Lily's new trike.

I recently wroteabout how we got some great deals on a garage sale and one of those was a tricycle for $5.

While searching for instructions on how to adjust the seat, I had quite an amazing discovery. It seems that Kettler trikes retail for $200! Damn!

This was one great find and we’ll have to be sure to keep it stored inside at night.

Sad part is, I still have no idea how to adjust the seat so Lily can’t really ride it yet.

Wait. Our garage sale tricycle is worth how much? originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

Lily loves to swing, so we looked at getting her a swing for the back yard. We went back and forth on the decision until we found the one we wanted on the clearance shelf at Target. It was such a good deal that we couldn’t pass it up.

Lily and her swing.

A few days later we were out for a walk and came across a garage sale that had a trike and a slide, two other items that we knew Lily would love. They are priced anywhere from $50 to $120 each new so we hadn’t been convinced to buy them. But when we got both for $10, it was a done deal.

Yea! A Slide!

Lily's new trike.

Lily has always loved being outside and going to the park, but now that she can just go out the back door and go for a swing or down the slide, she loves it even more.

Spoiling Lily and getting great deals. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

The truth is, it’s not just a box, it’s whatever your imagination can think up.

I know that when we get a delivery from diapers.com, Lily gets excited for the box. She’s not too concerned with what’s in it unless it’s her.

Lily in a box.

One box can provide endless hours of entertainment and joy as it’s more than just a box. Much much more.

So what do you think? If it’s not a box, what is it?

Use your imagination, it’s not just a box. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

She started by dropping the ones she was playing with on the other side of the gate. She then usually says oh oh, points, and expects us to come get them for her. Instead, she grabbed a few more and tossed them over too.

She spent the next 15 minutes finding every toy, book, bag and stuffed animal she could and just tossed them over the gate. When all was said and done, we couldn’t go upstairs.

We did however have a very clean basement. We took this opportunity to vacuum and then I helped her get all the toys back. Of course, putting them back where she found them wasn’t on her agenda.

It was funny to watch and I’m not sure why she was so dead set on cleaning out all the toys. She had fun though and will probably do it again.

For some reason, all the toys are banned from the basement. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

Add in a few toys, and throw them out again, and it’s even better!

Lily vs the tub & toys. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

It’s amazing how one little kid can have so many toys.

I didn’t think we got her that much stuff, but it’s everywhere. Not to mention the toys the family gave as well.

Lily loves them all though and we are thankful for every gift we get.

We are now working on hiding some toys so we can swap them out a few weeks later with some of her current toys. That way they’ll seem new, even though they won’t be.

Rotating toys will hopefully bring endless excitement, and a cleaner play room.

I hope everyone’s holiday was fun and safe and you got to spend some quality time with the kids.

Does spoiled start with an L? originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

• A Cardboard Box – Lily loves the boxes that bring gifts in them more for the boxes than what’s inside.
• A Plastic Tub – You know, one of those storage tubs. Much like a cardboard box, it’s just fun to get in and out of. And this one won’t break as easy.
• Paper – Paper is great. You can use it to make noise, rip it into pieces and throw it all around.
• Shredded Paper – Why not kill two birds with one stone and shred some of those confidential documents you’ve been meaning to and then give the shreds to the kids? Making a mess has never been so fun!
• Old Cell Phone – Toy phones are fun, but having a real phone like Mom and Dad is even better. It doesn’t have to work either, but bonus points if it lights up and beeps.
• Music – iTunes is full of good music that is fun to dance to and little kids love to dance.
• You – Just spending time with your little ones is all they need or want. Who’s cooler than Mom and Dad?!

With toddlers it’s so easy. Their imagination will do all the work, all they need is something to play with. And that something doesn’t have to be expensive, or even come from a store.

Easy Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Toddlers originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

Lily on Wii Fit

Ok, so she doesn’t do anything on it other than get weighed. It’s actually a good way to track her weight progress over the months.

You see, with Wii Fit Plus you have the ability to add babies into the system. To weigh them you just have to hold them and it’ll weigh both of you. Then it subtracts your weight to get theirs. It’s pretty slick.

We’ve been tracking Lily’s weight since she’s been 6 months old and have a nice record of her weight gain.

Lily also loves the Wii music. It doesn’t matter if it’s on the home screen or in Wii Fit, the tunes make her perk up and pay attention. When she’s old enough, probably 3 or older, she’ll get to actually exercise, or in her case, play.

If you’ve got a Wii Fit and a baby, check it out. It also works with pets if you’re babyless.

Starting Lily off early on Wii Fit. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

Well we’re already well on our way. We can now play the kazoo and it’s only a matter of time before we we’re on America’s Got Talent.

Or maybe not.

Lily’s musical career is taking off. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

Amazon Delivery

Lily loves when things come from Amazon. The boxes are extremely fun to climb in and out of and they usually come with paper packing inside!

Never mind the toys that may be in there too, we’re mainly just interested in the box.

The best things come from Amazon. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

I build block towers, Lily knocks them down. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

Ok, so the video is a little bit long, but I had fun filming it.

Lily vs the cube, an epic battle. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

You see, the jumpr was on loan from one of Christi’s cousins and they were in town this weekend so we had to give it back. They’re having a new baby in a few months and will need it again.

The jumper was one of our favorite toys as it allowed us freedom to sit and spin and jump and just have fun.

Mom and dad have been thinking about getting a new one, but are worried she’s past her peak in the jumpr and don’t know if want to invest in a new one or not.

However, the daycare just got a brand new one so she can still play in that one.

Goodbye jumper, we’ll miss you.

Goodbye jumper. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com

Lily has these rubbery blocks that I usually use to build towers that she loves to knock down. Well one day I decided to try to juggle with them.

Now I don’t have any juggling skills. I consider it a win if I can get two blocks straight up in the air. Usually they go all over and I end up hitting something.

Well Lily loves this. She loves watching me try to juggle even though I fail every time. If I drop one, it’s funny. If I toss one up and catch it again, it’s funny. If I hit the ceiling, it’s funny. It’s a win win situation. Except that once when I hit her. She didn’t think it was funny but it didn’t hurt either.

One thing I love about babies is how easy they are to entertain. They take my failure at juggling and turn it into a successful & fun baby and dad activity.

Lily loves to watch Dad fail at juggling. originally posted at http://www.twistermc.com