Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Letter to a Four and a Half Year Old

Dear Katelyn,

Thank you for deciding that you had other clothes worthy of wearing. I was getting tired of seeing the "snow dress" every day. I'm not sure why anyone wants to wear the same article of clothing four days in a row, but that seems to match your persistent, selective personality. You certainly have made me seek out how to be a better parent. I'm ok with cutting the tags out of your clothes and letting you decide what you wear everyday, but you really do need to wear underwear. I'm sorry. It's just required in this family. You can sleep naked (except for underwear), wear the same dress everyday, and not do anything to your hair, but you 1) do have to wear underwear and 2) change it on a regular basis. I'm sorry there seem to only be 4 pairs you like right now. I'm doing my best to find others that "feel right." If only every pair of underwear went up to your mid-back, as you seem to require it. I'm sorry. Hanes and Fruit of the Loom just don't do granny panties for little girls. I'll keep looking.

And about the hair. You will be undergoing a drastic hairstyle change tomorrow. I'm really really tired of you not putting anything in it, crying when I brush it, and pulling on it while screaming, "It doesn't feel right!" A short bob with bangs will make us both happier, I think.

And while we're at it, I think you might need to seriously think about another pair of shoes for this coming winter. Your pink Crocs will only last so much longer. And eventually you will want to play outside in the cold and rain. You will need shoes that do not have holes. But I just can't even talk to you about socks right now. They seem to be your mortal enemy.

But anyway, thanks for deciding other long sleeves dresses are just as good as your sweater dress. I'm glad I remembered them and pulled them out of their 5T storage box the other day. I'm happy that your happy. Eventually we'll work on socks and sweaters and pants, but for now, I'll take whatever means you aren't screaming like a banshee and having a knock down tantrum every morning.

Love,
Mommy

5 comments:

Stacey said...

Oh my gosh... I was laughing hysterically reading this! If I just changed the intro to "Dear Charlotte" and substituted 'gingerbread dress' in place of 'snow dress', I could copy and paste it for my blog. Can't wait to see pictures of the haircut!

Susan said...

I love Kate! We definitely need to keep Ella and Kate apart. Together they would become an unstoppable force!

Ro said...

I know I've said this before, but are you absolutely sure we don't have the same child? I mean, they look kind of alike, and have the same name. Katelyn will look even more like Caitlin once you bob her hair and give her bangs. My Caitlin insisted on short hair because she hates me doing *anything* to it (even combing it, which is a requirement). I feel for you. Just know you're not alone - I could have written the same letter. It would include a lot of sighing (by me!).

I'll let you know if I find any granny panties. Maybe Hello Kitty makes them....

KJBB said...

Thank you for making me laugh out loud on a Friday morning when I'm so tired I can barely see the computer screen. Miss you, Kel

The Captain said...

Love the new haircut!I wonder if it will help?Naw, that'd be to easy.You could have just cut it all off.CPS probably would have come and taken her then, considering where you live.Teaching us humility seems to be our kids primary job some times and they are so devastatingly good at it.Lest there is any doubt we think you're the best Mom in whole wide world!!!!!! Slog On!