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Monday, December 04, 2006

Thinking outside (or inside) the box

I just finished reading Augusten Burroughs' book Magical Thinking. In it, he describes magical thinking as his ability to think something into being. When he wanted a bestselling book, he just thought about it hard enough, and sure enough, it came to pass.

In my little world, magical thinking is the ability to turn an ordinary box into a television, a computer, or a car. Last night, when I climbed into bed with Maddie for lie-with-me night, she was curled up next to her dolly who was sitting inside a small gift box. "We're just watching TV," she said. "Do you want to watch with us?" Why, yes I did. And so, lying in front of a cardboard box with the lid leaning at just the right angle so all three of us (dolly, Maddie and I) could see it, we watched The Amazing Race. Then, when the cardboard version of the show was over, the box became a computer, and Maddie taught her dolly how to play games at pbs.org. Before I left the room, the box had transformed into a car, and it was time to drive dolly to her bed. And to think I almost threw that magical box away!

Tonight, when I went to tuck Maddie in, the box had been dismantled and has now become a bed for dolly.
Maddie and dolly
Imagine all that from a box! I want that kind of magical thinking.

And since we're on the box theme, did you know that a 4-year-old fits perfectly in the Christmas tree box? And if your little sister climbs in and closes the lid, you can sit on it and she can't get out.
In the Christmas box
The best part was that she ENJOYED being inside the box and actually WANTED her sisters to sit on it. I'm not sure what kind of magical thinking was at play in this case, but it didn't end in tears, which is more than I can say for some of the things her older sisters put her through.

For Christmas, she's getting a bunch of boxes in various sizes. Who needs more than that when you've got magical thinking on your side?

14 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

That kid is so darn cute. She always has a wonderful sparkle in here eyes.

Pamela said...

kids and boxes. I remember.

I also remember 3 daughters, usually 2 against 1 in some kind of devilish deed.

Awww... you've got the teenage years coming, too. You better find a box that will fit you - It will be easier at times to hide in there then face that job!

ccap said...

Oh my gosh. I started hyperventilating as soon as I saw that photo. I can't believe she LIKED it.

Cuppa said...

Christmas is sure the time for Magical Thinking isn't it?

I am going to go try to step out of my box and see what magic I discover there.

Gina said...

They've got such great imaginations, don't they? Makes me wish I could drop all of my jadedness.

Anonymous said...

1. I want to read that book.

2. the sister in the box picture was great!!

Dale said...

Magical thoughts, born of the magical mind of a magical child!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to imagine a clean house.

If it doesn't happen, could I borrow that tree box?

Judy - Anybody Home
www.judyh58.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I think I am going to ask my Mom for a refrigerator box.. for old times sake!

Cute story Heather.

BarnGoddess_01 said...

great story and very well presented!

boxes, sigh, the possibilities :)

karla said...

I wish I still had the imagination and creativity of a child. I think that's why I love Christmas time so much. There's just something so amazing about a child's innocence and the magic of the season.

Liz said...

VERY cute pictures!!

The very nice man said...

I wish my children would be satisfied with 'boxes' at Christmas! (Sigh!)

Whippersnapper said...

We have about 45 boxes stacked in the entrance hallway right now because we're "gonna get organized around here!" (Yeah, right!) Because someone likes to play with them, they are only helping to contribute to the general, all-around chaos of this place.Blah. I'm gonna try to send you an E-mail because I've got something to tell you that's not fit for posting too...