TOYS

I love toys. A couple of days ago I ordered two of these:

One for here, for Zachary, Shabree and Mathieu (and me!) to use, and one to send to Ashlyn and Alyson in Florida. I found out about this really cool toy from Maggie at http://closeddooropenwindow.blogspot.com/ . It was mentioned and linked in her January 10th blog entry. I read up on it, and ordered it from Amazon.

EDIT: It's a Wild Planet Hyper Dash. Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Wild Planet's Hyper Dash will challenge you to be your best! It takes no time at all to learn, but selectable skill levels and four completely different game modes mean the challenge will always keep you busy. Hyper Dash consists of one electronic tagger and five different colored and numbered targets. The tagger plays pre-recorded music and calls out which targets you need to strike. It tracks the amount of time taken to complete each course. There's no limit to the distance between targets. Farther targets result in more running and exercise. Hyper Dash can be played indoors or outdoors; solo, in pairs, or in teams. As your speed, skill and agility improve, the series of commands becomes longer and more challenging. Level one calls out the colors you need to tag, level two includes numbers, level three adds special commands (Double Strike, Triple Strike, Reverse, Double Reverse) and level four features Compu-Strike (addition/subtraction problems in which you tag the sum or difference of the numbers called out). Other play modes include the memory game of Micro Dash and multi-player relay races that promote teamwork. For a game of Hide ¿n' Dash, let your opponent hide the targets before you begin. Every game has encouraging cheers and upbeat music to keep kids on their feet, expending energy and having fun.

Product Description
It's the electronic game that's as fast as you are. Test your speed and agility in a race against time using five targets and an electronic handheld unit. To start, set up your targets on the table, around the room, around the house or throughout the yard. Then, follow the announcer's commands as you zip around your racecourse to tag your targets with the handheld unit. The fastest time wins. Features four game modes that challenge your speed, skill, memory, coordination and teamwork. Includes ergonomically designed Hyper Dash unit and five labelled targets. Requires 3 "AAA" batteries, not included. Measures 4.5"L x 12"W x 10"H.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?!

Speaking of toys, our oldest son, Stewart, got us a HUGE wall mounted tv for Christmas. Video games are really great on it. ;) Garrett got Shabree a Wii for Christmas, and although, so far, I don't like it all that much, it was fun playing Cooking Mama (about as enthused as I will ever get over cooking, I suppose.) and Sports on it. Sports - the grandkids all prefer boxing, while Chuck likes the golf, and I like... um, well, anything but boxing, I suppose. Good grief! Shabree wore me out with that one! It is way too much jumping around and swinging for me. Exhausting!
I don't have anything against the Wii, really, it's just that I shop 'games' and then buy the system that will play them. Sports and Cooking Mama - meh... But I do hope she brings the Wii back with her this weekend when she comes. Maybe I can stand a chance to beat her at bowling or tennis or baseball. Maybe...