While they desperately want to be “big”, their bodies haven’t quite caught up to their desires. They may want to ride the two-wheeled bikes and scooters but their time has not yet come. (Though the littlest one is doing his damnedest to figure out the whole two-wheel thing. And he’s frighteningly close.)

In the meantime, we’ve discovered the newest generation of Radio Flyer ride-on and outdoor toys. They’re made very well. Are nicely designed. And are withstanding the daily beating of not only my little guys but also often my eight-year-old and seven-year-old too.

We have the three-wheeled scooter (x2). Sturdy and foldable, I often throw these in the back of my SUV to take to the playground.

We also have the officially-named “Radio Flyer Big Flyer with Safety Flag” (x2). But we call them the Big Wheels. Because, duh, it’s a Big Wheel. I’m a child of the ’70s and what child of that era didn’t love his or her Big Wheel? (Note: 21st century Big Wheels do not have the dangerous yet super-fun hand brake on the back right wheel that helped you spin out like a mad man…bummer. I mean, how very responsible and safe.)

Mahar Drygoods has a carefully curated selection of vintage and artisan-crafted clothing, accessories, toys, books, bedding, decor and more – all for children. So unique and lovely from top to bottom.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

I wasn’t born until the ’70s but I had this Barbie growing up. My sisters and I inherited the Barbies that my mother and her sisters played with in the ’60s. We played and played and played with these Barbies and their ridiculously awesome clothes until they were all completely worn out, ripped, dirty and lost. And eventually, to my absolute horror in hindsight, they were shuffled away to either the trash or Goodwill.

But the episode made me wax nostalgic about the toys of my childhood. And Back to Basics Toys carries a lot of them! Please tell me that you remember these:

Fisher Price Two Tune TV

Chatter Telephone – we had this one.

Original Colorforms

Lincoln Logs Bicentennial Edition – not the current version with plastic roofs and windows, the old one with green planks for the roof!

Snoopy Sniffer – I can still hear the click, click, click of this as it was pulled across the floor

My all-time favorite though were the Fisher-Price Little People. The new sets just aren’t as totally awesome as the old ones. Check them out in all their glory at This Old Toy. I could spend hours…we had the house, the barn and the “city”. I think we had the airplane. Always wanted the school bus and the parking garage.

What were your favorite toys growing up?

Until I can track Raggedy Ann down, I may have to appease myself with one of these new-fangled rag dolls from some artists on Etsy. So fun. Such bright colors and vibrant fabrics. I may just have to start a doll collection – except not a creepy doll collection like Marie Osmond’s. Have you seen those dolls on QVC?  Totally freaky.

But I digress. Take a looksy at these:

Ellie by PoutTPants on etsy.com, $35

Dara by PoutTPants on etsy.com, $35

Sunshine Doll – Mira by violastudio on etsy.com, $45

Henry by babybomb on etsy, $45

They’re handmade from cotton or linen with a soft corduroy sole. Perfect. And darling.

$25.

The sheep? Her name is Charlotte. And I just love her. (She’s $35.)

By Dutch company Snoozebaby, this little lovie looks ridiculously soft, with all the corners, edges, legs and tags a baby or toddler could get attached to. And it’s so forlorn-looking and funny, I keep looking at it and laughing.

The catch is this: I can’t find a U.S. retailer for Snoozebaby products. Europe, Great Britain, Australia? Sure. But no U.S.A.

So, for now, you can buy Mimi at Monsters & Munchkins for £18.00 (and I think an additional £8.00 for shipping) which totals about $40.

The Roadster Saab is classically retro, stylish and a smidgen pricey at about $400.

The Streamliner Rally comes in several colors and runs about $50.

There was a two year old boy in front of us at church this morning, with this book – Busy Bible ($39). I didn’t have a great opportunity to inspect the book (it wasn’t mine and there was Mass going on…) but it sure did keep an active toddler busy and quiet.

The book is fabric (no noisy pages turning during the quiet-est parts of the service) and each page seemed to have an action or activity. The first page, for example, was the Creation of Earth. A felt Earth was sliced into pie-shaped section which lifted up to reveal the creatures of God.

There was a page for Noah’s Ark and a page for baby Moses in his basket. Other pages include the birth of Jesus, the Good Samaritan and Jonah and the Whale. Each page has a different activity – placing animals in the Ark, lacing, snapping, buttoning and zipping among other things.

I can’t say that The Busy Bible will guarantee a silent two year old – but it will probably give you a little break from the Cheerios and walking around in the back of church that you usually do.

Or you can take a look at the options packages. A cushier seat can be a nice upgrade ($10).


Sometimes, it can be a little too sunny on walks around the neighborhood ($23.50).


Sitting up without help can be tough at times. Especially at naptime. ($10)


Or you can go a little fancier and check out the “Town and Country” model ($89.50).


Which would allow you to utilize my favorite option – the attachable cooler ($10). Do you think a bottle of wine would fit in that?

All of these (and more) available at RedWagons.com