The scene at a family yard sale a few years ago. I parted with the Barbie Corvette despite all of our great rides together.
We’re the generation that grew up with “Toy Story.” I was 9 years old when the first movie was released, still playing with a few toys. At 13 years old, the second movie was released, as I started deciding which toys were the ones I wanted to hang onto, which ones should go to the yard sale. At 24, the third movie concluded Andy’s childhood — and my own. Andy gave his toys to cute little Bonnie, as he drove off to college. I parted with my holiday Barbies last year, one of my last Barbie collections. (OK, I actually still have some Barbie plates, too. Only because I’ve been unsuccessful in selling them.)
During my college years, I also parted with my Barbie Corvette (see picture above) and even Barbie trading cards. Before you think my pre-teen life revolved around Barbie (which, let’s face it, it pretty much did), I also sold my collection of American Girl dolls (remember those?), Disney snow globes and random stuffed animals.
Yes, I’ve opted to sell everything. Mostly because my tiny apartment doesn’t have room for such collections, but also because I’ve decided to put crafting supplies, small kitchen appliances and toolboxes in its place (big-girl toys).
Before you think I’m cold-hearted and emotionless (a regular Burgermeister Meisterburger), you should know I’ve shed a tear every time I’ve said goodbye to Molly, Addy and Samantha; Barbie 1, 2, 3, 14, 38 …; and stuffed Pongo (from ’101 Dalmations’). I always hope the toys are going to children who will love them unconditionally like I have. At least, until the kids turn 20.
What have you done with your old toys? Are they in your mom’s attic? Your own attic? Are you saving them for your kids? Or have you parted ways?
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Share your misfit toy stories here (by Nov. 30).
Toys aren’t the only things we miss about being a kid. We miss naps, too.
We can still remember our tween days (before there was such a thing as a “tween”), and see Hanson in concert.
Love that sign on the Corvette — good marketing