Nine Going on Sixteen

" Why I Need A Cell Phone
(page one)
Cell Phones Can Save People's Lives
By just a simple call a cell phone can do much.
If there was a fire you could call 911.
By just a simple call the firefighters could come and save
peoples' lives."
This is the beginning of a powerpoint presentation that String Cheese is creating to try to convince Chancho and I that she should get a cell phone for Christmas.

String Cheese has really found a love of "the theater". This is quite foreign to me, but not to her bloodline. My grandfather taught drama and my mother was one of his students. She has acted in various (and sundry) productions through out her life. This summer SC had the role of "Abra", one of the Wicked Witch's minions in the Wizard of Oz, produced by the Wylie Acting Group. She had a great time and was a natural.
Three nights ago SC asked me out of the blue, "Mom, can I get a bra when I turn 10?" Because I'd been saying, "no" to a lot of things and because I figured that if other girls were getting them at 10 and because I know I could get her one that is basically just jersey with straps, I said, "Sure." She went nuts with excitement. I thought she would feel a little more self-conscious about the idea, but when Chancho pulled into the driveway from work she ran out screaming to him, "Mom said I can get a bra! Mom said I can get a bra!" The next night at dinner I told her she needed to finish something on her plate and she asked, "Will it help me grow? You know..." she looked down at her chest and then eyed me slyly, "You know, grow every where?" "No," I said. "But you still need to eat it." Then at Target yesterday we were walking by the girls' clothing and she stopped by the training bra area. She pulled out a padded, hot pink one and held it up, "This is the one I want!" And that night she explained that she wanted that one instead of the one I said she could probably get because she wanted to "Draw a little more attention to 'this area'" she said and gestured to her chest. We had to have a good little talk about how bras are actually things that young women and women wear to help them be more modest and keep their bodies carefully covered up and supported, not used to draw attention. It was all a little frightening for me. I don't know where these ideas are coming from. I'm so grateful for the help that the gospel gives me to help me know how to lead them and guide them through these times. Yikes.

Luckily she is still a little girl when it comes to toys. SC loves to visit the toy aisles at Walmart or Target, however I rarely let her do it because I lose my patience with all the begging for items that I have already clearly stated would NOT be purchased. She asks all of the time to just have a "fun day" at the store just "looking at things". Showing her little girl and big girl sides at the same time, she presented me with the following:

Contract

I Promise to not ask for any thing when we go to the store for a fun day. From a single piece of gum to a big barbie dream house. If I break this promise you may punish me. You may send me to time-out,or punish me anyway that pleases you. This fun day is for you to relax and the children to enjoy themselves. I also promise to help watch Miles. You can trust us.

Signed:

Date: 8-24-11, August 24^th 2011

I agree with this contract and trust and love you all.