Corolle Dolls are In!!!

At Toy Fair this year, we added the Corolle doll line to our store. We love them and know that you will too!

From their website: Corolle is located in the Loire Valley , the storybook region of France that is famous for its scenic beauty and magnificent chateaux.The Corolle design team aims to create dolls that look and feel as real as possible with faces that are often inspired by real children.And just as you would find in a haute couture fashion house, Corolle’s design studio is where a staff of professionals works to develop the Corolle look, sketching their designs and choosing the fabrics that will make them come to life.Since its founding in 1979, Corolle has won more than 30 international awards for design and play excellence, including two DOTY awards (Doll of the Year) as well as awards from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Dr. Toy and National Parenting Publications (NAPPA), among others.

- Steph

Rubik's Twist

I think this toy is a great enjoyable way to pass time. My family decided we were going on a trip and me and my brother wanted something to do in the car. My brother saw this toy and bought it with his money. Now we are playing with it like crazy. It is so cool to make creations like ball, cat, cobra, triangle, rooster, wolf, terrier, and more (these creations are way harder than you think). My brother and I made the ball in less than 21 seconds each after five days! My dad says he had lots of fun with it when he was little and now we have a great time with it too. This toy is fun and enjoyable for all ages! Hope you have fun making new creations.

-Micah, age 11

Etch a Sketch a Trip Down Memory Lane

Ah, the classic of classics: the wonderful, magical Etch a Sketch. How many hours did I wile away as a child, trying to make the perfect square, or the straightest diagonal line? How many times did I get confused going left or right or up or down? Did I ever make anything truly resembling a circle?
There was just something cool and mysterious about the Etch a Sketch. All of its wonderment was contained in an elegantly simple device. Two knobs and you could, theoretically, create a masterpiece. (I never did.) But I always enjoyed drawing and erasing and drawing again. And, trying to understand what made it work!
Well, if you want to ruin the mystery, you can get some amazing information about the Etch a Sketch, how it works and when it was invented, by checking out this Wikipedia article, here.
You can also go here to check out some amazing Etch a Sketch art, yes I said art.
When you are done with that, come to Town Square Toys and then get yourself your very own classic of classics. You can even pick up a pocket size version if you want to.
-Brian

Octopus A Plenty

Earlier in the blog, Steph mentioned that we went to Sea World. Even earlier in the blog, I talked about the Giant Pacific Octopus. Well, worlds did indeed collide. While at Sea World, the family and I saw a Giant Pacific Octopus, for real, in the aquarium. It was totally cool. I am a big fan of octopi. If you are a big fan, check out the octopi we have at Town Square Toys. I hope you find something that you like!

-Brian

A Safe Safe

Our boys are too big for a piggy bank and too young for a debit card, so we got them the steel safe by Schylling Toys. It is perfect for a child's bedroom or closet and they love it. It has a little door that opens up and they can put all their treasures inside. There is a little money drawer at the top where they keep their cash and the big compartment at the bottom can keep their special items. This comes in handy when you don't want you brother to get to your stuff - especially if you are forced to share a room with him. They have their own secret password or pin and no one can get in except the owner. There is a little bell that rings if someone "breaks" in so the owner will immediately know. If your kids are too big for a piggy bank and too young for a debit card, this is a perfect "safe" solution!!!

-Steph

Playing Doctor...

If your child aspires to be a doctor, nurse or veterinarian - why not get them a real working stethoscope by Aeromax Toys? Aeromax makes amazingly accurate costumes, like astronauts, train engineers and race car drivers. They also have a great working stethoscope! Most little doctors start out with the plastic doctor set, which is great, but often need some extra additions to the set. If they want to "listen to your heart", wouldn't it be cooler if they actually could? This perfect little stethoscope takes their pretend play to the next level. It comes in black and pink.

- Steph

Let the chores begin!!!

I hate to clean house. I don't like to use the word hate often but when it comes to cleaning house, I can honestly say I hate it. However, my children have not developed such a hate. I think the difference is I require some daily chores and my mom never did. Had I been taught to do a little everyday, maybe it wouldn't be such a drag now. If you have ever seen a 3 year old try to use an adult sized broom, then you know - having the right tools makes all the difference. There are many good child sized cleaning items on the market, but I think Schylling makes some of the best. They are good quality and have great prices. For under $20, your child could be sweeping, mopping and dusting. For an additional $23, they can also iron on a child's sized ironing board with a metal iron. (Don't worry, the iron doesn't really heat up.) The price is great and they really can work with these tools. Why not start them early and instill a love for cleanliness while they are young and eager to learn?

-Steph

Getting Wedgits

We visit a lot of toy stores. We are always curious to see what others are selling and so we go on spy missions to check out the competition. One of our favorites is in Franklin, IN and its called Imagination Station. On one of our visits there, we discovered Wedgits. I had never heard of them but they had them out on a play table and my kids were instantly hooked. We were in the store for about 30 minutes and had to tear them away! We went home and I forgot about them and then after a market trip, we were given a sample. The rep said, "Take them home, give them to the kids and then you will order them!" So, like good buyers, we did just that. And enthusiastically, soon after, we ordered them - just as she had said we would. They are "blocks" in rhombus and octahedron shapes and the stacking, nesting and aligning is endless. I looked at them and just didn't get it. My kids looked at them and instantly loved them and jumped right in building and creating new buildings, towers and structures. There are instructions included but like with Lego sets, my kids move past them very quickly. There are wheels to add on to make vehicles and advanced design card sets for many more creation plans. If you own them, you too will "get" Wedgits.

-Steph

Sea World at Home

We just got back from a trip to Sea World San Antonio. It was the first time we had taken our children and we all had a blast. While visiting the gift shop, I realized we carry almost all of the sea life figures we would need to have Sea World at home. There are sea lions, walruses, dolphins, seals, whales, sharks, eagle rays and even Shamu (killer whales)! They are great for bath tub fun or just pretending anywhere. They are small enough to take along on trips or carpooling time and hold up to the toughest kids. We are so excited to get to relive our favorite Sea World moments at home!

-Steph

A Dragon You Do Not Have To Slay

Put away your sword and lance, oh mighty knight! This legendary beast need not be slain. That is right; without an arrow being fired, you can bring home this wonderful, mythical beast. Folkmanis has created an amazing and colorful creature that your little one can control as his or her very own dragon! It is the magnificent Earth Dragon! This beast is over 19 inches tall and has a workable mouth. I am not sure which Folkmanis puppet is my favorite, but this one definitely makes the top 10. (Probably because I am a sucker for a cool dragon.)

I feel obliged to mention that although the Earth Dragon in pictured with all manner of gemstones surrounding it, we don't really keep jewels around the toy store. Sorry.

If you feel that this benevolent beast is a bit too big and brash, you might want to check out our smaller Blue Dragon. Or, if you are just going for all around cuteness, try the mini Red Dragon. It is a finger puppet!

-Brian

Say "Good Day" to "Goodnight Moon"

If you have never read the story, "Goodnight Moon," you need to as soon as you can. It is such a cute, sweet, short story. We have read it to all of our kids; it is a great bedtime story. I remember having two copies around. We had the paperback version and the smaller, board book. Each had the same story in it. It was good to have two copies. The worst thing that could happen would be to not find it when you were looking for it! Those with small children know what I mean.

Anyway, at Town Square Toys, we not only have the books, but we have other Goodnight Moon items, such as:

The Goodnight Moon Plush Bunny by Crocodile Creek
The Goodnight Moon Boardgame by Briar Patch
The Goodnight Moon Mini Cube Puzzle by Mudpuppy
The Goodnight Moon 1 2 3 Counting Board Book

and much more!

I feel the need to mention the Goodnight Moon Glow Jumbo Floor Puzzle, also by Briar Patch, because it glows in the dark and I love glow in the dark stuff.

For some interesting insights and information on the book, you can also check out this Wikipedia article.

-Brian

Reach for the Stars and Then Take a Bath

The Star Crayon by Alex Toys is a pretty cool toy. It is a plastic star, with 6 different colored crayons built into the tips. Our daughter has one that she uses regularly during bathtime. She makes the most beautiful and colorful pictures you can imagine. (Of course, I may be biased.) The drawings easily wash down the drain whenever bath time is over. But, if you are like us, we tend to leave the art up for extended periods of time.

Now, earlier this year, we had a princess party at our house. All of the princesses had lovely parting gifts to take home with them. Amongst the gifts, was a Star Crayon. They are perfectly sized for gift bags and baskets. If you are having a party in the near future, for boys or for girls, be sure to grab some of these. They would be a wonderful and colorful addition, to be sure!

You can always count on quality when you purchase any toy by Alex. We love carrying their line of toys here at Town Square Toys. Try them out; you won't be disappointed.

-Brian

Oball Mania

A soft ball full of holes that is easy to catch, safe to throw and comes in wild colors, it's Oball! These balls are so cool. Often, in Texas, it's too hot to go outside and play. My kids have a playroom and the cool thing about Oballs is that they are safe to use inside too. Little hands find them easy to throw and catch - because of the handy holes throughout. Big hands find them fun because you can get some speed on them but they won't hurt anyone you throw them at. They are perfect for playing catch, indoor basketball or just a friendly game of catch and pass. They are great for working on gross motor skills and coordination.

They come in 4 inch, 4.5 inch, 6 inch and 7.5 inch sizes. There are regular oballs as well as jellies which have a cool jelly finish, like those shoes from the 80's. There is also a football and a recent addition is rattles.

The REAL Reason for Easter

Easter is not just about ducks and bunnies! Easter is a time when I celebrate the resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ. He had been arrested (see Matthew 27) and falsely accused. He had been led to a cross where He was crucified. He lay in the tomb for 3 days and then he AROSE (see Matthew 28:2-6). This is THE story. He came to die for my sins, He bore my sins on that cross and He rose again as a testimony of who He was – who He is to me. He is my Lord. During this Easter, let’s focus on Him!

Owning a toy store often finds me thinking about how many people view holidays. However, I know THE reason for Christmas and Easter. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. He left His heavenly home to come to earth to be a human example to us and to teach us how to live our lives and to suffer and die on the cross to bear my sins, your sins. Easter is about His resurrection from the dead and how that gives us hope for eternal life with Him in heaven. Yes, we sell ducks and bunnies in our store and we buy our kids gifts at Christmas time, but we also teach them the real reason for Christmas and Easter. It’s ALL about Him!

If you would like to talk more about this, please let me know. If you need some ducks and bunnies, you can find them in our store. But my heart is that you also NEVER forget who it is all about!

Steph

2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:2-6

Blood and Guts

I am not a fan of battle. First of all, I’m a girl. Secondly, it is scary. Thirdly, I’m a girl! I would rather everyone just get along and be happy with one another. However, I am a grown up and I realize that it’s not that easy and battle has occurred and will continue to occur. I also have a husband and 2 boys who have fighting in their DNA. I know that it’s on the boy gene. I’ve read Bringing Up Boys! So, if they are going to fight – we might as well give them accurate toys! I am a home school mom too and anytime we can throw a little history into the mix, we should.

I have not found any knights better than Schleich. They are hand painted models that are 1:20 in scale. They have knights with different colors so that one boy can be the fleur knights and one can be the lion knights. The horses coordinate in color as well. You could also go with crusader versus black knights. These could be introduced right along with a history unit on medieval times and battle techniques. There are other battle machines like battering rams, catapults and quintain. My kids have a huge bucket of Schleich knights and horses and they love setting up elaborate battles. And, since it’s done in miniature form, this cuts down on the plastic sword and light saber fighting in real life…so it’s a win win!