Stuffed Animal Reserve

This is just a small sampling of the vast stuffed animal selection we have. And yes...the bucket is all stuffed animals.

You've heard of animal reserves, right? Animals go to a place where they are protected from just about anything they need protection from. Yes. Well...I have an animal reserve in my very own house. A stuffed animal reserve. The reason that I call it a reserve is because I don't think they will ever find new homes. The kids might someday ask for one that I gave away and I'd have to explain why it's gone to two sets of teary eyes. The very first thing that Alex ever received after he was born was a cute little blue stuffed bear. Then after that, it just snowballed into a massive attempt to save and salvage every single stuffed animal that the kids could get their hands on. I didn't mind it in the beginning. I mean, who doesn't love to open a Christmas present and see a sweet little stuffed cow to love and cherish? Heck, I've done my fair share of damage when it comes to the massive amount of fluff for the kids. They would make googly eyes at some cute stuffed toy and I'd give in and say, "I bet this is the one they will cherish forever." Turns out that each animal has about a week and then it is quickly replaced by some other obsession. For example, last week for Alex was a monkey and this week it's a snake. One week with a bunny for Abby is changed to a puppy the next. In the end, they are never really excited or attached to any of them for very long. But this week they went over to Mandy's house. In her basement is a pile of old stuffed animals from her childhood. Each time they go over, they pick out the same things and carry them around. Mandy, being the awesome aunt she is, let them take them home with them this time. And guess what? They carry them around with them every chance they get. Go figure. They are an old wombat for Alex and a puppy for Abby.


I could probably give them a thousand dollars worth of stuffed toys, but inevitably they will love the old dusty ones from the 1980's. I told them that if they survive a round through the washer and dryer then it was meant to be.