Boys And Their Toys

I shower with Superman.

I've slept with Spiderman, Batman and Ironman and, occasionally - a Camaro. So has my husband. (Shh...don't tell him I told you!) Been doing it for years.

Now, now, don't be pervy - we're not some kind of an alternative couple (not that there's anything wrong with that). I'm talking about our son's toys in the tub, in the bed, on the floor, on the couch, on the steps, and sometimes - the fridge. Poking and prodding us in our feet and our whatnots with their little plastic weapons. (That's what she said!)

The cast of characters has changed over the years, but, like many little guys, my son, 7, has always hauled various tiny playthings around the house. That boy has been clutching a toy since the very moment he could do so. I'm pretty sure one of his sonogram pictures features a Matchbox Car clutched in his little nubbin-hands.

(Hmmm...this explains that metallic-tasting heartburn.)

All this toy togetherness has given me quite an affection for the characters and what they meant to my son's different stages of life.

As a young toddler, he took a liking to Dora the Explorer. He even had a Dora doll. Ask him these days about "Dor-Dor!," as he used to call her, and he'll likely take a swing at you.

Then he will deny this.

Next came a Thomas the Train Engine phase. Sticky little preschool hands pulled me onto the carpet each day, and together my son and I built endless (ENDLESS!) wooden tracks for Thomas and Friends.

These days? He will deny this.

And of course, we had a lengthy "Toy Story" phase, with Buzz, Woody, Jessie, Rex and the rest of the gang scattered hither and yon. The boy carried Woody and especially Buzz dolls, er, action figures everywhere. His favorite outfit for a couple years was a Buzz Lightyear costume, with the words "Danger! Jet Exhaust" printed right on the tush. So appropriate.

Of course, he will deny this.

He's much too cool for any of that now. These days, it's all superheroes, all the time. And I could handle giving away the Dora doll. I'll be able to pack away the now-ignored Thomas Trains for his children. But the "Toy Story" movies hold a special place in Mama Weber's heart, here, because of their sentimental message, and because my daughter loved them, too.

So you can imagine my shock upon seeing this sight on top of our boy's Goodwill give-away pile recently:

That's right. He tried to kick Buzz and Woody, our dear old friends, right to the charity-bag curb.

Oh no he did-n't! Can you believe this?

Listen here, Little Man. I may shower with your Superman, and I might sleep with your Batman and Ironman. But Buzz and Woody still hold my heart, understand? Didn't "Toy Story" 1 and 2 teach you anything? Plastic has feelings too, you know!

Don't you worry, fellow Mommies. I plucked our old friends right out of there.

After all, a girl never leaves a good Woody behind. Even if she also has a Buzz.