Fashionista

Laurel started caring about her clothing much earlier in life than any of the rest of us.  She wants to wear what she wants to wear and there isn't much that will convince her otherwise.  I decided pretty quickly that it wasn't worth the battle and let her make her own choices.  I even gave up trying to make sure they were weather appropriate as the only way she would believe me was to wear the wrong thing and learn for herself that sandals in winter mean really cold feet.

This picture captures a few of her fashion statements: rainboots are a MUST at the slightest sign of a puddle (it is one of the first questions she asks each morning), the 80's style headband is the hair accessory of choice (and she is often wearing more than one) and Maya is wearing the brightly colored knee socks - a trend Laurel started a year ago.

She refuses to wear any shirt that does not have "a picture of something" on it.  I have a whole drawer full of clothes that she simply won't put on because there are no pictures on them.  And this one barely counts because it is more like a pattern than a picture.

Her newest fashion statement is two different shoes:

There was the perfectly planned Christmas eve outfit where she refused leggings or tights (and it was COLD) and tried on 4 different skirts to make sure she could see just the right amount of leg above her boot when she bent over.  I still don't understand exactly what that means or why the first three didn't cut it, but whatever.  At least she found one that worked.

And the ski googles have become a necessary accessory - on hikes, during meals, around the house. You will also notice the pants she is wearing here.  Those are actually long underwear.  I made the rookie mistake of buying long underwear that had something on them and she refuses to wear anything over them because "then everyone can't see the owls and how cute they are."  Even on a hike in 30 degree weather.  Considering snow pants over them will be non-negotiable for skiing I should prepare myself now for the battle.

(she clearly did not want her picture taken)

Despite the frustration Little Miss Particular can bring out, it is fun to watch her spunky little personality show through her clothes.  Maya asks me each morning to make sure her outfit matches... a question I never expect to hear from Laurel.