First, let me just say that I'm really proud of our toy car collection. I'm no expert, but I think all-girl families tend to slack off in the toy car department. Well. We have at least 8 cars/trucks/buses/planes. That has to count for something. Even though we have about 2,000 dollies/tiaras/dress up clothes/doll strollers/etc.
It all started with Laura (hi, Laura!) who noticed how much Lily loved playing with one of their toy cars... so she "loaned" it to us... which turned into "loaned it to us forever". Either she was scared of breaking Lily's heart or she was scared Lily would karate chop anyone who took her beloved car away ;o)
But this gave me the idea that "hey, my daughter likes this toy car. And it's the only one she has. I should remedy this!" So for Christmas they got a whole bunch of cars/trucks/planes from Momma and Daddy. And Lilo, actually. When she mysteriously knew it was Lily's birthday she also mysteriously knew Lily was into cars cause she brought up that "polizei" German cop car. NICE!
So, long story short... we have toy cars, yay! And I saw this cute idea on pinterest to turn a white shower curtain into one of those cool car play mats for the floor. But I figured I could just improvise with a big sheet of paper for now...
Well, I had envisioned this awesome play time where Momma drew the road and we all colored together and then the girls spent the next five hours playing with their cars on the "new road". Whatever. They don't even know what a road is, Jessica! What is the matter with you?
In their defense, they did seem to enjoy the coloring aspect... and the group activity aspect. It's not their fault I had such lofty expectations for the solo-play aspect ;o) Lily didn't even understand me driving the cars on the road. Ever since I taught her to "crash" the cars that's all she wants to do. Great.
The best part was when Jesse woke up after this little play time was over... and he asked me why I seemed grumpy. "Well!" I promptly explained "these little GIRLS of yours don't appreciate me!" ;o) Actually, we had also painted that morning with homemade paint and I was a little peeved that they were so grumpy immediately after all of this awesome-momness... 'cause they whined and cried at my feet while I did the morning dishes.
And then it just kind of hit me... my kids are still babies. I know this. Deep down inside, I know it. And deep down inside, I'm trying to enjoy the baby stage...
Even when it's annoying.
They are still babies. Before you know it they'll be drawing their own roadways all over the driveway with sidewalk chalk so they can ride their bikes and scooters.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the Valentine stickers along the roadway are a nice touch.
I thought we needed a little pink ;o)
DeleteKudos on the truck/car toys for the little girlsies ;) and i do appreciate the very 'girly' road decorations and colors on which they use these!
ReplyDelete[And you may remember this day all too vividly when Lilbear gets her learner's permit and she's trying to stay 'between the lines'!!!] in the meantime, this looks like a fun fun way to play and especially enjoy the togetherness with Momma. xoxoxoxo
I have a hard enough time with the fact that my baby sister is going to be driving soon... let alone my baby daughters! Yikes.
DeleteWell I think it looks like a lot of fun! Yay for encouraging them to play with cars. SM picked up a doll at nursery last week! Oh, and when my nephews (2yrs (a few months older than Lily though), and 4yrs old) came to visit I made the entire kitchen floor into a track with masking tape complete with paper bridges and tunnels and they loved it! So, I would definitely try it again sometime! Oh and how bout the Pinterest one wanted you to let the kiddos use permanent markers! Yeah, stinkin right!
ReplyDeleteI know... I highly doubt I'll trust my kids with sharpies. Maybe when they're 13 ;o)
DeleteI've also seen moms that rip/cut a pair of jeans into basic road shapes (straight sections, curved ones, and intersections) and then store the pieces in a pocket when not in use. Sew 2 pockets together and you have room for a couple of cars. I think they used fabric paint to draw a dotted line down the middle, and then sometimes railroad markings on the reverse side. Neat idea :)
ReplyDeleteI give my boys their own baby when they are about 18 months old. Their favorite of the 3 is a Cabbage Patch kid that's in between the biggest size and the smallest. I guess it's the perfect combination of not too bulky to pick up and not too small to seem fake. Or something. Absolutely nothing wrong with giving boys dolls and girls cars on occasion!
Haha awesome! I like that idea for boys!
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