What's Old is New Again

My son had a very "Hot" Christmas as he got a rather wide assortment of "Hot Wheels" toy cars. He got two from his godmother, four from his other godmother and his grandmother (a joint gift), money to buy "Hot Wheels" from his godfather (which was spent on two "Hot Wheels" and four "Matchbox" cars to be exact), and a loop-the-loop set from his aunt and her husband, his other godfather. We spent most of Christmas evening (that's the evening of the 25th) playing with his toy cars and the set. It was some of the most fun I've had with my son in quite awhile, and I remembered how much I enjoyed playing with toy cars. I never remembered playing with a set that looped, though.

The next day, I visited my mother's house while she was out, and as my son and I were playing with his set, she happened upon us and said "oh, you had one just like that when you were a kid."

I found it funny that for all of the slick packaging, Mattel, Hot Wheels' parent company, was basically regurgitating stuff they had made thirty years (possibly more) ago. Sure, there have been innovations (like tracks that you can attach to the door) and downgrades (cars that are made of plastic rather than diecast metal, that ostensibly are lighter and more suited to these race sets), but essentially it's the same stuff.

Rather than dismaying, this is actually comforting on some very important levels.

In an age where technology is growing is leaps and bounds, and kids are becoming increasingly tech-savvy, it's a huge comfort to know that there are things my son and I can do together, just as there are things he and his (hypothetical) son will be able to do together some day. It may sound revoltingly cliche, but I rather like the idea of being able to connect with my kid through these little metal toys. It also helps me keep in touch with the child within.