Our adoption consultant recommends that we bring along a few gifts for Elena when we meet her the first time.
The ideal gift would foster interaction between her and us, but remain fun without us (we're there for only a day). It should be rugged and easy to clean, since it'll be living in a baby house. And we probably ought to buy two of them, since the first one will likely wind up staying in Kotlas (the theory being that the kids remaining will benefit more from the toys, which point I can't really argue).
And of course, any such toy ought to be super-cool, because that's just how we are.
Thoughts?
We're on the left. Elena's on the right. She was in Russia. That's why we went.
Two thoughts: the baby doll is always a hit with girls. Or try baby sized pots and pans with plastic food.
ReplyDeleteAntonia liked plush toys that would stack like:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.liveandlearn.com/lamaze/nestingbirds.html
and she loved hand puppets and wooden blocks.
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ReplyDeleteSince I have a few daughters of my own, let me weigh in...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Aaron, dolls are a good bet, although not all girls (like Mia) like dolls. If you go the doll route, I suggest a soft doll. Think Cabbage Patch Doll.
If you to go for the COOLNESS factor, try a spinning light thingie. I hypnotize myself with this thing! This is what I mean:
http://www.amazon.com/Schylling-MST-Meteor-Storm-Globe/dp/B000ELORYU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302123219&sr=8-2
If you want halfway in between modern and old fashion, how about a View Master with Cartoons:
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-ViewMaster-Viewer-Collector-Reel/dp/B000IOGVM4/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1302123305&sr=1-1
Lastly, if we can guess show size (Anna, who is 8 months younger is size 8 ... so since Elena is small for her size, I would guess size 8) those crazy light up shoes are a HIT. Anna can't get enough of her's. Here is an example, but you may find them cheaper at Payless:
http://www.amazon.com/Skechers-Twinkle-Toes-S-Lights-Shuffles-Funkadelic-Lighted/dp/B003YKFZM6/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302122649&sr=8-2-fkmr1
That is my 2 cents... for what it is worth.
-Ben
Something educational would be nice, like the wooden puzzles with the large durable pieces. If not that, Pat's granddaughters had a great time with the dance mat I got them. It is a plastic mat that talks to the children, of course it would be in English, but in the game mode, it tells them to find, say the yellow star, and the child has to step on the yellow star. It also has music and other modes. Not expensive, but very entertaining.
ReplyDeletekitty kat dolls. especially since you've got 2 real ones at home! anything "princess"! that's what I like!
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