California Mother and CSPI Class Action Suit Against McDonald's Happy Meal Toys:
I know you guys have been dying to know what I think of this class action suit, right? Well here it goes-- this whole law suit is nothing but rubbish.Its complete NONSENSE and I can not believe it is garnering all this attention.And let me tell you why.
Parents today can not control their kids--- many of them.YOU as a parent, do NOT have to take your kid to McDs, Burger King, or any other place that has toys with their meals.But yet parents do not know how to say NO to their kids and let their kids control them.So when the kids starts crying saying,"i want mcDonalds NOWWWWWWWWWWWWW" then the parents want to make them quiet and give in to what the kid wants.The kid doesnt work, and half of the time the kid may not even be potty trained yet, but yet the kid wants McDS. How does the kid even know what McDonalds is?Did McDonalds give birth to your child?Did McDs come to your house and spend a day with your child brainwashing them? NO! Instead, you as a parent, took your child to McDonalds.And when you did, you did NOT buy them the healthy stuff. You got them the fries and the nuggets, and ensured that your kid got the toy so that they would be happy and quiet in the car.But now you are complaining that McDonalds is deceptive!!!! This is RUBBISH!!!!
Let me enlighten you guys-- you do NOT have to buy a HAPPY MEAL to get the toy.Being the toy freak that I am, trust me, I know. Yesterday i drove to McDonalds, got a smoothie and PAID to buy the Happy Meal toy- it cost around $2 something and I got the Hello Kitty series watch-the Keroppi watch. You do NOT have to buy the meal to get the toy.Doesnt everyone know that?!?!?!?!?
To hear Monet Parham say "I object to the fact that McDonald's is getting into my kids' heads without my permission and actually changing what my kids want to eat" is rubbish.HOw did McDs get into your kids head?Arent YOU the one who introduced your kid to McDs because you didnt feel like cooking on some days when your kid was hungry.Did McDs FORCE you to get the Hapy Meal?How long has your kid been eating Happy Meals-- probably before they could read right? so how did they know what to ask for? Did your kid talk to the person at the McDs counter when they were 2 or 3 and say,"i want a Happy Meal." NO!! The PARENT said it, not the child. Dont blame McDonalds for your irresponsible behavior.Im not saying that eating at McDs is irresponsible, but what I am saying is that it is irresponsible to blame McDs for supposedly "enticing" your kids to eat unhealthy meals." Who pays for the meal, the kid or the parent?My point exactly.
You can go to the store, buy a salad and stop by McDonalds and buy the toy solo, so this lawsuit is rubbish, as I stated earlier.
Heres point # 2: to say that having a toy in the meal is causing bad behavior is CRAZY!! When i go to the store, they have BUY ONE GET ONE FREE sales. They do it with toothbrushes, mouthwash,cookies, everything.
So do I have the right to sue Colgate and say, 'I am suing Colgate because my gums are bleeding due to overbrushing , which happened due to Colgate enticing me to buy 2 toothbrushes instead of one.' Can i say Colgate is violating the law by using a free toothbrush to market teeth brushing to kids?
Do you see my point or do you need another example?
Noone can force you to do anything you do not want to do.if you go to Africa, none of those kids know what McDonalds is because the parents have never taken them there.
So in summary: This McDs lawsuit is rubbish and I will continue to go to McDs to buy my Happy Meal toy, minus the actual meal. I just want the toy.You too can go to McDs and just buy the toy.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
CRAYOLA- MORE THAN JUST CRAYONS
When you think of Crayola, what comes to mind?
Crayons
Crayons
Crayons,yes yes….
Crayola Crayons—the big yellow box with the array of colored crayons. Then of Course there are the Crayola Markers- which are fat and juicy and come in your standard ROY G BIV colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown,black, and gray.
When you had projects in school or had to make posters for games, you always bought CRAYOLA – that was the ONLY way to go right?!?!?!
Well guess what? I truly believe, and hopefully someone will email me and tell me, that Crayola is undergoing an extensive shake up.Is Jill Barad from Mattel working for Crayola and no one knows it?!?!?!? Crayola, is by far, going to be, according to my estimations, one of the BIGGEST winners this holiday season. Crayola, in case you haven’t noticed, has all of a sudden awakened from their multi colored dream and has taken the kid world by storm - so much so that even I have noticed. And we all know that once I notice, it must be a good thing.
Crayola was once known as Binney and Smith. However, in early 2007, they officially changed their name to Crayola LLC, probably due to the fact that Crayola is more recognized than the Binney & Smith name. And to me, it seems like Crayola LLC has really been charging forward at an accelerated pace since then.
Most everything I want this Christmas is made by Crayola—and that has NEVER happened.
In case you have missed the new gadgets Crayola LLC is creating, let me educate you.
A. The Crayola Glo Dome: This is such a great innovative toy. Its a globe that allows you to draw on it and it “glows”. It’s so simple yet so fascinating. The Crayola Glo Dome is a simple toy that can keep you fascinated for hours. I want one of these for XMAS.
B. The Crayola Glo Board/Glo Station: Same idea—it’s a board that allows you to draw on it and your images “glow”. How cool is that. Its almost like Lite Brite, but different. Yes, we must all acknowledge that Lite Brite was the first toy that glowed, but they didn’t advance that “glowing” technology the way Crayola has. Hasbro knew toys that “glowed” were fascinating, that is why they made the Lite Brite and the Glo Worm. But HASBRO should have kept expanding on the whole “glow” idea. Where they ended is where Crayola has taken off. FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!
C. The Crayola Color Me A Song Pad : This is so fascinating. I want this for XMAS TOO !! This is a “toy” which allows your toddler to color and hear music at the same time. The faster the kid draws, the faster the music goes. The slower they draw, the slower the music. How neat!! I think this is a great toy to have if you have little kids AND you are traveling. If you are the driver and you give this toy to your child, you will know they have fallen asleep once the music stops or slows down. This “technology” is absolutely mind blowing because it can be used in many ways. This SAME technology can be used in elementary schools, when teaching kids how to write. As their writing improves, the tempo of the music will increase. This technology has a lot of potential…..trust me.
D. The Crayola Color Wonder set: I really like this. This is a coloring set which allows the painter to draw, but yet there is no paint. The set uses special paper and special paint. Its all magically connected in some odd strange way. It’s like the paintbrush has a brain of its own and is electronically/magnetically connected to the special paper and the special paint. Don’t ask me how it works—I don’t know—but the fact that it is so magical makes me want one. You should want one too. It’s one of the “wonders” of the toy world I suppose.
So you see, Crayola is a top player this holiday season. If you are at the toy store and you feel overwhelmed, stop by the Crayola section because they have A LOT to offer this holiday season. Whether its 3D Sidewalk Chalk or Glo Globes- the selections is remarkable!!
Crayons
Crayons
Crayons,yes yes….
Crayola Crayons—the big yellow box with the array of colored crayons. Then of Course there are the Crayola Markers- which are fat and juicy and come in your standard ROY G BIV colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown,black, and gray.
When you had projects in school or had to make posters for games, you always bought CRAYOLA – that was the ONLY way to go right?!?!?!
Well guess what? I truly believe, and hopefully someone will email me and tell me, that Crayola is undergoing an extensive shake up.Is Jill Barad from Mattel working for Crayola and no one knows it?!?!?!? Crayola, is by far, going to be, according to my estimations, one of the BIGGEST winners this holiday season. Crayola, in case you haven’t noticed, has all of a sudden awakened from their multi colored dream and has taken the kid world by storm - so much so that even I have noticed. And we all know that once I notice, it must be a good thing.
Crayola was once known as Binney and Smith. However, in early 2007, they officially changed their name to Crayola LLC, probably due to the fact that Crayola is more recognized than the Binney & Smith name. And to me, it seems like Crayola LLC has really been charging forward at an accelerated pace since then.
Most everything I want this Christmas is made by Crayola—and that has NEVER happened.
In case you have missed the new gadgets Crayola LLC is creating, let me educate you.
A. The Crayola Glo Dome: This is such a great innovative toy. Its a globe that allows you to draw on it and it “glows”. It’s so simple yet so fascinating. The Crayola Glo Dome is a simple toy that can keep you fascinated for hours. I want one of these for XMAS.
B. The Crayola Glo Board/Glo Station: Same idea—it’s a board that allows you to draw on it and your images “glow”. How cool is that. Its almost like Lite Brite, but different. Yes, we must all acknowledge that Lite Brite was the first toy that glowed, but they didn’t advance that “glowing” technology the way Crayola has. Hasbro knew toys that “glowed” were fascinating, that is why they made the Lite Brite and the Glo Worm. But HASBRO should have kept expanding on the whole “glow” idea. Where they ended is where Crayola has taken off. FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!
C. The Crayola Color Me A Song Pad : This is so fascinating. I want this for XMAS TOO !! This is a “toy” which allows your toddler to color and hear music at the same time. The faster the kid draws, the faster the music goes. The slower they draw, the slower the music. How neat!! I think this is a great toy to have if you have little kids AND you are traveling. If you are the driver and you give this toy to your child, you will know they have fallen asleep once the music stops or slows down. This “technology” is absolutely mind blowing because it can be used in many ways. This SAME technology can be used in elementary schools, when teaching kids how to write. As their writing improves, the tempo of the music will increase. This technology has a lot of potential…..trust me.
D. The Crayola Color Wonder set: I really like this. This is a coloring set which allows the painter to draw, but yet there is no paint. The set uses special paper and special paint. Its all magically connected in some odd strange way. It’s like the paintbrush has a brain of its own and is electronically/magnetically connected to the special paper and the special paint. Don’t ask me how it works—I don’t know—but the fact that it is so magical makes me want one. You should want one too. It’s one of the “wonders” of the toy world I suppose.
So you see, Crayola is a top player this holiday season. If you are at the toy store and you feel overwhelmed, stop by the Crayola section because they have A LOT to offer this holiday season. Whether its 3D Sidewalk Chalk or Glo Globes- the selections is remarkable!!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
Today is Strawberry Shortcakes Birthday!! She's 30!!! Hooray SS. Is it just me or did you think Strawberry sHORTCAke was way older than 30?!!? I know I did!! im a child of the80s and I remember my sister hadthe starwberry Shortcake lunchbox.And she is older than me.So as a kid, I think Strawberry shortcake was my sisters age-between 35-40.i never knew she was much younger. When i think if Strawberry Shortcake i think of my sister, because as a kid strawberry shortcake is the first toy I remember.Yeah there were popples, barbies, board games, those great Golden Books, and the Mork and Mindy doll(which I had thank you very much-I had Mork), and the See and Says that had pullable levers,but I truly remember Strawberry Shortcake as the first.My sister had this lunchbox and everyday, she would take her lunchbox to school- even though i don't remember my mom making lunch for her.Anyways bake to Strawberry- so my sister had this lunchbox and I remember she guarded that thing with her life- the lunchbox and the thermos drinkie thingie in the box.The box was made of metal back then.And like, it was my sisters most prized possession.Like we could play hard with toys but with our girl Strawberry, no, she was different.Strawberry was treated very carefully.So as I think about Strawberry Shortcake today, November 9, 2010, I have good memories because Strawberry has always been in a class of her own.Today my sister is a smart independent woman, and I truly believe that she owes her success to Strawberry shortcake. Strawberry Shortcake enabled young girls all over the world to feel empowered and proud of who they were. If Strawberry was a happy girl living in a strawberry, then who were you to say you weren't happy living in a real world? HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE!!!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
MATTEL RECALL AGAIN -FISHER PRICE RECALL-
MATTEL TOY RECALL—AGAIN
Today, Mattel is experiencing another recall—again. That’s right, Mattel, one of, if not the biggest toy company in America. You know Mattel, they make Barbies and Hot Wheel Cars. But you probably didn’t know that Mattel was recalling millions of toys…again… because the name Mattel is not being used in the media. Instead, they are using the name Fisher-Price. Yes, many of the toys are under the Fisher Price BRAND, but Fisher –Price is owned by MATTEL. So it is a Mattel recall.
Oh Mattel, whats going on?!?!?!?!?
In a time where people are struggling for jobs, perhaps Mattel should bring their manufacturing to the US shores and hire people to purposely tamper with their toys, treat them the way a child would, to see what the possible health risks are—do the wheels pop off easily, are there sharp edges, can a person easily become trapped underneath the toy, etc. Its simply a matter of having an extensive toy lab to test out the products.
Lets not forget all of the toy recalls Mattel went through in 2007? Shall I remind you or do you remember? Ok, in 2007, they had like 3 recalls due to lead paint on their popular toys, like Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street goods, and other items. The lead paint on their toys was like 180 times higher than the legal limit.We all know that kids suck and chew on toys, so this was a VERY BAD situation. Maybe kids are getting ADD not because of DNA but because they are sucking lead paint on their toys for like 2-3 years before they can even talk—has anyone thought of this analogy? Think about it.
That combined with BPA chemical laden baby bottles—no wonder kids are sick these days!! Back to Mattel—so in August of 2007 they had like 2 recalls and by the time the year was over, they had at least 3 recalls and people were kind of hesitant regarding Mattel products.
3 years later, no one remembers that recall and people buy Mattel toys like they drink water Now today, we have this massive Fisher-Price recall, but yet, its not really being associated with Mattel. Why is that? The holiday season is fast approaching and this is NOT a good time to be having a toy recall. Parents are already saving towards their holiday purchases so having a recall now will not encourage parents to buy Fisher Price toys.
I know Mattel is a big company, but Hasbro is too. Why haven’t they had as many recalls as Mattel? Hasbro makes many small pieces for their games—especially their board games. Do those board game pieces have lead in them—has anyone ever checked. All the dices that come in board games, the game buzzers, etc-has any of that stuff been checked? Those things are easy to choke on—why haven’t any of their items been recalled? Mr Potato Head has many pieces that can cause choking, but Ive never heard of many Hasbro recalls. Have you? I wonder why that is? Maybe Mattel has a few things they could learn from Hasbro. Or they could just hire me and I could tell them—I can not detect lead but if a toy is dangerous and I’ve played with it/seen it, I’m usually right on the money when it comes to determining whether or not the toy is dangerous.
Back to Mattel—I don’t remember all these toy recalls when Jill Barad was the CEO of Mattel. Where is Jill? Come back Jill!!
Since I’m speaking of Mattel- I remember as a kid I would write to Mattel, every summer, telling them how wonderful they were and giving them ideas. And they would always send back heart crushing letters, stating that they didn’t really care for my ideas, etc. Whereas Hasbro was never that intense- they were neutral. Maybe if Mattel allowed consumers to write and tell them their thoughts, they could avoid some of their recalls.
Well, lets see if this will be Mattel’s last recall for 2010.
Today, Mattel is experiencing another recall—again. That’s right, Mattel, one of, if not the biggest toy company in America. You know Mattel, they make Barbies and Hot Wheel Cars. But you probably didn’t know that Mattel was recalling millions of toys…again… because the name Mattel is not being used in the media. Instead, they are using the name Fisher-Price. Yes, many of the toys are under the Fisher Price BRAND, but Fisher –Price is owned by MATTEL. So it is a Mattel recall.
Oh Mattel, whats going on?!?!?!?!?
In a time where people are struggling for jobs, perhaps Mattel should bring their manufacturing to the US shores and hire people to purposely tamper with their toys, treat them the way a child would, to see what the possible health risks are—do the wheels pop off easily, are there sharp edges, can a person easily become trapped underneath the toy, etc. Its simply a matter of having an extensive toy lab to test out the products.
Lets not forget all of the toy recalls Mattel went through in 2007? Shall I remind you or do you remember? Ok, in 2007, they had like 3 recalls due to lead paint on their popular toys, like Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street goods, and other items. The lead paint on their toys was like 180 times higher than the legal limit.We all know that kids suck and chew on toys, so this was a VERY BAD situation. Maybe kids are getting ADD not because of DNA but because they are sucking lead paint on their toys for like 2-3 years before they can even talk—has anyone thought of this analogy? Think about it.
That combined with BPA chemical laden baby bottles—no wonder kids are sick these days!! Back to Mattel—so in August of 2007 they had like 2 recalls and by the time the year was over, they had at least 3 recalls and people were kind of hesitant regarding Mattel products.
3 years later, no one remembers that recall and people buy Mattel toys like they drink water Now today, we have this massive Fisher-Price recall, but yet, its not really being associated with Mattel. Why is that? The holiday season is fast approaching and this is NOT a good time to be having a toy recall. Parents are already saving towards their holiday purchases so having a recall now will not encourage parents to buy Fisher Price toys.
I know Mattel is a big company, but Hasbro is too. Why haven’t they had as many recalls as Mattel? Hasbro makes many small pieces for their games—especially their board games. Do those board game pieces have lead in them—has anyone ever checked. All the dices that come in board games, the game buzzers, etc-has any of that stuff been checked? Those things are easy to choke on—why haven’t any of their items been recalled? Mr Potato Head has many pieces that can cause choking, but Ive never heard of many Hasbro recalls. Have you? I wonder why that is? Maybe Mattel has a few things they could learn from Hasbro. Or they could just hire me and I could tell them—I can not detect lead but if a toy is dangerous and I’ve played with it/seen it, I’m usually right on the money when it comes to determining whether or not the toy is dangerous.
Back to Mattel—I don’t remember all these toy recalls when Jill Barad was the CEO of Mattel. Where is Jill? Come back Jill!!
Since I’m speaking of Mattel- I remember as a kid I would write to Mattel, every summer, telling them how wonderful they were and giving them ideas. And they would always send back heart crushing letters, stating that they didn’t really care for my ideas, etc. Whereas Hasbro was never that intense- they were neutral. Maybe if Mattel allowed consumers to write and tell them their thoughts, they could avoid some of their recalls.
Well, lets see if this will be Mattel’s last recall for 2010.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
M.I.T TOY LAB 2010
2007 was a good year for this blog. I was three years younger and life was simple.Life is still somewhat simple, but its way way way busier.Maybe too busy.But no matter how busy life gets, Im never too busy to inform all of you about TOYS!!!!!!!!!!! Because I love love love TOYS.
So let me backtrack a little and go froward from there.
In MAY 2010, I went to Massachusetts and attended the M.I.T TOY LAB at MIT, in Massachusets. I was invited by Barry Kudrowitz, master of the TOY LAB. He gave me the full schedule, but I could only go to the final presentation.
In one word, the MIT TOY LAB presentation was: FABULOUS!!!!!!
The presentation was so so so much fun and I loved it.It was the last one done by Barry Kudrowitz because he has finished his PhD program, so this was his last one at M.I.T--Massachusetts institute of technology. He is now Dr. Kudrowitz, thank you very much:)
I love MIT. I love the environment.I love the gift shop.I just love MIT..period. But I reaLLY LOVE BARRY KUDROWITZ CUZ HE IS SUPER SWEET AND KNOWS alot about toys!!! Its great having a friend you can just call/email and talk about TOYS!!! the guy is 100% solid gold.I love love love BARRY and I love love loved the MIT Final Playsentation.
These students made toys from scratch.Some were great and some just didnt make sense at all.But thats what toys do-- they inspire you in strange ways, no??
My favorite toy was the Bubble Frisbee--THE FRUBBLE- you throw this frisbee and bubbles come out of it. I liked that alot. I also like the interchangeable robots and the audible bubble blower. The elephant tricycle was cool too. I also loved the sword game-the one with the sensor in the chest.The theme was "outdoor toys".
If you missed the MIT TOY LAB, you missed alot, and probably a once in a lifetime opportunity. BUt you know what, thank God for pictures.So enjoy!!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Technology and Toys
Have you walked into a toy store lately? They are big ,elaborate, and colorful. But look closely – do the toys need batteries or can you play with them freely-without any batteries.
I am a proud kid of the 1980’s, and as I sit back and reflect on life, a smile slowly forms on my face as I think of those hot sticky summer days when my sister and I would plant avocado seeds in the ground and anxiously awaited for it to grow. We would plant the big old seed, after we had consumed the avocado-but nothing ever happened. So we would hop on our bikes, ride around the neighborhood, come back, look at where we planted the seed, and still-nothing. Then we would get sidewalk chalk and play hop scotch, using any rock to mark the spot. Then we would go knock on a neighbor’s door, get a kid to come outside and play double dutch. I was never good at double dutch, but I just had to get in between those two ropes, somehow, someway. After that got old, we would play Simon Says. I LOVE SIMON SAYS!! Even today I still love it. Does anyone know who came up with that game? I don’t know, but if you know, let me know.
Simon says, “ Keep Reading this blog”.
Simon says, “ Forward this blog to all your friends, especially if you work in the toy industry.”
Simon says, “Stands up”
(are you standing?’)
Sit down!!
Uh uh uh, I didn’t say “Simon Says!!!” You lose.
Gosh I love that game.
By the time I had planted a seed, gone bike riding, played hop-scotch, double dutch, and Simon Says, it would be dark outside and time to go inside the home. But I would be so energized yet tired yet fulfilled.
This is how I played as a kid.
Now, kids don’t play like that anymore. All kids are attached to technology. I don’t get it?!?!? Do batteries have a secret magnet in it that no one knows about? Do kids of the 2000s have magnets in their bodies that are attracted to batteries? I know it sounds far fetched, but can you blame me for thinking such a thing?
I went to Wal-Mart the other day, to their toy department. They had great toys, just like other stores with toys, like TARGET, TRU,etc. Lots of aisles of toys, toys, toys. But the toy aisle was dominated by parents who were with their kids who were below the age of 3. There were a few boys in the “manly” area where they keep swords, matchbox cars, and Transformers/Spider-Man type of stuff, but that was it. The bike aisle had a few girls who wanted Barbie-pink bicycles with Barbie pink helmets. Cute.
When is the last time you analyzed the presence of the people in toy aisles? Try it.
But guess where I saw the most kids? In the ELECTRONICS section. Guess what they were doing? Buying Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS games. They were also buying CDS. I must admit, I LOVE “Party in the USA” song By Miley Cyrus….”and the Jay Z song was onnnnnn…” Ok, enough about Miley.
Technology is taking over toys and good wholesome fun.
Nintendo DSi, Zhu Zhu Pets, Game Boy,etc etc. Do parents really want their kids to go blind and get carpel tunnel? Now I must confess, I was a Nintendo BEAST back in the 1980s. I even have a phat Nintendo backpack , and yes, my fingers did hurt. But the TV screen was not up in my face like these little games are. And if I wanted a live animal, my parents would have bought me one, not a Zhu Zhu. So now everyone has a Zhu Zhu that acts the same way—am I missing something? Seriously though, I respect the Zhu Zhu manufacturers for coming out with such a phenomenal thing that sent parents running and sleeping out in front of stores. I LOVED IT!!! But I don’t have a Zhu Zhu pet—I never wanted one.
The thing with toys is that even though technology is here and its not going anywhere, the GOOD toys simply evolve.
Zhu Zhu—everyone for years has had hampsters. Hampsters are not new. They simply made them automatic.
Crayola—Chalk and Crayons—they must have new management because Crayola is REALLY upping their game !!! Everytime I go to a toy store, I stop, and my mouth opens, in awe of the new Crayola items. The 3D chalk is so hot, Crayola town is hot, the glittery paper is hot, everything Crayola is HOT!! I can not keep track of all the items Crayola is making because they keep going and going.. like the energizer bunny. I know for sure, Crayola is not experiencing a dip in sales. Its impossible. When you create toys that are unisex, you’ll never go wrong. Ever. Crayola—keep up the goodwork, you are creating marvelous products!! The relationship between Wal-Mart and Crayola must be mighty strong because Crayola products take up almost a whole aisle.
Easy Bake Oven- this has gone through several transformations but the use is the same. Did anyone watch the episode of CAKE BOSS where the guy used the Easy Bake Oven to bake a cake? If you work for HASBRO, I HIGHLY encourage you to look for this episode because it was quite entertaining. If I worked for HASBRO, I would have been so proud
Those are just my thoughts for the moment!! I’ll be back.
I am a proud kid of the 1980’s, and as I sit back and reflect on life, a smile slowly forms on my face as I think of those hot sticky summer days when my sister and I would plant avocado seeds in the ground and anxiously awaited for it to grow. We would plant the big old seed, after we had consumed the avocado-but nothing ever happened. So we would hop on our bikes, ride around the neighborhood, come back, look at where we planted the seed, and still-nothing. Then we would get sidewalk chalk and play hop scotch, using any rock to mark the spot. Then we would go knock on a neighbor’s door, get a kid to come outside and play double dutch. I was never good at double dutch, but I just had to get in between those two ropes, somehow, someway. After that got old, we would play Simon Says. I LOVE SIMON SAYS!! Even today I still love it. Does anyone know who came up with that game? I don’t know, but if you know, let me know.
Simon says, “ Keep Reading this blog”.
Simon says, “ Forward this blog to all your friends, especially if you work in the toy industry.”
Simon says, “Stands up”
(are you standing?’)
Sit down!!
Uh uh uh, I didn’t say “Simon Says!!!” You lose.
Gosh I love that game.
By the time I had planted a seed, gone bike riding, played hop-scotch, double dutch, and Simon Says, it would be dark outside and time to go inside the home. But I would be so energized yet tired yet fulfilled.
This is how I played as a kid.
Now, kids don’t play like that anymore. All kids are attached to technology. I don’t get it?!?!? Do batteries have a secret magnet in it that no one knows about? Do kids of the 2000s have magnets in their bodies that are attracted to batteries? I know it sounds far fetched, but can you blame me for thinking such a thing?
I went to Wal-Mart the other day, to their toy department. They had great toys, just like other stores with toys, like TARGET, TRU,etc. Lots of aisles of toys, toys, toys. But the toy aisle was dominated by parents who were with their kids who were below the age of 3. There were a few boys in the “manly” area where they keep swords, matchbox cars, and Transformers/Spider-Man type of stuff, but that was it. The bike aisle had a few girls who wanted Barbie-pink bicycles with Barbie pink helmets. Cute.
When is the last time you analyzed the presence of the people in toy aisles? Try it.
But guess where I saw the most kids? In the ELECTRONICS section. Guess what they were doing? Buying Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS games. They were also buying CDS. I must admit, I LOVE “Party in the USA” song By Miley Cyrus….”and the Jay Z song was onnnnnn…” Ok, enough about Miley.
Technology is taking over toys and good wholesome fun.
Nintendo DSi, Zhu Zhu Pets, Game Boy,etc etc. Do parents really want their kids to go blind and get carpel tunnel? Now I must confess, I was a Nintendo BEAST back in the 1980s. I even have a phat Nintendo backpack , and yes, my fingers did hurt. But the TV screen was not up in my face like these little games are. And if I wanted a live animal, my parents would have bought me one, not a Zhu Zhu. So now everyone has a Zhu Zhu that acts the same way—am I missing something? Seriously though, I respect the Zhu Zhu manufacturers for coming out with such a phenomenal thing that sent parents running and sleeping out in front of stores. I LOVED IT!!! But I don’t have a Zhu Zhu pet—I never wanted one.
The thing with toys is that even though technology is here and its not going anywhere, the GOOD toys simply evolve.
Zhu Zhu—everyone for years has had hampsters. Hampsters are not new. They simply made them automatic.
Crayola—Chalk and Crayons—they must have new management because Crayola is REALLY upping their game !!! Everytime I go to a toy store, I stop, and my mouth opens, in awe of the new Crayola items. The 3D chalk is so hot, Crayola town is hot, the glittery paper is hot, everything Crayola is HOT!! I can not keep track of all the items Crayola is making because they keep going and going.. like the energizer bunny. I know for sure, Crayola is not experiencing a dip in sales. Its impossible. When you create toys that are unisex, you’ll never go wrong. Ever. Crayola—keep up the goodwork, you are creating marvelous products!! The relationship between Wal-Mart and Crayola must be mighty strong because Crayola products take up almost a whole aisle.
Easy Bake Oven- this has gone through several transformations but the use is the same. Did anyone watch the episode of CAKE BOSS where the guy used the Easy Bake Oven to bake a cake? If you work for HASBRO, I HIGHLY encourage you to look for this episode because it was quite entertaining. If I worked for HASBRO, I would have been so proud
Those are just my thoughts for the moment!! I’ll be back.
Monday, August 9, 2010
POP TARTS WORLD
I can NOT BELIEVE that KELLOGGS is opening a POP TARTS store in New York!! This is the BEST NEWS I HAVE EVER HEARD!! As a DIE HARD FROSTED STRAWBERRY POP TART EATER, since like the age of 10, this is a dream come true. I can not believe it!!!! yes I live hours away from New York, but I must must must go and see this thing, I am in shock!! What in the world is a POP TART shop going to look like?And I can make customized POP TARTS!! Is this a dream?!?!? I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS!!! THIS IS AMAZING!!!! THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST THING KELLOGGS HAS DONE!! You know, when Kelloggs changed the PopTart box to blue, i was very very disappointed.yes that was years ago, but the blue box still bothers me.But now, this makes up for everything.All those years I wrote letters to kelloggs, telling them my Pop Tarts news, and now they are opening a store.Am I the only person who ever wrote to Kelloggs about Pop Tarts? i doubt it.Kelloggs should post our letters in the Pop Tarts store-- how cool would that be? There is NOTHING like a POP TART!! NOTHING!! If I could sing a song to share my joy concerning this news, I would but I cant think of one,,,give me time, Ill think of something.Im just so overwhelmed by this, I think I may cry, tears of joy of course. Let me hear from the rest of the dedicated Pop tart lovers.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
2010 MID JUNE
Ok, i have not written on this blog in a LONG TIME. There seems to be an interest in this blog though..L Morris is getting alot of hits. There must be something going on up north in Rhode Island at Hasbro, I dont know.
Anyways, i went to the M.I.T Toy LAb a few months ago in Cambridge and it was FABULOUS!!!! Barry is super fabulous and did a heck of a job with that class. That was the most fun ive had in a long time and Im so happy I got to be there and witness it because it was his last one at M.I.T.All toy companies should witness the MIT Toy Lab because there is nothing like it.
I went to Toys Rus last weekend. Saw some cool things but right now its like 11:30 pm and im sleepy so Ill be back later. But real quick, all that FRED stuff is neat.And o o o o o the 3D Sidewalk Crayola Chalk that comes with the glasses. that is SO HOT!!!!!!Play Doh has some cool stuff too, but they always do. When will someone make edible PlayDoh---whats taking so long?!?!?!? At least PlayDoh chewing gum, at LEAST!!!!
Anyways, i went to the M.I.T Toy LAb a few months ago in Cambridge and it was FABULOUS!!!! Barry is super fabulous and did a heck of a job with that class. That was the most fun ive had in a long time and Im so happy I got to be there and witness it because it was his last one at M.I.T.All toy companies should witness the MIT Toy Lab because there is nothing like it.
I went to Toys Rus last weekend. Saw some cool things but right now its like 11:30 pm and im sleepy so Ill be back later. But real quick, all that FRED stuff is neat.And o o o o o the 3D Sidewalk Crayola Chalk that comes with the glasses. that is SO HOT!!!!!!Play Doh has some cool stuff too, but they always do. When will someone make edible PlayDoh---whats taking so long?!?!?!? At least PlayDoh chewing gum, at LEAST!!!!
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