We have limited her exposure to all TV ... but when she does watch, she sure is fond of that football-headed girl, her monkey Boots, her ubiquitous backpack and the adventures they get into. (And what the heck, Sofia can count to five in Spanish.)
The songs and bits are ripe for parody and application to our daily lives. For example, there's my impression of The Map, explaining how to get to Dunkies: "High school, horse farm, donut store! Say it with me! High school, horse farm, donut store!"
And then there's Swiper.
When Swiper shows up on the scene to do his swiping thing, Sofia gets a little skittish. Hides her head. Doesn't want to watch.
Over time, we've tried to get her to understand that Swiper is a cartoon character -- you know, pretend -- and that he never "wins." (He is perhaps the most incompetent cartoon villian this side of the snow monster from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.)
Sofia has been completely unswayed by this argument.
So the other day, Sofia and I are watching Dora trying to deliver a magic flute or something, and Swiper is about to show up.
Before I can say a word, Sofia speaks up. And how.
"I know he's only a cartoon fox, but I don't want to see him, OK?" she says, beating me to the punch.
Well, then. The lady has spoken!
Again: She's FOUR!!!
Later, I asked her why she does not like Swiper. "Because he takes things. He's mean," she said.
Oh, kid. I wish the meanest thing in this world was a cartoon fox that regularly proves himself the most inept thief since "Dog Day Afternoon." And I hate to break that to you ... please grow up slowly.
