And it's happened - I have a preteen

Princess and BFF stayed after school last week for their students against tobacco club meeting.  The pickup line was empty when I came to get them.  I was a couple minutes early.  I was watching for them and saw two girls walking my way.  I wondered if they were coming out of the meeting and hoped my girls were behind them.

As these girls got closer, I was shocked to finally realize they WERE Princess and BFF!  It didn't hit me right away.  They looked like such...MIDDLE SCHOOLERS! 

Up close, they look like the same little elementary school girls to me, but from a distance I realized they've grown to totally fit in to the middle school scene. 


We usually do showers at night and I admit that I let her skip some days because it's just such an ordeal sometimes.  She's afraid to be in there by herself.  The water bothers her skin when she's in a super-anxious state.  She hates the way her wet hair feels. 

But this morning Princess got up and decided all on her own to take a shower.  In her own bathroom, by herself (though she kept the door open).  AND she wash her hair. 

Then she devoted the rest of the morning to getting herself ready.  She usually  just throws on her clothes as quickly as possible so she can play a game or watch TV.

Getting her to brush her hair, put on deodorant and brush her teeth was a huge challenge when this school year started.  She really resented that she had to start wearing deodorant.  She hated the way it felt on her skin, even after we ordered samples of several different kinds.  She loves her long hair, but hates taking the time to brush it. 

It was such a struggle every morning to get her to do her hygiene stuff that I made up a song to make it go smoother.  It's to the tune of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."

Hair, teeth, deodorant
Deodorant
Hair, teeth, deodorant
Deodorant
You'll feel fresh
and smell good, too
Hair, teeth, deodorant
Deodorant.

She took care of all of it without prompting this morning.  She even put on lotion, lip balm (though she ended up wiping it off later) and a headband in her hair.  Oh, and she wore jewelry!  A silver bracelet with a big and little star I gave her (Mommy and Baby Stars), her Hello Kitty New York City necklace (I have a matching one) and little fake diamond stud earrings. 

She put a lot of thought into her outfit and seemed really pleased with how she looked.


Before BFF and her mom picked her up for school this morning, Princes told me, "Don't worry.  I'm not too grownup.  I'm a little bit growing up  and a little bit baby.  I'm just right."

So, this morning I definately had a preteen girl.

I am not sure where she came from or how long she'll stay, but she knows she has some cleaning to do when she gets home.   Her bathroom exploded a bit with all of the primping.