My Friend Lydie

When I was growing up, my absolute favorite doll of all time was "My Friend Mandy" from Fisher-Price. I spent countless hours dressing her in the homemade culottes, vests, blouses and skirts that my mom spent hours making. I washed her hair regularly and set it in curlers, switching her hairstyles from cute under-curled bobs to flips. My mom tells me that she is still in their garage, and I look forward to retrieving her!

Well, I now have my very own real girl, who happens to look an awful lot like her predecessor. See the button nose, shiny blonde hair and bright blue eyes? Fisher-Price could have designed this child!

Lydia is such a funny combination of pink frilly princess and tomboy. She loves to play dress-up, wear pink, sing and dance. She also loves sports -- she plays soccer and is planning on starting t-ball this spring. She doesn't really play with dolls, but when she does, she is not the "mommy." She insists that she is the "big sister" because she has no plans for getting married and having babies. She wants to grow up and get a job and live with me forever. I tell her that she can stay with me for as long as she wants, because I know one day she will want to leave home. Besides, I am glad that she hasn't gotten boy crazy yet. At her age I had quite a crush on this guy:

(Nicholas from Eight is Enough)

And this guy:

(Superman)

Anywho, she is not yet interested in boys, and I am glad. She doesn't usually dress up as a bride like some girls do. The one time she tried it, she put a scarf on her head, and started humming -- not the Wedding March -- but the Imperial Death March. I guess that's what happens when you only have brothers!

Seriously, though, I am very grateful for the sweet little girl I have been given. She is spunky, spirited, funny, and so helpful. She is spiritual, and says the sweetest prayers. She cried real tears last week when President Hinckley, the Prophet of our Church passed away, and prayed that "he would come back to life." She is memorizing the Articles of Faith of our Church. She is learning to read, and is so impatient to finally be able to read a book.
She is Daddy's girl. This morning she made up a song about how wonderful Saturdays are because that is when Daddy comes home.
So, introducing "My Friend Lydie," the best little "doll" I could ask for!