The Thin Line

I think there is an incredibly fine line between indulging your children and spoiling them. When I was younger I scoffed at parents who got their kids sooo much stuff. Because they were so obviously just giving their kid anything and everything they asked for. The kids knew no limits. Never heard "no."

I still scoff at those parents but now that I have kids of my own I can totally understand how it's so easy to do. Getting your kids things they want is pretty difficult to resist. It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't have kids how much love you feel for those lil people. But other parents totally know what I'm saying. Even when they're destroying your house and peeing in the floor and chewing on the window sills. You love your kids SOOO much. You may want to throttle them, but it's because you love them that you're able to resist.

Then when they get old enough to ask for stuff, you have this overwhelming urge to make them happy by getting them what they want. To express your love by indulging their whims. You love them and you want them to be happy. And watching their face light up when they get something they want just absolutely makes your day.

I think I do a really good job January through November as far not spoiling Evie and Elly. Typically we get them a small plush and some candy for Valentine's. They get a small gift on Easter and their Easter baskets. Birthdays are one big toy, some clothes and some books. That's it for our gift giving 11 months of the year. Evie isn't one of those kids who expects to get something every time we go into Walmart. Every once in a blue moon we see a movie that we really love and pick that up. Or a cute book. Or Carter's is having a good sale and I get them a couple of outfits.

By and large, we don't really get them a lot of toys during the year. I can't vouch for their grandparents, who have a tendency to get them little things here and there through the year of course. But isn't that what grand parents are SUPPOSED to do?

As far as Josh and I go, the kids don't get toys except on holidays. Granted, I don't think they're lacking for play things as a result. And I know as they get older and start really asking for things it will be more of a challenge.

With the exception of clothes, which were on an "as needed" basis usually, I don't remember getting things from my parents except on Christmas on birthdays. It's not that we did without or anything. And we could save up our allowances and report card money and buy things for ourselves during the year. But we didn't expect to get something for no reason during the year.

I really hope to continue that sort of thinking with my kids. I don't want them to be spoiled. I don't want them to expect something for nothing on a regular basis. But I can understand how so many parents get sucked into the cycle early on and just can't get out. And I can totally see the reasoning behind wanting to get your kids things they ask for. Especially when it starts off as a Dora movie here or a Princess doll there. Next thing you know you're in too deep and up to your eyeballs in debt trying to keep your little princess happy.

When it comes to Christmas, I'm absolutely horrible about going all out on presents. I mean, nothing ridiculous. I don't spend beyond my means or anything. But even though I said I was done Christmas shopping a month ago, I've bought a couple more things that I've come across and thought the girls would just love. Nothing over the top or outrageously priced. And not because I think they'll be devastated if they don't get it. Realistically I know Elly will be WAY more thrilled with the paper than the toys this year. But I get them toys because I really enjoy giving them things. And it's really the one time of year that I do really go all out. I mean, I'm giving them toys, but I'm also giving them both clothes that they need and books to grow their lil brains.

So that's not spoiling them...is it? Or is it?

Amazon is taking over the world...

And I'm okay with it.

Some people are a little...let's say unsettled, by the release of Amazon's new tablet. It's called the Amazon Fire and personally, I'm impressed. For just $200 you basically get an iPad, minus the logo and the camera. As much as I love my iPad and cannot leave home without it, I could see myself being as happy and $300 richer with a Fire. No joke.

I'm sure all the die-hard Apple believers out there are just shocked and appalled. But it's not brand loyalty that has so many less than thrilled with Amazon's release.

The product itself is a bit of a hot button for the privacy-paranoid among us.

Maybe it doesn't bother me so much because I have grown up submerged in media. I was in Facebook when it first started. My mom was a reporter and media was part of my life. Being in the know wasn't just fun, it was a job requirement. And whereas I despise the idea of identity theft as much as the next person. And I take what I think are necessary steps to prevent it. But I am in no way offended by the idea of media tracking.

If you didn't know, if you don't log out of Amazon, the site can track your internet activity and will use that information to try and market to your preferences. Ever noticed how eerily you were searching for ideas for an Autumn centerpiece on Better Homes and Gardens, then the next day you log into Amazon and they recommend you check out their awesome autumn centerpieces? Surely, you didn't think that was coincidence. Facebook does the same thing. I don't really see it as an invasion of privacy. To me, it's smart business.

If you owned a business and you could offer every customer that walked through the door EXACTLY what they wanted, wouldn't you want to do that? Yeah. Of course you would. Because pretty much guarantees you a sell every single time the door opens. Again, it's smart business.

So now Amazon has a tablet. The tablet is Amazon's. It uses their browser which pulls off Amazon Cloud to speed up searches. You can fairly well bet that Amazon is going to track the browsing and shopping of every person who buys a Fire. And why wouldn't they?

The biggest question though? WHO CARES?

Do you realize how much simpler Amazon has made my life? There aren't words.

An example: While I didn't do all of my Christmas shopping from them, I narrowed all of my ideas down via the Amazon lists. People post lists of "Favorite toys for Christmas" or "My 1 yo's favorite things" or "Best Toys for a toddler"...you get the idea. I had SOOO many ideas for the girls' presents and Amazon's lists and reviews really helped me narrow it down. Browsing through Amazon's favorite things, I even found my husband's Christmas present. I feel like I really got the perfect presents for my family with Amazon's assistance. And with their low prices, I could compare other sites and stores and got really good deals on everything as well.

Plus, you can get books and movies shipped to your house the day they come out. You can buy digital books, digital music, digital movies, etc and store them on the Amazon Cloud. It's phenomenal! I just wish that Amazon would get over their anti-Apple feelings and be just a little more simpatico with my iPad 2. Basically, I want access to the Amazon AppStore. haha. I love their free app-a-day!

The Amazon Fire is awesome. Gorgeous color touch screen that is supposed to be practically indestructible (Unlike the iPad's!). Everything is easy to access and totally synced. The system is smooth and sleek and has Wi-Fi.

So, yeah, I'm all for my activities being tracked. It makes my life easier! The simplicity and convenience is totally worth that minuscule loss of privacy.

Christmas in July

Well, I have officially started Christmas shopping.


I've already gotten a couple of things for Evie. One thing for Elly. I feel bad that I don't really have much purchased for Elly yet. But I will. Trust me. I have a list made of EVERYTHING I want to get for them both. Just haven't actually gotten it all yet. I already have my budget made. I've gotten Josh's approval on all of it. All that remains is to purchase it.

And I've already ordered the clothes for the girls for Christmas. I hope Elly doesn't have a HUGE growth spurt between now and Christmas. I was kinda guessing based on her growth so far and what size Evie was in at 10 months old. Elly has stayed a little smaller than Evie so far. So unless Elly gains more than 7 lbs in less than 5 months we should be fine. Evie could wear a size 12 month up until about 12 months. Though we put her in a 12-18 month size before her first birthday and it wasn't too big by any means. 

I've even ordered Evie's Halloween outfit. I know what Elly is going to be. My mom is actually making most of Elly's costume. It's going to be adorable and I'm SOOO excited.

So, you can safely say I'm ready for the end of summer. I was thinking this morning while I got the babies dressed that I wish when I stepped outside I was greeted by crisp autumn air, orange leaves and the smells of fall. But I wasn't. Instead I was greeted by hot, humid air. Ugh. Well, it won't be too much longer, I know.

I am so excited!