#22 — Christmas Haul 2024
Janie,
I hope your Christmas was as peaceful as this crazy season allows, and that you and the kids were able to enjoy time spent with your incredible family. We miss you all so much. I was thinking about the fact that Alder is old enough to start remembering holidays in more detail, and Michigan is such an awesome place to build those core childhood memories, especially during the festive winter months.
Even though both my girls aren’t likely to remember this Christmas, I spent a very very long time picking out their presents. So long, in fact, that one of Sunny’s presents was just delivered. My goal was to get them as little as possible, while still having a significant impact on the quality of their playtime. Since I don’t have much to say about the holiday festivities, I thought I’d share with you what I purchased for girls this year! I don’t know about you, but I find myself watching tons of minimalist Christmas hauls on Youtube the second Thanksgiving is over because I’m so curious about everyone’s thought process behind buying gifts for their kids. Also I just thoroughly enjoy window shopping.
The first thing on my list are these sensory balls. I’ve actually had these on my wish list since before Sunny was born and I was super excited when I found a cheaper option on Amazon. They're actually listed as garden ornaments! I was skeptical about the quality and specifically if the material was safe for Olga to put in her mouth but as far as I know, the stainless steel they use is food grade (304). The spheres also have a good weight to them so they’re actually better quality than I was expecting. Both girls are OBSESSED and play with them all day. As an added perk, the set came with plenty of balls so they have no need to fight over them. It’s the perfect open ended sensory toy and I think we're going to be playing with these for years to come (I’m excited to float them in the pool when summer comes)
Next up are these sensory blocks. Sunny and Olga are both still very deep in the sensory exploration stage so this one was a no brainer.. sort of. At first I couldn’t decide what brand to go with, but I ended up choosing the cheaper option and I’m not disappointed at all. Just like the sensory balls, these blocks can be used for so many different kinds of play and I don’t expect the girls to leave them alone any time soon.
These non toxic finger paints were a joint present from us and my mom. I took your advice and asked for her to contribute to a nicer present rather than get her more little things. I’ve used this brand many times before and everything they make is just great. The colors are so vivid and the texture is perfect for both finger painting and using brushes, which my mom also bought Honeysticks paint brushes to go with it. So this present was mostly for Sunny, but Olga may try to give it a go at some point in the near future.
The rest are all for Sunny, little things for her stocking. (Not pictured because they aren’t very pretty to look at)
Water coloring pad for church
Clipboard for drawing on the go and to take outside to color with mud and other pieces of nature.
Lord have mercy, SCISSORS, to practice doing dangerous things carefully.
And lastly, and not very proudly, Playdough. I wanted to make my own, and I will, but there's just something so nice about store bought playdough. Especially the way it comes in a little tube inside the container. As a kid if you could get the little tube of dough out without disrupting the shape too much, that was such an accomplishment. If you know you know, I guess.
Well, I hope what interesting for you haha I guess my mind is still fried from all the running around, because I really can’t think of anything else to say, other than I’m very excited to see you next week. That was a very happy surprise and it made my day when you told me you coming down for the weekend. I can’t wait for the kids to have their first real play date since living in the crowded city apartment!
-Lydia