The Kid in You

Here is hoping this Easter is being kind to you -- in happiness and health!

My family has been plagued with the CRUD flu bug for nearly 6 weeks now. I am, of course, the last one to have the pleasure of battling sickness. There have been times through it all that I have had to clean our bathrooms (2) three different times in one day, do multiple loads of laundry daily, and tackle the worst mess in my daughter's floor that I never want to see again. Most unpleasant.

Recently on a trip into town and while at a pharmacy, my kids and I had fun browsing the Easter aisle. Jelly Beans were definitely placed in the basket. But the most fun my Wynston and I had was to look at the "cheap" toys. We came home with two for a grand total of $5. I have one pictured at the top. I think those bunnies are so adorable. The idea of the game is to roll a dice and then using a plastic hook shaped stick take one bunny off without making the whole thing fall down.

I didn't capture a picture of the second toy which are leaping bunnies that have suction cups on the base and then are pressed down only to spring high up into the air. The object is to use provided baskets to try to catch them. My kids just roared at how high they fly and then the bunnies jumping out the basket due to the springs.




I say one is never too old not to have the "kid in you" come out especially with inexpensive toys and candy.

Happy Easter!

Lasso The Moon Toys Helena Montana

At first I spotted this cute sign:



Then after walking a distance, we found the store:



Inside was cute displays of many sweet dolls, puzzles, legos, baby things, learning toys and more; but the thing I fell in love with -- the art painted on the walls. They look like story book illustrations. I didn't find a name on them, but the artist is very talented.




My boys purchased some bouncy balls, one massive marble, and some old fashion candy sticks. My daughter had her eyes on some dolls, but she was told not this trip!! I fell in love with a flag arbor to display my yard flag. (The wind broke the mechanism bracket I have mounted on the side of the house recently.) I will have to see if I can find one online or make another trip to Lasso the Moon Toys in Helena in the future.

Toys of Yesteryear

Walking down Central Avenue in Great Falls, Montana has a lot to view with tons of people in town this week for the Montana State Fair.

One store I love to go into and browse at antiques is located at the corner of 3rd Street and Central. In the window display this week are some really neat toys from yesteryear and relating to dolls in celebration of the Doll and Pet Parade. I had to stop a for a few minutes and snap some pictures. I know these will bring back memories to some people.



I just love the colors that were used and how vibrant they are on the box lids even today. The illustrations are so sweet and have that "innocent" look that you don't see on toys and packaging today. The look today I just most of the time think of as "commercial" and not special, but then again down the road in the future if someone takes care of their childhood toys today; then they will become the "toys of yesteryear".



I also fell in love with this antique wooden toy display. I didn't even notice all the dust on the bottom level of the toy until I uploaded the pictures onto my computer to blog here. Still, it is lovely and a jewel to a collector who will probably snatch it up soon.

Alice and the Rabbit

Alice and rabbit, originally uploaded by nami*&Chitaki.

"Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!'

She is beautiful isn't she. I used to have a kewpie doll similar, but lost her in a house fire a few years back.

I will have to make an effort to find out what this doll type is named and see if I can find one to replace my lost treasure. I can still see her light pink with white polka-dots dress -- so delicate in nature.

This brings a tear to my eye right now just thinking of my doll. I guess "the little girl" in us never really grows up or gets too old!