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).
A lovely post. I hope Doll Church gets a post soon 🙂
Those look so cute! I'm crossing my fingers!
I remember playing with paper dolls (I think we had the historical variety?) but I also remember being too neurotic – the paper would crease or rip and I would obsess about that. I'm glad Ella liked them!
Looks adorable! I loved paper dolls as a kid, and I'm hoping my two girls will as well.
Kinley would love these! (Her mom would love them, too!)
This is so sweet. You can tell she is just in heaven. I remember those AG paper dolls, too. I cherished the Samantha one!
I use to love paper dolls! The photos here of you and Ella are precious.
Aww! My mom had a set of really old encyclopedias, and one of them was "Things to Make and Do." It had a section of paper dolls, and so I would spend many afternoons carefully tracing, and then coloring the dolls in the book. I looked at it a few years ago, and it still had the indentations on the pages from where I was pressing so carefully. This would be great.
No need to include me in the contest, but I just wanted to marvel over how beautiful your daughter is! And you made me nostalgic for my own paper-doll playing days. 🙂
So fun! We have a huge regular dollhouse, but I don't think I even knew they had such elaborate paper doll sets. I always imagined just 1 dimensional flat dolls. I hope I win 🙂
How sweet. I have two little girls that would love these!
I remember playing with paper dolls too – and there were a large selection when I was a girl. My granddaughters would enjoy playing with them too.
Pick me pick me!!
Are we SURE your daughter is only a couple months older than mine? I don't think LE is anywhere near doing this yet. Probably cause you're such a rockstar at doing stuff with her and I am just old and tired. (But pick me anyway, cause by her birthday I bet she can!)
How fun! Harper would love these…maybe in a year?? But, hey, I can hold onto them until then!
So much fun! I love paper dolls, and I often send them to the little girl I sponsor in Albania!
I am expecting my third child and I am sure Sofia would love to have one of this to play with her brother while I feed the new baby this October!
I love these pictures! I also had American Girl paper dolls – and possible some Aladdin ones and a Sugar Plum Fairy one. I can't wait to introduce them to my little girl (after I get to meet her myself, of course.)
Also having grown up with lots of sisters, I have great memories of paper dolls. I have yet to try them with my girls and this would be just the thing!
I love the lack of hoops here 🙂 Thx for the tweet. Paper dolls are so great! I tried them with my oldest a while back, but I think she was a little too young. Maybe she'd get the hang of them now. 🙂