Yes, even as your kids have families of their own, grandparents can still have all the fun of assembling toys for little ones at Christmas. Usually this involves - OK, it always involves buying something you would have died for as a kid...if such a toy had even been invented, imagined or dreamed of. (My best present at the tender age of 3 or 4 was a Buck Rogers spaceship made out of sturdy cardboard. I'll never forget it!!) This year I had to buy a Fisher Price Power Wheels Craftsman F-150 riding truck for a fine grandson. A Monster Truck. I did want to buy it last year but was convinced he was too young. Yea, right. So I waited. A whole year.
This truck has "Monster Traction™" and can navigate sidewalks, lawns, neighbors' bushes with precision, even concrete lawn statues. It can easily take out moms, grandmothers and small barking, snarling Pekingese who think it's a giant vacuum cleaner. Without a scratch. Believe it or not, it has a real FM radio, truck bed with a drop-down tailgate, Velcro seat belts, folding side mirrors, cup holders (CUP HOLDERS!!), a battery charge indicator light and two speeds...drive and hit things or drive even faster and hit things with more force. (It is currently governed to slow.) It also goes in reverse. CAUTION: This toy can NOT be driven in a home. Got it? Assembly only took forever and requires assistance (HINT: Ask a big strong son with an engineer's brain and an architect's degree to be your apprentice elf and to help lift it in and out of a reasonable size SUV for transport to a safe, open park area or sibling's home to show off your, I mean the grandson's new "toy.")
You should have seen the little guy's expression. Pure joy. Truly, PRICELESS. And he had his seat-belt on and was operating the FM radio before even starting the motor. FM radio??!!
How fun! You are very lucky.Radio? Sheesh :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great travel blog you have here. I have one myself which I hope to be a top resource for those looking to travel. We have a lot to cover and not that much time to do it. I was wondering if we could exchange links to help spread some traffic around. Please let me know if this is possible.
ReplyDeleteJason
ThatVACATIONfeeling.com
Guys always like buying this sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteWow I'm impressed Frank! This is a great present. I pretty much went overboard with my grandkids too, but my son-in-law did all the assembly, except for the pink Disney Princess table and chairs I bought for my granddaughter. I'm proud to say I put those together all by myself!
ReplyDeleteOh my, what a wonderful gift ! I had to laugh as yesterday we were out with friends who's sons all had toy helicopters (radio controlled) that all the Dad's were playing with them & my husband said to me 'We've got to get one for our son, too !' he is only, like, 6 months old and I said 'But who will fly it for him ?!' too funny .... hope you had a wonderful Christmas and may your New Year be wonderful, too !
ReplyDeleteIt's just as well that you won't fit in it Frank, otherwise your Grandson wouldn't get a look in. I hope the poor little dog survived.
ReplyDelete@ Lynda - The "toys" that require more adult coordination, such as radio controlled boats, planes and helicopters, are the toughest to convince a mom or grandmother that they are PERFECT for a two year old...we big boys need to have toys, too. I know they will grow into them...someday.
ReplyDelete@ Chris - the dog is still somewhat traumatized. He has been stepped on more times than I can count, ignored by the kids and he's ready for a long, post-holiday nap.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas alright!
ReplyDelete