La Petite Belle pulled this out of the utensil drawer the other night.
What you may not be able to see is that that little black smudge on the edge of the fork was once Dora the Explorer.
This is HER fork.
She has eaten from this fork ever since she could eat from a fork.
No one has been allowed to eat from this fork but her.
When a younger child would come over to the house, I would offer it to that child and La Petite Belle would give me THE look. You know … the same look you give your children when they are doing something you don’t want them to do … that one. And we wonder where they learn it.
This same child pulled that fork out, very nonchalantly handed it over to me and said, “Mommy, I think we can get rid of this. I’m way too old for it.”
Mommy was a little sad.
She asked, “Are you sure? It’s your Dora fork. You’ve eaten off of this fork since you were a baby.”
La Petite Belle: “Yes, Mommy. It’s OK.”
Mommy was still sad.
She asked one more time: “Are you sure?”
La Petite Belle: “Yes.”
That fork is still sitting on the counter just in case she changes her mind. Or Mommy hopes she will. Darn growing up.
When her Dora doll gets thrown out of the bed, I may shed a tear.
One side note: the notion that only SHE can eat from the Dora fork isn't entirely true. There were a few cases where the Dora fork was placed next to MY plate, just to see the reaction from dad, with La Petite Belle's mischievous smile and raised eyebrow in full effect.
Goodbye Dora fork. You will be missed.
What a bittersweet day.
Darn you, growing up, darn you!
I'm right there with you, girl. So. hard. Oh, and I know that look… Gracie has that one down, too. Not sure where she got it from either.
Awww!
On the bright side (assuming you've got enough space in your house to be storing random stuff!) you could always hold on to it.
We went to a hen night (well, most of the afternoon as well really), where when different bridesmaids and maids of honour were being taken off to check dress fittings and make-up palettes; the rest were compiling a montage of old photos and memorabilia of the bride. It was placed so that the wedding guests had something to look at when they were lining up for the reception line.
The best men did one for the groom as well. It made a really nice talking point!
I've tucked away all the special baby utensils etc. They may have outgrown them; but I think they'll love to see them resurrected when their babies come! (And Mama needs to look at them from time to time!)
I agree…..DARN growing up!
It's hard…isn't it?
You're talking to a mama who just last night burst into tears when hubby brought out the rug that used to adorn the nursery floor. He's selling it on Craig's list. I looked at it, and suddenly I was pregnant and sitting in the rocking chair and dreaming of my little one. Smelling the smell of all the baby stuff in the room. Holding my babes. Smelling the freshly washed head. Reading "Goodnight Moon". Playing "this little piggy…"
No more babies for me?! Impossible! Gut-wrenchingly and heart-breakingly impossible!
Oh! This made me sad – who knew that such little things like this would be the things that make us want to cry? Don't ever get rid of that fork – too many memories attached.