Kleinland: IKEA

I am going to Chicago next weekend without the rest of my family for an (almost) kids-free girls' weekend with 6 of my old college roommates. I'm sure that will make a blog of its own - both the weekend fun, as well as whether or not Dan and Nory drive each other crazy. One of the girls mentioned an American Girls store - this is a brand of doll which I never had growing up but which is apparently very popular. You can buy a doll along with furniture, outfits, toys, and other accessories (like dogs) for your doll. Since we had totally failed to to give Nory a Christmas presents this year, I figured, hey, my daughter is totally doll crazy, she would love one of those!

Until I looked up the price on line. $45 for a doll which comes in pajamas. $25 for a Christmas outfit. I was still debating whether this was reasonable (Nory really does LOVE baby dolls - she carries hers everywhere including the car and to bed with her, she puts her to sleep several times a day, checks her diaper, and gives her food, milk, and binkies) but when I mentioned it to Dan his head turned that funny shade of purple that happens right before the eyes pop out and steam starts coming out the ears. Okay okay, just an idea!

So, our runner up Christmas present: IKEA. I think taking Nory to IKEA might have been a good enough Christmas present in and of itself - she loved it. I think she loved it more than Disneyland. There is tons of room to run around in, things to carry, things to climb, and relatively few things she could get up on that she wasn't allowed on. She sat in every kid chair, climbed into every kid bed, carried our bag around, pushed a kid sized cart, and ate 5 meatballs, a bowl of mashed potatoes, and a cup of applesauce. IKEA is having their "kids eat free" event right now, by the way!

Here is Nory at IKEA, she tucked herself into bed - every bed!

We ended up getting Nory some belated Christmas presents: an art easel, chalk and paper for the easel, some wooden kitchen utensils, some plastic kitchen utensils (which I haven't pulled out yet), a new placemat, a soccer ball, and some bibs. We also got Dan two dog-fur removers. Total: $40. Plus $5 for dinner - for all 3 of us.