kid in a toystore

My nephew wanted a Nerf Bow and Arrow for his birthday, just like his sister's only blue. For some inexplicable and unfathomable reason, Nerf does not have the good sense to make a bow and arrow for boys that isn't some weird looking thing with enormous darts. I didn't want to disappoint him, so I said, "Let's go shopping and you can look and see if you like it."

What I didn't realize is that he'd never been to a Toys 'R' Us. If you have never accompanied a child in a toy store, you should. It is a wonderful experience. There is just this sense of amazement that there could possibly be so many toys, and then there is this anxious need to try out EVERYTHING. So many buttons to push, lights to light up, things to touch and see. Things he'd never even imagined existed were staring him in the face and how could he not want them?

Needless to say, the bow and arrow was quickly overshadowed (in my opinion, it is still pretty darn cool) by all the options. But there was so much to choose from, how could he possibly decide? And I, his all-knowing (ha ha) aunt, thought I was sure he really did want the bow and arrow, and kept trying to steer him in that direction.

Now, to be fair, he really would have a blast with the bow and arrow. Nerf toys are awesome (I own some myself) and had he just been presented with 3 Nerf options, he would have picked one and been perfectly content. But it was eclipsed by the other possibilities. What really surprised me, though, was that he kept coming back to the bubbles. He wanted a bubble machine, and he even knew which style. I pointed out that he'd have to get more bubbles when they ran out, though (stupid me. I should have kept my mouth shut), and that seemed to be a major disadvantage: what fun is a toy that blows bubbles if you run out of bubbles?

I think in the end it worked out, though. He chose a giant (64 oz.) bottle of bubbles and a Lego Mixel. And, turns out his mom hasn't gotten around to birthday present shopping, so the bubble machine is an option now--and since he has a huge bottle of bubbles, what better present?

But I did learn some things. First, when going to a toy store with a kid, give yourself lots of time. Second, for young kids, they don't need tons of options, really. Even my nephew knew that he wasn't really interested in a lot of the stuff he saw. There were really only 3 or 4 options he was really considering. So, if possible, just pick something for them. They'll probably like it. Third, don't let your opinions and practicality get in the way. And finally, there really is something about a kid in a toy store.

July Christmas

After 2 years and 2 months of waiting and dust and distance, my books and I finally wound up in the same geographic location. It was like Christmas, and so, what else was there to do but plug in the Christmas tree, turn on the Christmas music, and "unwrap" my treasures?

Here's the starting pile. I did have one or two boxes that had traveled with me during the last 2 years. But 10 boxes were left in storage feeling unloved. I swear, though, I missed them!

 And the opening began. "I have that book? Oh, and I forgot about that one! And my WWII book collection, how could I have forgotten you?"

My annotated The Hobbit was one of those books I referenced many times in the last couple of years. It's nice to have it back on the shelf!

 Here they all are, just waiting to be loved and read and displayed. For people to browse them, read their spines, and curl up on a couch with them. Books don't belong in boxes!

Of course, the archivist/arranger in me did have to create categories and some form of organization. Thus the piles on the floor.

 But here they are, on the shelf at last. I love looking at people's bookshelves. You can tell a lot about a person looking at their bookshelves.

 There was only one problem: I ran out of space on the shelves! And so, four boxes had to remain packed up, until another bookshelf can be procured. (I'm sorry books, I don't love you less! I promise!) And then, maybe we'll have Christmas again...

You know you're an archivist when...

I'm finally getting around to unpacking the non-essentials, like the binders from grad school and the assortment of 'my life scrapbook' type material. You know--pictures, letters, ticket stubs, the miscellany you keep to document what you've done in life.

So, I got to this bin, which if I was stylish and had money would probably be a hope chest but is really just a Rubbermaid tub and decided to do some culling, as one does. And I kept thinking, "Man, I need to arrange this better. All the stuff from the DC trip should be in one folder, and my correspondence should be sorted by author, and I should have my journals in one place and tickets and stuff could be an event series."

Yes, folks, I think it's official. I'm a real, honest to goodness archivist.