Excuse me while I have a pre-Christmas panic attack.  I was at Walmart the other day… because I’m a mom and I’m at Walmart about 12 times a week… and I saw something that made the blood in my veins turn to ice, and then my chest tightened and I thought for a moment I was having a stroke.  But no.  I was just seeing a RYAN doll.  Which means that in about 8 weeks this little darling will be in my home, because my child is obsessed with Ryan’s World.

And it’s not a low key obsession.  It’s what she lives and breathes.  I bought Ryan’s World giant surprise eggs last Christmas like a party girl buys glitter.  I had friends and wives of co-workers on the lookout for them.  And now, there’s a doll.  A creepy, posable doll that will haunt my dreams and likely cause at least one meltdown when it’s missing.  So I’ll buy the doll for my munchkin because it makes her happy.  And Ryan and his family can add my $25 to their millions and everyone will be happy.  My daughter will be playing with Ryan, who she asks to invite over to play on a daily basis and I’ll probably be locked in the bathroom eating kit-kats (with wine, kit kats and wine by myself is my happy place).

So… good luck, parents.  Toy season is here….