Accessory & Bribery

No, it's not a felony or a misdemeanor. It's ALL about Xandri.

My Xanna attracts dirt. She's a piglette of the highest level. It's a skill she has honed over long experience, and we've learned to live with her magnetic attraction to all things dirty (and sticky, staining, and . She despises having her hair combed or groomed, and despite loving clothing, she can't keep anything clean. My new crusade has been to have her let me comb her hair, and I have stooped to the lowest level: I am now bribing her.

My mom "cursed" me to have a child "just like me"---and she's right-on with Xandri. I haven't any idea how dirty I was (as my mother would never have allowed dirt), but I do know that what *I* loved as a child, Xandria also adores. To combat Xandri's dislike of personal grooming, I have purchased a variety of accessories that she can wear if I do her hair. On the first day of school, she had pink fake hair to add to a pony tail. It also had "diamond" rhinestones. Yesterday's accessory was a necklace and bracelet she got to wear that (not coincidentally) matched her outfit to perfection. The only catch is that she must remove jewelry after school, but since that's what mama always does, she thinks that's a normal "rule."

Today, Xanadu looked like a big birthday present because her accessory was a huge bundle of ringletted ribbons (very like a bunch of curling ribbon on a gift.) My students love looking out the window, and they're watching the "accessory of the day." Hopefully her love of stuff will continue so that she will get used to being well groomed.

You can thank Grandma Max; I assume *I* learned these skills at home while young. Certainly, it's one I am passing on!