How I learned to stop worrying …
… and accept commercial toys into my house.
When we have purchased toys, we have worked hard at favouring wooden toys and non merchandised toys. Of course, there have been exceptions here and there; the plastic farm animals are favourites as are the Loving Family doll sets from her grandparents. But there is something wholesome and nurturing in the stuffed cat and owl my best friend made for Eva, and the non-branded wooden dollhouse downstairs (that albeit looks ghetto as anything next to the picture-perfect Loving Family dolls).
But still, I had mostly held out against the merchandise. It was the line in the sand.
Buzz and Woody have been in our house for almost 2 weeks and the imaginary, complex play that has ensued has grudgingly overcome my initial misgivings. Eva often makes Johnny be Buzz—my imagination is apparently not up to scratch (though my rendition of Buzz singing ‘I’m a Little Teapot” is a fav)—and they go flying around the house rescuing each other from one sticky situation after another: trapped under the blanket, trapped under the pillow, trapped on top of the table, and being attacked by the purple snake.
But Eva is also starting to play more and more on her own. She has Buzz and Woody engage in long, involved conversations while hiding behind the bed planning their escape (again) from under the blanket. They sometimes raid the pirate ship and have on occasion squatted at the Loving Family household (much to the chagrin I imagine of that prissy looking mother).
It has been so much fun to watch that I don’t regret Santa bringing them in the least.
But that’s it. No more merchandised toys shamelessly marketed to little kids in this house. Un-uh. Mark my words.
Incidentally, the Kung Fu Panda (TM) band-aides aren’t covering up any actual injuries, they just make Eva feel better.
What Eva Wore: Top: Lacey Lane (similar), Shorts: Crew Cuts, Shoes: Saltwater Sandals
