Was I giving in to a tantrum yesterday when I took Penny outside, or was I just picking my battles? It's hard to tell.

On the other hand, every time she stepped in wet grass and then left a cute little footprint on our driveway, I wished I could save the footprints forever. So whatever it was, it was worth it.

This morning, when I went to the closet to pick out her clothes for the day, my eye happened to fall upon a little pink dress. Elaborately smocked across the front, puffy sleeves... The quintessential "little girl" dress.

Far too small for her to wear as a dress. But I wanted very badly to see her in it, anyway. So picked out some pants, and an alternate shirt in case the dress fit too tightly.

And yeah, it's far, far too small. It wound up looking like an overly blousy shirt, especially with the pants underneath. But she's wearing it anyway.

Why? Why am I subjecting Penny to this?

Did I mention the dress was hand-made?

Did I mention it was made by my Grandmother Waters, who died when I was 10?

Did I mention she'd originally made it for me?

I'll probably never put it on Penny again, but I wanted to see her in it once, and take a picture of her wearing it.

Even if it looks more like a shirt than a dress.

--Liz