Toy Miscalculations

I've bought some successful toys through the years, toys that have been educational and made my life easier. Then, there are the toys I possibly could have done without.  Here are this week's top three:

#1) The Pirate Sword

Last month, I had this marvelous idea for my now 3-year-old's birthday--a pirate theme!  We had pirate balloons, a pirate table cloth, pirate cake, and I found him this cheap, but very cool, plastic pirate sword.

I didn't quite think that through.  My little man immediately grabs the sword and says, "I'm going to kill you."  What?!?  Did I hear that right?  Where did he learn that???  There was that pirate Backyardigans I let him watch.

Everyone in my family has now been injured by the seemingly harmless sword.  This sword needs to go missing soon or I will need to buy five plastic pirate shields.

#2) The H20 Blaster

My kids had so much merriment using our neighbor's blasters one night, so I splurged a little.  I bought four blasters at Dollar Tree.  I gave them as a reward for temporary improved kid behavior.

The blasters are serious fun and can hold a ton of water.  But, they also have not been the the choicest combination with my little pirate.  He squirt our 1-year-old directly in the face last week and was blaster-banned for the day.

The next day Mase had a new plan.  Did you know blasters work well in the house too?  I got soaked.  Mase went to his room, again.  The jury's still out on this one.

And finally, #3) Martian Matter Alien Maker

This toy was on clearance on Amazon and had great reviews.  I bought it for my kids, when Dax was born.  We haven't used it too much, but it makes these cute little jello-like martians.  I kept it in the highest reaches of the closet, in my children's bedroom. 

Unfortunately, when I sent Mase to his room last week, again, he got bored.  He started climbing.  Martian goo was everywhere!  Somehow it also landed on my 1-year-old's noggin.  Luckily, the baby's fuzzy head was martian matter resistant.  The carpet was not.

After looking over my list, I see a theme emerging.  Maybe it's not the toys, it might be the kid.

Grumpy Grateful Mom Goal of the Week:  Extra loves and toy supervision for my 3-year-old.

Quest to Take Back the House--the Battle Begins

Now it the time!  I've got a drive-free day until 3pm, so I plan to make some serious cleanup progress.   This morning is reserved for my  laundry room battle.  When you can't see the floor you know the laundry has won.  But I will never give up!  I am fighting back--again.

The afternoon will be dedicated to cleaning up the overstuffed toy area in the basement.  With both of our families out of state, our toys really get stocked up from birthday and Christmas grandparent gifts.

My Mom is especially into getting those $5 stuffed animals that come with books from Kohl's.  I think she likes that the profit goes to charity.  Our stuffed animal population is quite plentiful.   Our house in the happenin' place for animal hospitals, animal preschool, and an occasional wild animal party.  I am also never lacking when I need to find an stuffed animal/bug match for my preschooler's show and tell letter.

Cleaning up toys should be a fun kid activity too...I hope.  My kids usually love going through the toys and seeing what they have forgotten.  Just need to figure out some sort of rotation/storage system.

On a triumphant note,  I finally read "City Dog, Country Frog" to my kids without crying. 

Grateful Mom Goal of the Day: Make progress in quest to take back the house.  Never give up!

City Dog, Country Frog