I'll Tumble For Ya' :: Dairy Queen Kermit: The Swamp Years Kid's Meal Toy

In 2002 Jim Henson Productions released a straight to video movie called Kermit: The Swamp Years. In the vein of Batman Begins and The Wonder Years, Kermit: The Swamp Years regaled audiences with the tale of a young Kermit and how he came to be.

Okay maybe no one has seen it or cares. but I cared, and I still have the DVD.

I did not know at the time that Dairy Queen also released a handful of premiums with their kid's meals to coincide with The Swamp Years.

I found a couple of the toys at the flea market the other day and had to get them for my intern. Especially this cute little tumbler toy. Hours of fun!

Place Kermit and his pal 'old whatshisname' at the top of the ramp and give them a little push and woowoowoo wammo!

You'd be surprised at the mileage a simple toy like this gets. My intern loves it!

2014 San Diego Comic Con :: Star Wars, Muppets, and Zombies. Oh my!

On display at the Mattel booth was this full size Darth Vadermobile, designed by Hot Wheels and soon to be a toy that you probably need to add to your collection.

Gonzo the Great! This is an actual screen used Gonzo from Muppets in Space.

And apparently Gonzo the Great made a great escape and busted loose from his glass case, because...

It wasn't until I was getting this picture ready for the blog that I noticed Gonzo in the background! He was on the floor perusing the Star Wars stuff and I totally missed him.

Seriously, that Gonzo behind the helmet wasn't a display - I don't know if that guy with him was carrying around a functional Muppet or what, but I wish I had noticed him when I was there.

Pepe Prawn was also on display.

Star Wars: Rebels had a bunch of life-sized characters on display. This sure-to-be spunky droid is named Chopper.

This Twi'lek took a liking to me and insisted I take a selfie with her. Her name is Hera Syndulla.

This Jedi Master needs no introduction. Or should I say 'No introduction, this Jedi master needs.' And notice Hera in the background checking me out. I think she was stalking me.

Comic Con is a huge place, and I got lost pretty bad. Fortunately there was this helpful map posted for those of us who had gotten confused by all the hustle and bustle.

Found it! Boy, I sure hope they have BBQ.

Saturday with Kermit

Every kid needs a Kermit in their life. When my intern was very small, I picked up a modern Kermit puppet from Toys R Us for her. Since then we have been able to track down a couple original old-school versions of good old Kermie! Her modern Kermit doesn't appear in this photoshoot (I don't have enough hands!) but the originals, dating back to the late seventies, are far superior anyways.

Derek of Really Rather Random Guy recently found this same Kermit puppet in his used toy hunt travels. I found ours at a second-hand kid's clothing store shortly after buying the modern one for my intern (isn't that always the way?) His tongue is missing, but the thread outline is still there. It doesn't appear that the tongue was removed, so I can only assume it is a manufacturing error. It doesn't detract from Kermit's awesomeness though, since the pink thread outline for the tongue is there. We'll just assume he has been eating black licorice. Or coffee without cream, which I am drinking this morning since we're out of milk. Blah.

This Kermit Muppet Puppet dates back to 1978 and was manufactured by Fisher-Price.

My intern also has a Kermit stuffed animal/plush/doll/whatever you want to call it. Also made by Fisher-Price, the stuffed Kermit dates back to 1976. I actually owned one of these as a kid, so I am particularly fond of him!

As is my intern. Obviously.

Over the past week or so we have had to keep stuffed Kermit in a perpetual state of hugging with that little pink frog. My intern wakes in the middle of the night in a panic if Kermit loses his grip on 'Pickles' aka baby Kermit.

What better way to spend a rainy Saturday than with an armload of friends, especially when that friend is Kermit. And Pickles.

Kermit is jealous of my intern's boots.

Gonzo the Great

Gonzo is hands down one of the greatest of all Muppet creations! Blue nosed chicken loving daredevil extraordinaire, I always preferred the mystery of 'what is he?' which all changed when he was revealed to be from an alien race. Much like Boba Fett, the romance around Gonzo's origin is gone, but his coolness lives on!

This Gonzo plush was made in 1981. The family and I were at a local flea market recently, and a lady thought our lovable Toyriffic Intern was so cute she said 'she can have any toy she wants!' (This happens often.) Well of course I guided her towards Gonzo because I had been eyeing him myself - a good Dad needs to introduce his kids to the classics by gum!

Originally Gonzo's outfit was silver but this one has faded to an off-white over time. His cape is still as bright as ever though! His whole costume is removable (but that doesn't make him a dolly!) except for the shoes, and I believe you could buy alternate outfits for him back in 1981 (but that still doesn't make him a dolly!)

I've always loved Gonzo due to his mad blend of Evel Kenevel and...a choking flamingo...? His failed stunts were a highlight of every Muppet Show. Next to Kermit, Gonzo is probably my favorite Muppet of all time.