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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Toy Story 2

What's It Wednesday #84

I called the kids into the playroom for a quick history lesson.
 I was just organizing the storage room and ran across one of the boxes that held some of my brother's and my toys. So I wanted to share the stories behind our toys with the kids.



My son got the biggest kick out of my brother's Nintendo Donkey Kong mini-arcade game by Coleco. This vintage tabletop game is from 1981 and my brother and I would spend hours playing with it. 

Do you remember when this game appeared in the Warner Brothers movie Gremlins being played by the evil Gremlin Stripe?



I received the Snoopy Jack-in-the-Box when I was about three years old. My mother received her clown Jack-in-the-Box when she too was about three years old. My son wanted to know why his Elmo Jack-in-the-Box was made of plastic. 



Ohhhhhhh how I loved my Kenner Betty Crocker Easy-Bake Oven. It originally came with four baking pans and the pan pusher to get it through the oven. I received mine in Christmas of 1975.

My kids were under the belief that cakes came from bakeries and could not believe that I could actually bake a cake and could even do so as a kid. They were amazed. I have to do better. :-)


My Garfield stuffed fat cat went everywhere with me in the early 1980s. It was not surprise to find him in my high school locker and hanging in the back seat of my car. Heck, Garfield and a few other characters went away to college with me. Because of him, I have perfected the lasagna. I was glad that the my kids actually knew who this character was. 

My little brother received this plastic Bart Simpson bank in 1990. He never put money in it but he loved to put it in the bath tub.


My son thought it was super cool to have headphones from Burger King. It came with a radio as well. You were like the coolest kid on the block when you were rocking one of these. My son is totally rocking this 1980 style. I feel like Miami Vice should be coming on the television any minute.

Now the last items in this particular box brought on a science lesson as well as history lesson. The Tonka 1970s Pressed Steel Ford Bronco had obviously seen better days. The kids wanted to know what was all the stuff all over the vehicle. This tough little toy had survived the brutal elements of Hurricane Andrew in August of 1992.  So I then had to explain what a hurricane was to them.

My son also loved playing with the toy Ferrari his Uncle played with as a kid.

I know it is cliche, but I still say they don't make 'em like they use to. All of these toys survived Hurricane Andrew which is a testament to their craftsmanship. Oh I can't wait to open up the next box of vintage toys.

Speaking of amazing craftsmanship, check out my Mother's and Uncle's toys by clicking HERE.


Do you still have toys from your childhood?

xoxoxo
Paula

Thanks to all of you who partied with us last week. Please link-up and join us again. Remember, it's not a party without you!

Now Here are this Week's Features:

Helen and Her Daughters

Random Thoughts

Home Chic Club

Junk Chic Cottage

JBigg's Little Pieces

Tag Tuesday
Don't Forget to Add a Feature Button!
Ivy and Elephants



We are partying with these fine folks:

Come show off your whatchamacallits, what is its, what it once was, and "hey, look what I just did" posts. In other words, what you created, organized, designed or re-designed, found, purchased, transformed, inherited, re-purposed, renovated, are selling, or giving-away.

73 comments:

sweetvintageofmine said...

Morning Paula, Oh how I loved seeing your children enjoying the vintage toys from your childhood! It's wonderful you still have them...I think I enjoyed it more than the children!! No toys from my childhood...but beautiful memories...Blessings to you and your family~~~Roxie

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi Paula,
Yes, I still have my childhood toys, or at least my favorites. And have kept my kids favorite toys as well. Your toys are great and that's so cute to see your kids so interested in them. Happy Wednesday!
Gina

The Porcelain Rose said...

Good morning!
Love this post! Brings back memories. I too..... LOVED my Easy Bake Oven. My mother made us little pot holders and tea towels for our "play" kitchen.
Love this party!
Thank you for hosting each week!!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Julie Marie said...

Too cute Paula!... loved seeing your darling children with your vintage toys... and how adorable your son wonders why his toys are now plastic!... your little girl is a natural born model all dressed up in her Summer dress... I remember all of those toys, but you are a bit younger than me (okay, more than a bit!)... I still have almost all of my childhood toys... like you, I took really good care of my things always and kept them... I still have my old Radio Flyer red wagon which was ALL metal back then, no plastic... and many a day came home with a split lip from riding in it down our hill head first like you would a sled... (even tho' my daddy told me not to!)... I also have my original Barbie, one of the first ones out in 1959... I have been offered a mint to sell her, but I never would... she's my Barbie!... thanks for sharing this adorable post!... xoxo Julie Marie Hi Patti!

Teresa said...

No I don't.
As soon as my Aunts deemed me too big to play with them, they were passed to younger relatives or children that didn't have any.
They didn't believe in keeping mementos of childhood.
That's why it is so rich for me to have this lesson with your kids.
They are ubber cute and such loving souls. Like you.
Be Blessed,
Teresas

Anonymous said...

HI Paula! Oh, first of all your children are darling! I'm sure they did have a wonderful time with these olden toys. Yes, I have a few toys from my childhood. I saved my children's toys for them and now that they are married, delivered them to them and they loved reliving all of the sweet memories.
Thank you so much for hosting your party and I'm linking up with one of my Bathroom Divas - hope it's okay.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Curtains in My Tree said...

I could follow along with your story for looking at your beautiful children.
They couldn't be any prettier

They are in for a history lesson every time you pull something vintage out

I loved seeing all the vintage toys and I guess I missed the Burger King head phones when my daughter was growing up

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Thanks so much for hosting!!

I still have most of my sons's toys up in the attic. When they stopped playing with them, I packed them away. I have gone through a few boxes and decided on what to keep and what to donate to our church flea market. But you are right, they do not make toys like they used to!!

Hugs,
Deb

Anne said...

Oh those headphones are a hoot! Ah yes I agree they don't make toys like they used too.Wow I always wanted one of those easy bake ovens!Sweet photos of your children....<3
Great features thanks for hosting!
xx
Anne

Emily said...

What a fun trip through childhood! I loved Donkey Kong! I love your son's question about his plastic jack in the box. They don't make things the way they used to!

Uniquely Ella said...

Hi Paula, no childhood anything, just the shirt off our backs. But our loving parents sure made up for it and my 3 sisters and I are so thankful.
Your children are such a blessing, they are so cute just being children, playing. Have a great rest of the week.
xxx
Marlene

Calista said...

I really enjoyed seeing your fun vintage toy collection and your cute kiddos! Thanks for hosting!

lynn cockrell said...

How wonderful that you still have toys from your childhood. I do not have any of mine. Once again, I have to say your precious children are beautiful and it looks like they are having a ball checking out those toys!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

First off, your children are ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, they look like they get along very well. I loved seeing these toys. I had never seen the Burger King headphones. My kids grew up in the 70's. Thanks for always sharing your wonderful possessions. No, I do not have ANY toys from my childhood....it wasnt so great.....

Savannah Granny said...

Hi, I loved that you still have so many of your toys. I remember my children playing with many of those same toys. That Easy Bake Oven could be so much fun and frustrating at the same time.
You sweet babies are adorable. I am not surprised that they are so delightfully fashionable. Love you daughter's shoes.
Thank you so much for hosting another great party.
Blessing, Ginger

Unknown said...

Hello Paula, I Love,love,love your toys and sharing them with your children is awesome! Thanks forinviting me to share my toybox and thanks for hosting!
Have a great week!
Cindy@GlassSlipperRestorations.com

Erica of Golden Egg Vintage said...

Your kids are too cute, and this was such a fun post! My Mom didn't keep our toys, I suppose they went in garage sales. But thank goodness for EBay! I've been able to round up my favorite things from when I was little. Such fun to open those package of vintage Strawberry Shortcake, and My Little Ponies! lol
Thank you for this great post!
Erica :)

Sarah said...

I'm impressed that you have saved these bits of "toy" history. What fun for your children! Wish my mom had saved more of ours. I do have my little red cash register, my teddy, and my dolls. '-)
Cute children!!!!

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Evening Paula, Thank you so much for inviting me to join your party. It will be fun visiting other blogs.
Sadly, I don't have any of my childhood toys, as we moved around too much, so they were mostly given away each time we moved.
It is so lovely to see your children playing and having fun with their vintage toys.
Best Wishes to you,
Daphne

Vintage Paint and more... said...

My what memories these bring back... love the features, thank you for hosting this collection of such great inspiration...

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

Adorable kids and fun toys, Paula! I've kept lots of toys from my childhood in the 70s eg. Fisher Price's Little People sets, wooden train sets, duplo/lego... and the list goes on... Had them shipped out from Sweden to Australia a few years back when my mum was downsizing her home! My two kids are happily playing with them now :) The fact that they are playing with my old toys, makes my heart sing!! The quality is fantastic so we might keep them until my kids have kids one day in the future!! A long way away :D Thanks for hosting another great party :) Wishing you a fabulous rest of the week! ~Pernilla

Alessandra said...

Dear Paula, your children are very adorable and sweet. It' s very lovely to see them with your chilhood toys.
Kisses
Alessandra

Susie said...

Wow Paula what a nice bunch of toys. You did very well saving them. I loved that you told the kids all about each toys. We older ones have to teach the young. My g.daughter and I were watching a movie and a lady had a full slip on, saying she was not dressed yet..Emma says ,"she las long dress on." I said "it's a slip." She says, " what is a slip?" I realized people do not wear full slips any more, or rarely. So I explained. xoxo,Susie

Doni said...

I think I was looking at your beautiful children more than the toys, and their sweet faces! How adorable! And what fun ages! They love you unconditionally, they believe all you say, old enough to not have to be carried, and still like to hug and cuddle! Oh I miss those days!
Great post! And I think I remember some of those toys!
Blessings,
Doni

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Thanks for hosting, Paula. Your kids are beautiful! You were so forward looking to save all the old toys. I have a life-size stuffed Scotty Dog, made with real human hair, that I got on my 1st birthday--now that's an antique..Happy Wednesday..Judy

Anonymous said...

Their reactions to these toys is absolutely precious! Imagine what their kids will think of their toys...

Meg said...

Thank you for sharing such wonderful pics of your wonderful children Paula xx

Unknown said...

That was one interesting history lesson! I am glad all those wonderful things survived Hurricane Andrew. I have stuffed toys and board games that my twin and I got as children. We also started our bird collection many years ago. Thanks for hosting and enjoy the rest of your week.

Helen and her Daughters said...

Thanks so much for featuring my bar cart! I wish my mother had saved some of our toys but she did not. I did save some of my boys favorite toys from their childhood. Your children are absolutely adorable! Thanks for hosting such a wonderful party each week!

must love junk said...

So sweet! Your kids are adorable! I had a Garfield phone :)
Thanks for hosting!
Susan

Protector of Vintage said...

Love your childhood toys....especially Donkey Kong!!

Diane said...

What a sweet post of your children playing with your vintage toys. They are so cute. I like to look at flea markets for vintage toys, since I have so few left. Thanks for hosting!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

What fun for your children! I love to see their smiling faces! Thanks for hosting.

Blessings,
Sandi

NanaDiana said...

Paula- Your kids are just darling- MUCH cuter than the toys!;>) I had several toys from our childhoods and I gave them to my daughter. She brings them out at Christmas and puts them on her mantle. Great party, too. xo Diana

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Sweet post filled with beautiful photos of your precious ones! Such fun and great memories!

Maureen Wyatt said...

I gave my daughter a box of her toys from the 70's and 80's and her kids love playing with them. Your kids get better looking every day!

Anonymous said...

Oh Paula, thanks for the trip down memory lane! We must be about the same age. I used to love playing Donkey Kong at a truck stop near our house, they had the best apple pie in the world, too. And I loved Garfield, but I had a stuffed Odie, I LOVED Odie, he was so adorably dumb. I love your old toys and love that you kept them. I have a few old toys, plan to blog about my metal John Deere tractor set my grandfather gave me in the 70s some time. (He was a farmer.) Oh, btw, your kids are adorable! So cute! Blessings - Dawn

Cottage and Broome said...

Paula, First of all how cute are your kids!!!! It is always fun to see kids explore the past. My younger sister had an easy bake oven, the things she made and we had to eat were not very tasty. I had to laugh at them thinking cakes only came from the bakery. Next give your kids a real old fashion adventure and bake with them! I did that with my daughter when she was young and now in her 20's amazes her friend with her baking skill. Thanks for hosting, Laura
PS your son in right why was his made out of plastic? Too much plastic junk for kids…...

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Cracking up!! I don't think I have any toys from when I was little....I will say that I became very obsessive in getting a pink dolls folding diaper changer at a garage sale once...beating my friend to it...because it was exactly like the one I had when I was little....does that count? I don't think my daughter loved it as much as I did...lol!! But I do still have it!
And...we agree...they DON'T make them like they use to!!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Thank you for your visit today and for your sweet comments about my dining room!

I loved your post today - those vintage toys are AWESOME!

Trivia: my father was an early investor in computer toys back when - and was told at a board meeting that the Asian market that produced Donkey Kong, which really never made any sense at ALL if you think about it was SUPPOSED to be called MONKEY KONG, but it was mis-spelled in translation after so much was printed up, they just kept it.

Now that I can believe - because n no where ever was there a donkey in that game! One letter difference can make really change things, huh?

Donkey or Monkey. LOL, great trivia to share with your brother and adorable children.

Cynthia said...

Thank you for that trip down memory lane. The toys you show are a little past my time; I was a '60's child. . .but I certainly remember my little sister's Easy Bake Oven, because I loved playing with it too! Paula, your children are ADORABLE!

Lezlie@Lovilee ReDesign said...

Hi Paula,
Thanks for the invite to the party and thanks for hosting! I really enjoyed the old toy throw back! I love those old metal music boxes and it's great that your children get to enjoy them now! Take care..
Lezlie

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

How fun! I think we may have saved a PacMan game like your Donkey Kong one from my niece's toys. What a fun treasure of goods you shared with your kids. I have my Barbies and a couple of dolls from my childhood, but that's all. We had an Easy Bake oven in the early 60's when I was a child- we thought it was pretty cool! I made sure my daughter got to have one when she was little too! Thx for sharing!

Dani said...

Thank you so much for the sweet comment about my kitchen reno and inviting me to your party. What adorable children you have and I loved the toys. I had the Donkey Kong one and my sister had PacMan. I wish I had saved them. Thank you for hosting. Have a great week.

Tarnished Royalty said...

Thank you for visiting and inviting me to link up. Will make it a regular now :). ~Ann @ Tarnished Royalty

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

What great toys...I so remember some of them!!...I do not have any toys from my childhood; however, since I did not have any, I made certain that I saved many of my son's favorite toys...and now my granddaughter plays with them often...it is so heartwarming to see her play with them...loved this post!! Thanks for hosting!

Laura Turner said...

This post was just full of delight! First of all, your kids are gorgeous and look like they had a wonderful time going through your toys! I laughed out loud at the Burger King headphones. Secondly, I loved your mother's toys, and now I might just have to make a vintage toys party or post (I have a few of my own and my mom's). Thirdly, thank you SO much for featuring my flapper purse tag! What a nice surprise! It reminded me of your style after I made it, :-) ! Your posts always bring back nice memories for me. I will link up with your party and thanks for joining mine!

Big hug for you.

Laura

Laura said...

Awesome toys- and your kids are darling! Thanks for the invitation to your party and the sweet comment you left on my blog:)

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

So adorable!
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)

spymay said...

I loved seeing those toys-my sister and I had many of the same ones.In fact,we had that same Donkey Kong game and I sold it on Ebay for $70 a few years ago(it is collectable).

Junkchiccottage said...

Hi Patti,
Thanks for the feature. You are so sweet. Please check out this link to my blog I think you will be excited.
http://www.junkchiccottage.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-winners-are-first-let-me-say-thank.html
Kris

Ricki Treleaven said...

I remember Donkey Kong well!!! How much fun, Paula. I know the kids loved playing with the vintage toys! I have to ask: Does the Easy Bake Oven work? I have a sneaky reason for asking ;P

Thanks for linking-up to My Happy List! Your kids are too flippin' cute.

As far as toys from my childhood, my mom kept a doll I had when I was two. My parents brought it home to me from Las Vegas, so I named her Vegas. ;P She also kept an original Cabbage Patch doll named Arabella Tracy. She was signed by the guy who invented them, and she's both. She also had adoption papers.

Such a cute pot! Your kids have made me smile this morning, and I really needed it. It's been a trying week!

xo,
Ricki Jill

Patty @ That's So Pretty said...

Thank you for stopping by and following! Love to make new friends. Great party and thank you for inviting me. :)

the cape on the corner said...

oh my gosh, now that was a fun jaunt down memory lane! that Garfield! and that video game, lol!

Unknown said...

Paula, Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. Your kids are precious! Love your blog. Just linked up!

Helen's Decor said...

Paula, thanks for visiting my blog today and asking me to join the party. Are you aware that the "featured button" does not differ from your blog button? Several of us have tried to get the "feature button" to work, but it won't because the code is identical to the blog one. Please check on that and let us know. Thanks in advance,
Helen

SewSweetVIntage said...

Paula, thanks so much for inviting me! Your kids are super ute and they had fun with your vintage toys!!!!

SewSweetVIntage said...

I meant cute, not ute, lol:)

Nita Stacy said...

Thanks for the invite to link up. I usually try to link up here but got busy this week and didn't do so. I love old toys. I was partial to my Barbie dolls and still have them. All in almost pristine condition because I played lightly with them. Love that little red bar cart....super cute!

Brandi said...

Your children are so adorable. So nice that you saved so many of your childhood toys and your children were able to enjoy them.

Artsy VaVa said...

It looks like the kids enjoyed the toys. Your children are adorable! It makes me feel so old to think that 1981 is considered vintage! I know it's true but it seems like yesterday!

Kelly said...

I don't have any of the toys I grew up with. It must be nice to be able to share yours with your kids. I do remember the jack in the box. Mine was metal. It used to startle me every time it popped out too! I had an easy bake oven too. Fun fun! Gosh, don't vintage toys make you nostalgic? Thanks for sharing yours.

Katherines Corner said...

beautiful children. I do have a couple of toys from my childhood. A pink mohair teddy bear that was placed in my crib when I was born and a Jack be nimble squeaky toy.Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop xo

Jolene said...

First of all... Your children are adorable!!! What dolls!! A lot of the toys you showed your children I have played with as well. Thanks for opening all those great memories!!!

Suz said...

A sweet post with your vintage toys and precious children. I enjoyed seeing all the old toys again. They are in such good condition.

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

What precious children you have!! This all made me smile! I love all of these happy memories and memorable toys! Thank you for brightening my day!
Happy Hugs,
jemma

louise said...

Super post. Love the Burger King headphones! Your children are adorable too x

Laura Turner said...






Hey Paula,
Just wanted to let you know that I featured your post on Inspired Sunday at Sunday View!










Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Thanks so much for sharing the kids and the wonderful stories. Loved it!



Hugs,
Jody

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

What adorable kids you have. And my goodness you had the best toys! Love that snoopy jack in the box. So fun that you shared the stories with your kids. Thanks for another fun party!
Liz

The Sterling Cherub said...

Thank you for recently commenting on my blog! I love that you stopped by!

Oh my goodness, are your children ever beautiful! It's so sweet that they appreciate the old toys and had fun playing with them.

No, they don't make toys (or anything, really) like they used to. I had a turquoise-colored Easy Bake Oven when I was little, and do you know that is my favorite color to this day?

Best,

Kimberly

Kathy said...

The children are precious - what fun finds! My husband would come home and play Donkey Kong with my son - he was probably your son's age at the time - cool memories with all these toys! I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy

Parsimonious Décor Darling said...

Just saw this post under "you might like" today. The kids are sooo cute! What dolls. How cool are those toys? I used to collect and read Garfield comic books, those were my fave growing up! Love all these cool 80s toys! I recognize so many. :)

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