Random Thoughts: Toy Story

Hello friends! My house is finally together again. Not a lot of news to report this week. I've mostly been reading about, listening to, and watching the election coverage, being the huge dork educated citizen that I am. It is taking every ounce of willpower I have to not write a lengthy post detailing my wise opinions on the issues at hand. For the time being I will stick to lighter, more pleasant topics... such as the warm weather and teaching Christa to sit up. She has finally embraced her Bumbo seat and will tripod for a few seconds. She has 6 month pictures scheduled in a couple of weeks, and I'd love it if she were sitting up by then. If not, that's OK too; I'm in no hurry for her to grow up.

Even though you're not going to be privy to my political wisdom (unless you call me on the phone, in which case I will happily talk your ear off about it), I will share my thoughts on yet another worldly topic that I think is especially fitting with Christmas having just passed. Today's topic is: Why do you need the jaws of life to open children's toys? I spent more time ripping apart cardboard, untangling wire, and throwing things against the wall in frustration the week after Christmas than I ever could have imagined. Every single toy had thick wire in a bazillion different places, permanently attaching the toy that I needed to keep to the cardboard I wanted to throw away. And each wire, once it was untangled, failed to fit through the microscopic plastic holes on the toy that it must have been magically inserted through. Furthermore, there was thick, clear plastic that I also wanted to throw away that was affixed to the toy in such a way that scissors, knives, and super-human strength were no match. Why do companies do this to parents? I understand the concept of preserving the quality and appearance of toys and preventing small parts from somehow getting out of the packaging before purchase. But isn't there a happy medium between a paper sack and a restraint system suitable for a crash test dummy? Just my two cents.

I'll post some pictures next time. I just got my first set of prints back from Wal-Mart, and although the pictures are good, the background is much much darker than it appears on the viewfinder and computer. I'm hoping this is a printing issue. As always, I welcome any insight into this situation. Have a great week!