Paper Dolls & Memory Lane
One of the best parts of having sisters (at least my sisters), is that my childhood was full of playing dolls.
For years, every Saturday morning, all three of us would get our enormous collection of American Girl paper dolls (the ones that hadn’t had their knees bent yet and could still stand up straight were the most prized) and play for hours.
So obviously, I have no choice but to indoctrinate my small child about the wonders of paper dolls.
I got a box of these Rosie Flo paper dolls from Chronicle Books a month or two ago, and we broke them out one afternoon while Bart was home from work.
Ella was intrigued and then enthralled.
I loved these paper dolls because they all were just the kind you pop out (instead of cutting them out) and Ella could do it herself – she managed to do them all and only rip two of them slightly in the process, which delighted me.
Also, the little runway/fashion house? Killed me. It withstood even Ella trying to climb into it.
Here’s to a long happy childhood of paper doll playing for Ella.
Oh, and I’ve got another box, thanks to Chronicle, so if you’d like to win one for your child or grandchild (or, hey, yourself – I won’t judge), leave a comment, and I’ll select a winner at random on April 20th.
I received this box of paper dolls from Chronicle, but I was not compensated for this post, and all the text and images are my own (obviously, unless Chronicle happens to have an identical twin to Ella).
I loved paper dolls! I played with them all the time when I was little too. Isn't so fun growing up with sisters to play with?
I LOVE paper dolls! I have 2 sisters and we were so into paper dolls, barbies, playing house– all the girly-girl stuff. But Gabby never really was. I think I didn't indoctrinate her soon enough. Way to start early! I want to win them for my niece who is two years old and is very girly. Crossing my fingers! X X
Those are darling pics of you two! I would be thrilled if I won!
That last comment was supposed to be me, not Peter. HaHa.
I know a little girl who would love this!
She is adorable Janssen. Any of my nieces would love this 🙂
Love that she was so delicate with the dolls! She's adorable! Loved playing with paper dolls
I adore nostalgic toys like paper dolls! We don't have kids yet but they would make the loveliest birthday surprise for a sweet three year old I am close to, or maybe a lovely toy for when all the little ones come over to visit! Your little one is so darling, and I am impressed that she is so into dolls already and able to punch these out!
Oh the girls would just LOVE those. Before your post I thought paper dolls would be a bit further down the road for us. But if Ella can do it so well, my 5 year olds would probably have a complete ball! What a great idea.
She can get them out herself without ripping them to shreds? SOLD! 🙂
I have a whole cartload of paper dolls too! I laminated all of mine and put velcro on the clothes. Good times.
Those look so fun, I'm sure my daughter would love them just as much as Ella!
I loved paper dolls as a child. When I was little, McCalls magazine published Betsy McCall paper dolls monthly. I also had paper dolls of the Lennon Sisters.
Although my daughter had many dolls, including American Girl dolls, I don't recall her ever having much interest in paper dolls.
I loved seeing the pictures of Ella playing with them, especially the close-up where she is handing you one of them.
So nice that all of the old-fashioned toys have not disappeared.
Oh, my goodness, I just looked up the Lennon Sisters and they have reproductions of the paper dolls available! http://store.lennonsisters.com/lesipado.html
That is so sweet and her little hands holding those dolls? Priceless! I should introduce my 3 girls to paper dolls – I bet they would have a blast!
I think my daughter would love some paper dolls and her birthday is next week!
Those paper dolls are adorable! I know just the girl who'd love those!
My kids love to see pictures of your sweet girl. It makes me excited to have another little tiny girl around.
I remember going to my great grandmothers house to play with paper dolls. They were dolls from the 1940s. So delicate and amazing. I spent hours playing with them. Have been looking for something like this for a while!
My sisters & I loved playing paper dolls! Now I'm wondering if we still have our old ones around here anywhere…