Tuesday, January 20, 2009

My Stargirl


My friend from work Kristen had me read this book, and I'm really glad she did. It's an easy read, like easy enough for a 2nd grader, but it's a family classic.

In essence, the book talks about a girl. Stargirl is her name. A strange girl...that is....she's strange to everyone because she's different. Instead of wearing jeans like everyone else, she wears long flowing skirts. She drapes a curtain around her desk every day at school. She sings happy birthday to people at lunch while strumming her ukelele. She has a pet rat that she loves. She dances in the desert. She gives gifts...lots of gifts...to people she barely knows. She cares about everyone, even people from different schools. It doesn't matter who you are; your age, your 'group', your race, hobbies, anything! Her interests are different from almost everyone, and she doesn't seem to care...because it's HER.

*SPOILERS* Eventually, a friend of hers convinces her to care about what everyone else thinks, and she starts trying to blend in. She transforms her entire appearance, her attitude, even the way she talks and walks in order to fit in. Luckily, it doesn't last and she eventually goes back to being herself.

*NO MORE SPOILERS*So as I read this book, it reminded me of someone I know....my own little stargirl. She loves art, anything to do with art. Painting in particular. She loves to wrap up small 'treasures' in Brenna's burp cloths and give them to Nate and I as presents (often a marker lid, the shoe off one of her dolls, Mr. Potatoe Head's nose...all of which are very precious to HER). When she chooses her clothes, she doesn't pick what other people would. But it's beautiful to her. She sees wonder in things that I typically wouldn't even notice.

Kristen made a good point...isn't it so tragic when we try so hard to force our kids to do, say, and wear what WE want them to, just so they'll be like everybody else? This book has made me appreciate the uniqueness of my own little girl, and I have made a goal to more fully embrace it. I am going to try really hard not to fight her when I want her to wear the pink jacket and she wants to wear the brown and white plaid one. And I will try not to argue if she wants to wear her cowboy boots with her pants rolled up. I love her exactly the way she is, and I don't want her to be afraid to be just that.

Since Kaylee has learned to dress herself, she changes her clothes about 3 times a day. She loves to show off her own style.
If things are quiet, you can be sure Kaylee's working on some sort of art project.
Here are just a couple of the MANY adorable things she says on a regular basis:

"I show my applause." (As she curtsees like a princess)
"It's all my fault!" (We still don't know what she is at fault for, well, when she says that anyway)
"Does your slipper fit?" (Like on Cinderella)
"I'm just a little girl."
"I can help you. I can do it all by yourself!" (Mostly when getting dressed)
Nate says, "Kaylee, can you put your toys in your room please?" Kaylee says, "No, I put them in Jesse's room." (She calls herself Jesse as in Jesse the yodelin' cowgirl from Toystory 2)

I love you my little starlet!

13 comments:

Chaleese said...

That was such a cute post! You have a darling daughter. That was a good reminder, we just have to let our little one's be themselves! You are such a great mom Sara. Really you always seem so calm and organized. You are amazing!

Kami said...

Love that book. I have read it a bunch of times...I love its message. I love Kaylee, she is so adorable, what a cute post! I wish I was more like you in so many ways! Love ya!

nixon5 said...

What a cute post. I loved it. I have to read that book too.
Sounds like just what I need.
Thanks

Sarah Mildon said...

So cute. Your little Kaylee is such an adorable girl. That looks like a good book. I'll have to find a copy for my collection.

Megan said...

I love that book too, I havent read it in so long. Kalee is such a beautiful girl, I love reading about her adorable, and spunky little personality. She is so cute.

Audrey said...

She is such a doll! Sunday at the Bitters Breanne drew a picture of a lion on the white board and then Kaylee drew a picture of two circles connected by a line and then said "this is the mouse that goes with the lion"... she's adorable! Thanks for that sweet post. : )

Gary and Jenessa said...

That is so cute! I love the pictures of her! I love her unique-ness! I love the point you are making through this post and it makes me realize when I have kids I really want to embrace their unique-ness! Thanks for your post!

Devyn said...

how adorable! i would like to read that. i don't know why i never have. it was shannon's favorite book. or it. cute cute cute.

Devyn said...

i meant.. or is. not or it.

Pieces of Us said...

What a cutie! It's so fun to watch their little personalities emerge. I can't wait until Beckam starts talking just so I know what's going on in that little brain of his!!

Unknown said...

How cute is she!?! I have a friend whose little girl will only wear princess dresses and my friend lets her because that is who Lilly is. I think that is so great!

Mark and Kristen said...

Yay!! You liked it!! That means I don't have terrible taste in books. On Sunday Rusti wore her black/silver dress and RED tights. I let her and it didn't kill me. Making progress.

Craig and Sharelle said...

You're such an awesome mom! I wish I had a picture of both Kaylee and Brenna on your lap when I brought down the ear drops. Thanks for the awesome example. Do you own this book? Maybe I could borrow it sometime... :)