T can spend hours playing police, firefighter, and builder. He loves guns (a hobby which I indulge because he asks for so much less than my other two kids, not that this is a good excuse). And swords. And trains. And (gasp) his sisters' Barbies.
The girls hate when he plays dolls with them. In the past year, T has accidentally broken off four Barbie heads (Barbie can become pretty violent when attacking "bad guys"). He also never cares what Barbie wears (the horror) and often puts her in perilous situations. But still, ALL T WANTS is to be in the (often locked) girls' room, included. And, if you ask me, this seems like a perfectly reasonable request.
One of the things that disturbs me lately is I keep hearing and seeing all these parents brag about their tomboys, as in "oh, my daughter just hates dolls" (imaginary applause) or "she would never ever care about princesses." Of course, there is NOTHING WRONG with the fact that some girls like soccer balls while others prefer ball gowns. This never really ends, even as adults some women love clothes, hair, and makeup more than other women. But I think it's time someone showed the opposite situation - so I'm posting pictures of T and Barbie. Because there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS (I can feel my father-in-law cringing from a hundred miles away).
And, yes, chances are that 5 years from now T will hate me for this post (if not sooner), though hopefully by then it will be lost in the internet void. But, oh well, 5 years from now he's bound to hate me for something. So for now, I'll stand by and watch, proudly, as Barbie attacks another dinosaur because at least my son realizes that girls can be tough, strong, and powerful. Even in heels.
for F; 
for T).
that P received as a birthday gift).
