Holiday Shopping

Hey everyone!

I hope everything has been going well for y’all! We have been really busy with life stuff, hence the big breaks between blogs.

Anyway, who is done holiday shopping? We finished up today and I’m so happy to be done. Shopping for kids is usually easy, but it’s really hard to shop for AJ.

We always find ourselves in the toddler aisle. Foam alphabet letters, alphabet puzzles, number blocks, infant toys, preschool books & the like.

I really don’t mind shopping the infant/toddler aisle for AJ (6yrs old), but I would be lying if I said I didn’t wish he would like other things. I mean, we have every rendition of Brown Bear possible lol. We even had to buy multiple copies because AJ loves his books until they break, literally 😅.

Almost all of his characters are “old school” so I can’t find them in stores.

Anyway, so here is how I shop for him. I take what he likes – anything Eric Carle & Disney – and try and find those items, but in games. If you follow us on social media, you know he has tons of books, so that’s why I try to avoid more.

Games are great for social skills and turn taking. Some even work on fine and gross motor without kids realizing it.

We got lucky this year and found magna tile expansion packs of Brown Bear and The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Granted, the magna tiles aren’t a “game” BUT they inspire creativity, free play, and work on his hand muscles.

The other toys are a Mr. Potato Head Play-doh set (great fine motor & sensory play) and a LEGO Steamboat Willie Boat – also great fine motor activity.

His small gifts are books and a Eric Carle game from his Tia.

Joe will be helping AJ with the LEGO boat. That cost a good penny, so we don’t want pieces being lost lol. The potato head allows AJ to get some sensory input, but is a structured activity too. AJ will build each body part and then connect them. That’s some good table time to get his brain going over the break.

So what about sister? Well, this girl can have us drop money on her no problem! She’s getting the Baby Alive Real As Can Be babydoll that’s supposed to be basically an infant lol

Lucina is a nurturing soul, so I know she will love it. The babydoll was just as expensive as AJ’s LEGO boat.

That’s one thing about my kid’s, their toys are pricey 🥴.

Anyway, she is also getting a baking set, a veterinarian Barbie set, some headphones, a Peppa Pig toy & her “baby yoda” shirt and poster. She’s currently OBSESSED with everything baby yoda.

We don’t do big gifts from Santa. Instead, the kids get a family gift from Santa that requires them to play together. Mom and dad take the credit for the big stuff 🤣. This year Santa is bringing the Hungry Hungry Hippo.

I plan to do a year wrap up blog soon, so I will update y’all on everything there.

I hope every one of y’all have a blessed and great Holiday break. From my family to yours!