In character

Olivia has quite an imagination and never seems to tire of acting (though the rest of us do after a time!). The other night we read about Cinderella and talked about how the ugly step-sisters were jealous of beautiful Cinderella and were so mean and nasty to her. So now, for the last few days, Olivia has pretended to be Anastasia, one of Cinderella's evil step-sisters, which by default makes me the evil step-mother! She usually likes being a princess, but I guess she didn't feel like playing the part of a victim!

I'd hoped she'd put the game to rest last night, but this morning, when she stumbled into our room half asleep she declared that Cinderella (the designated blond-haired rag doll) had just done something else wrong deserving our feigned wrath. She has not seemed to notice that I retired my role yesterday. Tonight, every few minutes my drama queen has been running over to me, very exuberantly telling about the latest dirt on poor Cinderella who still has dreams of going to the ball. Anastasia really wants me to jump in and punish the poor doll with more new chores so that Cinderella can't possibly attend the gala event. When the desired response is no longer forthcoming from this tired evil step-mother, Anastasia tries to prompt me with my lines; "Tell her that she CAN'T go the ball, MOTHER! She HAS to stay home and clean the floor and the toilet and the...!" Moments later I hear, "MOTHER, MOTHER, Cinderella just stole MY dress! " Gasp. Gasp.

This child of mine is very dramatic and animated and can stay in character for days on end! Though she is not really acting evil she does have a devilish grin and seems positively giddy about keeping poor Cinderella in check. As I type, she's just informed me (clad in her dance leotard that she has just proclaimed to be her ball gown) that the mice are busy making Cinderella's gown and we MUST stop them! She is also insisting that we must leave for the ball soon!

I think I need to get her signed up for a drama club! I also need to think through the next story I choose to read to her very carefully ;)