I was an only child until my brother arrived when I was almost 10 years old.  This solitude led to a very active imagination.  I had an invisible friend I called Janie... and scores of Barbies.  They were my constant companions.  I cut their hair, pierced their ears and took them swimming in the creek behind our house.  I have a special fondness for Barbies to this day and have imparted that bond on to my children.  Maisie could take them or leave them... however Juliette loves to play with them... although she stripes every single one of them to their birthday suits.  Not sure why :)

This morning I asked the girls to surround themselves with their favorite things so that we could capture a moment in time when all that matters is a warm blanket, a good book and a few stuffed pals.

On the top of Maisie's list is her beloved blanket she calls Bink.  The beautiful silk softie was custom made for us by our very talented friend, Paige Hathaway Thorn.  We took her orange and pink creation to China with us 6 years ago and it hasn't left Maisie's side since.  Pictured below is Maisie's first night with us and with Bink.

Bink is now reduced to shreds... but that doesn't stop her from providing nightly comfort to her 6 (almost 7 year old) companion.  She's traveled to China twice, Scotland, NYC and countless trips to visit friends and relatives out of town.

Here Maisie snuggles with a few more favorites.  Pillow, which is called "Pillowy", Baby, and Ladybug.

Recently, Ladybug underwent a name change and is now referred to as "Lola."

Juliette can entertain herself with practically anything.  Her imagination is really starting to take off and if you listen to her in her room she is having full on conversations with her toys.  Baby and Goat are two of her favorites.  But her prized possessions are her blankets (again made by Paige Hathaway Thorn)... There names are One & Two.

This is my personal favorite of Juliette's possessions.  She carries it around and sleeps with it.

Maisie tells me she found it on the floor at the Children's Museum... not sure if that's the case, but the shell has been given a name... and it is said with enthusiasm.

'TEENY SHELL .... A LONG TIME!"  

I hope it's a long time before my girls lose interest in their favorite things... Childhood is calling !!!