Babe in Toyland

This Friday until the end of the day today has been Tax Free Weekend here in NC. I got so incredibly excited about this event that I went window shopping early to get my plan of attack ready for Friday. I really don't know what it is that had me so excited about this event. I probably saved at most ten dollars, while the state of NC lost millions in tax revenue. Our family is also traveling to PA on Monday, a tax free clothing state, so again I really don't know what got me so revved up.

On Thursday I took Edmund with me to the mall to scout out the clothing options. Anyone who knows me knows that I get more excited about Edmund's clothes than I do my own. He gets to wear cute animals on his shirt and no one thinks twice. If I did so, I'm sure I'd get a few stares. So that I wouldn't feel guilty about taking him on this excursion I first took him to the mall playground. Edmund absolutely loves the mall playground. It's a lifesaver in the hundred degree weather we're having. Everything is soft and padded, so I worry little about him getting hurt, that is unless someone lets a big kid loose when they shouldn't. Edmund has his play routines. He turns the steering wheel in the helicopter, slides down the lighthouse a few times, and does a look-out on the sailboat. Most days I don't have to give warning that it's time to leave. He generally tells me he wants to put his shoes on after about 20 minutes and we're on our way.

After Edmund announced he was done with the playground I lured him into several stores with the promise of playing with trucks at the other end of the mall. Southpoint, the local mall near our house now has a toy store called Toyland. I know some parents think the location of Toyland is awful because they have to drag their children the entire length of the mall if they want to go from playground to toy store. I, however think this is pure genius because I can sandwich "mommy stores" in between two "Edmund places." Toyland is a small independent chain based out of New York that for whatever reason decided to expand to North Carolina. Toyland definitely isn't as big as some of the other "educational" toy stores in the area, but it has several pluses. It carries a lot of the wooden and educational toy brands I like and has very few electronic or licensed character toys. My philosophy at least for now is that toys should be open ended. I'm certain Edmund will be "wired" soon enough, so I'll let him use some creativity for now. I've bent a little on my no "characters" rule recently. Edmund loves Curious George, Thomas, and Elmo, and who can blame him. They're cute! He's not relying on tv for his play schemes and that's really the only issue I've ever had with characters anyway. I'll save the discussion of branding for another day.

Another plus this store has to offer is its openness. Five play stations are set up around the store and because the store isn't cluttered I can see Edmund at any play station from wherever I might be within the store. As I don't let Edmund wander I often can't browse, but I can do so here. Let me stop here. I realize this post is making me sound like a shopaholic. This is not the case. I'm a "browseaholic" if such a word exists, as I seldom buy. But I digress. The five play stations are right up Edmund's alley. The first is a table filled with rubber mulch, diggers, and bulldozers. The next station is a roadway system complete with a garage. This is followed by a train table. Next we come to a Calico Critters station. For those of you not familiar, Calico Critters are woodland creature families that live in elaborate houses. Edmund currently loves Calico Critters and their miniature furniture, but I'm sure it won't be long before society dictates to him they are a "girl's" toy. I'm having fun joining Edmund in his Calico Critters play for the time being. Finally there is a station with a large wooden fire station and rocket ship. Edmund is especially in awe of the rocket ship. He recently developed a love affair with the spaceship outside the Museum of Life and Science, and I don't have the heart to tell him the final space shuttle launch is quickly approaching. Edmund loves what he refers to as the "truck store". The only disadvantage I find with Toyland is my own personal guilt when we walk in, play, and leave. As I mentioned, I rarely buy. We probably won't go too often in order to appease my guilty conscience. However,on days when I'm stir crazy because Steven is on-call, I may just have to put those guilty feelings to rest and hop on over to Toyland.

Oh George

Curious George and Edmund

Today Steven and I took Edmund to see Curious George at A Sea of Learning, our local teacher store. I received an email about a week ago that Curious George was coming to A Sea of Learning and I immediately put the event on the calendar. Steven had me figured out. I was definitely the one who wanted to see the larger than life George, but I thought Edmund would enjoy the experience too. Steven thought Edmund might be scared of Curious George. I thought otherwise. After all, Edmund had sat on Rameses' lap the past two Christmases.

A Sea of Learning did an excellent job getting the word out about Curious George. Almost too good if you ask me. The place was packed, and we arrived 15 minutes early. The owner of the store turned on the Curious George movie while we waited. Edmund had no interest. He wanted to go back and play with the Thomas "choo choos" in the front of the store. Fortunately, I was able to distract Edmund from the trains because if he'd gone back to the front there's no way we would have been able to catch a glimpse of the curious monkey. At last, it was time to call on George. Edmund got into the act and said "Googe." When Curious George made his way into the crowd a small smile crept across Edmund's face. Edmund remained focused as Curious George counted beach balls and even listened as the owner of A Sea of Learning read Curious George's first book. Edmund was able to keep his focus despite the din of the crowded room.

After the reading was over I asked Edmund if he wanted to meet George. Edmund said "Googe" and smiled. I took that as a yes, but the line to sit with the curious monkey was long. We wandered around the outside of the store for quite awhile and spent some time with the "choo choos", hoping the line would fizzle out before Edmund had enough. Eventually the line dwindled to a few other families and soon it was Edmund's turn to sit with George. Edmund let me hand him off without a fuss. He put on quite a show for the store's owner and parents still waiting in line. Edmund's expressions as he spent time with George had everyone in stitches.

Despite the crowd at A Sea of Learning, the visit with Curious George was well worth it. As we drove home Edmund began giggling as he recalled his short time with George. "Ohhhh Googe" he giggled repeatedly. Now we all had the giggles. What a funny monkey.