Aack - now I guess we really have to prepare.
Started off early on Saturday at Sam’s Club. Adam wants a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. No, we don’t plan on sticking them in front of the TV 24/7. Once in a while, it’s not a bad thing. Also looked at the really expensive swing set that we aren’t getting because it’s really expensive (saw one at Toy’s R Us on-line that’s on sale). Swung over (no pun intended) to the kids’ books and bought some for donations, and some that we can take with us for the kids, and one for home. Then went to Best Buy to look at TVs there, and left the place with a camcorder.
I then drug Adam to Le Target (but by the time we left it was hardly dragging). We bought 2 booster seats for the car, and are planning to go back when they restock to buy two more for my mom and dad’s car. His mom and dad already have booster seats. Just now hit me that we probably need 2 more seats for the truck. They are the simple kind that were only $17. If they were still toddlers, I would probably get something fancier, but didn’t think it was necessary at their age.
Also bought a bunch of melamine plates and bowls. Took some of the gift cards for donations and bought a bunch of new blue jeans in various sizes for the transition home. Going through the kids’ clothes, hubby was oohing and awing over some of them, so even though we decided to get all hand-me-downs for the kids to start with, we did get him a shirt and her a dress - both picked out by Adam! Very cute.
Oh and then we went over to the toys… Before I had to drag Adam away from the toys almost empty handed, he picked up most of them and said that we had to have them. The mission of this particular visit was to find a toy for each of them that we could send over before we go over, and ended up leaving empty handed. There were all kinds of ideas for our daughter, but finding something for our son was difficult. Can’t be too big, can’t be too bulky, can’t have batteries…
Suggestions?
May 2nd, 2010 at 7:49 am for him — cars of some sort (you can get a lot of hot wheels in a small size package) or something with plastic animals or dinosaurs! you are going to have fun
May 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 am you could buy action figures like spider man and super heros like that that dont talk. Also you could buy him some hot wheels. All the boys around his age love those kinda things.also a small mr. potato man head and a slinky. love ya.
May 2nd, 2010 at 9:43 am For your son, may I suggest an action figure? Chances are he won’t know who the action figure is, but they still have some pretty cool ones that don’t take batteries, aren’t bulky and are good traveling size. I would suggest one of the Transformer or Star Wars variety. Once you get home, puzzles are really good - as they help develop problem solving skills. Also, on the plane ride home - coloring books and crayons, they are a lifesaver. As for booster seats, make sure you check your state laws. Some states have weight/height/age laws for the different types of seats.
May 2nd, 2010 at 12:16 pm I have a booster seat that Serena used abouy 3 times if you wnt it let me know
May 2nd, 2010 at 7:05 pm We found toys - matchbox for him, and a doll for her. Gail - what is the weight range for the booster seat? I may take you up on the offer. Thanks!
May 2nd, 2010 at 7:38 pm These are the toys Paul got either before 5 or right around 5 that he still plays with - dump trucks with wooden blocks - he builds walls using the dump truck to carry the blocks to the desired play and then he rams the truck into the wall to knock it down later. Marble run is a favorite - it has ramps and loops that we can build by following directions or free form then you drop the marbles and off they go - fun. Foam rocket blasters - you stand on a air pressure thingy and the rock shoots in the air. A bug explorer kit - it has a net, looking glass, bug vacuum and mesh house - can’t tell you how many spiders, ants, frogs that have “escaped” after little boys go to bed! A lot of Paul’s toys came from this catalog - I’m not big into batteries or flashy lights either and this catalog has been my go to place for years. http://www.youngexplorers.com/
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:41 am I have two seats that Vivian won’t be able to use for a while. They are the grow into ones. Maybe good for her if she is small. I’m not good with the kid size conversion. : )
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:53 pm Sounds like you are officially nesting now!!! FYI most booster seats need a back for kids that are 4 and 5. I think they have to be 60 pounds and the shoulder strap has to not rub there neck. As far as boy toys my five your old loves cars, blocks, trains and airplanes and he loves to color. Once your son is home sidewalk chalk is awesome
May 4th, 2010 at 10:00 am Karter loves CARS!! Any and all sizes cars. Kolin really likes playing with horses (of course) and army guys. He sets them all up and makes a game out of it! Also, colors and coloring books are great!! Booster seats can be transferred from one car to another, if you don’t want to spend the money. We have the two that the boys use, and just send it with whomever needs it, except mom and dad, cause they have their own. Karter does not like to sit in one, he thinks he is too big!! Kolin likes it because it has a cup holder and he can see the dvd better.
May 4th, 2010 at 6:22 pm Thanks for the suggestions. We could only send one (1) toy each, and I thought it best it had it’s own case - since I’m sure they are in a room with other kids. For him we got a matchbox car that came with it’s own little carrying case. Open the case and it has a ramp and road. For her we got a small doll with interchangeable outfits, that came in a little purse that will hold everything.