Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Christmas/holiday gifts (2014 redux)

i have the same problem. I am also in the STEM field and although I have not dressed down as far as some women (shorts and flip-flops make me way too cold with the AC), I definitely fall into that category of jeans and t-shirt and sneakers. So the whole pink and princess and girly stuff is kind of like "where did that come from?" - she will insist on pink straws, pink socks, pink paper and so on (luckily, green is her fall back color and she does like Thomas the tank engine).

I only wonder how long this phase lasts...

I will let you know how those MSB kits work out. Some looked pretty neat so I am curious to see what they are like once they come.

For those with iPads there is a tremendous app called Visible Body that my DD loves even though we don't have everything switched on as it can get pricey for every single detail.

A shopping thought - My saving grace when my wee girl became (on the basis of exposure to a single sippy cup) utterly obsessed with all things Disney princess, was the Princess and the Frog. Good New Orleans jazz, a story you're not horrified to expose your daughter to, and the ostensibly princess movie is actually all about frogs and alligators romping though a swamp - the gang of older brothers loved it as much as DD and her friends.

P.S. The first time DH had one-on-one time with 1 year old DD, they headed to the drug store, loaded up on nail polish and did a full manicure and pedicure. DH responded to my astonishment with "well - *someone* has to teach her to be a girl - and you don't know how!"

He still does her hair and nails - she's almost 8.

I've been slowly gathering supplies for my DS6 to create an invention box. I have a large plastic bin that I am filling with many types of fabric remnants, chip bag clips (he uses clips and fabric to make costumes for plays and it's become quite open ended), plastic tubes, containers, shiny rocks, thrift store objects, washers, bolts... You get the idea. I think he's going to freak out! And, at least I have some way to contain the invention parts that end up all over our house!
Also, Raspberri Pi kit, solar radio with hand crank, magic kit and quite a few books. I'm sure he'll get some Lego and science kits from relatives.

He still plays weekly with the Thames and Kosmos Solar kit he got this summer.

DD is getting, for Great Pumpkin through Xmas...
Rip the Page and Don't Forget to Write, which so far seem big hits
Harry Potter Legos (secondhand but nice!)
Hogwarts library books
Child's introduction to art (she loves the poetry one)
Scratch programming book
Canvasses and paint brushes
Lip shimmer. Which I only mention because of the girly-girl discussion
And odds and ends.

DS is getting baseball stuff, books, and a kind of Montessori math block game because he loves the ones we've been handed down. Oh and he got a toy clock because he's in love with them.

DS8 has just asked for a programmable robot/toy. Has anyone found one that works well without being $300+?

For history buffs: Constitution Quest game, which asks, "What's Your Constitutional IQ?"
Amazon shows 18 customer reviews which consist of 17 5-star ratings and 1 4-star rating.

DD9 is ramping up her gymnastics craze, and wants to turn her playroom into a gymnasium this Christmas. Her entire list so far, which she has posted on her bedroom door for our convenience:

- Mats
- Balance beam
- Bars

It depends on how much you want to spend, where you live and what you want to robot to do. You can sometimes find a Lego Mindstorms on Craigslist for half price (slightly older models).

You can also take a look at this: http://www.razorrobotics.com/robot-kits/