Yesterday was the day. I'd been looking forward to it and asking about it for years. And finally, Korri decided she was ready to get her ears pierced! She said something about a month ago, which was prefect with her 9th birthday coming up. We looked at the calendar and decided we would go together on the Sunday AFTER her birthday because she had a friend come over ON her birthday and then it was her and Finn's hotel family party on Saturday, so Sunday seemed to work the best.
Side note: I LOVE that she was nine when she decided she was ready to get her ears pierced. I wasn't allowed to get mine pierced until I was 13 and I remember BEGGING (like
B.E.G.G.I.N.G!) my mom to let me get mine pierced when I was nine because it was my golden birthday and I was so ready. For real. Well, I wasn't allowed to but it was a part of my heart that never fully healed. Clearly! LOL. So, now my daughter did when SHE was nine!! Oh, the things that stick with us, am I right?!?!
After a LONG week and weekend, I wasn't sure I was up for going, but I'm SO glad we did. It is a mother/daughter experience that I will never forget. Doing things like this reminds me what an amazing young lady she is.
First off, I was thinking we'd just go to Claire's, but I heard so many bad things about them, that I looked around. I found out on Saturday, that a local hair salon does them BUT they aren't open on Sunday. Then Google told me about a place called Piercing Pagoda. The best part? They have TWO technicians, so they do both ears at the same time. AND they are open on Sunday. Perfect. I called to make an appointment and they said they had two technicians scheduled from noon to 6pm on Sunday but didn't make appointments. Again, perfect.
We had two vehicles at the hotel, so the boys went in one direction (home) and the girls went in another (to the Mall of America, the closest Piercing Pagoda location). We got the MOA right after they opened, so parking was a breeze. It was too early to get her ears pierced, so we went to her favorite place to eat there: Freshens Crepes and Smoothies! She got a crepe filled with bananas, strawberries and nutella! I MAY have had a small bite and it was as magical as it sounds!
We walked around (I mean, if you can't get your 10,000 steps at MOA, where can you?!?!) for a bit. We noticed a Claire's location and she asked to go in. I let her pick out some earrings for when her ears heal. She wisely picked two cards of earrings with 8 pairs on each! LOL She wanted to get a good bang for MY buck ;)
Then the piercing place wasn't quite ready (but we did get to watch another girl get her ears pierced and thankfully she didn't freak out!), so we stopped in DSW and Korri was appalled as some of the platform tennis shoes there! I love her shoe fashion and opinions. It made me feel not so old when we agreed on ugly shoes. I needed some casual/dressy shoes but didn't find any there. I mean, they have a ton of shoes, but does anybody else have a hard time FINDING anything?!?! Oh, well. That's what website search filters are for!
When we went back, they had two technicians on staff so it was time! Korri told me on the drive there that she was nervous. I told her I would be worried about her if she WEREN'T nervous! But also, she's my tough nut, so I knew she'd be okay. Here's her virgin ears before:
We picked out earrings and she wanted ones "just like yours, mommy." Awww...she does have good (i.e. expensive) taste! Then we picked out a couple for daddy since you of course got a deal on subsequent ones if you bought one pair! I spared no expense. I got the extended "warranty" (in case there are issues), the 14k gold studs (JUST in case there's an allergic reaction!) and the rapid healing spray (which probably doesn't do anything different than the normal solution, but it made me feel better!). Whatever, you only get your ears pierced for the first time once! Don't judge me.
Before and after
And she has a smile in the after pic! She was a stoic rock star. She held my hands but didn't squeeze or anything. After, I asked if she was okay and said said, "owww?" Tough cookie. I think I was more emotional than she was! They got hot and sensitive and she kept bumping them and saying, "Oh, yeah!"
After the ears, I asked if she wanted to get our nails done and she said yes yes yes! So she got a pedicure and her first GEL manicure! I just got a fill, as I had a cut on the bottom of my foot and while I needed a pedicure, the idea of putting my foot in water and then brushing it at all, made me shutter. Oh, well.
The ladies there were very kind and helpful and were amazing with making Korri feel special. By this time, I realized I hadn't eaten lunch and was getting light headed. We went to Noodles and Company where I had lunch (shrimp zoodles, which were amazing!) and Korri had a "snack" (chicken Cesar salad!).
While we were eating, we realized we were exhausted. We made one more quick stop at Claire's (there are THREE locations at MOA! Crazy) and then we headed home.
It was a beautiful day and wonderful experience to share together. It was a coming of age for Korri and she rocked it. She is growing up so fast and is so mature in some ways and I just want to hold on to her and tell her to stop growing up! She really is great. I know we butt heads a LOT but I guess that's what kids do with their "safe" person, right? I hope I'm always a shelter for her to give her rest and comfort and that we can share in a LOT more experiences like we did yesterday. Love you so much, Baby Grill!!!!
Oh, and I think it is safe to say, we were tuckered out!! I however, didn't get a nap!
