James has just been talking to me about the Ninja Turtle he just got at McDonalds - Donatello! Wow, did that bring back memories of my boys and the absolute NEED to get all the turtles, and the pizza shooter. We knew the personalities of each turtle and the boys could give the equal of a "Doctoral Thesis" on the turles, and Splinter, and Shredder.
When I was a young girl the absolute "Must Have" was a troll doll. Oh how I loved my troll. I would spend hours combing my trolls hair (with the special comb attached to the doll) All the friends would sit around at recess and talk about the merits of blue vs. yellow hair, or that the white hair was fuller. We had troll families, and friends, and whole societies. My troll got me through many a long church or a sad alone time, or a special hide out together and have a heart to heart talk time. My troll did tend to take me away from the "barbie" friends, or the special "feel like a real baby", baby doll friends. But, at last, after trying very hard to love barbies and even baby dolls, I had found my real love and my real friends. Knowing me now, it seems a natural fit.
So what about toys? Angela had to swim the whole length of Burgess Pool (which took her weeks and weeks) to get the beloved "Cabbage Patch Doll", which then, Emily just had to have one for her own. She begged and pleaded and bargained for one. I think Emily was much more attached than Angela. Then there was the beloved "He-Man and She-Ra! " Even I loved that whole romance of that series. Later it was "Strawberry Shortcake and Lemon Meringue" and the others.
The boys, of course, loved the "The Ninja Turtles" but their real obsession was "G. I. Joes," which they thought about and plotted to get the newest or the rarest "Joe." Daniel Mason their neighborhood friend seemed to have all the really hard to find ones like, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow! ( as seen in picture) But he obviously had the better mother(my boys thought) who would take him to Target every day to see if a new shipment had arrived and hadn't already been picked through. (Daniel's mother assured me she didn't go to Target daily)My boys reminded me of my failings often.
And now, here are my grandsons, James and Chase. James only too happy to jump on the latest must have new toy trend. And then Chase will come toddling up voicing in his own 2 year old speak... Yace hab ell! (meaning: Chase has Raphael) So who did you love and (using Chase speak) who did you hab?
11 comments:
Some of those old toys are worth quite a lot these days - but I can't see a lot of reason to save most of them - maybe a special something for sentimental purposes - but I'm an out with the old in with the new kind of girl.
For me it was the Cabbage Patch kids. First, the one my mom made for me--I love her, but it wasn't the same. Then I finally got my Cabbage Patch Preemie! Heaven!
If you happen to have any of those old plastic army men still lying around the best game ever is to set them up in two teams across the floor and have a shoot out with rubber bands. A friend of ours in Boston taught us that and we can't get enough! Thanks for all the fun memories!!
As i read your blog you seem to be getting progressively younger. You start with the old people then teen yrs with the pussy cat dolls, now toys, what will be next...
Angie and I were the ones who loved the turtles just as much as the boys! We named our fish Bebop and Rocksteady.
I also trying so hard to stop sucking my thumb. Failing. and so faking it so that I could earn a Cabbage Patch doll.
Great ride down memory lane! I also remember the multi-colored plastic cowboys and indians. For some reason I also remember all of the non-PC names that we used for our foes (especially with the army men). Glad that I grew out of that!
dad, now I'm curious - what did you call them?
I know all about Pat's love for G.I. Joe's. In fact, remember one day when Pat and I were bored, for some reason we decided to build a miniature fort for his G.I. Joe's. (Now I know you're picturing a very young Jessie and Pat, but no, we were probably just shy of 20. . . yes 20 years old) Having built the fort I can distinctly remember (and sometimes still tease Pat about) when he yelled from his bedroom "Mom, where are my G.I. Joe's?" I'll never forget the look on Catherine's face or how much my stomach hurt from laughing. What were we doing?
I was a serious "My Little Pony" fan. I remember when I got the white pony with the rainbow mane and pink jewels, and truly thought I would never part with it.
I also LOVED the Easy Bake oven. (Hence my passion for the Betty Crocker adult version . . . Warm Delights). There's just something about baking miniature food with a light bulb that was heaven to me.
I can't believe you remember bebob and rocksteady, and not only the characters but the fish too. I'm impressed, I am very impressed.
Trolls were a favorite of mine also. I made clothes out of felt for them and built an elaborate home from cardboard boxes that covered the entire floor of an extra bedroom in our house in New Jersey. They are such ugly little things--I can't believe they were such a hit. The hair was extremely important--the longer the better. My own girls chose far better toys--I guess--at least My Little Ponies were sort of cute.
I remember the Jess/Pat multifloor fort! I was so proud of you both playing together so well.
We have a photo somewhere of about 55 GI Joes intwined in the hallway heating grill. Hours and hours of fun.
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