Yesterday was the first day in about three weeks that Caroline and I didn’t have anywhere to be or anything we had to do. We spent much of the morning in our pajamas and finally headed out to run a few errands around 10:30 a.m.
This is the sad reality of motherhood. When you wake up at the crack of early, it seems like you’ve already lived half a day by 10:30 a.m.
I told Caroline we were going to run some errands and she ran in her room to get dressed. Heaven help me, the wardrobe issues are going to be the death of me.
It’s like living with J.Lo back when she was all “Jenny from the block and don’t be fooled by the rocks that she got”, and not Mrs. Marc Anthony.
Frankly, I miss the old J. Lo.
Caroline came out of her room wearing jeans that were about three inches too short, pink cowboy boots, a sleeveless floral print top, and a necklace that she fashioned out of two bracelets that came from Vacation Bible School that say “When in doubt, PRAY!” and “PRAY without ceasing”.
Which is exactly what I do every morning when she gets dressed.
And just for that extra bit of flair, she was carrying her Hello Kitty purse, had her huge sunglasses up on her head and was carrying a coffee thermos. I bet five dollars she and Mary Kate Olsen had on the same outfit yesterday.
But since I am beat down by the wardrobe and, inherently, there isn’t anything wrong with it, other than the fact that she looks like a hobo, I just went with it and we headed out to run some errands.
Our first stop was the mail store and then we walked down to the drugstore to pick up a few other things. This was a critical error on my part because there is a pet store in between the drugstore and the mail store.
Caroline begged to go in the pet store and I thought “What the heck, it’s summer. Let the girl have some fun!”, because what says summer fun like hearing a parrot squawk until your ears bleed?
Of course all she wanted to see were the rodents. And I have never been more grateful that she can’t read yet because there was a big sign on the cage of the Siberian Hamsters that said “FREE TO GOOD HOME. ASK YOUR PARENTS.”
Oh, that’s just what I need. A free Russian rodent that would, no doubt, demand high-dollar vodka, caviar and repeated viewings of Anna Karenina.
She was particularly interested in seeing what she called “the feeder mice”.
I asked, “What are the feeder mice?”
“They are the mice that you feed to snakes. Can we buy some to take to the ranch to feed the snakes?”
“What did you say, baby?” Mama couldn’t hear you over the gagging and her brain spontaneously combusting.
“I want to buy some feeder mice to feed the snakes.”
I suspect that someone has recently visited the pet store with her daddy, because the only mice she knows about from me are the kind that make dresses for Cinderella or hang out with ducks who don’t wear pants.
And I’m keeping it that way.
Becky says:
I am so excited! I just found your blog for the first time yesterday and can’t wait to continue to read. I have a four year girl and believe the clothing issues will be a big part of our life as well! Many blessings to you!
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:56 am
Jessica says:
It’s interesting to hear this story about the mice because I often wonder what goes on when my son has days with daddy at home alone. He can’t talk yet, but I’m sure I’ll learn a lot about “daddy time” once he can!
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:22 am
Happy Mommy says:
If feeder mice don’t faze her, you can bet the stares from her outfit choices never will! Daddy’s are so nice to share those details, aren’t they!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:02 am
Lallee says:
What an adorable vision I have in my head of that outfit! BigMama, it could have been worse in the pet store. I actually had to BUY those feeder mice for the snakes–not for ranch snakes, but for the ones in our house. God gifted me with three sons and no daughters. You have to go with the flow as they say.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:04 am
Gayle W. says:
Man, it just really grates my crawl when I see signs like the one you mentioned.
When she is able to read it, you will want to choke someone.
It’s like the folks who thought it would be cute to put candy all along the torture chamber of a check-out line at the grocery store. Sorry. I have 4 kids, so stuff like that makes me go all Sybil.
Anywho, I love that age for their fine choices of apparrel! I have more pictures of my kids at that age that dressed themselves….
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:17 am
Shelly W says:
You’re in fine form this morning! Thanks for the laugh. I have three daughters and my motto has always been “better to dress like a hobo than a ho.” Have a great day!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:27 am
suburbancorrespondent says:
I believe the Siberian hamsters prefer Dr. Zhivago.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:31 am
Joanne (The SImple Wife) says:
Oh my goodness!
Something tells me our daughters would hit it off in an instant! You, however, are a MUCH better mom, because I usually make mine go change.
Am I cramping her style, I wonder?!
Joanne
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:39 am
What About Mom says:
Been reading you for awhile now, and this is your best post yet (I mean, in the last couple months).
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes should be totally unaware of the food chain!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:39 am
Kelly @ The Feathered Nest says:
Love hearing about Caroline’s wardrobe because she sounds exactly like my 11 year old was. Hold on tight, the ride doesn’t get any smoother, but it sure is fun!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:55 am
Lizz @ Yes, and So Is My Heart says:
Too funny.
I let my daughter “win” the wardrobe thing every now and then too. It sure is funny what she thinks looks nice.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Chelle' says:
What? No picture??
And I will tell you that as a mother of two boys, (and one girl that thinks she’s a boy but dresses like a girl-praise the Lord) feeder mice make great pets. Their life span is 6 months (unless you’re actually feeding them to snake) and the kids get a kick out of watching them run on a wheel!
In our house we switch the pet situation up between beta fish and feeder mice. BOYS!!
Now would be a great time to thank God you have a little girl!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:05 am
UncommonBlonde says:
It’s a good thing you’re not traveling anymore this week … you’d come home to a house full of mice and shamwows. (I still want one of those)
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 am
Fuschia says:
Good for you!
I’m not sure I can even type feede…nope!
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
r r mama says:
Oh Melanie, I am feelin’ your anguish and I have two boys. Yesterday R3’s outfit consisted of blue shorts, a sleeveless light blue shirt with a faded number on it and his camo rubber boots. Then top it off he wanted to wear his brothers baseball cap backwards. I can’t say anything about the pet thing. We have a gerbil named Jonas after a song on the ever popular Guitar Hero game. Nice huh?
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:36 am
Penny Raine says:
you just HAVE to give us pictures! she reminds me so much of my oldes at that age
blessings, Penny Raine
http://www.penyraine.com/blog
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 am
Daisy Girl says:
That is really funny. Thanks for sharing.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 am
Kelly says:
OH - you are so funny! That Caroline never stops cracking me up.
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 am
Emily says:
My daughter has the same wardrobe. I feel so badly because I have actually laughed in her face a few times. Then I tell her how much I love her. She just puts a smile on my face!
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:11 am
Annabelle @ Christian Momma says:
Too funny! I hate rodents and bugs and reptiles for that matter!! They creep me out…even when they are on tv! Imagine me going to the Arachnophobia show…I don’t think I watched much of that show through my fingers! LOL
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
Ivy Six-Pack says:
Think of what a well rounded little girl you are raising - she’s brilliant, she can dress with style, she can golf, and she can handle snakes and mice. Hmmmm…on second thought - watch out - she’s gonna be the catch for every guy!
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Julie says:
FEEDER MICE!?!?! YIKES … I am sure you just about wigged out! Be VERY careful as you might just end up with a pet snake and FEEDER mice!
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:02 am
Shelly McCabe says:
Oh Melanie, I feel for you. I have this fear with having two boys that either they are going to want a snake as a pet or will show up with one. I hope you can find another bribe for her to get her interest off the rats to feed to snakes. I am deathly afraid of snakes because of my grandmother living in the country and she put the fear in us. Yikes!
I hope y’all have a great 4th of July. I’m so excited about the holiday.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:15 am
Natalie @ I AM (not) says:
I had a snake in college. I know, weird, but wouldn’t you know it died from constipation. I guess that little feeder mouse had the last word.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
Luke Holzmann says:
Very funny.
My wife loves her rat… for what it’s worth.
~Luke
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:27 am
Mamalovelock says:
LOL!! The outfit sounds quite unique! I totally understand about the wardrobe though, I have a seven year old who thinks every time we go to a store we are either going to buy clothes, a purse or shoes. She would change her clothes eight times a day if I would let her. I fear the teenage years.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
80smoviemama says:
I can identify with you and your Caroline. My daughter is also four and the clothing issue is about to send me over the edge. She only wants to wear dresses. Dresses all the time. Not just play dresses, but church dresses.
I love reading your blog. It always makes me laugh.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:38 am
April says:
Oh I appreciate this story so much…I have too have a girly that would love love love to feed some mice to a snake…and she didn’t learn that from me either….I know the same mice you do !!
have a happy day
April
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:53 am
shelley @ itchesandscratches says:
Oh that was good. Feeder mice. Oh my. Only a daddy…
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Nicole @ Life in Progress says:
I can relate to this story. My daughter is all about ridiculous outfits and “critters”. Her Daddy has taught her to have no fear when it comes to rodents, amphibians & reptiles. I think he’s hoping she won’t turn out like her Mother in that respect! So far, he’s doing a bang-up job.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Erin says:
My girl is 7 (almost 8 - she would want you to know that lol) and trust me…the wardrobe issues don’t get any better. I love when she wears mis-matched stuff ON PURPOSE just to see if I am going to laugh or fuss. Haha!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
The Pumkin Patch says:
Oh my gracious!! I am terrified of both rodents and snakes. I’d like to feed them both to something to get rid of them. NASTY!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Carol says:
Whew! I’ll say, the clothing thing comes and goes in waves around here w/my two girls, ages 6 and 8 11/12ths. Today we also visited the pet store and again had to look at rodents, pricing them for “when I turn 10, and I can have one”…. : }
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Miscellaneous From Missy says:
You’ve GOT to stop going away! Maybe this is P’s payback to you.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Vikki Kast says:
Oh the joy of visiting the Pet Store!! Okay, the visual of your Russian rodent with his expensive vodka and ushanka cracks me up!! The pet store person who puts Free on anything in the store should be in the cage with the feeder mice!!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Kacey says:
Boy, have things changed since I had little kids. I made most of their clothes (I am really good with a needle) and hung their outfit for the next day on their dresser handle at night. They never questioned it then and now all three have radically different styles of dress. I’m so happy that we didn’t have any fashion issues until about the fifth grade, when the oldest girl almost died because I made her wear saddle shoes. By high school, she jumped into saddle shoes every Friday, because the majorettes all had to wear them with their Friday outfit. Sheesh!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Amy says:
Priceless. I am seeing the future with my 2 year old daughter.
Your blog is excellent and this post is one of the best ever.
So glad for your successes and opportunities with Lifeway and writing in general.
Blessings!
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Janine says:
Crack me up! Trust me, as a mother of 3 “grown” girls, I did not pick the “fashion fight”. And I have been told that there are many little girls running around our church on Sundays in their princess gowns because of my MOPS talks!
Pick the battles that are important …. clothing is not (as long as it’s covering all that needs to be covered). It’s a very interesting way for a child to express themselves …. whether you want them to or not!!
My daughter’s favorite outfit was a GoodWill dress and rubber, garden boots. At least she decorated the boots with stickers?
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Kim H. says:
How funny… both the wardrobe issues and the mouse issues… your life never ceases to entertain me.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Amy says:
You should go check out Patsy Clairmont’s blog. She held a python the other day. You know, around her neck. (I say that so casually, as if it’s normal or something.) So, I guess we won’t be seein’ any of that from you, huh?
Once Caroline has figured out the fashion issues, she’ll be movin’ on to the hair. I told my 8 yr old this morning, “I am walking out the door and you and your brush better be done.”
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
PJ says:
Kids reality. The other day we pass a cemetery and there’s a backhoe digging what is obviously a grave. My 6-yr old granddaughter says, “What are they doing.” Oh, Maybe planting something I reply. “Probably a person.” What??? “They’re probably burying a person who died.” And I’m speechless!
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Pam says:
To my daughter’s horror she has a daughter that has the same sense of “style” as yours. My daughter is very conservative and wears lots of beige and navy blue….her daughter…NOT SO MUCH. Anyway my precious grandaughter is ten now and has really toned down the glitter on her own…..but I love looking at the pictues from when she was 4, 5 and 6 dressing herself so proudly and being all sparkly…..God bless, Pam, South Bend
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Gwyn says:
I usually make mine change too - but recently have succumbed to “she dressed herself” instead when I get the weird looks. (But mine is 8….)
She’ll probably be a trend-setter - I should applaud her ability to defy peer pressure…right?
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Rachelle says:
Today I saw a child with her dress tucked into her shorts, boots and one side of her hair was in a braid and the other side was hanging loose! It was way to cute!….Love you blog…
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
BecomingMe says:
This post made me laugh so hard. The feeder mice…oh my. And the clothing issues, you so know I know your pain.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Janera says:
I can just see that outfit. I think we sported a few very much like it through the years. Thanks for the sweet memories.
btw, enjoy it. Next on the plain will come those little mall stores that burn some kind of heavy incense and play music that will blast your ears off. Bleeding ears? Ain’t nuthin’.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Jennifer says:
I just don’t know what I would do without my Big Mama every morning.
You are a joy!
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
lori behr says:
So Fuuny!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Jill says:
Where are the pictures????!!!!
I love Caroline. She is the most bizzare mix of girly girl and tomboy. The perfect blend of you and P, I would guess.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Jenn @ Casa de Castro says:
What’s wrong with Caroline’s outfit? Is there something wrong with it? Sounds perfect to me. I mean, she doesn’t NEED to read Fashion Fridays like the rest of us.
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Marla Taviano says:
My Ava (she’s 6) has the same sense of fashion as your Caroline. Anytime she comes down the stairs wearing something normal, I fall over from shock. (this has happened maybe 3 times in 6 years)
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Amanda says:
Oh, that’s just what I need. A free Russian rodent that would, no doubt, demand high-dollar vodka, caviar and repeated viewings of Anna Karenina.
Absolutely hilarious!
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Melanie says:
Cracking up!
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:27 am
Carolina Mama says:
I thought I had heard it all with Twin boys….
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:06 am
Missy @ It's Almost Naptime says:
“I bet five dollars she and Mary Kate Olsen had on the same outfit yesterday.”
You make me laugh.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Deana says:
Don’t you know that your pants need to be a few inches too short so people can properly see the shoes…duh. From the mouth of a 6 year old.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Valentina says:
I’m so glad I’m not the only with the “clothing” issues. I shudder every time I see my 7 year old picking out her clothes.
I think to myself, Haven’t you seen my stack of In Style magazine?? Marie Clare?? Who’s child are you?!
Thanks for the continued laughs.
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Linda at 2nd Cup says:
As I was happily reading along, I mis-read “Vacation Bible School” as “Vatican Bible School.” ? I bet they wear big hats there.
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Kara @ Me-Moddy says:
Feeder Mice? That’s just loverly - isn’t it? Yes - there must’ve definitely been a daddy conversation involved in there. Thanks for keeping me laughing as I picture your daughter’s outfits. I know my day is coming very soon with Little girl. Ha!
July 4th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Elaine says:
Love her outfit! HA!
July 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pm