This is the first year that Sophia really understands Christmas, Santa, presents, toys. We reviewed all kinds of toy catalogs every night in December. She knows that Santa makes tons of toys and delivers on Christmas eve. She wasn't sure what she really wanted, she thought everything on the catalog, on TV was cool, and wanted everything. But when we saw the Elmo Pizza toy on YouTube, she was obsessed and decided that was what she wanted Santa to bring.
Of course she received way more than Elmo Pizza, she was overwhelmed on Christmas morning. When she opened a new toy, she said "Mom, this is my favorite", every time. Now her favorite person in the world is "Santa", she can't wait for next year.
Here are some reviews of her toys, from a mom's point of view.
Leapster Lmax
Her big ticket present is Leapfrog Leapster Lmax, with a Dora game. I thought it was a little too advanced for her, the toy is for 4-10 years old. However Sophia can handle almost all Level one Dora games, to my surprise, and she loves it. I wasn't so sure about paying extra for Lmax, because the TV version of the game is not very impressive. Again, Sophia enjoys a lot, she loves to play it on her small LCD TV, and she can even do the pen button correctly. So, overall it's a great investment (it's an expensive toy), we'll give her more games next year.
Elmo Pizza
To me, it's a very noisy toy, and does nothing. I won't pay full price for it. The song is cute, but silly. The only good thing is that it makes Sophia eat lots of Pizza in the last two weeks, because she thought Elmo made the pizza, she wanted to eat more. Other than that Sophia doesn't play much, she's more interested in Elmo Pizza in YouTube than in real life.
TMX Ernie
Last year, TMX Elmo was the biggest toy of the year. Sophia loves it but I wasn't able to get one before Christmas. So this year I got an Ernie for her. Again she showed great interest when she saw it on YouTube but was scared in real life. Now she's used to the movement and voice of this Ernie toy, not as scared as the beginning. This is a neat toy but may scare the little kids, and eats lots lots lots of batteries.
Blueman Keyboard
This is very cool, great for all ages, even me, but Sophia is a little too young to enjoy the cool features. The good side is that it will have many years of use. The only complain is the package was too complicate to open, and the stupid instruction to open it is inside the box.
Dora ABC Game
Don't buy this. This game is made cheap and boring. Sophia only played once and never touched again.
Dora Candy Land Game
Great first board game for Dora Fan. Sophia loves it and asks to play with me all the time. She learned color, number, take turns and much more. She also has fun choosing figures, figures are cute.
Sesame Street Giggle Medical Kit
This is a very cute toy. Sophia loves it, and plays it everyday. Even though it doesn't look like real ones but designed cute, fun and sturdy, and the carrying case is very useful, too. I think every child will love this. The only thing need to improve is the case is too small, Sophia can never fit in everything by herself, I need to help her.
Hasbro Playskool Bulls-Eye Bounce & Roll
This is a very fun toy. I even enjoys it a lot. Sophia is a little too young, can hardly understand all rules but will definitely like it in the near future. So no regret.
Hasbro Playskool Kid Motion Bounce 'N Go Inch-Along
This would have been perfect if I gave Sophia last year. It's more for a 2 years old, but Sophia still likes it a lot, and it saves daddy to be a bouncy horse. It's a great toy but need space to play.
LeapFrog Fridge Farm Magnetic Animal Set
Again Sophia is a little old for this toy, it's more for a 1.5 to 2 years old. I was going to buy the
LeapFrog Word Whammer Fridge Phonics Set at the beginning but was afraid that is too educational. I wanted her to have fun with toys. Thinking of having #2 on the way, this won't be a waste, so I went ahead and got this one. To my big surprise, Sophia loves this toy and can't put it down. Great buy!
Dr. Seuss's board books
I always love to buy books for Sophia. Because Sophia loves books, books take little space, books are fun and educational. We have almost every Dr. Seuss's book and we love to read them together all the time. But when I saw amazon deal of Dr. Seuss's books I can't help jumping. I ended up with 12 board books. I thought this short version will be perfect for Sophia to read by herself and great for the new baby next year. The result was great. Sophia loves all of them and can't put down. Those books are very nice, cute, fun, better than any other toys. You will never have enough books, never have enough Dr Seuss's books.
My First LeapPad® Book: Thomas and the School Trip
This is Sophia's stocking stuffer. She got my first Leappad last year, she was too young to play it at the time but she can play everything of it now. She already has 10 books but still keeps asking for a Thomas book. This gift was not a waste, she plays it more than other books. Overall her favorite first leappad books are "Leap's big day" "Dora" "Princess", never likes the "Dr Seuss's foot book". I believe every child has a different interest.
Fisher Price Sweet Street Collection
This was given to Sophia before Christmas. It was a big playset, made very well, sturdy, great detail, great fun, a big hit, much better than I expected. It will be great for all 3 -8 years old sweet girls. Sophia spent lots of time playing. The sad thing is they're discontinued.
Little People Tube
Little People by fisher price was my favorite toy when Sophia was one year old, because they're so adorable and the size is just right for little hands. I bought almost all playsets on the market at the time. They still takes lots of space in our playroom. Since a couple months ago, I found Sophia lost interest in little people. So I decided not to buy any more of them even with great deals. A couple day ago Daddy bought this little people tube for Sophia as a small treat. She was really happy and even took out her little people doll house and figures to play, I mean play a whole hour all by herself, talking to her little people. It seems like little people is still a toy she loves to play. Maybe I should keep buying these little things.
Now thinking of birthday in 2 weeks, more toys, presents, will she be spoiled?
Labels: SuperSophia
