Birthday Toys!

Aaron is enjoying the new toys that he received for his birthday, and Connor has been so sweet with Aaron lately. He knows that the new toys are Aaron's and always chooses a toy that Aaron isn't playing with. Here are just a couple of the adventures we have had with the new toys:

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR

Yesterday I was folding laundry upstairs in my room with the door open and the kids were playing with Buzz in the playroom. I kept hearing, "To infinity and beyond!" and SMACK buzz would drop to the floor. About 10 minutes into this game I heard the familiar bump of a small toy hitting the downstairs tile. I knew they had chucked something over the edge so it was time to regulate - mommy style. As I'm approaching the door I hear again, "to infinity AND BEYOND" As I step out from my room I see the $40 toy we had given Aaron yesterday for his birthday about to be pushed over the side of our upstairs landing, which would then plummet towards certain doom. The other strange thing I notice is Connor standing next to Aaron (who was the culprit pushing buzz to his demise), excited to see the "big moment" of when that toy took flight. I couldn't believe Connor actually thought that the toy would make that 20 foot drop onto the tile below. He's a 4 year old, so I guess he can dream that Buzz might fly and not accept the reality of the situation. I screamed "Don't do it Aaron!!!" - thinking in my head that Buzz was NOT going to fly, let alone fall with style (as he did in the movie). Aaron immediately dropped the toy in shock, and flung his body onto the floor in a familiar style of tantrum that he has been throwing lately. Buzz was saved... for now.

Today Aaron had Woody for a change, and Connor had Buzz. They were playing some sort of game with them, and went outside shortly after beginning. I didn't put two and two together right then, but they had taken their BRAND NEW toys outside.

I know if you're a mom, you certainly know that outside is basically a death trap for toys. Electronics end up on the lawn, which ends up getting doused with water during the programmed sprinkler time. Toys with stickers end up getting sun-bleached and torn. Plastic ends up cracking, and ANYTHING ending up in the sandbox is haunted by the little grains that can never be removed.

So while I was washing the dishes I noticed Connor scurrying across the kitchen with Buzz. I also heard him say something about cleaning him off. I thought - oh good - he wasn't out there long, and at least he is responsible about cleaning him. Then I hear water running, which I immediately recognize is coming from the bathroom sink... then I yell, "Don't do that Connor!!!"... Thankfully I caught him in the nick of time. He responds to me by asking his usual, "But why??" I had to explain to Connor that if he put Buzz into water he wouldn't talk anymore. But I thanked him for not wanting Buzz to be dirty. He would be an indoor toy from now on. I helped Connor to pick the grains of sand out from between his buttons using a paper clip, but now Buzz is doomed with the internal rattling of sand that somehow crept into the cracks of his insides. Oh well. He still can talk!

WOODY

Aaron is obsessed with Woody's hat. If he doesn't have it on he looks all over the house yelling "HAT HAT HAT!" It doesn't help that the toy says, "You found my hat! Thank you, Thank you THANK YOU!!!" Aaron loves that, so it's quite the game to keep the cowboy's hat on that doesn't quite want to stay there.

BASKETBALL HOOP

I have kept the small basketball hoop inside for now, and the boys are loving it. Connor chucks the ball directly over his head with no arch at all, but since the hoop is shorter than him right now he gets it in almost every time. He almost sounds amazed when he says, "I LOVE this game, I'm so good at this game". Brian taught Aaron to pass, and his little face scrunches up with concentration when he does it. It almost seems like he'd rather pass the ball than get it in. He enjoys the game.

SOCCER BALL

We got Connor a new soccer ball to use at his practices. Today was his first practice and he liked having his own ball. Grandpa came with us to watch and at one point they were trying to score while the goalie blocked. Connor came up to score and the goalie was looking the other way. Connor kindly waited for him to pay attention, and as soon as he turned to look at Connor he kicked it with all his strength. I couldn't believe what happened. Connor kicked it completely OVER the goal, not even touching the top of it (it's a little kiddie goal - but still surprising). I don't think I've ever heard grandpa laugh so hard. He thought it was hilarious!

New toys are fun, and thankfully all of them have been very entertaining especially for Aaron. So glad we got him toys that he is really enjoying, and giving me some fun memories in return!