Our Hasbro STAR WARS collection is sizable - and growing... another thing I would've never expected, me in my pre-parenting days once having an entire STAR WARS room once upon a time. For our family, Disney XD's STAR WARS REBELS was the gateway - "a first step into a larger world," as Obi-wan Kenobi would say. Role-play items like lightsabers and NERF blasters are essential, and they pair well with the sizable costume collection we've amassed in our closet.

But the meat-and-potatoes of the collection are the basic figures and vehicles - just as it's been for nearly 40 years. While both girls are well-versed in the ways of The Force, it's little Finley that's particularly attached to figures. Even during our recent trip to Disney World this month, she just had to have an Unkar Plutt ("One quarter portion!") figure - one that she so cutely described as being "Rey's friend."

Our party pack from Hasbro was really cool - with some TFA-themed plates/napkins/cups accompanying the much-requested 12-inch Hero Series Rey figure, a pair of masks, Kylo Ren's Blade Builders Lightsaber (something the kids had been asking me to buy), a NERF First Order Stormtrooper Blaster, and the first appearance version of a character that the girls had wanted since the moment they first saw her on screen... Maz Kanata, included in the new Takodana Encounter multi-pack. Funny enough, The Rock Daughters don't really "get" that their Daddy has met with and interviewed Maz' motion-capture alter-ego, actress Lupita Nyong'o twice within the past four months, first at THE FORCE AWAKENS press event, and later at THE JUNGLE BOOK junket. 

Looking ahead, our STAR WARS adventures will only continue to grow, with STAR WARS REBELS Season 3 on the way, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY hitting theaters this December, and the next adventure with Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron and the whole crew coming next year with STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII. With each new film, Hasbro will certainly be there with new toys, and you can bet we'll be eager to add new characters to our in-home adventures as the galaxy continues to expand.

The Force will be with us, always.