Dollies

I am sitting here watching Sophie play with her dollies. As a kid with two older brothers you would find me playing with cars, trucks and barns more so than dollies. I do remember getting my first teddy bear for my birthday when I was about five. I still have her, even though she is a little worse for wear these days.

No, I didn't play with dollies until I met my friend Denise. Then I had to have Barbies, and Cabbage Patch Kids. Well whatever Denise got, I had to have too! I think my mom hated hearing ". . . but mom, Denise has one so I HAVE to have one too." I just can't wait for that line in our house!

Sophie has always been a dolly/animal girl. Many mornings or after her nap you will find her sitting up in her bed just playing with her dollies and stuffed animals. Now don't worry, she is only allowed one teddy and one dolly and her glow worm and even then they don't make it in all the time.

What has surprised me is that she already has favourites - Willow who is a seedling dolly she got for her birthday from her friend Eva, Corolle who was also a birthday present from Auntie Reynolds, and an Upsie Daisy doll from In the Night Garden that I got for her when she was about four months old. She and Daisy are the same size so it is funny to watch her drag it around the house, and they go everywhere together. In fact, we were in the store the other day going past an In the Night Garden display and she put out her hand and said DAISY.

Crazy thing is I didn't plan for this to happen. It just did. I have realized lately that play is so important in her development. It teaches her to use her imagination. I have also noticed that she is very interested in knowing how things work - the engineering side of her brain no doubt. It is truly amazing, how even these early days help them determine who they will be down the road. Now if you will excuse me I have a tea party to attend . . .