Chatty Cathy and Barbie.

I took these photos in January 2015.

I have thousands of photos which I'm trying to organize into their correct folders. That may take a while! This is one of my Chatty Cathy dolls; a hard face, blue decal eyed, brunette pigtail doll. Above she is holding my first "Barbie" doll, which is the only kind my Mom would buy for me. I got her on my 5th birthday, and my sister Leona got the same doll, but with white hair. They were purchased at Woolworth's in Vancouver BC. The doll is wearing her original dress with original shoes. Mysteriously I never named my dolls. The dress Chatty is holding was one I got in 1966 for a Christmas gift. The "Teen Fashion" case was 99 cents and it came with my doll.

I've blogged before about my Francie (a 9th birthday gift) and my Stacy (an 8th birthday gift from my aunt Frieda). I still have their original swim suits.

Robert has two of his original toys; a teddy bear and this Kubkar which he made in 1970 when he was in cub Scouts.

It's fun to keep your childhood toys!

By Loretta Houben

My childhood dolls: post from 2009

I've always loved dolls. I got my first doll at age 6 months, for a Christmas gift from my parents. Yes, I still have her along with one original shoe. She was nearly as big as me!

I longed for a Barbie doll when I was older, but my mom thought it best to give me a knock off doll with a flat chest for my 5th birthday. She thought Barbie's big boobs were indecent! Here is a picture of the doll with the case she came in: The dress she is wearing has a bow around the waist. I learned how to tie a bow using this very same dress!

 She was purchased at Woolworth's store on Hastings Street. My sister Leona got a matching doll, only her doll had white hair. Here's the doll wearing a red velvet bodice dress, with a tiered satin skirt. I got the dress for Christmas in 1966. I thought it was so elegant. My doll still has her original shoes!

My aunt Frieda (my mom's sister) sent me a package for my 8th birthday; a bendable knee Stacey! I was thrilled with this doll, big boobs and all! I never liked her white hair though.

One of my favourite birthdays ever! My aunt Frieda also sewed the dress I'm wearing; she was an excellent seamstress. My Mom made the cake which I loved, and I got a beautiful white Bible, KJV.

For my 9th birthday I was allowed to have a birthday party, and my mom gave me this Francie. I had wanted the blonde haired one. My mom thought Francie was a decent doll to give a young girl!

I don't know where the copy of my 9th birthday party photos are, so I'll substitute this family photo. I'm still wearing the 8th birthday dress in this picture! Those are my parents, Susie and Jack Williams in front of our house at 3382 Monmouth Avenue in Vancouver BC.

Leona is in the red and purple dress, with Marlene in between us.

I have the date wrong on this picture. I got Skipper when I was 11 years old; 1971. She's wearing a dress I spent my money on at the local Farmer's Market in New Westminster. It's handmade and was $1.25 back in the 1970's.

This is myself in 1973. A young teenager. I still loved to play with dolls at this age, until I was 15.

Well, I still love dolls now!

Loretta Houben

Some of my childhood dolls:

This is the first look-a-like Barbie doll I got, for my 5th birthday.

My Mom wouldn't buy me a big bosom doll!

She also gave me the case. 

I also had a pretty velvet dress.

My first Stacey bendy leg doll!

A gift from my aunt Frieda.

A gift from my parents.

A lovely dress my Mom made.

Another gift from my parents. I played with her often.

A Dawn doll (friend) and another small doll from my my aunt Pat.

By Loretta Houben