A Doll's Tale

This is Delaney on her 7th birthday back in February.  She had wanted a doll so badly for her birthday and she got it.  She was so happy!  She had asked for an American Girl Doll but was thrilled with Walmart's knock off "My Life" doll.  She was in love with her new doll.  She lovingly named her Julie and played with her and had many exciting adventures with the doll, who went everywhere with her.  She became obsessed with making videos of her precious Julie.

Sadly, 6 weeks after Julie's arrival, one of her legs fell off.  Just fell off.  Delaney was inconsolable. So sad.  So miserable!  She cried and cried.  As the mom, I could not justify simply buying another doll.  Even though it wasn't a $125 doll, it was still a $30 doll and I really do not want Delaney to learn that I am just going to buy her stuff whenever she wants it.  She was so sad though, I told her that I would make her a list of 15 chores, worth $2 each and once she finished the chores, we could get her a new doll and she would have earned it.  Suddenly, she was sunshine and happiness again.

However, when she looked at the chore list, she decided a one-legged doll was just fine.  Especially since she had the kit with a wheelchair and crutches.

That worked fine for about a week.  Then, the other leg fell off.  Just fell off.  Now the doll had no legs and life was miserable again.

Delaney decided to revisit the chore list.

And she renamed her doll.... "Legless".

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A brief follow up:

I do not know why it did not even occur to me to try to return the doll.  I guess I figured there was no chance since I did not have the receipt. After several people suggested it, we did go back to Walmart.  I was a bit surprised, but they did exchange the legless doll for a new one!  No receipt, no questions!  I was pleased, and Delaney was delighted.  Life is glorious and grand for her right now.