Toy Worth Buying: Magnatiles

Good toys are so few and far between. I see all these commercials for bulky, unattractive, and complicated plastic toys, like Dora's Interactive Singing Volcano (okay I made that up), or Jack Sparrow's Spinning Dagger (that one's real), and something inside me says, "Oh heck no." Happily, my kids don't have too many of those kinds of things. Hank has tons of cars, and Laura has a metric buttload of Barbies and dolls, and they both have lots of dress-up stuff. We stick to what works, but I'm always on the lookout for toys that will really occupy them, especially Hank. A busy two year-old makes a happy mama. And Rocks in My Dryer has a great Works for Me Wednesday today: Toys Worth Buying. I am going to be looking over that list.

My recommendation is Magnatiles. I've already raved about these to my friends:

These are kind of spendy--the 32-piece set above is around $50. I don't know why they cost so much, but they are worth it. We have ours in a tray on the coffee table in the sunroom, and everyone who comes in wants to play with them. They are magnetic around the edges, and snap together in all kinds of ways. A great, open-ended toy. I think the best buy might be the 48-piece set, which is $64.50. Some of the sets come with round pieces and little cars. Santa might be bringing one of those. I first saw these clear magnatiles on a preschool's light table. If you happen to have a light table, they're awesome with that.

Other things on my list are this easel from Ikea. It has a chalkboard on the other side, and it's only $24.99: Also, I would like to get a cool Doctor's Kit for Hank, though I can't quite find the one I want. And more giant pads of paper are always needed around here. Laura is tricky. At seven, she really doesn't ask for things unless she sees them. Like, if we went to the American Girl store, she would probably say, "I want a Julie doll!" or something. But she has two AG dolls, and they don't get played with every day. She likes to read, play on her bike and scooter, run around outside, do Webkinz, write and draw, play karaoke, and put on "shows." She is pretty well-supplied for all those things. I did get her this Lands End fluffy robe with her monogram on it. She loves that stuff. Hurry, it's $19.99:

I would like to give her just one thing that delights her. But I am kind of stumped. Anybody have a girl this age? And we're definitely keeping it simple around here. That's why it's so important to get worthwhile things, I think. And Santa, if you're reading, I would like hardwood floors upstairs, a bigger deck out back, Jonathan Adler needlepoint pillows, and a laptop battery that lasts for hours and hours and hours. And peace on earth.

Election Night Mixology

Friends, spirits are high tonight at my house. And maybe I've had too many cocktails, 'cause it looks like Anderson Cooper is interviewing a hologram? Whatever. Matt and I are drinking mudslides, but we're calling 'em Landslides:

1 oz. vodka
1 oz. Kahlua
1 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
1 oz. milk (the usual cream is too much for me)

Shake with ice, pour over ice, and enjoy while waiting for Obama's speech. And God bless America.

Three Surprisingly Enjoyable Things About the Drive from Atlanta to NC

We are up in North Carolina spending a couple of days at Mom and Dad's mountain house. But you betcha I'll be home tomorrow night in time to watch the election returns with two of my favorite dudes, Matt and Anderson Cooper. For now, a list of things I have to admit I enjoy about the two-and-a-half hour drive up here from Atlanta:

1) As you go north on 441, almost to Clayton, there's a place by the road called Goats on the Roof. It is a few buildings with earthen roofs, with goats on top. Real live goats, enjoying little footbridges, shelters, windmills, and other goat-sized follies. I don't know what it is, maybe a store? Some kind of attraction. But when we pass Goats on the Roof, we are exactly one hour, to the minute, from pulling up in front of the mountain house. This timing calibration has been tested and normed over many trips. I like that our most reliable way of marking time to our destination is some goats. Goats that are inexplicably on a roof. The kids don't read mile markers, but they know some goats when they see them.

2) All the touristy "gem mining" places, with bushel baskets filled with giant hunks of colored glass out front. I like to look at them, and I like to think of one day pulling in there to mine for gems, though this will probably not happen. Also, ticky-tacky shops and antique stores along the highway. I have never visited one of these places, but I would somehow be disappointed if they all went away.

3) As we drive, Hank eats little snacks in his seat. I don't know what becomes of most of these--whether he eats them or drops them. So when we pull up in front of Mom and Dad's house, and they're waiting on the front porch, they open the car doors to see the kids. For some reason, I really enjoy the moment when they greet the kids and marvel at what a mess Hank is. Usually he's covered in crumbs or a juice-crumb-banana paste. I enjoy knowing that his grandparents will clean him up so they can hug on him better.

And finally, not a surprisingly enjoyable thing, but just a straight-up awesomely enjoyable thing: this morning, I heard Hank start to wake up in his crib, and then I heard my dad go and get him up, while I got to sleep in. Totally worth the drive!

Check out some list loving at ABDPBT:


Have a great Monday, y'all, and I will see you tomorrow, when, as Mr. Rogers says, you'll find things you want to talk about, and I will too. Happy Election Eve!

A Little Note My Neighbor Wrote

Every time I think that I need to stop talking about my neighbors so much on this blog, because it might: a) sound snotty; b) seem like I'm obsessed with these people and their quirks; or c) sound REALLY snotty, they serve up some fresh content. And Reader, I have to bring it to you, because honestly, I have no flipping idea. Today I was out in the cul-de-sac watching my kids and Conspiracy Guy's little girls play on their bikes. While helping one of the little girls reach a toy on their garage shelf, I observed this sign posted on their garage door, the one that leads into the house:

Hmmm. I am not sure where to go with this. In passing, we could note that this is nearly illiterate. I guess they were going for "respite," but mangled it so badly that spellcheck changed it to "rests pit"? Not sure. Then there's the "mouse like quietness," which has a kind of poetic quality. The missing hyphen defamiliarizes the hackneyed "quiet as a mouse" image, and confuses the grammar, causing the reader to wander through the sentence. The effect is almost wonderful in its strangeness. Not to say that the overall effect isn't dumb as a bag of hair.

But mostly, I'm wondering what the heck this is doing on the door that leads from their garage to their house. Their kids are four and three, so it isn't like a Mommy-and-Daddy-are-napping-so-play-quietly note. And these people have no friends, so it isn't like folks are dropping in unannounced. They're reclusive. And since it's not on the front door, it's not like a No Soliciting sign. So who is the Whom It May Concern? I first thought, is this for my Laura? But probably not, because 1) she NEVER knocks on their door--the little girls run out of their house and pile on her when she appears outside our house, and 2) she is seven, and I don't think that the crazy neighbors would think she could decipher this. So what in the sweet heck?

I've been feeling a blog post about these people and their children bubbling up from inside me for a while, and it will follow in the next few days. I am taking part in the November NaBloPoMo, 30 Posts in 30 Days, so I don't need to lay it on you all at once.

I would appreciate any wild-ass theories you may have, or snarky remarks you care to share. And yes, I saw this note, felt a thrill of delight, walked across the street to my house, went inside to get my camera, went BACK into their garage, and surreptitiously photographed it. So who is the weird one?

Instant Party, or, Perfection is the Enemy of Fun

Great Halloween times at our house on Friday, and a big realization for me. That is, to me it was big—this may be something everybody else already knows—but I struggle with issues of, well, let’s just call it perfection, though I’m really, really not a perfectionist. (More on this below.) So the realization was this: kids don’t want to have the Perfect Halloween. They don’t even have a concept of what “The Perfect Halloween” would signify. Because, all by itself, Halloween means you dress up, run around outside with your friends, and get candy from strangers. At night. That is what is called a good time, and it can hardly be improved upon.

My perfection issues center not on things so much as on the desire to create “perfect” experiences for my people. Hospitality, for me, is all wrapped up in this, so if you come to stay at my house, I want to figure out exactly how you want to be accommodated. I want your space to be clean and peaceful, and for you to feel totally comfortable at all times. I want everything about the visit to make you feel good and happy, and I will go to great lengths with this in mind. I probably should worry less about the mental state of others, but it's what I do. And needless to say, when kids visit, and it’s a holiday, I want them to have a super fun time.

We have houseguests this weekend—our friends Houston and Brenda and their three boys. All afternoon the kids were having a great time playing outside and getting their costumes together. Then it was time to carve pumpkins, and part of me was thinking, “Well, we can’t just carve these pumpkins, it has to be a magical, thought-out experience.” I was regretting that I hadn’t planned more of a little Halloween party for these five children. Then I realized that, duh, they’re having a great time with each other, and they were looking forward to getting their hands on some pumpkins. There wasn’t really a lot I needed to add. Also, I didn’t need to do any work on making these jack o’ lanterns look super artistic—a jack o’ lantern with symmetrical features is not more appealing than a jack o’ lantern created by a child with imperfect cutting skills. So we covered the breakfast table with white paper, and Houston, bless him, cut the things open.

All the kids, including the two year-olds, gathered around to help. The kids were already in their costumes. They had fun scooping the guts out. Or scooping some of the guts out. Plenty of guts were left in. We gave the big kids little pumpkin knives, and they went to town.

Hank had a plastic knife to brandish. They really got into it. While they were at it, I remembered that last year, while this same crowd was carving pumpkins, I had made sherbet punch in a punchbowl. I guess I was more awesome last year? So I just grabbed some Halloween paper cups, put a spoonful of vanilla ice cream in each, and poured club soda and cranberry juice on it. I thought it would be red, and punch-like, and that the kids might think it was festive. They seemed convinced. So each kid made a pumpkin to their own specifications, and they were totally wonky and charming.

I love how they turned out, with no adult design help. Laura's, on the left, follows the rules. Gary's has a big crazy smile, and the tiny, tiny features on Solomon's really respect the structural integrity and, I think, the dignity of the gourd. No downloading templates, no dremel, no fuss. Then we trick-or-treated until they were ready to come home. (Kids, when you complain that your candy is getting too heavy, it's time to go home.) It was the first time Hank ever went farther than next door trick-or-treating, and I will never forget the sight of him tramping up to each door, and the way he said "Trick-or-Treat," "Thank you," and "Happy Halloween" so carefully every time. Then he would turn to me and say, "More Trick-or-Treat?" He was, like, how could anything be this wonderful?

So, lesson learned: I need to chill, kids don't need a lot of super-mom organization to have a good time, and it's the process, not the outcome, that is fun. Please remind me of this every day until January 1.

Hope you had a fine time at your place!

One Matron, One Vote

I went and advance-voted today at the branch of the county library near me. I had heard of long lines, even for early voting, so I went during the school day. Mom and Dad are in town, so I didn't have to take Hank with me. There were a ton of people there! If this is early voting, I wonder what Election Day will be like. I only had to wait in line for twenty minutes or so, and I took that time to study my fellow citizens and try to figure out their voting preferences.

Strangely, in Georgia you're not allowed to wear t-shirts or buttons that endorse a candidate to the polling place. Today I happened to be wearing my Obama shirt from MoveOn.org--the one that has his giant face on it--and I had to zip him under my vest.

I think it's a silly law. As though you could apply undue pressure to your fellow voters with your wardrobe choices. Then again, look at the size of that face. So we went covert, Barack and me. Deep in enemy territory! True, I couldn't see who they were voting for, but I was NOT getting an Obama vibe from that crowd. And indeed, Laura told me that they talked about the election in her class, and she was the only kid in favor of Obama, and she said, "I felt left out, Mom!" I could have given her a big talk about how democracy is invigorated by difference of opinion, or maybe I could have discussed specific policies of Obama's that we believe in, but I was tired. So I just said, "Well, on November 5, they will have backed the loser." Not my greatest parenting moment.

So voting went smoothly--there were 15 of those Diebold machines, the ones that don't print out a paper record, so who knows. I don't mean for this to become a political blog, but the suspense is killing me over here. Could I just wake up and have it be November 5? And in the meantime, it gives me pleasure to know that I canceled Frenemy Neighbor's McCain vote. Sorry to be such a bitch, but that's where I'm at right now. She actually called my neighbor two houses over--the crazy Ron Paul supporter conspiracy nut who told me that the U.S. Government crashed the planes into the WTC--and said, "I see that you took down your Ron Paul sign. I have some extra McCain/Palin signs if you would like one." He told her that he was voting for the REALLY crazy Constitutionalist party candidate, and she was disappointed. I'm sorry I didn't get to hear those two go at it. Good times in the cul-de-sac. And go vote!

Get These Dudes to City Hall On Time

Today is a big, huge day. In San Francisco this afternoon, these two guys are getting married.


David, on the right, has been my devoted friend for years, and in Michael, he's found the one. They are a pair of Mr. Rights. Now it can be told: a long time ago, I told David that I would kill him if he let Michael get away. And today they get to make it legal. We are all still in a whirl--they just decided a few weeks ago that with the election looming, and Proposition 8 on the ballot (more on that below), they would get while the gettin's good. I think it is romantic, like running away to Gretna Green in one of those old novels that David and I are always going on about.

So besides being romantic and exciting, this day is also political and exciting. David's full blog posts about their decision are here and here, and you should read them 'cause he's way smart AND giddy as can be, but I like this part below, especially. We have the chance, through this moment of social change, to realize what a varied and elastic institution marriage really is, or as David says, that “all the millions of straight married folks that have gone before us have figured out millions of ways of being married.” This may be the conservatives’ worst nightmare, but I think it’s true, it’s exciting, and it’s happening. David says:

One thing that confuses me about the party line for us marriage-equality supporters is that we say it won't redefine marriage. I understand this as a strategy, but there's no way around the fact that this will change marriage. I think that's what might be exciting—and maybe even more honest—about it. This is another opportunity for a dialogue about the real workings of the institution—what it flattens out, what it might open up, where and how it's about the operations of power, where and how it's about the private and the public. . . .I know this sounds terribly unsentimental. But it's a
politically fraught moment, and there's no getting around the fact that my marriage will be bound up in this and a lot more. And, straight readers, so are yours. They always have been, in one way or another.

So, on Election Day in California, voters will decide on Proposition 8, which would amend the California Constitution to “eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.” Ever since the California Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage earlier this year, some folks out there have been flipping out like it’s the apocalypse. Here’s just one choice bit from the Yes on 8 people (I won’t link them—you can find ‘em if you want to):

If gay activists want to legalize gay marriage, they should put it on the ballot. Instead, they have gone behind the backs of voters and convinced four activist judges in San Francisco to redefine marriage for the rest of society.

Did you get that? The gays are so sneaky! Going behind people’s backs like that! And my land, we let San Francisco have judges? You mean it’s not all marching in pride parades and shopping at Barney’s up there? There’s your problem.

Meanwhile, I haven’t noticed any perceptible erosion in my marriage vows since Sulu got hitched. And I’m no Laurence Tribe, but it seems to me that if prop 8 passes, it’s in violation of the Equal Protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. The folks at No On 8 have much more to say. Me, I'm just happy for my friends, whom I love. David and Michael, we here at my house are thrilled for you guys. Marriage really can be a blessed state, and Matt and I wish you every happiness. Let the bells chime. And OMG I just looked online at the Denby pottery you guys registered for, and I’m dying, it is so pretty. It. Should. Be. Mine. Also, someone has bought that Iittala bird for y’all. Where is MY gay wedding?

Candy, Candy, Candy I Can't Let You Go

I bought groceries today, but I also sold some gold, so it was a net gain. There weren't many super deals that got me to the stores, but there was cheap candy to be had at both Publix and CVS. THIS time I'm going to actually save it for Halloween, not like the doomed M&M "fun size" bags of last week. They WERE a fun size. To be sure this batch lasts the week, I've hidden it somewhere in my stockpile in the garage. Now I'm going to try to forget where. But I keep reminding myself! Dang, I really need one of those lockboxes that Al Gore was always talking about. Cassie reminded me that there was Nestle candy on sale at CVS (the coupon is in her post), and Publix had their M&M's bogo, plus there's a $1/2 printable coupon floating around. Fiddledeedee is the place for that one and for all Publix lore.

A couple of other fun things at Publix: by the Sara Lee bread, there is a tear-off coupon for $3 off a pumpkin when you buy a pack of SL hotdog buns and a Hilshire farms sausage (the polish sausage thingies are 2 for $5). Publix's large pumpkins are $5.99 this week, so for $7.50, you can get buns, big sausage, and big pumpkin. Not free, but if you're in the market for some polska kielbasa anyway (I was), the $3 pumpkin is hard to turn down. The pumpkins are really accumulating on our porch.

Also, the Ritz crackers are bogo, which is good enough for me. Plus there are tear-offs for $1 off when you buy the Ritz and a chunk of Kraft cheese. The bigger chunks are marked down to $4.50. That stuff freezes, if you're into it. I also had the bogo Wholly Guacamole printable that expires 10/31, so I got two of those. I had a $1 off coup from the paper, so those were $1 each. As I type this, an entire guacamole is vanishing into my family's bellies, while we wait for the chili to simmer. Those were the highlights. So, spent $45.79, saved $28.68, but I feel good about the cheese and sausage I got for that.

This afternoon my neighbor called me and said that her tennis friend was having a gold party a couple streets over. Have you heard of this? I had only just been told of this phenomenon the other night. Basically it's like a Tupperware party, only instead of buying stuff, you bring your scrap gold to a dude who comes to sort it, weigh it, and offer you cash for it. The gold dudes pay the hostess 10% of what they pay out. Now, I am sure that you can go to a jeweler in your town and get a better price, and I've heard of some scammy gold parties where they weigh all the jewelry together and pay you the lowest carat rate, or they tell you you have 14k when you have 18k, or some such. So you should keep your eyes open. But the likelihood that I was going to gather up my scrap gold and go find a jeweler willing to buy it at a better rate was zero. And there is something to be said for the convenience of going to the next street to do this. One of the gold dudes told me that they are booked up for night parties every single night between now and the first of the year, so they're doing these afternoon parties in neighborhoods like ours, where a lot of women are home during the day.

So Normal Neighbor came over and watched Hank for a few minutes, and I went to the right house, and two dudes carefully untangled everything I had and looked it over. They had all the little tools, magnets, rubbing stone, magnifying glasses, etc. They sorted it by type of gold, then weighed each type. They paid me $110 cash for a few broken, tangled chains I got out of the bottom of Laura's jewelry box, and some little dented, ball earrings from the 80's. I didn't sell anything I actually wear, so it seemed like a little windfall. Plus there was food there. Maybe something to do if it comes your way.

Here's Hank, reminding me of a pumpkin with his orange shirt and pumpkin head. Yesterday he asked me to close the door and let him sit on the porch by himself.

Gotta go, my chili's ready. And be sure to check at Fiddledeedee's to see what the shopping experts are up to!