The One and Only Earth Day Upcycle Barbie Salon.

Last week, we did some toy organizing and purging and pulled 9 barbies from the overstuffed Barbie drawer that were so trashed they were beyond making an effort to save them. 

I considered giving them away, but really, who wants a naked Barbie with chewed hands and hair so tangled it's one solid dreadlock? No one. But it also didn't seem right to just throw them away. 

So what do you do with a pile of naked barbies bound for the garbage can?  

You let the kids live out your childhood dream and have a free for all Earth Day Upcycle Barbie Salon! We invited my friend, Mardee, and her kids, over to join the fun, which was a most excellent decision. 

I put out detangler, brushes, scissors, acrylic paints, and dye, then handed each girl a Barbie and let the kids do whatever they wanted. 

Like whatever they wanted. Corbin's had yellow painted lips right away. Anything goes at the Earth Day Barbie Salon. 

They gave haircuts and painted swimsuits on the dolls and we even set up a hair dying station, which kicked the good times up to a crazy uncharted level of awesome. Haircutting is obviously a huge no no around here, so they were stoked for the freedom to choose anything they want. Blue tips? Hot pink asymmetrical bob? Purple ombré? Rainbow streaks? Coming right up, Barbie! 

Mardee is no stranger to fun haircolor and taught the kids the names for actual dyeing techniques, "Oooh, dipped tips!", and "Nice ombré!" 

Something I really admire about the way Mardee mothers is her encouragement.  She only uplifts and never criticizes or judges. She guides with adoration and provides opportunities for expression through creativity. Her children are so good at sharing ideas, being bold about how they feel, and trying new things. They are decisive and accepting, just like Mardee.  She doesn't box her children up.  They are free spirited, independent, warm, kind, helpful, exciting, and fun! They dress themselves and think and act creatively. I think her house must be such a magically fun and loving place to be a child. 

I just knew this activity would be a perfect play date with her girls and it was! Everyone had so much fun.

Quincy wanted her Barbie to have purple hair just like Mardee's, and took her time applying all over color.

 Success! 

The finished products. 

It should be noted that all of the kids designed modest swimwear for their barbies without any prompting from us. They even coined the term "upneck" to describe their trendy new style of neckline. So cute.  My other favorite thing that happened was Layla adding sprinkles to her barbies hair. I store the food coloring with my cookie decorating supplies, and the bin was in the counter with the paint and other craft supplies. 

Why not give Barbie some orange sugar sprinkles on her krimped blue locks? Love it. 

Q, Layla, Cadence, Reese, Corbin, and Campbell.

Layla, Cadence, Quincy, Reese, Corbin, Campbell's barbies drying off and getting ready for some wild times out in the Willy front yard. Reese said today was one of the best play dates ever, and was so fun it was like a birthday party. 

Thanks Mardee for helping me achieve cool mom status, today! I'd like to dedicate this award to Mother Earth, for inspiring our Upcycle trashed to treasured craft today.