The biggest battle in the Strickler household as of late (besides bedtime, of course) has been this girl, and me, and getting dressed each morning.

Scout turned five, and with that came a desire to wear very specific outfits. She cares deeply about glitter, and cool socks, and what shoes to wear with said socks. And ponytails. And headbands.

If I am honest, I feel very unprepared for the next stage of shepherding the heart of a little girl in today’s world. It feels unknown, ever changing, and scary.

But here’s what I know about Scout: she is highly creative (and talented for that matter!). She thinks outside the box, and she wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up.

So today after church, she and I went to Target. She got to pick out 3 bottoms, 4 tops, 1 dress, and one set of pajamas. SHE WAS IN HEAVEN. And I bit my tongue as she landed on her first choice: a Babs Bunny Space Jam glitter t-shirt.

We came home and she modeled all of her new clothes for Nate (who, of course, loved the Babs Bunny Space Jam shirt????) and she changed clothes approximately six times this afternoon, giving each outfit a spin.

Then tonight at bedtime, completely unprompted, she picked her outfit for tomorrow.

I know it won’t always be this simple. But this felt like a massive win, and a needed deposit in that big feelings, middle child, love tank ????????????????????????????