Little Shoppers

At our house, toy-buying isn't a regular occurrence, so that made this morning's event a real treat! It's a good thing to be able to spend an hour in Toys-R-Us or Target just looking at toys, not leaving with anything but happy children. Chi and I remarked how much the boys love just to "window shop". They look at so many things, but they always know exactly what they want. Today the boys actually got to spend a little of their Christmas money from Aunt Linda and Uncle Jerry. The First Little Nguyen has acquired quite a collection of GeoTrax road and railway toys, so he chose an add-on track pack he had been wanting to help his GeoCity grow! It currently occupies a third of our bonus room, but it has turned out to be the most wonderful toy! This little boy loves to take apart his tracks and create new designs. It's like a puzzle with no solution.... For Christmas, he received the GeoTrax Grand Central Station, so the tracks were a superb addition. He also bought "Basher" the Ankylosaurus to add to his dinosaur collection.

The Second Little Nguyen purchased a fire captain dress-up set that really accentuates his already life-like ensemble. The set came with a working fire extinguisher, helmet with detachable light, ax, badge & whistle, walkie-talkie, binoculars, goggles and a captain's vest. Each object fits into a designated spot on an electronic toolbelt, and when, for instance, he slides his fire extinguisher back into place, the belt enthusiastically says, "Nice job putting out that fire, captain!" The Littlest Nguyen is tickled to death! We are accustomed to him wearing his helmet and fire boots nearly everywhere we go - the pediatrician, Target, to visit Santa, to the park, to ride his bike, to the First Little Nguyen's school - it's really as much a part of his daily dressing as putting on underwear or socks! In fact, he donned his turnout gear to open his gifts on Christmas morning! Well, this new ensemble was attached to him like glue this afternoon as we went to run errands. I honestly don't know how I am going to get him out of it when he returns to preschool next week! Luckily, he has very understanding teachers.

It's really like Dad always used to tell me... law enforcement and public service are just in your blood. One day, maybe the Littlest Nguyen will realize that. Wouldn't that make his Grandpa B. proud?:)