So Much for Being 100 % Pure Girlie Girl
You might think I would be done with Disney posts, considering we've already been back home for a few days. You would be wrong. I have always openly admitted this is a narcissistic little blog, and I still have things I want to document about the trip. Feel free to click away if you are sick of the Pixie Dust and Mouse ears. :-)
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As we strolled through Disney studios, Alexis spotted a familiar sight. "I want a tutu!" she declared.
A "tutu" is a tattoo. I could correct her pronunciation, but what fun would that be?
Mr. Husband and I peered around until we found what she was referring to--a little cart manned by a lone woman and her temporary tattoos. We glanced at the prices and figured what the hell? She hadn't managed to talk us into any toys or clothes at that point, so $6 seemed like we might just be getting off easy.
We informed the short person that she would have to pick one, and only one, tattoo. There were literally hundreds to choose from--everything from generic Bulldogs, skulls, and lightening bolts to Disney's entire cast of characters. She looked at the princesses, and carefully declared that she wanted the Mermaid. Then she spotted a bunch of Mickey and Minnie tats and said, "Wait!" She slowly studied them all before settling on the one of Minnie wearing a pink princess dress. Then she realized there was a whole other side to the cart, with literally hundreds more to choose from.
Mr. Husband and I stood back and let the kid continue with her declarations of, "I want that one!" which was always followed by, "No, I want that one!" Over and over and over. And over.
Then she saw it.
THE one.
Violet.
Alexis' current favorite Disney movie is The Incredibles, and Violet is a rock star in her eyes. I asked everywhere about finding a "real" Violet for Alexis to meet, but unfortunately the only appearances Violet makes in any of the parks is the invisible type. It seemed that a Violet tattoo was almost as good as spotting the real thing from 500 feet, especially considering Alexis would certainly freak the heck out if she got too close.
Alexis sat veeeeeery still as the tattoo artist applied the tattoo. More still than anything I've ever seen. I'm sure she was having some sort of inner dialogue about how she didn't want to be near the stranger, but she really wanted Violet on her arm. She probably figured if she stayed still enough, she would be invisible just like Violet.
When it was done, Alexis looked at her arm and grinned another one of those Disney magic-induced grins.
As we resumed our tour of MGM (you can't make me call it Disney Studios, dammit), Alexis kept glancing down at her arm to admire Violet. I would tell you how many times she crashed into poles, people, or plants, but I lost count at about ten. Seriously. The kid just couldn't stop admiring her Violet tattoo.
When she pulled her arm to her lips to give Violet a kiss, I got a little worried. I don't really need to try to explain to my 3-year old why she can't have a REAL Violet tattoo. I think we'll leave the permanent skin alteration battles for the teen years, thankyouverymuch.
And yet, a few days later, I found myself wishing Violet would have had a wee bit more staying power. It seems that a couple of days in the gorgeous Florida sun caused a tiny bit more toddler sweat than normal and poor Violet had started to fade. Bad. In fact, she was pretty much peeling off in chunks. As we stood in line at France (Epcot) for pastries, I brushed a dangling chunk of Violet off of Alexis' arm. It came off very cleanly, so I turned a little OCD and started to rub all of the blurry Violet off Alexis.
Alexis went BALLISTIC. We're talking Category 5 meltdown, but of the VERY, VERY, VERY angry kind. Alexis was SO pissed at me. It took ten minutes to calm her down, and even then it was only with promises of a new Violet tattoo (which never actually happened, but Alexis did manage to get a nice Violet outline from where the skin under the tattoo didn't tan like the rest of her arm).
It's amazing how easy it is to be put up on that Good Parent Pedestal, and even more amazing how fast a kid can knock you right off of it. Then rip out your guts.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Reader Comments (25)
Little Miss loves her temp tattooes, I like them because they come off unlike the ones my boy has.UGH. Glad she (and you) enjoyed your trip.
Awww she loved her Violet tattoo! ;o)
Cat 5! That is the worst kind to meltdown. To be saved for very public places. So that to most embarrassed is heaped upon the parents. I know them well.
I am really looking forward to little pink sun dress days. Hope they aren't too far away.
Violet is good, you can't go wrong with that one. Unless, of course, you try to remove it. Obviously.
Too cute...and I love Violet as well! :)
We always let the tattoos wear off naturally - Then we can enjoy the weird random parts that are left: "Look - Thomas only has one wheel!"
I love your Disney stories no matter what anyone will say. LOVE THEM!
Good to know. Perhaps when we go, I can manage to avoid the disintegrating Violet tattoo...but I doubt it:P
I found a book of sea life and shark temp tats for my Shark Boy and gave them to him in his Easter basket last year. I reordered for Christmas and for this Easter because for $1.99 for a booklet of 20 or so he LOVES them dearly!!
LOL. The poor thing must have been so distraught that it was gone!! I just love how quick we go from being the tops to being the lowest of lows...
And you can talk about Disney all you want. I have to live vicariously through you. Hubs refuses to go to Disney. It's going to take a lot more convincing than it took to get the dog...
What? No picture of her walking into a pole, looking at her tattoo? You're slipping.
Love this. Love the pics. Just love it all!
Hallie
Been there done that. We had the same experience with B once. Early tatoo removal is NOT advised. ; )
Awww, did they maybe have a book of tattoos in the gift shop?
SO sweet, we love our tattoos around here. I'm surprised they're not more in demand, but then I haven't come home with a new one in a long while. Maybe it's time again!
(no, i'm not going to get Violet. that would be cool, but I think when I'm 80 I won't appreciate it anymore)
I heard 10 homes were leveled in Orlando because of some kind of storm, but I hadn't even considered the possibility of a temporary tattoo removal meltdown. Damn Al Roker never gets the weather right...
Also, how drunk was the tattoo artist that she stuck Violet's head on the other side of Alexis' arm, so that she had to twist her arm like an underage Chinese gymnast to see her?
http://www.cartoonfansclub.com/variotheincredibles003.html
Unfortunately, it's not just Violet, but the whole family. Still, a bargain at $4.99!
@Anonymous--DOOOOOOOD! I lurve you! Thanks so much for the link. I think the Easter Bunny just figured out what to buy.
aw haha I can just picture her walking along, staring at the tattoo, running into stuff. adorable.
also? LOVE the disclaimer at the top of the post :)
Alexis, you rock for loving Violet.
and I too would go ballistic if she turned on her invisibility force when she was supposed to be on my arm. ;)
I have to admit the OCD thing when 1/2 a tattoo comes off. I can't stand how messy they look. Probably would have risked the cat 5 melt down to get it all off. Don't ever feel bad about Disney posts, I could read them every day!
did you guys get a chance to see disney on ice? it was about the incredibles she would of loved it. o and i love the disney stories.lol
Dadgum, she is sooo cute!
Love that kiddo and her fabulous tat!
category 5 over tattoo removal.
ah yes, be afraid. be VERY afraid.
So cute! Love your Disney stories, don't let anyone put you down! And be careful about tattoo removal in the future, especially if the Easter Bunny does get those for Alexis...
That outfit she's wearing is SO stinkin' cute. I am a little disappointed though that she didn't want the bulldog tattoo.