A Doll's Life File: Rapunzel

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! How's your day been? The Room She Lives In right now reminds me a lot of a glacier... a chill surface with a deep, hidden underbelly. Luckily, this is one of excitement. This will be the kids' first Christmas and they can't wait to get a visit from Santa Claus tonight. Those of us who are Santa Claus can't wait to get a moment's peace for us to place the presents under their tree. Thalia, Kate, and Meiling all requested stuffed animals, but Adrina and Oliver, who are a little more mature than they are, wanted sweets. Pocahontas and Anelle have spent the day trying to keep both of these goodies away from the humans' dogs, but I think it's Sven we really need to worry about. Oh well. It's only for one night, right? Things are sure to cool down soon.

Anyways, here's a short and sweet post for you all about my Doll's Life File interview with the newest member of our doll family, Rapunzel.

***

Elsa (Me): *approaching Rapunzel, who is painting with Bob Ross and Nessa* Are you busy, Punz?

Rapunzel: Um... kinda? *steps away and closes one eye, holding one thumb in front of her painting*

Nessa: Bob is giving us a painting lesson!

Elsa: I can see that. 

Bob: *walks over to observe Rapunzel's painting. He winces a little at her work and starts tapping out a comment* I thought we agreed to do landscapes, Punz.

Rapunzel: What? Really?

Nessa: *glances over* It's a portrait. Abstract. I like it.

Rapunzel: *shyly* Oh... I wasn't going for abstract. 

Bob: That's okay. It's your art. You do it however you want to do it.

Rapunzel: Yeah, but I was trying to make it as realistic as possible and... *sighs and turns to me* Okay, Elsa, I'm no longer busy.

Elsa: Don't you want to finish your painting?

Rapunzel: Not the way it's going, no. What did you want me for?

Elsa: An interview, if you're up for it.

Rapunzel: *sets her brush in a shotglass of paint water* Okay. I'm ready.

Elsa: On the bed, if you please.

Rapunzel: *observes the height of She's bed and swings her hair forward, the pink braid immediately wrapping against the bedpost and catapulting her upwards. She lands on the bed with ease*

Elsa: You've been practicing!

Rapunzel: For three months now.
Elsa: *climbing up the side of the bed* Ever since you arrived?

Rapunzel: *nodding* Since day one.

Elsa: I can believe that. You're good at it.

Rapunzel: It seems to be the one thing I'm good at.

Elsa: I'm sure you're good at other things.

Rapunzel: Not anything I've tried! I've done painting, sewing, baking, dancing, and even candle-making. It's everything my character likes to do. But I'm not good at any of it.

Elsa: Have you tried thinking out of the box?

Rapunzel: How?

Elsa: Well, I mean, like... *struggling for words* what if you did something your character wasn't good at? Something that she never tried before?

Rapunzel: Then I wouldn't be a Rapunzel, would I?

Elsa: *noticing Punz's sad expression* Hey. You would be. It's in your name.

Rapunzel: *doubtful* Sure.

Elsa: *opens She's laptop and begins a new post, eager to change the subject* This interview will be published onto my blog, is that okay?

Rapunzel: *moving in beside me* I guess so. Isn't that how you've done it for everyone else?

Elsa: Yes, but how did you know that?

Rapunzel: Nessa told me. She said you've had the blog for about five years now?

Elsa: *shocked* Yeah... wow. The anniversary would have been last November. I can't believe we didn't even do anything to celebrate.

Rapunzel: It's not to late. Everyone loves a party.

Elsa: Okay. Yeah. Maybe later. Anyways, let's get back on track. What's your full name?

Rapunzel: *sheepishly* Um, I don't have a full name... but my kingdom's name is Corona. Does that count?

Elsa: *typing* Of course it does. What about your finding date.

Rapunzel: September 23rd? 

Elsa: Yep. Species?

Rapunzel: *confused and slightly disgusted* Species?

Elsa: Like... kind of what you consider yourself to be. Olaf's a plushie, I'm a sixteen-inch singing doll... stuff like that.

Rapunzel: My old box said that I was a twelve inch Disney princess doll. But I haven't seen that box in ages.

Elsa: That's probably right. *remembers* That's right, you didn't come with a box, did you?

Rapunzel: *shakes her head* Nope.

Elsa: Alright. You're done, Punz. You can go back to painting class now.

Rapunzel: *glances worriedly over her shoulder at Bob and Nessa conversing below* That wasn't as long as I thought it would be.

Elsa: No, they never are. Nessa said the same thing whenever her interview was over.

Rapunzel: Elsa?

Elsa: Yeah?

Rapunzel: I don't really want to go back to the painting class.

Elsa: That's okay. You can sit here with me. Watch me work.

Rapunzel: That would be nice. *leans over so that her head is resting on my shoulder* Can you tell me about your powers?

Elsa: Um... yeah. *is slightly taken aback because no one has ever asked about my powers before. It was a natural thing in our doll community. So many dolls had powers, we even had our own Avengers group. Magic was not as magical as it used to be* 

Rapunzel: How did you get them?

Elsa: I don't know. I guess I was born with them. Er... made.

Rapunzel: Nessa keeps talking about trying to convince She to take her to Frozen 2. Maybe your powers have more explanation in that movie.

Elsa: I think they will. But I have to realize that my character is not me. Even if it is revealed how Elsa gets her magic, it won't be the same since I'm a doll.

Rapunzel: Yeah. Maybe you're right. *uncertain* How did you learn to control them?

Elsa: I always could. My powers are only activated whenever my switch is turned on.

Rapunzel: Your singing switch?

Elsa: Mm-hm. And then I can only make ice if I'm singing. *nudges Rapunzel* Kind of like your character. Hair that glows when you sing.

Rapunzel: Not mine.

Elsa: Well, like I said before, you're not everything your character is. That's the great thing about being a doll. You never know who you're going to be unless you try.

Rapunzel: Yeah, I should be feeling that way, but I don't. *sighs* Sometimes I feel like my only worth is my hair. It's like the only thing that roots me to the real Rapunzel. Well, okay, not real, but you know what I mean. She has long hair, so I should, and if that's the only trait we have, I need to cherish it. *straightens out the end of her braid* Like Rapunzel says, "a gift like that- it has to be protected."

Elsa: *pauses* Rapunzel, I have some advice for you. I can see you don't have much of your own identity-

Rapunzel: *groans* You know me.

Elsa: -I think you should spend time outside your comfort zone. Think of Jocasta. Her original intention was to be an art doll. A model. Sit still, look pretty. Now she does anything but remain still. She's constantly moving, constantly training, sword always at her side. She's a warrior now.

Rapunzel: You're saying I'm a warrior?

Elsa: Not exactly. Just saying that you should experiment more. You can find your true self that way.

Rapunzel: I can, doesn't mean I will.

Elsa: Would the "real" Rapunzel be a pessimist?

Rapunzel: *closes her mouth sternly* No... I'll try my best, Elsa. Thanks for you advice. What do you think I should do first?

Elsa: You're good at using your hair to get around. Steve is downstairs playing darts. I'm sure he'll teach you to make your hair look more than just "beautiful". He can show you how to use it as a weapon. 

Rapunzel: Are you serious?

Elsa: Sure! Anything's possible. If I can do this... *turns on my switch and swirls my hand around in the air, creating a fluffy white snowball* ...you can do anything with that hair. Trust me.

Rapunzel: Elsa?

Elsa: Yeah?

Rapunzel: Thank you. 

Full Name: Rapunzel of Corona

Finding Place: Ebay, originally from Florida
Finding Date: September 23rd

Species: Twelve inch Disney princess doll

Strengths: Will try anything once, good at socializing, sweet

Weaknesses: Insecure, somewhat vain, cowardly

Status: This eager learner still has a lot to learn- about herself.

Preparing for Christmas

Well, everyone, Christmas is quickly approaching and it's high time we get ready for it! Thank goodness our doll family is bigger than ever, because there was certainly a lot to be done before the big day arrived. It's the kids' first Christmas, which made things even more exciting for everybody involved. Here's just a few pictures I took from yesterday whenever we were doing our Great Christmas Checklist, as Loki calls it. He says it doesn't have to be in any particular order.
(Also, a quick update on the Halloween post that She said I would be posting later... I think it is best if I publish it next October. If I get a request for it, I will publish it earlier than that, but it doesn't make sense to me to have a Halloween post until "spooky season" returns. Sorry about that, guys! Thank you for remaining my loyal readers.)

***

Step one to catching the Christmas spirit: get festive with some new clothes! Accessorize with warmer things to wear like hats, mittens, and capes. Definitely capes. One of Olaf's favorite part of Christmas is putting on his green-and-red knit hat. 

Step two: fire up the oven! Dorothy and Idina just love baking and decorating cookies anytime of the year, but especially December. This year, they made royal icing by hand, which had a whipped texture and a mouth-watering crunch (well, if doll's mouths could water).

Step three: play in the snow! Don't have snow? A friendly Elsa doll might be able to help you with that. Don't have an Elsa doll? Well... an indoor snowball fight with large white pom-pom balls works, too. Luckily, She got snow for Christmas this year, and the kids were able to build the snowman they've always dreamed of. (Thanks to my magic, they could bring it inside.)

Step four: get cozy! The best way to do this is to build a fire, cuddle up in some blankets, and turn on a nostalgic Christmas movie. Thalia tends to fall asleep every movie we try to watch together, so A Charlie Brown Christmas is the perfect length for us. Of course, hot chocolate or any other hot beverage is a requirement for step four.

Step five: catch up with some old friends. Since we dolls all live together, this is very easy for us to do, but not so for humans. One of She's Christmas traditions is writing cards to all of her friends and family that She doesn't get to see very often. It's always a nice way to keep in touch and tell people that you're thinking of them and wishing them the best.

Step six: take some time to reflect. Christmas is not always an easy time for everyone. With so much to do, it can be stressful or even saddening whenever we think about the people or dolls we won't be spending the holidays with. Remember to put yourself first, or else you sacrifice any strength you would have had to help others. Think about all that you've accomplished thus far and remain optimistic about your goals for the new year.

Step seven: decorate a Christmas tree! This is my personal favorite part. The humans have two trees of their own, the tall one downstairs and the smaller one in the upstairs hallway. We dolls have already had a tree of our own, but the kids got their own this year. They wanted a special tree for themselves, so this one glitters and even glows!

This year, Jocasta was voted to be the one to put the star on the top of the tree.

So what about you guys? Are you prepared for Christmas? What are your traditions, and what do you do to get into the holiday spirit? Feel free to leave me a comment! I'll be sure to respond.

Ready for Christmas,

Queen Elsa Rodgers