Christmas and B-days

[skeettafic]

I posted this on BBC but I wanted to see what you guys are all planning.

When I posted on BBC, I didn't really have anything planned but I had some extra money this pay so I got some stuff on clearance.  I got her a couple of books, some puzzles, a couple of board games, an easel and some art stuff (still need paint and roller paper), some My Little Pony stuff and a fridge thingy from LeapPad.

We still need to get...stuff for a dress up kit (I'll do that when Halloween goes on clearance), a vanity and a dollhouse and accessories.

Shannon - I saw that you guys got Del a dollhouse.  Where did you get it from?

What's everyone else planning?

[ShannonandDel]

We got a Plan toys dollhouse  (this one http://www.amazon.com/Plan-Toys-Terrace-Dollhouse-Compact/dp/B000I8UKZO/ref=sr_1_10/104-7669955-2671908?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1188040407&sr=1-10 ) from Amazon when it went way down in price. It was like thirty dollars!

If you watch this site, sometimes they have amazing deals http://dealsformommies.blogspot.com/
Otherwise I just check Amazons clearance area every once in awhile. I need to get a roll of paper for Delaney's easel too. Which easel did you get? We got the Melissa and Doug one (again, on sale on amazon    )

[ShannonandDel]

Oh, we are going to get Delaney some little snowshoes too.

[jnezmama02]

Uggh...I have no idea!! 

[skeettafic]

Shannon - we got the Imaginarium easel; pretty much just like the Melissa and Doug one.  It was on sale last week at Toys R Us and with our discount and some gift cards I had, I only paid $8 for it! 

[kokonutmama]

Kody wants a fishing pole and a 2 wheeler.  I like the idea of a dress-up kit.  it's going to be not a lot of stuff, though, since we're (hopefully for real this time!) moving next summer or fall.

[moogie]

We'll be building a cubby house soon, which will be monetarily part of the pressie.  I think a dress up kit would be a great idea.  i won't buy the presents for the day till very close to C's birthday as i'm a shocker and want to give things early.  but i do add items through the year as the kids needs change so quickly.  i mostly get opshop items.

Hey A, does K want a real fishing rod or fake.  C wanted to eat a cheerio(little hotdog sausage) at a bday party the other day but was easily talked out of it.

[skeettafic]

Megs - we do stuff throughout the year, too.  Whatever's on clearance or at a yard sale or consignment shop that I find neat.  With the holidays coming she won't get any "big" items but I'm sure we'll pick up some more books or stuff before Christmas. 

I'm trying to be really conscious of how much we get her this year.  So many of the toys out there are just junk, IMO.  I was at Toys R Us the other day getting the easel and there was a mom there looking at play kitchens.  They had the one that Jocelyn got last year (a wooden KidKraft one) and told her how much she loved it and played with.  The first thing she wanted to know was what kinds of "bells and whistles" it had - sounds, lights, etc.  I told her none because we ddin't want any of that.  She smiled politely and went off to look at more plastic stuff.  Ugh.

Now we definitely have more typical toys - I know that my parents are going to get her the My Little Pony Ponyville set because she just loves the My Little Pony stuuf but some of the other stuff that's out there is awful!  Like the Bratz stuff!!!!!!!! 

Okay, sorry this turned into a vent!  Back to cheerful happy holiday chat!

[kokonutmama]

He wants a real one, now whether he gets it is a different story.  My dad's a huge fisherperson, so I can't poo poo it too much around the house.  We'll see what the season brings. 

[moogie]

ooh tough one A.

Jessica, for some its about getting toys that will keep the kids occupied.  admittedly, i have a couple of things like that but IMO too much of the bells and whistles can affect imagination.  for us though, new plastic toys aren't very good for the environment so we steer clear of it.

btw just got a cool cooperative game called funny face.  its really simple.  lots of miming pretending to be different things.  great for the age our kids are at.