Hello Opinionated

It all started a couple of weeks ago when Elena had a fever. I got her out of bed, took her temperature, and then realized we were NOT going to be leaving the house that day. So I asked her "Do you want to just wear pajamas today?". She excitedly replied "Jah-Mahs!". And so her first official Pajama Day began.

Well, you can guess what happened the next day. I got her out of bed and proceeded to pick out an outfit. As I brought the clothes to the changing table she began to insist "No pants! No pants!" I quickly realized this was not about actually wanting or not wanting to get dressed. It was a battle of wills. And those of you who know me well know that she was not going to win a battle of wills! We have a rule in the Jordan family- we wear pants when we leave the house. I see no good reason for that rule to change. Sorry, Elena, but you lose this one.

Knowing that it is important to let her exercise some freedom and decision making, I began that week letting her choose between 2 pairs of shorts. Once she picked, I would then let her pick between 2 shirts. But then we came to the shoes.

Elena has a worn out pair of Target white sandals that we got around Easter. She lived in them until I recently got her some new Crocs. The white sandals are dirty and scuffed and just not nearly as cute as Crocs (I know I have a problem and need treatment for my Crocs addiction). But Elena really, really, really loves those Target sandals because they have butterflies on them.

I may be naive, but I really think she just likes the butterflies! I wanted to let her wear what she liked, but-Hello!- there are some great, cute Crocs in the closet too!

Today I realized there was a way we could both be happy! We took a trip to the Crocs outlet and came to a compromise. Elena spent the next 15 minutes giggling at her toes saying, over and over, "Pretty butterflies!"

Goodbye "Dress-me-however-you-want". Hello Opinionated.