Of trucks and a mini-rant

Can I just say how much I adore the fact that our daughter loves trucks? With a passion. Which is why she was overjoyed at Touch-a-Truck Day last weekend (I know, it doesn't quite seem that way in the photos- right now, I think it's still more a conceptual affection...) Held in the back parking lot of the mall, there were all manner of trucks on site and seeing the sheer display of vehicles, I thought Sophie would pass out from awe. There were two fire-trucks (her favorite!), two school-buses, a tractor, a recycling truck, a (clean) garbage truck, two ambulances, a few police cars, a U of M Blue Bus (which Sophie is well familiar with and loved running up and down in), and a few others I blanking out on right now. But the point is that Sophie was surrounded by trucks and she was just beside herself with glee. She was even patient enough to wait 10 minutes in line (an eternity to a toddler) just so she could sit in the driver's seat of the fire-truck. Like I said, she doesn't look very enthused in the photos, but I think that was more from everyone looking at her (all the parents were just beaming at every kid sitting in there because it was such a thrill seeing how happy it made them) and how dwarfed she must have felt by the fire truck. Until today, all she can talk about is how "Sophie sitting fire truck!" :)

Also (warning: mini-rant ahead), I'd like to also say that on top of being a huge fan of trucks, Sophie also loves earthworms and dinosaurs. With a ferocity I don't think I possessed for anything before the age of twelve. And if that makes people uncomfortable (??!!) because they have some hackneyed notion that girls should only be playing with pink ponies and brushing the hair of dolls, then I feel sorry for their children. I feel sorry that their children will not get to enjoy all the world has to offer them or explore all things that pique their interest just because of their parents' narrow gender stereotypes. Sophie is a child. She is curious, adventurous, and endlessly excited about everything around her. Why anyone would try to curb these natural instincts at such a young age by dictating "gender-appropriate" activities flabbergasts and mildly outrages me. (Okay, mini-rant over now...)

There's a land that I see where the children are free
And I say it ain't far to this land from where we are
Take my hand, come with me, where the children are free
Come with me, take my hand, and we'll live

In a land where the river runs free
In a land through the green country
In a land to a shining sea
And you and me are free to be you and me.
- "Free to Be... You and Me" (The New Seekers)