Gifts for 14 yo boy

I have a lovely, wonderful, downright fascinating son who will be 14 way too soon. That can't be right since well...I know I just had him!

In any case, he decided on his Birthday/Christmas present MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO. Unfortunately, there was a bit of unhappiness with his report card and of course, electronic items are one way to his heart and soul...and inducing more organized and focused behavior resulted in the removal of said items until after his next report card. All well and good but now...no birthday present because that would violate the restriction. (well using it would and giving him a present he can't immediately use, seems wrong)

This leads me to need to scramble a bit for gifts for his birthday. We had a couple non electronic type things buttttttt his big present was so dearly wanted and so planned, and carefully budgeted for...I hadn't thought of something else.

Any ideas?

I think

I think the biggest of the "big kids" needs this: elephant car

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone. My kids called so that made it a happy day for me, even if it would be happier if they were home.

They sounded like they are having fun, except young son, who sounded TIRED. He wasn't even interested in my acquisition of a mime emote at Runescape. (Clearly a sign of tiredness, especially since I asked how he liked the house, meaning the house in far away, and he said he hadn't had a chance to go there recently, meaning his fab Runescape house) In case you are wondering, geysers in Iceland are very cool (or hot really) and fireworks are dangerous!

I just got my first email from youngest daughter! A hi and a kissy face smiley and her name...all rolled in to one word with no spaces. I love it.

Someone in our neighborhood got a scooter for Christmas and every time I hear it on the sidewalk I think it is middle daughter scootering around.

Like last year, I have intentions, not resolutions and pretty much the same ones. I can't wear any of those out can I?

We don't have any pork in the house for New Year's day dinner. I am a bit worried about it, since it is good luck and all. It didn't really make sense to get it since no one will be home for dinner, except vegetarians so our nibble of pork will be none. We did get greens (at the request of the greens hater) and we have black-eyed peas for hoppin john. I will boil eggs for fertility in the new year. We need all the fertility we can get between the two of us. (but not among any of the children) My partner hasn't gotten pregnant for 17 years and I haven't gotten pregnant in more than 8! At the very least we could use some fertile ideas or fertile eggs come chick hatching time this summer.

Inventive Insanity For Parents

See that item off to the left? It is a cleverly designed suitcase for your toddler to RIDE. Uh huh. Ride. It is a MOMA exlclusive. (and that is a good thing.)

"Globetrotting children can pack, carry, rest on, and ride on this innovative luggage. Generously sized, it is made from durable polypropylene in bright colors with a wide stable wheel base and shoulder strap. Ages 3-6."


When I saw it...I thought awwwwwwwwwwwww how cute! What a great idea. Pull the suitcase. Toddler rides behind. Toddler sits on it while you wait in line. Great idea. But, then...I came to two great realizations: 1. A mother would have to be insane to want to try to get through an airport with one of these and a toddler. "ME WANNA DO IT" should be a sufficient warning phrase here. If not, think about the last time your toddler wanted to push his stroller somewhere or pull her wagon during walk time. Patience and cuteness, all well and good, not necessarily while trying to catch a plane. Or when business travelers in the same AIRPORT are trying to catch the plane or sleep in the hotel room beneath yours.

2. My children are too old for such a thing. Nonetheless, I am sure disaster would ensue (as they say on the sitcoms) should I purchase one of these. I can see the 16, 13, 11, and 8 year old all arguing it was THEIR turn to ride it down the corrider.

It is still cute though. Darn it.