Transform Your Coat Closet for Summer

Summer can be a great time to reorganize and get things together in your home. Summer is sometimes overlooked when it comes to home storage. There is a coat closet that is generally reserved for winter. You can really take advantage of this space and be the organized envy of all your friends.

This holds especially true if you have school-aged children. Kids have a lot of summer activities and parents know that activities equal stuff. Stuff can pile up in every corner of your home. It can overfill a child’s closet and over run toy boxes. Garages can get piled high with inner tubes, sports equipment and other summer gear. Enough with the mess already! Parents have historically had a hard time keeping their lives and homes in order during this busy time of year.

During the school year your child probably only comes home with a book bag or backpack to throw in the closet. This makes it fairly easy to manage the amount of junk that can pile up in the house. During summer swim outings and sports games and practices, the amount of stuff that ends up in your living room can be staggering. Consider transforming that winter coat closet into a summer organization paradise.

If you have room place two or three laundry baskets at the bottom of the closet. One can be for shoes, flip-flops, sandals, cleats and swim shoes. The next one can be for wet swim towels, practice clothes and uniforms. The third one can be used for soccer pads, bike helmets, snorkels and diving masks. You may end up hanging a net from the ceiling of your garage for inflated pool toys, but the coat closet is ideal for smaller items that will be used again.

Hooks are a blessing when it comes to storing beach bags, purses and sports duffel bags. You may even decide to hang a shelf with a cubby for each kid’s bag. This can be removable for when you are ready to hang those long winter coats again. Simply screw a small board on each wall of the closet making sure that they are level with each other. Then simply place a board on top for an eye-level storage space that can easily be used by the whole family. Here you can also place baskets, bins or buckets for each family member. Place useful items such as sunscreen, hats and sunglasses in the bins.

Another clever idea is to make use of the hanging rod at the top of the closet. Get some sturdy wooden hangers and use this area for easily accessible beach towels and swim suit cover-ups. No more tearing through the linen closet for that beach towel at the bottom of the stack! You can also hang clean sports uniforms and other items that you may need on short notice. You can get all of those summer items organized and ready to go with just a few inexpensive touches.

The Importance of Play

For children, play is naturally enjoyable. And since it is their active engagement in things that interest them, play should be child-led, or at least child-inspired, for it to remain relevant and meaningful to them. Children at play are happily lost in themselves; they are in their own realm of wonder, exploration, and adventure, pulling parents in at times with a frequent “Let’s play, mom!” as an open invitation into that world.

As early as infancy, children immerse themselves in play activities with the purpose of making sense of the world around them. Play gives children the opportunity to learn and experience things themselves, which is vital for their development. Although peek-a-boo games seem pointless to adults, tots are awed by the surprise that awaits them as they see the suddenly emerging faces of people they love.

(Stages of Play)

During toddlerhood, children experience a motor-growth spurt that equips them to solitarily fiddle with anything they can get their hands on – be it a construction toy or the box from where it came.

Toddlers also love breaking into song, wiggling and jiggling to tunes, and imitating finger plays they are commonly exposed to.

Preschoolers begin extending their play to involve others, whether they bring others in at any stage of their game or they plan their game and its players’ way ahead. Their physical and motor skills allow them to widen their lay arena, from dramatic play to table games to outdoor pursuits.

School-age children start appreciating organized play – such as innovated songs and rhymes, games with rules, relays and other physical activities, sports and projects that they can accomplish over a certain time frame.

Play Perks:

Why the big fuss about playing? Play benefits the child in ways that might be a tad difficult for adults to imagine.

1. Play brings pure and utter joy.

A toddler who jumps into an empty box and runs around the house ‘driving a car’ shows the sheer happiness that play brings him or her. When children are asked what they did in school and they answer ‘play,’ it is a clear sign that these kids remember a feeling of genuine joy that is captured in this four-letter word.

2. Play fosters socio-emotional learning.

What does a ten-month-old baby who shrieks at the sight of her stuffed toy have in common with a ten-year-old boy who plays basketball with his friends? They both deal with their confidence as they choose to embark on their play activities. At the same time, they are displaying their independence in the decisions that they make. These two children are also internalizing social rules in their respective play situations: the baby waits patiently for her stuffed toy to appear, while the school-age child has to contend with an impending loss in a ball game.

3. Play hones physical and motor development.

Play often involves the use of the senses, the body, and the extremities. When children play, they exercise their bodies for physical strength, fluidity of movement, balance and coordination.

Perceptual-motor ability, or the capacity to coordinate what you perceive with how you move, is an essential skill that preschoolers need to develop. A three-year-old who is engrossed in digging, scooping, and pouring sand into a container must match his or her perception of the space in front of him or her with actual hand movements, so that he or she can successfully fulfill the motor activity.

4. Play facilitates cognitive learning.

Play is vital to the intellectual development of a child. We live in a symbolic world in which people need to decode words, actions, and numbers.

For young children, symbols do not naturally mean anything because they are just arbitrary representations of actual objects. The role of play is for the child to understand better cognitive concepts in ways that are enjoyable, real, concrete, and meaningful to them. For instance, through play, a child is able to comprehend that the equation 3 + 2 = 5 means ‘putting together’ his toy cars by lining them up in his makeshift parking lot. When he combines 2 triangles to make a square during block play, or writes down his score is a bowling game, the child is displaying what he knows about shapes and numbers.

Through play, the child is constructing his or her worldview by constantly working and reworking his understanding of concepts.

5. Play enhances language development.

Toddlers who are still grappling with words need to be immersed in oral language so they can imitate what they hear. They benefit from songs and rhymes that provide the basis for understanding how language works.

When these tots are playing with toys, adults model to them how language is used to label objects or describe an event. At play, preschoolers use language to interact, communicate ideas, and likewise learn from dialogues with more mature members of society.

6. Play encourages creativity.

Barney the dinosaur was right about using imagination to make things happen. A lump of Play-Doh suddenly turns into spaghetti with meat sauce and cheese; a small towel transforms into a cape that completes a superhero’s wardrobe; and a tin can serves as a drum that accompanies an aspiring rock artist. Play opens an entire avenue for children to express themselves, show what they know and how they feel, and to create their own masterpieces.

7. Play provides bonding opportunities.

Play is an important factor in child development. It provides for interaction, experimentation, and moral development. Here are some ways by which parents can encourage and support their children’s playtime.

- Let your child be the player-leader. Let children initiate their activity, set their own theme, choose the parameters where the play will take place. Play becomes a venue for children to express their feelings and be in control.

- Help them help themselves. When your 5-year-old asks for help, say, figuring out how to piece a puzzle together, stop yourself from coming to her rescue and first ask your child questions that allow him or her to help himself or herself. Say, “Where do you think this piece should go?” Afterward, commend his or her success.

- Play attention. Once you make a commitment to play with your child, watch for the following signals: Does he or she want you to actively play a part in the activity? Does he or she need encouragement? Is he or she tired or hungry? Does he or she need to take a break?

- Have a play plan. If you seem to have little time for playing with your child, consider using self-care chores to have fun with him or her. Also, get support from other people in your household, like older siblings, household help, or the child’s grandparents, so that they understand why play is important and how they should continue to encourage it.

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Gm Hopes Action Flick Will Transform Sales

General Motors Corp. is dragging out all the stops to tout four of its cars in Paramount Picture’s forthcoming summer action flick “Transformers.”

Posters outside theaters countrywide list Jon Voight, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel and Megan Fox as the stars of “Transformers.” But in the labs where GM workers design and market new cars, the true stars are the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Solstice, GMC TopKick and the Hummer H2. “You’re going to see these cars as the heroes. You’re not going to see the other actors,” said Dino Bernacchi, GM’s associate director of branded entertainment. “These cars are the stars, literally, in the movie.”

The largest American automaker, which seeks to reach younger auto shoppers to remedy mediocre sales, is hoping to pull the 18-to-34 set to its showrooms. This is why the company is invading more than just the big screen. Additionally, it is trying to plague online and video games, television shows, radio programs, magazine issues, toy stores and more.

The Detroit automaker is spending millions to promote and market its “Transformers” ventures, but refused to give a figure. Amid tight auto competition and a shrinking American auto market, GM is banking on the exposure translating into sales.

“This is hopefully a discovery point for maybe some of those who didn’t know the great design, the great-looking vehicles that we have out today,” Bernacchi said. “I find it really difficult to believe that a global blockbuster movie like this that has so many merchandising components to it that we’re not going to get incremental exposure.”

“Product placement has never been so blatant, and the potential for a global platform to build brand awareness could not have come at a better time for GM,” said David Koehler, a clinical marketing professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “The younger demographic most likely to flock to the theaters is exactly what GM needs.”

But Erich Merkle, the vice president of forecasting for Grand Rapids-based auto consulting company IRN Inc., cautions that even though young people might be impressed with the rides in the movie does not mean they will end up buying GM. “Keep in mind that some of the vehicles they’re showing are vehicles the youth market won’t be able to afford. But they do have a tremendous influence over what people who can afford those vehicles go to buy. You shouldn’t underestimate the influence of the youth. I don’t know a Baby Boomer out there who doesn’t want to be cool,” Merkle stressed.

“Transformers,” which arrives in theaters July 3, probably are not all that concerned about declining market shares. They want pure action, and that is what they are going to get from these GM product lines. Action unimpeded by EBC brake pads are there for them to seize.

For the film’s producers and director Michael Bay, it was a natural to bring in GM on the project. Bay has helmed a number of GM commercials and worked with the company on past films, including “Bad Boys II” in which a Hummer plays a central role in a car chase.

The director of “Pearl Harbor” and “Armageddon” saw a concept version of the new Camaro in 2005 at a GM design center and then in early 2006 at the Detroit auto show. Right there and then, Bay knew he wanted the iconic car to be the yellow-and-black Bumblebee who protects LaBeouf’s character from danger.

“We are the stars of this movie,” said Dino Bernacchi. “This put us right at the forefront and lets us showcase the leading designs we have out there now. I really think it’s going to make a difference.”

Plastic gear & plastic pulleys – what do you want do be when you grow up?

When we come into this world, we are sort of unsure of what will happen. We spend our whole life learning and developing our cognitive skills. The foundation of all these skills lies in our childhood and the instinct to learn is probably the best thing about being a kid.

Playing is one of the best ways to learn all the basic things needed in life. The educational development is extremely important and there are a lot of parents interested in providing instructive toys for their kids. The Internet is a healthy source for finding such toys as it holds a multitude of specialized websites.

There are many reasons why a child should play with educational toys. They stimulate their creativity and they shape their personality. Construction toys are some of the most wonderful inventions and many kids love them. They can easily be found on the Internet and they will surely offer ones kid an amazing experience.

Construction toys include cool pieces such as plastic gears and plastic pulleys. By playing with them, kids can learn a lot of things and prepare for what expects them in the future. Problem solving skills can be easily comprehended and this is why it is so important to choose the proper toys for your kids.

Every child has to play. It is what they do best. They spend a lot of time building and they show a true passion for the things that real interest them. One should definitely consider the Internet as the perfect place to find suitable toys for kids. Some of the most popular choices include plastic gears and there is also a strong demand for plastic pulleys.

These toys have ranging prices but are definitely worth it when it comes to the important role they play in a kid’s life. They are extremely fun to play with it and they give valuable lessons to children. They involve in constructing and crafting; they learn while they play and that is surely a good thing for them.

Certain websites do their best at presenting attractive offers in the line of educational toys. They have different types of plastic gears including push fit and brass hub. They also present a full set of accessories with interlocking racks. All these toys are recommended for kids who are 5 years old and they are an important factor in developing intellectual skills.

When playing with such toys, the kid also extends his/her imagination and other abilities. Getting involved in something and being able to finish is hard even for an adult. Kids do it with pleasure and they are more than willing to start immediately with something else. It is this ability to absorb everything and the passion they show for certain things that captivates us. We cannot help admiring the little ones for being so innocent and at the same time so smart.

It is our job to transform our little ones into smart, efficient adults. Learning things the proper way is essential and this is why there are more and more manufacturers presenting their products online. Aside from plastic gears, one can find plastic pulleys. All this types of toys are connected and they make an ideal gift for your child. Plastic pulleys are push fit or brass hub; they also have lovely accessories such as they plastic pulleys blocks (triple/double/single).

We all loved toys as we were kids. Let’s face it; we love them even today when we buy them for our kids. The kid inside never really dies and on some extent it is good for us that we keep some part of our childhood in us. By doing that, we are able to participate in our kid’s life at a more deeply level and acknowledge the significance of him/her having the appropriate toys to play with. One can always look on the Internet and be amazed at the opportunities presented.

Poetry: The 80s

Big permed hair, MTV

The mall was the place to be

Billy Idol, Rebel Yell

We all have stories to tell

Jelly shoes, parachute pants

Everyone does the Safety Dance

Michael Jackson was a king

Moonwalk, “Beat It” “Billie Jean”

Uptown Girls, West End Boys

Rubik’s Cube, Transformer toys

INXS, Prince and U2

Yuppies in BMWs

Video Killed the Radio Star

Come so far to where we are

Like totally, a valley girl

Benetton and Jheri Curl

Breakfast Club and Top Gun

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Purple Rain, Pretty in Pink

Funkytown by Lipps Inc

Ahh, the 80s were so much fun

Now nostalgia thanks to VH1.

101 Gift Ideas for every occasion

People have forgotton about the meaning behind gifting, in a consumer driven society we are often pushed towards competing e.g. upstaing gifts and my gifts better than yours. Lets go back to basics, giving is far more rewarding then receiving its much better for your Karma. If someone gives you a list ignore it, the only time a list is applicable is for Weddings where this is a tradition. Gifting is all about imagination, and a little thinking time. For big events like Christmas buy people things they would never buy themselves.

Here are some top ideas of adults:

More and more adults are cooking as a hobby and for enjoyment therefore consider some of the following; spaghetti measurer, Griddle pan, pancake maker, panini press, Knife set, Chefs blow torch, Cook books

Relaxation is often overlooked in our busy lives how about some of the following;
Bath Salts, Beauty products, we recommed brands like Bathina, Dermologica, Foot Doctor & sanctuary. Best to go to a beauty store where there are gift packs. Electronic massager,
Cuddly hot water bottle, A good novel, lots to choose from here best to go for your books stores recommended list

Gadgets are great fun here are some ideas; USB computer lights, Screen cleaing kit
Games, Board games and other season toys are great entertainment best to check out Amazon, Firebox and other large toy retailers for top best selling games. REmember gifts are about things you would rarely buy yourself.

For Car fanatics how about:
Some designer interior mats and seat covers, Car Cleaning kit, personalised number plates, Mini car racers, Ferrari or porche and other miniture car collectables, for new drivers fluffy dice are fun and well appreciated.

Heath & Fitness. Some top ideas include; detox kit, hand weights, mini trampoline, exercise mat, execercise ball, Bag with towel & water bottle, execercise video, exercise

DVD’s are always a simple stocking filler or gift. There are a variety of genres to choose from action, adventure, romantic, horror & documentary. Amazon is the most famous online DVD retailer and has great suggestions and best seller lists to help you along.

Travel Enthusiasts; guide books, travel vouchers, spa vouchers, hand luggage, wash bags, travel accessories or perhaps a good novel.

If you are buying for adults who have just had children how about; a hand/foot casting kit, photo album or photo frames with perhaps a photo in.

Higher price items for all the family are new TV, video camera, DVD player, Games Console

Now onto children, this may be your own, grandchildren or perhaps your godparents or a close friend. For the best ideas simply walk into your largest toy store and ask whats selling for your age group. These are usually trend toys such as the latest lego product or film toys like Harry Potter, power rangers or Incredibles.

For creative kids, visit a craft centre either online or on the high street, how about buying some materials and let the kids get creative? You can buy thin leather and beads so they can make their own jewellery or perhaps card and other craft items to make their own art.

If you want to buy something different why not buy a classi corgi toy or perhaps some jewellery like a charm braclett which you can buy charms for at other gifting times. Computer games are normally a must have for kids but can be pricey, if these are out of your budget perhaps outdoor games would be a better choice.

Kids also love DVD’s so movies are a simple gift idea, some of our top tips are look out for these film distributors:
Disney who produced Micky Mouse & friends, Winnie the pooh
Disney Pixar who produced Finding Nemo, Brother Bear & The incredibles
Dreamworks who produced Shrek
Disney Film also produce some good teen movies like Freaky Friday or Confessions of a teenage Dram Queen
Warner Bros are famous for Harry Potter & Xmas 2004 classic The Polar Express
Fox is another who have produced Power ranges and some other TV classics.
Remember that your childhood favourites may be loved by your kids too, such as Transformers, He-Man, thunderbirds, captain scarlet & Thundercats

Last of all our much loved pets are a big part of our lives, which is why you will often find gifts under the Chrsitmas tree for them. Our top suggestions are; cat nip ( a herb which makes them go wild), new colar or lead, blackets, toys, new bowls, a grooming session at your pet store or why not for dogs especially a nice juicy bone.

Remember the final step for gifting is the wrapping so spend as much time on the wrapping as you did on buying the gift. For more, check out www.sorrydarling.com

About the Author

H Porter writes for top gift website www.sorrydarling.com

The Dollhouse A Timeless Toy For Hours Of Fun

Every little girl dreams of owning a dollhouse. Here, her tiny family holds their many adventuresadventures her active, imaginative mind is free to invent and reinvent each day. She can rearrange the furniture, reenact familiar rituals and scenes, and invent her own rules. In a dollhouse, there is are bedtimes. In a doll house, everyone gets to eat 100 pieces of chocolate cakeeveryday!Control over a world (and her emotions)
But having a dollhouse gives them a sense of control over a smaller world, and here they can play-act their fears while practicing the rituals and routines that are part of healthy social interaction. For example, when a child holds an imaginary party in her dollhouse, planning a guest list that includes stuffed rabbits and the Queen of Fairies, they are (subconsciously) working through their anxiety about large crowds and unfamiliar faces. They would probably hate any party that included people they didnt know, but talking about what cakes to serve and which parts of the dollhouse their guests will stay in, makes her feel more confident about interacting with others.A toy that changes every day
Dollhouses transform each time a child sits down next to it. Each time she makes a story, each time she gives the dolls a name and then acts out their rituals and adventures, the dollhouse becomes different. One day its a castle under a spell. The next day its the scene of a grand ball. And maybe today its just an ordinary house, but the aliens (i.e., her brothers Buzz Lightyear action figure) attack. You never know.

A toy thats fun at any age
Dollhouses are also one of the few toys that dont get boring after a few weeks. In fact, because the fun lies in the childs imagination, they can be played with for years. As she grows older, shell start making clothes for the dolls, designing her own little furniture and curtains, decorating the doll house and possibly creating entire novellas about its miniature residents. When she grows up, and the dollhouse is put away, it can be retrieved years later and given to her own daughter.

Self Absorption!

In the early months of the infant’s life it has no ego and only experiences its subconscious mind reacting to sensations. As the mind becomes consciously tied to the physical body so the ego begins to form. The emerging ego is simply the acceptance by consciousness of these boundaries. And from there the ego grows and grows and grows. It’s another way of describing self absorption- and it can be an ugly thing!

The good news, as Richard Rohr likes to say, is that you need to have an ego so you can kill the ego. The tue self must replace the false self (ego) or you live life just for yourself- which most do. One of the best definitions for the word salvation as far as I am concerned is “Abandoning selp-absorption and being transformed by the love of God.”

Love transforms!

Law brings guilt and failure.

But, as Philip Gulley has said, “With the advent of the Nicene Creed, we were no longer saved from selp-absorption. We were saved from the sin of not believing certain things about Jesus. Those who believed these things were saved, and those who didn’t were damned. Whether people lived the way of Jesus became irrevelant to some and secondary to others.”

True history of God will transform you!

You are deemed UNSAVED and more often than not a heretic if you’ve nbot beleived the right things, go to the right church, have accepted Jesus as Lord and savior in front of a duly ordained Bible-believing church, have been immersed or baptized in some correct manner, are filled with the HOLY GHOST, speak in tongues (can you speak without your tongue?), and come to church every week. Talk about being immersed in triviality! And those points are just for starters.

What happend to the power of love?

Oh yes, and you tithe faithfully by the LAW!

Talk about self-absorption. Is that not the best description of such? And you can do all that and still not be loving, kind, and compassionate. What’s up with that?

7 Tips to Transform Your Pug and Get Her to Listen to Your Command

My Promise: 7 Amazing Secrets To Transform Your Pug’s Behaviours In Less Than 30 Days.

Did you know that if you train your pug incorrectly, your healthy and obedient pug could turn into a disaster to you and your family? It doesn’t take months for a pug puppy to acquire bad stinky habits that will haunt you for years.

Every dog needs training. So does a pug dog. The best time to train your pug is the 1st day you own it. Usually pugs are brought into homes when they were 8 weeks or older.

Wouldn’t you want your pug to follow every of your commands from the very 1st day?

Then, establishing your authority and commanding attention are essential. These two rules are the core foundation of house breaking your pug. For some of you, success comes easy, but for others, even if you have laid out solid groundwork, you might not be guaranteed an obedient pug.

If you are frustrated about your pug’s bad stinky habits, then these 7 sure-fire tips will help you transform your pug’s behaviours in less than 30 days, if you apply them consistently throughout your pug’s training programme:

1) Start training your pug puppy at early stage. Old dogs can learn new tricks, however, the earlier your pug is introduce to proper house-training, the quicker your pug will learn.

2) Communicate with your pug puppy. Talk to pug like how you would talk to your children, when they were toddlers. Pugs are able to sense and receive both your verbal and non-verbal communication. Sounds odd? Well, no actually, it’s quite simple.

For example, just say your pug misbehaves. You could simply say “no” with a deep angry voice. As awkward as it may seems, your pug will sense it. You must then, show her what the correct actions are. These will help her to distinguish between the right and wrong actions.

3) Reward your pug for listening to your command. Give them the credit by padding her forehead or around her neck. Give your pug a variety of rewards. It could be her favourite food, toy or treat.

4) Increase the frequency of rewards to your pug. Research showed that the more often a puppy is rewarded, the faster and more efficient the learning process becomes. Look for instances to reward your pug through praises or treats.

For examples, if your pug is lying down quietly and minding his own business, praise her. Look for opportunities to praise, not to punish.

5) Feed your pug regularly, especially when it is at puppy stage. Keep you pug puppy hydrated throughout the day. When times allow, bring your pug for a walk and say, “Go potty” just before she is eliminating. Pat her to give her the encouragement.

6) Never punish your pug! Teach your pug using positive and motivational methods. Be proactive rather than reactive. This means, when your pug is doing well and behaving properly, pro-actively reward your pug. On the other hand, do not sympathize with your pug’s bad behaviours.

7) Play with the pug! Pug loves playing. It is vital that whenever practising any obedience training and upon finishing, the owner should enjoy a play time with her pug. You can run or play tug-of-war with your pug during play time.

These 7 amazing secrets will put your put on right track to obedient training. Enrolling your pug to obedient training school may cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. It will also reap you the opportunity to create a lasting and loving bond with your pug. So, it does pay to house training your pug.

Good luck!

Humor: Childhood memories

Short-lived Hero

Every kid has a favorite toy. Jimmy loves his convertible, Match-Box car with flame decal. Susie adores her Tammy Tinkle doll. And Andrew can’t get enough of his bright, yellow dump truck with working parts.

I was a He-Mann man. No other eight-year-old had more He-Mann toys than I, or at least I bragged to all of my peers. “Do you have the Man-At-Arms battle tank?” I’d ask my little circle of second-grader friends. We all collected the stuff. Transformers and He-Mann were the best toys. He-Mann was a God. Transformers were cool. He-Mann was invincible.

I spent many afternoons pretending to be He-Mann. The figurines were accurate and probably to-scale. His muscles were huge. I’d sit in the playroom with the figurines laid out on the brown Berber, each of their weapons lined up in order, ready for battle. Bad guys on the left. Good guys on the right. I’d set up the situation just like the show, and I’d get He-Mann and his crew ready to save the day. These figurines were great because they moved on their own. I didn’t have to move them around and tap them left foot to right foot on the rug to make them walk. They did it themselves, or so I forced myself to believe.

Skeletor was the leader of the bad guys. He wore a purple and black outfit, complete with a cape. He was a tough customer and often gave He-Mann a good fight. But like I said, He-Mann was invincible.Day after day, I’d create scenarios for my friends. Day after day, I knew I was the one who saved the day.

One night, I actually got the chance to become He-Mann. I had two costumes: He-Mann and Skeletor. The He-Mann costume had a plastic, painted sword, chest guard, and shield. The Skeletor costume consisted of a staff, a cape, and a glow-in-the-dark mask. The mask wasn’t anything expensive, but it sure was life-like. The cheekbones protruded from the face, creating deep eye sockets. The mouth contorted into a sinister grin. The eyes were dark, deep, and scary.

I don’t remember who gave me the costumes. It didn’t matter much. I was ready to be He-Mann and rid the universe of Skeletor once and for all. This was my time. I was ready to be a real hero. Unfortunately, I was playing by myself. I had quite the imagination, but playing two roles at the same time would’ve been very difficult.

Walking out of the playroom, I scoured the house for a companion. I had two sisters, one younger and one older. I didn’t know where they were, but they weren’t around. Stepping into the kitchen, I spotted

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