Category: alipyper likes to play

Look who came to play today! Fru Dahle from Norway has come to play with my fairy family for spooky All Hallows’ Eve. Made by Emily of Ravenhill (who sadly is no longer blogging or selling her super cute matroyshka dolls. Boo hoo hoo!).

When Emily closed her shop in January of this year, I promptly ordered Fru Dahle (1) because she’s amazingly cute, (2) because I had wanted one of Emily’s matroyshka dolls for quite some time and I shuddered to think that I wouldn’t be able to order a doll if I didn’t act very fast, and (3) Dahle is the Norwegian family name of my maternal great-grandmother!! It is also {K}’s middle name! So it seemed like fate that Fru Dahle should come to live with our family.

But, alas! Even though Emily sent her to us in January, Fru Dahle decided to gallivant across the globe, visiting all the places that I’m sure I’d wish to go, and making me cry a very sad Boo Hoo, because not only had Emily closed her shop and wasn’t making any more deliciously darling matroyshka dolls anymore, but I thought that Fru Dahle didn’t want to come live with us!

But, Fru Dahle DID want to live with us and she arrived safe and sound and she is now comfortably housed with the Fairy Family and they are planning what costumes to wear for Halloween.

For other darling matroyshka dolls, visit here, here, or here. Enjoy!

My little sister Sarah came over with her kids and we carved pumpkins out in the autumn sunshine. Luckily, she was willing to help the kids clean out the pumpkins while I provided logistical, photographic,and design support. Sorry, but cleaning pumpkin guts makes me gag.

I think all the kids did a bang up job!

 {G} is definitely into simple, statement pumpkins…last year she carved a mustache.This year? Cat eyes.

{I}’s pumpkin says, “The soda tastes good.” Apparently this is an inside joke with his cousin?

And {K} left some guts hanging inside for the extra gross factor.

We’re ready for the spookiness to begin!

You MUST read about how Megan created this dollhouse. Truly inspiring!

I LOVE dollhouses. A big wooden diorama to create story after story with. Allowing a child to manage and organize chaos on a miniature scale.

Poppenvilla Dollhouse by Liliane via Handmade Charlotte

Infinitely changeable.

Sarah Jane Dollhouse

Dollhouses can be tricky. They are often a huge investment of space in a child’s room or playroom. You also have to consider how to store the dollhouse furniture, accessories and dolls. But, in terms of play payoff, I think they are definitely worth it.

Make your own Cardboard Dollhouse!

Kapla 280 pc Set

Box of all available colors

Deceptively simple, these proportionate, natural, wooden rectangle planks can be combined in endless ways to create gravity defying structures.

Amazing!

Designed by a man who experimented with small planks to help him visualize his own building project, they are used in the French educational system to help children learn proportion, balance, patience, focus, geometry, physics, and art.

Yellow/Green Planks

One of my favorite toys is Automoblox.

2012 A9-r Sports Sedan

Amazing, award winning design, beautiful materials, ingenious play possibilities, and fun for girls and boys.

Highcroft Trailer Set

In both the large and mini sizes, these toy cars are super cool.

Mini A9-s, X9-x, M9 3-pack

I have no affiliation with Automoblox, I just love their cars!

Right now, until Monday October 10, 2010, Automoblox is offering 25% off EVERYTHING on their website! Coupon code: fallsale.

AND, they are offering free ground shipping on orders of $75 and more. Coupon code: ship75.

See website for details.

As many of you know, I’m somewhat of a toy snob. My oldest daughter still whole heartedly believes in Santa Claus because she knew at a very young age, without any doubt, that her mother would NEVER, EVER give her a Barbie for Christmas :). Toys that didn’t meet my standards were quietly and quickly disposed of (to good will, of course).

Nikki Baby Blue from Kathe Kruse

The occasional kids meal from a fast food restaurant was ordered WITHOUT the toy, thank you very much.

Shopping Net with Wooden Vegetables from Haba

The dog eared magazine that’s been carried around in my bag for the last month? A toy catalog…that I drool over, despite the fact that my youngest child would BARELY play with anything that I might order from it.

Balancing Cactus from Plan Toys

One of my favorite professors in college said that children at play are at their “work.” What they’re doing at the youngest age is making sense of the world around them and preparing themselves for an adult life. Take a mental inventory…What are your children learning from the toys in your home?

Gourmet Chef Kitchen from Educo

I’m always on the lookout for great toys. Toys that are beautiful, interesting, well made, multifunctional and open ended, leaving it for the child’s imagination to determine it’s many uses. Most toys labeled “educational,” are most definitely NOT educational.

Wooden Blocks from Kapla

So I thought that every Tuesday I would try and share a great toy that I’ve come across. Even if you’re not buying toys for your own children, you might be thinking about toys for friends and co-workers children or your grandchildren.

What are the toys that you’ve loved the best for your own children?

Which ones have stood the test of time and which ones would you save for your grandchildren?