Maria's latest

Maria is already very fashion conscious...must come from her father's side. You may remember a couple years ago when she picked what shoes to where by hitting them on the floor to see if they lit up. She also is very particular in what matches and what doesn't (blue jeans don't have every color, you know, so only certain tops match them).

Last night I was laying out her church clothes. For about a year now, she hasn't wanted to wear dresses or skirts to church, only shorts (summer) or pants. But most weeks I still ask if she wants to wear a dress so she can have the joy of telling me "no". When I asked if she wanted to wear a dress she told me, "If you're going to wear a dress I will, too." So I laid out a dress for her. Then I remembered they were going to the neighbor girl's birthday party straight from church. When I asked if she wanted to wear pants, her answer was, "No, Mommy. You're supposed to wear dresses to parties. I didn't know that when I was one, but now I do."

I'm not sure who is serving as her social etiquette advisor, but maybe they will take me as a client, too!