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May 21, 2018

Gymboree Local Legends – Nostalgia for 90s Kids Raising Kids

I’m excited to partner with Gymboree for this trip down memory lane in support of the Gymboree Local Legends campaign. This post contains affiliate links. See full disclosure for details.


Do you remember Bridge to Terabithia?

There was a movie made in 2007 based on the book, but I’m bringing us back to the 90s and the OG Terabithia. The book that let two young girls imagine Jess and Leslie’s magical tree house world was our own.

Kicking It Nostalgia Style

Meg moved into my neighborhood when I was 6 and I have a distinct memory of peering into her mom’s blue minivan when they stopped by to introduce themselves. After being all bent out of shape because I had to move from my thriving social circle in Connecticut the year prior, 6 year old me knew that having 6 year old Meg right around the corner was a turning point.

We became fast friends and spent countless days exploring the woods behind our houses pretending that we had our very own Terabithia in suburban Massachusetts. After we were done jumping tree stumps and forging rivers, we would play Power Rangers in the pool, and American Girl Dolls in our rooms, and camp out at each other’s houses for sleep overs. Over time, we had developed a well-worn path of broken branches and matted down pine needles through the woods that connected our houses.

As we grew, there were Babysitter’s Club inspired day camps for the younger kids in our neighborhood, days spent plotting how we would convince our parents to let us go see The Brady Bunch movie at the theater by ourselves, and nights spent watching TGIF. There  were school dances, and crushes, and trips to the mall. I remember two phone numbers from my childhood, my home number and Meg’s number. But we really didn’t need phones. You could just yell really loudly from the back deck.

Gymboree Sale On Now!

Terabithia: The Next Generation

That was the kind of childhood I imagined for my kids one day. Roaming between the houses. Bridge to Terabithia in the woods. A home that was about more than just our nuclear family.

After Glen and I got married we made a very conscious decision to buy a house in a quiet neighborhood. There was no guarantee that there would be kids in the neighborhood the same age as our imaginary yet to be born children, but at least there would be a street with very little through traffic and some woods in the backyard, just in case.

As luck would have it, our next door neighbors had twins, a boy and a girl, one year before Jack was born. Now that Jack is 3, Norah is nearly 2 and the twins are 4, this big neighborly dream of mine is starting to come to fruition. It’s been three years of tentative toddler parallel play, but the friendship is growing.

This past winter, Jack saw the twins outside in their backyard and yelled over for them to come sledding. When we go on walks around the block now the four of them will run to greet each other in our neighboring driveways. I’ve watched as I become less integral to the enjoyment of a bicycle ride around the neighborhood as two little boys glide down the road laughing ahead of me. On more than one occasion, Jack has announced that he is going next door and starts making his way through the trees and bushes that separate our homes. It’s pure nostalgic childhood. The good stuff. Magic.

Gymboree Sale On Now!

The Localist of Legends

That’s what I related to the most with the Gymboree Local Legends campaign. It’s about kids being kids, while wearing adorable and durable clothes, and not having to go far or make a big to do in order to have fun. It is simple “the kids next door, have a blast right where you are, unplugged” style memories. Americana in the best possible way.

I could blatantly lie to you and say that I don’t often get sappy about ad campaigns, but I feel like we’re past that point in our relationship. I’ve cried four times in the past two days and that’s not going to surprise anyone. But it’s not often that I’m compelled by an ad campaign to travel back in time and dig up all the nostalgic feels. I’ve realized how the very concept of being a “local legend” was ingrained in my youth. It has created a picture in my mind for what life and home should be. My village as a child, adolescent, and teen was an actual physical village because of a friend next door who became an extension of my family.

Then and now, I’ve never yearned for a fancy life. I want a local life. A legendary life grounded in the simple things. And a well-worn path through the woods.

With love for the present, the past, and Gymboree’s marketing department,

P.S. Need to do some summer shopping? Free shipping Over $50 + Free Returns at Gymboree

P.P.S. Hi Meg! Let’s plan that ice cream date with the kids soon.

90s kids raising kids with a touch of nostalgia. Having fun at home with kids! #parenting #90snostalgia #funathome #locallegends
Gymboree Local Legends. The having and making of old friends. #90snostalgia #summerfun #kidsnextdoor #letkidsbekids

Filed Under: Family, For the 90s Nostalgic Tagged With: 90's, Friendship, Neighbors, Nostalgia

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy @ Orison Orchards says

    May 21, 2018 at 3:16 pm

    Aww… you made me feel all nostalgic! Childhood is the best!

    Reply
    • Becca says

      May 23, 2018 at 10:43 am

      So many feels!! Thank you for reading!

      Reply
  2. sheetalbravon says

    May 21, 2018 at 3:35 pm

    Your post is fantastic and I’m in awe of how you planned to give a similar childhood to your kids. The writing took me down my memory lane- of declarations of undying friendship, cycling all over the town, gossiping, cheering, writing cards and notes. Also I loved the movie Bridge to Terabithia and cried buckets of tears towards the end. More power to you.

    Reply
    • Becca says

      May 23, 2018 at 10:42 am

      Oh my goodness, that ending… BRUTAL! Thank you so much for reading and sharing your memories! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Candy Keane | Geek Mamas says

    May 22, 2018 at 7:51 am

    I remember Bridge to Terabithia! Unfortunately the only thing I remember about it is somebody dies and it is sad I never read it again 😳
    I’m sure it was magical though 😆

    Reply
    • Becca says

      May 22, 2018 at 7:56 am

      Oh yeah it’s horribly depressing. I conveniently left that part out… 🤷‍♀️

      Reply
      • Candy Keane | Geek Mamas says

        May 22, 2018 at 8:55 am

        You’re fond memories of it make it sound so nice. Maybe sneak in “P.S. the kid dies” so people can be warned…LOL

        Reply
  4. Hi, I'm Elizabeth says

    May 23, 2018 at 10:18 am

    I love Bridge to Terabithia! I read the book when I was 11 I think. And I loved the movie too. What a tearjerker though. It’s a nice idea about childhood and your lucky to have a great neighborhood.

    Reply
    • Becca Carnahan says

      May 26, 2018 at 6:38 am

      Seriously! Horribly sad but beautifully done.

      Reply
  5. kidneyfornikki says

    May 23, 2018 at 11:30 am

    Oh, man. That’s what I wanted for my kids too. I remember going from house to house picking up random friends to all end up at one person’s house — we may or may not have torn down my swingset –but it never was quite like that,

    Everyone now likes the playdate or electronics so there wasn’t as much roaming the streets to play with your friends. I hope you get to buck that trend!

    Great article!

    Reply
    • Becca says

      May 25, 2018 at 5:31 pm

      Oh the playdate! The very name drives me nuts. I mean I’m sure we will have them, but I’m a bigger fan of wandering next door. 🙂 Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  6. Haddie says

    May 23, 2018 at 4:52 pm

    My 3yo recently told me “I know an adult thing…The 90’s!” lol! I guess I’ve been listening to too much throwback 90’s Pandora:) Thanks for the dose of nostalgia, we live in the city but I love the idyllic sound of your neighborhood!
    #wanderingwednesday

    Reply
    • Becca says

      May 25, 2018 at 5:30 pm

      That’s AWESOME! Haha I love it.

      Reply
  7. Lori says

    May 24, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    I guess I’m old enough to be your mom:) I felt a little nostalgic with your story but for different reasons. I raised my kids reading Bridge to Terabithia, and dressed them in Gymboree until they were old enough to protest. That whole independence thing is a real bummer sometimes:) Great post!
    #WanderingWednesday

    Reply
    • Becca says

      May 25, 2018 at 5:29 pm

      My oldest has decided to dress himself at 3 and his very cute button downs have seen very little light of day. 🙂 Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  8. thepeacheepear says

    May 28, 2018 at 9:29 am

    Love this! I had a similar childhood playing outside with all the neighborhood kids. Riding bikes, playing hide and seek, chasing the ice cream truck! Hope my daughter has a similar childhood too!

    Reply
    • Becca says

      May 28, 2018 at 8:52 pm

      Oh my goodness the ice cream truck! So many awesome memories!

      Reply

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Career Coach | Mom | Writer
Welcome to With Love, Becca! I'm a career coach, working mom of two, and writer dedicated to helping women find more fulfillment and joy in their work and lives. Stick around for resources (and lots of humor) to help you manage motherhood, manage careers, and manage to laugh through it all.
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