Wawa's Baby

Wawa played with her birthday doll for the first time last night. It has sat neglected in its basket in the library since she received it in October.

It's not that I'm at all invested in her playing with dolls in general. Trucks and cars and trains and airplanes and the odd helicopter seem to fill her time and her lovely heart as it should be filled, but alternatives don't go astray and might just be needed for the exploration of new territory one day soon.

So I made a Black Apple Doll for her birthday and having created it with love and sweat and a bit of old pillowcase, I admit I tried to sell her on its various charms. It's a good thing my ego is not overly invested in such things, since she did not seem at all impressed by its long, dancing limbs, its soft black felt hair or its simple peaceful face. The only time she actually touched it was to move it unceremoniously out of her way.

Last night was different, however. Last night there were wheels involved. She had spotted them poking out of the top of a cardboard box bound for the op shop. It was an old cheap and nasty doll pusher gifted to Ni once upon a little girlhood that hadn't made the final cut for inclusion in our new household.

Nevertheless, at her request, I pulled it out and unfolded it. She disappeared happily into the house with it. I found her a minute or two later attempting (as is standard toddler practice) to climb into the doll pusher herself. Naturally, I explained that the pusher was just for toys and demonstrated its proper use with the doll.

Her initial response was, "No doll!", but after a few seconds' consideration, her stance softened and she took off careering around corners and bouncing off walls. At regular intervals, a dramatic (and carefully executed) crash would occur, sending pusher, Wawa and doll flying in different directions. The doll would wail, "Oh no!", her long, dancing legs, flying and then the process would be repeated.

As fun as it was to watch, Wawa's doll play didn't last long. After a short while, the doll was handed back and replaced with what was apparently deemed a more appropriate baby.