thirteen

i have a teenager now!! the three girls and i went shopping on her birthday . . . she was in heaven. while my second daughter and i stopped to get a bite to eat, oldest dashes into a shoe store to see what she can find. she joins us while we eat and is preparing me for the news . . .

oldest:

"i found a pair of high heels! they are so cute, i can't wait for you to see them."

me:

"you don't want high heels, you'll tower over everyone"

second daughter:

"you just don't want her to be any more taller than you"

me:

"no, that's not it"

oldest:

"you just don't want me to grow up"

we finish eating and i reluctantly go into the shoe store to see the shoes my birthday girl has fallen in love with. i like what she has chosen, but i am still on the fence. she excitedly tells me all the reasons why she should have these shoes and that she will be happy to pay for them.

"you are a teenager now" i say. "how about you pay half"

its a deal. she walks up to the register with her shoes and the clerk informs us that it is buy one get one free. second daughter picks out a pair of cute little flats and i decide to foot the bill.

oldest:

"are you sure mom, i am happy to pay for them"

me:

"i'll get it, you save your money. both you girls get a cute new pair of shoes"

doesn't she have good taste? look how cute she is in her grown-up shoes.