Melissa and Doug products are unlike any other. Built to last and innovatively crafted, in business for over 23 years starting in there basement. Danielle was given this shapes and color toy by her Grandmother Donna at Christmas. Although receive it ahead of her time Danielle would enjoy removing the shapes and colors, but we could never get her to put them back.
Finding shapes lying around the house day by day would stress me. I would always reassemble it hoping she was watching. She was watching alright, as soon as my back was turned the removal would occur again. Since never stepping on the pieces I thought it best to remove the toy from view. Knowing she would return to it again and conquer its request to remove and replace.
Two weeks ago I reintroduced Danielle to Melissa and Doug's wonderful concept. After all Danielle was well on her way counting to 20, identifying every color she saw including white. Knowing that a triangle was not a square I knew today was the day. To my disappointment she just removed every piece and said "YEA" and walked away. OH well we will try and try again. Weeks went by and although I still had luckily escaped stepping on any pieces I knew she could do this.
Tonight I asked her to please sit down. I put the toy in front of her and I removed all the pieces this time. She didn't like this and started to get upset. As we all know Danielle's favorite line is "I can do it". I told her this was a game and that mommy wanted to play. I shuffled the pieces and said "Put it back". She looked to me for the answer. Smiling with glee, after all she knows all her shapes and colors. I began to coach her then reminded myself, I wanted her to do it. I stopped and waited for the result, I couldn't have been more proud and an idiot. I sat there with tears in my eyes as Danielle picked up every piece. Making mistakes but correcting them until the entire toy was reassembled. All the while I was holding my iPhone and not recording a darn thing. GOOD JOB HARUNA. All and all I must say Brava baby girl Brava :)
