Update: Look for Elmo Live in stores
UPDATE: Even though Elmo Live is hard to find online, you may still have a chance to find him in the stores. We walked into a Target in the Tyrone area of St. Petersburg and found about six on the shelf. Maybe the news about this crazy interactive toy hasn't reached the real world but the cyber world is all over him.
Back in July, we told you about Elmo Live, the new interactive talking monster that puts his Tickle Me Elmo and Elmo TMX forefathers to shame. This Elmo can do just about anything including talk, stand, sit and laugh with your child. Back in July, you could pre-order Elmo, thought to be one of the hottest toys for the holidays, for about $60. Or you could take your chances and wait for it to be released on Tuesday.
Well, if you were hoping that Santa or someone else might deliver him for the holidays, you might have to think about something else. A quick check of the Web site of Fisher Price, the makers of Elmo, show that he is sold out but you can find him backordered until Dec. 9. Try Kohl's, Wal-Mart, eToys or Toys "R" Us online, but you won't find him there either. Now, if you check out eBay, Elmo can be found for more than $100. In some instances, the bidding is over $150. Over on Amazon, you can find Elmo starting at about $83.
We tried to warn you. Here's hoping Fisher Price makes enough so that Mommas and Poppas can get the furry guy for their tiny tots.
-- Sherry Robinson
Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
Amy Hollyfield is a workaholic mother of two young
daughters, blessed to have a work-at-home husband who makes their life possible. She was born in Detroit and moved around a lot as a kid (read: Air Force brat). She has lived in Florida since the month after she
graduated from Northwestern University. She lives for the yelps, hugs and kisses that greet her on nights that she makes it home before bedtime.
Sherry Robinson was born in the Sunshine State but she feels more comfortable inside a mall than outside at the beach -- thank goodness her husband is the outdoorsy type. He takes their two sons on night hikes, beach runs and bug hunts while Sherry does her best to take care of the homestead -- and find out what is new on the store shelves. A graduate of the University of South Florida in 19noneofyourbusiness, Sherry has been at the Times for nearly 20 years. And with nearly 10 years of parenting experience, Sherry is eager to offer up some great dish on raising kids and keeping your sanity.
Guest blogger Tracey Henry, a.k.a. Suburban Diva, is a frantic, slightly frazzled mother of four. She is a freelance humor writer and author which is the only thing that parenting four children ages 12-1 trains you for, except perhaps court jester and professional bull rider. She and her husband have lived all over the country, but settled in Florida eight years ago because the beachcombing is so much better here than on the banks of the Mississippi. Their family time includes a lot of sport -- both watching and playing -- and fun in the sun and surf. Catch her in Whoa, Momma! and on her site, 
Sherri Day and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world in early 2008. So far, she describes parenthood as exciting, exhausting and exhilarating. A self-described Southern belle with small-town values and big-city idealism, Sherri was born in rural Georgia. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Clark Atlanta University and her master's of journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She is the Brandon bureau chief for the Times. Sherri moved to Tampa from Brooklyn four years ago.
got him oct 14 walked into toysrus bailey's in alexandria. there where a dozen at the front and another dozen in the store. No pandemonium or lines at all. Just walked in and picked one up. I was the only one buying him.
Posted by: steve | October 15, 2008 at 10:28 AM