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Friday, June 19, 2009

Childhood Toys

When we were at baby class on Wednesday night, with our practice bear, I couldn't help but notice how many people had Cabbage Patch Kids with them. Not new ones. Ones that were clearly from their own childhoods. This kinda surprised me. I mean, I had a CPK too when I was a kid, but my mom is not the sort to save much.

Whenever we outgrew some toys or clothes, she cleaned through them pretty quickly. My mom is just not a sentimental person, and I suppose I'm not really either. And I don't care much about the CPK, but I do wish she had saved my brother and I's Star Wars toys. We had everything: A stuffed Wicket, the Ewok village, x-wing fighters, the Millennium Falcon, light sabers, you name it, they were awesome toys. I'm sure they wouldn't be worth anything today because my brother and I were rough on toys, but still, they'd be cool to have.

Instead, the only item I have left from my childhood is this stuffed animal: Big Kitty. It's a sad lookin' kitty isn't it? I think some relative made it for me when I was born, and as a kid, I did love Big Kitty. I used to hold her by her neck and suck my thumb. (FYI: I sucked my thumb until 1st grade, and I only stopped then because I fell off the monkey bars and bit through my tongue, and it was just too painful to continue the thumb sucking.) So, that's why she has no stuffing in her neck anymore. And this crude surgical incision?
When I was about 8, I tried to open Big Kitty up to stuff more stuffing in her, but I botched the surgery, and she came out rather mangled. But At least she folds up easily now.
So, since Wednesday evening, when I observed how many people had saved something like their CPKs, I have been pondering: What will I save of Norah's? Will she have some favorite toys or clothes that I hold onto? Certainly, I would like to hold onto a few of her things just because I wish my mother had kept a few of my things (I mean, I had a totally rad sweater with R2D2 embroidered on the back, who wouldn't want to hang on to that?), but I also tend to be a thrower. I guess I'll have to find a way to balance that instinct.
Do you guys have any toys saved from childhood? Did you save anything special of your kids'?

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Um, perhaps someone beat the stuffin' out of Big Kitty?

I have a clown rug my grandmother made for me, oh about 46 years ago.

Aka Alice said...

I admit this with a certain amount of embarrassment, but I have a couple of Barbie dolls from when I was young (including the one I gave a haircut). I don't know why I hang onto them. Old-school Barbies weren't very popular a few years ago when my daughter went through that stage. She wanted those darn "Bratz" ho-dolls...GAH!

Unknown said...

We both have a few bears from childhood. And I must admit to having a skipper doll (barbie's little sister) collection from the early 70s.

I saved "chicken" special stuffed animal from Son's childhood because of special memories, and have a few infant outfits, but not a whole lot more from a toy perspective.

Relentless Forward Commotion said...

it's so funny you posted this, because yesterday my toddler went digging in my closet and came out with Randy Racoon...a stuffed racoon I got when I was aobut 4 or 5. I took him EVERYWHERE...even to college, haha! It was almost sureal to see my son with my childhood toy. so odd! But anyways, as far as saving something of my kids...neither of them have a comfort object or favorite toy yet, so I really have no idea??

Carolina John said...

we tend to save the books that they loved. i don't know of anything that my folks held back from my childhood. there is a sliding board that is now in our house, but that's about all i can remember.

Wes said...

My mom threw away all of my childhood toys when I went into the Army. It's a sore subject as some of the stuff was pretty valuable (baseball cards and such)... *sigh*

Midwest said...

I have my most special toys - Pooh bear and a stuffed tyranosaurus named Rexa. Jack has met them, but he understands that they are mine and are special. He'll occasionally bring me one to cuddle, with a "Here you go, Mommy." He has also come home with other old stuffed animals when visiting my mom.

My husband actually has his vintage Empire Strikes Back sheets, which Jack now sleeps on. How cool is that?

Anonymous said...

I told you- my mother saved special outfits- I've done the same for J- and I also saved her favorite toys (2) from her infanthood...a winnie the pooh musical thing which she now has hanging in her closet and pulls it now and then to hear the song and a woozit.

d.a.r. said...

I don't have any toys. My mom got rid of those fairly quickly as we outgrew them as well. But I do still have my blankie. And yes, I am married and an attorney. Ha! Oh well. I don't sleep with her anymore because she is so fragile from being washed a billion times that I am afraid she will disintegrate. But I don't have the heart to part with her!

Stuart said...

Photos and firsts, that we we have so far for our kids, so far their attachments have been few but they're are a couple of front runners, stuffed Deefa the dog is one. My folks have some really old books of mine from the late 60's and 70's

Erin said...

Most of the toys I had as a child now live on as toys for my nieces and nephews when they visit the grandparents (my mom and dad). Personally, though, I still have a stuffed polar bear I got when I was 5 and in a box somewhere is the blanket I couldn't live without until I halfway through elementary school.

Anonymous said...

I have a few dolls from childhood that my mom saved. However, I collected Berenstain Bear books which my mom saved each and every one. Now they are Morgan's and she loves them!

Unknown said...

My parents saved the clothes they brought me home from the hospital in, and a few favorite dolls. I'm a thrower too, I hate having clutter but it would definitely be worth it to save some of Norah's favorite things...awww!

Unknown said...

Ha ha, LOVE Big Kitty! My mom didn't save a lot, but I do still have my cabbage patch kid. Oh, and my mom saved this creepy life-sized Smurfette doll...http://slowisthenewfast.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-sink-than-swim.html

MCM Mama said...

My mom didn't save a whole lot of my stuff, but I do have some of the original Fisher Price Little People and the doll house from the 70s. She kept my brother's legos and SheRa/HeMan stuff and a bit of the Star Wars stuff.

I've kept a few outfits and some handmade blankets of the boys, but I'm pretty ruthless when it comes to toys. Most that they have so far aren't heirloom type toys and they are just now getting into character stuff. That said, my mom has told me I can't throw out the huge collection of Winnie the Pooh stuff that I have from Jones' obsession as a two year old. Thankfully, she has a huge basement and is storing it.

X-Country2 said...

Aww, I love Big Kitty! Way better than any CKP for sure. My mom was a thrower too, so I don't really have anything. Which is fine. I was pretty lame as a kid. :o)

Marlene said...

I'm a PURGER. I never keep anything and I don't think my Mom held on to many toys, either.

SavvyFitChica said...

I'm the opposite of a pack rat so I don't have anything & neither does my mom. My sister carried around a kitty-blanket (blanket w/ kittens all over it) and she still has that.

She had a family member "mend" it and now her daughter (8 months old) sleeps with it. You might decide to do the same to Big Kitty...

Oz Runner said...

yeah the R2D2 sweater would have been a hug hit...i saved nothing from my childhood, my wife saved everything...you should re-stuff and clean up the kitty and let your baby experience it like you did...

Crissy Rae said...

I don't think I have many childhood toys either. My mom still has her first Barbie doll in a case. It was really hard not to tear that out and play with it.

Mary Gee said...

I just had this same conversation with a couple of neighbors. One has absolutely everything her sons ever touched - and they are now 21 and I think it is CREEPY.

My mom saved nothing. So, I did save a couple of things for my kids. CPKs for instance.

teacherwoman said...

Very interesting toy! I have a bag full of animals and dolls at my parents that my Mom is just dying to have off her hands!

Agate Lake Girl said...

My Mom gave away all my toys (including all my Barbie stuff which was a crime), but she did save my CPK (which I had no real affinity for!). I did get to pull her out and use her at baby class though. Maybe Rylee will like playing with her...

Anonymous said...

I really think I had a cat like that. I'm not sure how that is possible, but it looks very familiar to me. I also had a blanket made out of the same material that I named, for whatever reason, Uter. Yes, like uterus. I was an interesting child.