The Sands of Time Make an Appearance at Gap
It starts the moment I see the first bud form on one of the hundreds of Shasta Daisy plants scattered throughout our yard. In years past, the hunt for the simple white sundress has been easy--a walk through Baby Gap and we're all set. This year, however, things were different.
Of course, *this* was the first year that I felt the ticking of a clock in the background as I hunted. Usually I have a whole month to find a dress, pick the daisies, and make the run to Picture People. This year, thanks to the move, I had about a one week window. The issue revolved around the flowers, or so I thought. I can't possibly dig them all up to take them to the new house, and the act of digging them up is going to keep them from blooming any more this year. If I wanted to use daisies from my garden (and I did), I had to get the pictures taken no later than this weekend.
If you've been paying attention, you already know I succeeded. What you don't know is that WOO-BOY, was it close. I turned an attentive eye towards Gap over a month ago, but nothing suitable ever appeared. A few weeks ago, I started checking Janie & Jack, Old Navy, Gymboree, Macy's, JCPenney's, Sears, Crazy 8, and even Amazon. No luck. Something so simple was suddenly SO complicated.
In an act of last second desperation, I picked Alexis up from daycare last Thursday and drove to the Outlets. She really is a blast to shop with, as she has grown into quite the little fashionista. She loves to peruse the clothing racks for an outfit she adores, and even has learned to check the tags to make sure something is available in her size before she asks me to buy it.
We dashed through store after store, searching high and low for a simple white dress. Alexis was in on the mission, and kept saying, "There's no Picture Dresses, Momma." She was right--there weren't. The only all white dress we found was instantly nixed by the short person. As she said, "It's too ugly for me."
Defeated and sans white dress, we walked back to Gap. When we had walked through earlier, Alexis had spotted a red and white checkered dress that she really liked. I had told her we could go back and buy it if she continued to be good. I didn't mention the part where it was only $9 and I had a $5 off coupon, instead choosing to let her think I was making some sort of phenomenal offer.
As I headed straight back to the toddler department to grab the checkered dress, Alexis paused near the front of the store. Suddenly, she yelled, "Look Momma! They have one!" We were walking through the big girl department, so I off-handedly replied, "That's too big for you, honey. Good job finding a white dress, though!"
Alexis squinted her eyes for a moment, looked back at me and said, "But it's my size! See, it says four."
She was right.
I don't know whether I should give Gap a big sloppyy kiss for making XS/4-5 dresses, or kick their asses for making it possible that my little baby can already shop in the big girl department.
(This thing with the posing and primping for the camera? Does NOT happen if I'm the one holding the camera. I call it the Great DSLR Fail.)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Reader Comments (23)
So nice!
Seriously could she be any farking cuter - me thinks not. These are really cute pictures, I started my own "tradition" pictures with my little guy, can't wait to start seeing them progress.
Yeah, it really sucks when they start growing up on you.
She's pretty and she knows it!!
And boo at Gap! That is so mean >:(.
Oooh, a shopper at her age. The teen years will be fun.
Oh my goodness - the pictures (this post and the previous) are so absolutely sweet.
"It's too ugly for me." Good girl. Never settle.
She is gorgeous! I love your tradition!
Too adorable. She's all cute and angelic, yet you can totally see her growing up. Scary, no?
How does she do with those sandals? I tried them on E but was worried they'd slip off too easy and she'd fall all over the place.
That picture is phenomenal and those sandals... Princess' favorite pair ;-)
LOVE IT! xoxo
I feel your pain, trust me.
Whatever. The point is: She.is.GORGEOUS.
when did you let her grow up? seriously. stop it!
The pictures are gorgeous - What a great tradition. Don't they just - BLAM! - Go from looking like babies to 'big girls' in an instant?
And my Emily has those same white, flowered flip flops! We procured them on a multi-store quest for flip flops *without* a strap around the back of the foot - Like Mummy's. She is OBSESSED with them - wants to wear them everywhere, all the time. She walks around the house wearing them with her PJs even.
@Jayne--I hate those shoes with every fiber of my being. They don't stay on and the kid is constantly tripping over her own feet. I will say that she does fine with her other flip-flops, though. That particular pair is just full of evil.
What a fantastic picture! And she's such a smart little girl!
I loved it when I could shop in the big boys section for my oldest!! We were both getting tired of shirts with trucks and dinosaurs. :-)
Our family pictures are on the beach this year. I've got everyone's outfits done except FireDad. I can't find him the right color green polo shirt. And as stores are PUTTING OUT THEIR FALL CLOTHING ALREADY, I AM ABOUT READY TO KILL SOMEONE.
With kindness. Maybe.
@FireMom--SERIOUSLY. I can't believe how many sweaters and pants I kept finding. WTH? Are we skipping seasons now?
4T is smaller than 4, so once my son was in that size range, I started only buying in the big kid section. He didn't grow out of them as quickly. :-)
I can't wait until my girls will actually enjoy shopping with me. Can't wait! And obviously the fashion gods were smiling down on you because she looks perfect!
Look at this picture! Model in the making, or what? Wow!
So long as you keep getting GORGEOUS shots like this one? Don't question it.
But also, never ever ever EVER doubt that you are the candid Master!
"She really is a blast to shop with, as she has grown into quite the little fashionista. She loves to peruse the clothing racks for an outfit she adores, and even has learned to check the tags to make sure something is available in her size before she asks me to buy it." UH>>>WHAT?!? I have a boy. I do not comprehend.
I can't wait to haul my kid in for his 2 y portraits. I am insane and want to go back to Picture People (so I can pay a ton of money) and Portrait Innovations (because they're cheap-o-la).