• Fall hikes and leaf collection--we've gone of several walks/hikes to look for signs of the changing seasons.  Around our neighborhood (and yard) we've collected leaves and brought them home for other activities.
• Leaf identification--We used leaves from our neighborhood to try and identify tree types.  I like the "What Tree Is It?" site because it's easy for kids, although after the first few leaves, this activity was more interesting for Mom than dd ;). 
  
• Leaf rubbings--Another day, we found that the leaves were great for leaf-rubbings.  We just took the papers off our crayons and used the side to rub against the newsprint paper.
  
• Easy leaf craft--Why make leaves when there are so many out there?  It was easy, fun, and made with materials that we always have on hand.  Plus the final project turned out really neat (which is saying a lot with a preschooler).  We used them to decorate our windows.
  
• Materials:  White paper, white crayons, water color
• Directions:  Start by cutting out leaf shapes from white paper.  You can trace leaves that you've collected, find templates online, or free hand it. 
  
• Use the crayon to draw the leaf veins or other designs.
• Crumple the paper to create lots of creases
• Paint with watercolors and gently blot with a tissue--the creases and white crayon give it an interesting effect that looks a lot like the real thing!
  
• Leaf fairies--A hs friend brought this craft to one of our activities.  It was terrific, but dd needed a lot of support and I was more interested than she was ;).  We used leaves, flowers, ect. to craft a fairy.  The stem of a maple leaf was the head and the leaf her dress.  A nut/berry/tiny crab apple can be used as a head and flowers made great decorations. 
  

Dear Amy: A friend of mine recently received an invitation to a "shower." The invitation was fancy, with flowers, ribbons and bows, just like a real baby shower invitation would be. Except that it was for a doll.

Enclosed with the invitation were a description of the size of the doll and a list of desired gifts. The girl's mother sent the invitations to many friends and relatives, and she requested an RSVP. She is serious about this! I have never heard of anything more absurd!

I just had to write to you and ask: Have you ever heard of anything like this?

It has nothing to do with a birthday or anything -- it is simply a baby shower. For a doll! What would be a proper way to respond? The whole idea is so out-of-touch with reality that it leaves me wondering. What do you think?

-- Befuddled

Dear Befuddled: I hope. I pray. I cross my heart and hope to die that this is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of.

And yet I worry that there is something even more stupid, waiting just around the corner.

This sounds like a very clever marketing ploy by a doll company, designed to snag young girls and fleece the people who love them.

The best way to respond is always the politest way.

The person who received the invitation can write, "Thank you for the invitation, but I'm afraid I won't be able to attend your doll's shower. Thank you for thinking of me. I hope that you have a lot of fun!"

Dear Amy

I’m writing in response to “Befuddled” who was upset that her friend had been invited to a doll’s party.  I was very disappointed in your assessment that the engagement was “the stupidest thing (you) ever heard.”  As a home schooling mother of a preschool-aged child, I’m always on the look out for activities that light up my daughter’s imagination and provide ample learning opportunities.  Lately, she has been obsessed with parties and celebrations.  Many of her most cherished stuffed animals (and even the cat) have had birthday parties over the summer, and we’ve hosted a multitude of tea parties.  Such activities abound with educational possibilities.  We have done a good deal of cooking and baking (reading a recipe book, making out a grocery list, using math and measuring to follow a recipe), written out invitations, counted out chairs/plates/etc for each of our guests, used shapes/colors/patters to decorate placemats and party hats, made a trip to the library to find related books (both fiction and nonfiction), practiced manners and other social graces, and learned about our culture’s customs concerning such matters.  While our guests are usually dolls and stuffed animals, we have, on occasion, included other family members and friends.

I notice that in Befuddled’s case, it was a baby shower, which makes me think that there were probably other reasons for this celebration.  It is likely that child involved was expecting a sibling, or had a friend/relative that was recently blessed with a new addition.  What a great way to include your child and help them feel excited about upcoming family changes.  I would not expect guests to bring gifts, but the host(ess) better knows those (s)he invited. 

It strikes me that if children had planned such an event on their own, it would be considered normal play—inviting cherished adult friends only makes the event that much more special.  I agree that if Befuddled (or her friend) were not interested in participating that they should politely decline.  Just because they are party-poopers, there is no need to spoil anyone else’s fun.