Dolly's Day Out

My oldest daughter is really into her doll.  The doll's name is Sydney Lee and she has fully captured my little five year old's heart.  E literally dresses her for bed, gives her a "bath" in Sydney's pink plastic tub, and takes her with us just about everywhere we go.  

Sydney Lee is part of our family.  In fact, we share the same last name.  More than once, I have thought myself alone, when all of a sudden I'll sense someone watching me.  I'll look to the chair beside me which I assumed was empty, only to find Sydney Lee sitting quietly next to me.  It's a little creepy, but hey, things could be so much worse.    

The truth is, I am trying to subtly ween E and Cubby off of their obsession with Barbie.  After reading quite a few of his books over the last year or so, I have come to agree with Dr. Dobson's way of thinking on the Barbie matter.  Barbie is too grown up and way too curvy for little five year old's to be playing with.  He has other, more scientific research and findings to support his case against Barbie, but basically I don't need all that.  I agree with him, and my home has become a no-Barbie zone.   I want my girls to play with dolls that look like them, not some long-legged hussy!  Whoa, I went a little far, sorry.  

So back to Sydney Lee. 

 E mentioned to Grandma Donna that she wanted to put on a doll fashion show.  Ever since E discovered a little shop that sells Sydney Lee sized doll clothes, E is all about doll clothes and accessories.  So, Grandma Donna took this idea and ran with it.  She and the girls made a curtained entrance that opens onto a red-carpeted runway.  They wrote out a script and organized three full outfits for Sydney Lee to wear for the big show.  Grandma Susie and Aunt Ayron were called and lunch was planned.  This fashion show was going to be success no matter what!

Here are my proud daughters, standing before the stage of Sydney Lee's fashion show.  My orange jumper clad niece is considering ripping everything to shreds.

The show began, and Sydney Lee walked the runway with composure and confidence.  She dazzled.  She shined. She did need a little support from Cubby, but all models need a little guidance and mentoring, right?!

E read the script that she and Grandma Donna had written and practiced.  

Despite my girls' best efforts for the fashion show, no one would have guessed that the pint-sized peanut gallery would show up and go for broke.  These two little munchkins clapped and screamed and squealed throughout the entire performance. 

Luckily, Sydney Lee is a professional, and she continued her walk unfazed. 

The heckling and screaming continued....

but E remained the consummate grown-up in a sea of juvenile delinquency.  The show must go on!

Until the little girls decided to stage a toddler sized protest. 

In the middle of the show, they decided to lay across the red carpet, disallowing the entrance of our dear Sydney Lee in her newest ensemble.  Was it Sydney Lee's leather shoes?  Were these two kids opposed to using animal products in clothing?  Did they consider this slave labor, since Sydney Lee is obviously underage? What could their motivations possibly be?  Oh yeah, they're two.  Enough said already.

Just as at the end of every great fashion show, the designer (and doll owner) walked the red carpet with her dear model.  Amidst the clapping and cheering, a deep love of fashion bloomed within my little girl's heart.

And then they got hugs and congratulations from the crowds of admiring onlookers.

After the show, the stage and entrance turned back into a playhouse.  Maybe this is what those two crazy toddlers wanted in the first place!