Just the Facts #15

 

 

“What we remember from childhood we remember forever — permanent ghosts, stamped, imprinted, eternally seen.” (Cynthia Ozick)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

 

Last week, we chatted all about my favorite childhood toys, and guess what? I've got a part two for you today! After I finished writing everything down, my mom reminded me of some other absolute favorites, and it turns out there's enough to fill a whole new blog post. YAY!

 

1. Let’s talk Barbie still! I told you all about my Barbie collection, but not the epic tale of how I got the Barbie Dream House thanks to the Dream Pool.

For Christmas, I wanted the Dream House so bad. I asked my parents, pleaded with Santa, and even wrote him a special letter to tuck into my stocking. Christmas morning finally arrived, and we were tearing into presents, super excited about everything. There was this one big present, and I just knew it had to be the Dream House. I ripped it open and saw the word “Dream,” and I screamed, “I got a Barbie Dream House!” Then I tore off the rest of the wrapping and saw “Pool.” My excited shout quickly turned into, “It’s a Barbie Dream Pool!”

I was genuinely happy with it, especially since I already had the Barbie Town House. But I guess my parents must have picked up on a tiny bit of disappointment in my voice. Fast forward two months to my birthday, and when I came downstairs to the basement, there she was, all put together and waiting for me: the Barbie Dream House! So, I owe a big thank you to the Dream Pool for ultimately leading me to my Dream House. After that, Barbie had her fabulous main house, and Ken got to live in the Town House.

 

2. Oh my goodness, I practically lived in my childhood kitchen playset! It had the whole shebang: a stove, a fridge, and a sink. Seriously, if I wasn't off on some adventure with Barbie, you could bet I was busy playing house. And the best part? All the awesome toy food that came with it! My imaginary culinary creations were endless.

Everything lived in our playroom down in the basement, which was basically my own personal kingdom. Once I'd outgrown it, that beloved playset found a new home with my cousin, who was about five years younger than me. It's so cool thinking about how much joy that playset brought!

 

3. There was this magical box, about the size of a laundry basket, overflowing with toy dishes and pretend food. It was my most prized possession, and it went everywhere with us, especially to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

While the grown-ups were busy chatting, little me would transform into the busiest waitress you ever saw. I'd strut around, pad and pencil in hand (thanks, Dad, for the official order pads from work!), asking everyone for their "orders." Then, I'd hustle back to my box, whipping up whatever imaginary feast they requested. The best part? Watching them pretend to eat every bite! My dad was always the best customer; he'd really get into it. Those were the days!

 

4.  Jacks! Oh man, I totally get it. There's nothing quite like sitting on the kitchen floor while dinner's cooking, just lost in a game of jacks. I remember trying all those tricks, like skipping and trying to scoop up a whole bunch at once. I could seriously play for hours, just trying to get better and better. It was the best!

 

5.  Oh, Mrs. Beasley doll! What a blast from the past! It sounds like you and Mrs. Beasley had some amazing adventures together, even if her glasses went missing in action. It's funny how some toys just stick with us, becoming a part of our childhood stories. From inheriting her after your tomboy sister moved on to playing with her until she was practically in pieces, it's clear Mrs. Beasley was a cherished companion!

 

6. Of all the dolls out there, the Strawberry Shortcake doll was a standout for me. I wasn't really into the Cabbage Patch Kids craze, but the idea of a doll that actually smelled like strawberries? That was pure magic!

My mom told me a funny story about how I got mine. She snagged it the day after Christmas one year, wrapped it up, and then hid it for an entire year! Can you imagine? But when I finally unwrapped it the following Christmas, that strawberry scent was still super strong. It lingered for a couple of years, which was pretty amazing.

 

A huge thank you for your lovely visit! Sending you all the cozy and delightful vibes for your morning/afternoon/evening. Until our stars align again!