Throwing caution to the wind I took The Pixie to Targets toy aisle.
Then throwing the baby out with the bathwater I asked her what she wanted for Christmas.
"I want this."
$4.99
"No, I want this."
$19.99
"NO, I want THIS."
$59.99
There is no way you are getting that. It's huge. It's expensive. And we only allow ONE doll house house per kid.
"But I don't have a Pet Shops house."
But you have a super awesome doll house that you use for Polly Pockets and Barbies and Pet Shops.
"But I think my Pets need a house."
Yeah you're not getting it. You have one. It's big. And this big house only comes with one little squirrel Pet Shop animal.
We left. She sadder, me wiser.
Days later The Princess came running to me.
"Mom, I asked The Pixie what I could give her for Christmas and she said a Pet Shops house! I just can't get that."
No you're right. Send her in here.
The Pixie came bouncing in. I talked to her and I think this is what she heard:
Pixie. You can't ask people for that huge house. You're not getting it. Instead you need to give people several ideas of what you want. You can say, I want a raccoon Pet Shop or a hedgehog Pet Shop or a bat Pet Shop. Then they can go look for it and maybe get one for you.
"OOOOOhhhh. OK." She gave me a grand smile of understanding.
She left and a minute later The Princess came back in.
"Mom."
Princess.
"I asked The Pixie what she wanted for Christmas and she said, "I want a little, brown squirrel Pet Shop...and it comes with a big house."