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Princess Dalia and her glass slippers.

Posted August 27, 2008 by Charlene Frias

Have you ever had a pair of shoes you loved so much that you couldn't bear to part with them? Little did I know that at age 3, a girl could be so affectionate about shoes.

My daughter Dalia settled into her favorite princess shoes when she was given a Cinderella dress on a whimsical weekend at Disneyland. Instantaneously, her "glass slippers" became the most valuable asset to her tiny toddler feet.

Ok, so at a size 7, her feet weren't so tiny. (She can thank me -- I sport a size 9 ½!) Nonetheless, once the magical slippers touched her little toes they were affixed morning, noon, and night until her peepers were fast asleep, and I could finally slip them off.

Everyday tasks soon became the extraordinary. From grocery trips to preschool, each day became an opportunity to intertwine an activity with the beautiful dress and fancy shoes.

One spring evening we were up for a walk and Dalia decided that she "must" wear her Cinderella dress adorned with her glass slippers. Not only were we about to embark around the neighborhood in full princess garb, but she insisted on bringing her baby doll stroller with a "Cinderella Mommy Doll" and "Baby Cinderella."

She circled the block with its imperfect sidewalks, maneuvering the stroller like a big girl. Not a peep was mentioned about the possible discomfort of her glass slippers. She minded her babies and waved to the curious passersby. At the end of our walk, I noticed that the shoes were beginning to show some wear.

One Sunday shortly thereafter, tragedy struck. The strap on her glass slippers broke! While I tried to console her with the reality that maybe it was time for a new pair, that couldn't fix the problem at hand -- what would she wear right now? Frustrated by my inability to help, Dalia ran from me, bursting into tears.

Daddy followed her to her room, where he convinced her that her magical shoes just needed some repair. So courtesy of my handy man, the straps were mended with tape, and soon the two emerged from her room giggling.

What would we do without our prince? Cheesy, I know, but in that moment Dalia's prince came to her rescue, enabling her to squish her overgrown feet back into her glass slippers. And the queen of the house (not the wicked one!) could get back to her coffee.

Can't get enough princess crafts, recipes, and ideas? Check out our Parenting a Princess site!