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Playtime

Springtime is my favorite, mostly because we can come home in the evenings from work and school and still have plenty of time to play outside before the sun goes down.  Unfortunately, the kiddo still has a bedtime, which she hates with a passion.  Life gets so busy that slowing down and enjoying some of the simplest of things can become a burden.  Who has time to just sit?

We, however, make time to sit.  I watch my girl interact with her toys and her imagination soars.  Her stories bring her plastic friends to life, and suddenly, conversations and experiences are happening before my eyes.  When I was little, I often pretended.  I had to.  My sister was almost ten years older than I, so most of the time, she wasn't interested in playing with me.  I would hide myself away in a closet or in the downstairs basement, which wasn't as bad as it sounds, and I would pretend play for who knows how long.  Watching my daughter, seeing her imagination come to life, reminds me of all those times I taught my students and wrote my own stories as a small child.  Wouldn't it be nice to be able to pretend like we used to?

As an adult, I have a hard time stopping to pretend play with my daughter, but I need to do it.  These are the moments that Izzy displays her own character.  She shows me that she know how to have fun in a safe and responsible way.

"Only one at a time on the slide!"


She shows me that she knows how to be respectful towards others.

"Stay in line.  No skipping!"




She shows me that she knows her manners.

"I'll take one donut, please."  "Oh, thank you very much!"  "You're welcome!"




She shows me she is friendly and kind.

"Oh, hello there!  What's your name?"  "Want to play with me?"  "You're so sweet!"  "I just love you!"





She shows me that these Littlest Pet Shops aren't just plastic toys but friends that help her express her own emotions, needs, and wants.  She's so funny with this bunch of toys.  She knows all of their names; Caroline is THE. MOST. IMPORTANT.  Do not lose Caroline!  She knows the theme song.  She watches other children play with them on youtube and then reenacts the same situations.  She has painted them.  She has bathed with them.  She takes them along for every car ride, and I'm pretty sure there are a few in my purse.  This girl loves her Pet Shops.  And I love watching Izzy play with them.  I hope she always has this playful imagination.






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