Available at Hamleys, £189.99. For other retailers check the Moov website.

The name already speaks for itself, as popje means little doll in Dutch.  But, you will be wondering, what makes this doll so unique? Well, simply said, its open design.  Popje is not the typical doll with blond curls and a tutu or sundress.  Instead, she has tweak of abstract design mixed into her looks, so she can be whatever the child imagines her to be.  Quite fittingly, on the Kidsonroof website she is described as follows "Popje is a girl or a rabbit, a doll, or a smiling cat that came from India. Maybe she is Russian, or maybe she’s you."

Let's now move to their Totem line:  These are cardboard building cards in a variety of shapes and some really cool and unique prints, giving the rocket, house or whatever creation it may be, the additional usage of not only a fun toy, but also some nice piece of room decor, something you don't have with too many building toys.  Plus, the totem line is available in a boy and a girl edition, so everyone gets the prints they like, and little girls don't have to borrow their big brother's toys!

Available at the Kidsonroof website.

So when we started the toyportfolio I was particularly looking forward to trying out my LEGO skills once again. I have to tell you, it's still a lot of fun. I'm not sure how I feel about the new pre-sorted bags that make the "oh man, where is that one little piece" search a thing of the past.

The first batch of new LEGO kits just arrived. A happy day around here - vehicles, city stations and Duplo sets for beginners.

But there is also a new tub of PINK LEGO bricks...oh my. The label on the front has two seemingly female figures (they have long "blockish" hair), a pink vehicle, and a small structure with a white picket fence. There are also instructions for making a horse (of course).

In the early 90s, pink building blocks were a big thing (not at LEGO) but at their competitors at the time. I found the themes most upsetting (a stable, a house and a mall). Why were girls not being inspired to build skyscrapers, arenas? The whole gender agenda lead to our Gender Free toy list that we put together every year.

While the prospect of pink bricks doesn't thrill me (although I do have to admit, they are very appealing for their eye-catching uniqueness)--there is also something to be said for the research that indicates that kids benefit from playing with construction toys. Having hands on experiences with spatial relationships helps kids excel in math. Don't we also want that for our daughters? So, I suppose -- if this is the only way we can get girls to build, it has its value. I just believe that the themes need not be so limited to the spheres of home, stables, and shopping. In fact, just a tub of colorful LEGO bricks that also includes the two shades of pink here--would be fun for anyone to play with.

I'll be interested to see how parents and kids respond when we have them tested.

The problem for me is that when I used them, I used too much water (I don't think I'm that different from your average five year old in this respect).  The product is marked 3 & up. My hands turned a greenish blue and it took several hand washings and a shower to finally get it off my hands.

Reminds me of when I thought (prior to starting the OTP) that I should go into the colored bubble business.  Not having any background in engineering (and having been not the strongest chemistry student either)--I added food coloring.  I had my two nieces with me (in their brand new white sneakers and pink and white outfits).  You can predict the outcome.  No one was amused that I had permanently stained their clothes and sneakers.

Hogwarts Castle, Ultimate Lego Duplo Building Set, A World of LEGO Mosaics, Monster Dino, Tiny Turbos, Tiger Shark Attack, Aquabase Invasion, King's Castle Siege and Fire Station.

The form asks that companies verify that their products are lead free (surface coated and embedded) and phthalates free.

So far the companies complying with our new Safety Requirements are a very exclusive club of three:

Edushape, Publication International and Lego.

For more information about our new protocol please visit our website, www.toyportfolio.com.

Number of Companies Complying with New Safety Requirements: 2 (Publication International and Edushape)

Our new safety protocol is on our website at www.toyportfolio.com.

So as an adult it wasn't lost on me that my "job" was now to test toys. I'm always amazed by the number of toys that don't do what they say they're going to do. How could someone spend so much time making and marketing a product that doesn't deliver?  So many of the products we see each year never get beyond this point.  We're also big on directions. If the directions aren't clear to us, how can anyone expect an 8 year old to follow along?

So when we started, I decided to take on a building set. Could I follow the directions for a Lego kit that had hundreds and hundreds of pieces? Well it took me until 1 o'clock in the morning the first time--but I did it! And I loved the experience. In fact I recommend trying a building set as an adult. It's fun and very satisfying. I know lots of people feel that way about cooking something (I didn't get that gene). I've always wanted to have a Lego building party for grown ups--and see what people would come up with. Kids have no problem getting started--they just build. I have a sense that a group of grownups would be more guarded if they were given no set plans to follow.  The sets we have on our Platinum List this year--really do require two sets of hands. Both Ferris Wheels from Lego and K'nex make great projects for two--but I'm suggesting a smaller set that you can do on your own. So next time you're walking down that aisle, try a set.

Eric

Though we're introduced to building blocks at a young age, the appeal is universal and ageless. Come count down the top 10 building toys of all time with us.

Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

'Tis a gloomy day in the neighborhood today. The good news, is that it rained last night (not enough though) and it may rain some more today. The bad news is that yesterday road construction crews moved in to the block surrounding the Three Threes and began tearing up the street. They are going to be working on the infrastructure under the street.

We had forewarning of this. A rather hilarious note shoved under our doors that got everyone's attention for sure. It began "YOU SHOULD READ THIS: 1)If you are a person who lives in this building and uses water."

That Gina, she knows how to make a point without smacking these people around with a newspaper. Most of them ignore half of what is sent out to them. And then have conniption fits when the dreaded even occurs. This notice was the talk of the building! Gina's a hoot! I think we should keep her and bring her small offerings every third Monday. But I like irreverent people in general.

Anyway the construction guys got their big old toys out there and started doing some serious damage to the asphalt and concrete at 7:30 am yesterday morning. Somehow I didn't expect noise and an unholy stink like somebody gave a great cosmic fart. I took a prompt vacation to Egypt when I read street work. I have my own luxury barge on De Nile.

You see when they finally finished The Metropolitan PLace and The Overture Center and the road work on State Street close to the Three Threes, I heaved a big sigh of relief and thought finally I can enjoy a summer free of jackhammers and the beep beep beep of vehicles constantly backing up. WRONG

I thought could just go back to dealing with the Madison Fire Department Engine 1's frequent runs to help rescue someone from disasters. But I've gotten used to them. Their sirens and police sirens are like a musical backdrop to the rest of the city going by. I thought it would be quiet this pretty summer. WRONG

Come to think of it, how are the fire guys and gals going to get out to put our their fires? Oh my... They'll be grounded for the duration. Poor fire people. (this is supposed to be done in mid August. uh huh. Maybe some of us better go voluteer to hold shovels so the shovel holders can do something else so they can accomplsh that goal. <snark> I figure if they get done by my birthday in September I will be happy.)

Meanwhile I'm turning on the radio LOUD and getting into some tunes to cope instead of the relative silence I usually like. Magic 98.1 today. WJJO tonight. Who knows what tomorrow. Wisconsin Public Radio? Maye my Horowiz Cds. Wild and woolly Piano! oooh and Pink Floyd.

I like to hear the city go by though. I like to listen to the birds in the trees and the planes flying over head to land at the Dane County Regional Airport and the occasional fancy Air Force planes that are going to Truax Field and the Black Helicopters flyng in formation at night. I like hearing the wind pick up and die down.

I like listening to traffic and knowing it's rush hour when I can see Johnson Street backing up and people in their cars getting impatient to get home. I like to hear people talking on the streets and Nicky coming to work at Dorn's Hardware on that radical skate board of his. Life in "The Tower" is good.

Someday I am going to find I don't even hear construction toys either because by golly this town is always "under construction." I haven't decided if that is good or bad.

The gentrification of downtown Madison is inevitable but is it GOOD? What are we losing in the process and what are we gaining? It remains to be seen. I think it might be a mixed blessing but it sure is interesting to be part of and watch the process.

B

PS: This all means I have to go to bed at a "decent" hour and get up with the Caterpillars--the big yellow ones that growl when those construction guys start them. And the sun. But I like the wee hours of the morning when the Muse and I can commune without interruption. Nobody EVER calls me at 3am. Well maybe I'll go to bed at sunset and get up at 3am. hmmmm... NO. Just no.

BTW, those guys? They look like they are having a lot of fun and the one I asked this afternoon agreed he was--look at his toys he said with a big grin. I asked if I could play with his toys and he lauged at me. Not nice. Men never want to share the fun stuff.