We've Been Leaded Update - The Mattel Matter

You may remember my post in which I waxed poetic (not!) about Sprout and Pip's lead Dora and Diego figurines.

After carefully packaging up three sets of Dora and Diego-related items, I shipped them back to Mattel headquarters (no, I did not drive there and demand that they look through the toys themselves). According to the paperwork, if all the items were determined to be lead-affected, I would receive a rebate check for over thirty dollars.

Yesterday, I received a check in the mail from Mattel. For six dollars. On the one hand I was relieved. That meant that Mattel did not think my stash of NickJr. treats were all bad. But on the other hand I was a bit peeved. Mattel had my stash of NickJr. treats and I had six dollars. But, I shrugged my shoulders and let bygones be bygones. I was trying to wean myself from the plastic anyway.

Today, when I returned home from work, there was a box waiting for me, return address: Mattel. Inside? All my Diego and Dora paraphenalia that Mattel had evidently deemed safe for consumption. I'm not trying to defend Mattel, but heck, the look on the faces of Sprout and Pip when they saw their Diego Field Journal and Diego Artic Rescue was priceless. I thought it was pretty decent of Mattel to ship the items back. I'm just sayin'.

We've Been Leaded

I was planning on kicking back and visiting some blogs tonight when a small notice on msn.com caught my eye. Lead paint in toys. Again. Only this time it affects us. REALLY affects us. Why? I think I have only mentioned about a thousand times that Sprout is ga-ga over Dora the Explorer. Hence, we have about a thousand Dora-related items. Several of them are on the list. The recall list.

I feel guilty because here I was thinking that I was buying a treat for my daughter. Something that she really loves, and I was, instead, inadvertantly poisoning her. Some of the toys are a bit worn now, meaning, yes, some of the paint has flaked away. I am just thankful that she did habitually put them in her mouth. But when I think of the hours, HOURS, that she has played with these toys, it makes me sick.

Diana from Big Green Purse, at the time the Thomas the Tank Engine series was being recalled for the same exact reason, told us that it was time to stop buying toys from China. I wish I had listened to her advice.

Dora Goes Green

Next month is Sprout's birthday and I am as much a slave to "themed" birthday parties as the rest of us...actually...scratch that. I LOVE THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTIES! There. I said it.

As much as I would just like to call her birthday "green" and call it a day, the girl is in l-o-v-e with that cute little explorer Dora. Remember the Backpack who we found at the yard sale for $1.00? It has now become her handbag. Did I mention it talks? If you do not have a child who is a member of the pre-school set, this post may read like "Blah, blah, blah, blah, green, blah, blah blah, blah blah." I apologize in advance.

But I digress.

So, I have decided that Sprout's birthday theme this year will be Dora Goes Green. Although, have you noticed...Dora is already very green?

1) She almost always walks everywhere.

2) When she and Boots do not walk, they either carpool (Tico's car) or take the train (Azul).

3) Her cousin Diego works at his parent's animal rescue center and Dora has helped him rescue baby bears and baby jaguars on several occasions.

4) Her Map recycles himself.

5) Dora fixed Backpack with duct tape (aka sticky tape) when his strap broke, thereby eliminating the need to purchase a new one.

6) Dora rarely, if ever, wears a different outfit. I can only imagine how eco-friendly this is. And Boots only wears boots! Now THAT'S saving on water and laundry detergent!

7) Dora seems to get A LOT of exercise and rarely eats. Not sure if that is entirely healthy, but I am sure she has great HDL levels.

8) Dora is bi-lingual.

9) Dora hair is a nice low-maintenance bob. I'm sure this saves time in the bath and on shampoo consumption (okay, these are getting weak, I realize that).

10) As far as I can tell, Dora does not use plastic grocery bags.

Okay, okay, things got REALLY lame at the end there - but in any case, I'm on my way to plan Sprout's Dora Goes Green birthday party!! Can you help us plan a Dora Goes Green birthday party? GREAT! Thanks for helping! Gracias!