Toys!

As I've said before, I used to think I wasn't materialistic but then I realized nobody was marketing to me. When the market does throw a little attention my way, (thanks a lot green movement) I'm such a sucker.

I got a reminder of that today when I took Reuben shopping for his one year birthday on Sunday. I figured I'd take advantage of his short term memory function while it lasts.

We went to a local toy store and as soon as I pulled Reuben out of the car I was immediately tempted. Right next to the toy store was a comic shop. But I reminded myself that in 15 years I didn't want Reuben to look like the dweeb kid manning the counter (sorry, dweeb kid) so I stood firm and went into the toy store.

Ahh, such a magic wonderland. I let Reuben loose and he plopped himself down in front of the books and began merrily unshelving while chanting bhhk, bhk, bhk. I started to look at my options and there were sooo many tempting choices. I started having flashbacks to childhood fantasies of Toys R Us shopping sprees. I was getting ready to do some serious deshelving myself since it's his first birthday, all these toys will make him so smart, if he doesn't have such and such he'll never learn to stack, blah blah blah. And then I told myself to snap out of it.

I was grateful for the advice a friend had given me on keeping birthdays to 3 presents: something to read, something to play with and something to wear. That way you keep things special and don't end up with junk. Control the greed. Quality not quantity.

I decided to do the same but I adapted it to something to read, something to play with and a game. My family has a tradition of game playing. I was also using a set budget so I couldn't get anything too incredibly indulgent (dang it)

So here's what we ended up with:

Something to Read : Ten Button Book

Reuben has a thing for buttons. He mostly likes to eat them but he also enjoys pointing and pulling on them. They're a great distraction during church. I had hoped to find a book that could help keep him busy in sacrament and protect my blouse.

Bonus: Seems to promote counting skills.

Something to Play with: Green Toys Dump Truck

Aaron and I noticed we hadn't gotten around to giving Reuben anything with wheels. When we visited the Smithsonian Build Museums play room the kids were having a blast with these dump trucks. They're surprisingly light weight and just the right size to lean on, run like a maniac and smash into a friend.

Bonus: Made from recycled milk jugs. IF it ever dies, it can be recycled instead of thrown away.

Double Bonus: Can help store other toys

A Game : Melissa and Doug Farm Puzzle

Reuben's too young for most games so the closest thing to a game for him is probably a puzzle. I let him pick this one out for himself. I was tempted by some others that had shapes, the alphabet or numbers but I told myself to lighten up, he's just 1.

Bonus: Even if we loose the board, the individual puzzle pieces are solid enough to operate as toys themselves.

Double Bonus: Hurray for cool illustration.

Cheats

A four square ball.

I caved and also got him a four square ball with dinosaurs on it since he LOVES his cousin Eliza's bouncy ball covered in fairies. I'd been meaning to get him his own ball to prevent the fight that's been brewing. And he's got to start training for the family four square tournaments. Start practicing Grandpa, Reuben's coming for you!

A train whistle. I'm gonna regret this one. Aaron's already started blowing on it over and over and over again.

A magnifying glass. I don't remember buying this but it's on the receipt and was in the bag when I got home so I guess I did. I think I accidently set my stuff down on it. Oh well. It's cool.

That's what I ended up with but it took me a while. I would have liked to buy a LOT more. But I was proud of at least trying to stand firm.

Here are some of the other objects I found sorely tempting.

Food set- Reuben really likes to help out in the kitchen so this seems like a GREAT distraction for when we have to do some real dicing. There are few things as unnerving as trying to keep a kid on the counter while shielding them from the cutting board.

Haba blocks - Who doesn't want to rebuild the Roman coliseum, Mayan temple complex, Parthenon, etc etc.

A bike

Bath crayons

Peg board and hammer. As a kid I LOVED this toy.

A cash register calculator (Reuben REALLY liked it)

Audubon Bird with Real Bird call. Reuben has a titmouse already and it's a lot of fun.

A rocking tiger. Who wants to ride a horse when you can ride a tiger? Not that this would fit in the apartment.

Fallinwater Lego set - Too old for a one year old? That's okay. It was for me anyway.