So I'm having this baby. Soon. Really soon. And I'll admit - my holiday shopping for the kids is pretty much done (I'm very good with deadlines). I shopped off the "Dear Santa" list this year...and went with the theme of presents that don't include parents.
Because this year, we're baby-busy (for which I do feel a bit guilty of) and we need gifts that will occupy the kids while we take care of a newborn. I thought it timely to share my shopping list with you...as you might also be in the market for presents which don't require parent-energy...
Though both my kids want zhu zhu pets...I just can't buy in. Back in Dec. 2009 there were reports from the CBC about Zhu Zhu hamsters called unsafe. CBS news also reported on findings of Zhu Zhu's causing a potential health risk. The makers defended the products and there were no recalls in Canada* -- but still - my parental confidence is shaken. Sorry zhu zhu.
At the helpful suggestion of @MasterMindToys I bought my 10 year old a Fashion Magazine Editor set and my 7 year old a microphone and microphone stand.
(NOTE: MasterMind Toys is Canadian and BONUS: free gift wrapping on-line and in-store)
What is cool to point out about the microphone toy is that it plugs into an ipod/mp3/cd player so the kids can sing-along to their Justin Bieber/Mylie Cyrus soundtracks at will. And it comes with a headset microphone as well as the traditional microphone so kids can sing along or together. (and it's not pink - so good for boys and girls!)
5 Hot Toys where parents-are-not-required
Crayola activity sets (I heart Crayola).
Please comment on any toy ideas which you have that don't require parent-input! DS games? Children's books? Board games?...
Because tho, we aren't all having babies this holiday season...we could all use some time where the kids are busy...and not with us...
*To get informed about Canadian Children's Products Recalls - visit Health Canada; Consumer Product Safety for warnings and recalls
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So what does one do when you have kids home with chicken pox and other sundry sicknesses? Activities of course! Thus, we recorded a Vlog (which got the kids away from Hannah Montanna and all I had to do was push record).
Voila! ActivityMummy Vlog: How to make a paper mailbox.
(that low-tired-voice in the background - yep, that's me - le tired)
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Despite the fact that my dd (who we now call Spot) was vaccinated for Chicken Pox as an infant...this week...she has...THE POX! 53 spots at highest count - which I understand is a fairly mild case. What to do when your child is quarantined, contagious yet perfectly bored?...
Because, other than the odd itch and a bit tired...dear ol' Spot feels fine. I've been giving her Oatmeal baths every morning and night to help soothe the skin (and tho you can buy "Oatmeal bath" packages in the store - 1/2 cup of rolled oats from the pantry does the same job).
Spot has been allowed a generous amount of computer time. The #TeachableMoment lover in me thinks she is developing her tech skills...but the Mom in me knows of the 2,547,120 views of the Official Michaeld Jackson Youtube channel - 1,000 have been from my house this week.
And there has been puppet making and Archie comic book reading and painting and cookie baking. No high energy activities but things that keep Spot quiet yet engaged.
Because, I - ME, needed a bit of quiet. Add in the drama of me being 9 months pregnant - and exposed to Chicken Pox. At first I was fine about it - then sabbotaged by good intentions - friends & family were calling asking "Is the BABY ok?". I went from feeling fine to freaked in a few hours.
I have vague childhood memories - of possibly - having the pox...but no health records to prove it. However, a blood test, marked STAT, proved I was immune (insert big honkin' sigh of relief here!).
FYI - Pregnant women, who have not had Chicken Pox, can get a shot of varicella immune globulin within 4 days of exposure for protection. (I was past the 4 day exposure deadline.)
And in a way, the pox has been a gift to my Thing 2. She is getting a ton of one-on-one going out time with a parent. Yesterday, I took Thing 2 to see Megamind because I was going meganuts being stuck in the house for the better part of the week with Spot. Sad for Spot to miss a movie outing but a special treat for Thing 2 to have just-me-and-Mom-time. [BTW: Megamind is not scary at all - the villian is more misunderstood than mean.]
Thanks to all my tweeps who have been sharing Chicken Pox advice and virtual hugs with me over the weekend. It was good for my mental health to have twitter as my own acitivity this past few days.
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