Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  We've had a lovely and full weekend of celebrating. We started off on Saturday the 23rd as our "Presents Day".  We have the fun family tradition of never waiting to open presents until the 25th we always do it early!  The last couple years we've opened late (the 23rd) due to school break starting so late.

Present highlights this year included a real sewing machine (oldest) and a My Friend Becky doll (youngest).  Also books, a Kano computer kit and knock-off Fingerlings. ;) 

This morning the girls opened stockings.  I went ahead and wrapped the little gifts, but I must admit I pretty much phoned it in last night on the wrapping job.  It looked like a blind monkey wrapped them. Fortunately the girls didn't seem to notice. ;)

Today we also had Christmas lunch with my in-laws.  This meant more gifts for the girls and another fun afternoon.

I hope that your Christmas has been merry too!  Just a reminder that my blog is closing down in the new year.  I've got one more week to wrap it up.   

Fisher Price Friday - Merry Christmas

Hoping that you have a Merry "little" Christmas. :)  

2016 (Little People Farm #915)

2015 (Snowmobile #705)

2014 (Play Family A-Frame #909)

2013 (Play Family House #952)

2012 (Play Family Rooms #909)

To get your own Fisher Price Card check out my Etsy Shop.

December Adventures

I only have a couple more weeks left in this blog but I've been too busy to write anything.  Good busy mostly, but still busy.  Between my job, parenting and Holiday activities we're booked!  

Here is what we've been up to this month so far: 

• Loosing teeth (2 - Oldest)
• Baking and decorating cookies with Grandma & Grandpa- 10 dozen (!!)
• Sharing those lovely cookies with neighbors and friends
• Christmas light appreciation at Illumination 
• Hiking in the desert, this weather is fantastic!
• Nutcracker with our besties
• Starbucks dates with my beauties.

Not to mention decorating, shopping, wrapping, advent'ing and Christmas carol singing. :)

Man I love Christmastime!

Oh and one more adventure, today is my wedding anniversary.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year. 

Advent Activities and Calendar

Back in 2014 I bought a Starbucks advent calendar with magnetic tins filled with goodies.  The next year I filled the tins with fun Christmas activities/ideas on pieces of paper.  The year after that I was overwhelmed and although I did some of the same activities (make cookies, look at lights, etc) we didn't do the advent calendar.

This year I'm *sort* of on the ball.  I'm doing the tins with activities/ideas and also added a beautiful paper advent calendar by Coley Kuyper.  It has gorgeous designs on one side and verses about the Christmas story on the other.  Love it!

Here are the Advent ideas that I'm using this year with my 6 and 10 year old:

1. Set up paper advent together.
2. Set up the wood nativity.
3. Do a Christmas craft together (foam tree).
4. Take a walk around the neighborhood to see lights.
5. Read a Christmas book together. 
6. Illumination tonight! (local light show)
7. Treat 
8. Make Lego Ornaments.
9. Family Service Project. 
10. Nutcracker!
11. Hot Chocolate & Christmas books.
12. Read a Christmas book together.
13. Do a Christmas craft together (snow globe).
14. Drive around to look at lights.
15. Christmas shopping for family (sister & parents)
16. Draw a picture/write a letter to a family member.
17. Bake Cookies
18. Family game night.
19. Read a Christmas book together.
20. Do a Christmas craft together (bead ornaments).
21. Christmas activity books.
22. Christmas movie night. 
23. Take a walk and look at lights.
24. Set up luminaries. 
25. Christmas!

The beauty of this system is that I can trade out papers if plans change.  I can also sub in items like:

• Wrap presents.
• Decorate gingerbread house.
• Bike rides to look at decorations.

And in a pinch I could put in a "treat" of some sort like a little chocolate. 

I love that we are incorporating the Christmas Bible Verses as well as other fun activities.  I want my kids to grow up having sweet memories of our family holidays together. :)

Christmas Sneak Peak (Fisher Price)

It's beginning to look like Christmas around here!  We've got all five trees up and lights decorating outside.  The kids are making wish-lists and I'm hiding away purchases to wrap for them later. :)

I wanted to give you a sneak peak of the Vintage Fisher Price that will be under the tree this year!  This year I'm giving my youngest (age six) yet another My Friend Doll.  This is the *last* one though as 4 is plenty!  She's been getting one doll the last couple years on her Birthday and Christmas, so it's bittersweet for me that this is the last one.  She is pretty sure she doesn't want the boy My Friend Doll by the way, which is why it won't be 5!

I have been able to purchase all 4 of the My Friend Dolls new in box, which I think is pretty amazing since they are 30-40+ years old!  This last one I found months ago and have been hiding it up in the closet.

 

She is My Friend Becky #218 made between 1980-1984.  She has beautiful ginger hair and freckles.  Cutest! She comes with a white hat, aqua dress and white shoes. 

I've also been looking for more My Friend Doll clothes.  Mostly used but I've found a few new in package too.  A-mazing.  Since she has 4 of these cuties to dress now I have duplicates of some outfits so that they can match. I accidentally bought too many of the "Winter Wear" outfits so if you need one check out my Etsy shop, I'll have one there soon. 

I'm most excited about this nightgown/robe/slippers set.  I found two new in package for her!

I can't wait to wrap these up and put them under the tree.  I know she'll be super excited on our Christmas Present opening day (never the 25th....always a few days before). 

For more on our Fisher Price Dolls:

#209 My Friend Jenny

#204 Baby Ann (a soft doll) 

#206 My Friend Nicky  

#4009 Special Birthday Mandy  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I've made Little People Thanksgiving pictures for 5 years now and I ran out of ideas!  Good thing this is the last year of the blog!  But seriously I've done the First Thanksgiving with Indigenous People and Pilgrims (a few times), Family Flag Football games and even a modern family dinner.  What else is there people?  Hmm, maybe a parade?  Shoot, that would have been cute.  Oh well.  Instead I have more Pilgrims and Indigenous People.  You're welcome.

I hope your Thanksgiving was pie-tastic!

For more Little People Turkey-day fun check out:

Turkey Dinner 2016

Pilgrims 2015

First Thanksgiving 2014

Family Flag Football 2013

First Thanksgiving 2012

(Mostly) Horrible yet entertaining Christmas Movie Rundown

I realize that it's the week before Thanksgiving but it's already that time of year again, Holiday music playing in your car and Christmas movies on your television.  The girls and I started watching holiday films on Netflix this weekend did you?

I've done some research the last couple years and watched oh-so-many Xmas films.  Here are a few short summaries/rundowns so you can decide what to watch and what to skip.  Call it one of my last Christmas Presents for my blog readers.  You're welcome!

Holiday in Handcuffs - Avoid this one at all costs.  Way too cheesy with an impossibly horrendous story line that I couldn't get past.  Well that and the makeup on Mario Lopez.

The 12 Dates of Christmas (2011) - Cheesy but actually entertaining.  It is a take on Groundhog day where the main character relives the same Christmas Eve (with another Saved By the Bell actor) over and over for 12 days.

A Princess for Christmas (2011) - Family movie, definitely made-for-TV but not too painful to watch.  Basic plot is a young aunt raising her daughter's 2 kids after their mother-father died (the year before).  Cue rich/titled foreign and estranged (b/c his son married a commoner) Grandfather to invite them to visit his castle for Christmas.  Enter young handsome uncle who happens to be a Prince and I bet you can figure out what happens next.

Bridget Jones Diary (2001) - A classic.  I love all of the dreamy snow swirling around at night scenes.

Four Christmases (2008) - A Major Motion film, no made-for-TV here.  This one had Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn.  A bit crass, not at all appropriate for the family (the first scene includes having sex in a bar bathroom) but it made a good date-night show for my husband and me.

Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason (2004) - Ah, another relatively painful movie to watch due to her bumbling antics.  This movie is much less of a Christmas-y film as only the first and last scenes take place at Christmas-time.  Not exactly a Christmas classic but entertaining none-the-less.

Love Actually (2003) - A feel good Christmas-time movie.  If this one doesn't make you laugh and then cry at the end you probably are the Grinch.  This one will make you want to hug everyone around you during the final scene.  I will point out that it is another non-family movie as there is nudity and adult elements (sex, porn and swearing to name a few).

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer (1964) - The classic of all classic children's Christmas films.  This movie was made with claymation in the 60's.  It's a surprisingly long (in-my-opinion) movie about Rudolph and the elf that wanted to be a dentist.  They didn't fit in but found each other and saved Christmas by being themselves.

Holiday Engagement (2011) - Another made for TV movie, this one has Shellie Long in it.  I'm not going to lie, it was Cheesy with a capital C.  However, it was a step up from Holiday in Handcuffs so it wasn't the worst on the list.  Let's just say the ending (obvious green screen and all) will make you laugh and that's something!  The family could watch this one but I think kids would be pretty bored, it has a more grown-up storyline.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993) - I think this one is reaching a little as a "Christmas" movie.  If anything I'd say it's a Valentine's Movie since the last scene takes place on Feb 14th but it was on a Christmas list so I watched it.  I love this film as it brings back memories of watching it in my college dorm on a regular basis.  Ha!  I went to school in Seattle so it was fitting I guess.  Anyway it's a sweet film and mostly family appropriate (there are a few swear words here and there as well as the theme of death/loss).

White Christmas (1954) - A must see Christmas Musical from the 1950s with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney crooning and freaky-small waisted Vera-Ellen dancing (seriously, it was only 17 inches around in this film!!!).  Complete with snow and ending with "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas".  Love this one!

Christmas Lodge (2011) - This was a made-for-TV movie with a religious theme.  It's what you would expect (no swear words or improper scenes here and NO Santa) and although it's family-friendly (of course) I don't think my daughter would have been interested.  I'd say it's better for the 11 and up crowd.  Not my favorite but it still beats Holiday in Handcuffs.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (2007) - Not bad, but a little long and cheesy.  Lots of dancers kicking and costume changes.  Kids enjoyed most of it, but got bored part way through.

Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986) This is my favorite version of the Nutcracker.  We have a VHS version but no longer have a VHS player.  Sigh.  For a few years it was on Netflix around Christmastime.  If you can find it watch it!  It is a lovely full stage presentation from the 1980s (Pacific Northwest Ballet).  You may be able to find it other places online as well.  And if anyone wants to buy or borrow my VHS copy just let me know. :)

12 Dog Days Till Christmas (2014) Troubled foster teenager has to do community service at Christmastime.  He's assigned to find homes for 12 unwanted dogs.  Add awkward acting, some teen angst and a little romance and you've got a family-friendly holiday film that may be more interesting to your tweens/teens than younger kids. There are a couple familiar C list actors in this film but the real draw are the dogs.  My dog loving kids enjoyed all the dog scenes and tolerated the rest. :)

Happy Christmas (2014) I'm a big Anna Kendrick fan so she's the main reason I watched this film.  It's story about a 20-something woman (Kendrick) who after a breakup moves in with her brother and his wife/baby.  She's irresponsible (drinking/partying) and her sister-in-law is a bored SAHM.  The film is low budget and although it has Christmas in the title it's a stretch to call it a Christmas film (or Happy for that matter!).  This is an adult film, not so much family friendly. 


Christmas Belle (2013) Belle (Haylie Duff) is sent to handle the sale of an estate and it's contents the week before Christmas. Add a suitor back home and a grumpy/Grinch (often shirtless Nicholas Gonzales) estate owner and you've got a Holiday Love triangle!  I won't give the (somewhat drawn out) ending away but this movie although expectedly cheesy is worth a view.  

Happy Halloween from My Friends :)

My friends wanted to wish you a Happy Halloween!  Ha, sorry couldn't resist.  These Fisher Price My Friend Dolls do have costumes though and are ready to Trick-or-Treat.
And one more from our Vintage Fisher Price Little People. 

For past Halloween Fun check out:

2016 - Halloween 2015 - Little People Costumes

2014 - Puzzle Puppy Trick-or-Treat

2013 - Little People Pumpkin Patch

2012 - Little People Trick-or-Treat

Fisher Price Friday - NEW Hallmark Ornaments for 2017!

It may still be summer but I'm already thinking about Christmas!  I'm in the mood after discovering these adorable little Vintage Fisher Price toy ornaments.

I was surprised to learn that Hallmark is once again making Fisher Price ornaments.  They previously made a total of 14 Fisher Price ornaments between 2007-2012 but then abruptly stopped.  So what a surprise to see them reappear again after 5 years.   

Other Fisher Price themed ornaments have been made by companies like Dept 56 and Basic Fun.  However these versions (especially Dept 56) pale in comparison.  The main difference being that Dept 56 ornaments are clunky, heavy and made of non-moving resin.  Hallmark on the other hand made intricate, delicate plastic ornaments often with moving or musical parts (many battery operated).

The Hallmark ornaments quickly became collectible, with some versions costing over $100 on reselling sites.

Now back to this year.  Hallmark introduced two FP toys, the Pull a Tune Xylophone and the Chatter Phone.  Interestingly Hallmark previously made a Chatter Telephone, and it is one of the more expensive ornaments on the resale market.

The new version is called the Tiny Chatter Telephone.  This is very accurate as this dear little ornament is TINY.  It is by far the smallest chatter telephone I've ever seen!  Much smaller than the World's Smallest Fisher Price version.  It is so small in fact that it is a perfect size for a Fisher Price Little People figure to play with.  

It may be tiny but it is intricate and a fantastic replica and retails for only $7.95.

Now lets compare it to the original 2009 version.  As you can see the original version (on the left) is MUCH bigger.  The 2009 chatter phone has movement features including a dial that turns and wheels that roll.  They both have cords and tiny replica lithographs.

And for fun, here all all of my Chatter Phone ornaments as well as the World's Smallest Fisher Price Chatter Phone.  Which is your favorite?

Next up is the 2017 Pull a Tune Xylophone which retails for $15.95.  Hallmark did not make an xylophone ornament before, so this is a first.  The only other company that also made an xylophone is Dept 56 so I'll compare it to those.

First the Hallmark version (top photo).  It is made of plastic and has a mallet attached to a golden string.  The mallet snaps into one end of the ornament.  The keys are made of metal and make the smallest of sounds when struck just so.  

The Dept 56 xylophones on the other had are made of resin and have no movement.  However, the latest version (from 2016) does have the cute addition of looking like a sled.  All three versions have mallets connected by string, ribbon or plastic cord.

Of the two released this year my favorite is the oh-so-tiny chatter telephone.  It is just too cute!  I look forward to seeing if more Fisher Price ornaments come out next summer.

To purchase your own ornaments:

For more information on past Hallmark Fisher Price Ornaments: 

2007 - See 'N Say 
2008 - Play Family Farm 
2008 - View-Master 
2009 - School Bus 
2009 - Chatter Telephone 
2010 - Play Family Fun Jet 
2010 - Zookeeper Says 
2010 - Play Family School 
2011 - Music Box Teaching Clock 
2011 - Play Family House 
2011 - Little People Lil' Movers Fire Truck (not a vintage toy) 
2011 - Snoop 'N Sniff - Limited quantity 
2012 - Corn Popper 
2012 - Two Tune TV

National Donut Day

Happy National Donut Day!  Yes it's a thing, I promise.  I've even blogged about it in the past.  Today you can celebrate all the yummyness that is a fried dough with delicious toppings. Yes!

To be honest most of the donuts we eat these days are made at home from scratch, but a donut here and there won't do any harm.  Especially if they're FREE!
Where to get freebies today?  Why I'm glad you asked:

• Dunkin' Donuts: free classic donut with any beverage purchase.
• Fractured Prune: free OC Sand donut.
• Krispy Kreme: any free donut (not just the classic ones like every other day).
• LaMar's Donuts: any free donut & a cup of coffee.  You'll need to bring a printed golden ticket to redeem the offer.
• Rainbow Donuts: free donut with any beverage.
• Desert Donuts: free donut with purchase.

Hooray for donuts!  Go get one or two and celebrate.  If you want to make your own try my easy (baked) recipes!

Baked Sour Cream Donuts

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Donuts

For more info on National Donut Day including the official history check out my entry from last year: National Donut Day 2016.

Happy St Patrick's Day from our Little People

We're not Irish (maybe a tiny bit) but I'd still like to wish you a Happy St Patrick's Day!

I hope you find treasure at the end of your rainbow or under a 4 leaf clover. :)

Past St Patrick's Days

2016

2014

2013

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, hooray for 2017.  I'm hoping that 2017 is MUCH better than 2016, anyone with me?

I've got a little game for the FPLP fans out there.  See if you can identify what vintage/collectable toys the Happy New Year 2017 images belong to.  I'll have the answers at the bottom but try not to peek!

Past New Years:

2016
2015
2014
2013

Answers:
Happy (face card)  New   Year
2 #2102 Magic Scan Checkout Counter
0 #112
1 #972
7 #998

Have a Merry Little Christmas!

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord. - Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.  

2015 (Snowmobile #705)

2014 (Play Family A-Frame #909)

2013 (Play Family House #952)

2012 (Play Family Rooms #909)

Fisher Price Friday - Christmas presents tonight!

Tonight is the night, we're ready to open presents! It's later than usual for us but with the kids in school all week I didn't want to open them yet.  I've got everything wrapped and the Fisher Price Lift and Load Railroad #943 under the tree.  Thanks to a wonderful Santa's helper we have a working train engine just in time, hooray!!

The kids get out of school early today and they'll be thrilled to see it this afternoon.  I love to leave at least one present unwrapped for them to see right away.

Merry Christmas present opening day!! 🎄🎁 

Fisher Price Friday - Decking the Little People Tree

Ah Christmas, my favorite time of the year!  The girls and I set up our Christmas trees last week including our favorite Fisher Price Ornament tree.  The kids enjoy looking at every ornament as we unwrap them and carefully place them on the tree.  So far we haven't broken any although I can't say the same for the regular family tree, we're down 2 ornaments already. 

Since some of these FP ornaments are worth quite a bit of money (specific Hallmark ones), we are SO very careful with them.  Yet I want the kids to enjoy them too, it's a sticky-wicket. :)  

My youngest is loving the View Master ornament the best, she loves that she can operate the slides herself. 
 

  

The Dept 56 ornaments are so heavy (made of resin) that my little tree can't hold most of them.  Fortunately they look pretty cute under the tree.  

For past Fisher Price Christmas decorations check out:

2015 Decking the Halls 
2015 Merry Little People Christmas
2014 A Frame Holiday Lights
2013 Merry Christmas Play Family House
2012 Merry Christmas Play Family Rooms

To see more Fisher Price themed ornaments check out these prior posts:

Department 56 2016

Department 56 2015 Pt 1
Department 56 2015 Pt 2
Department 56 2015 Pt 3

Basic Fun Series 1

Basic Fun Series 2

Department 56 2014

Department 56 2014 Part 2

Department 56 2013 

For Hallmark Fisher Price Ornaments: 

2007 - See 'N Say 
2008 - Play Family Farm 
2008 - View-Master 
2009 - School Bus 
2009 - Chatter Telephone 
2010 - Play Family Fun Jet 
2010 - Zookeeper Says 
2010 - Play Family School 
2011 - Music Box Teaching Clock 
2011 - Play Family House 
2011 - Little People Lil' Movers Fire Truck (not a vintage toy) 
2011 - Snoop 'N Sniff - Limited quantity 
2012 - Corn Popper 
2012 - Two Tune TV

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from my little family to yours.  I hope your turkey is delicious, the deserts plentiful and the conversations peaceful. :)

We're celebrating with extended family this year so the table is full!

For more Turkey-day fun check out:
Thanksgiving 2015
Thanksgiving 2014
Thanksgiving 2013
Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween 2016!  I hope your day is spooky and your night full of fun, adorable little people and lots of candy.

For past Halloween Fun check out:

2015 - Little People Costumes

2014 - Puzzle Puppy Trick-or-Treat

2013 - Little People Pumpkin Patch

2012 - Little People Trick-or-Treat

Fisher Price Friday - 2016 Dept 56 Christmas Ornaments

For the last few years I have shared on my blog the current Fisher Price ornaments available.  In 2015 and 2014 they were created by Department 56.  Before that it was Hallmark and a couple other places.

This year Department 56 released ten more ornaments this summer but....I'm not impressed.  Except for a couple they're not very innovative, rather repeats with slight variations of past ornaments.

Department 56 ornaments already pale in comparison to the ornaments previously produced by Hallmark and Basic Fun. They are made of heavy resin and have limited detail and no movement.  However, they are better than nothing since no one else has produced vintage Fisher Price toy ornaments since Hallmark stopped in 2012.

Here is a closer look of the 2016 Department 56 ornaments.  I usually take photographs of them next to the original toys or similar ornaments but as I said before I'm not super excited about them and haven't decided whether I want to spend $15-$20 (each) on them.  

First up the "Chatter Phone".  This is very similar to their 2013 version except this one has a bow on top.  Since I already have 4 other Chatter Phone ornaments I'm not convinced that I need this one too. :)

L to R - Basic Fun, Dept 56 (2013), Hallmark and Fisher Price

 

Next up is the "Baby Blocks 2016".  This one is a unlike prior ornaments and is double sided.  It doesn't shout out vintage Fisher Price but it is cute.  I'm considering adding this one to my collection.

This one is called the "Toy Chest Personal Ornament".  Personally I think it looks like a copy of Basic Fun's 2006 Toy Chest.  Except this version is polyreisin (Basic Fun is made of plastic) and has Baby's First Christmas written on the outside.  I'm going to pass.  It is the most expensive of the 10, costing $20.

Three ornaments using the Rock a Stack were introduced this year (four if you count the rock a stack in the toy chest ornament).  This version has the familiar Rock a Stack with tinsel around it and a star on top.  It is very similar to their unadorned 2013 Dept 56 version.  The other two will be shown below, they are accompanied by elves. :)

This years Xylophone ornament may make it onto my tree since it is fashioned cleverly like a sled.  This is a more intersting version than their original 2013 Xylophone.

This years Corn Popper is also different enough that I may consider paying the $15.  It looks like it is made of candy cane pieces, which is similar to the Basic Fun Candy Cane Popper, but a little different. I wonder if it has any moving pieces like the Hallmark and Basic Fun versions?  I will make sure to update if I purchase it, but if it is anything like previous Dept 56 ornaments then the answer will be no.

Now last and possibly least are the final 4 Fisher Price ornaments made in 2016. 

Except for the "Little People Cake Topper" ornament the other three do not look very vintage to me.  They are also more variations of the same toys produced before (Rock a Stack & Chatter Phone).  At this point I don't think I'll be paying the $15 each.  The ornament names listed on the Dept 56 website are: Little People Ornament, Chatter Phone Elf Ornament, Little People Cake Topper and Rock a Stack Elf Ornament.  

So there you go.  The 2016 Department 56 Fisher Price ornaments.  Will you be adding them to your tree this year?

To see more Fisher Price themed ornaments check out these prior posts:

Department 56 2015 Pt 1
Department 56 2015 Pt 2
Department 56 2015 Pt 3

Basic Fun Series 1

Basic Fun Series 2

Department 56 2014

Department 56 2014 Part 2

Department 56 2013 

For Hallmark Fisher Price Ornaments: 

2007 - See 'N Say 
2008 - Play Family Farm 
2008 - View-Master 
2009 - School Bus 
2009 - Chatter Telephone 
2010 - Play Family Fun Jet 
2010 - Zookeeper Says 
2010 - Play Family School 
2011 - Music Box Teaching Clock 
2011 - Play Family House 
2011 - Little People Lil' Movers Fire Truck (not a vintage toy) 
2011 - Snoop 'N Sniff - Limited quantity 
2012 - Corn Popper 
2012 - Two Tune TV