3.22.2010

She wore a dress........

My girl only likes to get dressed up


one day a year.


Not two.....


not three....


but just one day a year.


Any other day....she's a jeans and t-shirt wearing


hoodie type of girl.

I will admit....

some days it's a struggle.

I will cry silently to myself about the outfit she has chosen

to wear to school.

It's not that she doesn't care what she looks like....

errrr..

ummmm...

actually...

i think that's it.

She really does not care.

I have to get over it.....

she's not a girly girl...she has her own style...

and she's happy with it.



Any time you see her posing for me...


and she looks coordinated....


it's because i've paid her.


I either have to bribe her with candy


or a trip to the dollar section at Target.


It's the truth.

My secret is out now...

i pay my daughter to match her clothes.

She gets double the prize if she leaves her sneakers at home

and will wear knee high boots or ballet flats instead.

What have i succumbed too?

sheesh.






Anyhoo.....

this last Saturday was the

daddy daughter dance.

Lola was on cloud nine the entire day

which in fact had me on

cloud nine the entire day also.

{funny how that happens}

Lola had two options for dresses.....the one above is what i picked out...

the one below is what Lola picked out...but with my approval.

I loved both dresses.

I really loved the grey one above just a bit more...

but wasn't going to push it.

I let Lola choose which one to wear.

I knew when she asked me which one i liked more....

that deep down it was a trick question...

and i should have taken my time in answering her..

but i was too quick and said..

the grey one.

So...

she chose the blue one.







shoes were picked out by her....

to my surprise...

they were pretty close to something i would wear myself.

Alright..

i'm not going to lie and tell you that

i didn't hide the hideous looking shoes when we went shopping...

so that she only saw these.

Really...

it was for her own good.

I think as mothers...we need to protect our children.

I can't pick her friends...but i can help her pick her shoes.

That's the story and i'm sticking with it.







She picked out her nails.

It must be a midwest thing....

stick on nails.



















I love the scarf....

and yes...

i believe i had to pay her to wear it.

Everything else she picked out herself.







Bryan brought her home some flowers...

then they went to dinner.

The dance was fabulous from what i hear...

and they won an award for best dressed.

{ I gave the award }

Lola looks forward to this night every year...

it's such a special time for her and bryan.







The best part is....

on Sunday morning for church...Lola came down in

the grey dress.

I didn't even have to pay her.
xo














108 comments:

Tricia said...

She is so precious Kasey...and looks so pretty in both dresses. Now I may have to try your technique out on my legging and tunic wearing little one!

Kare said...

Awwww...that is so sweet! She looked so pretty on her special date with daddy....and how thoughtful of her to make your day special on Sunday too. That's one adorable girl you've got there.

And, really, none of us is above bribery when it comes to getting our children to do what we ask!!

Sa-Sea said...

that is sooo sweet! Her dresses look beautiful!!!! Such a special treat!
And I too bribe the $1 bin pretty much daily!

vintage girl at heart said...

She is such a sweetheart~
Happy that they had a ncie evening and that Momma got to see her in a dress two days in a row!
Blessings~

vintage girl at heart said...

oops ya know I meant nice...

Katy Noelle said...

My heart just melted! (My son just asked if I'm crying. No, but close!) This is so precious, it just made my day!

Lulu and Co. said...

She looks beautiful, and I love the color on her!!
xo,
LuLu

Unknown said...

One word, PRECIOUS.

xo- Jill

Ps - we must one day get our little girls together!!

Victoria Hayden said...

Just beautiful!! I love both dresses and that scarf...divine! A great moment for them both. Love it!!

Hugs,
Victoria

mimi charmante said...

do you post cute daughter dressed up photos just to torture me...?
please tell miss lola she looked fabulous!
xx

Gail said...

Hmmmm,
Dresses two days in a row? Maybe, just maybe, she's turning over a new leaf? I was that same little girl, didn't want to be caught in a dress, no way, no how.
Luckily I outgrew that :), I suspect Lola will too.
Cute post.

Samantha2818 said...

Oh - it's things like this that make me cry. She looks lovely and how lovely that your husband brought her flowers. They must have been dancing on air with pride for each other! I wish we had this kind of thing in the UK!

Shannon said...

How adorable, she looked beautiful! What a special night with daddy.

Gail said...

I gotta admit...with her eyes and that fabulous headband...I'm with Lola and the blue dress. But then again...the grey one is really fab too. Your daughter is precious though...I'm sure she looks great in anything. ;) Sounds like they had a ball too...which is what really counts! 8-)

-Gail

Lora said...

I'm pretty sure my heart melted a little at this post. What a beautiful little girl you have--and what a special evening for her!

Lou said...

Your daughter is just the sweetest...so special to get dressed up like that with her Daddy. I see what you mean about the grey dress but the blue is just as lovely.

Cathi said...

Such pretty photos of Lola...although both dresses were very pretty, she definitely made the right choice in the dress she wore...she looks fabulous in it! :)

Preppy Mama said...

Precious. I don't have girls so I have to live vicariously through you! I love both the dresses and she looks beautiful in them. I think I personally would love it if the grey one came in my size!

Sarah said...

She looked adorable in both.
But like you, I like the gray one just a little bit more.

How wonderful she came down wearing that dress on Sunday morning, what a sweet mommy moment.

Kelley at My Island Wedding said...

I am just sitting here crying reading this post! My daughter did her first daddy/daughter dance this year!!!! I picked out her dress and I am surprised she wore it! didn't wear the corsage though...

whatever!
thx for this post... love your blog!

Simply Me Art said...

She Melts my Heart that little Lola! I just Adore her. You tell that Hubby of yours to Enjoy every second of his time with her cuz very soon she will be moving onward to her own thing and Boys! Ugh...P.S. the press on nails were Huge her up until just last year. So It's a Girl thing, I Love it, too cute. Love her outfits too. xo Jamie

Nancy said...

Kasey, Lola is beautiful! She and Bryan look adorable and I'm so happy they had such a special time. Love the dollar bin bribes :)

Sarah said...

So precious! I love both dresses. I think it is so neat to have a daddy/daughter dance! We never had those growing up! Thanks for sharing a piece of your weekend! :)

Michelle Frae Cummings said...

that is so beautiful...and your wording so poetic! I hope you'll come by my blog...the give away I'm having would match both dresses perfectly!
http://faeriedustdreams-michelle.blogspot.com/2010/03/etsy-spotlight.html

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Oh!!! How completely sweet and precious! I love it all. I have a very similar daughter so I totally get the joy on your part. LOL

Lisa said...

LOVE BOTH !!!

HUGS FROM MAINE

Sandy, Sisters of Season said...

What a little doll . . love her wrap!

1 Funky Woman said...

So, so sweet. I think its neat when our children discover their own style. Claire my 5 year old won't let me pick her clothes out in the morning. She sometimes tries 3 outfits on and for the most part it is something I would have picked.

I think both dresses were darling, but I would have to agree I would have wanted her to pick the grey one!

She and her daddy are just precious! Oh, my daughter is so into the press on nails and she is only 5. Like you said, its a Midwest thing, we are in Iowa.

Kari said...

cutie patootey.

Be Colorful Coastal said...

i must say that I open up most blogs on my reader and just look at the pictures. Is that cheating? Yours, though, I read. Love your style.
Pam @ Becolorful

Chez Zizi said...

She is a Cutie Patootie!

Love both dresses and she looks absolutely perfect (in both dresses).

Zizette

Philigry said...

oh, she is so sweet. I am a bit weepy now. I adore that scarf! Adore it!

Sheila said...

Sweetiepiecutepreciouslillovebug... yep i mad up a Mary Poopins style word for how delicious she looked. I must confess... I have to bribe my girls who are 6 & 8 with the same thing Reeses PB cups and they realy think the Target dollar section is the 99 cent store. I hope your Monday was fabulous.

Smiles,
Sheila

Unknown said...

I have a little girl who has always loved dresses thankfully....I think Lola looks beautiful in both dresses....she and Bryan are so lovely together :)

Great post Kasey :)

xo

Lori said...

She is gorgeous and I love both dresses! I think a father/daughter dance is the best and makes me smile. Dancing with my Dad is one of my favorite memories of all.

Denise said...

I laughed out loud at the mention of the dollar section at Target. My youngest daughter would have teeth removed without anesthesia if we could stop at the dollar stand at Target on the way home! (An employee recently corrected me and told me it was the "bargain section"...that way they could charge more than a buck).

Your sweet girl looks darling. I have 3 older girls, and some of their fondest memories are Daddy Daughter Dances. I'm sure that will be the case for your daughter,too!

Melanie said...

Oh My. She is just too beautiful! I hope they had a wonderful time at the dance. She was the belle of the Ball, I'm sure. :)

Kelli said...

Love it!

mary said...

Oh my, how beautiful! Both dresses are lovely. How special, the memories that she will have of this dance with her father. Sweet.

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

Lola = pretty perfection!

Jennifer said...

Great post! Both dresses are so pretty. I love that pic of daddy kissing her. She is a lovely little thing!

Anonymous said...

Awwwww adorable!

Stephenie from Decorating Addiction said...

So my daughter Imani isn't the only one out there who refuses to dress "girly." I have a love/hate thing going on with the whole concept. Part of me wants her to break out of stereotypes and be her own person, but part of me wants her to look good! Ahh, the joys of motherhood.

Love the ending of this post! Your daughter is adorable. How old is she?

Anonymous said...

:) Sooo cute.
My daughter asked me tonight, ten seconds before her school concert..standing behind the counter how do I look Mom? I said beautiful. At the concert I noticed she had jeans and tennies with pink laces on. NOT THE CHOIR teaches happiest face but hey she stood out...... Oh my baby..

Tara said...

kasey she is just so sweet.
those are the prettiest shoes - would love to know where you got them?
adorable.
~Tara

Trista said...

I've only been reading your blog for a few months, but this just might be my favorite of your posts. What a sweet young lady you have!

Kathy said...

My daughter at that age was the same way and guess what now that she is 30 and can do whatever she wants I am envious of her marvelous taste in everything...and by the way as I type this I can hardly see it through all the tears...such a precious post and Lola couldn't be more beautiful. Check out my blog and you will see my Annie with her new baby.

Kim said...

gah! I got totally teary. She looks beautiful in BOTH dresses, bribes or not.

Oh, and where the heck do you live that has a Daddy Daughter Dance...Mayberry?!?!? SO precious!

Amy@TheLemonCottage said...

She looks so precious in both! Father/daughter dance? Swoon.

*We are currently using the 'Red Box' as bribery. Is it possible for a 4 year old to become addicted to the Red Box? Sigh
~Amy

Unknown said...

I love them both, but yes, the grey one is a teensy bit more my style. ;) How sweet!

Samantha said...

I just enjoyed every word of your post today. Delicious. Thank you.

Martha said...

She is so beautiful...and the blue dress looks like her so much from what you described...the grey is beautiful on her too:) Such a hard thing when anything looks good on her:)
What a lovely night and you sure a great mom to have to help pick out shoes:)

Dani - tkdchick said...

OMG she's adorable and those dresses are fantastic!

Amanda said...

So sweet! And oh so entertaining to read, as ever... "stick on nails," too funny!

Martha said...

Love this post...it reminds me of my daughter who will be 16 in two days.

She is a jeans girl, all the way. Thankfully, she has outgrown the hoodies and "boy" t-shirts, and now wears cute tops and Toms shoes instead of vans.

Hang in there, they grow out of it !!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

Lola is just a complete darling, Kasey. She looked so pretty. I love the pic of her with dad. Priceless.

Tracy ~Seeking Refinement~ said...

cutie patootie.

love it. such a special memory! xoxo

Liz Bradley said...

Please let me know where you got the grey dress! I would love it for Easter Sunday on my girly. Would love to know where the shoes came from as well. Precious daughter.
Fondly,
Liz at
mylovelylittlelulu.blogspot.com

Wendy said...

So very sweet.

Kacey said...

This is the sweetest post. Lola looked beautiful! I loved all the pictures.

chris said...

What a sweet post. Thanks for sharing.

To Lola, Girl you ROCK! And you're beautiful!

Em said...

I love the gray dress! Too cute Kasey! Gotta love the independent spirit!!!

Christina said...

What a sweet post...with a great ending!

Maria Babin said...

she is impish and sweet... so cute!

Maria Babin said...

just like a fairy!

FEDERICA said...

Kasey she's adorable! What a wonderful post and photos.
Kisses,
Federica.

Loree said...

Just passing by and thought I would say "hi'. Your kids are beautiful and you take gorgeous photos. Have to say I agree with Lola's choice of the blue dress but that colour is one of my favourites. Have fun in France. Went to Paris last year and loved it.

Loree said...

Just passing by and thought I would say "hi'. Your kids are beautiful and you take gorgeous photos. Have to say I agree with Lola's choice of the blue dress but that colour is one of my favourites. Have fun in France. Went to Paris last year and loved it.

kanishk said...

This is the sweetest post. Lola looked beautiful! I loved all the pictures.
home jobs without registration

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Both dresses are lovely but the blue, oh wow, she chose wisely! The color is great on her. Oh, to dress up a little girl...with 3 boys I have my fingers crossed for a granddaughter one day :)

Jessica Haley said...

The flip side is my girl, who gets mad when she can't wear her pink tutu-lookin skirt and clear plastic cinderella shoes to school. *sigh* God love 'em, either way.

Leah C said...

I have to bribe both my daughters, too, to get them to dress up...and I know all about those trick questions:) Lola looks so pretty in both dresses{quite the stylish girl you've got there}! I'm trying to learn to embrace my daughters' own styles {of course, they each have their own}; but it's not always easy;)

Jboo said...

Oh my -- she looks so beautiful! Don't you just love those Daddy/Daughter events -- makes your heart about burst!

Janet

Ticking and Toile said...

OK..I know I previously commented on a post & said your little blonde son was about the cutest thing I've ever seen, but now I'm thinking your darling daughter is giving him a serious run for his money.....too cute~ sweet story!

Shellagh

Jacki said...

What a beautiful picture of their day together. So lovey Kasey! Hopefully Lola will put on those dresses a few times more.

Brenna LaPray said...

She looks beautiful in blue! Bryan is looking handsome as well....as usual. I'm glad they had a good time together. She will always remember this time with her dad. When are you going to dress up and have your boys take you out?

Jan's camera said...

Oh, what a sweet, sweet story. I'm all teary-eyed. Thanks for sharing. And she is SO adorable. I liked both of those dresses. Loved your photos! I love the music, also. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

both of dresses were beautiful, but the important part is that she knew how to wear them, if you understand what I mean.

I have a question for you, I love your blog and your style, but I always wonder - in this post for example- isn't cold for wearing such clothes?

AnaM

Unknown said...

Kasey, I love your blog and your daughter is so cute. She looked great in the blue dress. Thanks for being an inspiration....

Alecia said...

I love that she surprised you with the gray dress the next morning...sooo sweet! Great dresses and what a special time with her & her daddy. :-)

mrs.stark said...

She is absolutely precious! I went through the same stage as a kid. Now I can't get enough of all things girlie, especially dresses. :)

styling fabulous said...

she is too precious for words...what a great nite to share w/her dad...

Little Emma English Home said...

Lola is great!!! And you are a fantastic mother, I can see you...

The photos are really really sweet and tender. xx

Chris McGetrick said...

Loved the gray dress - but your daughter looked adorable for the dance.

Chris

Melanie said...

Oh what a sweet sweet story. She looked cute in both dresses and I am glad that she had fun.

Barbara said...

She looks so sweet...I wish I had had a little girl.

Christina said...

Oh, I LOVE everything about this post!!!! Lola looks beautiful in BOTH dresses!! My daughter is just like Lola in that she does NOT like dressing up. I had to have an internal talk with myself over what Lily was wearing to school today. Lily has her own style and I honestly LOVE that about her. Sometimes it's just hard to see her walk of the house not even close to matching!!!

I'm so glad Lola and Bryan had a great time at the dance! And what a fun thing to do ... Daddy and daughter dance ... wish they had done things like that when I was little!

Katy said...

What a sweet little story and an adorable little girl! Blessings, Katy

chasity said...

love the grey dress...
and heels? wow~ she is getting so big!

Anonymous said...

Okay, I got a little teary eyed at the pic of Lola with her daddy. I am going to be a wreck at every "event" in my daughter's life (especially if her dad is dressed up and doting)! So sweet. And Lola looked beautiful! Love the blue dress and accessories.
Have a great time in France woman!
Marisa (of Hart High cross country days:)

This Mama said...

She's so cute! My 2nd daughter sounds very similar to Lola. I also have to pay her on occasion to match or wear something weather appropriate. It hasn't always been this way, only the last year or 2. Her favorite right now...mismatched socks with aqua blue generic keds (that her grandfather bought her) that she tries to wear with EVERYTHING.

Its So Very Cheri said...

She looks absolutely adorable in both. What a sweet girl.

I hope you had a fabulous time in Florida-despite our chilly sometimes frigid beach days.

I hope you will come over and RE-sign up to follow at the new site.

Cheri www.itssoverycheri.com

Nina Diane said...

so sweet....

Francine said...

she is just the most beautiful little girl! adorable !!!

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Darling blog...
Precious Daughter....
Loved looking through your older posts...
Nice to find you...
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Stop over when time permits!!!

bethchien said...

awwwww that is so presh! you are so funny... you answered too quickly didn't you? lol
but, she still wore the grey one Sunday. she is too sweet and too cute...like her mama.
;D
B

Mande said...

Beautiful dresses....beautiful girl & beautiful memories with her daddy. There is nothing more precious than seeing a dad & his baby girl.

Hermann8er said...

Ah...you see, as a special education teacher (and one who sincerely enjoys studying behavior), I can ASSURE you that you are not bribing your precious girl! A bribe is, by definition, something that comes BEFORE the behavior. A REWARD, on the other hand, is something that comes AFTER the behavior and usually reinforces the target behavior. By promising her a treat afterward, you have reinforced the possibility that the behavior will occur again!! Woohoo!! And it has worked! She wore the grey dress without prompt! AWESOME!!! Aloha!

rosa said...

i just stumbled upon your blog. i must say that i liked it so much. great photos and cute family. what a great combination.

cheers,
rosa
http://www.becauselifesamovablefeast.blogspot.com/

Ali said...

Kasey, your Lola looks so beautiful! She is wonderful just the way she is! I so hope that Amelia will be a girly-girl too but I think that she is already showing her will to wear whatever she wants and it is not all girly either! She will probably go thru stages, at least I know that I did! I am still trying to get more in touch with my girly-girl side after wearing combat boots for the past decade plus!

paula said...

such a princess. Father/daughter dance, so sweet. My ellie is just the opposite... dressed up everyday.

Lyndsy @ L Kae Interiors said...

So precious! I love the story, and images... Her smile says it all!

a.love said...

I think I just died and went to heaven over HOW freaking precious this daddy daughter dance thing is and how CUTE Bryan and Lola look together! Oh my gosh. Seriously melted. And, I've accordingly told my uterus that when's ready it should host a little girl instead of a boy like I thought I wanted. (Don't hold me to this--and lets also pretend I actually have control over this one)

Jennifer said...

D - Daughters are dynamic, dramatic, dreamy, dressy, dolls! Mommy with two sons and very blessed, Jennifer

jennsthreegraces :)

Destiny said...

I'm loving the little gray dress!! SO sweet! I want one for myself! Definitely stop by The Barn when you drive through Castle Rock - let me know when it will be - I'd love to meet you in person : )

Tiffany said...

These photos and story are beyond precious. She is such a beautiful girl! I love her hair and that headband is perfect on her sweet little head! : )

Love both dresses and she looks great in both of them! She is one blessed little lady to have a Mom and a Dad who are crazy about her!

Kristin said...

sweetness.

Unknown said...

It's all about the detail.
She looks gorgeous! Love the grey and turqoise, that combination as well as grey with coral are my favourite at the moment.