There’s a dollar store on the main drag in our town. We used to live pretty close to it; the kids could walk there and it was one of their favorite places to blow their allowances (when we finally paid them).
In addition to candy, they had. . . crap.
Or, if you view the world from #4’s eyes, Glorious Treasures. She’s a generous kid and sometimes would come back with something for us.
These are some of her gifts.
Love Cat, given to us just because:
This is a crappy picture, but it’s a girl bear talking on her cell phone. The caption reads “Girl on the Go!” and #4 gave it to CC for his birthday:
An excellent thing about these pictures is that you can check out my mad housekeeping skills.
This next one isn’t from the dollar store, but all these live on the dresser together. One of my favorite things ever: a Father’s Day gift that she made in Art. She was the only one in her class that needed two pots:
She is the little one in the first pot with CC and I, and says that the one with the split head in the other pot is #1.
I love this one because we share neither his ethnicity nor his level of devotion. Sometimes he’s inspiring. Other times he’s judging me:
This is another “just because” gift:
Seriously. Just Because.
We finally got to buy a house and when we moved, the dollar store was no longer an easy walk for the kids. I drove past the other day and noticed they’d gone out of business. I feel somewhat responsible.
JM Randolph, accidentalstepmom 
Of course you feel responsible. But what do you get for just because gifts now?
Chris
She’s taken to painting things now. But this means that I have to buy her those little canvas boards at the craft store, so the just because gifts cost me more money.
I love the rock family!!! Awesome stuff…thanks for the smile and for the great blog, I am glad I found you 🙂
I am glad I found you too!
I love, love, love this one….my boys used to do the same thing! I happen to be using a “hugs and kisses” mug one of them got me right now. I know, the coffee mug seems to be theme with me this week.
Two mugs. One theme of love. Two VERY different associations!
I am childless, so I don’t get these little burnt offerings, but I sure do remember making/getting them for my parents when I was younger. Remember the Santa Store at school!? That place was a junk-o-plex of epic proportions, and my family would happily give me ten bucks to buy crap for them they didn’t need. Good times, man. Good times. 🙂 Thanks for making me laugh this morning!
The current politically correct term is the “Holly Jolly Mall”. They had a contest to come up with that name (my kids didn’t win; they probably suggested something about death). They do have some amazing crap there.
When I was a kid there was a dollar store at the mall and I would buy so much crap for my parents. My mom’s name is Iris, she had to deal with getting everything and anything that sported an iris.
Everything is a dollar, because that’s all they can get for it. However, when crap is giving to you “just because”, it’s priceless or a least priceless enough to make the move to your new house.
I’m hopeless. I can’t throw any of it away.
It’s hard to believe they could have gone out of business offering such great merchandise.
Lovely – you are blessed with such war-hearted littlies 🙂
Oooh sorry – meant WARM-HEARTED not war :O
Actually, I think both terms apply.
Thankfully, Australia doesn’t have Dollar Store. I have been in the USA ones. I’m glad we don’t have them. ‘nough said!
I can send you some things if you like.
Thanks for your “kind” offer, but I’ll pass!
In 4 months I too will be an accidental stepmom. Your blog gives me tips on how to handle the boys only they are younger than your kids but I now have an idea on what to expect. and as for the ‘just because’ gifts: welcome them at least she thought of you and is generous.
I always love it whenever one of them says, “I got you something!”. Even if it turns out to be scary.
“Dad Rocks”…classic! And I feel so much better about the dust I’m looking at right now. Phew.
Hey, that’s what I’m here for!
Love the rock family! I have my own little collection of these “collectibles” now. I am still hoping to come up with some very clever way to display them tastefully in our home. Any ideas???!
I’m actually looking for that too. I’m thinking a small wall-mount shelf or those shadow box things, but right now they’re just kind of kicking around.
I love the rocks! Thanks for sharing.