We set out for Clare's in the mall and all the way to the store, she was ready. We arrive at the store and suddenly it isn't such a great idea. She starts acting shy and scared and that is very uncharacteristic of my child. She asked if we could get a drink first and then come back. I took her to buy a lemonade and we returned to the store. No more did we get back and she had to go to the bathroom. As we were making our way back, I sat her down and told her that she did not have to do this and if we left the store again, we were just going to go home.
When we walked back in, she got in the chair and said she was ready. The lady that was going to do the piercing, cleaned her ears and made the little dots where the earrings would go and then when it was time, Ava Grace put her hands over her ears. I picked her up and climbed in the chair with her, thinking that would make it better. 
It made it better for a little bit. The store clerk tried to help by giving her a sucker and it definitely worked until she cut her tongue with it. At that point, I told the store clerks (yes, I mean plural since it was going to take 2 to do it) that it was time to do it. I put my arms around Ava Grace held her still with one hand and held her head straight. They counted and on 3 it was done.
She was crying when we left the store, but not because her ear hurt, but her tongue was still bleeding.
Traumatizing or not, the earrings look fabulous and she loves them!!
