Gearhead Mom

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Barbie Surf’s Up Color Change Diver AKA Paige

Posted by Missy W. @ 12:49 PM

I suppose I am a bit of a contradiction as a parent. I’d rather use hippie medicine for my kids, yet I have to give Sy things like albuterol, the elephant gun of steroids. I am not a fan of most Disney movies (male-dominated, mommy-killing, mean stepmothers) but Disneyland is one of my favorite places on Earth. I don’t push the pink, princess type toys, but boy do I love Barbies. I grew up with them and have many a fond memory. Yes, the are anatomically impossible and look a little vapid, but let’s be clear, they were good fun growing up. When my sister played, Ken always stayed home and Barbie worked. My Barbies were usually horse trainers, enjoying the great outdoors. My garage is filled with old school Barbies, Barbie clothes, Barbie cars. I recently pulled out the corvette and the Beach Bus (which Sy uses as a “zamboni machine” when we are ice skating in her room).

Sy had never really seen a Barbie before Christmas. I know, I know, how could I have kept it from her this long? I was looking for some new bath toys and came across the most random Barbie out there - the Barbie Surf’s Up Color Change Diver! Fun in the bath and a Barbie? And her bathing suit changes colors? And she has dolphins to swim with and diving gear? Sign me up!

Sy is not really a big fan of getting into the bath tub (like a cat in water) so I was looking for something to entice her into the water. What better than a doll with a color changing bathing suit. As the box proclaims - Wow! Color change! When cold, Barbie, or as my daughter refers to her, “Paige” wears a nice floral one piece. Put her in a warm bath and presto! It changes into a snappy bikini. She also comes with two dolphins with flowers on them, which also change in the water temperature. The set also comes with some snorkel gear and a little diving vest. And that’s it. But really, what more do you need. Hours of imagination and snorkeling await. This particular Barbie has very long hair (brown or blonde) with some nice pink highlights, which Sy thinks is hilarious. We do her hair a lot. Amazing how many braids you can get on a Barbie head of hair. Barbie hair has come a long way since I was young. It’s much more manageable. I wonder what products she uses.

All of this is meant to go in the water, obviously. But once Sy decided she was truly attached to Paige, she never let her step foot in the water again. Paige cruises in the corvette or packs up for the beach in the Beach Bus with some other small dolls, but never Ever goes into the bath. Why? I’ve stopped trying to figure out the mysteries of my daughter. But for a kid who will only eat monkey bread with a fork, it doesn’t surprise me.

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