Francine Wallace Smythe
Chief Pillow Fort Architect
The Lawrence School for Gifted Babies
Dear Mrs. C,
Before he designed Fallingwater and the Guggenheim, the inimitable Frank Lloyd Wright was said to have spoken the following:
“One’s tools may best be steel and stone, but something there is about a pillow fort, its fluffy mysteries inspiring child and teddy bear alike.”
Although the source cannot be verified, reading that quote was a watershed moment in my budding career as an architect. Now, I proudly say that I fulfill my dreams every day, assisting toddlers with constructing pillow forts at the Lawrence School. Lately, I have been assisted by your daughter and your husband, and wanted to pass along my observations regarding their work.
According to your husband, Jane will eat her breakfast foods and will often ask to construct some sort of squishy edifice on the couch, usually with blankets or throw pillows. She calls these constructions “soft houses”, and afterwards, she will crawl under them with Stinky the Blanket and her stuffed animals. “Three Little Pigs” is often played, with your husband being The Big Bad Wolf, or a game called “Cave-In”, where the pillows fall all around her and close her in.
“Dad, dig me out!” she will cry in a muffled voice. “I can’t see!”
(“Cave-In” is sometimes preceded by “The Monster Game”, where your husband acts like a monster and knocks the pillows down. He calls it “therapeutic”.)
When pillow forts are not being constructed, the two will build a “tunnel house” on the couch, which involves the collapsible tunnel you purchased for her, along with more pillows and blankets. Unfortunately, your cat Vladimir seems to enjoy this more than she does, and will crawl into the tent before she does.
“Chub, get OUT of the TENT!” she will say. “Dad, Chub won’t get out!”
“He can stay in there,” your husband purports to say. “Or just get in there with him. He’s just a kitty; don’t let him bully you around.”
“He is a bully,” says Jane. “And he eats my pancakes, dad.”
Eventually, the situation is resolved peacefully, with your husband folding up the tunnel and blankets to put them away. Vladimir, however, always seems to be the most disappointed by this, and goes off to sulk on your bed.
In all, I would say that this is quite the auspicious beginning for our young architect-in-training! Should you have time, I would suggest taking her to the Frank Gehry popsicle stick exhibit that is being held this weekend at your local art museum. I am certain that she will find it interesting, not to mention delicious.
Sincerely,
Francine Wallace Smythe
Chief Pillow Fort Architect
The Lawrence School for Gifted Babies