Like a police lineup, she positions them on the ground to account for all of them–synthetic hair, mostly blond, splayed out against the pavement and mismatched outfits–all of them awful–creating a nice visual pattern across the driveway. Except for the red gingham skinny pants–I’d wear those.
There’s Poop, the first real Barbie she named in the parking lot of Toys ‘R Us, and Grocery Store, the auburn-haired beauty. Then there’s Chocolate Lake, Beek and Joann. Paquel II, replacing Paquel I who fell into the Chattahoochee River (God rest her soul). Ken, the brave fashion warrior (powder blue corduroy coveralls–too short–with tiny pearl buttons? What other guy can pull that off?). And then Barbie, Barbie and Barbie–apparently not yet important enough to inherit a Nella-bestowed name.
They are members of our family now. They sleep in our beds, join us for meals and get buckled into car seats every time we leave the house. They’ve seen us naked multiple times–showing up in our showers and crowding our bathtub when we’re trying to relax, their bodies floating beneath the suds in such a way that all that can be seen is hair, fanned out in a perfect display even when wet, and boobs–twin peaks, rising above the bubbles. It’s the hair that enamors her. Every doll she picks up, she swings. Swings and watches as hair flies left, right, left. Her newest favorite doll, a dollar store Barbie knockoff yet to be named, has the longest hair of all, although it’s confined to three hair plugs on a head that’s fallen off seven times. Okay, Dash assisted for six of them. She came from a thrift store, crammed with a crumpled mess of tiny clothes in a toy net with eight other Barbies, and of course Nella spotted them right away. They looked like a fish catch all jammed in there, their faces pressing through the plastic netting, and I felt sorry for them, so I gladly spent the $6–a steal really, even considering the matted hair and one cheapo with the loose head.
I’m growing fond of them. Never a Barbie lover for various reasons, I always liked that my kids were more drawn to baby dolls–something homey, cozy, nurturing about them. But here we are, our house swelling with Mattel plastic–flawless figures and arched toeless feet and knees that click-click-click into bends. These perfect dolls in the hands of my perfect girl create some sort of magic–a place where imagination is wild and free, speech is fluent, friends are abundant and real life scenarios are played out with hilarious accuracy, right down to sassy Barbies who talk back and are scolded.
These Barbies have entertained us on road trips, eased apprehension at doctor appointments, kept us company at the grocery store, at the movies, at a friend’s house and comforted through knee scrapes and head bumps. They’ve shown us how to get our hair washed without crying, how to sit in a dentist chair, how to try new foods. If Barbie can do it, you can too.
Through Barbies, I’ve heard voices I didn’t know were in her, phrases I didn’t know she could say, and have observed her deep understanding of conversation and inflection and attitude: “No way!” “Mmmm-hmmmm.” “Really?” “You’re so funny.” “Oh my God.” “For real?” Fake laugh, fake cry, fake snore. And my favorite, a perfect eye-rolling teenager-ish “O-kaaaaaaaayyy.” She is an actress; she breathes life and character into her Barbies and consequently, they breathe life and character into our home.
I scoop a heap of them out of the tub to clean it, I reach to retrieve them when the sliding van door opens and they all fall out, I stretch the pool net out to skim the floating one–the only one she wants, of course. I sigh as I bend again and again to pick up a tiny shoe, a skirt, a plastic laptop the size of a postage stamp. But I know that I’ll miss them. When someday I pull the couch back to find Paquel forgotten, no longer played with–her hair entangled with lint, her discovery entangled with memories. I’ll smile, knowing the imagination she helped launch has only abounded and the friend that she was has been replaced by many.
Until then, there’s a sleepover happening in a shoe box right now. They’re getting wild–I must go attend.
LOVE this! Your words describing the Barbies are perfect and they take me back to when I played with Barbies. LOVE your blog!
This is so beautiful! My son has 3 Barbies (Gloria, Jennifer & Fish-Mommy Barbie) that he adores. My husband and I used to get annoyed at his requests to bring them everywhere, but I realize now that they have become a part of the family. He sits and has the cutest little conversations with them & I will now pause to appreciate those special moments. Thank you!
I loved every word of this eloquent post. Laughed out loud at the word picture of the dollar store barbie and her tufts of hair.
So many memories came flooding back to me as I read this post! Love the names!
This is a lovely tribute to those fleeting phases of childhood. My son latched on to trains before he turned 2, and I’ve never had any real interest in them. I hoped it was a passing admiration, but I soon grew to love them and his love of them. And I decided to nurture it.
We’ve visited train places across the country, acquired more Thomas trains, books, videos and shirts than I care to think about, stowed tiny engines in purses, pockets and car cupholders for years and even slept in an old caboose.
I can’t see a passing train without yelling, “Train!” (Even when he’s not with me!)
Now that he’s almost 6, he’s starting to find other interests, and it makes me a little sad. When he’s completely moved on, I will have to find a shadow box or something to tuck Thomas, Percy, James and friends into so I can remember his first best friends.
Yes! Shadow box those babies!
This brought back so many memories! Our kids are all grown now but
there has been a rogue pink Barbie shoe that shows up everyone once in awhile. Usually in the most unexpected places. It even made it from our old house to our new house. It has turned into a game. We put it back where we found it and wait to see where it will show up next!
I always smile when I read your posts ~ this one really made me smile.
xo
A particularly lovely post.
In a word, perfection. Your posts are so beautifully written. Thank you, they are a pleasure to read and a gift always.
Thank you, Olga. Such sweet words.
Love this! I have to ask where you found Nella’s glasses–they are so cute! My little girl loves to wear mine, but it would be preferable if she could actually see whilst wearing a pair of her own. 😉 (And I’d probably see a little better without all of the smudges I get mine back with too!)
We just got a second pair (got our first one online) and she loves these best. These are from Eyeglass World–Pepe Jeans brand. Nice and little with bows that extend a good amount behind her ears so they stay on great.
Thanks so much! Going to check out the site right now…
Beautiful words. Reminds me of my oldest. Thinking back and cherishing those memories as we get ready for her wedding next year. And looking forward to when her little sister finds the world of Barbie or as of right now Doc McStuffins.
ahh yes. Apparently my Barbie was named diarrhea because I told my mother it was a beautiful name. Of course my little brother spent his first five months on the planet as “Rosebud” because, according to my four year old self, that too was a beautiful name. Here’s to Nella, fellow purveyor of cool names.
So sweet. Though I love having a son, I feel sad imagining a house without Barbies, dolls and fairies. For better or worse, Barbies were a huge part of my childhood — an imaginative, happy one I shared with my little sister. I had hoped to share those toys with my own kids! But regardless of whether my son is an only child or a girl is yet to come, I’m sure I can dig them out to enjoy again someday. 🙂 Even if it’s just with nieces or cousins!
Boys can play with Barbies too. And with fairies. Mine does.
Greatest names ever! My son won a cheap lion at Six Flags this summer. He named it Soda Can.
Love this!! My son is developmentally delayed and loves swinging things around and dangling things. Maybe i’ll try a barbie for him too.
I loved my Barbies.. wish I still had them..
the canopy bed..the Fashion Show..the red velvet swing coat and pillbox hat.
She is the cutest Barbie lover.
Love this Kelle! Having 3 boys I have missed out on all things Barbie… but remember how many hours I spent playing with them in my own childhood. My mom used to make clothes for them from my original “designs”. And oh how I coveted my best friend’s Barbie Camper Van!
Beautiful words, as always.
xo
Kate
4 sons and we ended up with a rescue dog named “Barbie”! Had a daughter but alas never a plastic, perfect Barbie doll…we are happy with our beautiful Barbie dog!
Kelle,
Your words about barbies are moving me to tears. I am a little sensitive this week, having to work extended hours so I am missing my kids. But this is absolutly beautiful.
I read “Barbie and Ruth” this summer – a biography about the woman who started Mattel and invented Barbie. A great read and I have a whole new respect for the doll. And especially the label. Ruth would have printed your blog and kept it close to her heart. You have discovered the same thing she discovered with her own girl. She was told no self-respecting mother would buy their child a doll with such large breasts. But she knew there was a niche missing in her child’s toys. These children want to play grown-up. They want to act out situations when they are older. Not mothers. But teenagers. They need a safe space for that.
This is so lovely. My girls are 37 and 35 now and I still remember the favorite Barbies. The girls made “rooms” for their dolls out of paper and cardboard and whatever else they could find. Then their older brother(who liked to chew the feet off the Barbies) would open their bedroom door and swing it back and forth making a hurricane destroy all they created. The ensuing anger and yelling, and the brother being pummeled by the Barbies. Ah, such good times!
My first thought upon opening the blog tonight: Whoa!?! What happened to Nella?? When did she become a pre-teen?! The first picture, broke my heart-totally in a good way! She’s growing up! Nella is so beautiful, and getting so grown up. It remind me of stumbling upon a picture of my son from months ago & realizing, he doesn’t look like that anymore. He looks older. Its not a bad feeling at all, more melancholy, a happy heartache kind of feeling. I am sure I am not describing it well.
The Barbie life, I was never a fan but your words drew me in & reminded me of my childhood. You always do!
Awww, I remember these days so well. My little one LOVED her barbies (truth is, she still does but doesn’t want her friends to know). She has a speech delay and it amazed me how fluent her speech when giving voice to her barbies,it was sort of magical really. Make sure you’re video taping her (well all of your kids, and I’m sure you are) because there is just nothing so precious. I’m glad you can see your kids childhoods the way that you do, it’s so nice to reminiscence through your experiences 🙂
I follow your blog and look forward to your posts.
I have two girls, 28 and 30.
What I love most about how you share your family and your insights is the freedom you see and live life with. You also inspire me with your honesty, sometimes life isn’t to easy! I’m beyond the child rearing stage but, our children will never stop needing us, and they will always be our children, no matter what age.They will always need us. At the age of 62 I am still nuturing, helping, sending “care package’s ” and anything else my girl’s might need.
Being a Mother is a never ending and most rewarding gift.
I have 3 girls who are Barbie obsessed and they have a grandfather who is ebay obsessed. One year for Christmas, he bought a HUGE lot. Barbies from back in the day, old outfits, an old corvette, the works.
In that set, there was a WNBA one. She has jointed knees and Elbows and comes with a basketball goal. You have to get her. She is so fun!
Not that I play with them or anything
Ha–totally made me smile.
I’m going to go google WNBA Barbie now.
I have so much love for this post! It made me laugh and cry and kept a smile on my face throughout. Thank you for reminding me what a joy it is to live in that magical place called childhood. And soon enough, I’ll be reliving it myself.
love this post. the imagination and pretend play are wonderful to see. so many children these days miss out on this. thank you for sharing with us.
Such a beautifully written post. Thanks, Kelle! Barbie gets a lot of negative press in our generation, so it’s refreshing to see this sweet perspective. “Barbie therapy,” that’s what goes on in our home with my girls. I see a lot of feelings about relationships worked out through them. And, dear God, I learn a lot about my marriage since Barbie and Ken play “Steve and Amy” quite a bit! (ps. If you are itching for a craft project with the kids, the DIY Barbie furniture on Pinterest is fun. Check out the couch from Kleenex box.)
“I learn a lot about my marriage since Barbie and Ken play “Steve and Amy” quite a bit.”
Okay…THIS. Is. Fabulous. Love.
I totally went through the Barbie phase. Growing up, practically an only child, with 4 brothers who were grown and having children by the time I was born, Barbie’s were my BFF’s. This was the era of go-go boots and fringe purses and headbands and all my Barbie’s had them! Then they came out with midget off-takes and Dawn became my new BFF. Not to be outdone, soon followed Dusty. Dusty was weird. She was big boned and athletic built. I “think” she was patterned after Billy Jean King, the famed tennis player. I say this because Dusty was a bit manly and she came with tennis outfit and tennis racket. She was jointed so that if you put the tennis racket in her hand and pulled back on her arm, she’s swing it. Dusty was the outcast of my Barbie’s. None of her clothes fit the other Barbie’s and their clothes didn’t fit her. She was destined to remain in the same tennis clothes for “all her life.” Looking back now, I feel bad for Dusty and her bum rap. Back then we weren’t so schooled on accepting everyone, in spite of their differences. I can remember many soap opera-like dramas with the Barbie’s when Ken started dating them all at once! LOL Happy memories!
I LOVE, love reading your posts. The way you describe everything makes me feel like I am right there. Your family is so beautiful.
The names she comes up with are my favorite! Nella and my daughter Penny are the same age. I love letting Penny name things. We’ve got Star, Heart, Love, and Nick :).
Oh Kelli, this was one of your most brilliant post ever! Happy Friday~
Love this: and again another reason this community lends comfort and compassion: While I amnit a Barbie fan- and was dishesetened when my special love refused traditional dolls but LOVES Barbies- all shapes and colors- especially the hair!!!! I just went with it- and her imagination, vocabulary and social skills have improved enormously- proving again she is my teacher???? Thank you for your words- they comfort and heal and make this momma feel a little less “special”…and I think that’s just what we all long for: at least I do-a General understanding that no matter the diagnosis or phase of life- they are our kids, our hearts, and in the end- our true loves ❤️ ️Katie
Ahhh..this post. So beautiful. My girl turns twenty one next week. We are long past Barbies and hot wheels.
Oh, who am I kidding? She STILL has a baby doll named John who lives in her room and she takes exquisite care of him. Every night she changes his diaper, his jammies and tucks him into an antique doll crib I found to use in my art shows that Brenna hijacked.
Is she too old? Who knows? Who cares?
Blessings!
Lynn
Oh, I remember the cool barbie pool with the slide and the barbie shower with the little curtain! I also remember seeing the “magical” looking barbie dream house on TV. Those commercials always captivated me as a child! I also gave my barbies haircuts and I never liked the way they looked after I butchered them. Thanks, Kelle, for the throwback!
Ahhh Barbies. What a beautifully written post. I have a tub full to pass down to a daughter should I have one (boy #2 due in two months) all given to me by an Aunt who had 2 boys who were so NOT into anything that did not involve farm life. My first is in love with Bob-bob (Bob the builder). He always has to visit Bob-bob at Walmart (they have one of those kids riding machines and Bob is on it). Thankfully he doesn’t realize yet that if we put quarters in it, it would move 😀
School is not our 11 year old daughter’s “thing” but “life” is–she has a learning disability which makes her day job stressful at times but oh when she gets home….she can live in a world of Barbies. Many of her friends have out grown them, they were not my choice of toys to get attached to (at least she has learned say “I know, I know–real people aren’t shaped like this!! although she rolls her eyes as she says it) and I can not stand all the ba-zillion little pieces–I would not dream of suggesting she move on from playing with them. She too, as many people have mentioned, works through things, has these great dialogues and uses so much imagination.
I will be very sad some day to see them go…..
delightful! Laughed and laughed!
Your words never fail to inspire me to watch out for, and love, the intricacies of my children’s world. It brings me joy to do so, yet often I forget when instead I watch out for all the bits that need to get done. Thank you.
Love!!! Nella is too adorable. Love that the Barbie’s are helping her find a voice (rather that she gives them voices).
My little isn’t interested in Barbie’s yet. She’s all about baby dolls and horses. I loved Barbie growing up.
Wondering, how do you pronounce Paquel?
Pa-kel. I think she was originally trying to say Raquel because there’s a dark-haired Barbie in a coloring book of ours whose name is Raquel. :o)
Our 12-year old twins threw away their Barbies last year. The clothes had long since been lost and replaced with various tunics and togas made out of toilet paper and scraps of material, held together by hair rubber bands.
These Barbies had lived through swinging via nooses created by the girls’ older brothers and haircuts by their older sisters. It made me sad.
Thanks for sharing–it brought back lovely memories.