Friday, May 24, 2013

Sister Love

togetherness

On the bus last week, a woman asked how far apart in age my children are, and when I told her five years, she shook her head in dismay, then began moaning and muttering about how it was a problem, a big, big problem. Her own two children were twenty years apart, and they still struggle with sibling rivalry. No assurance on my part of the mutual adoration between my girls could calm her; she was clearly frazzled, thinking of all the difficulties we are sure to encounter in the years to come.

I know they will argue sometimes; they already do. But I think that mostly they will love one another, look out for one another, be there for one another. Because they already do that, too.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Keeping My Little Girl Little

always and forever my little girl

With her last growth spurt, Zinashi exited the baby and toddler size range and is now solidly a size six. Over the weekend, I went through the tub of her old clothes that we had stored at my parents house, and I was astounded at how small they were. I knew that she was little when we first came for her; I remember how compactly she would curl up in my lap. But it is still a shock to hold up the first soft pants we put her in and and understand the difference between then and now. It won't be long before Elvie will be able to wear those pants.

I don't know why that makes me feel like crying, but it does. I suppose it's thinking of her, so small, with her grief still fresh, with her eyes so hopeful anyhow. I think that I will always miss those days with her in Addis. I will always want to go back and live that over again, savor it all. The jammies really did me in - I found my favorite pair, and I remember zipping them up over her little body, after lotion and before we all laid down together so she coud kick me for a little while to make sure I was still there before she went to sleep. How did the time fly by so quickly? How did she get so big?

It has been a challenge to find clothes for her in her new size that I feel are appropriate. Maybe I'm just an old curmudgeon, but I am of the opinion that six years old is still an age that still falls into the category of little, and I want my growing girl to dress like it. I don't want her in a miniature version of a teenager's outfit. I don't want her wearing shoes with heels. Childhood is fleeting, and I don't want to push her out of it before it's time. I don't mind if she plays dress up with things for grown women - little girls have done this since the dawn of time - but I do mind if she thinks that these things are for every day.

So I've been combing eBay for Mini Boden deals and waiting for the best sales on other brands that don't aim to give my six-year-old a woman's silhouette. I've resigned myself to spending more for shoes, because there is a shocking gap between little girl Mary Jane shoes and women's Mary Jane shoes. Why the shoe makers believe that by the smallest bit of growth of her foot, a little girl can suddenly keep her shoes on better without a strap to keep them there is beyond me.

And of course Zinashi sees these things in her size and wonders why I won't let her have them. I simply tell her that while she is a little girl, she should be allowed to stay a little girl, that dressing like she is older will only be uncomfortable and inconvenient and, let's just be real here, less cute. I don't want it all to seem like forbidden fruit, but I do want to protect her childhood. Clothes are just the smallest part of that, but they do matter. And I guess if thinking that and acting on it as a mother makes me an old curmudgeon, then I'll accept and embrace that with open arms.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

A Photo a Day While We Are Away: Tuesday

this is who we are
This is what we're really like. And we're not even sorry about it.

Monday, May 20, 2013

A Photo a Day While We Are Away: Monday

case of the mondays
Elvie thinks you might have a case of the Mondays. It's best to just go back to bed.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

A Photo a Day While We Are Away: Sunday

brand new sisters
Sisters, meeting for the first time. Elvie's all, "This is not my favorite!" and
Zinashi is all, "I am the BEST BIG SISTER." So much love.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

A Photo a Day While We Are Away: Saturday

ready to go to elvie
At the airport in San Francisco, chomping at the bit to get on
the plane and get to Elvie.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...