Wednesday


Our Q is 100% tomboy. I have to re-state that on the blog every now and then because, I do realize, she comes off as such a clothes horse. She spins a bit of a glamour around herself, is the thing. It's an innate talent, and she has it. It's all a trick of the eyes. You mustn't let her fool you.

For instance, today at the Genghis Khan exhibit at the nature and science museum, somebody stopped me to ask if she were dressed in "traditional Mongolian clothing". First of all, the Q is not Mongolian - she's from Eastern China. Secondly, here's a rundown of what she was actually wearing: A turtleneck and sleeveless sweater dress, both from the thrift store. Black leggings from, uhm, T@rget. Her hand-knit hoodie. And thrift-store ladybug galoshes. How did this come off as traditional Mongolian clothing? It's the eyes, I tell you. Those exotic Mata Hari eyes of hers that people have such a hard time placing. She just gives the impression of being exotic from head to toe. She would look that way if she were wearing a flour sack, or a paper bag.
But make no mistake, my daughter is no clothes horse. She could give a rat's, uh, posterior about what she's wearing. More often than not she's dressed as you see above, a dirty super-hero t-shirt from the boy's section and whatever sweatpants happen to be handy (or dry). And the ball? It's her favorite accessory. She is fanatic about her ball sports. She doesn't care about color matching yet, but if you ask her to find "basketball color" for you, she can point out the exact shade of brown.

Nope, this is no girly-girl. She doesn't have an ounce of bling or sparkle in her. The Q is all snails and puppydog tails. She's a tough customer and a fierce athlete. She's imperious and demanding. She's opinionated and unequivocal (just like her daddy). Like Popeye, she am what she am.

11 comments:

Jeanne-ming Brantingham said...

Maia, you have written poetically about your daughter's sense of style. She can't help it. Last night I was at a hill tribe market up the road and I had exactly the same impression of many of the children. They looked wonderfully dressed until upon closer inspection I saw a number of Sponge Bob Square Pants knock off T shirts, Little princess clogs, and every miss matched garment imaginable thrown on for warmth. But they looked great! I love the comment about basketball brown!

Yoli said...

She is enchanting. A true chameleon.

alliot + iza said...

Q is charming. Even casually dressed, she still looks stylish.

Mlle Paradis said...

Have a happy Thanksgiving guys! Maia, had to say, loving your new pictures - so full of light and shimmery color. And you're right - and lucky. Q is delightful.

FDChief said...

"In the cold shadow of the alder woods at the crest of the hill the small shaggy pony and small fur-clad woman faded into the early winter bleakness.

She didn't feel the cold, having grown to womanhood on the cold plains of Han. She didn't feel the sting of blowing snow, or the itch of impatience, or the restless twitch of hate.

No, as she gazed expressionless on the last morning of the little Polish village the emotion she felt that warmed the sloe eyes deep within the shadow of her hood could be called nothing but...satisfaction."

from "The Tale of Q, the Mongol", by Bayan

Maia said...

And Bayan spins a surpassing fine tale.

Di said...

She sounds just perfect to me - I was a complete tomboy too......you certainly have a lot more fun than all those girlie girls!

Carol Jeandel said...

she's Amazing ! event i had been mention But that true .

Michelle said...

I had to pop in and say hello! Q is beautiful. I adore her eyes...so mesmerizing. :) I love her tomboyness. Our Maelie is growing up to be the same way. Give her a doll, she literally throws it. Give her a fire truck that lights up and makes siren noises, she's a happy girl. :)

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

Tom boys are the perfect combination of sugar and spice, and Q's exotic flair lights up the world!

à petit bruit said...

Your daughter is so beautiful...