wifetovegman2002

--- In [email protected], Sandrewmama
<sandrewmama@m...> wrote:
>
>
> Big on my kids' (8 yog & 14 yob) wishlist is a Nintendo DS and games
> to go with it. They didn't even imagine that they could each have
> their own DS unit -- they're just hoping for one unit to share
> between the two of them plus a game each. The systems are set up so
> that you can play wirelessly together when in proximity so what fun
> they'll have when they both get their own system!

Chris,

Don't forget that they each have to have a copy of the game, too, in
order to play together using the wi-fi feature.

*I* got my own DS this year too, as an early Christmas present, of the
MarioKart DS, which is bright santa-sleigh red :-) and my favorite
game, Animal Crossing, for the DS. I am totally happy.

The DS also plays GBA games, so my pokemon games are in one side and
the DS games are in the other and I am crazy happy to know it is in my
pocket whenever I am bored in a checkout line or waiting at the dr.'s
or waiting in the car until my DD gets off work.


>
> I'm curious what tops your kids' wishlists?
>
> Chris in IA


Sarah, at 16, would love her own car (not happening on our budget this
year), but she might get her own set of keys to the cars we do have.
She is also getting a calligraphy set and a jewelry making tool kit,
and a gift card to Michael's craft shop, her own copy of Animal
Crossing DS so we can play together, and a furby.

Andrew, 14, is getting 6 new G.A. Henty books, a copy of Gods &
Generals, an electric razor, a couple of XBox games, and some other
incidentals. His sister bought him a ninja sword set at the anime
convention, so I am letting her have the honor of giving him "the best
gift ever" this year.

Aaron, age 7, is getting Napoleon Dynamite Mad Libs, a doodle monster,
some lego sets, a couple video games, some Spawn action figures, and a
cotton candy machine.

~Susan M. in VA
wifetovegman

wifetovegman2002

--- In [email protected], Sandrewmama
<sandrewmama@m...> wrote:
>
> I'm having fun noticing my different approach, since converting to
> radical unschooling, to gift-giving for my kids this year. In year's
> past I tried carefully to balance their heart's desires with what I
> deemed appropriate and valuable(financially, morally,
> educationally). This year, I'm finding so much joy indulging their
> greatest wishes (within my financial constraints -- can't afford that
> digital video-camera... yet).


Chris,

I just wanted to add that I totally know what you are talking about.
The joy in gift giving is so much MORE now, knowing that what they are
going to be given is exactly where their interests lay (lay? lie? can
never get that one right).

The last few years, the years we have been totally unschooling, have
been such a wonderful adventure of finding just the most awesomest
gifts so that they would know that we take their interests seriously
and enjoy them too. I think it has been really healing for all of us
after the years of "educational" gifts and such.

I have taken it even a step further this year, and finally feel free
enough to allow someone else (my daughter) to have the coveted
spotlight of being the one who has come up with the coolest gift ever.
She got her brother a set of ninja swords at the anime convention,
something he has been asking and asking for, and I am so going to
enjoy watching her give it to him and her receive the "glow" this year.

I almost blew it, and realized at the last minute that if I "topped"
her gift with something even more cool, it would steal that feeling
from her, and she might not put such effort into it ever again.

It is so neat to see them start to really care about each other's
interests, and really want to give something that the other will
*really* like.


~Susan M. in VA
wifetovegman

kgutty67

My 14dd and 10ds really wanted proper slingshots. I was going to buy
her some caft supplies that I thought she needed, and him something
useful. My dd was with me when I was shopping and suggested the
slings and nearly fell over when I said OK.

The smile hasn't left her face. She loves all manner of weapons and
hunting tools. But it's not just herself she's happy for, she can't
wait to see her brother's face.

It's so much more fun for everyone when you give them something they
really want. No undies and socks as presents in this house this
Christmas!

I've also organised my parents to give the children a billycart/wagon
for our farm. They are going to love it.

This summer is going to be great.

Kerryn
Australia

Sylvia Toyama

I'm curious what tops your kids' wishlists?

****
This year, Andy wants a few very specific Transformers, and a few very specific (and very expensive) yugioh cards.

Dan has just spent the last month saying "I want that!" to every non-girl toy commercial on TV! <g> High on his list are Play-doh doggie doctor, a new hula hoop (hard to find at Xmas time), whack-a-mole, flywheel cars, another recycling truck, and any remote control car. Dan also loves maps, of all kinds and sizes, so Gary is stopping by AAA this week to pick up a collection of regional/state maps for his stocking.

Will has said nothing about what he wants so likely it will be gift cards for CD/books, clothes and more gift cards.

As well, we're thinking of giving Andy a new TV with close captioning, since he loves being able to read what was said/sung. I think they could use and would enjoy personal CD players, which will mean buying some CD's for Andy & Dan.

We're also getting a DVD/VCR for a family gift, so I'll pick up a few DVD's I know they would love to have.

Sylvia


Mom to Will (20) Andy (9) and Dan (4.5)



---------------------------------
Yahoo! Shopping
Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping

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NANCY OWENS

wifetovegman2002 <wifetovegman2002@...> wrote: Aaron, age 7, is getting Napoleon Dynamite Mad Libs, a doodle monster,
some lego sets, a couple video games, some Spawn action figures, and a
cotton candy machine.

~Susan M. in VA
wifetovegman
************

<Huhhhhhhhh Gosh>
Where did you get Napoleon Dynamite Mad Libs!??

Tellmetellmetellmetellmetellme pluzeee :o)
~Nancy



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

wifetovegman2002

--- In [email protected], NANCY OWENS
<nancy-owens@s...> wrote:
>
>
> <Huhhhhhhhh Gosh>
> Where did you get Napoleon Dynamite Mad Libs!??
>
> Tellmetellmetellmetellmetellme pluzeee :o)
> ~Nancy
>


Amazon.com! They said they wouldn't arrive until January, and then I
got them Saturday in the mail anyway. TOO COOL! They are really
funny, either straight from the movie, or scenarios that Napoleon
would find himself in, written in his style. VERY FUNNY!

~Susan M. in VA
wifetovegman

NANCY OWENS

Thanks bunches!
~Nancy

wifetovegman2002 <wifetovegman2002@...> wrote:
Amazon.com! They said they wouldn't arrive until January, and then I
got them Saturday in the mail anyway. TOO COOL! They are really
funny, either straight from the movie, or scenarios that Napoleon
would find himself in, written in his style. VERY FUNNY!

~Susan M. in VA
wifetovegman






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sandra Dodd

On Dec 12, 2005, at 5:41 AM, Sylvia Toyama wrote:

> -=-High on his list are Play-doh doggie doctor, -=-


Reading fast and backwards (swirly) I really thought at first he
wanted Play-doh doggie doo, and I thought "That's EASY!"






> -=-a new hula hoop (hard to find at Xmas time)-=-

Artsy/educational toy stores or educational supply houses might have
them.
(For Albuquerque: Playnix seems to be moving or going out of
business and has things on sale. Out of the Blue (NW of Wyoming/
Montgomery) maybe. Learning is Fun, on Menaul west of San Mateo maybe.

Sandra

Sandra Dodd

On Dec 12, 2005, at 12:09 AM, kgutty67 wrote:

> My 14dd and 10ds really wanted proper slingshots. I was going to buy
> her some caft supplies that I thought she needed, and him something
> useful. My dd was with me when I was shopping and suggested the
> slings and nearly fell over when I said OK.

======================================

We have an old wooden slingshot out on the woodpile. It came up in
the yard trash one day. It's so old and dried up I'm sure it would
break if someone really put the rubber bands in it.

When I was a kid someone (my neighbor or my cousin or someone) had a
really fancy fiberglass or nylon slingshot. It was amber colored,
and see-through. I'm thinking maybe it was made by Wham-O (not a
help in NZ, probably, but Americans might remember).

Keith has a suede sling he made when he was a kid, a David-and-
Goliath type of thing, where you hold both ends of a strip of leather
with a rock halfway down, swing it around and let go of one end. I
played with it a little and it's a hard trick to get, but Keith still
knows how from hours of play as a kid.

Sandra

Joyce Fetteroll

Since we're talking about gifts :-) someone posted this on the
NoMoreSpanking list which led to something cool ...

> my children dont want to listen to me or their father. they do what
> they want.

This is serendipitous! :-)

I glanced at the most recent newsletter from the Natural Child Project
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naturalchildproject/)
and right there was "Children want their own way... like everyone
else!" and I clicked on the link and it went to these really neat
cards. On the page you can click on the picture and get some random
ones to see what they're like:

Your child has years and years to become an adult.
A child at play is a young scientist, learning about the world.
Treausre this time ... children grow up fast!
"There is no reason why we cannot say 'No' to children in just as
kind a way as we say 'Yes'." John Holt
Listen openly to your child's ideas.
Your child may have the solution.
Alternatives to punishment: listening, understanding, compassion,
validation, gentle instruction, and humor.
Gentle guidance is best.
No child was ever spoiled by too much love.
Let your child be a child.
Try whispering if your words aren't heard.
Believe in your child's good intentions.
Children reflect the treatment they receive.
Look past the behavior ... What is your child feeling?

There are 100 of them for $15. Really cool.

PARENTING CARD OF THE MONTH:

"Children want their own way... like everyone else!"

Our unique Parenting Cards provide instant suggestions for parents who
find themselves baffled by challenging situations with their children.
An inspiring and useful gift for any parent or parent-to-be!

Draw a random card for today's reminder:
http://www.naturalchild.org/parenting_cards/

Joyce

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/11/2005 8:42:28 PM Eastern Standard Time,
sandrewmama@... writes:

I'm curious what tops your kids' wishlists?

Chris in IA





New cell phones all around. The boys want the Razor phone (and are getting
them) my oldest dd wants the ROKR phone which is like an ipod and a phone and
she's getting that.


The younger more interested in labels than gadgets child wants a Dooney and
Bourke watch that is big and sparkly and she's getting that and a fur lined
hoodie and lots of other clothes that she asked for in her letter to Santa.


There is everything from bookshelves for my oldest daughters apartment to
football tickets in their letters to Santa.

Lots of store clerks get a kick out of my shopping with these long letters
with lists to Santa that seem like "grown up" wishes then they find out they
are mostly grown and they love it.

My son even threw in a comical "Christmas porn" request in his letter, just
to see if we were really reading them! A guy was reading over my shoulder
in line yesterday and almost wet himself laughing so hard. He said out loud,
"I'm sorry but I was reading that Santa letter you have there and was feeling
sorry for the kid that asks for BIC pens but the next line really got me".
About half way down it starts going into; socks, Bic pens, Christmas porn,
and then goes back to "normal" stuff.

Some parents would probably be shocked and not so appreciative but I knew it
was just Matthew being Matthew and his silliness (he's 25 btw).

glena


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dawn Adams

I'm curious what tops your kids' wishlists?

Chris in IA

Roboraptor, Pokemon edition Gamecube w/ Pokemon XD, Dungeon Siege Expansion Pack (PC action RPG) AND a LOTR TV game where you fight bad guys onscreen with a sword you hold. These are my 7 yr. old daughter's wishes...And we got them all!

My son (almost 4) really hasn't asked for anything. But we got him a Spongebob DVD & foldout kids couch, Thomas the Tank Engine engines and duvet cover.

I can't wait to play the Gamecube!

Dawn

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

NANCY OWENS

rubyprincesstsg@... wrote: My son even threw in a comical "Christmas porn" request in his letter, just
to see if we were really reading them! A guy was reading over my shoulder
in line yesterday and almost wet himself laughing so hard. He said out loud,
"I'm sorry but I was reading that Santa letter you have there and was feeling
sorry for the kid that asks for BIC pens but the next line really got me".
About half way down it starts going into; socks, Bic pens, Christmas porn,
and then goes back to "normal" stuff.

Some parents would probably be shocked and not so appreciative but I knew it
was just Matthew being Matthew and his silliness (he's 25 btw).

glena
********

That is too funny that your son asked for Christmas Porn! Even better that he has a mom that can appreciate the joke. <g>
A few weeks back, Darin was home and we were up late (for us) watching Saturday Night Live. There was a skit done commercial style for a Girl's Gone Wild video. The Video was called Girls Gone Wild Katrina. We laughed so hard, and it gave me my idea for our gag gift exchange that the adults in my family do after the kids are in bed.

My folks had homes in Gulf Port, Mississippi, New Orleans, and in a suburban town outside Baton Rouge. The only one left is the one outside (north of) Baton Rouge in Zachary. So for my Dad I made up a video cover called Girls Gone Wild Katrina, my brother got Girls... East Topeka (only funny if you live there), my Brother in law got Girls... Amish (they live in PA) and Darin got Girls... Truck Stops. I'm sure I violated copyright laws doing that, but had fun anyway. I *borrowed* a picture online of a girl with her shirt up and stars over her boobs, standing in knee deep water for my Dad's cover. One of an Amish woman bending over to pick up laundry for my BIL's cover. A toothless, hickish girl for my brother. And for Darin I found a picture of a huge fat man with stomach hanging out under his shirt, grease stains on his shirt and hat... The absolute works! <g>
~Nancy





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[email protected]

In a message dated 12/12/2005 5:01:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,
nancy-owens@... writes:

<My folks had homes in Gulf Port, Mississippi, New Orleans, and in a
suburban town outside Baton Rouge. The only one left is the one outside (north of)
Baton Rouge in Zachary. So for my Dad I made up a video cover called Girls
Gone Wild Katrina, my brother got Girls... East Topeka (only funny if you live
there), my Brother in law got Girls... Amish (they live in PA) and Darin got
Girls... Truck Stops. I'm sure I violated copyright laws doing that, but had
fun anyway. I *borrowed* a picture online of a girl with her shirt up and
stars over her boobs, standing in knee deep water for my Dad's cover. One of an
Amish woman bending over to pick up laundry for my BIL's cover. A toothless,
hickish girl for my brother. And for Darin I found a picture of a huge fat man
with stomach hanging out under his shirt, grease stains on his shirt and
hat... The absolute works! <g>
~Nancy >





I'm sorry to hear about your family's losses in Katrina, but I think you're
gifts are hysterical! I should be creative and come up with something like
that for "Christmas porn" for Matthew! Thanks for the inspiration.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

camden

May I suggest some butt naked reindeer wearing some of the famous "bunny" ears ?? LOL He sure sounds like he has a great sense of humor !!

Carol
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>I'm sorry to hear about your family's losses in Katrina, but I think you're
gifts are hysterical! I should be creative and come up with something like
that for "Christmas porn" for Matthew! Thanks for the inspiration.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

NANCY OWENS

rubyprincesstsg@... wrote: I'm sorry to hear about your family's losses in Katrina, but I think you're
gifts are hysterical! I should be creative and come up with something like
that for "Christmas porn" for Matthew! Thanks for the inspiration.
*****

Glad to send some inspiration to someone today. <g> As for my folks... well lets just say that losing them wasn't a hardship by any stretch. Not anything by any comparison to what so many others went through. The house they still have is way too much. Now my Dad acts as if he lost the world... There is a shanty town (for lack of a better word) down the road from them. (Way down the road, but when I heard about it, before I saw it, I thought it was right down the road, like next door down the road.) And my Dad has no compassion. The people there are living in fifth wheels. (campers that hitch to pick up trucks, nice but still not a home) And he has no compassion. He makes statements like *look what they get to live in! The government is spoiling these people, the way the government is supporting them is a step up from where they were living before...* and worse. When my sister pointed out his logic all he said was *but I lost the other two houses, you don't see me getting handouts.*
I just shake my head. There is absolutely no sense arguing that kind of ignorance. He is a great grandpa, and he would give a stranger the shirt off his back, but the rest of us would hear about it and the way he would tell it you would think he gave the stranger a new wardrobe from Saks and shoes from Prada. So honestly don't feel bad. :o(
~Nancy



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cookwoodpress

--- In [email protected], Sylvia Toyama
<sylgt04@y...> wrote:
>
> I'm curious what tops your kids' wishlists?
>
> ****
> This year, Andy wants a few very specific Transformers, and a few
very specific (and very expensive) yugioh cards.
>
> Dan has just spent the last month saying "I want that!" to every
non-girl toy commercial on TV! <g> High on his list are Play-doh
doggie doctor, a new hula hoop (hard to find at Xmas time),

I went to a birthday party recently in which we made our own hula
hoops out of black tubing (from Home Depot said the mom), a connector
(key for making the hoop really round), lentils or sand, and colored
electrical tape. They came out really awesome... the bigger they are,
the easier to hula...

best,
Liz

diana jenner

I'm curious what tops your kids' wishlists?
******************


Oh I can't wait to hand out the gifts this year!!
Hannah, 9, was very easy to buy for - I got her another Bratz doll and a
doggy, some art supplies and the biggie **her own guitar** It's a 3/4
size with all the instructional schtuff and two mentors lined up to
guide her along! Hayden, 7, is getting his own Game Cube (mommy will be
getting the Donkey Konga game from Santa ;) and gift certificates for a
store with used games, Star Wars figures to add to our collection, some
Green Day, and the Stewie Movie (Family Guy).
At the beginning of the holiday discussion/list making, Hayden asked for
an X-box, Halo 2 and XBox Live (don't know where he got that idea!
<VBG>) and Hannah asked for a DS with Nintendogs... Financially, way out
of my league (at least at the Christmas crunch time), but we compromised
and will scour pawn shops during January and Februrary to see who had
sacrificed their gifts (or, as with the x-box, is dumping the old
technology for the new) and buy them then. They're very excited about
the upcoming shopping spree and have discussed saving their Christmas
monies for these 'new year treats.' The Game Cube was used and $50, I'm
sure we'll see x-boxes that cheap, too :) I've already seen used dz for
$100, so the price will only drop from there. The only difference
between the holidays and regular days (though they're holy themselves
<g>) is the competition for my funds by the others on our gifting list.
I love showing my kids that their wants and dreams and wishes are
important and honored ALL year long, not just when the fat guy in red is
watching; unschooling has afforded me that luxury.

:) diana



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sandra Dodd

On Dec 13, 2005, at 10:10 AM, diana jenner wrote:

-=- and the Stewie Movie (Family Guy). -=-

I went and ordered that for Kirby after I read your list.

I have several things for Marty and Holly, and nearly nothing for Kirby.



Keith wanted a small axe for splitting wood, and there was an Estwing
camping axe at Home Depot on sale for $30 (from regularly nearly
$40. While I was there I got Kirby three pairs of cotton gloves.
Lame, but if I get him one pair of good gloves he'll lose them, and
he only needs them when he leaves for work, not on the way back.
These Stanley gloves are the equivalent of tube socks; if he loses
one he can use one of the others. I also ordered him DVDs of the
Link and Zelda cartoons from the old Mario Brothers TV show. That
will probably be his favorite thing. And I got him the Karate Kid on
DVD. Some scatological politically-incorrect dice (copies from a set
in a museum in Germany or somewhere). So with the Stewie movie he
won't have done so badly. Good.

Sandra