The Most Awesome Letter Ever.

Things We Like

*My apologies for this going up early and unfinished friends!  But here is the final post! Thanks for understanding!*

Remember when professionals used to come to your classroom and talk about their jobs.  It was always so inspiring. I remember a nurse coming into my classroom and handing out special Raggedy Ann band-aids and I was so sure I’d be a nurse from that day on! I remember writing her a letter and included a sweet picture of a lady in a nurses uniform.

It’s nice to see that this tradition still happens.  And even the thank you notes continue.  But then there was THIS thank you note… Oh, what a thank you note it is.

Written to an Austin weather man who came to visit a class of fourth graders, this letter is a masterpiece. It is everything amazing about childhood and I dare you not to smile after reading it.

Here it is:

 

Dear Mr. Ramon,

Thank you for coming to our school and teaching us about weather.

Some day when I become supreme Ultra-Lord of the universe I will not make you a slave, you will live in my 200 story castle where unicorn servants will feed you doughnuts off their horns.

I will personally make you a throne that is half platnum and half solid gold and jewel encrested.

Thank you again for teaching us about meteoroligy, you’re more awesome than a monkey wearing a tuxedo made out bacon riding a cyborg unicorn with a lightsaber for the horn on the tip of a space shuttle closing in on Mars while ingulfed in flames … And in case you didn’t know, that’s pretty dang sweet.

Sincerely, Flint.

P.S. Look on back for drawing.

What? You mean THIS drawing of super awesomeness!

That really is MARVELIS, isn’t it? And here is the real letter…

Have you ever received or written such a letter? LOVE!

Vintage Flashback:: G.I. Joe.

Vintage Toys + Fun Stuff

Image via: Yesteryear.

Every knife wielding hipster with a beard has roots in the awesomeness that was and is G.I. Joe. We all know G.I. Joe, the real American hero, who would surely kick Ken’s clean shaven mug and anyone else who looked at him the wrong way. With four older brothers I often grabbed a G.I. Joe doll to propose to my Barbie until one of my brothers found out.  How could Babs resist all that machismo? But of course there is an interesting story behind man and I was determined to find out what it was.

Such a great hero as Joe began as many heroes do—in the comics—specifically a 1941 Marvel comic strip called, “Private Berger”, featuring the everyman “G.I.” or “Government Issued” soldier.  The strip was then turned into a movie starring Robert Mitchum in 1945 and then a proper solo character comic book in 1953.  G.I. Joe would have been nothing more than a mention on Robert Mitchum’s IMDB page or a Marvel comic fan site if it weren’t for Hasbro.

Seeing Mattel’s genius doll brand Barbie, Hasbro knew there was money to be made creating an equally mesmerizing character for boys.  Not some sensitive new age guy like Ken, but a character that oozed in machismo.  Hasbro launched G.I. Joe in 1964 and it quickly became one of the most popular toys for boys in the U.S. selling for less than $4 a pop.  You had your choice of Joes back then—one for every section of the military–Soldier, Sailor, Marine, and Pilot. G.I. Joe proved to be so popular that Hasbro quickly started creating other versions like Deep Sea Diver, Green Beret, and Soldiers of the World. Barbie may have had her townhouse, but Joe had his footlocker, his Five Star Jeep, and Mercury Space Capsule.

Image via: Vintage Catalog Advertisements

Then this little thing call the Vietnam War came along and the idea of soldier idolatry went out of fashion.  Enter the first G.I. Joe makeover:  no more fighting foreign soldiers, but fighting Mother Nature with the Adventure Team.  Take THAT, earthquake! The 1970 changes also brought the proverbial can of whoop-ass known as the Kung Fu grip to our friend Joe.

Image via: Yesteryear.

And let’s not forget about the hair that had more in common with flocked wall paper than actual human hair. But hey, it was the seventies…

The next change in G.I. Joe’s life took inspiration from a galaxy far far away. The popularity of those ubiquitous 3 ¾ inch Star Wars action figures meant that G.I. Joe needed to lose some weight and height to compete.   But the height change in the early 1980s came with benefits such as new buddies like Snake Eye and Scarlett! And a Saturday morning cartoon, natch!  The G.I. Joe cartoon TV series alternated between combat fighting and high tech weaponry for fighting. Sorry, Joe, no bullets for the kiddos.  The 80s cartoon did introduce COBRA, the terrorist group/enemy #1 for G.I. Joe and his team and G.I. Joe buddies like Snake Eyes are that sassy Scarlett! The cartoon ran from 1985 to 1986.

Image via: Watch Cartoons Online

But you can’t keep a good man down.  Hasbro brought back the 12 inch man in 1992, which is still available at Target today for the sweet price of $20.  In 2009 a G.I. Joe movie, “The Rise of Cobra” came out to middling reviews and a relatively decent box office.  Who knows what the future will hold for good old G.I. Joe, but I’m sure he’ll be around rocking his kung fu grip for a new generation.

Image via: Yesterville Toy Room

 

You Must See This Movie.

Things We Like

Yes I have Hunger Games Fever. And no, I haven’t seen it yet. So that’s not what this post is about! It’s about Elmo. Last week Dottie wrote about how seeing her Peach giggle when she watched Elmo made her change her stance on the furry red fella. I loved that post!

I’ve always been a little indifferent to Elmo. Wolfie liked him, but never totally got into him. As for me, I guess I’ve always been a bit of a Sesame Street purist (aka snob). But then Modern Kiddo readers Tarren, Alisha and Kara all RAVED about the documentary “Being Elmo,” (it’s about Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash). So Greg and I watched it this weekend. Oh friends YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS MOVIE. Add it to your Netflix cue (or better yet, you can stream it instantly!). It’s AMAZING and heartwarming and inspiring. And you will end up loving Elmo too!! Seriously, such a cool story.

Psst! Here’s a lil synopsis of the film:

Being Elmo chronicles the life story of puppeteer Kevin Clash – the multiple award-winning persona behind the furry red monster Elmo of television’s Sesame Street. As a teenager growing up in Baltimore in the 1970s, Kevin had very different aspirations from his classmates—he wanted to be a puppeteer. More specifically, he wanted to be part of Jim Henson’s team, the creative force responsible for delivering the magic of Sesame Street. With a supportive family behind him, Kevin made his dreams come true. Combining amazing archival footage with material from the present day, filmmaker Constance Marks explores Kevin’s story in vivid detail and chronicles the meteoric rise of Jim Henson in the process. This insightful and personal documentary offers up a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson legacy.

SO GOOD.

Advertise on Modern Kiddo!

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Howdy pardners! April is right around the corner and we’re ready to blast off into spring. We are so proud that Modern Kiddo has quickly become the go-to favorite for vintage loving mamas every where! Heck, even non-kiddo havin’ ladies are part of the Kiddo Party and we couldn’t be happier! We have an exciting few months coming up and we’d love to have you along for the ride!

Are you interested in promoting your shop, Etsy store or simply your cool blog? We have several sponsor spots available for the coming month. Our rates are *extremely* affordable and we’re sure you’ll find a rate to suit your needs! We love to showcase unique, creative  folks and help spread the world about your awesomeness!

Email me at : alix [at] modernkiddo [dot] com for our rate card.

Perfect for the Easter Parade!

Kiddo Style: Vintage

There is something so wonderful about kiddos dressed up for Easter. All the spring colors and pretty little outfits. So, forgive me if I got carried away but I spent this weekend looking for the perfect little outfits for the hoppity poppity precious holiday.  Enjoy!

Check out this little industrious bunny working hard for her Easter eggs with a wheelbarrow full of cuteness! From Etsy seller, The Runaway Pancake.

The little laddie who wears this jaunty jacket must wear it with a red bowtie so he can match the friendly giraffe on his jacket! From Etsy seller, Baby Shapes!

These little rompers stripes are just wonderful! They remind me of that striped gum with the cartoon giraffe who was also striped. Ugh! What was that called?  Sigh! From Etsy seller, Fuzzmama.

 C’mon let’s do the Bunny Hop! From Etsy seller, REdesignkc.

Just in case your Easter will include a bit of swimming, your little lady will be well dressed in this cutie pie bathing suit! From Etsy seller, Kiki and Jules.

I have such a thing for pastel stripes. And they are perfection in this little toddler jacket and shorts set! From Etsy seller, The Robot Parade.

I bet this 20 girls whose playdates would end in fisticuffs to get this cutie pie little bunny dress!  I mean, did you see the ears, folks? From Etsy seller, Oh Sydney!

But why should only the ladies have all the funny bunny fun?  Etsy seller Hart and Sew has this wonderful DEADSTOCK romper with a little sassy bunny with a lollipop! So sweet!

Who wouldn’t want to read about Bunny Button? He looks like he’s had some pretty grand adventures! From Etsy seller, Parisian Prairie Charm.

A little chilly this Easter? No problem with this yummy yellow sweater with the happiest bunnies I’ve ever seen! It even has little side snaps for easy access. From Etsy seller, Audrey Blissful.

I could imagine this little friend being very popular as a centerpiece at the kiddie table this Easter dinner! From Etsy seller, the Dancing Wren.

And I must save the best for last! This perfect little Easter bonnet WITH matching little purse! I would have traded my chocolate Easter bunny for that beautiful set. Sigh! From Etsy seller, All Things Pretty!

Happy Monday!