Thursday, May 28, 2009

Rockin' Memories....



I found this vintage beauty today at a garage sale, I had the chance to go out for an hour or two and I did pretty well. This toy brought back many fine memories and will find a place in the next room I will re-do, and that is going to be the "toy room". I plan to furnish the room as a guest room, but decorate shelves with all the bright vintage toys (mostly Fisher-Price) and books that I've saved over the years from my kids, and with the few I had from my childhood (also Fisher-Price). I have plans for it to be bright, colorful, and a happy grandchild magnet (someday)! I love the colors of vintage toys, and the bright and happy memories associated with them even more.

I remember when I bought one of these for my first little one, taking off the packaging and handing it to her. It was something I remembered having around when I was young and I knew she would like it, too. I remember the widening of her eyes, as she innocently showed the enchantment with the bright colors. And she must have been a genius (I thought!) when she figured out which one to put on the pole in the correct order.

Time spent with your little one and a few toys on a blanket on the floor or on the lawn is great for both mom and baby, and they will someday become the most precious memories we take with us into later years. Why can't I think of those days without misty eyes?

I see a little chubby girl with pretty light brown hair that smelled like Johnson's baby shampoo and a pair of pink corduroys and a pastel striped turtleneck tucked into the pants. A little rounded belly, and white Stride-Rite walking shoes peeking out from the pant legs. An emerging tooth was causing drool to fall as she concentrated on her toy.


I remember admiring the perfect way her long eyelashes lay on the chubby cheeks, the beauty of the complexion she was given, and was in awe at the miniature little pink fingernails on her perfect petite fingers as they busily performed complex tasks, listening to her breathe just a little bit heavier when in intense concentration or bending over to reach for the next ring. I loved to listen to her "talk" and look into the blue, blue eyes and rub the top of the soft little head with the fine hair that I loved to smell, to comb, to curl around my finger.

I remember the "falling in love" part of being a parent, getting to know that child, what would make her laugh, where on her little belly to tickle to elicit the best throaty giggle, learning that she most decidedly did NOT like the feel of the grass on her little bare feet. I will never be sorry for taking time as a new parent, to sit still in our plain newlywed-style living room and get to know our little ones intimately, just with a blanket and a few toys. We would talk, laugh softly, get a book and settle down and just read and look at pictures and point to the objects in them and play back and forth with toys, fingers, or toes.

The joys in life are the simple things, like this toy, so simple and bright!

11 comments:

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love these special memories, too! Thanks for sharing!

Valerie said...

Beautiful post! It hasn't been that long since I inhaled tha baby smell and I still get to curl those baby fine curls around my fingers.

Mary & Ben's rocking stacker doesn't have quite as many beautiful colors...I don't know that they make it that tall/big anymore! Oh well...

Thanks for the reminder of such wonderful times,
Val

Ali said...

Thats IT! This computer is getting turned OFF during the day! I have been taking my time at home with my little guy for granted and its time I really focus on him and us again. I have let time get away from me and before I know it he will be all grown up (I have been doing better the past week, but not good enough)! Thanks for posting this, it seems I can never get too many reminders. And I remember having that toy as a kid, I wanted to get one for Jimmy but had to settle for the new version that only has 5 rings. I am always on the lookout for those great toys I remember too. I actually found the old FP school house at the flea market, but I passed it up. I wish I would have gotten it now! Ah well =)

Feedsack Fantasy said...

Precious post ... TY for sharing. I, too, remember those same feelings, the precious child, the sweet smells. TTFN ~ Marydon

savvycityfarmer said...

My kiddies had alot of FP ... miss the good old days and those sturdy, non sexy toys!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Beautiful post my friend...trip also down memory lane for me today...May you have a great weekend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Donna said...

Awwwww...Sweet post Miz Joni!! I'll bet I bought 20 of these things for the kids!!
Happy weekend sweetie!hughugs

Mary said...

Dear Joni;
I remember a little girl with blond hair and big blue eyes that loved to creep over to a shelf filled with folded fabric, lace and ribbon and take down the contents with such an air of accomplishment! Then she'd look at her little cousin with the huge brown eyes and tell him in her own language which fabric she liked best. It's ne wonder in later years she made me a lap quilt and pillow for her aunt. I remember chubby little hands holding the teal and orange "Pokey and Gumby" figures, and saying"I got Pokey. I got Gumby. See my Pokey an' Gumby?" Tell him today I hope his surgery went well, and I am enjoying this trip down memory lane! And, I haven't forgotten your youngest, with his soft hair in his cuddly pajama's shooting milk across the room! Hee hee!

Gena said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I also didn't know they had stopped making the Rock a Stack. I am sad. My baby is 10 and she had the hand-me-downs from the other children.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Tracy said...

Those toys are timeless.

After reading this post I'm so happy that I'm going to visit my daughter at college tomorrow for the weekend. I missed her before and I miss her all of the time...but now I really miss her!

aimee said...

Good memories like those are priceless!
I so wish there were more toys made here in the States these days; makes me wish I had kept more of my kids toys around so their babies could enjoy them now-- but who would have guessed 'Made in the USA' would be so hard to find? Sigh.
Blessings, Aimee
PS: Loved the misty AM walk--would you consider trading us for sunshine and warm weather? Just a day or two ya know then I'll need the sun back:)!