More Critter Drama

I was kinda bored on Thursday, and I knew the snow days had been taking a toll on Chloe, too, so I asked her if she wanted to play critters together again. OH of course she did! I suggested she bring the doll house in the living room and put a blanket on the floor (we have a green one) for the yard.

"WOW MOM YOU'RE SO SMART!" Ahh the joys of having a four year old worship you ;)

Anyway, I instructed her to set up the house while I finished washing and ironing [my hair...bahahahahahaha]. I had an hour or so before I had to tackle dishes and start supper, so what better way to spend it? She got the stuff out, and I joined her on the living room floor.

Truth be told: She watched TV while I did allll the setting up. And I'm not really complaining...ahh my inner child! Anyway, I got the house all put together and we started to play. I was instructed to be the beaver family, whose dad was "missing" (aka lost in the abyss). I made my beaver woman a staunch British woman who was blunt and crass. For example, she used the Bunny family bathroom and tooted loudly, exclaiming (in her British accent) "OH MY! Oh woopsie daisy!" making my daughter double over with laughter.

While my lady (if you call her that) was on the toilet, Mrs Hedgehog (also mine) and Mrs. Bunny (Chlo) were discussing how rude Mrs. Beaver was. Chloe, er ah, Mrs. Bunny, explained that Mrs. Beaver and her husband had broken up recently because he hated children, and that she needed a husband to teach her how to act. She then offered to let HER husband go to Mrs. Beaver's house each day, and I, er uh, Mrs. Hedgehog (aka Mrs. Prim-n-Proper) told her that's not a good idea to let your husband go wandering. ;)

Finally the Beaver family left, and the Hedgehogs decided to have a sleepover at the Bunny house. While Mrs. Bunny (Chloe) was getting her family in bed and bringing up sleeping bags from the basement for MY family, she told this story (AS Mrs. Bunny):

"Here, you can use my son's sleepin' bag [little boy bunny also lost in the abyss]. I used to have a son, but he died," she said sadly.
"Oh dear," Mrs. Hedgehog consoled.
"Yeah. I left him at his Nana's one day when I had to work, and she took him to a bar. He sneaked her husband's beer when he wasn't lookin', and he died from it," she said, so seriously, blinking her eyes long, and shaking her little head.
"Oh that's awful," I uttered, using all my might to stifle a laugh.
"Yeah. I didn't know nuffin' about it, either. She just, let him get that drug of beer and dat's not for kids ya know. Now he's dead."

I quickly told her I would be devastated if that happened to my sweet little family, then offered to help put the children to bed to lighten the play mood. I guess I won't have to worry about her experimenting with alcohol for a long time :) I'm not sure where she gets this stuff, but it's priceless!

Critter Drama

Last night was a quiet night here at our house. The Mister was with a buddy testing out new outdoor Christmas gifts, and Chloe and I were watching Toy Story 2 (by watching I mean she was playing in her room, I was on Facebook, and Toy Story 2 was playing a little too loudly on the living room TV).

I finished reading my updates, talked to my mom for a bit, then took my bath. When I got out I peeked into Chloe's room. She was playing with her new "critter" house she got from Santa. Chloe and I do things together. We color, we play games, we watch movies, and we go places. However, she's never really been interested in me "playing" with her, as in making up stories and talking with dolls. She likes to do that alone with her door shut so no one can hear her.

So when she said, "Mama, will you play critters with me?" I was surprised. I told her I would. I had a Calico Critters house when I was little, and the little things intrigue me still. I sat on the floor and she instructed me, "You are over here. Mister and Misses Bunny are baby-sitting Judy, the mouse baby." I took my place and began playing.

We played for probably half an hour, and I noticed it was already after 8:30 (usually we do bath at eight). I said, "I hate to tell you this, sweetie, but it's time to pick up."  I was not prepared for the level of disappointment. Usually she says something like, "Oh man!" then picks up her toys and heads for the bathroom. Last night she looked up at me with her big brown eyes, tears brimming.

"No, Mommy! Please, no!" Tears began to fall.

"What's wrong baby girl?" I asked her, trying not to dismiss her feelings over clean-up time.

"Dat was so much fun playin' critters wif you! I never have dat much fun playin' my games! I don't want it to be over, Mommy please!" It broke my heart, yet made it swell all at once. I admit. I had played half-heartedly. I wasn't "into" the story, and even sometimes started fusses between the bunnies just to see what she'd say or do.

"Don't be sad, sweetie. I'll play with you again tomorrow if you want. We had a fun time playing together today (we also played Cootie and rode her new bike), you should be happy. I'm happy."

"Dat's because I was havin' more fun dan you were. You're happy because you don't mind pickin' up. But I do!"

I hugged her and started picking up with her, since I played, too ;)  I reminded her she had Puppy Swim School Barbie waiting for her in the tub, and she decided to take her bath after all. She made me promise to take her on a wagon ride today and play critters again, which I will definitely do. And I might not even make them fuss today.