Your Inner SuperPrincessNinja
Today is Wacky Sock day for the kids’ Spirit Week at school. They were so excited about showing off their mismatched, multicolored, and cartoon covered socks that we rolled their jeans up so the comedic genius would be immediately evident.
It was only at the last minute, just before they began to load up in the car, that Jesse asked, “We’ve got the right day, don’t we?”
Because, I’m okay with this only as long as everyone else is participating!
He’s 10. Macy, on the other hand, is still delightfully 4. I read once that the reason 4 year-olds can be so exhausting is because they have no dimmer switches. Whatever they do, they do in full – full volume, full emotion, full energy, etc. If they are mad, they are furious. If they are happy, they are exultant. It’s work, but it’s fun.
So a couple of weeks ago Macy came upstairs dressed like this: as, in her words, “a Super Princess Ninja.” Helmet, cape, sequined belt, velour dress, and leopard print ballet flats. It was quite an ensemble, but I knew I didn’t want to say no if she asked to wear the get-up to evening church services. I surprised her a bit when I said, “Sure!”
My sister Serenity has often touted the benefits of letting your kids express their creativity and imagination through dress-up, even or especially in public places. I totally agree with her. 10 (or it’s equivalent) comes so quickly – kids are suddenly aware of the rest of the world and begin to shut down their instincts in exchange for conformation to the crowd. (Yes, it was Wacky Sock day, don’t worry about that. See how grown-up you’ve become?!)
So that Sunday night Macy danced in the aisle nearby my seat, as she usually does. And she colored in her coloring book during the preaching, as she usually does. But she did it all in the bold costume of a SuperPrincessNinja.
The best part of the night was not how dressing up affected Macy but how her costume seemed to affect everyone who saw her. Other kids hardly even noticed, of course, because who wouldn’t want to wear a cape whenever possible?! Once adults recognized she was in costume, almost everyone at least smiled. Sometimes they nodded knowingly. Some laughed or bent down to ask her questions about her adventures. It seems that the general public is compelled to seek wisdom from those with clear wardrobe intentionality. For some people, and I know this is probably a writer’s stretch, I could have sworn they looked longingly, even a tiny bit mournfully, over a freedom or attitude they didn’t posses.
So I guess on this Wacky Sock Day I’m just wondering how you are letting out your inner SuperPrincessNinja. Because it won’t just be good for you, it’s going to be good for everyone around you, too. We need permission to dream, to act, and to enjoy the process of living. You might give someone that permission today just by making a brave wardrobe choice. I hope you do!
Answer this: If you were as brave as my 4 year-old, what would you wear today?
I would wear a tiara and carry a sparkling wand that, in my hopes and dreams, can rid the world of all injustices. =)
LIKE.
Eee! I love this. And I’m quite sure they looked longingly. Don’t you think it’s only a free-spirited mama who would let the costume happen too? So they might have looked longingly at that. If I were as brave as Macy, I would march into Teresa’s Bridal Boutique on a day when I particularly love her window display, and I’d ask for the dress in the window and wear it grocery shopping.
I hope you do this! Buying a carton of eggs in a flowy princess dress makes them taste better. I mean it!
Like and Like! To answer my own question, today (after another lovely episode of Downton last night as well as my recent viewing of Midnight in Paris) I am desperate for a beaded, sheer, and shimmery dinner dress.
I would go with something Abbey-esque also, Felic. With a fabulous up-do.
The night Macy wore her glorious outfit she and Sims were dancing in the aisle when he stepped on her cape, jerking her out of a worship leap. I thought to myself, “Boy have I been there! I feel your pain sister!”
ha ha ha! Oh, my. Yes. That.
Obviously I’ve denied my inner princess way too long. The only thing I could think of wanting to wear in public is bedroom slippers! What does this say about me?! Surely this is just my end-of-a-long Monday answer. By Friday I’ll probably be in the mood to wear something dazzling. Probably made of chiffon.
Ladies, I DO have a closet (and dresser) full of costumes. Just let me know when you all are coming and we can go grocery shopping together in style!
Awesome!
Better yet- let’s go to IKEA where lots of people will see us! Cause, what’s the point of getting dressed up if your audience is smaller than your entourage! (Minnie Mouse anyone? Felic I’m thinking you would rock the polk a dots and yellow shoes!!)