Birthdays and Christmas

[moogie]

Well, this year i'm getting very few pressies but focussing on the party which we will have at Australia Zoo.  So we're going to eat alongside the kangaroos in the grazing area.  I'm also going to invite Terri, Bindi and Bob for cake.  who knows, theres always a possibility they will come and Charlie will be thrilled.  She goes on about Bindi a lot.  She loves watching the dvds but doesn't know that Steve Erwin has passed away.  I don't think it matters too much as she is a far bigger fan of bindi.  So if i'm feeling game i may make a crocodile or snake cake. 


I've decided to decorate for christmas this year.   I've got a fake tree, now to get tinsel.  When are the decorations supposed to go up?

So what are you all up to for their bdays and xmas, not too far away now?

[skeettafic]

C's party sounds awesome!  We are looking at having ours at the zoo as well.  Actually, I'm going to look at that next.

We've gotten most of Joss's thins already:

B-day: easel and new art stuff (still need easel paper and some new paint) and a dress up trunk (going to go get Halloween constumes once they are on clearance)

Christmas: Dollhouse and accessories (still have to get), cash register, basketball hoop

Things to split up that we"ve already gotten - assorted puzzles and books, a couple of board games

Jocelyn is completely obsessed with My Little Ponies so that will be her theme for her b-day.  We are hoping that for her B-day we'll be able to get her an "I'm a big sister shirt!"

[ShannonandDel]

Delaney and Jocelyn are having eerily similar birthdays and Christmas. D is getting an easel and art supplies for her b-day and a doll house for xmas.
We are planning on doing the dress-up Halloween thing as well, but I think it will be a welcome to the new house thing. She loves to dress up and is one of those kids that never wears real clothes at home. She knows that he has to put them on to go to the store, but she runs around to the neighbors and to great Grandma’s and Aunt Pam’s in a tutu.
For her birthday party we are going to have a book and puzzle party. I don’t know about you guys, but people here love to give junk for presents! We have already been told that she is getting Hanna Montana dolls for her birthday and I really don’t want that stuff in the house! Help!!!!!!!!!

[Karen + Greta]

Well, Im not sure which is for xmas and which is bday, but G is getting a wooden kitchen and pots and pans.  That will probably be her christmas present.  The other thing we are getting is what my mom calls a laryette, a long silk ribbon on a wooden stick you can dance around with, do you KWIM?  Then a few little things like a little playground set that will go with her doll house (from last year).  We try to keep it simple.

Party, we usually just have everyone over and have food and all that good stuff.  I worry about the junk factor too, from the in-laws.  They never ask my opinon on what we want G to have. 

[skeettafic]

Luckily our family pretty much asks what to get her for Christmas and stuff so we never get anything too far out there.  They would never get the Hannah Montana or Bratz stuff that some kids are getting.

I know that ILs are getting her an actual baby doll for her birthday and some play accessories for Christmas.  My parents are getting her My Little Pony stuff because, have I mentioned that she's obsessed!  For Christmas I think they are getting her one of the Hot Wheels car things (to keep at their house).  I think my BIL/SIL are getting her a tool set.

Shannon - that is strange that their holidays are going to be so similar!

[kokonutmama]

Kode's getting a 2-wheeler from Santa (yay eBay!) and from mommy I think some blocks, oh and a helmet, of course.  I'm thinking of those blocks they have now with the holes in them and ramps and stuff and they come with marbles to roll down. 

I have one aunt who gives junky stuff, but nothing like hanna montana.  Luckily, with the exception of Thomas, we've skirted the whole character marketing bit.  Pretty amazing, actually, since he watches a lot of TV.

[jnezmama02]

You know, guys, I'm REALLY behind this year.  Jessie's birthday is on turkey day this year and I haven't even started shopping for her party or presents yet. Then, we've got Emily's bday party and presents on XMas. And, then all 3 kids XMas presents to buy for.   Umm...yea, this isn't good.  Crap, I'm in a panic now, lol.   Anyway, I think our big goal is to reduce clutter. The girls have TONS of toys, so they don't really need anything and Zachary has a bunch of the girls toys. So, we'll probably focus on big ticket items...but I'm not sure yet what things we're getting. I'll get back to you on it.

As far as Hannah Montana and Bratz...we hate Bratz, they look so tacky. Their faces are SO distorted and have SO much makeup on. They just look weird.  Everyone in our family has been told ABSOLUTELY no bratz.  Hannah Montana is really is an older kids show (seems like 6-10yrs would be more into it), so I don't know why they market toys to 3-5yrs for her stuff...but I don't really think there is anything necessarily "wrong" w/ her toys, assuming you're ok w/ other barbie-type dolls or any of the other mass-marketing crap that Barbie, disney princess, dora or the like.  We're ok w/ that stuff b/c we try to balance it w/ other more natural or educational things.

[moogie]

Hannah Montana is really is an older kids show (seems like 6-10yrs would be more into it),

lol, my soon to be 29 yr old sister likes Hannah Montana.  Very sad but hey lets not go there.   

[jnezmama02]

haha, Megs, that's funny. I've only seen a few minutes of the show once, but it looked "cute" and harmless enough.

[kokonutmama]

Do you guys Freectcycle?  I got rid of a huge box of K's old toys that way, soooo easy and they went to a single mom with a 7 month old so I felt pretty good about it.  I've also given away his old shoes and gotten "new" ones and some chairs for him to stand on.  Every area's different, but around me there's lots of awesome stuff, like 17" computer monitors, winter coats, desks, beds. 

For Christmas season I think it's a good way to clear out space and maybe pick up a present as well.