With W's birthday coming up, lots of thought has been going into the whole "giving of gifts" thing. I thought I'd share some tips for non parents on gift giving.
If you have a friend to whose child you feel obliged to give a gift to (or a niece, godchild, etc), and you don't really like the kid, and/or the parent, the following gifts are the way to go;
*any musical instrument, but drums and recorders are especially annoying and repetitive.
*things with more than 5 pieces, bonus points if the "thing" is no longer able to be built or used without a tiny, easily vacuumed up piece.
*books with themes which will require a lot of awkward follow up discussions. Suggestions include:
Where Willy Went
Jenny lives with Eric and Martin
I wish Daddy didn't drink so much
*any art and craft type items which are impossible to remove- personal favourites include the coloured blu tac type stuff, moon sand (easily the most irritating stuff ever), and non washable paints.
Now, on the other hand, if you like/love the kid and/or the parents, here are some of the most cool/interesting/fun gifts that W has received, or that we have given over the years;
^musical walking mat
^soccer and footballs, or that grip ball game...easy for kids to play with, and encourages everyone to get up and about
^books which are not about hard-to-explain stuff; some of my favourite books are anything by Lynley Dodd, Giles Andreae or Mem Fox, "Imagine", "Sleepy Bears", "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", "Hushabye Bear cub"...oh, I could go on all day....I could easily spend a fortune on kids books, and read to kids all day long.
^play doh mat
^toy cash register and play groceries
^mr potato head
^colouring books and stamps
^mega blocks musical juke box
^monogrammed towel
Hope that helps...a few people had asked me for advice in this area lately...Kids love anything and everything though, which is all that matters at the end of the day!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy mothers day
It's mothers day, so happy days to all the mums who read.
Haven't written for a while, what with being spoilt in Sydney and all. I had a great time catching up with all and sundry. Big shout out to Jo, and her "porn filled" pizza parlour (which just cracked me up!)
Heading off to Perth week after next, for Shelley's wedding. Dad is headed our way next Friday, and we are all looking forward to his visit.
For anyone who missed it (hahaha! I think I texted the entire contents of my phone book) we are expecting another beautiful boy come October (the 3rd, for those playing along at home)
While I had my momentary sadness, mourning over the little girl I will never hold, I am trying to put that behind me, and be thankful for the blessing of a brother, who will be able to play rough, smash cars, share clothes, and be a companion for Will in his adult filled world.
We have decided, for lots of reasons, to stop at 2 kids, and I am trying really hard to be at peace with the idea that I'm not going to be a "girl" mum.
Most of my reasons for wanting a girl are selfish, and more about me than them. I am feeling sad about not having anyone to dress up, do their hair, have meaningless chats about gossipy stuff. I am finding it hard to wrap my head around not ever living with anyone who just knows what it is like to be a girl.
Years of the toilet seat being left up, pee being on the floor, and picking up endless "weapons" from the floor stretch before my eyes. No mother of the bride moment (sorry to all the boy mums, but we all know weddings are about the bride more than the groom, and who wants to be thought of as the interfearing mother in law!) No watching my baby have her baby.
And the awful thought that I will have sons who don't remember to call me, until they get a girlfriend/wife, who then does it for them, which just isn't quite the same. (boys reading, take note...do something nice for your mum off your own bat! sign those cards, write those letters, make those calls!!!!!)
But there are also years ahead of that unique brand of "little boy love and affection" I already have one little "body guard" who takes my side in everything, and shortly I will have 2. Years ahead of being the dominant female influence in their lives, and years ahead of "sorry, need some girl time!" which no-one will be able to argue with, because how would they know! ;)
Overall, we are so happy on Friday to see "Smudgey" moving around, little heart beating. The scan lasted nearly one hour, and please God, all looks set for another safe, happy arrival in Spring.
Haven't written for a while, what with being spoilt in Sydney and all. I had a great time catching up with all and sundry. Big shout out to Jo, and her "porn filled" pizza parlour (which just cracked me up!)
Heading off to Perth week after next, for Shelley's wedding. Dad is headed our way next Friday, and we are all looking forward to his visit.
For anyone who missed it (hahaha! I think I texted the entire contents of my phone book) we are expecting another beautiful boy come October (the 3rd, for those playing along at home)
While I had my momentary sadness, mourning over the little girl I will never hold, I am trying to put that behind me, and be thankful for the blessing of a brother, who will be able to play rough, smash cars, share clothes, and be a companion for Will in his adult filled world.
We have decided, for lots of reasons, to stop at 2 kids, and I am trying really hard to be at peace with the idea that I'm not going to be a "girl" mum.
Most of my reasons for wanting a girl are selfish, and more about me than them. I am feeling sad about not having anyone to dress up, do their hair, have meaningless chats about gossipy stuff. I am finding it hard to wrap my head around not ever living with anyone who just knows what it is like to be a girl.
Years of the toilet seat being left up, pee being on the floor, and picking up endless "weapons" from the floor stretch before my eyes. No mother of the bride moment (sorry to all the boy mums, but we all know weddings are about the bride more than the groom, and who wants to be thought of as the interfearing mother in law!) No watching my baby have her baby.
And the awful thought that I will have sons who don't remember to call me, until they get a girlfriend/wife, who then does it for them, which just isn't quite the same. (boys reading, take note...do something nice for your mum off your own bat! sign those cards, write those letters, make those calls!!!!!)
But there are also years ahead of that unique brand of "little boy love and affection" I already have one little "body guard" who takes my side in everything, and shortly I will have 2. Years ahead of being the dominant female influence in their lives, and years ahead of "sorry, need some girl time!" which no-one will be able to argue with, because how would they know! ;)
Overall, we are so happy on Friday to see "Smudgey" moving around, little heart beating. The scan lasted nearly one hour, and please God, all looks set for another safe, happy arrival in Spring.
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