...Barbie! Believe it or not, Barbie is 50 years old today. Crazy, right? (PS: Happy birthday to my mom as well, whose birthday was yesterday. And she's not 50.)In celebration of this special occasion, here are my top three Barbie memories:
- Desperately wanting a Peaches & Cream Barbie for Christmas at the age of about six, I just couldn't wait to open my gifts. So on Christmas Eve, Rachel and I each tore open a little corner of our Barbie-shaped boxes from Aunt Rita and Uncle Fred juuuust to see if we were on the right track. (They always sent the best Christmas gifts, so if I was going to get this magnificent present, it would be from them.) I was beyond excited to read the letters "P E" on the top corner and had enough patience to fold the wrapping paper back the way it was and wait until the next morning. On Christmas Day, it was the first thing I opened. Imagine my dismay when it wasn't Peaches & Cream Barbie that I received, but Persian Barbie! Boy, was that depressing. I haven't peeked at a gift since.
- In future years, Janice cut the hair off all my Barbies (and Rachel's, too). Perhaps she thought they should have the same boy-cut she did. Or maybe she was just mad that they weren't brunettes. Janice was a perplexing child.
- In 2001, I traveled across the U.S. for five months to 20 cities on behalf of America's favorite doll. I've mentioned before that it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life--and it was--but keeping that crazy pink carpet clean in the Barbie bedroom and watching kids like a hawk to ensure they (or their parents) weren't stealing my displays was a lesson in futility. Still, Barbie is responsible for a lot of great memories and even a few good friends. I can't be too bitter.
3 comments:
I think I can relate to Janice. I also cut my Barbie dolls' hair but then used the dolls as weapons to pick fights between my sisters and brothers. I wanted to try and style their hair, but gave up. This probably explains why I am still terrible at doing my own hair.
WHAT!? I did NOT cut the hair off the barbies. That was Daniel. He also tore the head off of most of them and Mom patiently put them back on. Still not sure how she managed that one.
I am so very sorry about sending the wrong Barbie so many years back. Apparently,that year I wasn't being the "good" aunt I always aspired to be. What a burden we can lay on a child's psyche!!! So sorry - will keep my eyes open for that P&C Barbie but don't know what kind of luck we'll have with finding an "antique" - how's about a Sarah Palin Barbie?
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