Christmas Shopping Update

Okay.  Some folks were wondering how the big shopping trip went yesterday, so I thought I'd give a quick update.  Here it goes...we bought nothing.  Yep.  Apparently that's what happens when you go shopping with no list! 

We did a TON of looking though.  And to be honest, the time flew.  In my mind I was thinking that we all day to shop, but in reality it was only a few hours.  By the time I got off work and ate lunch, we only had time to hit a couple of stores before it was time to head home in order to get Jonathan off the bus.  It just didn't seem like enough time to go hog wild like I wanted to. 

It also didn't help that my husband and I were on different pages.  I was ready to grab things and put them on layaway so that we would be forced to budget the extra spending.  He, on the other hand, was in the mood to "shop for ideas."  Is that a man's way of saying he doesn't want to spend a lot of money? 

Anyway, Legos will definitely be under the Christmas tree this year.  First, we have to decide which line we think our Kindergartner will dig.  Star Wars?   Harry Potter?  Creator?  City?  There are so many stinking choices!  And they are not cheap!  I'm liking this house though.  It turns into three different houses. 

Since he likes doll houses, but not the dolls so much, I thought this would be a good idea.  Daddy is leaning more towards this though:

A pillow pet will probably be purchased too.  Since Jonathan's birthday is also on Christmas I always try to get him a special book, which I give to him right before he goes to bed Christmas night, so I know that is on the list too. 

As for what we found for the baby?!  I fell in love with this Little Tikes walk behind toy that turns into a ride on toy.  I think it is so cute and we'll get more bang for our buck!

So that is how things went yesterday.  By the time Christmas actually rolls around, however, the things my kids are unwrapping could be things I haven't thought of yet.  And most definitely haven't PURCHASED yet!

Christmas Shopping Without A Clue

My husband and I are going Christmas shopping tomorrow.  He has the day off from work, so we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get some of Jonathan's shopping done while he is still in school.  The only problem is that I have no idea what to buy him.  I heard that gasp!  First of all, what kind of mother am I that I don't know what to get my own kid?  Secondly, how could I go shopping, for Christmas gifts mind you, without any clue as to what to buy?  I'm supposed to be an over-achieving-stay-at-home-work-part-time-mommy blogger who has all of her ducks in a row!  Yeah, right. 

Here's the problem...my son's age.  I didn't realize that 5 (although he'll turn 6 on Christmas Day) would be such a difficult age.  He's too big for the ride on toys and the playhouses that he still thinks are cool.  He's also matured past a lot of toys that I would prefer to buy him, but can no longer get away with.  I also think that he is too young for most of the toys that are marketed to his age group. 

First of all, we are a video game free household.  That takes a whole lot of ideas off the table doesn't it?  No Wii, DS, DSi, or Leapster will be purchased for our little guy.  I'm not opposed to ever buying video games, but I am simply not ready to open that can of worms yet.

If we buy one more dinosaur I'm pretty sure we could open our own museum.  We could possibly open a zoo as well, because Jonathan also cannot resist any type of animal.  Stuffed, plastic, cardboard, or feathered, we've got em.  We also have plenty of matchbox cars, puzzles, and games.  Although the small stuff is not exactly what I am concerned about.  I don't have the "IT" present idea.  I usually know exactly what his "big" present is going to be by now and have usually already saved for it or have been scouting for the best price on the Internet. 

So, tomorrow, the dearest husband and I plan to take on Toys R Us, Kmart, and Target with no list, no plan, and no ideas.  In the meantime, I am certainly open to suggestions!