The last time I visited Stephanie we talked about my grossly underestimated offering to do all the Christmas shopping for the kids. If a bell rings you'd better bet that it is me getting my wings. But, ain't it a wonderful life?The conversation went sorta like this:
"Don't buy anything plastic."
"Um. Didn't God create plastic for Christmas toys?"
"No, he invented wood for Christmas toys."
"I found a cute kitchen set for Jane."
"Is it plastic?"
"Um, no. Metal. I think."
"Metal?"
"I think."
(It's totally plastic.)
I was also asked to steer clear of any items containing teenage pop singers or exploited super heros. I thought that was easy enough until I actually went shopping and became aware that EVERYTHING has Hannah Montana on it, or Smiley Cyrus (something like that) or Spidey. In fact, Hannah Montana should marry Spidey and rule the fraggin' world. Hannah Montana on my deodorant! Who comes up with this stuff?
Tonight I reached for some last minute (last minute?) candy canes. These looked like designer canes, all polka-dotted and stripey. (Candy, not plastic candy!) But then, wait. Are those polka dots . . . or . . . are those little Dora heads? And the fraggin' monkey too. I don't want Dora candy canes, or Montana candy canes or even Micheal Caines. I just want candy canes.
Anyway, a while back I said that I was going to Target to do all my shopping in one afternoon. What a pipe dream (what is a pipe dream?) Target did nothing for my Christmas mojo. So instead I am giving everyone on my list my book, entitled Enjoy It. And if they don't like it, I will be forced to assume that it is simply because they are jealous.
I will even go the extra mile and SIGN the book myself.
And that should make Stephanie happy see, because my book is made from trees.
(And happy memories.)
But definitely NOT plastic.
P.S. Next year I am buying exclusively through etsy shops and other crafters (unless it is electronics, I am in no need for a gaming console made out of felt). I now have a testimony of Steph's romantic Handmade Christmas from last year.
But yikes! Have you heard about this? Let's answer the call!
124 Pieces of Opinion:
HAHA Hilarious!
Hilarious! I'm sitting here busting up.
Liz
Love it, Love it, Love it! I'm with ya on the pipe dream? Happy signing.
i know, etsy is the BEST for shopping now....
so lovely to hear of you talking to Stephanie. so lovely to know she is so present.
xo
maggie may
I've been eyeing wooden toys for a while. You should check out this lovely blog post:
http://www.tangledandtrue.com/2008/10/wooden-christmas.html
Note: my kids will also play with plastic. So buy what you will, no judgment here :)
You do what ya can. I have always dreamed of making all my Christmas gifts... well, when you have a senior paper to write and astronomy 1001 ruining your senior year, what can you do?
At least I bought butcher kraft paper and green ribbon to wrap (and dictate to my family to wrap in) my gifts in.
I love all the homemade, handmade, artist made toys for children.
You are so funny!! Thanks for the laugh and for making my shopping a little less stressful!!! Hey I would love one of your books. Where do you get them :) is that a stupid question. Tell Christian and Steph I said Merry Merry christmas!!! Give the kiddos a sqeezin from us also!!
Loves and Hugs
Tif clufftifani2@gmail.com
Too funny! I come from a family of five girls and we are all so different. You and Stephanie are so different yet so much alike. You are an amazing sister! I hope you dont get writers cramp from all the signing.
yes indeed i do want to shop etsy. i just wasn't organized enough to do it this year. i'm only just discovering the fantabulous world of etsy.
courtney, your writing is maturing and becoming lovelier each month. you have a blessed talent there, girl.
i'm also so glad that stephanie is 'in the moment' now. i'm sure you're telling her how much her unknown friends are rooting for her, praying for her. i hope she is dealing with all the emotional sea changes as well as can be expected. i feel overcome just thinking of it!
i know what you mean about the kids' lust for character-driven items and it makes me nuts. my compromise is to get them some character (Hannah Montana, Jonas Bros., Spidey, whoever) pajamas. that way they get their 'idol' fix but they don't have to be seen in public with it!
g'night. i gotta drive carpool and i live in the eastern time zone. what am i doing still up???
jeannie
I would love it if you would sign my book like this
"love,
Cjane (little heart)"
I'll pretend I didn't see this post.
Try Melissa and Doug- lots of adorable WOOD things-usually available at toy stores and sometimes target. Thanks for the lovely giggle.
Plastic? What don't I know? I'm feeling a bad mommy moment coming on! By the way, I think you are working on your extra sets of wings already...
It's possible...barely...to escape all the Hannah Montana bonanza. So far I've managed to stear clear...even with 5 and 7 year old girls. So good luck and happy shopping!
Back to Basic toy catalog. Not all wood, but definitely some CLASSIC toys that Nie would appreciate. :) I don't do Hannah or Miley either.
if you still have your receipt, take that plastic kitchen back. check out costco for an adoroable wood kitchen, plus it's retro to boot! my kids are getting it this year. or just keep it, that's a lot of hassle. trust me, you'll still get your wings.
try magiccabin.com and hearthsong.com. they have lovely, lovely wooden toys. and they are still shipping for free through tomorrow! my kids looooooooved their things when they were the ages you're shopping for.
You are a saint. I hope those wings are solid gold, or perhaps a crafy felt and wood combination.
If it's the darling red kitchen, then I bet she'll forgive you. If she won't, well then...steal food off her plate.
YOu are so cute!
"I am in no need for a gaming console made out of felt. "
I'm so glad that I was too sleepy to get my breakfast before I started reading, otherwise I would be wiping milk from my screen right now. That has to be the funniest line I've ever read.
I totally agree and it is happening to me!! We get the girls PJ's each year for Christmas Eve.. it is hot in Australia so only nightdresses, singlet type things available... ALL.. almost ALL the PJs in my daughters size have High School Musical, Hannah Montanna and any other popular teenage thing... ON PJ'S for 5 and 7 year olds..
my girls dont even know who these people are and I refuse to buy them!!
I cant let go of plastic though.. my girls favourite toys are tiny plastic dolls and dinosaurs and animals.. our little doll houses have everything but dolls usually!!
Wonderful
Years ago, we began focusing on giving "gift certificates" to things: a child received a gift certificate that gave her permission to skip school once during the year and have a day with a parent; a sister and her husband received a certificate that said my husband would build shelves in their garage (they came out great!), or a child could stay up ALL night (given to a child young enough to think this was cool and who was unable to pull it off!).
As for the new rules for children's toys...this is a tough one for me. While I know ALL the wonderful crafts/toys I buy from MY sources are pure and free of harmful stuff (I do know this...don't I?)I suspect that there are just as many sources (if not more) that are willing (and do) cut corners all the time. And I KNOW that if my child was injured because an unsuspecting toy had lead in it I would be angry and wondering why the gov't allowed such a thing. To be honest, I've never thought about the varnish, etc. that is used on the wood toys that look oh so pure. Balancing this against what I feel is oh too much regulation I feel confused.
I enjoy your blog so much! Thank you! Right now, I'm sick at home and I enjoy it even more. ;)
From my experience wooden kitchens just are much more fun to play with for the kids. I hated the plastic kitchen, my girl got from her Dad, when she was 4. It looked like a UFO and she never really felt like cooking there. So, I totally understand your sister. But I do understand you too, I am still amazed by all the efforts you and all of Nie's family do.
Your conversation with Stephanie is wonderful. Could be me and my sister. :D
Yeah, my sister in law wanted toys "not from china" last year. I understand the sentiment, but there was literally ONLY TWO things in Toys r us NOT from China.
I am hoping one of my gifts will be Christmas money to buy your book with!
oh cjaaaaaaaaannnneee!!!!
Something is on the way to make a homemade christmas come truuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuueeeeee!!!!!!
hip hip hooray!!!!!
PS - I am also anti plastic and anti NOISE making.. I can't stand toys that make noise. The KIDS should be making the noise FOR the toy, not the other way around.
Try this website for kidsafe everything. They have a great gift guide for people who want to avoid plastic toys too. http://www.zrecommends.com/
Don't even get me started on Hannah Montana! My fury for that ranks right up there with Bratz dolls.
You crack me up, as always! Enjoy it! is on my list too (or at least, I've sent the link to my hubby 1000 times so he'd BETTER have taken the hint). :) Thanks for mentioning the plight of handmade (and small business) toys. It's been on my mind constantly over the last week or so since that's the only kind we buy for our kids.
Let the stress relief begin!
And, on the wooden front, I found my grandson the BEST wooden train set ever at the Festival of Trees this year. It's not even stained! No paint! No plastic! Just wooden goodness. Phew.
I'm all about handmade! Well, not ALL the way yet but I completely support it!
I found a girl that makes handmade dolls and I'm all about scooping them up for my girls stockings this year!
I had every intention of making them one. Still do. But someone else's hands will have to do for now!
Great post. It's almost impossible to buy toys without plastic these days, isn't it? Oh, that Nie.
P.S. Had the same experience with Target. My beloved store let me down this year.
YOU are CRACKING me UP!!!!
I also have a huge hatred for all things plastic and ANYTHING with pop stars or super heroes. I've already come to terms with the fact that my kids are going to hate me when I deny them all of the popular gifts every year.
hilarious on the gaming console made of felt. I love etsy, but seriously, it's a little too much felt for my taste.
Thanks again for being so hysterical.
You are so funny!!! Yup, pipe dreams and getting Christmas shopping done... I think the two go together.
I sell on etsy (and do LOTS of my own shopping there), and that's pretty much been the buzz on the forums there (illegalization of anything handmade for kids). It's a sad, sad state we've come to, and I sincerely hope the law goes through some MAJOR changes before it takes effect!
PS - not only are our kids' kitchen utensils made of plastic, the entire kids' kitchenette is plastic (made by, you know, the king of kids' plastic... little tykes).
I have been trying to avoid the plastic too this year. Except "Woody" doesn't come in wood, only plastic, so we will have to deal. My kids are getting lots of books, and a Curious George DVD. Let me know if I can help with any of your shopping, just stop by my website or send me an email!
you know, i find that the purpose of these gifts (toys) is to find something that the children will play with. lucy sprague mitchell wrote, 'play is the work of children.' not to put a damper on your shopping, but these days, i find that the offerings at super stores just doesn't do it for my kids. technology provides so much more for them -- so my advice is buy a wii and connect it wirelessly to the internet. the wii also offers kids the ability to create art -- likenesses of themselves (miis), and then buy some handmade stuff, too.
debra
Pipe dream (I just found out this year and quit saying it cause I felt guilty!) has something to do with smoking weed...so, it's like saying in your absolute BEST weed smokin' days, THIS is what you wish would happen, or you could do.
At least, that's what I was told!
cj - you make me LAUGH. Thanks for brightening up a dark, dreary, rainy morning. My 4 year old "really wants to write her name" (she's on my lap) so here you go: emily
What a great idea! I was thinking about purchasing Etsy items too!
I am so happy to say that none of my children's gifts include Hannah freakin' Montana or action heroes (at least this year anyway...I mean I do have TWO boys!)
I took up Dandee's (dandeedesigns.blogspot.com) suggestion from last year of the 'All you Need' gifts. THANK GOODNESS FOR DANYELLE!
Something They Want
Something They Need
Something They Wear
Something They Read
Let me tell you, not only did this make my Christmas shopping SO much easier, but I feel like my children are receiving much more meaningful gifts, and they are so excited about it!
I'd like to know what a pipe dream is too.
POOF! Courtney, I think--as another poster mentioned, you should have your wings already! So there ya go--should be easy now lol! (Gee, if we could just magically wish and make things happen--although I'll take the power of prayer any day!)
Just an FYI...just the other day I was reading in a magazine (Ladies Home Journal perhaps, can't remember) about a mom and her sis (ironically) who were fed up with the sexualized themes in many little girls clothing and toy lines. So the sis created her own called The Little Tee Shirt Company. (I believe the addy is www.littletshirtcompany.com but can double check that for you if you'd like). One commented she was fed up with sayings like "Future Hottie" on tshirts for little girls. So sis created a whole line of stuff apparently. One says "Life: Be the Change" with a design on the front.
Hang in there Courtney, wish I could help you with the shopping--hanging out would be fun and I'd make myself useful lol. Hugs, Lori
Hah. I laughed out loud! I love the way you write dialog.
I'll buy you and you'll sign me. Good trade. Shall I come over sometime to collect, or are you gonna test out them new wangs and fly around the Valley, bringing autographed joy to all your blogger buddies (who, naturally have been very nice this year)?
You really are an angel. Thats what I say.
(And that stuff about shutting down crafters makes me want to spit.)
You already have your wings Courtney......:)
Forget the presents.
Get the kids a dog!!! A nice big shelter puppy would be perfect.
I love ETSY and have done a lot of shopping there this year...
My daughter-in-law has recently let us know that she prefers wooden toys only, and environmentally safe, etc. I'm all for it and had fun buying ecofriendly toys on the Toys-R-Us website.
BTW I also just sent letters to my congresswoman and to the Consumer Protection Agency. Rock on!
Not weed--pipe dream refers to smoking opium from a hookah.
What, I'm the only one here who reads Poe?
Oh yes, we are phasing out plastic and getting more wooden toys also. It is HARD to buy anything in the stores for these kiddos!!!
I like the handmade Christmas too. it is SO much better :)
I think everyone will love your book also, I mean, come on! It's YOU!
Oh, and just in case they don't...get Ollie some Automoblox. We got some for my 4 year old and can't WAIT to have him open them. They would TOTALLY meet Steph's criteria. :)
lol. you are hilarious
Apparently you guys are not in the Lego phase yet. You can't have wood forever, especially with boys! Hard to sterilize too! I have three boys, no girls. Legos rule and plastic army men, hot wheels, erector sets, they are all awesome for boys. Handmade can also be very expensive!
If only we could have Target all to ourselves for our shopping!
I bought a wonderful wooden marble roller from www.myuniquewoodentoys.com.
Made in the USA and very nice!
I am also sewing lovely colorful aprons for the girls in my life!
Are you shoveling snow in Provo? We sure are up here near Highland!
Courtney,
You are the best! The best sister, the best friend a sister could ever want, the best Auntie, the best Mommy (and wife), and the best blog writer!
Please keep writing
Happy Holidays!!
So funny. I wish I could say there would be no plastic toys under our tree this year, but alas, that would be a lie. Costco had the cutest red and silver, retro, wooden kitchen this year. You should check it out. I think it would meet with Nie's requirements.
Thanks for the moment of giggles...Too funny! Although...I agree with Steph on the subject of wood...unfortunately almost everything is made of plastic.
And as to the Christmas shopping. What would it cost me, for you to add me to your shopping list...so that I can get a personalized signed book from you....lol-Im sure your list is long enough, but I liked and entertained the idea while It lasted for a brief moment.
Hugs & Merry Christmas!
It seems almost everyone is missing (or not taking time to follow) the "Yikes" comment at the bottom of the post! This is the first I have heard of this law that was passed. This will be the end of the wood toys, custom made clothes, baby quilts... just think! Put thousands of crafters of children's products out of business; cut off extra income for senior citizens, etc!
Please follow the link in the last line of CJane's post! Then also follow the link at the bottom of that article too (the "Update"). They recommend that you CALL your congressman instead of sending a letter.
This is urgent! The readers of this blog have proven they can move mountains! (((Many hugs to all))).
So I was going to try to read all of the comments before commenting (do you read all the comments???) but I didn't make it. And it looks like you're not up to your eyeballs in sources for wooden toys. Plastic is not gonna kill any of Nie Nie's angels. And if she doesn't want them to have plastic in her home, they can always leave the plastic toys at your house so they can have something, besides you're awsomeness, to look forward to when visiting. Good luck sifting through the Hannah Montana garbage!
This post made me laugh so hard!!
Here's a homemade gift idea my kids loved last year that was quick and easy to pull together: coupon books done on the computer, each page a different type face and color, each promising something special such as "pick the menu for dinner, including dessert," "one extra bedtime story," "a trip to Dairy Queen," "skip the chore of your choice," etc. I wrapped the books in boxes just like any other gift, and the kids loved them. Homemade, free and fun! (Target's not doing it for me, either, this year.) Merry, merry!
Great post! The term (phrase?) "pipe dream" refers to something that could only be possible if you were under the influence of opium, poppy, heroin. If you were high off the pipe, and truly believing that you found the cure for cancer. It's something that's likely never going to happen. A good example of this is in Alice in Wonderland, when the rabbit is smoking an opium pipe.
AMEN!!
OH Courtney...You make me laugh.
I think I just heard a bell ringing...
You're so funny and such an amazing sister and aunt :). I have a daughter that's four and I can completely relate to the 'everything has Hannah Montanna on it' thing. It's everywhere! I also try to get my kids stuff that's not completely coated in TV advertisements. But I don't know if I could do the 'no plastic' thing. That's a tough one! Especially if you want to get your shopping done in one day, or one week for that matter! Good luck :).
More than anything I just wanted to tell you how I think you and your family are recieving huge huge rewards in heaven... You guys are AMAZING:) I to have 3 sisters and we would all help eachother too, family is a wonderful thing and a sisterhood is something so special! On the flip note I know this is going to sound crazy but do you know where Nie Nie bought all her cute cute flower earings from, she always looked so cute and I love those because they are simple. Hope all is well with your sis, Christian makes me cry the love he has for Stephanie is AMAZING... Merry Christmas!
The book will make a perfect gift. I bought a copy when it first came out and devoured in no time!
I'm with Nie Nie on the prezzies - we have studiously ignored all the latest 'trends' and there is a pay off - the top item on this year's list is 'a motor' so he's getting the old one off a broken cement mixer - they don't sell those at Target!
Excellent link about toy manufacturing - great of you to publicise this as it seems such a niche issue still (how could that be?!?!). I for one won't be selling across the Atlantic anymore. Strikes me your government just thought they hit on a good way to make money - and all along they just didn't realise they would be putting an end to an industry you could be really proud of over there! SO sad. t.xx
I'm an Etsy seller and I laughed so hard when I read about the felt console, spit flew onto my keyboard. Nice.
Such a way with words. You said exactly how I feel about Christmas presents, except I sound all dorky saying it. Maybe I can just print out some of your posts and tape them to my forehead? Yah, bad idea, I know.
OOOkay, (i'm only saying this because i saw them last night) target has WOOD kitchen sets; they are really cute!
the food is not wood, but the kitchen set is...and there is a wooden tool-box set for ollie...and a wood fire truck for gigs..
and wood lincoln logs for artsy fartsy claire. oh, do give it another try. i know i'm totally talking up target here...
anyway, you are so FUNNY courtney. my husband is always looking at me sideways when i start busting up laughing at the computer.
Merry Christmas! I laughed so hard at your post, and even though I don't have any fabulous websites for you, I am feeling a little guilty staring at my plastic kitchen which my daughter is currently baking up a scrumptious lunch of plastic cherry pie, plastic peas, and the bottom half of a plastic ice cream cone in her plastic pan with her plastic spatula (while in her Disney Princess nightgown). I have just discovered the wonderful world of Etsy, and am a little overwhelmed but finding my way around. Unlike you, your mother, and your sisters, I was not born with "artistic flare" (I haven't made anything since the 80s when I attempted to sew new Unit belts for all my friends for Christmas one year). But, I admire and stand in awe of all of you out there who are so blessed. My plastic Christmas shopping is done this year. I'll repent in time for next year.
Anyway...Merry Christmas, and you should probably ask Chup for a back brace this year - you are going to need it to support those gigantic, over-sized wings you'll be sporting!
Maybe a pipe dream has something to do with illegal drugs because Net Nanny blokcked this post on me on account of "illegal drugs." Pipe dreams was the only thing I could figure it meant.
Oh yea, I love Stephanie even more now because we have the SAME taste in kids' gifts (which my in-laws unfortunately do not share or understand).
(Although my dd will be receiving some Playmobil from me. Oops.)
(But NO Hannah Montana. No way.)
you always make me smile :) yeah this year we did all etsy or handmade it was fantastic :)
Check out the store Red Balloon Toy Store in American Fork
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus is not a role model for young girls at all! She bugs. Anyway, I love the idea of whimsical hand-made gifts and wooden toys for Nie's (or anyone's) kids. There is just something more 'romantic' about getting a handmade gift (made with love, to boot!) or even a brightly colored wooden toy. I didn't really need toys when I was a kid, I much preferred to trade stickers, put on my mom's makeup or watch MTV (and pretend to be Madonna).
Anyway, if I buy your book Courtney (I get paid tomorrow!) will you sign it for me? It will be the icing on top of all of the cookies I have to bake on Saturday.
Hugs and love to you all,
Alisa
cjane, i love to come here, sometimes daily, and peek into your life. thank you so much. you are hilarious and so honest.
I would like some Michael Caine. My Target doesn't seem to carry him, so if you go back to Target please pick me up one and I'll reimburse you the cost and shipping plus I'll throw in some glitter to sparkle up those fancy wings. :)
I found Fat Brain Toys http://www.fatbraintoys.com when we moved overseas because they will ship to us, you wouldn't believe the number of stores that won't ship to an APO, but anyway they have lots and lots of toys made from wood, not plastic, no Dora, no Hanna Montana and the best is you can shop in your jammies while sipping hot cocoa and the children sleep! I did my Christmas shopping for 4 boys in about 3 hours ( it took so long because I was having so much fun looking at every thing online) the shipping was really quick the packages arrived in Germany in about a week.
...and if you really want to splurge, i recommend (for yourself) an ipod touch. you can actually check your email with it! the apps are a lot of fun, too. and then there is music, of course. the ipod touch would also be a great gift for those in your family who are relearning to use their fingers.
debra
www.oompa.com is an awesome toy website as well.
wow. over here, in the old school (skool?) we just buy our kids what they want. (and i thought that was pretty hard too.)
Someone mentioned the red retro/vintage (wood) kitchen from Costco- I ditto that. It is so cute and seems to fit with stuff Nie likes. I also like that it is gender neutral.
I guess you haven't seen this at Costco.... It is wooden!
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11287412&search=kitchen&Mo=13&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043%204008018&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&cat=25429&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=kitchen&Ntk=Text_Search&Ntt=kitchen&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
Arts and crafts! Large cardboard boxes, crayons, markers, ribbon, and fabric. Make stages for plays and sock puppet shows. New dress up outfits from the local thrift shops. Large rolls of craft paper- check with your local newspaper for some- so they can create murals. Doll houses that they can build themsleves and decorate with wallpaper and wooden furniture. Foam blocks for the boys to stack up and knock over without breaking anything. If you make it something they can "create" for themselves with their imagination it will be so easy and fun, and think of the pictures for your family to take of each thing they come up with. Good luck, I know first hand that four children are a chore to shop for this time of year, but I am proud to say I did my shopping with all mine in tow and yet they still know nothing of what they will be getting. I should be a super hero...
ok so this issue with the childrens items... On the site it includes reselling of items on ebay and such, so does this mean it will be illegal to resale items at garage sales?????????
I danced bare foot tonight for Nie Nie because sometime soon Nie Nie will dance bare foot herself! Thank you for sharing Nie Nie and your story!
Apricot and Ivy. I'm not a mom, more of a frustrated quasi-Aunt, and it's a godsend. That and Restoration Hardware for classic stocking stuffers, no seriously (metal slinky, wooden yo-yos, magic 8 balls).
What a relief!!! I thought Target was really lame too. I went three time thinking "How is Cjane getting everythinghere? I can;t find anything!" Target was not kid friendly this year. The clothes for Moomy ..... now that is different story......
poor Steph would shit if she could what's hiding in my closet...plastic, super heroes, and high school musical...damn. now I wanna return it and start all over.
(love your metal lie..metal???that killed me)
The other day I bought my children some "Melissa and Doug" play wooden food and I thought of Stephanie...
Nice to see that Stephanie won't let something like a little plane crash and months of rehabilitation take anything away from her mothering and principles. Welcome back to the world Mrs. Nielsen. You have been sorely missed.
-M. Putman
The Doug and Melissa kitchen set is 1/2 off on Amazon. (And it's Wooden. And vintage-y. And the kids would love it.)
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Classic-Deluxe-Kitchen/dp/B000GYUYC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1229648862&sr=8-1
You could probably do this whole thing on Amazon, even with wooden toys. Easy peasy. And yes... you are an angel. I'd be in big trouble if I were Stephanie - I have only brothers, and they are little devils!
I did the vast majority of my own shopping on Etsy this year. Much more gratifying knowing I put some shopping money in another Mom's pocket for the holidays. I want said book, too.
I'm getting my son a kitchen made out of gingerbread.
No wait...
I'm MAKING my song a whole HOUSE outta gingerbread.
I'm gonna pipe it and everything.
With icing, I mean.
Not gonna lay pipes.
I may be a stephanie wanna be, but I'm no plumber.
I can't get over it, I just love you! I love reading your posts every time. Beautiful! You are so funny and insightful and the type of person that everyone would love to have as their friend.
Oh I resisted the whole commercial tweenie junk for so long. In fact, I fought for the rights of designer clothing and toys with my daughter. But eventually, I gave up and called it a losing battle and now if it has Troy or Gabriella on it then it actually gets used/worn etc and isn't a waste of money sitting lonely in the wardrobe!
Plastic toys are all recalled withing a few months... for hazardous toxins! Wooden toys leave better "War" wounds making you look toughter! Hannah Montana is the offspring of the Achey Breaky heart... bless her. AND from the lips of my bless-ed 10 year old... Miley cyrus is Hannah Montana but I woudn't know that because I refuse to have cable TV in my home! :0)
Hug Steph. I miss her.
that means no warm, fuzzy fleece things either, c:) fleece is made of plastics, too, even some felts are!!!
ha!!!
l,
d
I have to say we have been working the "handmade" christma this year. There are a few exceptions! Electronics for sure. Etsy was my one-stop shopping for most everything, and I am DONE without ever having to enter the mall!! It was WONDERFUL!!!
Sorry...we sent some plastic your way! OOPS!!
I didn't mean "song".
I meant son.
If I made a song a gingerbread house, it'd be all like....
"Uh, awkward! songs don't need houses ya dummy!"
And I'd disolve into tears.
No, only my son would appreciate his very own gingerbread house.
Well, I would, but no one would make me one I could play in.
Maybe Martha Stewart could, but she's all busy with her stuff.
Whatever Martha.
ya gotta follow Non-Toxic kids blog... Nie might like it, too ;)
You are hilarious, witty, classy, inspiring, loving, so easy to relate to, and so easy to love. There...that sentence ought to make you square your shoulders and smile. You have much to be proud of. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the daily inspiration.
Love and prayers from New York.
you are a wise woman (i.e. plastic can easily be mistaken for metal). you did make me think of this absolutely darling tea set my mother-in-law sent my daughter for her fourth birthday. as she had broken two previous ceramic sets, i thought it was a great gift. plus it really was cute.
The problem with wooden toys is, well...my kids won't play with them. Me, on the other hand, I can't get enough of those novelty wooden nesting dolls...what a lame addiction i know.
...I dream of my daughter wanting to collect them (for me) so i don't have to be such loser.
oh, and i forgot to add that you totally had me psyched for a second that there really are michael caine candy canes - but then the link just led me to wikipedia. sigh.
Is Mrs. Chup the next Erma Bombeck? You heard it here first.
Love it... but she's right! Avoid the plastic if you can. And just in case Jane would prefer a kitchen set over a copy of your book (!) here's a line that makes GREAT wooden kitchen sets. I think Costco carries a few of their pieces, but there's also a Where to buy link on their site.
www.kidkraft.com/catalog/toys.asp?catid=8&subcatid=59
Cheers
Andrea
LMAO...no plastic, and avoid Hannah Montana :D
Whatever the gift chemical makeup, it'll be a Merry Christmas for all of you!
Spiderman is on the top of my 4 yr old's list. That and train tracks. Hey! Those are wooden! There's an answer to the no plastic problem for the boys. Get them Thomas and Friends wooden railway. It's a ton of money though. I had a plastic beat up kitchen I just gave away and thought about giving it to you first but it was too ugly and dirty. I didn't want to insult you.
However I would like to point out that a few weeks ago I have bought my my six-year-old a clip on Hannah Montana purple and brown hairpiece... so maybe you don't want advice from me! Call me a bad mother who's giving into corporate promotions but she looks so cute in it and she just loves it. I crack up every time when she says, "Mummie, can I wear my wig today?" lmao! Maybe I'm just twisted!
Cheers
Andrea
Good luck!!
Last year I read a hilarious post on Feminist Mormon Housewives. One blogger wanted all toys in the Nursery to be in compliance with the Montessori method of educating children. Meaning- wood, cloth, homemade etc.
NURSERY IS FREE!! So your kids will play with plastic toys and LIKE it :)
I've been silently reading yours and Stephanie's blogs since the summer, and would love to continue reading all about you, in your book. I'm Audrey from Illinois!
wow.
WOW!
you are funny.
laughing out loud in california...
The Red Balloon in American Fork (by WalMart)
Funfinity in Springville (main street) and Orem (university parkway)
both have lots of educational and wooden toys :-)
I looked up Nie's Handmade Christmas posts from last year and ordered gifts from some of the people on her list.
I avoided the big box stores as much as possible this year. I bought things from boutiques, etsy, and Mom and Pop Shops. That's the economy I wanted to stimulate. :)
Great blog.....great stories...thanks so much!!!!Many prayers always for the whole family!
Just for the record,the etymology of pipe dreams is from the 19th century practice of smoking opium from a pipe. At least it isn't of hippie-dippie origin, so maybe that will make you feel a little better when using it..
The term, as an idiomatic phrace. Not the pipe, as an idiotic practice.
you made my day! funny!
This is my "first" posting and I just had to write this...Courtney, YOU are an ANGEL! I just finished reading "THE PACKAGE" and just melted...so incredibly sweet! (that's just one emotion I'm feeling). Without going on and on, trying to share all that's in my heart, I will just Wish You and your entire family a very Special Christmas and a New Year filled with many, many Blessings! And Thank you for all you do, and sharing with all of us too!
Courtney, YOU are an ANGEL! I just finished reading "The Package" and melted! This is my first posting, but I've been following for quite a while. Without going on and on and sharing all that's in my heart I will only say that I wish you and your entire family a very special Christmas and a New Year filled with Blessings! You all continue to be in my prayers! And Thank you for all you do, and sharing with all of us too!
I made all of my children's gifts this year...a TEEPEE for goodness sake! With all the fun trimings to go along with it...
BUT the boy asked for a remote control, I found one for cheap...
Dang kids and their plastic toys!
PS
I sell children's clothing on Etsy, thanks for the kind words.
A pipe dream is a "dream" of something you want to do after you have smoked weed out of a pipe. It comes from the 60's. I didn't know what it was a while ago, until I asked my mother who grew up during that era. Hope it clears things up for everyone!
One of your funniest posts yet, and you've had some really funny posts! I especially loved it because I, like Stephanie, try to avoid plastic toys, and my family often thinks I'm crazy! I really admire the close relationships your family shares. Merry Christmas, and good luck with the shopping! ;)
You're going to LOOOOVE the book!! I can't wait for the next one..
I thought that on the spirit of this post I will like to sadly inform you that after Feb 10 you most likely won't find many options for handmade baby toys, clothing or accessories around since they will be label hazardous. There was a safety law passed that will come into effect on Feb 10th (CSPC) to help prevent the presence of Lead and other hazardous chemicals. It was done with good intend, but it hasn't been properly thought out. It will SEVERELY affect so many of us. Many will probably go out of business. Anyway, I will include some links for you to look at. I am sure that as a mom you would like to be as informed as possible, especially if it affects communities that you love, like etsy and other moms that like us that use their passion and the internet to help their families survive this difficult times.
God Bless your inspiring family
www.Endangeredwhimsy.com
www.handmadetoyalliance.org
www.nationalbankruptcyday.com
www.fashion-incubator.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=32
you can also look up on the internet CPSIA, CSPC, and you'll see how why I am so sadden.
love it. Check out our wee shop for all you need! xo
www.littlealouette.etsy.com
I know this is late but you can find the cutest wooden toys and they are very classic, they are Melissa and Doug toys, i believe there is a website and if anything just google it. My mother inlaw carries the brand in her store, they are cute, fun and durable. I love reading about you and your family. Your family is soooo Beautiful, and we are keeping you in our prayers.
Ashlie Daniels, Eagle Pass Texas
I'm definitely all about the wood toys! And Etsy is great!!!
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