Here Fishy, Fishy!

Ladies from 80's raise your hands! Remember this toy?

I used to have one like this when I was a kid and I remember how much fun I had catching the fish. I've been searching the malls trying to find one for my son but to no avail. There's nothing like this available at any of the known toy stores.

So, imagine my surprise as I was walking home tonight and I saw this being sold at the sidewalk for merely 25 pesos! I know the toy won't live a full life, what, with the infamous ability of my son to throw things around, or stump on toys, or use everything either like a drum or a drumstick.

But, look at the gleeful look on Johan's face and the unwavering concentration he had while fishing. This toy proved to be useful in teaching my son patience, coordination and skills. I just hope I could find a much better, for-long-term-use brand of this toy. 

If you know where I can find one, would you let me know please?

For a toy that's worth only 25 pesos, the smile on Johan's face
make it seem like it's worth way more than it really is

Johan's Best Buddy

Last Saturday, Johan received a stuffed monkey as a gift from one of my Titas. He instantly loved the toy and hugged it tight when he took it out of the wrapper.

Right after this photo was taken, Johan put the monkey aside and went inside the room to play with his cousins. I thought that's the end for the stuffed toy. But, boy, was I so wrong.

When we arrived home in Cavite, I planned on putting the monkey inside the cabinet to keep it from getting dirty. But Johan cried so hard he thought I was going to throw the monkey away! He kept on saying, "My, no, no!" and tried to take the monkey from me.

When I gave him the toy, well, just look at what Johan did:

"Ket, ket.", he used his diaper as the monkey's blanket

Sharing his milk with his new best buddy

He seemed to be having a short conversation with the monkey

Aww, love!

Getting ready to sleep

His nightly bed mate

He really loves this stuffed toy and we are yet to give him a name. Hmmm...what should we name the monkey?

His First Pair of Matchboxes

Even if I am a girl, I get excited when it comes to collecting cars, toy cars that is. That's why when my youngest brother started his collection of Tomy cars, I even helped my mom in choosing the models to add to his collection.

Now that I am a mom to a very-active 15 month old, I know that I wanted him to have his own toy car collection. Even if I know he's much too young to play with small cars, I gave in and bought his very first pair.

I don't have any pictures of Johan holding his new toys yet because he keeps on putting these cars in his mouth. I only allow him to play with his cars under very, very close supervision from me.

There will be more to come, baby. I promise.

Clay Pots of my Younger Years

I was browsing through my files when I saw these pictures that I completely forgot to blog about. These are some photos of mini clay pots and fruits that I took in January during a trip to Divisoria. I just could not resist the urge as these toys bring back tons of childhood memories.

I remember as a kid that I ask my Mom or my Lola to bring me these clay pots after their trip from the market. I would play "luto-lutuan"  with my sisters and pretend that we were serving sumptuous meals out of these pots. We usually break a few and Mama would readily buy new ones for us.

I'm just wondering, in this age of PSPs, Wii and those other gadgets, do kids still play with toys like these?