So Much Cinderella

Have you ever been looking at something at a store, a shirt or sweater for example, and then realized that you already had an almost identical item at home?

No?

This actually happens to me from time to time.  I remember once I was shopping with one of my sisters, and I was looking at an off-white V-neck T-shirt--then my sister pointed out that I already had pretty much that exact shirt on.

Looking in my closet, a person might notice more than a few chocolate brown tops, or--in my drawer--more pairs of denim capris than may be technically necessary for an individual.  I tend to like my "timeless classics," and even though I sometimes make half-hearted attempts at including some variety, I never veer too far away from the comfortably familiar.

Alaina seems to have inherited this trait.  She loves her leggings (she won't wear pants at all!) and her cranberry juice, and her activity of choice is always the zoo. 

Alaina has also established a clear trend when it comes to toys. While our little three-year-old will play with almost anything, she really loves her Cinderellas.

Alaina got her first Cinderella doll for Christmas last year, when she was two.



Remember that lovely hair cut?  She still talks about the time when Janae cut her hair. . . .



This soon became her favorite baby, and little Cinderella has accompanied Alaina many places--including Disneyland, where they got to meet the real Cinderella :)

When Alaina's third birthday came along, the thing she wanted most (besides a Dorothy-themed party) was another Cinderella doll that talked and moved her arms and legs.  You might remember that I finally broke down and bought it--a little twin for the original doll.



And remember that goose-egg on her head?  Poor little birthday girl!



For Christmas I was thinking Alaina might like something "Cinderella" as well, so we got her a nightie and some "glass slippers."  Alaina was very happy with these gifts. 

But a few days after Christmas, when we were at a store that sold toys, Alaina spotted ANOTHER Cinderella baby that was slightly different from the other two she already had (a tiny bit smaller).  Of course she wanted to get it, but having just given lots and lots of toys to my children as gifts, I wasn't planning to buy another doll that Alaina ALREADY HAD TWO OF at home.

Alaina, however, did have some money from grandma that she could spend as she pleased.

And it was with this money that she acquired Cinderella #3.

A couple of days later, Alaina asked me, "Do you know what I want for next Christmas?"  I hesitantly asked, "What?" only to hear my daughter say, "Another Cinderella!!"

A little worried that Alaina might turn out too much like me, I have been trying to help her become more comfortable with variety and change. 

And with a little help from Janae, I think we have been successful.  For example, Alaina has finally accepted her new bed  on the bottom bunk--after lots of tears at giving up her toddler bed,

and sometimes--when Janae is at school and the coast is really clear--she even dresses up as Merida :)

 Maybe this will be Alaina's year for trying new things!

Or maybe she will end up with a shelf full of Cinderellas to go along with her drawer full of leggings.

Like mother like daughter?