A Day With Kenzie

So, Sydney had her turn and then it was Kenzie's birthday. She wanted to go shopping, too. As I said, I get more out of it than the kids do so that's the plan for future birthdays for the grandchildren. Taking a 10-year old girl and a 5-year old girl shopping are two very different things. Five-year olds move fast! (Next time I'll be ready for that..., I hope.)
Kenz started slow in the car when I asked where she wanted to go but we soon settled on starting with Target. Kenzie kept a very entertaining monologue going the whole time. Then we hit Target.
I really thought she would go straight to the clothes but she fooled me. We started with the "Stationery Department" with lots of ways to paint & color and different sorts of crafts. She first wanted any number of kits that involved 100's of beads. I steered her away from those. (Say "thank you", Jamie.) Then she chose approximately three things to start and I talked her down to two with the idea of looking around before making final decisions.
Next, because we passed it and she saw it, we stopped at the "Luggage Department". We looked at the Hannah Montana Backpack and then the Bratz Backpack with purse. I didn't much like the look of the Bratz. They didn't seem the type I wanted to influence my granddaughter's style. I did check with the Dad who said she could have it if she wanted but to remind her that she already has 100's of bags. I did but then she saw the High School Musical Backpack. Well, that settled that. I explained that she would have to choose one thing over another. We put back one of the decorating kits.
From there she wanted to check out the "Toy Department". We looked all over that department at games, dolls and guitars. . Once again, she seemed drawn to things with lots of small pieces. Moving right along we came to the collectable dolls. Kenzie walked right up to a Cabbage Patch Kids Baby and said that is what she wanted. I got her to look at the other babies to be sure that this was the one she wanted. She humored me, before telling me she wanted the one she had picked up. Once again I introduced the idea of making choices. I told her that she could have any two of the remaining things. She chose the baby and the Ballet tu-tu decorating kit and the High School Musical Backpack went back.
After toys we hit the clothes. She chose one dress (didn't even pay much attention to the others), two t-shirts and a pair of gym shorts. I pointed out that none of the things she had went together. To humor me again, she got a shirt to match the gym shorts. We went to the dressing room and tried it all on. Everything fit except the shorts. They were very baggy around the waist. Kenze wanted to roll the waistband up but I explained that when we buy brand new clothes we get them to fit. We don't make do. So, I told her she could choose two. She chose the Hannah Montana t-shirt and the dress. She really loved the dress and I have to say, she chose well. It looks great on her. I did hate to see the royal blue tank go back to the rack. That color was gorgeous on her.
She saw purses & jewelry and once again we talked about making choices. She really had to screw her face up for this decision but she finally decided to skip the purses & jewelry and keep the baby doll, ballet decorating kit, Hannah Montana t shirt and the dress. Whew!
Now it was time to head to Irondale to the Sam's to pick up the cookie/cakes for her party the next day. I asked her what she would like to eat and was trying to think of something she'd enjoy when she asked if there was a Wendy's nearby. There was and that is where we went. She knew just what she wanted. Let me tell you, this girl likes cheeseburgers and can down one before you can turn around. After she ate, she asked for a strawberry shake. While I was forever at the counter getting it, a person came in who looked very different. I saw Kenzie look at her but not to the point of being rude. I was very proud of her. She didn't stare and never said a word about her. She's a very well brought-up little girl.
After that it was home to give Russ a fashion show and adopt Rebecca Brooke. It was a great day. Thanks Kenz.