polkadots and lollipops: The Life of a Princess

I was just uploading pictures to the computer when I realized just how much "royal" business (or BUSYness, I should say) goes on around here.

It cracks me up at just how into this my girls are. I am not a mother that encourages a strict gender specific play environment. I don't feel the need to shield them from the color blue or toys with wheels LOL! My girls have a tool bench, trucks, cars, farming playsets, fishing toys, walkie talkies, stretchy lizards and frogs in our sand box, shovels, balls of every kind, army men, bug boxes, and swords. But they also have high heels, a kitchen set, necklaces, rings, bracelets, purses and bags, tiaras, lip gloss, nail polish and babies. Every toy we purchase for our children is of educational value or interest to them. Jonathan and I believe that you give them appropriate play choices and let them explore their own interests.

We did not feel that princess toys were appropriate until Annabelle was at least 3. After her third birthday she began playing dress up more and more and wanted to be Belle for Halloween- that was her first dress-up gown and my how our collection has grown! Linley being the second child is of course influenced by her big sister and can't help but be involved. Lin used to just be a innocent bystander, and then she became the forced prince (poor child thought her name was Prince Derek) but now has joined in the royal mess usually dressed as Snow White! Now it is Sam's turn to be the prince (he never had the choice).

I sort of cringe when thinking about how far we've gone down this path- but I know that it was of their choosing- they LOVE it- and so I've learned to like it. As I type this- Annabelle is dressed as Cinderella watching Beauty and the Beast, Linley is making noodle necklaces, and Sam is trying to eat the noodles.........