Sissy Twirls

When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, Elsie, I swore that she wouldn't be a princess. I swore my house would never be cluttered with tiaras and Disney princess paraphernalia.

And then she was born...

It didn't take long for me to learn that Elsie would be Elsie despite my own idea of how she'd turn out. From the time she was old enough to form opinions she gravitated towards floor length gowns, tiaras and the color pink and I had zero say in the matter. Sure, I could could do my best to introduce her to less...delicate things but she liked what she liked. 

I won't lie, I felt like I'd failed her a little. I thought that having a 'princess' meant that she would end up being that girl who waits around for a prince to save her, rather than making her own way in the world. THAT, is not Elsie at all. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. She is incredibly outspoken and strong willed and I know she will do great things despite her long lasting refusal to wear anything but dresses or her love of fairy tales. She only recently started wearing pants and still puts her longest, frilliest gown on any chance she gets. She still considers a tiara an everyday accessory and these are things I've grown to love about her. Mostly because I know how fast she will grow up, I know that she will eventually stop believing that unicorns live in the forest behind her Grandmas house. Her imagination is absolutely beautiful and I hope she never feels like that is a bad thing. 

My deeper understanding of Elsie came when my daughter Evelyn was born. Evelyn has been completely different from Elsie since the day she was born. At almost 2 years old she is much more of a 'birthday suit and rain boots' kind of girl. She loves to get dirty, play with cars and help Daddy in the garage. One thing they do have in common is their strong personalities. They are both little firecrackers and they keep us on our toes.

I just recently used the Timehop app for the first time and today there was a photo I'd posted 2 years ago of my baby belly. The caption said "30 weeks, only 10 more until we meet Evelyn." Seeing this got me reflecting on the reality that there was ever a time I didn't know Evelyn or Elsie and how glad I am to know them now. Also, how both of my girls came into this world with these beautiful unique souls. I am so grateful for the laughter and light they bring to my life. 

This series of photos was taken tonight when Elsie asked to try a dress on Evelyn. Evelyn had never worn it before. Elsie picked it out to match hers while out on a Grandma date a couple months ago and I'd never been able to picture Evelyn in it, it was SOOOO Elsie. ;)
But, tonight Elsie was thrilled that Evelyn was willing to let her play dress up with her...

In the last couple weeks Evelyn has discovered how much fun twirling in circles is. This made for a great photo op.

The girls ran around in the yard wearing their frilly dresses until Evelyn got angry that it was getting in her way of running. She threatened to tear it apart if I didn't take it off. So in true Evie fashion she ended the night in nothing but a diaper. :)