A little thrifty fun
Stephen suggested the idea of tagging along to my (almost) weekly Saturday morning trip to the thrift shop. I think my mouth actually dropped open and I stuttered as I tried to find the words to express my amazement and absolute joy. A family thrifting adventure?! Now this could be exciting.
I wasn't in search of anything special. There's such a turnaround at this little thrift shop that I really never have any idea what I will find. We were delighted to find that it was a half-off day. When I spied a little film camera in the "vintage" section (I don't know if I would exactly call this vintage), I knew it would be coming home. Ever since I can remember, the little one has wanted my camera. So I thought perhaps this could work as a decoy.
She loves it. Really loves it. I found two old canisters of film to use in it too. She took a whole roll (24 photos) of the rug. Flash and all. But oh what fun it was to see her really enjoying herself.
There were the blue shoes I couldn't resist. Shoes are usually the only thing I will not buy used, but these were in great condition and really well made. Still a bit big, but as you can see above she insisted on wearing them. We've discovered they're great for tapping.
And then there was the slide in the toy room. Now, most of you probably know we are not fans of plastic toys. We only have one: a toy cell phone purchased a month ago for entertainment on a long car ride. It worked, but I admit to actually confessing to the lady behind the cash register that this was our "first plastic toy ever." She looked at me in amazement as if to say, "what else are toys made out of??" But we spotted this slide and Stephen the little one fell in love.
It ended up in our car a few minutes later and now resides in our dining room. Hey, I guess it's all about making the long Maine winters a little more bearable. And besides, it kind of goes with the swing.
oh what a great idea bringing the slide inside! I think I will go out to the shed to retrive and clean up ours. On second thought, I might wait until my husband gets home & ask him to do it...as there is 17 inches of snow on the way to the shed!
We are got my 3 year old an "old" (read:film) camera for his birthday in February...I am looking foward to see what the pictures turn out to be!
Posted by: Heather W | January 15, 2008 at 09:25 AM
oh dear I just re-read my comment...please forgive my lack of proof reading
note to self: do not let 18 month old "help" while typing...it results in horrible grammer..."we are got my three year old..."
oh dear...
Posted by: Heather W | January 15, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Great finds! I think I might make my way over to our thrift store today, I'm inspired!
Posted by: Dawn | January 15, 2008 at 10:48 AM
LOVE the shoes... and that's funny that they're calling a film camera vintage... oh what our children will miss!!
Posted by: kate | January 15, 2008 at 11:12 AM
isa just inherited a camera too! we got a new one (a fancy one, yippee!) and now she is allowed to play with the point and shoot digital... she's all about the instant gratification of seeing the new pic in the view finder!
Posted by: blair | January 15, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I never really realized how much e looks like stephen. kind of uncanny, i'm thinking now. ok, i have a kicking screaming almost 2 year old on my hands right now.xo
Posted by: Grace | January 15, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I discovered you via (I think)Grace's blog a few weeks ago - I enjoy it very much. I just had to comment on this one. We too have a slide in our house in the winter - home is the Interior of Alaska. Although we have more plastic than I'd like the slide is essential. I think I will add hanging a swing to my husband's weekend chores.
Posted by: Peggy | January 15, 2008 at 12:31 PM
great finds, erin! the shoes are really darling. and that slide is one of the only plastic toys at our house too -- handed down from the neighbor. it's been outside collecting snow, and i'm thinking it's now time to bring it on it. the winters are absurdly long here as well!
Posted by: cloth.paper.string | January 15, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I too go thirifting (every other) Saturday morning. My husband came along on one visit, and now he is hooked as well :) I love the shoes, and E looks so sweet looking out behind her new camera!
Posted by: Nicole | January 15, 2008 at 02:03 PM
*super* cute pictures! Neat finds! I love when our whole family can get out together, too.
Posted by: Melissa | January 15, 2008 at 03:22 PM
I love the pictures of your babe with the camera. too Cute!
Posted by: randi | January 15, 2008 at 11:42 PM