chicago '08

my 3-year old niece and I had a sleep-over on halloween. originally, she was supposed to sleep over at the museum where Hugsband works, along with her sister and parents, as part of a big annual halloween party. but we found out last week that she was too young to stay all night, so I picked her up and brought her back to our place while the others slept on the museum's marble floors. (frankly, I don't see the appeal. $55 each to sleep on the floor??)

anyway, my niece is very sweet and fun but naughty enough to be interesting. she's obsessed with make-up and princesses and beautiful things and seems genuinely confused by my limited grooming routine. she said a number of very funny things while she was here:

** (saturday morning 7am) "aunt Rachel, why don't you put on some lipstick and brush your hair to be beautiful?"
"nah."

** "I need some spray for my hair"
"I don't have any spray at my house and you don't need it. your hair is already pretty."
"the next time I come to visit you, I'll bring some. isn't that nice sharing?"

** "we should paint your fingernails"
"no"

** "do you want to wear something pink today?"
"no"

I shoot down all of her ideas to make me over, I never just say "yes" and always explain that I prefer a more realistic aesthetic when she asks whether I think her barbies are pretty, and I place ridiculous limits on her television viewing at my house.

And yet, somehow the kid is still nuts about me. I don't get it.