| The world as we know it is really messed up. Mattel | | | | as a teacher, on horseback, as a gymnast, a ballet |
| and Fisher Price, the very people who brought us | | | | dancer as well as modeling her annual Christmas |
| Tickle-Me-Elmo as the toy of the season last | | | | outfit. You can buy her dressed in costumes |
| Christmas, have allowed some of America's babies to | | | | representing countries around the world. Barbie loves |
| play with and put in their little mouths, toys painted | | | | Tickle-Me-Elmo as much as the kids do. She comes |
| with lead paint. I do accept the explanation that their | | | | packaged with a little copy of him. She wears a |
| executives set guidelines for the factory owners in | | | | picture of him on her shirt and carries a purse with |
| China. Part of the directive was don't use lead paint, | | | | him peeking from the front of it and his face is on |
| however someone should have followed up on that. | | | | her belt buckle. He giggles when you press his tummy |
| This is not a case of putting the wrong labels on | | | | just as the big acrobatic one does. The only warning |
| clothing and not having it fit the American baby. This | | | | on the box says "WARNING May Cause |
| is an extreme danger to the little toddlers. How ironic | | | | Uncontrollable Laughter." I hope that indicates we |
| that parents are buying educational toys - that may | | | | don't have to worry about lead paint on this toy. |
| cause brain damage if - change that to when - they | | | | Let's create a fictitious little girl about six years old. |
| put them in their mouths. It will be some time before | | | | For fun we'll name her Ruby Doo. She loves her |
| the company regains the trust of the American public. | | | | Elmos (and I say Elmos since there is the first Elmo |
| On the positive side, Fisher Price/Mattel has brought | | | | from ten years ago, the Chicken Dance Elmo, the |
| us that amazing Tickle-Me-Elmo. He can laugh, kick his | | | | Hokey Pokey Elmo who sits next to the Elmo who |
| feet in the air after falling on his back. He can then | | | | simply is stuffed and soft and looks cute. He must be |
| roll over and stand up all by himself. He even does a | | | | named old-fashioned Elmo. She lines them up and |
| somersault. All this with one arm attached to his | | | | plays with one every now and then. This week |
| body. Did I mention that he can talk. I cannot praise | | | | though it is her Barbie doll house and little sister |
| him enough for his comedic value. Back to the | | | | Chrissy who keep her busy. I'm not sure which |
| negative. That Barbie is still a sexy little thing for the | | | | companies make all the craft toys but they are |
| three to seven year old set. Sure her hair is beautiful | | | | wonderful and she loves making things with them. |
| and I believe she dumped Ken last year, but she still | | | | But the latest advance that has mothers sighing with |
| has her feet permanently ready to slip in to high | | | | relief is the finger painting book which sells with paint |
| heels. She has definitely raised her aspirations from | | | | that won't show up except on the paper it was |
| wanting to settle down in her townhouse with Ken | | | | intended to show up on. I think it is made by Crayola. |
| and drive around in her convertible with her hair | | | | I don't know how she or he did it but the employee |
| flowing behind her. Barbie has evolved into a modern | | | | who invented this deserves a big raise. From the |
| girl. You will find her on the shelf at your favorite | | | | mothers of America, we don't know what your |
| store wearing her white lab coat as she cares for | | | | name is but thank you - thank you - thank you.. |
| animals in her Veterinarian persona. She has appeared | | | | |