While Visions of Toy Stores Danced in Their Heads

Chris' vacation started today (well sorta; he ended up having to work some this afternoon) and we started off the day by heading to storytime. It was kind of a bust though since the regular librarian was out and the stand in was slightly weird. She sang lots of songs, none of which any of us knew and I think she may have had a cold because she was whispering the songs and not changing pitch. Kind of hard to teach new songs that way. Anyway, I had to force myself not to look at Chris because I knew I'd start laughing. It was pretty rough.

We decided to check out Old Town Spring for some lunch and found Hyde's Cafe. It was a great little place; it reminded us of Cafe Texan in Huntsville. Unsanitary, random stuff hung on the walls, a screen door and you could sit at the front counter. We love places like this. I got a burger and fries and they were great. Chris said the chicken fried steak was not so great. Clara said the grilled cheese was very very great. We'll be back.

Then we walked around for a bit. We hit the doll shop. Oh my gosh, doll people are a strange bunch. I've been into this same store several times and they're always talking to the dolls. An employee was putting a doll into a box today and was apologizing for having to do it. Like, seriously close to the dolls face, smiling and cooing at it and talking baby talk. Chris wanted out of there in a hurry. Plus, he couldn't handle the hundreds of eyes watching him from the shelves. Kind of creeped him out.

On our way back to the car to leave, we passed a toy store that I've just never noticed. This is a toy store that dreams are made of. There were riding toys and a 4 foot tall dollhouse. There were doll strollers and a table and chairs set complete with a tea set and play food, ready to be played with. There was a wooden folding pink princess castle and a wooden barn with animals. A wooden pirate ship and a boys castle with catapult and boy kind of stuff. There was an art easel and a table with a track and cars. And you could play with all of it!! We had to drag Clara out of there. She tested out every riding, bouncing, pulling, pushing toy they had to offer.

This was my dream toy store. Not a Dora or Barbie in sight. No Elmo (except for the 3 foot tall Elmo puppet), Disney princess or Blue's Clues to be found. Very little plastic either. Heaven. We talked with the workers and they were sooo nice. One lady was putting together a train table while we were there. She picks most of the girl toys I think. She has 4.5 an 1.5 year old girls, so she knows her stuff. They said their toys are Sarah and Isabelle approved. I highly recommend you check them out if you want a unique toy store. It's so much more quaint and fun than Learning Express. They're called Why Not Toys. We'll be back there too.