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Toy Obsession

We've got lots of toys. Aside from our normal accumulation, we've been the recipient of tons of hand-me-down toys from friends of my parents.  Some of these toys have bells and whistles: sound effects, battery-powered "learning'" toys.  We probably should put away most of the toys which no longer are of prime interest to Jolie anymore - either she has grown out of them developmentally or those that have lost that novel appeal. She's got a lot of toys which can still hold her interest for a few minutes, but SIGH, are just a little ho-hum.  They are easily tossed aside for the next toy.

We were at a yard sale recently and Jolie immediately was transfixed by a bin of Legos. She went to them like a bee to honey. Now, we've had a small set of lego-like blocks which she used to play with, but these she found were part of a large ensemble, replete with "cars" with wheels, Lego people, and even a few animals. She. couldn't. get. enough.

For a whopping 50 cents, we bought the bin home, and over the past week, have witnessed such intense play and focus whenever she plays with them, it's like witnessing MAGIC. I had no idea the right toy could completey engage our daughter, the one that has the attention of a fly with attention deficit disorder.

She dumps out the bin all around her and sets to the serious task of building, of make-believe, and construction. Making towers, experimenting with balance, entering a world of creativity. I love just sitting back and watching her at play: seeing her so engrossed in the activity makes me inexplicably proud of this girl who is growing in so many ways besides physically.

She is more and more like a little girl.

I so can appreciate now the value of a good toy. One that makes the minds of children grow. I also will feel better about putting away the old toys that don't capture her interest anymore, and probably donating those that never did in the first place. Just having toys around for the sake of haviing them around is not good enough anymore.

50 cents. Sometimes simpler is bettter.

_{Disney Family does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Call your doctor regarding any medical condition. Never disregard your doctor's advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Disney Family site.}