My Daughter's Castle

New Year's Resolutions 2006

1. Plan meals
2. Declutter
3. Exercise
4. Blog

We're into the second week of January, and as a household, we're not doing too badly with the first two items on our list. Our meals have been mapped out for the week, and I've re-organized Ella's room and strategically placed her pony castle (and all the teeny tiny pink and purple accessories that go along with it) at the foot of her bed. Out of sight, but not out of mind.

What's a pony castle, you might ask. Well let me tell you...

It is a little girl's dream house. 100 sparkly stickers. Little magnetic feet that when placed just right, make music play and open kitchen appliances. Little pony brushes and little pony cups and saucers. And really little pony forks. It is enough to make a mother, who specialized in social and feminist pedagogy, go a little bit crazy.

Don't get me wrong. I love the fact that Ella has so much fun with her little girl toys, and I'm overwhelmed by the generosity of Santa and his pony-loving friends and family. But it's me, and not Santa, who has to spend MANY hours in the day making the ponies walk and talk and drink tea.

New Year's Resolution #5 - buy wooden toys only, declare red or orange as the new pink, and enroll our little girl into swimming, soccer, and martial arts classes as soon as possible!!!