Christmas Morning

What could possibly bring a young girl to tears and a grown woman to point of utter frustration?  Well clothes and hair of course.  You see, Zoe knows what she likes.  At the same, Julie knows what Zoe is supposed to like.  Recently a friend of Julie's was about to consign some of her girls clothing.  The look on Julie's face was that of a child in a candy store.  You see (as explained to me by Julie), this women has her kids looking good.  You know when you go into a boutique children's shop, pick up an item and say to yourself, "who would pay $45 for a onesie?"  Evidentially Julie's friend would.  The woman lives in Alabama, but offered to take pictures of each of the items and send them over.

It was like Christmas morning when the e-mails started to arrive.  The decision on which to buy was discussed, pondered and fretted over, discussed again and again and again.  Finally (and I do mean Finally) a decision was made.  Money changed hands.  The package arrived.  I believe there was a squeal of delight (from Julie).  The tape was cut.  The box was opened.  Another squeal of delight (Julie again).  The clothes were laid out.  The cutest was pulled from the pile.  The question was asked.  "Zoe, do you want to try this on ... do you like it?"  Julie grinned form ear to ear, visions of young débutantes dancing in her head.  And Zoe, of course filled with excitment and gratitude for her new cache of designer clothes, responded in a way that only Zoe can ... she gave a flat "no", not even offering a glance up from her sippy-cup.

The smile once gracing my wife's face was slowly but deliberately replaced with a scowl.  The kind of scowl you will only see displayed on the face of a woman scorned.  The look on Zoe's face, utter indiference.  I don't know whether this behavior is intentional on Zoe's behalf or not, but she sure knows what buttons to push with her Mother.  I have a feeling we are going to be in for a long next 15 or so years.

But hey ... there is always Zadie.