The padded thud, thud, thud, thud suddenly stopping without making its way into my bedroom was the first sign that something was askew. I waited a moment, hoping she would change her mind and go back to bed, which I know from five and a half years of experience, was never going to happen. Opening my eye a pinch, I made out solid shadows of furniture in the dark, but the silence was alarming.

The hardwood floor felt good on my feet, slightly chilly but relaxing as I slipped on my favorite robe, the waffle woven one from Pottery Barn with the terry cloth liner. Silently I crept out into the hallway to check the status of my daughter. There was no sign of a child except a red doll stroller rolled halfway into the wall in front of the bathroom door. Fortunately, at this age, they always leave clues.

Poking my head through the doorway so she couldn't immediately see me, I viewed her pudgy behind balancing solely on one leg, wobbling on the stool in front of the sink. Her right leg bent and balancing in the sink, still covered in the pink pajamas with the white and black penguins, I watched her hand reach deeply into the medicine cabinet. When she turned around smiling with the small metallic tube, I knew her desire had been the Urban Decay lipstick.

"Do you know why Mommy puts that up high?" I stun her with my voice, she thought she was being completely silent, but my smile shows her that she is not in trouble. "So little hands wouldn't get into it when I'm not looking."

I can't blame her for being so excited about makeup, aren't we all that way on the inside? It was purchased special for her dance recital last year and she's only gotten to try it a couple of times. The instructor suggested Urban Decay because of their cruelty free policy towards animal testing. Even though I probably could have spent $50 less at Walmart, I thought we should get the extra fancy red at Ulta for the recital, not just the cheap stuff. I am aware that this is an attitude that I will probably regret in about ten years.

Although having to clean bright red lipstick smeared all over her cheeks is somewhat time consuming, isn't this what having a little girl is all about? The fun of fancy dresses and makeup? I guess so. We'll just call this stage the dawning of a diva and I must admit... I LOVE IT!