Made in USA: Toy Edition

If you read my previous post, you know I am on a Buying American kick. Let me tell you, it is CHALLENGING!

Let me first clarify that I am NOT throwing out my Samsung smart phone, the Nintendo Wii, trading in my Kia and clearing out my closet for American made clothes only. Countries have traded goods for thousands of years and trade can be good for the economy. But I would like to do my part and Buy American goods when at all possible. 

I had no idea how difficult this was going to be. And the real challenge was finding toys for my kids for Christmas.

When I first considered what to buy the kids for Christmas (before my MADE IN THE USA kick started), I was thinking LeapPads and Wii games, Barbies for Emma, plus a few Cars 2 toys for the boys. But after my new resolution, those things obviously would not do.

So, I went hunting online. At www.americansworking.com I found a directory of American made toys. After sifting through all of their listings, here is what I came up with:

You've heard of Pillow Pets? Meet Pillow Puppets! I thought these were very cute. This is the one I got for Mann. These are made in Vermont by Vermont Teddy Bear. They also make personalized teddy bears. Very cute stuff on their website. http://www.vermontteddybear.com/ (These were $19.99 each)

This is the one I got for Emma. Obviously, these can serve the same purpose as the Pillow Pets!

I spent a good chunk of money at Holgate Toys. http://www.holgatetoy.com/

I loved these Handeez cars. My kids spend a lot of time racing cars and trucks around the house on their knees. These little wooden cars actually have a place for their hands to go, for easy maneuvering! And they are cute! I got one for each child. ($9.99 each)

I also picked up some basic wood blocks for Emma. She loves to build and these are so classic! We can talk about the letters and animals as she plays. ($16)

This is a tanker truck that I got for Mann. ($19.99)

Daniel is into race cars at the moment and he actually caught me looking at this one and so we put it on his list for Santa to bring. ($9.99)

Very simple, but sturdy. That's what I loved about all of these toys from Holgate. They are all made of wood and made to last a lifetime. This toy company has been around since 1789! The history nerd in me finds that totally awesome. That is the year the US Constitution was written!!!

When I cleaned out the kids' toys a month ago, I threw away toys that were only a year or two old because they had broken. And so many of my kids toys require batteries and make obnoxious noise. All of these toys encourage creative and fantasy play. They have to make their own little truck and race car noises, which I would much rather hear than a blaring siren over and over again. Kids are so "plugged in" today, I thought these were a refreshing change.

 

Buying American toys is especially easy if you have young boys. Wood blocks and trucks were easy to find.

 

 Girl toys were a completely different story. I was unsuccessful with finding a doll for Emma. Every doll was either imported or way too expensive. For example, Cabbage Patch dolls with the original face are American made and $199, while you can buy the vinyl faced ones for much less and they are Made in China. (The one shown here is an original and is priced at $245, but made in the US. For $245, I am pretty sure I would never let Emma's sticky little fingers touch it!)

 

 

 

American Girl Dolls? Those are made in China as well. Sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it?

 

I gave up on the doll search online and searched through Emma's room and found this. Meet "Baby." This was my doll that I have had since I was an infant. She was made in 1980, in the good 'ol USA. She is sporting a handmade outfit sewn by my grandmother, Mary Spurgeon. So, as it turned out, Emma has a irreplaceable doll, made in America. I just wish I could buy her one to hand down to her daughter that didn't have "CHINA" printed on the back of her head.

 

But again, we aren't trashing everything imported. My family is buying the kids some more Wii games and the new Cars 2 movie and they will be thrilled. But I really feel like they will be excited about their new toys on Christmas morning, too. I hope they are! Stay tuned.....

 

PS - Both Little Tikes and Step 2 toys have some of their products made in the USA, but others imported, so check the label. You may be pleasantly surprised.

You might also check out these sites:
http://www.toysofusa.com/
http://www.usmadetoys.com/

My Newest Kick!

Those who know me well know that I tend to get on certain "kicks" that can last anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months.

For example, a few months ago, I was determined to prove that cell phones were not an essential item and that we could save money by just using a land line. This idea lasted for a matter of weeks....and then I discovered that you cannot even find a pay phone anywhere anymore!

Another kick I got on was cloth diapering. For 6 months, Daniel was a cloth diapered baby. I even bought all newborn cloth diapers for Mann's arrival. And then all of my family and friends went out and bought a years worth of disposable diapers for Mann, and I took this as a polite reminder that while I was on the cloth diapering bandwagon, they were not. Plus shortly after having Mann, I went back to work and cloth diapering is not really feasible for a working mom.

So, what's the newest kick, you ask?! Buying American!!!

This week, in my Texas History class, we were talking about how the Mexican government put tariffs on all American goods coming into Texas so that the Texan settlers would buy Mexican goods instead. In every single class, I would have a student raise his or her hand and we would have a conversation that went something like this:

Student: "What about the goods coming from China?"

Mrs. Scott: "Well, while there was some trade with China during the 1830s, most of the Texas settlers wanted to get their goods from the United States."

Student: "But why? All of the good stuff is made in China."

So, after having this conversation 7 times in one day, the next day I decided to do a little activity. I challenged the students to find 1 article of clothing they were wearing that was made in the US. I had several students jump up proudly, sporting their "American Eagle" hoodies and "Under Armor" shirts, saying "Mine is made here!!!" (without checking the tags, of course.) It was honestly amusing to watch their little faces when they discovered that their "American" attire was made in Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Out of 150 students, I had 8 total that could find an article of clothing made in the USA. That's 5% of my students.

A little more research on my part, and I discovered that 97% of our apparel is made in a foreign country. So, actually my students were doing better than I might have expected.

I am not pointing the finger at all. My shirt that day was from Vietnam, my pants from China, my shoes from Italy. But I did proudly wear a necklace and earrings that were my mother's and had both been made by Native Americans in New Mexico. You don't get more "American" than that! Haha!

So, now I am checking labels and doing my part to try and keep some of our money in the US!

I found this neat website I wanted to share that has a directory of American made products. It is:

http://americansworking.com/

As I do some more research, I will continue to share my findings...that is, until I get wrapped up on a new kick! ;)

My Interest in Pinterest!

I am loving Pinterest. It is an online pin board, where people can post and share pictures of things that they like. You will see everything from pictures of hairstyles and outfits to home decor and design to crafty ideas. It is also a teacher's dream because there are tons of neat ideas for the classroom as well.

I don't consider myself a crafty person at all, but already I have tried a few ideas I have found on Pinterest.

For Halloween, we made Hershey Bar mummies to take to our friends at school and a pumpkin pound cake to share as well!

Today we made handprint turkeys to give to our grandparents for Thanksgiving.

Last night, I found this hairstyle that I LOVE!

Although Seth says it is too short, I may just do it anyway! :)

I have often thought that technology is bad for families, but I can honestly say that Pinterest has given me so many great ideas of things I can do with my kids.

If you haven't checked it out, you MUST!

http://pinterest.com

My Little Tomboy

Is there hope for my little girl?

Being the little sister of two brothers isn't easy. I have bought the dresses and bows....and this is what she prefers to look like. I love that she is rough and tough, but I hope that from somewhere under all of this rumble tumble a little lady will emerge someday...maybe???

Yes, she rode her bike into the

bathroom for bath time.

Your kids are who they are. We can mold them and shape them into good Christians, but at the end of the day, Emma Jo would rather wear Mann's clothes than her own!

And I wouldn't change her for a million bucks! :)





Make Us Courageous

"The only way we will ever stand is on our knees with lifted hands."

These words are from the Casting Crowns song "Courageous." This is also an inspirational movie that I have not yet had to time to see, but maybe when it comes out on DVD, I will get the chance.

I have spent alot of time praying for my husband over these last few months. He has some important decisions to make in the coming months. The path he choses will affect all of us.

Seth has never been outwardly....well, outwardly anything...he is a very private person, so I don't wish to aire his business here, but just ask for prayers for our family, as change is inevietable.

"Seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God."

Give it Up!

Did you give up anything for Lent?

I promised to give up carbonated beverages, but have already slipped up! In my defense, it wasn't really my fault! My mother-in-law was kind enough to bring me lunch yesterday at school and with it she brought me a Coke Zero. I mean, it would have been impolite not to drink it! And it was a Coke ZERO! No calories! ;)

One of my friends from high school gave up Facebook. I have done this before and hated losing touch with people.

Technology is great for keeping in touch with people, but it can also tear us apart.

I have to admit, I am guilty of wanting to finish a text message to a friend or my update on facebook, while one of my children is trying to get my attention. I have been on my cell phone when I could be talking to my husband. Yes, I am in touch with others, but I may be losing touch to those closest to me.

I love my Blackberry. I receive my emails from both my personal and work accounts. I have apps to news, Bible readings, movies, facebook (of course!) and all sorts of things I don't even hardly use.

I tried to convince Seth that he needed a Blackberry or some type of smartphone, but he had no interest in upgrading. As long as he can text and make phone calls, he is happy.

I have to admit I feel a little guilty paying more for my cell phone service because I like the convinience of having a Blackberry.

I have considered downgrading, but there are things that do keep in me in touch with others that I would miss! I love being able to take a picture of my babies on my phone and sent it to facebook for all of my friends and family to see with a push of a few buttons. I am much more likely to do my Bible reading on my phone than in my actual Bible because of its portability. I can read it while I am waiting to get my oil change or during my conference at school.

So am I going to give up my Blackberry? Not likely. But do I need to learn to put it down and put my family first? Definitely!

Now, back to those carbonated beverages. I am reaffirming my ban on them until Easter, and hopefully I can eventually completely kick the habit!

My Hats

I wear all sorts of hats. Really, I am not a hat person, but I wear three main hats.

Wife, mother, teacher.

I tend to keep my mommy hat on most of the time. It's hard not to, with three little ones, someone is always needing something from mommy. And, of course, at school the teacher hat stays on most of the day.

But when do I put on my wife hat? I have to admit, it's getting pretty dusty from not being worn much. When we are busy, it's hard to make time for each other. And privacy is not something that exists at our house because it is a concept that is still being grasped by our little ones. I definitely need to work on dusting off my wife hat everyday to give my husband some more attention. I know he deserves it!

But what if I wanted to change hats completely? It's also easy to want to wear the same hats all of the time. I get into the routine of life and am comfortable with the hats I wear.

But I have felt pulled to try on a totally different hat. One that is not comfortable. One that is unfamiliar.

I guess it would be easier to keep my same hat on. After all, it's broken in and I know how it fits.

But for some reason this other hat keeps nagging me. "You know you have always wanted to wear me. What's stopping you? You'll never know how right I can feel until you try me on!"

Are you as confused as I am? Good! Now you know how I feel! :)