And A Tub Of Hot Fudge

One week into the new school and - not to be jinxy - Patrick is like a different person. Not just a different person from the anxious/resentful kid of last week but a different person from the angry/bored/anxious/resentful mess of a child who had been developing over the past few months.

Let me back up.

I liked our old school quite a bit. We will most likely send Caroline and Edward there. I think lots of different kinds of kids with lots of different kinds of learning styles would thrive there. Unfortunately Patrick was not one of them; although it took me (and Steve, but the children and their day-to-day'ness fall under my purlieu) a while to recognize this.

I knew that Patrick was becoming more and more irritable. I knew that we were having a hard time with him. Even my mother (who adores him) noticed that he was remarkably crabby during her last visit. But I didn't know whether this was just the age or his personality or what. In retrospect I think that Patrick was having a miserable time in school (on all levels) and the worse it got the less he talked and the angrier he became. As the weeks went by I realized that something, whatever it was, was seriously wrong and I started considering that maybe his school was part of the problem. I had met with them in October when they reported that his eyes were glassing over and his tongue was hanging out during math. I suggested he needed harder work; they suggested he needed more self-discipline. I promised to talk to Patrick about being less of a marmot and they promised to look into the fact that... oh to pick just one... he had been attending the wrong spelling class for two weeks but no one had noticed. Or that he (this is true) left entire pages of math worksheets unfinished except for doodling the page numbers into various lengths of pi - they did four straight weeks on the value of currency and how much Miguel had left after he bought a peach; Patrick has been a coin collector since he was four, you decide how much he enjoyed this. Or that he had asked for a more difficult just-right reading book but been told no, so the following week he brought home not one but two Dr. Seuss books (when challenged by me over this choice he pointed out that it was The Cat and the Hat COMES BACK - so, really, much more scope than the original.) Where was I? Oh, right looking into alternative schools for him. You know, I have been asked by a lot of people over the years whether we found it worthwhile to have our kid tested (Patrick has done WISC WIAT and SB-V) and prior to this my response has been mixed. I, personally, found it soothing and it has been occasionally helpful with the school but I had not yet found testing to be particularly actionable, if you know what I mean. However, as Patrick's year rapidly deteriorated (remind me to never tell you about the worst parent-teacher conference in history - there was shouting [Patrick's] mortification [mine] and malevolence [no comment]) I was very grateful that we had actual data to discuss when I called people in various districts seeking counsel. It's one thing to talk about your snowflake's unique pattern; it's another to say these are his numbers what do you suggest? The overwhelming consensus was to see if what-is-now-his-new-school would be willing to make a space for him; otherwise our district (Patrick's old school is not in our district) was willing to bump him from second grade into a third grade cluster for the latter half of the year at our neighborhood school and then take him into their magnet next year (they start in fourth grade.) I can imagine many children do well with grade skipping (Steve did) but I doubt that Patrick would be one of them. He's young and he's young - late June birthday plus general late social blooming - and it is hard to imagine him with kids a year older. 

So that was the deal, mostly, and those were the options and so far the new school is working out better than I had even hoped. Patrick comes home in a genial mood and he is excited again. Actually he might be a little too excited. Over the weekend they had to come up with an experiment and share it with the class. Patrick wanted to make rock candy, so he did and it went over well. Giddy with success and fired with scientific curiosity Patrick paused in the middle of putting away his clothes last night and contemplated the electrical outlet in his room. What would happen - he wondered - if he placed a quarter on the prongs of the nightlight as it was pulled only partially from the socket... OH MY GOD! Patrick accidentally started an electrical fire in his room last night and scared us so badly we took turns yelling at him and himself enough that he continued to sob off and on for an hour. This morning I found him packing the blackened quarter and the half-melted nightlight into a sandwich bag in order to bring it into class to share the dire consequences of his latest experiment.

Speaking of cautionary tales, Peeks left this comment yesterday:

"It is rather a shame that our heroine was cooked and eaten following the soon-to-be infamous Julia / Twin City meetup.

But a Cautionary Tale for our times will be born."

I forwarded this to Steve who replied that reports of my death have probably been greatly exaggerated. When I initially told him I was going to meet the internet and asked him to meet me there afterward just in case anyone wanted to murder me he was scornful. "Why," he asked, "would anyone want to kill you; they don't even know you." I thought this was rude because it implied that the scenario might be different if they actually did know me.    

He was right though. I went out and met chunks of the local internet and not one person tried to kill me. Not even a little bit. It was fun although it reminded me slightly of my wedding. We invited about sixty people when we got married and before the event I looked forward to catching up with all kinds of old friends. When I did the math, however, I realized that speaking to each person for three minutes would take up three solid hours. Five minutes and the party is over and I haven't even had cake. The internet gathering felt like that. I wanted to talk to everyone but I failed. It was fun, though. It was great to get out and fascinating to meet completely new people and then Steve picked me up and the two of us went for an early birthday (his birthday is today - Happy Birthday Steve) sushi. I think I will do it again and I think next time we'll go bowling. I like bowling as I like most of the beer sports.

Moving on, I want to talk about presents because I am dying over here. I have gotten one (1) present for one (1) person (Edward) and then I have a stack of scribbled notes with question marks to denote that I have a gift idea but I am either not sure if it is a good idea or I am sure it is a good idea but I don't know where to get it or not sure it is a good idea and also not sure where to get it.

So as always around this time of year I am soliciting suggestions and offering my own:

Caroline - Caroline likes Patrick, dancing, pulling bread knives from countertops, and answering my rhetorical questions ("Where did I put the phone?" I mutter. "I don't know!" squeaks a voice from the region of my kneecaps.) She also keeps draping things around herself, like hand towels and bibs and anything she can rummage from the laundry basket. I am thinking about getting her a set of dress-up clothes, preferably something with a few different pieces. Any thoughts on where to get something toddler friendly (internet preferred)? Also I think she would like one of those dolls that you get to snap and button and lace and zip - you know what I mean? And maybe something in a play clock? Finally, I thought she and Edward could get a toy kitchen for their big present. I have looked online but the sheer volume of choice has staggered me. I want it to be, you know, fun and big enough for two kids to play with simultaneously. Any suggestions?

Edward - Edward likes Matchbox cars and Thomas the Train cars and school buses and airplanes and dump trucks and giant excavators and helicopters... and music. He likes pretending to feed people and things. He likes to count when we go up the stairs and he likes to identify letters when we read books. As an aside I have been trying to work with him from the sheets his speech therapist gave me and he finds this HILARIOUS. He says "Uh" and I say "Uh-PUH, Uh-PUH" as I pull my hand away from my mouth with the p sound just like she taught me and Edward literally falls over with mirth. I think I am doing it wrong.

The only present I have gotten so far is for Edward and it is this remote controlled car (well similar - I got the police car) because Patrick has one he built out of Legos (oh! that was a good present for a seven year old. I'll link it although I think you can do better on the price than Amazon) and Edward will lie on his stomach and watch Patrick drive that car around for hours.

Any other thoughts for two year olds? How about seven? I think Patrick will get a portable chess set (any chess people out there? any nice sets to recommend that aren't too nice?) and some Legos. Board games? I find that I am stuck in 1976 when it comes to games for children: Sorry, Life (which is a terrible game; remember how you would get mad if you wound up being a teacher and you only won if you got to be a doctor or lawyer? what the hell was that about?) Clue and Monopoly... any newer family games to consider?

For nephews three through seven I am thinking about one of the wonderful capes from BeeBee Bug and/or subscriptions to Lego Club (you get a "magazine" - I think it is a big ad but whatever - and a new small Lego set delivered every two months for a year; that's cool) and/or subscriptions to one of the Cobblestone magazine (they have lots of different ones that are great and kids of a certain age always love their own mail.)      

Oh! I almost forgot. I have three featured readers over the next week or two whose ads I will be rotating on the sidebar and I would love it if you check out their stuff. Shawna is a photographer with exceptionally lovely things for sale here. Grandpa Ernie (his daughter is a reader and helps run his etsy shop) makes THE MOST BEAUTIFUL wooden toys for sale here. And Scrollwork Designs has jewelry for sale here that makes me chew my thumb in greed.

So, how goes your holiday shopping and what has you excited this year?

PS What can I say? I LIKE buying presents.

Comments

[kara]

I didn't take the time to read the comments, so this may be a repeat (likely) or stuff you already know about (highly likely). But, just in case:

For insanely awesome costume-ness that does not look like Walt Disney himself threw up on it (I have an issue with all-princess-all-the-time for my girls, what can I say?), check out Magic Cabin. Actually, for *everything* check out Magic Cabin, in my opinion. I'm positive you're familiar with it because it seems like the kind of stuff you'd like, but if not, oh Julia. Get ready to spend a mint, especially on Caroline.

For Patrick, you do know about Mindware, right? Um, he is exactly the kind of kid I think about when I get that catalog. I can't wait until Mia (my oldest, almost 4) is old enough for the kind of stuff they sell--brainy, educational-but-in-a-totally-awesome-way--so that we can play with it all together. Love!

[Helen]

Well, I'm a fan of Step2 stuff, particularly the stuff made in the USA. They have some kitchen sets there. (Never bought kitchen stuff myself, but they look interesting.) I got my son the walker wagon when he was one, and it's still useful from time to time. The kangaroo climber is also fun, and small enough for indoors.

As for board games, Scrabble might be good for Patrick, if he doesn't have that already. My son also likes cars and anything with wheels, like your little Edward. I'm having the hardest time trying to find a toy car that's detailed and not made in China though. We have plastic trucks from Green Toys, a few of the bigger trucks from Bruder. And for the clock toy, I'm supposed to be getting one delivered tomorrow from Holgate Toys. Made in the USA again, and hopefully will be decent. It's the first time I'm ordering from them, so crossing fingers.

Another note. I ordered the Name Trains from Maple Landmark. I was disappointed, but again, my opinion. Although it's supposed to be safe, made in USA and all... the letter trains are small, and the magnets are kind of strong. I thought it'd be a nice way for my kid to learn his letters. Also, if anyone plans on getting a set for a name, make sure you specify the colors if you want a variety. I assumed I would get one of each color, but they randomly pick them (unless you specify). I got a bunch of repeating colors and didn't even get purple (his favorite). Anyhow, I think he'll like them. Even if I worry that the magnets might fall off and potentially tear his intestines apart or something. But why would an almost 3 year old eat magnets right.

[Lesley]

For your twins-- since they like letters, a good "present" might be the website called "Starfall." It doesn't cost anything, and it's really great for prereaders/early readers. My 2 1/2-year-old loves it. It has nice, simple word games and stories, as well as stuff you can print out if you want. It's not flashy or noisy.

[Clarity]

I've switched schools twice (oldest is in 5th grade) and both times it was the best thing we could have possibly done. Sometimes it's just not gonna work and I'm so glad you realized that and Patrick is learning and growing again.

My 7 yo son also happens to have numbers we don't talk about unless it's one of those situations, and he ADORES this game that won Mensa game of the year a couple years ago. http://www.educationallearninggames.com/set.asp I can just barely keep the rules straight for one game after he explains them to me, but it's basically a matching game for folks who are way smarter than me (IE, DS). He loves it and I think it's pretty nifty when I can figure it out.

He also got this for his birthday and hasn't let go of it since http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Star-Wars-Visual-Dictionary/dp/0756655293 Star wars, legos, and books? Add some cheese and it's all his favorite things in one place.

Are you getting Cricket a cape? I say you get the little ones some capes and a kitchen and call it a day!

[Sylvia]

I second all of Carolina's suggestions for German-style and strategy games. As a math teacher, I particularly recommend SET and Khet. Fluxx is another fun, fairly absurd card game that plays quickly. There are also themed decks of Fluxx that center on nature or other topics.

I also highly recommend Cathedral, which can be a challenging strategy game for two players or a fun puzzle for two older toddlers. (It has fairly large pieces, although a few are small enough to be chokable, and they fit nicely into the board when you are not trying to keep your opponent out of your territory.)

[-R-]

Bowling is an excellent idea! Thanks for organizing the meet-up.

I am getting art supplies for my nephews ages 4-10. I never know what to buy for them, but I think they'll all like the different art things.

Do you have any gift ideas for men around age 60? I am STUMPED on both my father and father-in-law.

[Pam L]

I cannot believe the school you worked so hard to find for Patrick (the now OLD school) couldn't even get him in the right reading level OR math level. Isn't that the main idea, if they can continue to be challenged to read and do math, they can do anything, right? They had his numbers, no? Sheesh!, poor kid. I find it funny/ironic that he bought home Dr. Seuss to read, a cry for help, I would say. If they knew his stats and he was ASKING for a better reading selection, then telling him "no" sounds like someone didn't want to deal with him, or his IQ, or the fact that he dared to ask for more.Some adults, even teachers, bristle at that for some reason. My older son had a 2nd grade teacher like that. She didn't believe he could really read as well as he could and went to great pains to prove it, told us he was a "word reader" but didn't understand it. Then she left the class half way through the school year to learn to become and administrator, then came back at the end of the year and complained about the lousy job the new teacher did. I hated her, literally. But I digress, so happy he's happy. And I have no gift suggestions for you, my kids are too old and I am too far gone out of that loop. The current suggestions look good though.

[amelie]

I vote for SET (amazing pattern game that everyone in the family can play, together or alone.) and cramium games. Dress up clothes are still used in our house for the soon to be teenagers.
As to school - please forgive the teacher - she was feeling inadequate. It is hard to teach a kid who is smarter than you when you are trying to teach other kids "sight" words. As a teacher I see kids misplaced all the time. I wish more parents would work to find their kids the best place for their strenghts and quirks. Today I lost my favorite brilliant kid to a program where he will grow and thrive; it broke my heart even though it is the best thing for him. I am so glad that Patrick is excited to learn again.

[Elizabeth Hosto]

I just have to add, since I didn't see it in the comments, for fun (safe) experiments for Patrick - http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

They have a ton of kits and supplies as well as other ideas for experimenting with stuff you already have at home. Way too much for for a science geek mom who can't wait to experiment with her boys!

http://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.hosto?v=app_2392950137&ref=profile#/video/video.php?v=1263717225810

[TeacherMommy]

Those capes from BeeBug saved me when it came to my boys.

I'm being thrifty and careful and spending as little as possible while still getting meaningful things. So far, so good.

Thank you for the wonderful stories and the chuckles and the loveliness on a day that has been mostly horrible. I was so happy to see you had a post up, because I needed it...

[Sarah]

Congrats on Patrick. My niece and nephews are trapped at a crappy school b/c their mom teaches there (I'm sure she's a fine teacher, but one can only do so much and she's not allowed to teach her own kids). They are miserable and hate it and there is nothing to be done but to try and enrich their education in other ways. :(

Little kids LOVE TOY FOOD. Wooden fruit and sandwiches for picnics and stuff are awesome. Those apples held together with velcro you can "cut" are great.

www.mastermindtoys.com looks good. except they are out of stock on the cutting food here: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Cutting-Food-Box/dp/B000GKD09C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1260321741&sr=8-1

[Ginger]

What about the little kids Lego's (Duplo's) for Edward and/or Caroline? Or do you already have some of them? If you have an IKEA near you, they have a play kitchen. And they have the best play dishes and pots and pans.

[kern]

You can get some nice playsilks on etsy. Also, we have a play kitchen that has two sides-one side is kitchen and the other is a grill with a little bench. The window over the sink in the kitchen looks out over the bench. The boys love it. I also made them lots of felt cookies, poptarts and cakes-they can dream! You can buy felt food on etsy too. And ditto on the Melissa and Doug food. Some of the sets have velcro and a wooden knife so it sounds like you're really cutting. HTH!

[Jennifer]

Costco (if you're a member) has a chest of dress up clothes that usually have 3 dresses (or a shirt/skirt combo) and various accessories and other accoutrement (shoes, slippers, hats, etc.) that entertained our (now) 6 year old. The sizes are nice too and fit her for 3-4 years.

Definitely a cape for Caroline like Patrick has.

Magic Cabin has all sorts of fun stuff (but check for silks on etsy, they may be cheaper).

Check out The Spoon Sisters (http://spoonsisters.com) for smallish fun stuff (like the portable spirograph).

Oh, and I think I saw a kitchen at Costco (again if you're a member or located near one, apologies if you're not) that was similar to a Step 2 one that also entertained our oldest daughter for years.

[AnnWS]

We loved this game http://www.amazon.com/Ravensburger-26448-Labyrinth/dp/B00000J0JF from Ravensburger. Although there seem to be *a lot* more variations than when we bought the Amazing Labyrinth 15 years ago. Fun family game. We still play and my daughter is 22. We like games. Actually, Ravensburger has many great games.

And don't forget the food for the kitchen. Do they still make those Fisher-Price eggs that crack open--with an egg inside? Endlessly fascinating.

[CaraH]

My recommendations:

Cranium Hullabaloo
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=cranium+hullabaloo&oe=utf-8&cid=3714844442202155646&sa=title#p

and

KidKraft Play Kitchen
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=kidkraft+play+kitchen&oe=utf-8&cid=6633942154918981203&sa=title#p

Good luck! :)

[Kendra]

Patrick might enjoy magazines from the Cricket magazine series. They have fiction, science, and other lovely things. I adored my Cricket subscription as a child.

[daysgoby]

I just saw this on Amazon the other day - http://tinyurl.com/yck6gqh It looks plenty big for the twinkles!

Games are the best! Uno, Phase 10, Scrabble Junior, Dominos, Cranium, Scattergories.

[Naomi]

My daughter is a serious game geek so I had a lot of the same suggestions other people have already made (Set, Blokus, Quiddler, Quirkle, Settlers of Catan). So far as classic games go, there's also Othello, Go, Scrabble and Boggle, which my kid also enjoys.

Settlers of Catan is an awesome game BUT requires three or four people (and it's better with four) and it lasts for a good long while. For my daughter's birthday I got her the Settlers card game, and that was a great investment; it's faster to play and requires only two people (in fact, you can only play with two).

Also, as a Lego gift, check out the Klutz Lego Book, "Crazy Action Contraptions." It has a bunch of simple machines and it comes with the little gears and other widgets you need to build them.

For Caroline, I would suggest one of the MP3 players with a built-in speaker for little kids. My 6-year-old has a Sansa Shaker (and by the way I noticed they're currently on sale for $10 at Toys R Us, if you can stand going in there). There's also one called the SweetPea3 that's more for a toddler. Finally, apparently there's a tutu that plays music (although that only plays music from swan lake).

[Dawn]

I think, if nothing else, you MUST get Carolyn her own cape. She is clearly suffering from cape envy.

As for Patrick, Junior Boggle, or if he's beyond that, which he no doubt is if he's reading Harry Potter, Boggle.

I'm out of ideas for Edward. Possibly Duplo, if he hasn't inherited 6 million pieces from Patrick?

Meh. My kids are in their 20s. I have no idea what toys are out there now.

[Amy]

Blokus, Settlers, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, RoboRally - yes yes yes.

Also TransAmerica, Cartagena, Scotland Yard.

Looking ahead to things Patrick could play with the twins in the near-ish future, but are fun for adults until then:
Gulo Gulo is playable by Surprisingly Young Persons once the concept of games and rules can be communicated, and tiny fingers have an advantage. Ingenious (that's the name) can also be played Surprisingly Young - the scoring will be beyond young ones, but they can match the shapes/colors. Bucket King is a little older and better if you can get some crafty person to painstakingly paint a zillion teensy wood buckets in the colors so you can actually stack them instead of using the cardboard ones that come with the game, but kids dig the barnyard noises.

[Erika]

Well, hell. My daughter (not tested, but pretty damned smart, although probably not quite at Patrick's level) has been a grump for months, and now you've got me thinking it's 1st grade and not enough challenge. Dammit.

Not much recommendation on gifts--we're planning to get her jenga, clue, and possibly this game called "Enchanted Forest" that we found online. And maybe blokus, now that I see the recommendations above. Oh, plus a diary (with a lock!) and "blue flower magnet earrings," not that I know where to find those...

[Amy]

Sorry to double-post on you, but a tip for *where* to buy games: funagain.com

I'm not associated with them, except as a customer.

[Toni]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned Apples to Apples...but it's a great game and the junior version is good for the adults too ;)

[cee]

I'm amused that people are suggesting Apples to Apples, because my friends and I love to play it. Except we're in our twenties and we play it as a drinking game!

[chanzi]

This post from defective yeti is from 2006, but it's specifically about games for kids around Patrick's age. http://www.defectiveyeti.com/archives/001591.html

Then there's a section in this post about games for toddlers, if you're looking for a game for Edward and Caroline. http://www.defectiveyeti.com/archives/001600.html

[margalit]

Great games for gifted 7 year olds would include Apples to Apples (kids edition), SET, and Mancala. Both Set and Mancala are math based strategy games, and they are quite challanging when played with other smarties or adults. My son, who is PG, loved Backgammon at that age.

[Julia]

I second, third, fourth, whatever the comments for Blokus.

For the kitchen, stick with the classics and get a Fisher Price one. I can still remember fondly playing with my cousins both in the FP playhouse and with the FP kitchen. At least two can play simultaneously.

[lacey]

i'm so so sorry if i'm repeating - 72 comments is a lot!

i want to second / third / tenth the suggestions of SET (I LOVE THIS GAME - i am 29 years old - i have loved it solidly since i learned it at 19, and it has never lost my interest - and it's great for kids, too, of course) and Apples to Apples, which is (at the risk of being cheesy) rollicking run for the whole family, young and old, including my grandmother, who is suffering from dementia and can't play some of the old favorites. Apples to Apples is really really fun and smart and laughter-filled for players of all levels of age and ability.

also i want to recommend shopping (online) at www.hearthsong.com . this has been my favorite source of children's toys since i was a child myself - i used to refer my mom to HearthSong (which, in the dark ages, was a mailed catalogue) for my presents. the toys are all well-made, quality stuff, and just as importantly, they're very conducive to imagination and thinking and discovering the world through play. there used to be a bag of several silk scarves in various colors that would have been perfect for caroline, but, oops, i just checked, and they are down to just single-scarf orders in purple or turquoise. ANYWAY. they have other awesome dress-up clothes, a sweet large wooden kitchen set, and lots of toys that i want. rubber eggs? yes please. life-size building blocks or a build-a-real-igloo set? yesyes. star theater instant planetarium? um, yes. Great Big Outdoor Playball ("roll it, chase it, jump inside it")? I'LL TAKE TWO.

[txmama]

Yep -- Quirkle and Bananagrams are wonderful. It's like speed scrabble without points, and everyone has their own grids of words. We modify the rules for Bananagrams slightly for our six-year-old -- her words do not have to connect -- and then we can all play together. It's wonderful fun, and fast to play (sometimes games last just 5 minutes).

Also, our daughter has been playing Settlers of Cattan since she was 4, and she loves it (as do we). It's not just fun, but beautifully designed and made.

[Christine]

We have the Melissa and Doug Deluxe kitchen, which fits 1 2 year old and 1 four year old quite nicely. It's wood - real wood - and sturdy. I put it together myself in about 2 1/2 hours. It would have been 2 but I was drinking wine at the time, which meant when I got to a part where I thought, "Gee, this seems really counter-intuitive to put it in like this" I did not take a second to think, as I would have were I sober. Directions are clear and (mostly) idiot-proof.

There are tons of food, etc. available, although I just crocheted a bunch of things and gave them various non-breakable dishes to use.

Most of the games I like have been mentioned, but I didn't see Ghost Chase.

[Kristin]

Check out Cranium (great game) and Uno Attack or Uno Spin or Uno Flash.

[shannon b.]

When I was Patrick's age the three types of toys I couldn't get enough of were chemistry sets, electrical sets (like this one http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Sports-Cards-MX-906-Electronic/dp/B00005K2SY/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1260329739&sr=1-6 ) and train sets. Super fun, though you'll have to make sure he keeps them away from the little ones. Science labs are the best!

[shannon b.]

Ah, I guess I should add that getting him the electrical kit may satisfy is electricity experiment curiosities without burning down the house.

[terri c]

When I was Patrick's age I was reading at 12+ grade level (meaning, off the scale they were using) and my FAVE gifts in the world were books (well, stuffed animals too). Although I think all the selections above sound awesome. I might want some for myself. I did always want a toy bulldozer and an erector set but those were considered "boy" toys so... You ARE getting Caroline a cape right? Your kids sound like SO MUCH FUN to buy for!! I started reading the Oz books about Patrick's age.

[Shelley]

Uno.

[Melissa]

Oh, and have you guys ever played Fluxx? It's a card game that comes in different themes, but you can combine most of them. I've played EcoFluxx, and I own Zombie Fluxx. There's a regular version too. It's not a mind-bending card game but it is wicked fun.

[Kristen]

We love the games Blokus & Bananagrams. The kids come running when the Bananagrams tiles hit the table.

[Kristine]

I'm getting some awesome ideas for my boys here, thanks!

So happy the new school is working out! Yeah Patrick!

[Deb2You2]

Have you heard of Gears, Gears, Gears? I hadn't until we went on a family trip and my cousin borrow a some toys from a friend for the kids to play. One was a set of Gears. Santa is bringing a set this year.

http://www.learningresources.com/category/parents/shop+by+brand/gears!gears!gears!--174-.do?code=PROMO-MEM30OAY

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000JGWY/?tag=yahhyd-20&hvadid=67640145511&ref=pd_sl_36xaynjnbk_b

My research showed several different, but interchangeable sets for different age ranges.

My twins are getting this kitchen. http://www.playkitchens.com/play-kitchens/kitchens/homestylekitchen.cfm. Space in the house is limited and money is tight this year. Don't have experience with it yet, but it was reviewed well. Good luck with it.

Deb

[MindyMax]

Elefun for all three. Yes, it will make you a wee bit nuts to pick them all up every time but my kids/nieces/nephews/friends kids could never get enough of that 'game'. They loved it and I'm sure the twinks would and think Patrick would also.

And I second the fatbraintoys website. Great toys....

[Kathy from KY]

Caroline shoes - Target sellls Dorothy shoes - red glittery shoes both mt DDS Loved - Many other colors now.

http://www.target.com/Girls-Shoes/b/ref=sc_fe_l_4/185-2424336-5375103?ie=UTF8&node=393620011

[Janice]

I just ordered Flashmaster, which is a hand-held mini computer that helps master math facts. It features timed tests, too, which is something my daughter will have next year. The kids think they are getting away with playing with a video game but its a great learning tool. Flashmaster.com, $50. Worth it!!!

Good luck!

[Tracy]

We made our kids a play kitchen out of a giant old entertainment centre. It likely held a 35" TV. It has tons of room. I wasn't expensive as you can buy them on Kijiji or Craigslist for a song. I could send you a picture if you like.

And the best gift I ever got my kids was a big magnetic white board. We hung it low so they can stand and write or use magnetic letters. There are lots of magnetic type toys that work well with it.

p.s. I'm so happy that Patrick likes his new school.

[l3j]

I recommend Set and Apples to Apples for games.

[Lisa C.]

For Patrick, just get him a tournament vinyl board and some plastic pieces. Virtually indestructible. You could even get two sets of pieces and keep one to replace lost pieces as time goes on.

http://www.kingcart.com/USCFSales/category=Browse+All+Tournament+Chess+Boards/exact_match=on

[Cheryl]

For Carolyn/Edward a minature broom/dust pan and maybe a snow shovel. Also, a kid-sized vacuum cleaner would be fun for them. Kid-sized cooking utensils are a bit hit as well. They might also like a sand/water table.

[owlhaven]

Phase 10- card game. Much loved at our house.
He might also enjoy Killer Bunnies, another card game that our kids think is really fun.
Mary, mom to 10
(Odd fact--I have commented on your blog off and on for years. When you were going thru miscarriages, I never posted my usual 'mom to 10' sig line because it felt like bragging. -- 6 of mine are adopted-- but anyway, now that you have 3, it feels OK....) Good luck game hunting

[Sam]

Think Geek makes a chess set that is Super Mario Bros. http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/7-13-years/bce5/ We got it for the 13 year old. We got a bilibo for the baby at Think Geek. http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/1-3-years/b3f1/

[sky]

From a long-time lurker...
Edward - Mighty Machines videos (still playing on VHS at our house with kid#4) I would prefer to stab a fork in my eye than watch *yet again*, but little boys are absolutely mesmerized by them and they are not animated! Go for the older boring ones.

Patrick - OCTI is the absolute best strategy game for for all ages. If he likes chess he will LOVE this.

Caroline - go for volume at the dollar store instead of quality merchandise. scarves, plastic toddler high heels, costume jewlery, sunglasses, hats, bags, leftover halloween stuff, wings, wands, etc etc.