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Our Beloved

My house is a shameful testament to excess.  I am continuously astounded by the number of toys that cover the floors and lurk in the corners of every room, biding their time until they can make their move, change the locks, and take over the entire house for good.  Through some combination of birthdays, holidays, and "mommy's bored of your current toys", they have proliferated to dangerous levels.  I'm probably breaking at least five county ordinances against clutter.

The worst part of this toy overload (aside from the fact that I really am morally against this gluttony, despite what you see in my cart at the checkout line at Target), is that many of these toys fall into the "loser" category.  That is, they held attention for a few sad hours and then have only been touched since as I move them from room to room trying to minimize their presence.  I can't wait to donate them, but I feel like I have to give my next child his swing at bat, so to speak. 

I should admit, there have been a number of really good, solid and educational toys.  I tend to remember the really expensive loser toys especially well, but in fairness, some of them are pretty good.  None as good, however, as the Fisher Price Play Family Village #997 (circa 1973). 

I think every child probably has the "perfect" toy out there that hits their sweet spot, and the Play Family Village is Jack's.  We first encountered this at my in-laws when we were visiting for the holiday's shortly before Jack turned two.   It was one of the toys they had kept from their kid's childhood and pulled out for the grandkids.   My son has a fascination with garage doors, and this toy, an un-automated plastic village with various storefronts and people, hit the big time for one reason- it has two garage doors that roll up and down.   Despite all the new Christmas gifts, cousins and holiday excitement, Jack never left the Play Family Village.   I told my mother in law that I'd never seen Jack so enamored with any toy, hoping she'd pack up the village and ship it off with us.  She said that was wonderful and told me she'd keep it safe for his next visit (rats).    I was undaunted.  I knew I'd find it on eBay.

And find it I did.  I bought a broken one with no people for $8 dollars, which is possibly the best $8 I have ever spent.  For the last 18 months, I am virtually certain not a day has gone by in which my son has not spent at least 20 minutes and maybe even hours playing with that toy.  It's even gone on vacation with us.  He takes his matchbox cars and fills up the rooms, adds stickers from Grandma, but mostly just opens and closes the garage doors.  No batteries, no noise, it's 100% (and maybe 110%) pure imagination.   Sure it's from the early 70's, but then again, so am I, and I'm a ton of fun.

I love this toy because my son loves it so much.   And should your child have a special interest in garage doors (I understand this is a reach), then this is the perfect toy!