Shopping made easy

If you are looking to purchase something for my girlies, I'd thought I'd offer some recommendations:

Jovey:
Spirit horses, or this one
Barbies or more barbies or barbies
Sewing kit
My Little Ponies
Cash register
Kinetic sand
Piggy bank (any kind that is cute)
Elena of Avalor

Either girl would love:
LOL dolls
LOL pets
Beanie Boos or these or these or any of those separately
Whatever this thing is
Legos, any and all
Soft and Slo Squishies
Magna Tiles
These dolls

Miley:
Squirrel girl
Coding robots
Drum set
Diary of a Wimpy kid (any of them, we own zero)
Mad libs
Lego science kits
Polly Pockets

I've linked most everything to make it easy to find these things.  Happy Shopping.

book reviews

So my stash of kid's books has grown, but I've kept it under control by purging the board books and using the library often enough.  Here are some of my current recommendations:

Beekle:  An unimaginary friend looking for his human.  The girls like this one.  The art is colorful and fun.  The story brings two odd ducks together happily ever after.

The Whisper:  A magic book to read, but all the words fell out of it while she walked home, so she has to make up her own stories.  She starts the stories for each beautifully illustrated page, but then leaves it for you to finish.  It took Miley a little bit to get comfortable telling her own stories, but by the end she was a fan.

Winnie:  The True story of the bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.  I thought it was interesting and something different from our usual fantastical fiction.

Louis Braille:  The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind.  Miley had to read some biographies and so we picked up this one in the library.  She really loved it, and so did I.  It was heartbreaking and interesting.  Now I want to read about Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan again, and introduce Miley to that story.

Princess Pink and the Land of Fake Believe.  This is a series that Miley really enjoys.  Twisted fairy tales.  The girl is named Princess Pink and she is not a princess nor does she like pink. . . thus ensues the hilarity.  Miley gives it two thumbs up.

Sisters:  This is a graphic novel, ya know like a really long comic book.  Miley loves it.  She won't put it down to eat or do anything else.  ;)  It is pretty funny, at least the parts she's shown me.  This is her recommendation cause I haven't been able to get it out of her hands for me to check it out.

Dragons Love Tacos:  This made the perfect theme for Dave's last birthday party. . . and it was highly educational.  For instance, do not feed Dragons hot sauce.  They can't stomach it, but plain tacos will bring all the dragons to your yard.

The Incredible Book Eating Boy:  So I love this author, Oliver Jeffers.  I have more than one of his books. . . Stuck, This Moose Belongs to Me.  I like his sense of humor.  And I like his art.  Also educational, I learned a new word for throw-up. . . boke.  An Irish term.

Have you seen my Dragon?  This is a counting book and the illustrations are really well done.  Black and white with splotches of color, detailed and fun to look at.

Secrets of the Rainforest:  There is a series of "Secrets of" books.  We got the rainforest one.  The girls love it because you shine a light behind a page to see what animal is hiding.  It also has interesting information about the animals.

Viva Frida! I'm a sucker for art books, or books about artists.  I used this one to teach the girls about Frida Kahlo.  This book has simple uplifting text in Spanish and also English with an interesting combo of photographed stop motion puppets and painting illustrations.  At the end it tells more about Frida's life.

Unicorn thinks he's pretty great:  And he is pretty great, but so is the grumpy goat.  It's cute, funny, and stars a unicorn so how could it go wrong.  Cheetah Can't Lose, is another one of Bob Shea's books that we own.  It's also good, but lacking in unicorns.  ;)

The Book with No Pictures:  I enjoy this one much less than my girls.  They think it's hilarious, because you have to read whatever the book says and it says some pretty dumb stuff.  They still think it's funny after multiple readings.  Who knew.

Skippyjon Jones:  This is Dave's favorite book to read to the girls.  If he gets to pick, this is his grab, because he gets to do an accent while he reads.  The girls think it's pretty funny too.  This little siamese cat thinks he's a chihuahua and goes on adventures in his imagination.  Dave's right, it is pretty fun to read out loud.

Sky Color:  Another author I love.  They're artsy, so I was easily sold.  This girl needs to figure out what to do when she runs out of blue paint.  A nice reminder to look around at the world.

Leo, a Ghost Story:  My girls do not like this book.  In fact it may have given the sensitive one a nightmare.  ;)  I had to buy it.  I didn't know she'd be so sensitive.  It's a kids book about a ghost that haunts a house.  OK, it's a tad creepy.  I still kinda love it though.















Other books I've purchased recently that we've enjoyed:  Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, Sparky, The Day the Crayons Came Home, Creepy Carrots, The Little Shop of Monsters, Crankenstein, and The Golden Snail.

Books high on my to purchase list:  The Most Magnificent Thing, The Tea Party in the Woods, The Color Monster, The Skunk, Miss Moon: Wise Word from a Dog Governess, Sleep Like a Tiger, Once Upon an Alphabet, Little Elephants, and Who Done it?

"Give" ~ the little stream

Lately with so much bad news filling my view in the media, I've been especially heartbroken over the plight of children.  I can't take any more Planned Parenthood information or the 'cultural practices' in Afghanistan.  I feel ineffectual here.  I can't defund them or change a culture, no matter how much I'd like to.

I've been searching for some light, something I can support.

Last Christmas, Dave and I decided to donate money to a cause instead of buy gifts.  It was the best Christmas we have ever had.

Recently I read about the children in the Omo valley of Ethiopia.  It is remote and isolated.  The tribes there are pastoral and peaceful but very superstitious and practice Mingi.  They believe a child can be born unlucky and then must be killed.  Killed in awful ways.  The elders decide who is Mingi, for a number of different reasons, one being their top teeth came in before their bottom teeth.  Twins are mingi too.  It's heartbreaking.  Omo Child was founded by a photographer for Nat Geo and a local man who wanted to stop the practice of infanticide.  They save Mingi children.  Their story is great.  This year my Christmas will be to help these children.

I have also been impressed with a second organization, Together We Rise.  They help foster children in the US.  They provide help with many things, but one of them is transportation.  They give kids bikes.  They support those who age out of the system.  They do things I would like to.  So they will also receive my patronage.

Check them out, give if you feel inclined.  If you were going to send us something for Christmas this year and would like to add to our contributions we'd welcome it.

Buyer's guide 2014

My sister informed me that we are surprisingly close to Christmas, with her running count of remaining Fridays.  I'm not ready for that yet.  Miley, however, keeps me updated on all things she's got her eye on for the holiday so I thought I'd pass on the information if you were looking to make a purchase on her behalf.

Miley

JEWELRY!  She loves it, she wants it.  She would live in Charming Charlie if I let her.  The people who work there love her cause she gushes over everything.  Especially if it's pink.  Tiaras, necklaces, bracelets, rings, scarves.  You name it, she'd LOVE it.

Clip on earrings.  She doesn't want to pierce her ears, but she does want to wear earrings.  She's decided her Grandma's way is ideal.

Craft/art project stuff!

Barbies, any of them.

Costumes/Dress up stuff.

A diary with a lock.  She loves writing in little notebooks.

Clothing - size 6-7, shoe size 12

Things she has asked for that you should NOT BUY. . . a car, cell phone, or a horse.  ;)


Jovey

Baby stuff.  Baby dolls, baby items for said dolls, ie bottles, beds, bags, etc.  She loves babies.  Or a baby sister, but I'm not sure we're ready for that.  ;)  Better make it a brother, cause I gave away all my baby stuff and I'd hate to buy all that girlie stuff again.  No wait, we're good with two.

Disney figurine play sets.  You know those hard little characters.  She always steals Miley's princesses.

A doll with hair that she can brush.

Purses and sunglasses.

Doctor stuff.

Lalaloopsy dolls.

Anything Miley would like.

Clothing - size 3T, shoe size 7


If you were thinking of buying something for us, their lucky parents. . .

Dave and I have talked a lot recently about the amount of stuff in our life and how we'd like to help others.  So that is our plan.  We will not be buying Christmas presents for ourselves this year.  We will be instead donating that money to a couple of causes we feel passionate about.  If you would like to join us in this we'd love that.  So, if you want to send us something make it a card with a donation we can add to our own or simply do it yourself to any charity you feel compelled to help.  We appreciate your love and kindness.

Some charities we support:

Women's Project in Adama.  - This is where Jovey was born.  It is a program to help single women in need of jobs.  You can read more about it by clicking on the link.  It is run by our adoption agency.  http://westsandsadoption.org/help-out/

Skip1 - This is a charity that has projects all over the world, mostly dealing with food and water issues.  http://www.skip1.org/

After seeing people in Ethiopia drinking water out of a drainage pipe beside the road I have looked for charities that bring clean water to people without.

Charity: Water - Obviously a water charity, with projects around the world. http://www.charitywater.org/

A resource for checking the validity of charities is Charity Navigator.  I found it interesting and it listed lots of different charity options.  http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Buyer's guide 2013

The other day Miley was telling me what she would write in her letter to Santa. . .

Dear Santa, 
I love you and I'm afraid of you.  If you come into my house please wake me up so I can see you.  Also, could I have a ride in your sleigh?

Love, Miley

I know it's not Christmas time yet, and I strictly enforce the 'no Christmas carols until after Thanksgiving' rule so they won't get sooooo old that I want to pull my hair out. . . but since Jo's birthday is coming up I thought I'd just do it all together and give some ideas for gifts if you're in the market. . .

Jovey. . .
baby dolls
big girl stuff made for little girls. . . like the little purses with play items in them
doctor kit (wants everything like her sister)
musical instruments, she loves music
headbands, she looks good in headbands, and we need more
balls
board books
she wears size 18 months and anything bigger would work too
she'd be happy with anything that she can put in her mouth as well (can't wait for that phase to end)

Miley. . .
dress up shoes
dance outfits (she wears a 6, but 7 might be a good idea)
art stuff, any and all, she wants watercolor books with the real watercolors
Disney barbie dolls. . . Snow White, Pocahontas, Mulan, Aurora, Jasmine, and their prince counterparts
she really wants a sewing machine. . . ??? to make dresses, she says
shoe size is 11, clothes 6-7
books, I have an amazon list of specifics if you want to have a look at it email me and I'll tell you how

handle with care and buyer's guide 2013

So for the past two months I must have not been at my best, most pleasant self. . . and that must have come across in the blog/facebook/insta/life cause everyone has seemed very hesitant around me.  Ticking time bomb kind of hesitant.  Not that I minded, you know, to be feared.  ;)

No one has asked me to do things for them, which in my world is very unusual.  I got less responsibilities at church as well.  Everyone seems to think I may be at my breaking point.  Am I?  Well, maybe I was.  I must admit that I was not in the best frame of mind.  The waiting was eating at me every. single. day.  I knew it would be hard.  I didn't expect cupcakes and lollipops.  I just didn't know how bad it would feel.  Crap on toast.  That's what it feels like, if you wanted to know.  Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't talk anyone out of taking this adventure, but know that you will feel like CRAP on toast for a few months at the end. . . and people will ask you everyday when your baby will be home and you will cry.  That's just how it is.  Sugar helps, and keeping yourself very busy doing things. . . even when everyone else thinks you need to do less.

So that's what I did, kept busy.  My house has never been cleaner.  ;)  Well not today, today I've been packing and frantically trying to get ready so it's a bit trashed.  With the good news we received on Monday (we're going to get our baby girl this week, just in case you hadn't heard yet) my heart feels lighter, but now I'm feeling all new worries. . . like airplanes and raising a baby again, and babies on airplanes.  Oy ve.  We'll get through it somehow.

To keep my sanity, I did yard work in the middle of the day. Sweating out the frustration instead of crying it out.  ;)  Picked up my tennis racket again.  I put together two bikes and did a lot of shopping.  We swam everyday and that really helps wear you out.  I made stuff that I will never use or put up in my house. . . and I planned little miss FIVE's birthday in August.  She's so excited, but that doesn't actually take much, any birthday is awesome to her.  Which brings me to my reason for posting today. . . to give you some ideas of things for Miley if you're in the gifting mood.  It is her GOLDEN birthday this year, 5 on the 5th!  We'll be going with a gold princess theme this year.

Things Miley loves right now. . .

Dress up clothes
JEWELRY!
Click Clack heels, that's what we call those plastic play heels (she loves heels)
Doctor stuff, real or fake she'll take it all
Doc McStuffins toys (it's a Disney TV show)
Disney Princess barbies (she has Rapunzel, Belle, Ariel)
Coloring/Sticker books
Baby paraphernalia, like bottles, diapers, etc. for her dolls
School work books (yeah she's crazy, but she wants to do homework and I'm running out of work for her to do)

She is wearing a size 6 in clothes and a size 10/11 shoe.  She loves dresses that she can wear for everyday play and rain boots, or any boots for that matter.  Her favorite color is pink and the rainbow.  She really wants a horse to live in our backyard too.  ;)  Please don't get her that.

This list seems pretty much the same every year, but hopefully it helps a little to be reminded.  ;)

sorries and stuff

amount due. . . I apologize to the grandparents for filling your Christmas cards so full of photos you may have had to pay extra postage to receive them.  Ummmm, I'm thinking this may have happened last year as well and nobody told me, until now.  Sorry.  I wasn't even thinking about it, but I hope you liked the pictures anyway.  Put it on my tab and I'll do better next time.

high hopes. . . Dave would like to apologize for getting everyone's hopes up by telling people he wanted to travel to Africa in January.  That was a pipe dream of his, since he wanted to use the last of this year's vacation time before it reset in February.  No fact to this rumor, we aren't close to travelling yet.  You should know better than believe Dave's plan though.  ;)  I just found out he told people HIS plan.  Stick with me, I'm the one doing all the work here, I'll have the right information.  ;)

wishlisted. . .The Disney store is taunting me with it's emails.  Always a new discount or promo and here I am biting my nails trying not to click 'add to cart' . . . for ALL those adorable Disney Princess dolls. . .

. . . We already have Tinker Bell, Ariel, and Rapunzel.  I ordered Tiana and Belle.  I couldn't help myself.  I think they are the cutest things and totally want them all!  I'm so glad I have a girlie who I can pretend to buy them for.  ;)

decoration-less. . . Miley wants to know when we'll be putting our lights up outside.  She admires everyone else's and so she's got it into Dave's head that he needs to do some too. . . now that we're what, a handful of days away from Christmas and then take them down.  ha ha.  Well if that's what they want to do. . . I guess we'll see Saturday if it happens.

You've Got to be Kidding Me. . . I suffered from some serious frustration this past week, when our agent sent over some more forms we needed to get done for our adoption dossier.  !!!?&@!?!!  I hate wasting time, and it seems we've been twiddling our thumbs thinking they had things in hand, when in fact there was more to come.  OK, so we got all the additional stuff in and NOW should be good to go.  Fingers crossed, and then crossed again to be extra sure.  Oh and the strangest thing we had to add to our dossier. . . after a federal and state background check, we also needed a letter from our local police department saying we were good citizens.  Seriously, where's the trust?  ;)  I offered to provide a cup of my urine too, if it helps move the process along.  OK, I really didn't, that's gross.

ho ho hum. . . Santa visited Miley's preschool this week.  Miley is mostly indifferent to Santa, since we don't threaten her with him or make a fuss about getting magical presents.  She wasn't afraid of him I guess, sat on his lap asked for a special bike that is purple (???) and told me he was her friend and they were going to go swimming some time.

subtle cues. . . Little Miss was all attitude the other day.  I asked her why she was so crabby and she said, "Mom, look at my forehead (straight faced), see I'm not crabby, I'm happy."  Oh right, the forehead wasn't scrunched, I should have noticed, and knew that meant she was in a good mood.  ;)

facial ticks. . . So Miley loves to sing songs, and she loves it when I sing her a song and stop for her to fill in the word or line that is next.  One night while I was singing her her bedtime songs she stopped me and said, 'mom I want to sing it like this' and then her eyebrows shot way up her forehead and back down, a couple times.   Ummm, I sat for a second trying to figure out what that meant, when it hit me. . . I must raise my eyebrows when I stop to signal her to sing the next part.  It looked freaky on her, I hope I don't look as ridiculous doing it.  ;)

will work for charity. . . Miley is supposed to be working to earn some money to donate for charity.  That is something her preschool does each Christmas.  I can't figure what work to get this kiddo to do.  She helped in the yard for cleanup, but I'd say her effort wasn't worth much cash.  Am I supposed to be being generous or working her little fingers off?  Who is learning the lesson here?  Hmmmm.  I've got to make a longer list of chores.

smitten. . . I'm feeling a deep pull to the new Nikon 1 camera.  It's so pretty, and little, and cool, and pretty.  I'm in deep smit here and begging Dave to let me try out another point and shootish camera!

wake up . . .  Miley experienced a first this week.  She was laying on the couch watching a movie, when she got up her arm was hurting and she was very distressed about it (it fell asleep).  She was panicked.  I told her it was just asleep and it would feel better in a minute.  She yelled "wake up" at her arm and then turned to me "mom, it's not listening, we need to get to the doctor's office." . . and then she brought me my cell phone so I could text daddy and ask him what to do about her arm.  ;)

Bah. . . I can tell Christmas is almost here, cause I can't take much more of these Christmas movies.  I really need to wrap some presents though, I've got nothing.

a little housekeeping

A couple items today. . .

First, I'd like to offer one last chance to enter your birthday for my 'year of birthdays' celebration starting in January!  If you want a big happy birthday from us, well me, here on the blog, now is your last chance to say so. . . or forever hold your peace.  If you've already left your info with me in the initial post then consider your birthday on the very important list, and not to worry.  It will be fun!!  Another perk of having me know your birthday. . . in the future you may get a card or something equally cool in the mail.  I do love sending cards and things.  It's always a possibility.

Second, if you found yourself in the mood to buy a three-year-old little girl named Miley something for Christmas and could use some hints, no worries, I can help.  You know those kids that are so focused on one kind of toy or subject that nothing else matters to them, yeah Miley is nothing like that.  She loves everything and is interested in everything.  Buying for her is super duper easy, which is why Dave has to tie my hands to keep from going overboard.  ;)  Seriously, she loves and plays with every single toy she owns.  Everything gets a turn, nothing is forgotten.  So my suggestion would be to buy what you think looks cool, without being way over a three-year-olds head.  Like, for instance, I haven't taught her how to play chess, because I don't remember how to play it myself.  ;)

You need something more specific. . . ?  OK, she would enjoy more food items and stuff for her kitchen.  Baby doll stuff is always fun.  Legos are much loved.  Coloring books and regular books.  Princess things are starting to have pull for her as well.  Pretend makeup and hair stuff.  Man, she's getting pretty girly.  She loves boots of all kinds and would need a size 8 or 9 in any shoes.  Clothing she's a size 4T or if it's for the somewhat future, 5T.  She's not afraid of toys that talk or move anymore, so don't let that stop you.  If that isn't specific enough, I do have an Amazon wish list that I keep full of ideas for her.  Let me know and I can point you in that direction.

marmalade just sounds gross

Random spouting this morning. . .

The other morning Miley comes into my room and wakes me up with a question. . . "mom, do you want to play rockstar?"  I don't know if I answered her, or if she took my eyes opening as an affirmative response, but she soon returned to my bedside with two of my hair brushes.  She offered me the smaller of the two and she held onto the big one like a guitar.  She then asked me to sing into my hair brush (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) while she strummed away and bobbed her head.  I think she's a bass player.  ;)

(The moth story)  OH so long ago we were hanging out with our neighbors in their backyard.  Chloe is a friend to all bugs and always on the look out for them.  She found a flailing moth on the patio and decided, as with all bugs, that it would be her pet and friend, and it would be named Sparkle.  It wasn't able to escape her so instead it fluttered in her little hands until it managed to land on the ground at her feet.  Miley came over to see what Chloe was doing, saw the thrashing bug on the concrete and stomped on it.  Then she happily said to Chloe, 'there I got it, it's OK Chloe'. . . a stunned Chloe yelled, 'nooooooo, sparkle' in a sad and dramatic fashion.  In my memory she looked desperately to the sky with grasping hand gestures, but that may just be TV drama kicking in to fill the story gaps.  Miley still did not see the problem looked contentedly at the squashed and now still bug and shrugged.  Luckily Chloe found a potato bug and I swept Sparkle out of sight.  I had to have a talk with Miley about how Chloe was a crazy and liked bugs so we weren't to kill them at her house.  ;)

Saw the last Harry Potter movie and it was great.  One complaint though, wished the big fight between Harry and Voldemort would have been amongst the others.  It was kinda lame that he did it alone and then went inside and no one even noticed him, well he did get one smile.  Whatever.  Before I saw the movie, I read on a ticker of some news show that 'Harry' is now sober and has been for a little while.  Couldn't stop thinking about how sad it was that this kid already had a drinking problem through the whole movie.

 I thought I liked change. . . well I do, if the change is something like this. . .

. . . way cute bed and a something new in my house, definitely on my wishlist. . . if it's other changes, they aren't so much fun.  We met with a new adoption agency this week and talked over the process of international adoption.  It was good, informative, and overwhelming.  Got a ginormous packet of papers to go through and fill out, and that's just the first round.  Yeah, this is going to be an all new kind of adventure.  More info to come, once I've wrapped my head around this and ditched the stress cold.

Change number two.  Dave changed jobs.  Yep it's true.  We're in the process of adjusting to this new turn of events.  He's working at both right now.  He will now be full time at his fill-in gig, and fill-in at his former full time gig.  Does that make sense?  Yeah, well that's our life right now. . . confused.  ;)  It's a big change, but because of it we are able to do the international adoption thing, so it's a good one, however stressful.  His work schedule will be different and that will be the biggest adjustment for us.  Hello, Costco. 

On top of all that craziness I've got a HUGE decision to make, TODAY!  This is important people. . . do I keep the little point and shoot camera I bought to go to the zoo or return it (my 15 days has come to an end)?  I was happy with my zoo pictures, but after playing with it some more I think the glow has worn off a little. . . it's got some weird picture features, and the color and clarity are lacking compared to my Nikon, but. . . . I don't know, maybe it doesn't get better than this. . . . and it wasn't expensive. . . here are some SOOC shots to contemplate while I package the thing back up, you know in case I have cold feet again (or for the thousandth time) with a camera. . .

Oh and do you like the scab in the middle of Miley's forehead. . . moral, don't sleep with books in your bed.  This isn't her first time with this problem either.  I move them, and they always seem to find their way back.

I think I mentioned that I am calling-less in church these days.  I found myself very sedentary on Sunday, sitting in the same class room for hours trying not to nod off, cause it was a lot of sitting still.  Not sure I'm a fan of that so much.  There wasn't a child nearby to shush or anything.  ;)  I didn't know what to do with myself, and I'm not quite sure the RS lesson had a topic either.  Just saying, that could be normal, I don't know I'm new at this.

I signed up for an online craft class.  First time I've ever done something like that.  I'll be making some felt cupcakes with Something Splendid.  Miley will love them, if of course I don't botch the job.  We'll see.

 My anxiety with doctors is in full effect in the case of vets as well.  Nilla is getting her teeth cleaned today which means anesthesia and a practically all day stay at the vet office.  Just makes me nervous.  It wouldn't be so bad if we didn't have a traumatic vet experience with Nilla already.  Different vet, allergic to rabies shot, emergency room, IV steroids, not cool.  What can I say, I'm a worrier.  That's why you call me whiskers.

Better news, my wrist is better.  I didn't get an x-ray, which still makes Dave nervous I'm sure, but it's feeling fine and I'm brace free.  Did I ever mention that I hurt my wrist?  Ummm, yeah I don't remember, well if I didn't then this news is at best, nothing, and at worst, more rambling that sucked a little bit more of your time to read.

I always tell Dave that when he repeats his stories to me or asks me to repeat myself,  a little piece of me dies inside.  ;)  So, sorry if I've done that to you today.  It's a babbling randomness kind of day.
 

heads up

Did anyone realize how close to August we are?  It hit me this week that we'll be celebrating our little one's third birthday soooooo soon!  Crazy. 

Anyway, the point of this post is to offer a little help to anyone who is thinking of purchasing something for the little monster. . . here's what she's getting from us. . .

Don't tell her, it's a surprise.  Tiff!  I'm talking mainly to you.

I thought I'd let you in on our surprise because of the accessories that would go so nicely with it. . . . you know. . . food, dishes, pots and pans. 

Melissa and Doug make cute food sets too (that's who made the kitchenette), but anything in the kitchen/food category would be so fun for her.  She doesn't have much to use with it, so if you were thinking of getting her a gift and didn't have any ideas, that's the direction I would point you in.  Of course, you can (or don't have to) get her whatever you want.

Buyer's guide 2010

So now Christmas is on my mind and I'm trying to figure out what to give Mie.  It would be really nice if she could just tell me what she wants, but she wants pretty much everything I ask her about and that gives me no indication of the toy's longevity. . . you know like will it occupy her attention for an hour or a day?

Anyway, as I was struggling with these decisions I thought about all her family and how it could be frustrating for them as well to figure out a gift for her. . . and I thought I could give some basics that might help with that. . .

First, she is terrified of anything that moves and talks.  No scary possessed toys.  She's never even seen the Chucky movies and yet she knows toys should not move or speak on their own.  It's unnatural.  Make noises, sure fine.  Move a little, possibly ok. . . but both, not a chance.  Freaky.  Which also means that Disneyland is not in our foreseeable future.  Bummer.

Anything Tinker Bell would be a hit with her. . . as would Toy Story stuff.  She loves books.  Paraphernalia for baby dolls is fun.  She has a stroller.  More blocks would suit her fine.  She'd like to set a world record in tower building by the age of 3.  We support her in this goal as long as I don't step on any of the blocks.

More information. . . She currently wears a size 6 toddler shoe, but bigger never is a bad idea.  She hearts shoes.  She wears 3T in clothes, well 2T too, but once again opting for bigger is the safe choice.

So I thought I'd have more advice to give, but it turns out I'm still pretty stumped on what to give her myself and that makes me less than totally useful here.  Well, good intentions.

I hope that helps a little in your shopping, not that I'm expecting you to be shopping for her, just if you were going to already. . . you know. . . uh. . . because you wanted to, before you read this and felt obligated to.  ;)

'tis the season. . .

annual propensity

I can't help myself I am totally drawn to new table settings every year before Thanksgiving.  I have a thing for cool plates and glasses.

No cups have caught my eye yet, but these plates are totally haunting me.  I LOVE them.  Dave however, does not enjoy my same proclivity for dishes.  That sounds really weird.

Seriously though, every year I find something I want to add to my hutch. . . to maybe even use one day or another.  Maybe even for Thanksgiving?

Sometimes I resist.  I don't think I bought anything new for last year, so I'm thinking this may be a good argument to use to get a

couple of these in my possession this year.

They're black and white, graphic, and kind of look like funky paper plates.  AWESOME!

Are you tired of me sharing my crazy with you yet?  Because, well this does sound crazy.  It's absolutely true, but undeniably slightly odd.  I know.

Well, I think I love them enough to give it a try.  You know, pick your battles and everything.  ;)