Oh what trouble I've caused myself over the years insisting on non-plastic, non-commercial and quiet toys. I meant to publish this back in January. I realize that it is out of season but I can't let the adorable image above go to waste. So here are the gifts we gave Cate and Silas for Christmas. I'm working on another post of natural toy on-line stores where I shop for new toys. I also really enjoy just looking.
It does seem thoughtless to write about the "things" we bought for Christmas when so many people are struggling. Please know that the economic hardship that faces many is never far from my thoughts. I do however believe that money spent on fewer quality toys is money well spent. My Grandfather sent us a check for Christmas. Normally, I would have just saved the money but this year (because it feels like Cate is growing up so fast) I just decided to spend the money on these toys. Thanks Grandpa.
Holgate's (made in the USA) Hammer Toy. The boy loves it. One adorable fabric ball in boy fabric. A Speil & Grimm Wooden Rainbow for Cate. She is suddenly in love with everything rainbow.
A Kathe Kruse flexible 5in doll (although we have the one shown in the photo at left.) I'm still hoping she will want to play with a doll house. Cate had an intense interest in a collection of Polly Pocket trinkets at the Goodwill one day before Christmas. And since I can't abide all those little plastic toys, I ordered her a sweet set of wooden doll sized dishes and cleaning items. She hasn't shown a lot of interest in them yet but I'm still hoping she will. She did name the doll Charlotte after Laura's doll in Little House in the Big Woods. I really love the doll. I try pathetically to introduce her into all sorts of play. Cate found an assortment of Haba trees and food in her stocking. I've since put away most of her food stuff limiting the kitchen play to just the wooden food. This has resulted in much more play and easier clean up. Fewer toys, more play.
Silas found two wooden cars in his stocking. These cars are well worth the price. I actually found two more cars for half off at The Gap after Christmas. And one adorable helicopter (formerly sold by Oompa.) I think these will be in play for a long time.
And finally their shared gift, the dominoes. They have started adding them to the the wooden blocks for building. The colors are beautiful. The photo below was a bit staged. I cleaned the family room and put out the blocks, animals and dominoes for the kids to play. Click here if you want to see some before photos of the toy mess otherwise known as reality. ETA-when I was reading the post on the blog this photo looked so good to me. I wanted to make sure you knew that I only set out the baskets and the kids created this. This type of play makes me very happy.
