Most of Lily's time in Independent Playtime these days is spent immersed in that magical wonderland that is her dollhouse. Away from her little brother's itchy and inquisitive fingers, she quietly and happily creates a world of her own imagination.
I often can't resist listening outside the door at the hilariously sweet commentary as she coaxes her dolls through car trips, meals, nap time, dance class and all manner of adventures that are somehow familiar as excerpts from her own beautiful life.
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| Popping the dolls into the box/car for a little road trip... |
This dollhouse was a highly anticipated Christmas gift (highly anticipated by me that is!) when Lily was two. I had sweet dreams of her merrily playing here, perhaps for an entire childhood and who knows, perhaps even through her own children's childhoods... (yes, I had high hopes by purchasing a wooden doll house!). I just love seeing her imagination soar and her busy thoughts align themselves while she quietly plays. The only problem is her beloved little brother also desperately loves playing in there so he may shortly require his own heirloom dollhouse!
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| She is a goof. It's why I love her. |
Such a beautiful post, Your kids are going to love reading your hopes and dreams for them.
ReplyDeleteoh i sure hope so (and arent rather mortified, lol!!!)
DeleteWhat a beautiful dolls house and a wonderful way to while away the hours. So good for little ones to be able to entertain themselves.
ReplyDeleteWe have 'independent playtime' in our house too, but it's actually called 'mummy's time' i.e. "It's mummy's time now, so you go and play for a bit and come back when it says 8 on the clock". :)
so true Tarnya! the gift of being able to 'entertain oneself' is a good gift for sure... heehee yes indeedy Independent play is also very much mummy's break (or productive) time too!! win/win huh :)
DeleteI bought a wooden dolls house for Hannah for Christmas last year but by the time Christmas actually came I realised she had enough gifts and decided to hold onto it for her birthday this year. She has really begun the type of imaginative play you describe Lily doing so I am sure she will adore the dolls house in a few months and this post of yours has made me so glad I purchased it!
ReplyDeletei so often do the same thing Andi!! have gifts ready then realise i dont want to over dose the kids (esp after the grandparents have given stuff!!) and hold off. in fact i just realised i pretty much have their birthdays already taken care of just by stuff in storage! :) Anyway i think its the perfect age for Hannah and she will love it!! We gave it to lily at 2.5yrs and though she liked it, to be honest really only after 3/3.5ish did she *really* get into it with extended play sessions, so i think Hannah will jummp right in and love it! bet its a cute one too!
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