But you know, in a loving way.
Tag: toys
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Eleanor’s Girl
I wanted an American Girl doll when I was a kid. Not just any doll though — I wanted Molly. My mom and I would look through the AG catalogs together, and I know she wanted to get one for me, but we couldn’t afford it. Thus, when Eleanor asked for this 18″ Götz doll last year for Christmas, and I was happy to oblige. It was her big gift from Santa, but only recently has she grown more attached to it.
The doll is the same size as American Girl dolls (and from what I understand, made by the same original manufacturer), so we have a dress for it from AG, and a few other things from Target’s more affordable Our Generation line. We ran into an obvious problem with the doll after Eleanor brought it to my mom’s house for a sleepover though: she had no PJs! Oh, what a world.
Determined to solve this pressing matter, my sister came with me and Eleanor recently to the American Girl store in Chicago.
We had never been, and the amount of stuff you can get from AG is overwhelming. Eleanor wanted the pajamas we came for, plus more clothes. Plus a bed. Plus a dog, a cat, and a friend for her doll. At first, I was steadfast. We came for doll pajamas, and we were getting the pajamas! “Maybe for your next birthday, maybe for Christmas…” was my response to most requests. Then, because I am crazy, I started to think that ‘hey, I never did get an American Girl doll when I was a girl. Maybe we should get one, and Eleanor’s doll can have a little friend. And awwww, look how cute Molly’s mini Jenny Lind bed is! Just like Eleanor’s!’
So I bought her the pajamas. And the bed. And hell, I bought her Molly, too. What am I, made of stone? (The correct answer is money. Apparently, I am made of money.)
And you guys, of course she thinks Molly is my doll. (Because it kind of is?) But happily, August has claimed it as his own, so now each kid has their own to play with. Eleanor’s girl gets the coveted spot next to her bed though. In the matching Jenny Lind.
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The New Coffee/Play Table
We’ll have space for a play table in August’s room once he transitions from a crib to a bed and we’re able to take the glider and ottoman out. I was thinking about using our old coffee table, but Brandon pointed out that the whole reason we replaced it was because we were worried about its stability. Putting it in his room started to seem like a pretty bad idea, even though it would have looked cute.
I spotted a wood and sandstone coffee table that I liked at the Crate & Barrel outlet when I was there with my friend Kathryn (we met when I redesigned her bedroom), so I bought it. It’s similar to my old table, but slightly larger and a whole lot sturdier.
You like how I ‘styled’ it? It’s officially a play table now. (Funny thing about that Playmobile castle — I saw it last year at Berwyn’s Toys & Trains, and I joked to the kids that “daddy would really like that toy.” Guess who bought it?)
Actually, keeping the table in the library may turn out to be a better plan than moving it to August’s room. It fits the space well and looks fine, but has the added bonus of being neutral territory. If the castle was in either kid’s room, there would be more fighting over it because it’s seen as theirs, but out in the library they share it pretty well. I had to take the nesting side tables away that were next to the chair though, which I’d painted specifically for that space and liked. Too many tables, you know? Now I’m not sure if they’re coming back.
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Let’s All Come and Play
The train table in Eleanor’s room has been switched up. It shall henceforth be known as the ZOMGeverythinglookssocuteonthislandscape™ table.
I bought the landscape set because I figured it would make a good addition to our train table layout, but after clearing everything off, we haven’t added the tracks back yet. Switching toys in and out of rotation keeps the kids more interested in them, so Thomas and his friends will eventually make their glorious return. Right now, the Gabba guys* are having a grand old time.
Adventure! We’re having so much fun.
* The Yo Gabba Gabba figure set has been discontinued and now sells for crazy high prices. We got ours a couple of years ago. The Playmobil large landscape has been discontinued too, but is still available in small quantities. So if you want one, you know, get on it.
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Toy Train Table
The toy train table in Eleanor’s room is one of the most frequently used spots in our home. It’s big enough for both kids to play with at the same time, usually without too much conflict. It looks good in the room, in that classic toy way. It’s fun for the kids, and it’s fun for me. Seriously — I love rearranging the train tracks. It’s so satisfying when a good layout comes together.
I’m telling you. It’s highly likely that I will someday become an obsessed scale model-making enthusiast.
I wrote about the best additions to a train table layout today over on Babble. Give it a look if you’re in need of some ideas. You know, for the children.
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Choo Choo
We took a little trip to Berwyn’s Toys & Trains yesterday. It’s on Route 66, just a 10-minute drive from our house.
Kathryn told me about the place, and indeed, it is the stuff that little train-loving hearts dream of. Big train-loving hearts, too.
Given the time and money (because dag, it’s a time-consuming and expensive hobby), I’d probably have a miniature town set up. I was always enthralled with the attic recreation of the town in Beetlejuice. And hello, I worked my butt off on the dollhouse. As for the train part of the typical scale model setup? Whatever, that’s a bonus. I just want to make perfect little gardens and houses, with a cute but quaint shopping square, and funny little details.
I’ll settle for arranging and rearranging our Thomas toy train table with the kids. For now.