Anna Got Her Ears Pierced!!

On Memorial Day weekend, we ended up going shopping with our dear friend, Kelly Jo, or Aunt Kelly Jo as Anna and Owen know her.  We met her in Williamsburg, IA at an outlet mall.  For about a year, Anna has been asking for and wearing magnetic earrings or clip ons.  Well, all day while we were shopping she wanted to go to Claire's to get some new earrings.  Funny thing, though, she never really wears her clip on earrings outside of the house because she's afraid she'll lose them.  Well, we finally ended up at Claire's ...

A couple of years ago, Anna asked when she could get her ears pierced and more importantly, did it hurt?  Dan and I had discussed with her that we decided that when she turned 10, she could have her ears pierced.  This past year, she literally would stand, looking in the window at our local Claire's watching girls get their ears pierced, remarking on how they didn't cry and how great they looked with earrings.  We decided, maybe eight would be a better age. 

So, on that day, May 29th, when Anna walked through the doors looking for the expensive clip on earrings, I just said to her, "Why don't you just get your ears pierced today?"  "Really?" she asked.  I looked at Dan and he nodded yes and she got super excited and said she wanted to do it!  Our last words to her - it's for a lifetime - and she was sure!!

She hopped up into the chair, grabbed the cuddly bear the clerk gave her to hold onto, and listened intently while the clerk explained how to care for her new earrings, and pierced ears, how long she would have to wait to wear new earrings (July 9th) and how long she'd have to wait to wear hoops (6 mos).  We looked at all the earring choices and finally settled on some very pretty flowers that we agreed "would match everything."  She didn't flinch when they started marking her ears with purple dots where the 'gun' would go nor did she cry when they pierced each ear.  I know she was a little scared, but in the end, she was so brave and just so excited!!

I think for once we surprised her with a true gift that day.  Although, I usually end up cleaning her ears because she's still young, she has taken charge and gets it all ready for me each time.  She remembers to twist them and is really responsible for her newly pierced ears - we're really proud of her!

Anna "before" holding the "cuddly bear"

Pre-pierced ears...

Excited

And nervous

Purple dots

Anna and the very nice lady who pierced her ears

Super cute!

Anna and Aunt Kelly Jo

Smiles all around...