we've learned about eating, what people eat, and how people eat - mostly with bread trenchers, and fingers and knives (and dogs to clean up). it has been fun, to share these things with her. she has an inquisitive mind and looks for more things to learn. i can hardly keep up!
as you can imagine, we have read a plethora of princess books to go with her various princess costumes.
lillie loves princess smartypants, by babette cole. this princess doesn't want to act like a traditional princess - and so finds her own way!
my favorite book for her lately is william the curious: knight of the water lilies, by charles santore. the queen, in search of perfection, almost destroys true beauty in her own kingdom. only the frog knight, william, is brave enough to save the day. the artwork is exquisite.
we've also been learning with a cool book, mystery history of a medieval castle, by jim pipe. each part of the castle is described with a drawing, and we also have to search for the deadly assassin, look for clues, solve puzzles, and learn facts for later. it is brilliant!
and i can't believe i actually bought lillie a toy that is like a weapon. yes, me, ms. pacifist. it is the coolest sword that is a bubble wand (the scabbard holding the bubble juice), and it makes enormous bubbles! lillie loves it. i knew we had to get it to go with our medieval theme.
i made lillie a sword belt to hold the bubble scabbard (i could just see it tipping, and all that bubble juice going all over the yard).
we went outside to test it, and princess sea (complete with costume) decided that *her* bubbles were to feed her small dragon, hilsberg. did you know she's also a dragon wizard? yes, it is true. she conferred upon me, lowly mortal that i am, the ability to also understand the dragon tongue. verily, such an adventure. we had fun with hilsberg until the rain chased us in. such is the day in the life of a princess.
copyright 2006, jessica voigts
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Comments: 41
Sounds like so much fun--you make me miss those days with my own Princess Maya, Jessie--and your bubble belt is brilliant!
Oh to be young again
Very cute pictures and a great story to go with them.
Lillie is so beautiful and you are, such a wonderful photographer...
Another favorite was Rapunzel, in a beautifully and lavishly illustrated edition that came out about 10 years ago, I think. If I find it, I'll forward the publication info, so you can find it at a library.
thank you!! now, off to feed the dragon....
Princess Smartypants! I raised my daughter on that. Check out "Cinder Edna" by Ellen Jackson and "Price Cinders" by Babette Cole. Both great for reversing those fairytale gender stereotypes.
and really very lovely work
the last picture of the bubble in the cat-tail reeds (?) is really beautiful-- but I can attest for all of them
The photos are all beautiful. I'm glad that you and Lillie had a great day before the rain came.
Lillie is beautiful in her princess garb.
Your story was good as any of the "princess" stories I read to my daughter.
Yes, we had costumes for her and her friends, and made tiaras and scepters and decorated chairs for thrones. A princess day could be very imperial.
I find this article so damn appealing and so damn warm. But, then-again, it's from YOU; what would I have expected? Your love for Lillie is so deep and everlasting that it is your legacy and will live far beyond your years. THAT knowledge should be a great source of pride for you. Thanks for the insight into your beautiful, imaginative world!
her favorite book of fairy tales thus far is _once upon a time: a book of old-time fairy tales_, ed. by k.l. bates and illustrated by margaret evans price. gorgeous old photos!!
she also loves elsa beskow (me too)!!
thanks again for all the incredible comments - it makes me happy. :)
Gotta love the new bubble magic.
*waits by the letter poxt in anticipation*