Toys in review

Before last Saturday, I thought that we had a fine selection of beeping, talking, musical toys. I now realize, however, how wrong I was. We did not have anywhere NEAR enough. Fortunately, with the arrival of Action Hero's first birthday, which relatives helped us celebrate on Saturday, that terrible lack has been remedied.

The toy of the hour, in fact the toy of the year, is called My First Electronic Ride-on. It looks sort of like this, without the fire engine motif. It does feature some fire-engine sound effects, however, along with some police-car sound effects, a horn, some music, and various other noises. And it does not have an adjustable volume, and its volume is set at Pretty Darn Loud, thanks. I am really happy we got a pushing-type toy, as Action Hero has started pushing the laundry baskets, dining chairs, and end tables around in the absence of noisy plastic push toys. Action Hero loves this toy; he spent much of Saturday evening pushing it back and forth between the kitchen and living room. Finally, as it was getting pretty late, he trundled it into the kitchen...and, to our surprise, came back without it. (Dragon asked him, quite seriously, "Did you go park your car?" He had, under the kitchen table.) Being Action Hero, he has since figured out how to stand up on its seat and wave his arms gaily in the air. Today, he used it as a step, and he can now climb up on both the couch and the futon. Heaven help us all.

Next, he received a toy guitar, which also doubles as a toy violin (complete with toy bow). It is almost as tall as he is, but he likes it. So does Boy Wonder. Conveniently, this one has a volume switch, and is easily kept at a reasonable volume.

Another gift that's appreciated by both boys: a pinball machine. No volume button; riotous music; festive lights.

The musical ladybug pull toy went over well with all of the children in attendance. In fact, little twenty-month-old Cousin M grabbed it nonchalantly on her way out the door, perhaps thinking to slip it under her coat. It is bigger than her head, so that didn't work so well. Action Hero barely noticed the ladybug on Saturday, but by Sunday evening was merrily pulling it around.

A frog book, which says "Ribbit! Ribbit!" loudly, provided ME some amusement last night, as I pressed the button repeatedly and watched Action Hero try to figure out where the noise was coming from. He was pleased to find the book, and chewed off a corner of the cover before dropping the book and heading back to his ride-on toy.

Which, duh. I can let y'all know exactly what it looks like, with a serious driver besides. Here you go.