• I will never willingly dye my hair blonde.
• I’m never going to make homemade macaroni and cheese to taste just like my grandmother’s recipe.
• I will never catch the winning touchdown in a Super Bowl game.

And:

• I will never pay $945.00 for an antique toy fire truck.

No, really. I can’t make these things up.

In case you can’t read that, let me help you out: Smith Miller Fire Truck 1950′s $945.00.

No. Really.

Not happening. Nuh-uh. Never.

FireDad and I found that particular fire truck during one of our geocaching-walk-date-things that we do because we’re dorky. It was in the window of a local antique shop, of which we have many. We stood there for awhile, blinking at the red truck in the window. We decided that even if we ever won the lottery that we don’t play, playing nearly a grand for a toy that would likely break if our kids touched it seemed somewhat silly.

I did some research, of course. Smith-Miller closed in the 1950′s and reopened decades later when a man who used to buy the trucks as a child bought the company. If you search eBay and other similar sites, you can find the truck pictured above ranging for as low as $150 for a well-loved truck all the way up to over $1000 for those in mint condition. The official website hasn’t been updated since 2009, and they don’t seem to have any trucks currently in stock. That’s a shame. I’d pay a normal amount for a truck made in the USA from a company that seems to be well-loved.

All the same, I won’t be paying $945 for the antique version.Yowza.

Because it gave away the story.

I went home and read through the book I got for BigBrother. It was your typical level 2 type reader: short sentences and easy words. I had figured it was like some of the other movie based readers we have in our library; instead of telling the full story of the movie that it either told a sub-story or a completely different story all together. Not this one.

I now know the full story of Toy Story 3. More than the trailer gives away.

But I won’t spoil it for you. Just like I didn’t spoil it for the boys. Because I took it away. BigBrother is mad. I mean, who could blame him? I gave him something he loved twice over: a book about Toy Story. And then I took it back. FireDad supported this venture though he feels equally Scrooge-like. We have made promises to read the book the night we get home from seeing the movie on June 18th. He doesn’t care. He’s mad.

I’m mad, too.

When it comes to the new Toy Story movie, marketers are in heaven. Not only do they know that kids are in love with the movie and characters (and expensive toys) but parents like me have also been in love with the movie for years. We’re equally excited about the next chapter in the toys’ journey. We want to buy the toys. We want to buy the books. And the games. And to catch the movie on opening day. We want to share our love of the movie with our children. And marketers know that. The toys are everywhere right now. Taunting us. And it’s working. I get it. I understand. Really, I do.

But could we leave the spoilers out of it until the movie is released?

Put the rocket ship sprinkler in the store. And the movie editions of Connect 4, Buckaroo, Memory and Operation (!). Please, pretty please, release the Buzz, Woody and Jessie costumes for Mr. Potato Head. If you could drop the price on Buzz and Woody themselves, I’d be thrilled. I think perhaps that bubbles and boogie boards are slight overkill but I’m okay with all of those things. Just stop putting out things with spoilers until after we’ve seen the movie. Pretty please?

Or I may have to make BigBrother and LittleBrother laser you. And nobody wants that, now do they?

The first book is the Tonka, My First Puzzle Book. The concept is great, in theory. The book itself is a padded board book with an open front window to display the first puzzle which is a wonderful ladder truck. Other puzzles inside include a dump truck, a big rig, a fork lift and an ambulance. For our boys, this book seems like a win-win-win-win: things that go, specifically fire trucks and puzzles in a book! We’re puzzle lovers, book lovers and fire truck lovers. It should be great.

It isn’t.

You might notice in this picture that there are puzzle pieces missing. I have no idea where they are though I assume that they are somewhere under LittleBrother’s bed. It would be one thing if I really was blaming him for losing him. However, the puzzle pieces themselves are to be blamed. They are very, very thin, very, very flimsy cardboard. They don’t fit very well in the puzzle-book page to begin with so any slight pushing to get a piece to fit sends them all askew. Even BigBrother who is great at jigsaw puzzles has abandoned this book. It’s frustrating for even me when I’m trying to clean up the mess it inevitably makes every time I pick it up, puzzle pieces floating to the floor. They slip and slide for me as well.

I learned today that these books are actually part of a series with other variations available. Appealing to all kinds of kids, they have Sesame Street, Princesses and even My Little Pony. Despite wide appeal, I would not suggest purchasing these books unless they make changes to the quality of the puzzle pieces themselves.

THAT said, I am absolutely in love with the Tonka, Magical Magnets, Trucks at Work! book. (Which, by the way, I can only find the Spanish version to link you to online. Strange.) This book is also a things-that-go type that happens to include some fire trucks and ambulances. Also featured are various construction vehicles. This book is also a board book but does not feature a padded cover.

What makes this book awesome? Magnetic pages. And, obviously, magnets.

It came with “over 20″ magnets as it says on the front cover. I count 21 right now but take that with a grain of salt. We might have lost some at one point or another as this has been a well used play-book. The magnetic pages feature scenes in which the trucks and other associated prop magnets can act out rescue, construction or other scenes. A building is on fire on one page, road is being built in another. (As a note, each book has a small bit of wording to read for each activity page, puzzle or magnet scene.) I find that the magnets stick well and still manage to slide around the page. We have found that this book, due to the fact that the magnets actually stick, is great for car rides. I think we might take it with us to t-ball games to keep LittleBrother from darting onto the field. I think the only way this book could be improved is if one or two of the magnets were a firefighter or a construction worker.

These books also seem to be part of a series (though I can’t find an English version of the Tonka one online). Also available are Elmo, Spiderman (!) and Transformers (!).

It’s funny how two books by the same company can illicit two totally different reactions from me. It goes to show you that quality means everything though. If the puzzle book would have been made just a little better, it would be a family favorite as well. As a bit of further review, LittleBrother has been sitting and playing with the magnetic book the entire time I have been writing this review. It obviously has his approval.

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[Disclosure: These were gifts by a family member, not given to solicit a review. Links will not make me any money but might make you spend your own. Apologies.]

And their birthdays are this coming Tuesday and the following Tuesday. Followed shortly behind by Christmas, one month and one day after LittleBrother’s birthday.

That means it’s time to clean out some of the toys that they’ve outgrown. Or the ones that they never really played with in the first place. Or the broken ones. Or the ones missing pieces. Or the ones that I would like to chuck against a wall because, really, does it have to be that loud, for the love all things toy?! That’s right. We’ve reached decision time: to keep, to toss or to donate.

BigBrother hates this time period.

Before his first birthday, he had no clue. I simply picked out the toys that he didn’t play with anymore while he was napping, sorted them into bags for tossing or donating and that was the end of the story. He didn’t have the words to verbalize his woe if he noticed that a stuffed animal was missing. (I hate stuffed animals. What a waste of space.) Before his second birthday, I also chose a nap time to sort through things. The problem with this scenario was that he found the bags when he woke up, early, from his nap. He was displeased when I explained that we were giving some of his toys to kids who didn’t have any of their own. He looked at me like I had four heads and then threw an epic two-year-old fit a few days before he was officially allowed to do so. Before his third birthday, he was seemingly okay with what we decided to donate because, to be honest, we didn’t get rid of a lot last year. LittleBrother was turning one and was inheriting most of the things that BigBrother was outgrowing.

This year will be slightly more difficult. A true Toy Purge is required.

It’s also going to be difficult because, well, FireDad and I have had it with the overabundance of toys and the mess that accompanies said toys. They’re great at cleaning their toys upstairs. They put them away in the toybox when asked and sometimes even unprompted. But their playroom? Tornadic activity on a daily basis. It’s awful. On two separate occasions, we have informed BigBrother that if he didn’t clean up the mess, immediately, we were going to put all of his toys in a bag and toss them in the trash. It would be one thing if he was playing with most of them but over half of the toys had simply been removed to get to other toys which were discarded for other toys and so on and so forth. What is it about a playroom that says, “Trash me?!” We’re working on reminding them to keep their playroom clean, like the upstairs living room, and we will continue to work with them.

But some of these toys have to go.

I’m going to have BigBrother and LittleBrother each pick three toys that they want to donate this year. I’m prepared for it to be a grumpy time but there are things that I want my children to understand. First and foremost, the above mentioned necessity of keeping a room clean and taking good care of our toys is paramount. Secondly, learning that we do outgrow toys is just a part of growing up. Next, I want them to understand how fortunate they are to have as many toys as they do. Whether they’re educational or just plain fun, they’re lucky. Plain and simple. Picking toys to give to kids who simply don’t have the blessings we do needs to be a part of their life. And, finally, I really want to involve them in the process and make it a learning experience.

That said, I am giving away more than six toys. Don’t tell them but here’s a list of things we have no use for anymore: roll-a-rounds, the baby guitar, in fact, the whole basket of baby toys in LittleBrother’s bedroom, another six stuffed animals that made their way into our home over the past year, that foresaken chicken that sings the Chicken Dance song, anything my brother has ever purchased for my children as they are ridiculously noisy toys and a few other odds and ends. Gone. Done. Not needed. My educated guess based on previous years’ experience is that, as of Tuesday when BigBrother opens his gifts from us, they won’t notice. If they do, their party on Sunday followed by LittleBrother’s presents from us the following Tuesday will erase any emotional attachment they had to the toys that have been given away.

But I’m keeping BigBrother’s rattle and the little bear he brought to LittleBrother at the hospital. What? I’m not allowed to be attached to toys they don’t play with either? Too bad. I’m the Mom and I said so. Oh? And if anyone, and this means you, Brother-of-mine, gets these children any ridiculously noisy toys, I’m going to beat them over the head with said ridiculously noisy toys, remove the batteries from said ridiculously noisy toys and shove them up the offender’s nostrils. Even if they’re size D batteries.

Think I’m joking? Try me.

Today I’m actually showcasing some of the best and/or most awesome wooden toy fire trucks and fire related toys on Etsy.

This little gem of a fire truck ($22) makes me smile. It’s short and squat and it just seems so happy looking, doesn’t it. The best part about this selection, which is why I put it first on my list: those removable ladders. They hang on little begs on either side of the truck. So the imaginary firefighters can throw the ladder up against the blazing house and rescue the imaginary people inside. It’s all very dramatic and fantastic, no? This one is made of pine which makes my nose happy just thinking about it!

The store in which this truck is available is SantaWood Shop’s Shop. Fire trucks are not the only offering, of course. There is, of course, another fire truck ($75). But also some amazing creations. And by amazing, I do really mean amazing. Most are very affordable as well. Some other ones are more expensive but, really, look at the detailing on the wooden circus train. It’s really quite amazing.

Next on my list of most awesome wooden fire truck toys is this fire truck (hook & ladder) puzzle ($17.95). Now, first and foremost, I love puzzles! I love wooden puzzles even more. And so a wooden fire truck puzzle sounds like the next best thing to sliced bread. Not only can you work on spatial skills with this jigsaw puzzle but, come on, it’s a fire truck. What’s better than a fire truck that is also used as a teaching tool. Absolutely nothing.

The best part about this particular piece? You choose the number for the side of the truck. I’m not sure a number like 37509607 will fit, so I’d go with single digits. This would be an amazing birthday gift for a three or four year old who is just moving into jigsaw puzzles and just so happens to love the heck out of some fire trucks. The store, featured in Cookie Mag in 2007, is serious about child safety as well. The pieces will not fit through a paper towel roll (which means no choking hazard) and are finished with non-toxic wood finish. Even cooler? This puzzle works both laying down and… standing up! And you just can’t beat the prize. Seriously. (Note: other puzzle designs and wooden toys available at the store.)

Pine Ladder Truck No. 2 ($17.50) is a long, long truck. Like the first truck I mentioned today, this one features removable ladders. But longer ones. For taller imaginary houses with harder to reach imaginary fires. Send both trucks to the scene and you’ll have all levels of your imaginary apartment fire taken care of with these two trucks.

As this particular truck has the headlights, wheel axels and tail lights glued on, it is not recommended for a child under the age of three (or, if your three year old still puts everything in his/her mouth, not then either). Heed the advice of the seller and, as the store states, know your child and buy accordingly. (What good advice!) And, again, some more great wooden offerings at their store (like that truck that holds crayons: awesome!).

Last but not least is this fire station with fire trucks ($28.00). As their blurb says, you can’t have a wooden city without a fire station. I mean, think about it. A wooden city? Without fire trucks? It’s an imaginary blaze just waiting to happen! (Take for example my own old hometown in which the fire house burnt down. Sad, sad.) Anyway, I must say that I agree. This would be a great addition to your wooden city and a colorful one at that! If your worried about that paint, the store claims that paints were made in the USA.

But, I’m going to warn you. Don’t go to their store. Because? You’ll want to buy one of everything. And in some cases you’ll want to buy two. There are a few other fire trucks available as well as some blocks, other trucks and other buildings.

If you end up buying something, either for your child or as a gift, let me know. I’m really considering purchasing one of these for myself. Or, uhm, I mean for the kids. The kids!

Until now.

I wrote just yesterday about the biggest toy hits with the boys (and some with us as well). That, of course, doesn’t begin to cover what I am referring to as the Christmas 2008 Toysplosion. You see, FireDad and I purchased what we deemed to be an appropriate amount of both educational and pure-fun toys for TheBrothers. The problem? Everyone else purchased what they also thought to be an appropriate amount of educational and pure-fun toys as well. In fact, one family member admitted to “over-buying.” This resulted in the Christmas 2008 Toysplosion.

In an online community a month or so ago, someone (without children) asked how and/or why parents are “surprised” by how many toys their children own. This individual couldn’t understand the problem. It is, quite simply, due to birthdays and other holidays and the number of relatives a child happens to have (which, by the way, TheBrothers are blessed with a very large number of relatives). We even went through the boys’ toys prior to their birthdays and again prior to Christmas and separated out those that were no longer age-appropriate, in working order or simply weren’t played with all that often. And it made absolutely no difference. I even left some of the new toys in the box to pull out on future rainy days as a means of surprise (especially considering the boys’ birthdays fall right before Christmas so there are no other official gift giving opportunities throughout the year). Again, no difference.

I looked at the huge mound of toys on Christmas day evening. It was clear. The tree was going to have to come down early and I was going to have to bite the bullet: I was going to have to buy a real toy box. I looked at prices online, sucked it up and bought one in the next city over. We took down the tree. And we now have a toy corner. In our living room. Which is something I never thought I would do. But I seem to have done. Don’t judge me. I like having the boys in the room with us.

Someday I will have a living room that is decorated with… wait, what do people decorate with if it isn’t toys? I mean, at least the toy box was the Little Tikes Americana one and matches our living room, right? Do I get bonus points for matching the toy box to our colors? Do I? Someone say yes, please.

All the same, I’m please to finally have a real toy box. I think. And, yes, BigBrother has already climbed in and LittleBrother has dropped the lid on his head. Fun times, I tell you. Fun times.

More on this in just a bit. For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Hits with BigBrother

Other than his bed, BigBrother is digging his Dinoco Helicopter from the movie Cars. It was the only thing that he asked for this year: a blue helicopter. He was enthralled with it on Christmas morning. It had to travel with us on Christmas Day. It went with him to visit Papau and Yia Yia this weekend and rode with him, in his seat, on his way back home. It is rather noisy, I admit, but it also makes me smile. (Recommended for ages 4-8 due to small pieces.)

Second in the love line is the Fisher-Price Little People Fire Truck Ball Pit (that I mentioned in one of our fire fighter themed gift guides). In fact, this is greatly loved by both boys. I will admit that the 25 balls that come with the ball pit are not enough to cover your foot and, as such, you need to get more balls. We have 100 more in there now and it seems to be enough (though I could probably fit another 100 in there just fine). BigBrother loves this fire truck. He likes driving and pretending that Fire Pup is sitting next to him (as he is painted on one window). LittleBrother loves climbing in and out. This was a dual hit.

Hits with LittleBrother

As you can see in this picture, LittleBrother loves his Vtech Sit to Stand Alphabet Train. I’m really liking it as well even if it doesn’t have volume control. (I really like when toys offer two options for volume. It’s my sanity switch.) All the same, he likes putting the letter blocks into the engine and watching them shoot into the caboose. I think that in itself is doing wonders for his manual dexterity because he also, probably the day after Christmas, was able to put money into his piggy bank. Yay for toys that aid in development! BigBrother also likes this toy and has been telling LittleBrother all about the letters. A bit above him, yes, but right now sitting, riding, pushing and playing with blocks are acceptable as well. (Recommended for ages 12 months – 3 years.)

He also likes his Playskool Wheel Pals Triple Track Tower (that’s a mouthful). This was a gift from someone and, I must say, a good one. LittleBrother will play with it without sound, just simply enjoying sending the cars flying with a press of a button. BigBrother insists on sound. I’ve had to help LittleBrother learn how to place the cars but he even enjoys when they tumble down sideways. He’s rather easy to please. (Recommended for 12 months – 3 years.)

Hits with FireDad

I’m sure that his answer will eventually be his laptop. But it’s being sent off for return and repair due to a backlighting issue (or lack thereof). So, right now? Call of Duty: World at War for Wii (with the shot gun thing) is his favorite. (A small note: no, he doesn’t play it when children are awake in the house.) I would like to brag a second about this gift. Three days before Christmas, he was talking about it. He hadn’t mentioned it before but he was suddenly raving over it and how someone at work said it was awesome. As he is telling me all of this, I logged into Amazon, put it in my cart (along with the gun thing), used a gift certificate, used my free Prime shipping and smiled and nodded at him the whole time. I’m rather sneaky.

Hits with FireMom

I’ll be honest. I’m pretty easy when it comes to gifts. But my favorite gift this year? (And I got some really nice things, folks.) It’s a laundry basket. With reinforced handles. No, I’m serious. Not only do I now have enough baskets for my laundering needs but this one is now my haul-up-and-down-the-steps-to-the-laundry-room basket. You know, since it has reinforced handles and isn’t all broken and, therefore, doesn’t fold in half when I try to pick it up and hold it against my hip. The lack of folding in half, of course, allows the clothes to stay in all the way up the steps. It’s a miracle!

There were many, many other toys and books and articles of clothing and games and so on. In fact, we’re going to have to make a new rule about presents and birthday/Christmas season for next year. But more on that tomorrow.

I actually grabbed this Little People Fire Truck Ball Pit the night before Thanksgiving in another site’s sale. I sat there with it in my cart for awhile before deciding that, yes, I was just going to buy it. What’s not to love? It’s a fire truck! And a ball pit! It’s a double win! I can’t wait to see TheBrothers’ faces when they see it on Christmas morning. And, yes, I’ll be honest. I just want to sit in it. It’s true.

This fire house play tent is a good way to create a fire house atmosphere in any room. Also? I always wanted a play tent but I never had one. All the same, imagine your kids riding their fire truck ride-on(s) in and out of this tent on a cold winter’s day. It gives them the ability to think they’re outside playing (see the fake bushes?) and fosters imagination. That’s good!

And if you have more money than me, well, you can go the route of a Five Alarm Firehouse Playhouse. No, the Fire Family does not own this piece and, looking at the price, we will likely never own something on this level. (Though I’m pretty sure I can talk my Dad into making something eventually.) But really? Go look at that thing. It’s got a loft. And a pole to slide down. And the big barn doors! And! And! Okay, I’ll be honest. I want it just for myself. Not the kids. I want to go sit out there and read a book. And slide down the pole. Kind of. My guess is, again, looking at the cost is that many a firefighter’s kid won’t be playing in that particular house. All the same, maybe you have some rich relatives who are asking what Tommy and Janey want for Christmas. Start big. Go with this one. (Or? The even more expensive Olde Firehouse. Eep.)

I’ve really enjoyed bringing you a wide range of firefighter related gift ideas all week. I hope that you have found some ideas for your firefighter or fire truck lover. Happy Holidays from the Fire family!

I’ll start off first with two little playsets for your youngest wannabe firefighters. They’re both made by Gund (and we have one of them). The first is “My Heroes” Fireman set that comes with a fire house carrying case, fireman, dalmatian and a water bucket. The little carrying case even has a little road in it. It’s adorable. The other is almost the same but is a Fire Truck playset. The top of the fire truck unzips to reveal a fireman, dalmatian (which barks) and fire hydrant (which squeaks). LittleBrother enjoys putting things (anything!) into and taking things out of the fire truck. They are soft, durable and, win, washable!

If you’re very into wooden toys for your children, the options are endless for you right now when it comes to fire houses and playsets. There’s the KidKraft Fire Station which is brightly colored. I must say that I enjoy the black and white checkered floor on the upper level of this fire house! It was also an award winner in 2005. To boot, this one is set on a swiveling base so it turns 360 degrees. No getting up to walk around the table just to get to the other side! This one from FAO Schwartz is big! It stands 14 inches tall and is 26 inches wide! WOW! I love the little bunk beds in the sleeping quarters of the fire house. It is, of course, rather pricey but pretty darn nice. Surprisingly less pricey and less detailed but just as fun (because it is a fire house) is the one offered by Pottery Barn. As I said, because I saw it in person, it does have less detailing and, unlike the other two, the fire trucks and firefighters are sold separately. (The two previous ones included fire trucks, firefighters and other accessories.) But if you have to go Pottery Barn, it’s an option. This one from Small World toys isn’t too shabby either, featuring more bright coloring (not all red). It, unlike the Pottery Barn, also includes many accessories. Because they’re smart.

For kids a bit older and still in love with fire fighting, this playset is too awesome. I’m infatuated with it. It starts out as a fire truck and then unfolds into a whole playset. It’s a like a transformer but cooler! I can’t tell if it “holds” regular Hot Wheels sized trucks and cars or if they would be Matchbox car size. (Anyone know?) Too fun! Just fold it up and go!

I could really go on for hours. Mainly because I sit and look at these for hours. When they arrive in catalogs, I sit and drool and imagine and play with them in my head. We’re waiting one more year to buy one of these sets (meaning, the non-baby ones) as I worry that LittleBrother will swallow a chair or something. But you can bet that one of these will be on our Christmas list next year.

All this week Stop, Drop & Blog will be bringing you gift ideas for the firefighters or fire truck loving children in your lives! Tomorrow I’ll be highlighting some gifts for the adult firefighters on your shopping list since I’ve just spent two days focused on toys!