I know you
are a Mega- Super Star and all Barbie, but at my house you are losing your
status big time.
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| logo courtesy:Barbie.com |
She always
and I mean always asks for either the collectible Barbie or a new Barbie
set and accessories. Again, you were
strangely absent from the same said daughter’s birthday wish list a month
later.
The love affair of all things Barbie started early with both daughters:
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| Santa brought Melissa her own Barbie car so she wouldn't have to "borrow" her sisters. |
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Both girls wanted this collectible Barbie but only one got it, which may explain the next picture. |
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| Clearly a 30+ piece Kelly Collection is not what she wanted. |
As your popularity
started to wane yearly, the collection was downsized and moved to a corner of each daughter’s room.
Then just the youngest daughters room, until now Barbie; you have been
downsized until you live in two bins in the back on my ten year old's closet.
The
cars are parked on the opposite side of the closet with purses and backpacks on
top. Clearly not ready to roll at a moment’s notice like in your hay-day.
This
realization caused a moment of reflection for me as I tried to remember at what
age my oldest daughter gave all her Barbie’s to my youngest.
It’s a hazy
memory, not one that is seared in my mind like the first lost tooth or first day
of kindergarten, but I do think she was around ten.
Yep, your
days are truly numbered Barbie.
When I asked
Melissa about it, she said she still liked Barbie’s okay and might play
with them more if she still had the big Barbie house (which she said was okay
for me to get rid of last summer) and if Barbie would just stick to the classic
look and not launch a new doll for every new book and movie character that
comes out. Hmm… stick to the classics - Smart girl.
I’m turning
pages quickly in the books of life with my daughters, reaching milestones in
their teen and tween worlds. Some make
me happy, some are bittersweet. This Barbie thing is the latter. I can’t count
the hours I’ve spent playing Barbie’s with my girls.
So yes, I’m
putting you on notice Barbie, you seem to have shelf life of about 10 years and
then you are relegated to a corner in the closet and then… who knows?
But before I
let go completely, I am going to ask my daughters to play Barbie’s this
weekend. I bet I get at least one taker.
Is there a
special toy languishing in the bottom of a toy box or closet at your house too?
What is it?
Do you think you should invite your kids for one more play date
with that toy?
I remember when my sister and I were younger and all we did was play with our barbies. I do believe we were around 10 when our Barbie faze ended and, 13 years later, Barbie and all her accessories are STILL in the basement somewhere collecting dust.
ReplyDeletePoor Barbie. At least the good thing is she IS a classic and generations of girls will be able to play with her for years to come until they ultimately pass them on to their kids!
Same thing happened to me. I used to love Barbie and wanted to collect every set. My sister got older and gave me all of the Barbie stuff. Since I didn't have anyone to play with anymore, my Barbie phase soon passed. I've kept the stuff stored somewhere hoping that me or my sister will have a daughter who will want to play with them.
ReplyDeleteI had lots of Barbies when I was younger. My first was the Crystal Barbie...because my name is Crystal.
ReplyDeleteOh the bittersweet feelings of seeing your kids grow up. My oldest son is 19 and he loved KNex when he was young. I bought him a set for Christmas this year and wasn't sure he would even open them. He sat down at the table that afternoon with his dad and put things together like old times.
ReplyDeleteHi Kayla,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your Barbie story. I think once my youngest is done with Barbies for good, I will box them up and put them in the attic for future generations.
Have a great day!
Hi Marissa,
ReplyDeleteI think having your older sibling get to big to play with you and your toys is the downfall of a lot of toys, not just Barbies.
Glad you saved your Barbies for the next generation of girls to play with.
Have a great day!
Hi Finamoon,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go out on a limb and guess that your name is Crystal. I can imagine any girl would want the Barbie that had her name.
Stopped by your site to see if I was right about your name, but guess what? I came away knowing lots of names from your hubby to your mini-pony... but not yours.
Have a great day!
Hi Jackie,
ReplyDeleteIt really is bittersweet isn't it? I'm so glad your son played with the Knex you got him. I bet your hubby enjoyed the afternoon too. Hope you took pictures of that sweet memory.
Have a great day!
I am lucky, my oldest is 16 and my youngest is 3. My oldest plays with my youngest with basically the same toys he had so it is a walk down memory lane. However I do not know what I will do about that with the 3yo.
ReplyDeleteHappens to all children. They grow out of toys and clothes left and right. But, we all cherish our memories of playing with our Barbie dolls. Hugs. xxx
ReplyDeleteMy daughters are past the barbie phase and have moved to the makeup phase....oh I wish I had the barbie phase back
ReplyDelete