Author |
Message |
Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 7:53 am
If anybody is looking for the very hottest Christmas toy right now, the Zhu Zhu hamsters, Walmart.com has them in stock this morning for $32 for the set of 4. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13249051 I believe the lead rumor has now been debunked, and they are safe to buy. (but don't trust me, look it up) Looks like you can also buy a 2 pack for $16: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13248917
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Twiggyish
Member
08-14-2000
| Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 8:25 am
Happymom, I have a teenager, too. She likes hair products like scrunchies. A retractable hair brush that slips into the backpack works,too. Other ideas: small make-up bag with mirror for backpack or purse. picture frames (small for friend's pictures) maybe one with magnet on the back, or one that pins to their backpack..or keychain that attaches. Anything to do with pictures and display works. Do you have a Claire's or Icing store near you? You can get some neat small items there for girls of all ages.
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Aurora
Member
11-24-2006
| Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 9:19 am
If anybody is looking for the very hottest Christmas toy right now, the Zhu Zhu hamsters, Walmart.com has them in stock this morning for $32 for the set of 4. I wish I'd seen this earlier. They're out of stock for the four pack, two pack and single pet already. 
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 11:48 am
Aurora, check Toys R Us. I get Deal of the Day emails from them and they get Zhu Zhu pets constantly. I know they had them this morning but the email said something about being limited quantities, or the possibility of limited quantities. If I get another email from them about the Zhu Zhu pets before Christmas I'll post it for you, but I usually get them about 10-11pm the night before they have them at 6am the next morning so might not be enough time for you to get there, but hopefully so. They've had them quite often this season for sales and specials so they may have them regularly on the shelves. And yes Juju, they are supposed to be safe. There was something about the testing that group did that was different or not up to standard of the regular tests that produced those results.
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Beekindpleez
Member
07-18-2006
| Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 11:57 am
Aurora...check these: etoys And check Target. And here is the official zhu zhu site, which may help, too: zhuzhupets
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Aurora
Member
11-24-2006
| Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 12:02 pm
Thanks Bee! They're still in stock at the eToys site. 
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 1:15 am
Warning for anyone planning to go to the Griffith Park Light thingie...go early! I picked up the nieces earlier and they came back to play here for a couple hours. Then we got ready to leave...told the kids, get a bottle of water, get a snack, get something to take with you (toy, ipod, gameboy, something.) Caleb grabbed his ipod and gameboy, middle niece got some Polly Pocket toys together, Dakota took Darren's ipod, oldest niece asked Kota if she could take her cell phone and play some games. We stopped to get gas and before we'd even pulled out of the parking lot the older two girls (Kota and niece) were arguing over who was getting what. Argh. This is supposed to be a fun trip! Told them if they didn't knock it off we'd take them to sis, then they'd not only be in trouble with us and left behind for the evening, but also in trouble with sis cuz she'd have to cancel some plans to stay home with them! They stopped arguing quick, lol. Not a one of them grabbed water or a snack (except the baby had her sippy cup of milk.) Which of course became an issue. We have about an hour, hour and a half drive depending on the traffic to get there. The baby oooohed and aaahed at all the lights (we left here about 4:45) on the freeway. Caleb listened to his music and played his game boy and middle niece played with the dolls. Dakota and oldest niece played some silly game of I Spy except coming up with the most bizarre things (I spy a minivan....is it the green minivan? the red one?) and trying to figure out what movies other people were watching on their portable dvd players. The drive itself was fairly enjoyable and quick, we got to our exit just about 5:45-5:50. That's where it got looooooong. Just getting off the exit took almost an hour, it was 6:39 (I know cuz we played another game where the kids guessed how long it'd take us to get to the start of the light tunnel.) We'd just got in the lane to get on the exit ramp and were waiting in a stalled line when I heard, "I'm thirsty" "Me too" and "I want something to drink!" Not one of the kids brought water. They got lucky though cuz Darren had grabbed a diet coke when we left so they had to share it, Caleb got it last since he has a cold and the other three couldn't drink after him (though bets on how soon the girls come down with his cold, lol?) From the time we got off the exit ramp til we got to the light was just over an hour. The poor kids were going nuts by then, well except for the baby who was still oohing and aahing over the lights, she had the best time. Once we got to the lights though the kids settled down and had fun. They have little scenes done up with the lights (elves playing peek a boo behind trees, dinosaurs, Santa and the elves, Christmas trees) and the kidlets picked out their favorites. Made the long wait and the kids being twitchy worth it. Especially when four of them were sound asleep within about 3 minutes of us getting on the freeway to come back home! Dakota kept us chatting the whole way home. So tomorrow the girls will be making some jewelry for sis for Christmas and then they'll go home for a few hours. The Christmas train comes tomorrow night so we'll meet back up with them late afternoon for that. We may end up driving around town to look at lights after that.
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Aurora
Member
11-24-2006
| Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 8:30 am
That trip sounds exactly like our trips to the lake in the summer, Wargod, down to the hand held games, I Spy and Polly Pockets. lol In my case its grandchildren riding along, but when mine were small it was similar. We had seven children and we'd travel in our van along with Grandma and a dog, pulling a pop-up tent with a canoe on top. We must have been a sight. It felt perfectly normal at the time, but thinking back on it I have to laugh. The kids would make masks on paper plates and put them over their faces and stare at cars we passed. Boy, I miss those days. I got an email from Walmart overnight similar to the Toys R Us one you mentioned. They have a limited number of Zhu Zhu's for the next three days and begin selling them at 7:30 am. Fortunately I was able to get mine yesterday at the eToy site. But thanks for the tip.
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Gidget
Member
07-28-2002
| Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 11:08 am
Perhaps not bringing a drink saved you from the "I have to pees"
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Monday, December 21, 2009 - 12:03 am
LOL, Gidget, you are probably right! Aurora, I usually enjoy longer car trips. The kids can make a silly game out of just about anything and especially when we have our nieces some of the conversations I hear are hysterical. Tonight we went to see the Santa train. We got there an hour early (probably within the first 10-15 people to show up) and the kidlets sat down right behind the line (they'd asked one of the guys working there how close they could get, lol.) When the train finally pulled up and Santa, the elves, etc came out and all the kidlets ohh'd and ahh'd and clapped, very cute to see. Nice too, last year when the Santa train came it had just snowed and snowed again a few days later and was freezing, this time was 50 degrees. The kids had a blast and I'm glad we went. Unfortunately, Caleb's cold was kicking his butt today and he didn't feel well enough to go. He wasn't all that excited about it to begin with, being a bit old for that type of stuff, so he was happy to stay home.
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Gidget
Member
07-28-2002
| Monday, December 21, 2009 - 2:46 pm
Too funny... Jack Bauer interrogates Santa: http://tinyurl.com/yj78u89
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Monday, December 21, 2009 - 3:56 pm
Got this in an email today: Christmas at Rock-Away Rest 'Twas the night before Christmas at Rock-Away Rest, and all of us seniors were looking our best. Our glasses, how sparkly, our wrinkles, how merry; Our punchbowl held prune juice plus three drops of sherry. A bedsock was taped to each walker, in hope That Santa would bring us soft candy and soap. We surely were lucky to be there with friends, Secure in this residence and in our Depends. Our grandkids had sent us some Christmasy crafts, Like angels in snowsuits and penguins on rafts. The dental assistant had borrowed our teeth, And from them she'd crafted a holiday wreath. The bed pans, so shiny, all stood in a row, Reflecting our candle's magnificent glow. Our supper so festive -- the joy wouldn't stop -- Was creamy warm oatmeal with sprinkles on top. Our salad was Jell-O, so jiggly and great, Then puree of fruitcake was spooned on each plate. The social director then had us play games, Like "Where Are You Living?" and "What Are Your Names?" Old Grandfather Looper was feeling his oats, Proclaiming that reindeer were nothing but goats. Our resident wand'rer was tied to her chair, In hopes that at bedtime she still would be there. Security lights on the new fallen snow Made outdoors seem noon to the old folks below. Then out on the porch there arose quite a clatter (But we are so deaf that it just didn't matter). A strange little fellow flew in through the door, Then tripped on the sill and fell flat on the floor. 'Twas just our director, all togged out in red. He jiggled and chuckled and patted each head. We knew from the way that he strutted and jived Our social- security checks had arrived. We sang -- how we sang -- in our monotone croak, Till the clock tinkled out its soft eight-p.m. stroke. And soon we were snuggling deep in our beds. While nurses distributed nocturnal meds. And so ends our Christmas at Rock-Away Rest. 'fore long you'll be with us, We wish you the best! ~Author Unknown
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Southern_grits
Member
10-08-2009
| Monday, December 21, 2009 - 4:37 pm
Too, too cute!
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Monday, December 21, 2009 - 4:54 pm
Yay...Bisc thanks for the shortbread recipe! (and the carmel corn too!) Thanks to everyone for all the stocking stuffer suggestions! I was planning on shopping early this morning, but I forgot that I had to go to the dentist. So, tomorrow is the day. Then I should finally be done with shopping. I still have cars, pics, the yearly update letter, wrapping and cookies to do. I actually don't feel stressed though. Griffith park sounds fun. I'm glad I don't live in the LA area though. Too much traffic. (Of course, we have that here in SF Bay area too. I avoid it whenever possible.) (Hope Caleb feels better.)
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Monday, December 21, 2009 - 4:55 pm
Mame, cute poem!
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Twiggyish
Member
08-14-2000
| Monday, December 21, 2009 - 8:12 pm
I sent that poem to my hubby..LOL
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 4:13 am
Yes, that was a great poem Mames! So very true too.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 2:25 am
Too funny! I'm almost tempted to print it out and take it to my aunt, though with her attitude lately she'd probably smack me upside the head, lol. I'm as bad as a little kid I think. I can't wait for Christmas Eve and Christmas. I love playing Santa (neither kidlet really believes anymore, but Dakota sure is trying hard) and I love watching them open gifts and spending the day with family. I've also got a bunch of baking to do Christmas Eve and really want to get to it NOW. I'm totally twitchy and ready to get to it. I always get like this right before Christmas, but this year it's really bad. I think part of it is that we don't have Christmas Eve plans (our Santa is out of town and the kidlets would recognize anyone else we could get to do it, so no Santa visit and dinner) and Darren's family had no get together this year (in fact his mom and step dad are camping right now.) Fewer plans means more time to sit and be twitchy, lol.
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Panda
Member
07-15-2005
| Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 8:27 am
You could come here and help me!!! I am bummed out, 2 days before Christmas and I haven't taken the boys to see Santa. Santa will be showing up at my inlaws on Christmas eve, though. My BIL's friend dresses up and comes every year. Not the same as waiting in line for a picture! I also haven't bought an ornament for the baby's first Christmas. We haven't gone to the mall and I don't have a car to go during the week since my hubby takes it to work.
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Babyruth
Member
07-19-2001
| Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 8:46 am
Very funny website, where a couple of "chin puppets" sing any Christmas carol you ask them to. Very clever! http://www.sundog.net/carolofthechins/flash/card.swf
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Merrysea
Moderator
08-13-2004
| Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 9:26 am
I'm excited now because my Christmas present to my oldest son (a ring he asked for) finally came yesterday, and he doesn't know it got here (he is very often the one to bring in the mail, so I got lucky there). I had received a postcard on Monday saying it would be three to four weeks before it came, so he isn't expecting to have anything from me to open on Christmas (although I was going to run out to buy him a book or something just to give him a gift, and he does still have some great gifts from his brothers). So now all of my sons will be happy on Christmas morning - yay!
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Landileigh
Member
07-29-2002
| Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 1:08 pm
but no divinity, cuz the humidity isn't playing nice again this year.
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 1:16 pm
Holiday Dinner Ideas: I got a nice little 2.5 lb prime rib for dinner but have been struggling on sides. I was thinking mac/cheese but that seems to casual, then I was thinking maybe baked or mashed potato and maybe a green salad. Any ideas?
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Merrysea
Moderator
08-13-2004
| Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 1:20 pm
LOL, I thought about the divinity as my hair was frizzing up due to the humidity! I'm getting too much candy this year, though, so it's okay. 
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 1:49 pm
Dipo, what about mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar and cinnamon?
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