Birthday Shopping

First stop - School House

Some things in life really are free. School House sends my kiddos (12 and under) a coupon every year for their birthday, which is redeemable for 3 dollars of merchandise. No gimmicks. Maggy picked out a jumbo sized pink star pencil top eraser, a zebra pencil and a cutesy zipper bracelet. Something practical and something fun. And free.

  

Next stop - Claire's

Sometimes, I pick the wrong times to be considerate of others. In my attempt to avoid capturing the beautiful Italian assistant in the photo (per her request and store policy) I photobombed Maggy getting her ears pierced.  I know Maggy forgives me. After all, she got to get her ears done two years sooner than her sisters. They granted her permission. Truly. I asked them if they objected. They are kind and compassionate sisters who did not want her to have to wait until age 13 to wear pierced earrings. (I would have been one of those mean and selfish sisters that said, "That's not fair. I had to wait until I was 13, so you should have to wait too!" I am glad my girls are nicer than I was.)

 

I always thought of the earring stage as their passage into the teen years. There is also a level of responsibility that comes with the first 6 weeks of ear care that I think they should have to do themselves and 13 seems like an appropriate age for this to happen. Maggy has proven to be very attentive in so many ways that I couldn't find any reason to make her wait. Voila! Done. Admiring her new sparkles in the mirror.

 

So many choices! I gave her restrictions on size and I was even lenient with two pair in this department. The flip flops and Eiffel towers were irresistibly darling and I let her get them despite the rule. I made it very clear that these were thee only two exceptions to the rule. It is now also here in writing, Maggy. Just in case you forget;-)

 

 

Aren't these the happiest and bubbliest pudgy machines all in a row bursting with color? They called our name as we were on our way out. Bubble gum, bubble gum, in a dish. How many pieces do you wish? We both picked Sour Apple. What a fun flavor! Thank you for inviting us, Mr. Bubble. And with that, we each left him a shiny quarter in return;-)

 Off to eat cake back home