The Favorite Toy

A friend of mine recently celebrated her son’s sixth birthday. Her little boy wanted a certain present and nothing else in this world would do. Her story reminded me of a birthday I celebrated when I was back in elementary school. I knew what I wanted for my birthday. I’d seen it on TV and I was determined to have it, do or die. My parents took me to Toy R Us on my birthday and I ran over to the isle displaying the toy of my dreams. My parents were stunned when they saw what it was—especially my father. He tried to talk me out of getting it, in fact, but I would not budge. No one could have been happier than I was as we walked away with my newly purchased toy. I slept with it, took baths with it and took it with me everywhere I went. Over time, I literally loved it to pieces. Its head eventually fell off and that was the end of it. I was infinitely sad over its loss (even if my father wasn’t). So what was this favorite childhood gift? Click the link below to see the original commercial that lead me to covet this oh so wonderfully desirable toy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdS9ZJ_Wf4k

I look back in hindsight and can only ask one question: WHAT WAS I THINKING?

A Few of My Favorite Internet Videos

What did we do for mindless amusement before YouTube came along? If I’m not careful this addictive web site will suck me in. Hours later, when my spleen hurts too much from laughing to go on any longer, I’ll reluctantly pull myself away. If you have a few hours to spare sometime—try out some of my YouTube favorites. But only if your spleen is up for it.

Guitar and Marionette - www.metacafe.com/watch/189341/guitar_and_marionette/

Worlds Biggest Marionette Doll - http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-d604qgmBPlo/worlds_biggest_marionette_doll/ (A little creepy, but facinating all the same.)

Numa Numa - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60og9gwKh1o (This one never gets old no matter how many times I watch it.)

Mentos and Diet Coke - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKoB0MHVBvM&feature=related (These people have way too much time on their hands.)

Free Hugs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4 (Suddenly I need a hug.)

Extremely Funny - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuMMfgWhm3g (Watch your spleen with this one.)

Treadmill Dance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeeR4Vnvs8U (Way too much free time here as well.)

Is this a Real Fairy? You decide. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGZJFK7-R0A&feature=related

Damon Scott with Monkey (Bubbles) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wWncO0m00 (I will never see Michael Jackson in the same light again.)

Paul Potts Performace - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA (They were ready to mock this brave man’s dream—but he brought down the house.)

Battle at Krugar National Park - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM (Lions vs. Crocodile vs. Baby Buffalo's family. You have to watch the whole thing--you will not believe this!)

Baby Panda Sneezes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRH3iTQPrk

If you know any extra good ones post them in comments. : )

Great Young Adult Books

For those more mature readers out there, here are a few of my favorite young adult books. (Caution to parents: Due to thematic elements some of these books might not be as appropriate for younger readers.)

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle
Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle
Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede
Life as We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer
Children of the River by Linda Crews
I, Coriander by Sally Gardiner
Mairlon the Magician by Patricia C. Wrede
The Third Eye by Lois Duncan
Other Side of Dark by Lois Duncan
The Thief (series) by Megan Whalen Turner
Amulet of Samarkand (trilogy) by Jonathan Stroud
Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Girl Who Invented Romance by Caroline B. Cooney
Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey
Storyteller’s Daughter by Cameron Dokey
Golden by Cameron Dokey
Sunlight and Shadow by Cameron Dokey
I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade by Diane Wilson
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan
Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher
Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery
Beauty by Robin McKinley
The Cay by Theodore Taylor
The Mennyms by Slyvia Waugh
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen
East by Edith Pattou
Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy
Unrivaled Spangles by Karen Wallace
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Rivka’s Way by Teri Kanefield
Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley
Lord of the Nutcracker Men by Iain Lawrence
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley
Little Sister by Kara Dalkey
Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Giver by Lois Lowry