What's under our tree

I had a surprisingly difficult time buying gifts for my one- and two-year-old. Last year, we got away with wrapping up a bag of blocks and an Elmo bath mat and calling it a day. This Christmas holds the pressure of being possibly the first one they'll remember.

So I thought I'd share the details* of my last-minute masterpiece, not so much to be useful (since I'm sure your shopping was finished ages ago), but to share my sense of satisfaction with someone before this stuff is long forgotten and/or strewn around my house. *Prices are approximate/from memory.

Purchases for Gunnar, age 2.5:

A.C. Moore: Two Thomas trains (one motorized), for a total of about $30 on sale

Target: Cars PJs, $12; Spiderman sneakers, $17; sunglasses, $5

Big Lots: Toy Story coloring tray, $8; stocking stuffers, $1-$2; book, $3

BJ's: A keyboard he can grow into, $30

For Annie, age 19 months:

Target: Baby doll, $10; stroller, $10

Big Lots: toy baby bottle, $3; learning mailbox, $25

The rest is similar to Gunny's.

And...to both toddlers from Santa:

Family Dollar: Unisex play kitchen that will not overwhelm our space, $20 (the only one I've seen that wasn't pink, huge, and/or $100 or more)