Over the years, I’ve written a bit about Sophie’s fashion choices. Namely that I want to be the one making them — that a kid with Down syndrome has enough challenges without a tacky outfit (or a top hat, or overalls, or a sailor suit, or — okay, I’ll stop).

See also: Thoughts on Overalls

But lately I’ve caved. I admit that mostly that’s because she wears me out but also because I think Sophie should be able to express herself through what she wears. It’s important to her. Because she never grows (only a slight exaggeration) the kid has more clothes than anyone I know (as the smallest, she gets all the hand me downs) and she likes to wear them. Sometimes two or three outfits a day. It’s hard to keep up — so sometimes, I let it go, let her risk a goofy outfit.

Like this morning. I was getting ready myself and challenged Sophie to be dressed by the time I got out of the shower. For once, she was into the idea. First she brought me her choice for shoes: a pair of Toms espadrilles. Well, sort of a pair. Two shoes from different pairs.

I stared hard at the shoes, looked at Sophie’s excited face, and made a decision.

“I love it!” I told her. “You know, Sophie, I wouldn’t have thought to do that but it looks adorable. Go for it.”

She beamed. And greeted me a few minutes later, clothed head to toe. Again, her choices were a little more out there than usual — shorts (forecast is 78 today), mismatched striped socks with the Toms, a knit scarf around her neck, a lace top over a striped tee.  Cute. Well, sort of.

“Hey Mommy, will you put tape around my glasses?” Sophie asked, holding them out.

Then I remembered, finally. Today is Nerd Day, Day 2 of Spirit Week at school.

Suddenly, it all made sense. And I couldn’t have been prouder of Sophie’s style.