Christmas is coming December 7, 2005

We were driving home from J’s parents and couldn’t help but notice all of the Christmas lights brightening our way.

Mad kept asking for Halloween candy and if Christmas was tomorrow. No and no and then we realized that Christmas really is only days away. That’s now 17 shopping days, if you’re one to leave it to the last minute so we figured, as this is and Baz’s first and Mad’s breakout Xmas year to remember (for the first time) we should get crackin’.

What do you get a 3+ year old that’s fun, memorable yet not too over the top? Here is the results from our initial brainstorm:

Hello Kitty digital camera

We were going to get our budding photographer a digital camera last year but couldn’t get one that was not one affordable, usable by a then 2+year old but take half decent pictures as well. We just saw the HK camera and went crazy. Waay cheap and what kid doesn’t like Hello Kitty? However we’ve done the research and the camera has fallen flat. We’re torn. Do we give a 3 1/2 year old a camera that takes shitty pictures or do we just let her run around and take the little fuzzy squares anyways? We could wait yet another year until she can take care of something a bit better and buy her a BOTL Nikon and give up on any upcoming pictures or just swallow the $65 and let her have fun and replace it when she’s 6.

Barbie Stylin’ Head
J thinks I’m nutbar here, that and I’m going to turn her into the girlie-girl I’ve always feared but I had one when I was a kid. In fact, I think I got it during my breakout 3+ Xmas year. That and my Easy Bake oven, but she already has that – retro avacado range too, thank you. Besides, I think that she’ll love it and now that we’ve cut Baz’s hair she’ll need something else to practice her doos.
 

Knitting needle ring
She loves to create things and tie knots. She has recently gotten into stealing my knitting needles and wrapping yarn so this could be a good leap for her.
 

UNO
Thankfully these come in a poolside version, which I think they should advertise as just good for kids as they won’t get covered in stick… or at least when they do they can be wiped. All that aside, UNO is a classic crazy 8’s type game that she should enjoy now that she’s into numbers and matching. It’s all brightly coloured and I don’t think that I’d mind playing for hours on end.

 

And now for Baz…
He’s 7 months so beyond the stocking full of tissue paper I’ve decided each of us can get one thing.
Mad is thought a ” target> vibrating teether would be cool. I’m going mommy and cuddly. I think he needs a woobie and this one is so soft it makes my hands disappear.
J is of course more high tech and likes this
And this, this is just a fantastic take on the original

 

This is terrible. I’m usually the one who’s all about making gifts. Plus we’re supposed to be teaching our kids all about the joys of giving, not getting. I have to admit that this year is a bit more fun though. Mad is more into the concept of Christmas. She’s learned the Twelve Days of Christmas at school, wants to make cookies, has an advent calendar and has certianly identified Santa, even if he does look different at every mall and parade. Most of all she wants, wants, wants. I’ve convinced her to just “put it on her list” everywhere we go.
I’ll certainly keep you posted…. as well as take suggestions for more *educational* toys.

Leaving on a jet plane October 26, 2005

So, I bought a plane ticket yesterday. Baz and I are flying out solo to Vancouver to meet up with my father in law so we can drive back out east with him.

What? I’ve never seen Saskatchewan in November! I hear it’s pretty, um, flat and cold. I’ve also never seen the Rockies, so when J’s dad said that he was going out to British Columbia to pick up a car I quickly invited myself. I figure driving across country is one of those things that must be done at least once so in true me style, I’ll make it a bit more fun and bring my 6 month old along for the ride.

I’m bit sad that Mad won’t make it out for the trip but any of you who’ve read about my sanity v.s. grey hair… I don’t think I’m that much of a masochist. We will be visiting with most of J’s relatives including his grandparents. No one has met Baz, so it’ll be his whirlwind, breakout tour, so to speak.

And talk about whirlwind. I’ve begun the pack and prepare as our departure date is just a week away. On the home front I have to advise J in all the goings on with Mad, stock up on easy food that carb addicts love and eventually break it to the poor Momaholic that I’m ditching her for upwards of 10 days. Oh and then there’s the fun park of travelling with a baby — by myself. It’s me lugging the gear and a nursing baby so I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on what to bring… or what NOT to bring.

Naturally, the first thing I did was go shopping for baby gear. Ya, laugh, I did go consignment at least. I got a Trekker, travelling nursing pillow, boots, a car seat pillow and some car toys. Other than that I still have to lug the actual car seat, a monitor and obviously lots of clothes and diaper necessities. I’m staying away from the pack and play lifting nightmare and a stroller. I think that I should be able to not only handle all his gear (plus my own stuff) and still get by without upsetting his routine beyond the jetlag.

What would you pack if you were on your own to cross the country with an infant? Am I forgetting anything???