IMG: Sxc.hu

We began opening our gifts on Decemeber 21st, which is our tradition. He now knows what his gifts are by the shape. Last night he was watching the three younger (he’s 12) play with their toys and replied, “I wish I was younger.”

I looked up and responded, “Why?” He said, “So I could play with toys again too.”

I freaked out inside because there wasn’t a single toy I’d bought him, he’d requested games, dvds and music…not toys. Later he saw me on amazon and told me wanted army men, I thought he was joking but wonder now if he was serious. He loves to line things up and shoot his darts (NERF) at them, so he could. Should I make a rush out to grab at least one toy? What would you do? I understand the need/want to feel like a kid and he still is.

What age do you stop buying toys?

Post from: Blisstree

When Do You Stop Buying Toys?

What made them so cool and exciting (and different from say, a stuffed animal), was that you were getting feedback from the “pet,” and could respond accordingly. However, my friend said that she didn’t like the thought of virtual pets because she didn’t think they taught kids the right things about pet care and responsibility, that because there were no real consequences kids wouldn’t give a second thought to tossing the toy, and eventually a real pet, away when they were tired with it.

With this Christmas’s toy of choice being something similar – a furry, mechanical hamster that can run through tubes (am I the only one tired of hearing about Zhu Zhu Pets?) – I remembered my friend’s take on the toys, and it’s got me thinking about it again.

As a parent now, I can see her point, but I’ve also seen first hand that my kids do know the difference between their real pets that require feeding, grooming and care, as opposed to the virtual pet toys they’ve had (including the aforementioned Tamagotchi).

What do you think? Do you think these virtual toy pets make it too easy for kids to think real pets are just as disposable?

[image: amazon]

Post from: Blisstree

Do Virtual Pets Breed Irresponsibility?

You can find ugly softies, monster softies and even some strictly R-rated softies that look like they’ve been in a horror movie!

More traditional stuffed animals and characters are still popular, with everyone from new babies to… well, the sky is the limit!

If you’d like to make some softies, but need some starting tips, Softie Making is a great website with how-tos, tips and links to other softie makers.

image: Stock.xchg

Post from: Blisstree

Softies for Everyone!

Nina Ottosson Games has created a huge variety of different dog toys specifically to keep your pet entertained for longer than a game of catch or gnawing on a Kong would.

From wooden puzzle toys that dispense treats to toys that only require your dog to push a button, these are toys that will have your dog engaged as soon as they’re brought out, and since they’re made from wood or plastic you’ll both get many years of use out of them.

The toys can be purchased online at Paw Lickers.

Do you think your dog could solve the puzzles?

Post from: Blisstree

Nina Ottosson Pet Toys

Bendaroos are flexible building toys that have a durable string base and non-stick wax that allow children to draw, build, decorate and transform. The colorful strings adhere to most surfaces, they hold their shape, and don’t leave a residue behind. The colorful, reusable Bendaroos can be made into 2-D or 3-D objects – from jewelry to window art and action figures – enabling hours of creative play!

Here are some ideas on how to use Bendaroos with your kids:
• Indoor Activities – Bendaroos provide a solution to those pesky April showers. When mom has had enough of her kids jumping in mud puddles, she can invite them back indoors to explore with Bendaroos. Children can create their own spring designs or try out the templates (a bouquet of flowers or a butterfly to name a few)

• Get Unplugged – April 20th – 26th is ‘Turn off the TV Week.’ Keep kids creative with Bendaroos! Transform old bottles into colorful dolls, create masks with Bendaroos and a paper plate, make furniture for dollhouses, decorate furniture and more—the possibilities are endless as kids’ imaginations!
There are even more ideas at the Bendaroo website. Just click the ‘Kids Zone’ link on the top of the page, then click ‘Bendaroos Ideas.’

So I KNOW you want to win this great prize! To enter, just leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, April 29th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or gal the next day.

Image: Bendaroos

Post from: Blisstree

Win a 500 Piece Set of Bendaroos

First, I have four children, the ages range from going on 12 to turning 2 today. For the most part I’m an Okay mom, no I’m not perfect. Even though I’d love to be that Beverly Cleaver mom, I already know I’m not her. I’m also a sentimental mom, every piece of clothing and toy has a speacial memory that goes along with it. Yes, even that little onesie that Aunt J got for SoccerBoy before he was born. You know the one that was a baseball uniform. No, he can’t wear it anymore but I still have it. I also have the tattered stuffed bunny that has a rattle in his tail that Aunt S. got him. I just never could part with such items.

With each child they were played with, but we also added more toys to the collection. Not all of them were played with as much, some still look brand new. My kids have never been rough with their toys so when one does get broke I’ve always tossed it. I always thought I was doing “Spring Cleaning” and taking out items that weren’t needed. You know illiminating my pack-rat status.

But it seems I haven’t. I do have a downstairs playroom, however the light has been out and it is a REALLY high ceiling. Basically this means we don’t go down there unless it is sunny out, during the winter it became a room of passing through to do the laundry. However, I suspect with the warmth coming we’ll be down there more. This will be a whole new land for them, kind of like a toyland or Christmas Time. Old toys, will now be new.

Okay the question is….What is a pack-rat to do with all these toys?   I can’t seem to just toss them all. I no longer think I’m being thrifty by passing them down, just prolonging the inevitable that my little ones are growing up. But I do know that they will be played with. Solutions?

IMG: The Life of a Home Mom

Post from: Blisstree

Confessions Of A Pack-Rat Mom

Its evidence of God and Santa if any was ever needed.

Bratz will no longer be on the shelves after Christmas, the courts ordered the molds broken! The name can no longer be used.

More info over at Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me

Image source: Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me

Post from: Blisstree

Barbie Killed The Bratz

And just like a sick child, to find comfort, I spent Saturday morning watching cartoons. Mostly to avoid our world’s horrifying and frightening current news reports and images.

I love Dora The Explorer, Ed, Edd and Eddie and Kim Possible .

But as I was flipping around, I came across a darling and familiar face from my past: Madeline!

I was never a Barbie kind of kid…she always seemed like a tart, and her Californian persona did nothing for me…still doesn’t. (I did like the packaged outfits — not for her, but someday for me.)

But Madeline was smart, sophisticated, she lived in Paris, the illustrations were beautiful and mysterious. And most of all she “she lived in an old house in Paris that was covered in vine”.

I so wanted to be Madaline…to be kind, courageous, precosious…and to have her convent uniform, her accent and especially, her yellow hat.

I always wondered why my parents and other family members did not know how much I loved Madeline?

As an adult, to make up for that loss, whenever a friend has a baby girl, I always buy her Madeline gifts.

At that young age, I knew I wanted to be considered classic…I’m still trying…is that sick?

Post from: Blisstree

Were Your Childhood Toys A Predictor Of What Kind Of Person You’d Become?