For the love of puppets. And Muppets.

I found these plush Muppet dolls at a thrift a few weeks ago. I just couldn't pass them up. Rather, the Muppets-loving-70's-80's-child that I am couldn't pass them up. They were in perfectly faded colors. I of course immediately washed them once I got home. Plush anything from the thrift is always a bit scary. But they didn't smell to begin with so I think we're safe.

I wasn't sure if the boys would be into them and they were so cheap I could always re-donate them, but they got pretty excited when they saw them. They've never really been into Sesame Street (sadly) but did see the new Muppet Movie and loved it. I really want to watch some of the old Muppet Show episdodes with them. That has been on our to-do list for a while. (note to self: buy the DVD asap!)

Not long after I found the dolls, I thrifted this book. It doesn't get much better than Sesame Street Muppets, don't you think?

We also watched the amazing documentary Being Elmo last month on recommendation from one of Ethan's work friends. Admittedly, we've never been fans of Elmo, but I guarantee you, once you see this film you might change your mind. It's such an incredibly beautiful and inspiring story. A must see.

And speaking of puppets, did you know it's National Day of Puppetry this Saturday? Well it is! I have to brag because we have the amazing Center for Puppetry Arts here in Atlanta. We've been seeing puppet shows there even before we had kids (they have shows for adults as well!) We've actually been puppet fans ever since our first trip to Prague, Czech Republic many, many years ago. They have a rich puppet history there. We have a little marionette collection of our own that we've accumulated over the years and have seen some incredible puppet shows (more like grand performances!) around the world including places like Prague and Salzburg, Austria (at the Salzburg Marionette Theater).

Our Center for Puppetry Arts serves as the American headquarters for UNIMA-USA, the American branch of the international puppetry organization Union International de la Marionnette, the oldest theater organization in the world.

If you're ever in Atlanta, I highly recommend this center. Your kids will LOVE it (and so will you). They have an incredible museum that features long-term exhibitions centered around none other than puppet genius himself, Jim Henson. For me, it never gets old seeing actual puppets from some of my favs like Labyrinth and Fraggle Rock. Many puppets that Jim performed and created including Ernie, Rowlf the Dog, the La Choy Dragon, Dr. Teeth, The Swedish Chef are on display.

(puppet from Labyrinth, photo source)

Gotta love those Fraggles.

They have all kinds of performances you can see and classes you can take. Such an inspiring place.

Are your kids (or you) into puppets? Be sure to check around your city to see if anyone's having a special event for National Day of Puppetry this Saturday. You might be surprised what's happening in your own town!

Comments

[Faye]

Oh wowwww those plushies are the BEST, I love the Muppet Babies! Have you and your family watched the original Muppets movie? I saw it after the 2011 movie, but it's so funny how many references to the original are in the new one!
Faye x

[Brittany Ketterman]

This is a timely post for me. My three year old is definitely on a Muppets kick, which works for the husband and me, as we're lifelong Muppets fans. We also just saw an Earth Day puppet show at our zoo on Sunday. It featured Kermit, which at first delighted my son, then confused him. It was sort of the "mall Santa" problem, where it was Kermit, yet it wasn't really Kermit.

While on bed rest recently before giving birth to our daughter, my husband and I netflixed Being Elmo. I know I was pregnant, but I sobbed through so much of it. Great movie.

[Jordan]

I just watched Being Elmo randomly when it popped up on my netflix and it was amazing. I loved Sesame Street as a kid but I didn't really remember Elmo (maybe he became popular after I got older?) and then when the tickle me doll came out I thought it was all just too ridiculous but that documentary redeemed Elmo for me.

[heather]

such great dolls!

[lishyloo]

real live muppets! crazy! we had a traveling sesame and muppet exhibit hit mpls a few years ago and i was in heaven! i can't even imagine being able to see them all the time. i was able to meet brian and wendy froud at my old bookstore, wild rumpus, and i swear to god it was the most starstruck i have ever been.

[pheobe]

so many lovely dolls,it is so funny. Just wanted to give you a shout from the valley of the sun, great information. Much appreciated.

[Commodity Tips]

Wow nice blog and all toys so lovely. I wasn't sure if the boys would be into them. they got pretty excited when they saw them.

[Danielle]

Fun post! Our littlest is here with me & when he looked up he lit up (cookie monster is still a hit with him). The Labyrinth is one of my (& now the monkeys) all time fav movies! The kids have a puppet that they like to do the mahna mahna song with... great, now that song will be with me the entire day through.

[elycia]

National Day of Puppetry! I didn't know that day existed. I don't know why I'm so suprised, there is a day for everything. I was very, very into puppets when I was a kid and I still have my old ones. Including some large ones that I thought would help me to be a famous ventriloquist. Never quite happened but I still pull them out once in a while and make them do silly things.

[Stock tips]

I wish to thank you for sharing your ideas and putting the time into the stuff you publish! There are so many funny and lovely dolls. Nice post.

[Thrifty Vintage Kitten]

I used to watch Fraggle Rock ALL THE TIME when I was a kid! I tried watching it a few years ago and coulnd't even handle it. Those are some cracked-out puppets! Ah, how our perspectives change as we get older.

[Chantal]

Oh these are adorable!!! I've always love the Muppets - lots more than Sesame Street. I love the Labyrinth so much too! My kids LOVE the Muppets! We have the first season on DVD and also the original Muppet movie with is AWESOME. We also saw the new Muppet film at the movies and LOVED IT TO BITS! Finally a decent kid's movies (we'd seen alot of stinkers recently!) LOL! TFS!