Mitchell, Rylee and Tess have been hard at work composing this year's official Christmas List. You see there will be multiple drafts before the final copy makes its journey to the North Pole. Its a laborious process that requires many sheets of computer paper and an array of crayola markers. Rylee's is the most festive, so far, with her red and green lettering and her full-color illustrations. Thankfully, the doll that pee-pee's in the potty didn't make the final cut."Christmas listing" is a time-honored tradition that dates back generations. Mr. Crane, my aged 5th grade teacher, told us that he compiled a list from the Sears and Roebuck catalog that was dedicated as toilet paper in the family's two-hole outhouse. I remember my mom buying a JCPenney catalog every Holiday Season. The back section was devoted entirely to toys. Bryan, Chris, Nick and I would wear out that catalog flipping through the pages for days. I think I circled more items than not.
My children started working on their lists weeks ago when Grandma Connie delivered the first of the toy catalogs that came with her paper. They slowly went through each page, carefully considering all of their options. Further narrowing things down by seeking reviews on Amazon.com. This family would hate not to be educated about all the toy industry has to offer for 2008.
High School Musical and Hannah Montana seem destined to rule this Christmas. How unfortunate for my children that I told Santa to add those to the undeliverable gift list. The list that contains past favorites like Brat dolls and Spongebob action figures. I try to encourage Santa to bring classic gifts like legos, jump-ropes, hoppy taws, and other things that don't require D-batteries. So far it seems to be working.
I have compiled a short list of gift ideas. Most of these are things my kids have received in years past and have played with alot. Some of the others are things my kids just might get this year. If they stay off that darn naughty list!
Hyper Dash--you set the targets up all over a room or yard and then try to chase them down as instructed by the game. It keeps track of your time so you can race against yourself and your friends. Super good exercise!
Ida Perle Alphabet Cards--limited edition prints of her original artwork. Comes with a clothesline and little clothes pins to hang them on the wall. A great way to teach little ones their letters. I found them on mahardrygoods.com
What kid doesn't love a good coloring book? Grandma Connie gave us some last Christmas that she picked up at Red Balloon Toy Store. You can also find them on Amazon. We always have one of these books in the church bag.
Grandma Shirl gave Mitchell a Color Pixter for Christmas about 5 years ago. Since then it has been a family favorite. I can't believe it still works, considering the abuse it has taken.
We got ours at Target, but I think you can only get them online now.
Costco had these doodle books a few years ago. You can still find them at book stores and online. It kept Mitchell busy for hours. Each page has simple drawings to get the kid started. No more, "Mom, what should I draw?"
This is the grocery store that Tess got for her birthday. We bought it on sale at Target, but I think you can only order it online now. She still plays with it almost every day. We also have the grocery cart and an extensive collection of wooden food to go with it. It's even fun to pretend that its a flower shop (using my collection of silk flowers) or an ice-cream shop.
I found a pattern to make these petitfours out of felt online. I haven't ordered it yet, but I thought it would be a fun project to do with Rylee and then she could give them to her friends for their birthdays. The pattern is available from woolfeltcentral.com
Every year I check out Restoration Hardware for stocking stuffers. Two years ago we got Tess the cutest set of circus finger puppets from there. They always have retro games and toys. This is something I am giving the kids this year. It is a classic Charades game. They also have pick-up sticks. Available at restorationhardware.com. The Cracker Barrell restaurants also have really cool vintage inspired toys that make great stocking stuffers or inexpensive friend gifts.
I thought these pin dolls would make a cute project for Rylee. She is really into making things (I wonder where she gets that from). This is a kit that comes with everything you need. mahardrygoods.com
I would love for you to share toys that your kids have loved!
