What do you get for the girl that has almost everything...

Except tact? Though John and I aren't the perfect parents we'd hoped we'd be, we pride ourselves on having a very well rounded, generally good hearted, and polite (mostly to people she is trying to impress, such as teachers) 5 yr old daughter. We have also taught her that there is nothing more important than honesty, except for chocolate.

Last year at her preschool graduation, Anna was awarded Most Polite, and I couldn't have been more proud.

Being precocious, and also being the daughter of Sarcasm Girl, not much of what comes out of her mouth surprises me. She is a product of her environment.

Last night, we went out to our favorite Italian Restaurant. I dressed appropriately (meaning: clean, not completely wrinkled, and able to withstand bombing- from what misses my mouth- in the boob zone), and donned an adequate amount of make up. Anna is always appreciative of my efforts in the "attempted at primping" department, and likes to tell me how beautiful I am once my war paint is on.

On the return home, Anna piped up from the comfort (and safety) of the back seat.

“Mommy, you look pretty with make up on… but you look ugly without it. I wasn’t going to tell you because I didn’t want to hurt your feelings...”

Taking a few moments to hold my breath while laughing so hard it was without sound, naturally after snapping my head back in shock, I finally let out a strangled gasp. This was a sign for my poor husband (who I could tell was trying so hard to contain himself that he sat so rigid and still) to release the ocean of laughter. John told Anna that there is a way to -and not to- say things to people. He gave her an example: Mom, you look really pretty with your make up on. OR I really like how pretty you look with make up.

Later, when we were getting the girls ready for bed, I said to Anna, "So... you think I'm ugly, huh?"

And she said, "Well, you're not as ugly when you have make up on." Then she gave an uncertain smile , as if to say, "I did better, right?"

* I'll take "It sounded like a good idea at the time" for 200.00, Alex*

I quickly changed the subject.

I am thinking she may have missed the point.

So as her 6th birthday looms before me, and I am once again daunted by the thought of entertaining the somewhat appreciative (free pizza or enchiladas), certainly bored and slightly humiliated masses... I wonder to myself what party theme to go with, how many people to invite, how to distract her from wanting a party for her whole kindergarten class, where to have it and what food to serve. You folks that don't have ankle biters are so lucky in this department, you don't even know.

I am also thinking that resolving not to make a resolution was not the best idea. I think I need to take better care of myself. There was a time when I wouldn't dream of leaving the house in sweats and without make up. I remember the days when "getting ready" meant spending almost an hour on hair and make up, and clothing prep. I think back on those days with mixed feelings of remorse and relief. All kidding aside, my daughters comments are a wake up call. Maybe if I spent half as much time blogging and did something more with myself...

*sigh* Well, at least I will have an excuse to put make up on and fix my hair. I will be finding a job as soon as my right leg wounds close up. But for now, putting make up on every day just seems silly. I guess I have mixed mixed feelings about my current state, too.

Never mind that for now. Anna's birthday is the end of February. I need to focus on all the birthday stuff, including finding the perfect gift. Do they sell Strawberry Scented Tact in a Bag? I am going to do an Amazon.com search for a book on the art of subtlety. Maybe I can buy an Easy Button from Staples to find her Edit Button.

"Hooked on Diplomacy worked for me!" :O)