Every year around this time the big book of Toys R Us magic shows up at the house. If you have never gotten one, it’s like a 50 page spread of the best toys for sale in between shiny red slick glorified ad space.
When it comes in, I always hand it to Charlotte, my oldest, and let her loose with a pen to mark up her Christmas dreams.
Last year, it came back like this:
and on and on and on…you know, pure childhood optimism.
So this year when I handed her the book and a pen, I told her to be realistic on her thoughts.
She has a birthday in a month and mommy isn’t rich and you have a brother now and yadda yadda.
To her credit, I saw her really contemplating everything she circled, but when I opened it up she had a drum set (um…no), all 25 dolls from One Direction and about a million other things I refuse to waste my money on because they looked like death items for little P sooooo…….. I trashed it.
Then I went rogue and bought her what I felt like it. Once I had announced my entire cyber shopping adventure had ended, I had a few people ask what I bought, so in the interest of helping other moms with their shopping, here is what I purchased the rug rats:
Charlotte
Phoenyx
And before anyone gives me any crap on how much I bought, I realize Christmas is about Christ or really whatever religion you do or do not subscribe to, but I use it for two things extra:
1) Cleaning out all the old toys my kids have grown up and out of and replacing with new stuff. We donate our old stuff or give to someone less fortunate, so its a win/win.
and
2) I just love giving. I know that the holiday is not always about that, but I truly, truly love giving and I love doing that for my children most of all.
Now that you have seen what is under my tree, what is under yours?
~Trisha
Looks like an awesome asortment! And, if that is “a lot” I better not blog about what my kids are getting.
We’re on a super budget but I shop all year long for Christmas. My kids are EACH getting over $250 worth of gifs with less than $180 out of pocket.
I actually didn’t think you bought that much. LoL My 12 year old son is getting a ps3 headset ($99) for his ps3 and a new controller ($30). A video game of some kind Clothes a new jacket and shoes. He wants an xbox360 kinect but not sure if I’m getting one yet. It will depend if I can find one on sale. Hes also getting some books. Oh I almost forgot to mention he is getting a set of real tools and a tool bag. I also bought him a few building set kits that you make with wood. One is a boat and the other one is a car.
Love what you selected and I’m so envious that you are all done! And in a few short years, they won’t want toys anymore (mine are 15 and 11 now), so enjoy the toy shopping because it will end faster than you can believe! Wishing your family a very Merry Christmas!
First off, I am LMAO about the Toys R Us ad. My kids do the SAME thing. We got that ad yesterday, I think, and they have circled EVERYTHING in it. I asked my little girl if she was sure she wanted all of that and yes, she was positive. Oh the joys of childhood! Gotta love it
As for the gifts you chose, I love those picks! Very practical. I am just about done Christmas shopping for the kids. I started early, just in case this baby comes early! Thanks for a great post 
Oooh…thank you! You gave me a couple of great ideas for my girls. They are already into hair and make up and rather than practicing on themselves, I want to the get them the Barbie Makeup Artist and Barbie Blonde Styling Head.
Woop!
Cleaning out the toys is my reasoning also!! Besides I love watching my children open gifts!
My kids are old enough now that all they get is cash. But I still always get them a couple of things for their stockings: chocolate gold coins, cole bubble gum, a toothbrush, lifesavers, and chapstick. <3
Zoe Lalaloopsy dolls, more kitchen stuff, a play vac and craft stuff. Gav got his PS3, new Nerf Gun and Angry Birds stuff. They both get new clothes/pjs every Christmas.
I love, love, love the Moon in My Room!! (Buy a CRAP LOAD of batteries, though! You’ll change them once a month if she uses it daily like mine do.)
James (8): Ear Phones, Nerf Gun, Guinness Book, Transformer Set, KREO Set, iTunes GC, Xploderz Guns, Diary of a Wimpy Kid (DIY) book.
Colin (4): Kung Fu Panda (both movies), Rescue Bot, Power Ranger thing, LEGO Set, Colossus Drifter, Cars Drifters pkg, Citiblocs.
I still need stocking stuffers, and I need to buy for my parents and finish shopping for my husband, but I am SO CLOSE to being done!!
That Moon In My Room looks sweet! Totally adding it to my list of things to buy! Thanks for the great idea!
We haven’t done much shopping for the kids yet, that will be next week but so far Kaydee is getting that 5 doll set of Monster High dolls, Emma is getting Cinderella’s carriage thing and pajamas for both girls. Matt will get some Under Armor clothes and shoes.
under armour is good stuff
Ridiculously expensive too but he loves it. I’ll admit, I bought myself an UA hoodie and it’s damn comfy.
Samantha has begun collecting frog stuff – so EVERYTHING of hers has frogs. From jewelry to clothes to pajamas. Taylor decided that since her sister was collecting frogs, that she wanted to collect penguins. DONE.