So, Kyle and I are trying to do our Christmas shopping early again this year.  We always start with all the kids because they are the most fun and easiest to shop for.  I always intend to start with the adults to get the hard ones out of the way, but I never do because the kid stuff is too exciting.

I have figured out that I am no fun when it comes to buying kids things though.  I can't help myself.  I think too practically.  I want to go for the big Christmas day reaction, but then I start thinking about the staying power of the toy.  So many times those toys that get a reaction are only played with for a month or so and then tossed aside.  I can't help but think about all those toys that don't get played with and just take up room in the house.  I start thinking that really, the kids love art supplies and building blocks.  They love these things all year long, but art supplies don't really get that excited reaction like, say a Bat Cave does or a dinosaur that moves.

Kyle really does not enjoy the buzz kill that my practicality in toy shopping brings.  Last night I had the brilliant idea of getting one of the kids a blank board book so that they could make their own book and illustrate it.  Kyle basically yawned and feigned interest over the thing.  The best thing he had to say was, "Well, it's affordable."  Would you expect anything less from Miss Practical?

So, I'm not sure.  Am I on the right path with Christmas kid shopping or am I the stick in the mud?  Am I looking out for what the kids really want or am I getting them what I want them to have?  Am I the most intuitive parent or am I the most boring?