I may be opening up a can of worms here, I think I am going to ease myself into this.... I went to some garage sales today and came away with some good finds. At least I think they are. I was lucky enough to find some Thomas the Tank Engine trains and tracks for Aedan and I will put those away until his birthday. I also got two videos, one is Elmo's Magic Cookbook and the other is Tubby the Tuba. The first one is for Aedan and the last one is actually more for me. Tubby the Tuba was a childhood favorite of mine because I grew up playing the cello and I can totally relate to poor Tubby who never gets to be heard in the entire orchestra (just let him play a melody why don't ya!). Either the lady selling it to me liked my childhood memory stories or just liked my child because she ended up giving it to me for free. Well, okay I am beating around the bush, these aren't the debatable objects in question.
The question for you: Do you find it strange, and slightly crazy that I bought a doll house for my little boy? I suppose you might suggest it was more for me or for a future girl (if that will ever happen), but really, Aedan has fun with it, plain and simple. This is a Little People play house that came complete with mom, dad, and baby, a whole lot of furniture and house add-ons. It had crayon marking all over it but I knew my trusty magic eraser could handle it. By moving certain parts in the home you can activate corresponding home noises (toilet flushes, computer clicks, phone rings, etc.) and it still works too. All of that for $8. Maybe I could have talked them down a buck or so but Aedan was too busy with his hands at the garage sales so I just went ahead and got it.
I wish it weren't so pink and purple though. I was kind of scared of Neal's reaction (which was mixed) so we will see how it goes. I should have prefaced this by saying that I wasn't much of a doll person myself and I have been known to play with many a He-Man toy in the past.
I know times are changing and all that and people want us to encourage this kind of thing instead of discouraging it, but there is always that thought that makes me hesitate. I don't worry that he will grow up a pansy or anything - in fact after a while of playing with the house he starts treating the little people like they were canon balls.
I am making too big a deal out of this right? Maybe we can learn something from Tubby - melodies are not just for the violins and the weirdo piccolo, none of this orchestra prejudice garbage. Melodies (and dollhouses) are for everyone to share. Ok now I've gone too far...
ps. I wont be offended if you say I should take it back...
Rowan has a kitchen set which isn't too far off from what you got. I think it's good for boys to acquaint themselves with "womanly" duties even if it is through toys. Otherwise you raise a man who thinks his wife is the only one who should be cleaning the house, raising the kid, cooking the food etc. So just think of it as you helping Aedan to learn how to keep house??? Besides I find it's nice to have some girly toys around the house- I'm sure some of Aedan's little friends will be delighted with this new acquirement.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised Neal had mixed feelings being that he strikes me as a sensitive modern man :) I think there are a lot more questionable things than a little people house..... like balerina tootoos or something of the sort. Lani misses Illinois garage sales and never stops complaining about not having that resource in such abundance.
ReplyDeleteNo problem at all. I am currently searching for a kitchen (hee hee) for my little guy, and I bought him a vacuum a couple of weeks ago at a garage sale. They spend all day with their moms, so of course they want to mimic the things we do- I say the earlier he grasps the domestic arts, the better husband and father he'll be later! Just watch him around the makeup (Taylor loves to mimic mascara application and hair brushing which gives Matt endless woes).
ReplyDeleteRachel - I'll take your advice because if it'll help him become so sweet like Rowan then I'm all for it!
ReplyDeleteSherdon - Neal is very boy/sports king and he is very good with kids but he teased me today that Aedan requested a pink straw and that is was all because I got him a pink house...
tweedlediva - I hear you on the makeup - he likes the lash curler. I need to stop getting flavorful chapstick too...
Lest I be put in the wrong light, I am not opposing the house (except for in fun play.) HOWEVER, if Jackie had taken a picture of the figurine they have for "father" you would know why I am groaning at this little purchase. ;)
ReplyDeleteyes, the dad does kind of look a little girly. And I don't mean to put neal in the wrong light because a lot of the hesitation to buy it was on my part. I suppose this is just my way of working in a little more femininity into a household dominated by boys...
ReplyDeleteIt's not a doll house - it's a Little People House! They also have a barn, an airplane, a bus, a circus, a Noah's Ark, etc. There is absolutly nothing wrong with Little People. We are currently building our collection. We however found it a little funny that the bus comes with 1.little white girl with glasses AND a wheel chair 2. little black boy 3. A latino bus driver. Lovin' the diversity!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I am laughing! Connor secretly likes girly toys too. When he sees a commercial for something girly that he wants, he says, "Hey mom! How about we buy that for YOU and I can play with it sometimes." When I reply, "Why don't we just buy it for you then?" He says, "Cause it's a GIRL toy...you can't buy it for ME! I'll just play with it SOMETIMES!" Kids crack me up!
ReplyDeleteI love the house! I'm going to buy Aedan some G.I. Joes to go inside to make it a bit more manly! I know that Gigi will love playing with it when we come to visit :)
ReplyDeleteYes, we will just say that it is an investment for all of Aedan's girlfriends... :) No matter how much he loves it though, he still loves his trains even more.
ReplyDeleteThis house enables a very important type play; if he didn't get it here, he'd get it somewhere else, but I love that it is focused on a family in their home.
ReplyDeleteI know why there is a hesitation, though. I'll freely admit that I would not get my girls military toys (which is just an expression of my own opinions), but I want them to learn about dinosaurs and construction, etc.
I think it is great you found the house. If you see another one like it and similar prized will you give me a call? Katy loved playing with the Little People house at Eva's. And if you think Aedan needs a change in Little People toys, you can send him over here. Katy has the garage, airport and quite a collection of cars and trucks to go with it, all from a random garage sale find. She also has some random people including the mechanics and construction workers. It's funny, she has dolls and some play dishes, but she enjoys the trains and trucks as much or more. My dad says, however, you can tell she's a girl, because all the toys talk instead of growl, roar, crash and screech at each other.
ReplyDeletemichelle if I happen upon another one I will definitely snag it for you. It is turning out to be well worth it though - just like Katy plays with the cars w/out the crashing and loud noises, Aedan plays with the little people by having them do backflips off the swingset and the baby goes barreling into grandma and grandpa... I sure hope he doesn't try this at home! :) We need to have Katy over!
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