Zoe Makes Me Laugh

Today I brought out a surprise for my two girls, ages 4 1/2 and almost 3, to play with. It was my entire collection of Strawberry Shortcake dolls from when I was a kid that my mom in her infinite wisdom kept for me so that someday my kids could enjoy them.

I love(d) my Strawberry Shortcake dolls. I have an entire original set (I think) that consists of Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Muffin, Huckleberry Pie and Apple Dumpling and her pet turtle. I also have numerous others, along with their pets and even the two villains, the Purple Pie Man and Sour Grapes. I played with these dolls for many years, from at least fourth grade well into junior high. What can I say? I love dolls with scented heads.

Anyways, my girls have had a surging interest in Strawberry Shortcake recently with the multiple viewings of SS DVDs (we own three different ones), listening to SS CDs from the library and reading SS books. So, today I decided to quit being overprotective of my little dolls and share them with Emma and Zoe.

They were an instant hit. Emma quickly claimed Sour Grapes, a girl that wore a green and pink dress and had green hair, and Cherry Blossom, a little girl with pink curly hair. She had the Purple Pie Man and Sour Grapes getting married, go home, pop out the pink haired girl as their new baby and was well on her way to having lots of fun.

Zoe looked at all of them and grabbed Orange Blossom to play with. She had a grand old time running her around the room, making her cry or fly or ride in wagons. She played with a few other dolls, but kept coming back to Orange Blossom. As I was getting lunch ready in the kitchen I heard Zoe exclaim, "She's all brownie!" and then let out a great big giggle of delight. I couldn't figure out what she was talking about until I peaked in and found that she had undressed Orange Blossom completely, including those green and white tights that all (old) SS dolls have.

After lunch I re-dressed Orange Blossom while Zoe was busy playing with her brother's trains. When she saw me putting on the doll's shoes, Zoe looked at me with a frown and said, "I like people being naked. Naked people are my favorite!"

What more can you say to that?