Na nana na Batgirl!

It is a lovely day today and all my errands and chores are done, time to unbox a doll. When Toys R Us was closing I bought a few dolls. Today I decided to open up the 18" DC Super Hero Girls Batgirl, 2017/Jakks Pacific.

I was happy to find out that she came with her own stand.

As you can see, her costume is a little different than the 12 inch version, but it is very close.

She even comes with her Bat-Wing backpack.

Being made by different companies, Mattel and Jakks Pacific, they are not carbon copies of each other, but very similar.

Here she is standing next to an 18" child doll. 

I love the stars in her eyes. She is a fun addition to my super hero collection.

3 Cheers for Mikey and Nicky

If you have read all of my blog posts, you know that I am a fan of the Fisher Price My Friend dolls, starting with My Friend Mandy who I received as a young child for Christmas 1977. Since starting this blog, I have gradually added all of Mandy's friends to my collection.

My most recent acquisition is Mikey (released 1982), the boy of the group. I found him at the Rowbear's National Doll Festival that was taking place at the hotel across the street from the UFDC convention hotel last month. Purchasing him means that I have completed my collection.

Since I already had Jenny (released 1979),

Mandy (released 1977),

Becky (released 1982),

And Nicky ! In fact, I had bought Nicky earlier this year at the MLK Jr. Day doll luncheon that I enjoy going to, but hadn't taken her out of her box yet.

Nicky was the last character added to the original line in 1985.

Like the other dolls, Nicky is machine washable and her hair can be safely shampooed. The box recommends that instead of combing her hair, a pick should be used so that her curls are not damaged.

She comes in a cute cheerleader costume and has her own pom-poms. When she was released, Mandy was also re-released in a cheerleader costume. And the year before, Jenny was re-released in an aerobics costume. I guess it was the mid 1980s and athletic looks were more popular than sweet 70s dresses and the peasant look.

Now all the dolls are reunited.

Hip - hip- hooray!

Star Struck: UFDC 70th Annual Convention - Nashville TN, 2019, Part 8 - The End

Saturday was finally here! I was up bright and early and down to the Helper Room by 6:30AM to help with the set-up of the Helper Drawing. This is one of my favorite events of convention. Love it when people win items and are happy with their wins. Sadly, I did not win any Helpers this year. Not even the Effanbee John Wayne doll. Sad face. Good news, it meant I did not have to use my extra collapsible suitcase.

After all the tickets were pulled, I took a quick peek at the Publishers' Preview and had lunch with a friend at the Jack Daniel's restaurant. I was really impressed with their hamburger and BBQ sauce. It was probably the most well cooked meal I had at the hotel.

We then headed down to the sales room for a last look.

We stopped by the Turn of the Century Antiques booth for a photo with the Virtual Doll Convention mascot doll.

There were two more programs available to see that afternoon, but I only went to one, Chatty Cathy: America's Favorite Talking Doll by Brian Taggerty. I was just too tired to sit through the next one. Instead, I went back to the room for a much needed and well-deserved nap.

Then it was time to get dressed up all pretty, pack my table favors, and head on down to set up for the Banquet. But first, I needed to photograph my table favors. For my first convention in 2012, I made cute little mouse and lion Kewpies as table favors. Since I had a few left, I decided to make some more and get rid of them all at this convention. 

Ta daaaa! They turned out pretty well.

The Banquet tables were simply decorated.

After a delicious dinner with old friends and new, and tribute payed to Ray Baker who was stepping down from running the Banana Crew after 37 years, it was time to open our souvenir dolls.

Meet Little Miss Star Struck by R. John Wright.

She was the perfect end to a stressful, but fun convention.

Star Struck: UFDC 70th Annual Convention - Nashville TN, 2019, Part 7 - The Gardens

After a lite dinner at the Falls, I took a walk and explored the Garden and Delta areas.

Couples were being photographed in front of the falls, so while I waited for the path to clear, I decided to get some photos of Licca.

Yup, more Smurfs.

I stopped to watch the fountain show. The child in the blue shirt absolutely loved the show. He ran up to the edge of the area and was dancing and oohing and ahhing through the whole thing.

I then went to the Tennessee Ballroom area and talked to other convention goers while we waited for the open bar to open up before the "An Evening with R. John and Susan Wright" event. The bar line was chaotic, but I eventually procured a libation and found a seat in the ballroom. During the event, after an introduction by the outgoing president, the Wrights answered questions submitted by the audience.

Click here for Part 8.