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Top: Kristin holding one of her Cabbage Patch Babies which were "born" at Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia.

The original Cabbage Patch Kids were co-designed by a gentleman in that area (Xavier Roberts) who had the novel idea of setting up a "birthing center" (which looks like a hospital with real staff) where different Cabbage Patch babies are "born" each hour. The entire birthing process is very elaborate and dramatic, and Babyland General Hospital has moved to an even larger facility to accommodate the crowds. The Cabbage Patch Babies born at Babyland were not the hard-shell plastic kids you buy pre-boxed at your local retail store (on our visits). They were hand-made, and I might add, a little expensive if you were expecting something in line with what you'd pay at Wal-mart. The staff asked different children to supply a first and middle name, and, of course, the baby typically gets adopted by a family in the viewing area within a few short minutes.

Kristin and I made several trips to Babyland over the years to "adopt" newborn Cabbage Patch Kids. (I had more money than sense back then, I guess. I even took one of Kristin's friends with us and adopted a doll for her, too. Altogether that day, I believe I spent in the vicinity of $700.) I don't begrudge the money I spent. The twinkle and excitement in Kristin's eyes, and the excitement with which she cared for the babies for years afterward made it well worth it!

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia, do it! You don't have to adopt a newborn while you're there. They have a store on premises that sells the same type dolls you'd buy at your local store. But, beware, the dolls-- I mean "babies"-- that are born there hourly are really, really cute!