Re: Gift ideas :-)

[Guest guest]

How a about a keyboard? Mav got a real nice one for his birthday. Plays all

sorts of tunes and sounds??

He enjoys music so much.

[Guest guest]

Hello Arlene! I was wondering where you've been hiding! Christmas is always

tough for me as far as goes too. He is such a sweet soul, because I

know he doesn't " want " things like other kids do. If I would get him one

video for Christmas, it would thrill him to death and it would be the only

thing he would really say that he wants. He has quite a video collection,

let me tell you!

This year I have decided to get him a tv/VCR combo for his bedroom. I think

he will love this....along with a new video, of course! I just will have to

monitor his use of it, because I don't want him hiding away from us watching

videos all the time! I already keep his videos locked up to prevent this

from occurring!

He loves books that pertain to movies he has on video too......does

like books? I don't know if likes to play games, but loves

games that have action and I highly recommend " Don't Wake Daddy " and " Uno

Attack " . He also loves " Perfection " , " Kerplunk " , and " Skittle Ball " (this is

an old game that is hard to find, where little bowling pins are set up and

you swing a ball that's attached to a chain to try to knock them down).

He also loves listening to his walkman and I was thinking of upgrading him to

a CD walkman instead of a cassette walkman. They also sell lapsize felt

boards, which could be fun for to mess around with. I hope this

helps a little.

I miss hearing from you about you and ! Write soon!

Jackie, Mom to 13ds

[Guest guest]

Let's see. There is a wonderful toy out there called the leap pad. It is a

book thing that reads the words when you run the " pen " across the words. You

can also touch pictures with the pen and it will make sounds and say words.

There are about a half dozen books for using in the leap pad.

At Target I saw a really neat set of percussion instruments in a big

drum-Maracas, tamborine, ect.

We do lots of tapes and CDs.

I got the game Ants in the Pants (gotta work on that fine motor stuff).

Magnadoodle was a great suggestion too. I also found a game that is a magnet

on a fishing pole and you have to catch frogs. Rather easy since the frogs

are quite large. It does take lots of work for my guy to do it.

One year I ordered an unbreakable mirror for my guy. He loves it. I've also

bought balls in lots of different textures. A magnefying (sp?) glass is

always fun.

OK, I've run out of ideas.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

Arlene - if it's snowy up there, does have a snowboard? My nda

daughter got one last year (she was 7) and LOVES it!! If her balance isn't

good enough for a snowboard, Jimmy loves his " saucer " (the round

sled-thingy.......)

We've also really been getting into board games lately - Monopoly and Payday

are two good money-related ones. We also love Yahtzee and Trouble. Jimmy

has a friend with the Green Eggs and Ham game - they enjoy playing that (he's

only 9, though, so that one might be too " young " for ).

All of the Barbie CD-roms for the computer have been a BIG hit with my girls.

There is a riding stable one, and also a veterinarian one that they really

like.

Lastly, if likes dolls, my daughter loves her American Girls doll.

They're expensive, but very high quality. You can also buy books that go

along with each one. You can get clothes cheaper than in the catalog at

craft shows, or at Joann Fabrics or s in the doll section. The

Playmobil dollhouse stuff is also fun (LOL - and also expensive!). You can

sometimes pick them up at about half price at Marshall's or TJMaxx.

Just a few ideas!! My darling hubby complains all the time how I seem to

have NO problem coming up with things to spend our money on at Christmastime!

(or any OTHER time of the year, for that matter...............)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/00 7:27:05 AM Central Standard Time, igloo@...

writes:

> is 13...i bought her some new clothes, but she doesnt need them.

She

> already has **ummm** a few clothing items in her closet . *blush blush*

LOL

> ((if only you knew)) hahahahahaaaaa and sue, you shhhh now :-))))

>

> What great ideas are you coming up with for your kids?

> Please share your ideas ....

HI Arlene

Sara is a clothes horse too lolololol cant imagine where she picked this

trait up from.......hmm maybe 2 sisters So far all I have for Sara is a

couple new outfits and a leap-pad book. Sara really has no need for toys,

she's pretty stocked up from her bday last Nov. We have a Zainy Brainy here

so I'm going to make a run there this afternoon. Maybe I should look into

some creative projects.

Im really liking this thread, the only thing Sara has requested is a Barbie

money thing (heehee a cash register) and Britney Spears clothes lol

Kathy mom to Sara 9

[Guest guest]

> is 13...i bought her some new clothes, but she doesnt need them.

She

> already has **ummm** a few clothing items in her closet . *blush blush*

LOL

> ((if only you knew)) hahahahahaaaaa

Me???? I'm not sayin a word!!!! )

[Guest guest]

<<This year I have decided to get him a tv/VCR combo for his bedroom. I

think

he will love this.>>

Hi Jackie,

I would suggest to you that you purchase these items

not connected to each other. Ted had one of these and

the vcr broke and you know nowadays...it cost more to

repair a vcr than to get a new one. I don't beleive another

vcr could be attached to the vcr/tv combo...making the

tv usless other than a tv.

Gail

[Guest guest]

wow..that simple huh??

jjuust post to the list and look at this great idea!!!!

I love you guys!!!

Arlene

Re: Gift ideas :-)

> How a about a keyboard? Mav got a real nice one for his birthday. Plays

all

> sorts of tunes and sounds??

> He enjoys music so much.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I stuff and ' stockings with a few trinkets and cash. They have

everything! So, I give them money and let THEM decide what to buy! Started

doing that two years ago and it sure has made my life easier. :^) Don't know

if it would work for someone as young as , though.

granny

---

" Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission. "

- Eleanor Roosevelt -

http://home.earthlink.net/~bspyle

Gift ideas :-)

> Hi all :-)

>

> we are surviving this COLD SNOWY winter so far up here.

>

> I need help~

>

> Christmas is fast approaching and i am aimlessly wandering mall after mall

looking for some things for .

> Yesterday, i was at toys r us....and looking at things, i couldnt find

anything that would jump out at me and make me want to buy it.

> it was quite depressing walking out of toys r us empty handed.

> last yr, from this list, i received an idea that i thought was great for

her....it was a walkman :-)

> well...it sure has been a great gift, and now this yr i am seeking your

help again :-)

>

> is 13...i bought her some new clothes, but she doesnt need them.

She already has **ummm** a few clothing items in her closet . *blush blush*

LOL

> ((if only you knew)) hahahahahaaaaa and sue, you shhhh now :-))))

>

> What great ideas are you coming up with for your kids?

> Please share your ideas ....

>

> Thanks,

> and " " soon " " i am going to sit down here and type you all a

update. real soon ...

> We have been running around quite a bit this past month.

>

> Arlene

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Caty's tastes aren't changing as fast as other kids her age so it is

getting harder. In the past she sees one commercial on tv that she's really

interested in and I get that toy. This year, that didn't really happen

because all she talks about is a Kate and video (twins from

Full House show, not sure it's in Canada) that we don't have. I had to go

to Amazon.com to find it. I also got her the Kate and dolls

(like barbie dolls). My mom is getting her a baby doll that has a sleeping

bag that turns into a backpack. (She really needs another baby

doll.....not!) But it's what she plays with the most.

I also put some stretchy bracelets and play make-up in her stocking.

(haven't told Danny yet about the makeup) She's also getting some other

videos and clothes. I also got her the " Russ goes to the Firehouse " book.

Do you have this series about the little boy with DS as the main character?

In the past, a walkman, magna doodle, rugrat doll have been some of her

favorites. Some of the flops have been the DW interactive doll, music

keyboard, & Big Wheel trike.

mommy to Caty 10

----------

> From: Arlene <igloo@...>

> upsNdownsegroups

> Subject: Re: Gift ideas :-)

> Date: Thursday, December 14, 2000 9:05 AM

>

> wow..that simple huh??

> jjuust post to the list and look at this great idea!!!!

> I love you guys!!!

> Arlene

>

> Re: Gift ideas :-)

>

>

> > How a about a keyboard? Mav got a real nice one for his birthday.

Plays

> all

> > sorts of tunes and sounds??

> > He enjoys music so much.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

> Caty's tastes aren't changing as fast as other kids her age so it is

> getting harder. In the past she sees one commercial on tv that she's

really

> interested in and I get that toy. This year, that didn't really happen

> because all she talks about is a Kate and video (twins from

> Full House show, not sure it's in Canada) that we don't have. I had to

go

> to Amazon.com to find it. I also got her the Kate and dolls

> (like barbie dolls). My mom is getting her a baby doll that has a sleeping

> bag that turns into a backpack. (She really needs another baby

> doll.....not!) But it's what she plays with the most.

>

Is obsessed with -Kate & . Got her the dolls & ordered

videos real cheap at Half.com.

____________NetZero Free Internet Access and Email_________

Download Now http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html

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[Guest guest]

Yeah, I know, Gail. My husband and I discussed buying these separately, but

I wanted to give it a try once as a consolidated, neater looking unit. Call

me crazy! Should we lay bets as to how long it lasts? : )

Jackie, Mom to 13ds

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/00 8:28:44 AM Central Standard Time, dhron@...

writes:

> you can buy a Microsoft EasyBall which is a

>

My easyball must be old, it's yellow. :-)

Joy.....who had to look on the shelf cause we dont use it anymore.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/00 8:55:36 AM Central Standard Time,

gboughton@... writes:

> . I don't beleive another

> vcr could be attached to the vcr/tv combo...making the

> tv usless other than a tv.

> Gail

>

>

Kristi got one of these for her graduation 5 yrs ago, but a large one, her

did have the jacks to attach another. so just check to make sure. Good

point Gail.

Joy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/00 9:13:31 AM Central Standard Time,

KVanRyzin@... writes:

>

Oh just thought of something along this line, Fisher Price makes a small

marker board that flips to erase the picture. (it does have the holes on the

base so it could be hung if you wanted to) It's small, about 8 by 10, and

the markers are stored under the board. It comes with 4 color dry erase

markers. So if they like more color this might be fun to.

Joy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/00 9:55:05 AM Central Standard Time,

b4alltoday@... writes:

>

> Im really liking this thread, the only thing Sara has requested is a Barbie

> money thing (heehee a cash register) and Britney Spears clothes lol

>

> Kathy mom to Sara 9

>

>

I know I know Kathy, I emailed Arlene and told her I got a small Karokee

machine. Portable, kinda like a boom box, has an extra mic jack. Figured

since she likes to sing with her computer story books, what the heck, I could

try to sneak in some more speech practice. hehe. Got it a Kay Bee, I also

decided to try different music on her and bought her a Brittney Spears tape .

Who knows she might like it. But even if she doesnt' like the tape, I think

she might like the karokee machine. :-) (I hope, hehe)

Joy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/00 2:37:22 PM Central Standard Time,

jbocci55@... writes:

> Yeah, I know, Gail. My husband and I discussed buying these separately, but

> I wanted to give it a try once as a consolidated, neater looking unit.

> Call

> me crazy! Should we lay bets as to how long it lasts? : )

>

> Jackie, Mom to 13ds

>

>

>

Well Kristi's is 5 yrs old and still working with no problem. (a 25 in screen

I think)

Oh except for the time we had to take it in and have it fixed because

had tried to climb the chest of drawers it was on and dumped it on the floor.

But I'd rather pay to fix the tv then have to fix her. I swear that kid

has more lives then a cat, she didn't even have a bump, and thank God that

the bed stopped the whol thing from actually landing on her. :-)

Joy

[Guest guest]

Arlene,

I find it tough each year to shop for . He doesn't outgrow toys as

quickly as my daughter, and his interests are limited. It makes me a little

sad sometimes when I think how easy it is to shop for Grace. I get such a

thrill when I find something that I KNOW will love.

Anyway, ideas for . Here are a few:

Books and Tapes. loves these. They are sometimes hard to find, but

you can usually find them with Barney, Arthur, and most of the Disney

stories. If you can't find them in the store (stores like K-Mart carry them

in the electronics department), try on-line. She could use the books and

tapes with her walkman from last Christmas!

Another idea is computer software. Does play on the computer? If

she has trouble with the mouse, you can buy a Microsoft EasyBall which is a

big red tracking ball, with a big blue button for clicking. It is great

because you can plug it in next to your mouse (you should be able to plug 2

" mice " into your computer at the same time) and then you can set separate

properties for her mouse (such as ...slow down the arrow, change the shape

of the arrow to large and add a tail to the mouse so it is easier to

follow). Then when you go to use your mouse, your mouse properties take

over. Jumpstart has some great early programs which help teach mouse skills

if she is a beginner. Some of our favorites are any of the Arthur CDs,

Green Eggs and Ham and Blues Clues.

One of the best gifts my kids received last year was a chalkboard easel.

loves to pretend he is at school and it definitely increased the

amount of time he spends trying to write and draw. There are also table top

easels that you can buy. Also, if she doesn't have a MagnaDoodle, they are

great too.

Hope some of these suggestions help.

Gift ideas :-)

> Hi all :-)

>

> we are surviving this COLD SNOWY winter so far up here.

>

> I need help~

>

> Christmas is fast approaching and i am aimlessly wandering mall after mall

looking for some things for .

> Yesterday, i was at toys r us....and looking at things, i couldnt find

anything that would jump out at me and make me want to buy it.

> it was quite depressing walking out of toys r us empty handed.

> last yr, from this list, i received an idea that i thought was great for

her....it was a walkman :-)

> well...it sure has been a great gift, and now this yr i am seeking your

help again :-)

>

> is 13...i bought her some new clothes, but she doesnt need them.

She already has **ummm** a few clothing items in her closet . *blush blush*

LOL

> ((if only you knew)) hahahahahaaaaa and sue, you shhhh now :-))))

>

> What great ideas are you coming up with for your kids?

> Please share your ideas ....

>

> Thanks,

> and " " soon " " i am going to sit down here and type you all a

update. real soon ...

> We have been running around quite a bit this past month.

>

> Arlene

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sounds like some great ideas for the holidays.

Some of the things that alec is getting from friends and family

game boy from grandpa

a CD player for his room. got it at best buy for under 30.00

some CD's--- wizard of oz, annie, cats, toy story2, dalmation 2(CD read along)

some videos--- chicken run, fantasia 2000

software for the computer.

dalmation2 little toys

beanie baby dog

books ( i found these great ones from disney at BJs for 9.99- the words are

big so that alec can easily read the words that he knows within the story)

danielle- big sister who is 12

scooter, candles, fountain, stuff from bath and bodyworks, gift

certificates, christmas village house, princess t-shirt, bracelet,

I still need to buy some presents for some people and have run out of ideas,

especially for Alec's male teachers/therapists/behaviorists. HELP!!!!!!

Let's keep the great ideas coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lori

mom to Alec (8DS) and le (12)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/2000 6:16:53 PM US Eastern Standard Time,

speechgate@... writes:

<< I still need to buy some presents for some people and have run out of

ideas,

especially for Alec's male teachers/therapists/behaviorists. HELP!!!!!! >>

--------------------

Lori:

Since today was the last day of school (Christmas vacation starts tomorrow),

I gave all of his therapists and his teacher decorative Christmas pillows

(the 12x12 size you can put in the living room) and a Christmas tree-shaped

candle.

Last year I gave them all Hallmark ornaments with a special note to each one

of them. And the year before that I gave them all gift certificates for

lunch at a local (soup/sandwich type) restaurant.

Terry

Mom to Evan, (who'll be 5 on the 20th of Dec.)

[Guest guest]

Okay, here's one more that my kids LOVE to get each year - it's not from

Santa, but a gift from grandparents........

My dad and stepmom give each of my kids two gift certificates good for an

" outing " during the year. This is a special 1 on 1 thing with the kids. In

the past, they have chosen such things as a day trip to Sea World (about an

hours' drive away), sleepovers (LOL - my dad wouldn't do it otherwise!!!),

visits to the museum, to the movies and dinner, etc etc etc. Now, some of

you may have wonderful grandparents that would do this 1 on 1 stuff anyway -

but mine won't! I suggested this a couple of years back when Dad was going

to give them a $50 bill - now everyone loves it!

As an extension of this, this year from me and Steve, the kids will get a

" coupon book " of 12 coupons good for a " special time " with me (6) or dad (6).

Again, we try to do this, but don't always get around to it.......this will

be a good way to make sure that each kid gets some special attention. With

three kids, it's sometimes hard to make sure that you do this stuff - and I

think they really do appreciate time alone with a parent. I may do some

specific ones (ie., a trip to the ice cream parlor, dinner out, trip to the

library, etc.) - not sure yet! I like this idea because it's what my kids

need most - TIME - not more " stuff " .

I have seen little booklets like this for sale, but I like creating things on

the computer, so it'll be a fun gift for me to make, too!!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/2000 4:16:53 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

speechgate@... writes:

<< still need to buy some presents for some people and have run out of

ideas,

especially for Alec's male teachers/therapists/behaviorists. >>

In the past when I have been extremely HAPPY with teachers I have gotten gift

certificates for resturaunts or movies. This year I am giving either a bag

of cookies with a Christmas mug and 3 bags of Chai tea, or I have also made

some of the scent jars that I think someone on this list sent in. I made

them in small baby formula jars...several different scents. I will package

them as a set of 3.

One year I made bath salts and gave them out.

Maverick's aide is also getting a Noah's Ark music box that plays Side by

Side. One year I gave the teacher and aide Count Us In. Last year

everyone got one of our local DS calendars (with Mav in the month of Dec!)

[Guest guest]

Santa is also bring a VCR/TV combo. I figure if he breaks the VCR,

he can still use it to play his games and watch TV. My other kids got their

own TV's age age 8...we are just pushing his up a year. He and Katey have

had several arguements lately over him using her TV. He also got several new

videos.

TJ and I went to Toys R Us where we argued over what to get . I

wanted educational and developmentally appropriate toys. TJ wanted to get

him what 7 year old boys like.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/2000 6:16:58 PM Eastern Standard Time,

speechgate@... writes:

<<

I still need to buy some presents for some people and have run out of ideas,

especially for Alec's male teachers/therapists/behaviorists. HELP!!!!!!

>>

I have 15 people to buy for who work with in one way or another. I

picked up some cookies at Trader Joes, some really cute candy dishes at a

department store for $5 a piece and am still looking for his teachers and his

aide. I never bought gifts for teachers before last year (couldn't afford

them and didn't believe in doing so)...but I appreciate everything everyone

does for that a little something at Christmas time is a way I can

show my appreciation. I thought of making the gel scents, but I haven' t had

time.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/2000 10:16:35 AM Eastern Standard Time,

dlneff@... writes:

<< his year, that didn't really happen

because all she talks about is a Kate and video (twins from

Full House show, not sure it's in Canada) that we don't have. I had to go

to Amazon.com to find it. >>

This is on Katey's wish list as well. She sent me the link..lol

http://www.cdnow.com/switch/from=bbx:h:qdz:kdwl/pagename=/RP/MOVIES/mv_item.ht

ml/itemid=1247653