Last night we were getting ready to read a chapter from our current bedtime story (The Penderwicks - which I highly recommend.) I asked the girls to put their pajamas and then come to our bedroom when they were ready. Claire quickly came in wearing in a one-piece swimsuit, a scarf, tights, and a mini-skirt. Given that my constant mantra is "pick your battles," I deemed this to be adequate bedtime attire. Margot promptly followed in a full-length princess dress (with gloves) - also acceptable.Jane appeared wearing only a bikini. Given that it is winter, that we live in New England, and that our house is 119 years old and extremely drafty, I had no choice but to veto the bikini. I told Jane to change into something warmer. She refused. I reminded her about the night before, when she had woken up at 3:00 a.m. complaining of being too cold. She was not persuaded. I suggested that she'd woken up freezing because of her insistence on sleeping in nothing but a thin, short-sleeved leotard. She briefly reflected on this point - with some hostility, I think - and then stomped off.
After about five minutes, she came back in wearing the infamous caterpillar suit, with accessories - these being a pair of gold mouse-ears and a princess headdress - and advised that she was now ready for bed. What could I say? Add caterpillar-mouse-princess get-up to the list of items that, at 9 Park Lane, qualify as "pajamas."
