear a fleece fish costume that I was overjoyed to buy on clearance at Old Navy.  She is actually posing as a very specific fish, the one she is holding, which is an ever-disappearing but much-loved prize she chose at the ophthalmologist this fall as a reward for a great check-up.  She named that fish Twisty, and she refers to him by his full name, which includes our last name, and so now everyone who knows him is just as formal.

 One recent morning, Rudy put on Marley's old Halloween costume and was a superhero, just because.

 And then on her birthday, my favorite hat got some special attention.  I'm afraid her enormous head will not be able to sport this one much longer, so I'm happy she's getting the chance to enjoy it while she can.

And then yesterday, it starting SNOWING.  Luckily, Rudy was ready hours before it started in her new boots, hat, and mittens.  Apparently I've done a great job demonstrating for my children, or at least Rudy, the joy of wearing a winter hat as often as possible, even and especially indoors.  I think it's safe to say that I learned this from my grampa, who passed away two weeks ago.  He had a few different hats that he loved to wear all day, to, as he used to say, keep his brains warm.  I miss him and my memories are feeling even more valuable than usual lately.  I will be keeping my brains warm to help preserve them as long as I possibly can.