C.J. is officially a third grader. So far he does not like third grade as much as second grade because they don’t do as many crafts and when they do crafts “they are boring-er crafts.” He also misses his second grade teacher Mrs. D. On the upside, he has made a new friend named Ellie who likes C.J. because his hair “reminds her of fried chicken.” So there’s that.
Here are the other things that C.J. has been digging lately.
Juicy Boots – When he feels like the day or event calls for something a little flashier than his standard TOMS, C.J. busts out his new Juicy Couture Boots and compliments abound much to his delight. The boots feature purple velvety, quilted hearts and glitter laces. I wish they were available in my size. We found these gems at Kohl’s.
Dork Diaries – A reluctant reader, C.J. has found something that he enjoys reading more than People and Us. I don’t want to jinx anything, but The Dork Diary Series by Rachel Renée Russell may just be making a reader out of my son — and he’s proud to report that so far this school year none of his peers have teased him for reading “a girl’s book.” Other reads he’s enjoyed? The Lotus Lane series and Smile, Sisters and Drama by Raina Telgemeier.
Screaming Lady Backpack – I found this at Nordstrom Rack (Nordstrom Rack is one of my favorite things) and it just screamed C.J. See what I did there? It is made by Volcom, but C.J. calls it his “Screaming Lady Backpack” and thinks it’s “scary hilarious.”
HGTV – C.J. has officially ditched the Food Network for HGTV. Turn on Disney Channel or Nickelodeon and he’ll complain; turn on HGTV and he’ll sit down to give you his opinions. He prefers any show featuring a tiny house and also House Hunters, Flip or Flop and Fixer Upper. Fixer Upper is my favorite; I want to go on a double date with Joanna and Chip right after they give my house a makeover.
Pink Truck Designs – C.J.’s favorite shirt of the moment is by Pink Truck Designs and features a police cruiser just like his dad drives, only in pink (C.J.’s favorite color). C.J. says if he were a police officer he would want a pink cruiser (but he doesn’t want to be a police officer because he wants to be an artist, he wants you to know). Pink Truck Designs is a clothing line for all ages created by a mom whose daughters love bulldozers and snowplows. Their designs are inspired by the notion that it’s not just a boy thing or a girl thing — it’s a kid thing!
GIVEAWAY – Pink Truck Designs has been gracious enough to gift one t-shirt to a lucky reader of mine. To enter, visit their website and decide what t-shirt you want. Leave the product name and size in the comments below. A winner will be announced at some point on Friday (9/18/15), so be sure to enter by midnight on Thursday (9/17/15). Good luck! The winner has been announced! It is none other than Thomas, a third grader from Orlando who sounds very much like C.J. (See his comment below.) Thanks to all who entered and to Pink Truck Designs for the awesome shirts!
Raising My Rainbow 
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Guess I don’t really know where to start. My granddaughter is a boy….set her standards of dress and hair at age 4. Yes, it is socially easier than with boy to girl, but I am awkward about what to do about bathrooms…I read Raising My Rainbow from cover to cover…not one mention about bathrooms. I am guessing that when a little boy in a pink dress goes into a boys bathroom, there may be giggles and redirection but when my beautiful, but handsomely dressed, granddaughter goes into the girls bathroom where she belongs, there is outrage, like she is a naughty boy trying to get a peak at the girls. I take her swimming as it something that a 70 yr. old and 8 yr. only can do together. She refuses to wear a girls suit of any kind, loves her knee length flowered boys trunks and black swim shirt with a dolphin on it. It was ok when she was 5 or 6 but now at 8, there is the outrage factor again. Protective mothers clutch their little bikinied girls to them and glare at us. There is even a clear sign on the YMCA locker room door that states that at age 6, kids must go to the locker room of their gender. Some have a family locker room where I can take her and some DO NOT!! We all, the family, love this wonderful child more than words can express. We prepared for whatever comes along as we are realizing that she is not just a “tomboy” but a smart, talented, strong, loving, honest upcoming person who will be more male than female. Sports teams are a problem so she does not do sports that separate genders. She runs, bikes, skis and is doing great but this Spring, when her Dad, my son, volunteered to help with the Spring music show reported the bathroom issue, I just had to ask. It is not just old grandma in the YMCA locker room anymore. He said that when my granddaughter headed into the bathroom where costumes were being adjusted and prepared, the bathroom she uses everyday during school hours, he could hear the yells from out in the hall, as Mom’s yelled at “Z”, the name we struggled to establish as she just could not tolerate the girl name she was named at birth, things like….”get out” ! This is for girls only. This may seem like a small issue but it whittles down her self esteem. She sticks up for herself beautifully NOW and being in a Montessori school, she has lots of support for her individuality but I shed grandma tears and I know my daughter in law does too. Such a small issue but sometimes these dumb little, daily experience things are the most painful.
Such cute shoes! I’m also glad that he’s found books he likes. Reading is so important. My daughter didn’t like to read in the beginning, but now that’s one of her favorite things to do.
My son, a self-proclaimed “tom girl” who also just started third grade, is currently obsessed with the Sisters 8 book series by Lauren Baratz-Logsted: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/sisters8/
Over the summer, my husband and I listened to you read “Raising my Rainbow” while a road trip. Our son Eli is just like CJ and many of our emotions matched yours. It was such a positive, enlightening and affirming book–thank you for writing it and for sharing your experiences. Eli is also in 3rd grade and has finally made the decision to wear exclusively ‘girl’ clothes but still identify as a boy. I remember reading a comment on here by a man who gave such beautiful advice–something like, ‘We all make choices about whether we want to stand out or fit in. Don’t pressure your child, just accept them where they are at that moment.’ Eli had to work up to this moment by wearing ‘boy’ clothes for a few years but now seems to be comfortable enough to rock the capris and ‘girl’ hoodies with his long curly hair and pink shoes. So, thank you for providing a place to give and receive advice and support. It has been invaluable!
Ps. Has CJ tried the Ever After High books? Eli LOVED them. Can’t say much for their educational value, but reading is reading, right? 🙂
ali
We just wanted to say thank you to all who participated in the drawing. We love knowing that there are so many Pink Truckers out there, showing support for our mission to just let kids be kids, no matter what interests them. As we like to say, when it comes to raising our kids and supporting them for who they are and all that they love, it’s time to change gear! Pink Truck hugs to everyone, and congratulations to the winner, Thomas, from sunny Orlando!
Oh my gosh! I love this! I would LOVE a toddler short sleeve t-shirt: pink car in size 5/6T for my son. He loves pink and he loves dresses as much as he loves yoga pants and graphic tees. He would love this shirt. Of course, selfishly I would want the Ladies Dream Hoodie Pink Truck for me…Mama likes fun stuff too. BUT if I won, I would want this for my son who dresses for himself and is so authentic with himself. Thank you Pink Truck for being authentic too!
Toddler Short Sleeve T-Shirt / Pink Truck in 4T. 🙂
So cute! Pink Truck Infant size 12 months!
Toddler Short Sleeve T-Shirt/Engine, Size 2T. My daughter would love these shirts!
Pink Truck kids size XL. I love seeing a new post from you. Glad that 3rd grade is going ok. My 5th grade son was also disappointed to see crafts and arts become less frequent and less interesting as he has been getting older.
Hi Lori. I would love to win the Ladies’ Short Sleeve T-Shirt / Pink Cruiser in size L. I have been reading about CJ for 3 years now. I wait with bated breath for each post to come out. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
CJ has such great taste! My grandson would love the Kid’s short sleeve T-shirt/Pink Truck in any color size L. Thanks for your blog. It is great!
Pink Plane Kid’s Short Sleeve T-Shirt Size XS. That site is awesome!! My daughter wants to be a blue angel pilot when she grows up show having an airplane in her favorite color is going to rock her world.
When CJ finishes the Dork Diaries series, another series he might like is The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow. And he also might like Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson – a graphic novel that I think is a great readalike for Smile.
I love the long sleeve hooded pink truck shirt! Such a cool concept.
My son would love a pink boat shirt in size small (5).
Ladies’ short sleeve t-shirt / pink car. Size small. I like CJs style!
Nice boots, CJ! KIDS’ SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRT / PINK PLANE purple, size L
I would love to win the Kids’ Short Sleeve T-Shirt / Pink Engine in XL for my daughter! She loves anything rescue! Police, firefighters, EMT!
I would love to win the Kids’ Short Sleeve T-Shirt / Pink Engine in XL for my daughter! She loves firetrucks 🙂
I hope he finds his groove in 3rd grade and it continues to go well. I’m sure you supply all the crafts at home too.
My son loves trucks and all things vehicular. He says his favorite color is orange but pink is picking up. If we get picked, I’d get him the red tank top in 2t with the truck on it.
Here, here to Chris Riddell books comment above. His books and illustrations are utterly brilliant. Try Goth Girl: And the Ghost of a Mouse. particularly. Pink cruiser medium in Charcoal. xxx
I want those boots in my size!! But I’m sure they don’t come big or wide enough. Too cool! Sorry about third grade not being as enjoyable as second. Glad CJ is finding fun books to read.
Love to read updates about CJ, he reminds me of my 4 year old son! My son would love the Pink Truck design size 4T!! Thanks for keeping us posted it feels good to know we are not alone!!
I love C.J.’s pink cruiser and would love to wear one, too, in Ladies size medium. Thanks for the fun back to school update and the fun giveaway from Pink Truck!
Jeremy’s favourite show was one called Love it or list it. Zie watched it like other people watch sporting events, sitting on the edge of the couch yelling, “You have to take it! They put in granite countertops and a rockery! Granite countertops!!!” I so wish I’d videotaped that LOL.
I’m glad he’s found a series of books he enjoys and his own unique way of reading them 🙂
Hi
Would like to say CJ is awesome. Read your book a long time ago as well.
Laurie can you give us an update on how Chase is doing in school and just in general. He seems like he needs some press as well.
A lovely update. I want to thank you for all you do on behalf of gender creative kids and, in the process, you have contributed to my own self examination. I just celebrated my first anniversary of coming out as Agender and have found a welcoming and accepting trans community. I felt like CJ when I was little but when I hit puberty there was no awareness that you could identify as something other than male or female. Thanks to the non-binary gender identities movement there is another choice for those that don’t want to identify as the gender they were designated at birth but don’t want to identify as the opposite gender, (from a binary perspective), either. If you randomly pick me for the shirt giveaway please give it to a deserving kid.
Hope you have a great school year, CJ!
Pink Truck Kids t-shirt, size M.
Hi CJ this is Thomas I’m also in 3rd grade and I love monster high and fashion those shoes are so cute I would slip them on before you could finish saying “shoes”. I like your pink cruiser shirt and can I please have one in size medium just like yours!!! Thanks by the way if you ever come to Orlando I’d love a play date we could also do a fashion show!!!💅🏻👄🌸🎀😀😊😉
Congratulations, Thomas! You’re the winner of the Pink Truck Designs giveaway!!!! Please email your email address and postal address to RaisingMyRainbow@gmail.com so that we can coordinate getting the prize to you. Congrats again and we will for sure play date if we ever make it to Orlando. xoxo
Congratulations! 😀
Kids XL Pink Tug Boat Charcoal
My son would be thrilled by the pink police cruiser on purple, in a medium.
Love the pink tugboat! Purple, kids size M (10).
love your posts. Ladies Xl pink truck in charcoal.
My son loved the PinkTugboat shirt! He wears a 3T.
CJ is rocking those boots!
Kids pink plane. Size to equal 4-6
Thanks!
Pink Truck Onesie 12months on Lavender
CJ Inspires me to think outside the gender boxes. Thanks CJ!
CJ inspired this rant of mine: http://beckyak.blogspot.com/2015/09/recovering-pinkophobe.html
Pink Truck Onesie 12m on Lavender
CJ Inspires me to think outside the gender boxes. Thanks, CJ!
My son, now nearly 20, was also gender non conforming. He had some eye issues that made reading slow. He too loved The Dork Diaries. Other series he appreciated at that age were Geronimo Stilton, Junie B. Jones, and The Magic Treehouse. Perhaps CJ might like one of those, too.
Love this idea and your post! Thanks for sharing! Pink Truck ladies small.
I just want to say, as a trans man who isn’t a hundred percent masculine, sometimes I feel anxious that some of my feminine sides make people see me as less male. Reading about CJ gives me so many happy feelings, but one of them is being reminded that it’s okay to use male pronouns and want a male body but also love Jane Austen and purple.
I really appreciate your blog. I have a 5 year old that reminds me of your CJ. I look forward to more posts!
Brown, truck, small,kids
My granddaughter loves the Ever After High series! Pink Truck 10/12
Kids short sleeve t-shirt/pink truck
Color: brown
Size: Large
🙂
Great t-shirts! And my husband could be CJ with the whole HGTV thing – even down to the tiny houses.
Kids T-shirt Small (Pink Train, Eggplant, if we get to pick!)
Awesome post. Pink truck youth M.
Love this Pink Truck, but in adults they only sell women’s sizes. Oops.
We spoke with Mr. Gray yesterday to inform him that his ears must have been burning . . . We already have some adult unisex tees (less fitted, with a boxier cut) in stock, but our supplier is delayed in shipping all of what we ordered, so we waiting on that last shipment before we add the unisex t-shirts to our website. If you wish to see a sample picture of the unisex t-shirts (which, at the start, will come in the truck design, only, and in two colors — indigo and charcoal), please go to the Photos section of our Facebook page and check out our August 19th and September 4th posts. The Facebook page can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/PinkTruckPage?ref=hl. Thank you, Mr. Gray, and all of the men and women who support the Pink Truck message and patiently await the launch of our roomier adult t-shirt. And thanks, C.J., for “favoriting” one of our tees! We are very grateful to your dad and all of his comrades who protect the public every day!
I love the Pink Car charcoal gray ladies tshirt in 2XL since they run small. Thanks!
Try Chris Riddell’s books? Goth Girl series particularly. My son loves them, as does my mum!
Love your blog!
2XL Charcoal Women’s adult short-sleeve T-Shirt, with pink car on it.
Love this! Pink Truck toddler 5/6T