I want to get my ears pierced...

Grace has been saying for a while now, "I want to get my ears pierced." I think b/c Lilyann just got hers pierced and I think Jayden too... but they are older, and I'm sure they haveto be better at the doctors office than Grace is. I mean Grace is so skittish at the doctors office they have to weigh me holding her and weigh me after! Seriously do you think this child can get her ears pierced? I'm thinking no - I mean I was in 3rd grade when I got mine pierced, I passed out and then threw-up!

So we were in Lowe's shopping when Grace started in... "I want to get my ears pierced." So I (rather than fight this battle) said, ask your dad. I didn't object to her having her ears pierced, it was more the process and how she would react that made me nervous - plus I figured he would say NO. But he didn't! Matt said, "sure", so Grace being like any 4-year old said, "okay - let's go now". Matt said, "oh no not now, I don't even know where you go to get your ears pierced, another day sweetie". Grace was not going to be deterred that easily said, "No you said I could I want to go now! They do it at the mall." (She had him on that one) so Matt looked at me like "now what?". I said you told her yes, if she wants to go let's go. Matt then tried to tell her how much it would hurt - even pinched her ear to try and show her. Her little ear was all red, but she was determined, said "that didn't hurt". So off we went in search of an ear piecing store...

We ended up at the Claire's in Clay Terrace. There was another little girl already in the store discussing getting her ears pierced (she was 8-9) but wasn't getting them pierced today. I asked the assistant manager to explain to Grace what they would do and how much it would hurt and for how long. Still she wanted them pierced, so they showed us the earrings. Grace of course immediately wanted the biggest pair of earrings they had, but I really didn't want my child looking like a male rapper so I steered her towards the pink little flowers - more her style. Grace got up in the chair, looked nervous - but maybe that was just me! They gave her a bear to squeeze, cleaned her ears, all the while telling her everything she was doing. I took pictures - but at the same time had to make sure Eva didn't destroy the store. She was very interested in the sunglass stand, glasses all the way to the floor - I'm sure in her mind it was almost as if it was designed just for her.

When the ear guns went off it was like, phiff, phiff - and no other sound... no screaming, no crying, nothing... I almost thought for a minute that they didn't do it. But when I looked closely at Grace she had earrings in her ears. One of the guns had gotten caught on the earring and didn't release easily, I thought "oh no, she's going to lose it now" I saw her lip tremble, but no tears. She then turned at looked at Matt w/ a huge smile and said "I told you it didn't hurt". I can't believe how well she did!

We then selected a new headband to display her earrings, and headed next door to the ColdCreamery for some nondairy sorbet. I think I was in shock - heck I still am, I can't believe she did it - and never once complained! She has even done a good job turning her earrings, and asking for me to clean them. I would have thought all the instructions she was told prior to the piercing would have been lost in the fear zone, but Grace will say, "Mom that girl w/ the short hair, she said to clean then after I take a bath".

Makes me proud of her, but at the same time a little sad - my baby is growing up! Aww.... I want her to stay little longer:-)