children's books, paper dolls, dress up games, children's toys, stuffed toys, paper crafts, arts and crafts

It's Time for a Bubblebration!

Welcome Spring with National Bubble Week ! In the year 2000, Oddzon, makers of Koosh Bubbles, started the first "bubblebration" on the first day of spring, and there's been a special bubble-blowing week ever since!

I think bubbles are fascinating! Not only are they magical to look at, easy to make, and fun to play around with, but the science behind a bubble is absolutely intriguing! Did you know a sphere - the shape of the classic bubble - has the smallest possible surface tension for any volume? It's so small, it's used to solve mathematical problems relating to time and space (talk about a science project!)!

For over 400 years, children all over the world have been blowing these irridescent globes of air and water and I don't think we'll be stopping anytime soon. So pull out your bubble blowers, or go get some new ones! Better yet, raid your kitchen or bathroom and make your own bubble solution, ask a grownup to make a bubble wand for you, and start blowing some magic!

She's 50!

The Complete & Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls: With Barbie & Skipper Fashions and the Whole Family of Barbie Dolls (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
50th Anniversary Barbie Glamour Doll

She’s 50 and still fabulous! She’s every fashionista’s dream. She’s a one-name wonder who’s been there and done it all! And it may be hard to imagine, much less count, but Barbie Millicent Roberts turns half a century today, March 9, 2009!
First introduced at the 1959 New York Toy Fair and invented by Mattel’s co-founder, Ruth Handler, Barbie has since captured the hearts Y and imaginations of girls everywhere. And why not? At 11.5 inches, Barbie has represented at least 45 nationalities and spanned 80 careers. Just last month, 50 designers from Vera Wang to Calvin Klein and Betsy Johnson paid tribute to toy land’s top doll by designing one-of-a kind, signature looks for Runway Barbie. Talk about power dressing!!!

So celebrate Barbie’s 50th birthday in vintage style! Take a catwalk down memory lane with a Tudy Treasure: Vintage Barbie Dolls and Fashions. It’s a fashion-filled picture book of 1960's and 70's Barbie dolls, creations, and prized accessories. It's a testimony to Barbie's enduring legacy and appeal. Barbie has always been and will always be all about creativity, imagination, self-expression, and play!

Here's to the portable, plastic icon m that started it all: Happy Birthdey, Doll!