When Norah was a few weeks old, I bought a new laundry basket. (The kind with an indention in the side so it fits snugly against your hip, which is especially convenient if you are balancing a clingy baby on your other hip)I remember wrinkling up my nose at spending upwards of twelve dollars on this "ergonomic" laundry basket. Had I known then all the use this laundry basket would get over the course of the next two years, I wouldn't have given it a second thought. In addition to it's intended function, it has provided both of our kids hours of entertainment. From Norah's "rides" in the basket as a wee babe...
to playing hide-and seek in the clean clothes...
It's also been excellent for practicing their trapping skills (such an important trade for modern-day Texas kids, you know...).
Eli is big enough that HE now climbs on top of the basket when Norah gets inside. (she's not in it this time, but he likes to keep his skills sharp)
On this particular day, Norah discovered that the over-turned basket was the perfect height for a "piano bench". She called me to come and watch her "practice my piano" (I know you, in your limited knowledge of Robinson County imaginary play, probably thought she was just working on a puzzle, but you would be mistaken)
This one cracks me up. I walked in just a couple of days ago to find Eli "this" close to overturning a massive load of laundry onto himself. I love that I caught his mixed expression (mischievous/proud).
Recently, Norah's taken to asking my permission to play with the laundry basket. (I had to explain to her a few weeks ago that when it is full of laundry--especially dirty laundry, it is not a good place to "take a bath" or "go to sleep", as inviting as it may be) She has been very good about respecting my wishes, so now, each time she sees it empty (which, believe it or not, does happen from time to time), she asks, "Mommy, may I play with the laundry basket? Please, please, please?!" To which I usually respond, "Is it empty?" N:"Yes, Mommy it IS!" A:"Then yes, you may." N:"Yippee!!"
Yeah...I'd say that twelve dollar laundry basket was worth every penny...and I have a feeling it'll keep paying dividends for years to come!
6 comments:
I have the exact same basket (only in blue) and Olivia LoVeS to play with it too. We often take "choo-choo" rides throughout the house and she enjoys sitting in it and playing with her toys! Super sweet!
Awww...we totally used to pretend it was a choo choo too! (complete with chug-a-chug-a sound effects!)
Money well spent. So, why do we buy toys that they play with for a day and then lose interest?
Love the pictures.... you are always so great about capturing 'the moment'!
We have the same basket, too. It was a wedding gift. Bonnie often corrects me and lets me know that it is a "boat." Love those imaginations.
Ours has been referred to as "the fly boat" on more than one occasion :)
My kids love our laundry baskets, too. We have five. Not sure why I thought I needed so many but they are all in use. Maybe that means I am really bad at keeping up with our laundry. :) $12 is actually pretty cheap for such a fantastic toy. It would almost be worth buying one just for the kids to play with.
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