To prove Aristole's theory that art indeed imitates life, Maia recently started a drama class. You can't believe it, right? Given her predisposition for all things dramatic, emotional and pretend-y, I reckon she'll be teaching the class by next term.
The class is working on a 'production' of Peter Pan and given that there are precisely two boys amidst eventy girls, there is serious competition for a shot to play Tinkerbell. This week, they were told to dress up either as fairies or pirates.
Naturally she wanted to be a fairy but I reminded her that I made Jamie a full pirate outfit a couple of years ago (in contrast to the terrible pound-store ripped and bent fairy wings) and when she tried it on she looked the business. And I told her so forty five times until she believed that girls can be tough and strong and that she is not limited by her gender to be inferior and that she is the master of her own destiny and happiness and there is no such thing as toys for girls or boys. Okay, maybe believing these things are a work in progress.
Pictured: the business Not pictured: imaginary sword
Despite the fact that every single other girl in the class dressed as a fairy, she basked in glory of her fierceness (after some encouragement *sigh*). As opposed to........
The Benign Pirate, circa 2010
Next week Robbie and Emma have been invited to a 'Pirates and Princesses' party. Naturally they both want to go as princesses...
ReplyDeleteI love Robbie and hope he stays himself forever.
DeleteAw, thanks! He still dresses up as Cinderella about 3 times a week and for Christmas he wants a Disney Princess Playdoh Palace. He hasn't changed!
DeleteI miss Robbie. He needs a Gender Studies podcast for Maia.
DeleteExcellent! My girls loved being pirates for Halloween and even though the older one doesn't fit in her costume as well anymore, she still puts it on every now and again to play with her siblings. Show your daughter these pics of my girls as pirates:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/mommymade/5142002402/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mommymade/5141334567/in/photostream
My girls are always the captain and the 1st mate; my son (now aged 3 1/2) finds himself relegated to deckhand every time.
Love.it.
ReplyDeleteI went as a pirate for Halloween when I was five. It's one of my fondest memories. My dad made me a wooden sword and spray painted it silver. Then he took some red paint and speckled the ends, describing the battle I'd been in to earn the bloody tip. When my mom walked out and saw the gore, he told me to say I had killed a frog, then winked at me. Girls rock as pirates. Tell your daughter about Anne Bonney
Brilliant! I also did Pirate for fancy dress when I was around 8 years old. My mum had a biscuit tin shaped like a treasure chest, which she stuffed with costume jewellery for me to carry. I had the fire poker for my sword, tin foil buckles on my shoes, a shirt belted over black tights, and an eye patch, of course. I won 3rd prize, if I recall correctly. BoPeep got first prize, but she was related to the judge. Not that I am bitter, you understand.
ReplyDeleteOh, she makes a fabulous pirate! I am so glad you convinced her to go pirate! At her age I would have picked pirate over fairy any day. Now my daughter on the other hand.... :P
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