Early Christmas Gift

Today was beautiful, so we met Henry for lunch at Wok ‘n Roll before heading to Georgetown. I have been thinking about presents for Lucy. Mostly I have come to the realization that I probably already have too many for her with four toys. I am teetering on the edge of buying a larger gift of a Brightlings Exploration Stationthat I hope will occupy her time. I am not certain if it will, so I have found it for $10 on Craigslist. I am hoping that it is still available. But if not, I think that I may save it for a Valentine’s gift. Maybe by then, I will have a better idea of what it will be like having her mobile.

After spending an extensive amount of time looking at toys for a few other kiddies, I left one toy store empty handed. We made our way to Paper Source to hang out for quite sometime. Good thing I don’t work there anymore. I am a total sucker for their goods and had to cut my purchase in half once Stephanie rang it up. I decided to put away the faux bois note cards, but I could not resist these Martushka Measuring Cups. How cute are they!

Needless to say, I already have Lucy a set of nesting cups and I suspect someone else is getting her a set of stacking cups. Does she need three sets of cups? No, but I couldn’t resist. Besides I have been feeding her out of Mario Batali Measuring Prep Bowl Set. Maybe I can fit a small bottle of food, spoon and bib inside and have a little lunch to go. That is the practical side coming out of me. I got it from my mom. I appreciate this trait now, but I didn’t so much in the third grade.

One year for my birthday, at the height of my love for Strawberry Shortcake, my mom skipped the dolls and bought me a set of eight drinking glasses and a tin trashcan. All adorned with Strawberry Shortcake. Oh how I would have loved a giant strawberry carrying case, like Eris had. But you have to admit we got our use out of these items for many, many years past my doll-toting days. I stored mixed-tapes in the trash can through most of college. And I think that it is still in use in my bedroom at home, maybe. I am not sure about the glasses. They may be hidden away on a top shelf with some of the glasses we picked up from Pizza Hut circa 1980.

So I am trying to be mindful of a balance between fun sweet things and also being practical. I look for gifts that can live with us beyond this current phase. Plus not have three of one type of toy. Clearly on the cups I have failed. But these dolls are legitimate measuring cups. Right? I’m sure I’ll ask my sous chef for a baby bottom of sugar when I am 70.

Since we have returned from Thanksgiving, Lucy has been super cranky. It doesn’t help that we went from seeing lots of people, which this little social butterfly LOVES, to a twelve-hour day with just me. I am boring after a while. And, yes, she does cry with me. I guess a mama sees all sides. I quickly recalled that she is now in another Wonder Weeks phase (Week 26). She is three weeks behind. These spurts always seem to coincide with a big trip! Right when I just want to rest and recover. So if these cups will help her get through this phase a little quicker, I am all for it.