It was late September or early October when she first saw them. It was during a weekly pilgrimage to our suburban Mecca. You know, Target. My babes were tucked into the cart as I turned down the toy aisle so my daughter could pick out a present for the multiple 4th birthday parties we’ve been to this fall. We were shopping for boys so she bargained with me to go to her favorite place on earth, the princess aisle in the toy department.

It was maybe 10 seconds after I turned the corner that I heard her gasp. “Anna and Elsa! They’re giant!” I turned to see two dolls as big as my 4-year-old staring out of boxes marked “Only at Target.” Here they are, My Size Elsa and My Size Anna:

Picture from eBay.com

Have you seen them? Trust me, you’d know if you saw them, they are freakishly child-sized.  Well, I haven’t seen them since that day. Believe me, I’ve been to Target since then. Now I’m kicking myself for the discussion that ensued.

Her: “Mama! Can we get those dolls?!”

Me: “No, we’re not buying toys for you today. We’re getting presents for your friends.”

Her: “Mom, I just want to get out of the cart to look at them! Can I look at them?”

Me: “Charlotte, you have a hard time when we come to the princess aisle. If I let you out of the cart, you can look at the dolls, but when I say it’s time to go, it’s time to go. No fussing about it.”

Her: “Okay!”

This is when I tried to take her picture with the boxes to send my husband so he could share in this insanity. He had to witness the continued brilliance of Disney marketing that we’ve marveled at since “Frozen” was released last year. My phone died right then, so I’ll just tell you that her eyes were glazed over as she peered through the clear plastic at her heroines who were suddenly her size.

Her: “Mama can we get them?! Please!!??”

Me: “No, I told you we’re not buying toys for you today.”

Here’s where I went wrong but didn’t know it.

Me: “Maybe this is something you can put on your Christmas list. You could ask Santa for one of the dolls.”

Her: “I want Anna AND Elsa!”

Naturally. What was I thinking? There is no Anna without Elsa. Oh, and of course they are $59.99 each. Great, $120 for a pair of Arendelle royalty that are so big, it’s like adding two more 4-year-olds to our household.

I managed to peel her away with threats and promises, but not without tears. She negotiated one more look at the dolls if she was really good for the rest of our shopping trip.

Her: “Can we please get giant Anna and Elsa today?!”

Me: “No.”

Her: “But they’re so pretty!!!”

Me: “You can ask Santa Claus for them!”

Stupid. Stupid. STUPID! Yes! Encourage the child to ask the magic man I’m responsible for keeping magical for a toy associated with the hottest kids’ movie that is exclusive to one retailer. I’m an idiot.

These dolls are gone online. They’re gone at the area Targets I have called or visited. There are 16 Target stores in the greater Raleigh, NC area. In case you were wondering, the automated message at any store you call is the same. I will say, Target customer service at each store has been kind and helpful. I appreciate them not laughing at me or throttling me when they hear my request. Apparently they get LOTS of calls about My Size Anna and Elsa. They told me to keep checking for shipments. I asked if they’d have more on Black Friday. They don’t know. They may have more shipments by then, but I highly doubt they’ll discount them on Black Friday. They’d be fools to do that. They know suckers like me will pay $60 for each.

The empty shelf at one local Target Monday, November 10, 2014

She still discusses giant Anna and Elsa and says this is what she’s asking Santa for. I really hoped she would forget. I have BOLO’s out after calling relatives in other cities. (BOLO= Be On The Lookout) Yes, I’ve seen the bids on eBay upwards of $300 for the two dolls. I’m not interested in doing that. I have not seen them on Craigslist.

The hunt is on, Target! I’m gonna make this happen. People of the Internet, if you see one, please tweet me @SomebodysParent or email me at somebodysparent@gmail.com. 

If I don’t get one or both dolls, this may be a life lesson she learns this holiday season. The lesson is “You don’t always get everything you ask for at Christmas.” Honestly, the kid is gonna get great “Frozen” stuff, regardless. But, on Christmas morning I want to be able to say I did everything I could to get her the dolls. (Within reason.) Thanks in advance for helping my Ho Ho Heart.