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Last week the weather was cold and rainy. Simply the perfect conditions for me as my kids were driving me crazy. It never ceases to amaze me; the times when my children seem to annoy me the most are the times in which I am unable to get outside with them. It’s like forced torture with additional cabin fever.
You know the moment when you have completely reached your threshold and there is no escape? Well, that was me on this particular day.
I was done.
Truly, it was one of those days where I had enough.
So, that’s when I ran upstairs and went straight for my chotchkie drawer. Every Theta Mom needs a chotchkie drawer. You know, the one filled with useless crap that you purchase at the dollar store? It’s the drawer containing all of that cheap, junkie toy-garbage that your kids drool over because it’s wrapped and it’s new.
{If you don’t yet have a chotchkie drawer, I strongly suggest you make one. Immediately. It could save a life.}
So, as I reached into my bag of tricks, I found this beauty I picked up in one of the dollar bins at Target called Grow Capsules:
You fill a cup up with warm water and throw one of those suckers in.
Then, you watch your children scream and shout with delight as the capsules begin to “come alive.” Seriously, my kids were mesmerized. And there were so many beautiful moments of silence when they excitedly waited for the creatures to “come to life.”
This process takes about 4-5 minutes for each capsule…and it comes with 12 of those capsules…catch my drift? We are talking almost an hour of solid entertainment.
Yes kids, truly magical.
So there you have it. It only takes a buck at Target to entertain my kids on a cold and rainy afternoon with a little help from my chotchkie drawer…
Which saved a piece of my sanity.
{ 106 comments… read them below or add one }
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Twitter: ThetaMom
January 24, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Oh yes Staci – Target is totally Tar-zay…but yes, the chotchkie drawer (by my definition) is the one that has unopened stuff (still crap) whereas a “junk” drawer has the coupons form 5 years ago, pens, etc…chotchkie is all the cheap toy garbage my kids love!
I bought those grow capsules for my daughter and pulled them out on exactly the type of day you describe. I must have bought the “lemons” though because they did. not. work! We waited and watched and waited and watched and in the end, maybe one little corner of something was peaking out of the capsule, but that’s it! My daughter was in hysterical tears from BOREDOME in waiting for them to grow. Ugh.
BUT, that being said, I agree… a drawer like you describe is a life. saver. As long as the kids don’t know where it is and don’t take the things out on their own!
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 24, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Becca – Great point! Mine is upstairs in MY bedroom so the kids don’t go in there…exactly right, if they knew where the goods were, the “surprise” would be over!
Twitter: SusanFobes
January 24, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Boy, it’s been a while since I stopped by. Blogger doesn’t clue me in when you post, so I suscribed to keep in touch. Thanks for your kind words the other day!
Oh, and I tagged you for a “10 things that make me happy” meme. Come on by to see…
I never had a chotsie drawer but my mother-in-law did for her grandchildren. She had gems from yesteryear of all sorts. It was a true treasure chest.
Twitter: tattytiara
January 24, 2010 at 9:07 pm
That qualifies as genius in my book.
Twitter: goodgirlgonered
January 24, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Absolutely perfect. I just posted something similar about needing some TIME. TO MYSELF.
I have a sort of similar space, but she gets into things and finds them before I’m ready to give them to her! ARGH! SO frustrating!!!
You’re a magical mommy!
Twitter: clueless_mama
January 25, 2010 at 1:40 am
Okay, how did you even come up with the name for your bag of tricks drawer? I love those capsules too. My son thinks they are so much fun! Glad you had your cotchkie drawer and your sanity left!
Twitter: aidenscross
January 25, 2010 at 2:10 am
Hey there! thanks for visiting my blog sista! I love this idea, btw. I always just resort to paints and colors but NEW STUFF!! He will be so excited.
Bummer 
All I have is feed burner and email subscripts….
You asked me about GFC on my blog….it doesn’t work with the wordpress.com platform…wordpress.org only from what I can find out
You’re learning all the mama tricks early aren’t you?? WAY TO GO! What do you have in that bag of tricks for teens?? ha ha Have a great day ~ ♥
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 25, 2010 at 6:56 am
Clueless Mama – I came up with it because that’s exactly what that stuff is…chotchkie!
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 25, 2010 at 6:56 am
The Imperfect Housewife – That was asked in another comment, I need to think about that one! lol
Twitter: MollySBaker
January 25, 2010 at 7:12 am
love those things. and once they dry, they’re perfect to use to make pictures with washable paint!
that is amazing and perfect. Thanks for the tip..
Happy MOnday..
Twitter: 7clowncircus
January 25, 2010 at 7:54 am
If I had a chotchkie drawer maybe my jeans wouldn’t have been ruined. And, for the record, I got a screaming deal on those jeans. I only paid about 25% of what they normally cost. BUT still. I agonized for days about whether to sell them on ebay and make about $100 or keep them…….:)
Twitter: hrtsmakefamily
January 25, 2010 at 8:11 am
I did this with my kids. I didn’t think about keeping a drawer though. Thats a great idea.
YES! (she screams out orgasmically!) To the chotchke drawer and the grow capsules. My kids (boys ages 2 & 4) love those things. Now you guys are probably very organized with your drawers. I have a chotchke house…
Twitter: mayaleerickards
January 25, 2010 at 8:30 am
Awesome idea! I’m starting my own drawer today. Mostly just as an excuse to shop the dollar section at Target.
Wow – sanity saved for only a buck!! Awesome
Twitter: http://la-mode-at.blogspot.com
January 25, 2010 at 9:08 am
oh wow neat!!! I should try this when they get a bit older,,, sorry been gone for a min , been a bit busy!
but am back 
Yep! Those little growing creatures…and drawers are brilliant!
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 25, 2010 at 9:47 am
SO glad to see you back Nikki!
Twitter: orangepeelings
January 25, 2010 at 9:57 am
I definitely need to get a drawer like this. You’re so right…it could save a life.
My son loves those stupid grow things…hours of entertainment. And then they become bath toys!
Until the baby tries to eat them…
Twitter: Kamsgirl
January 25, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Love the dollar bin @ Target !! and so does my 6 year old !!
Hi,
Just wanted to stop by and introduce myself; I’m Kellie from Women’s Life Link. I found you at mycup2yours.com. Genny is a great bloggy friend. I love your idea about the “drawer” for “those times” when you are…well, spent. I have a toddler who is daily getting more difficult to entertain.
Anyway, have a good day and hang in there!
Kellie
Twitter: hotflashinqueen
January 25, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I love my drawer….I go to it often as well!
Twitter: BlondeAmbitionJ
January 25, 2010 at 12:32 pm
My twin boys are only 7 months old, so I haven’t needed a chotchkie drawer yet, but I am totally filing this idea away! Thanks
~Jenn from Blonde Ambition
Twitter: BOREDmommy
January 25, 2010 at 12:56 pm
I love the dollar section at Target – perfect for inexpensive crapola that kids LOVE and will amuse for those much needed moments – and you don’t feel bad throwing it out when you’re done!
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 25, 2010 at 12:57 pm
That’s exactly what I do Jennifer. Whenever one of my friends (of older children) tells me about something that worked for them, even if I couldn’t do it at the time, I remembered it for when the time was right.
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 25, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Bored Mommy – Exactly! And trust me, that crapola gets thrown out and new crapola fills my chotchkie drawer! lol
Twitter: blogmom221
January 25, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I love it! I thought I was the only one who hoards the cheap dollar toys to entertain my daughter on days where she refuses to do anything but drive me crazy. Of course, my chotchkie drawer is a paper bag with handles (so its portable) in our hall closet. Of course, it needs a new home since my daughter just figured out how to open doors and she found the bag (and all of her craft stuff).
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 25, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Yes Joy – That is the trick (not letting them know where you hide the chotchkie stuff)!
I’m really gonna have to write this stuff down…and yes, familiar with the Target bins…awesome idea! Now if I can only figure out how to pronounce chotchkie…I’ll really be cookin’ when I have kids.
Just 1 more week ’til prego test time…gotta love TTC!
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 25, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Oooh POM, I can’t wait to hear the news!
Twitter: jamiemori
January 25, 2010 at 3:17 pm
I’ve actually got two chotchkie drawers, one for in the house and one in the car truck for long rides, long waits in lines or to get seated at a restaurant. My favs for supplys are Target and Michaels.
Twitter: jamiemori
January 25, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Thanks! Ditto to looking forward to our future communications.
Excellent idea!!
Can’t wait to tell my daughter!!
Twitter: and_dad_too
January 25, 2010 at 4:38 pm
LOL. I agree with you and my son LOVES those water things. I hate them because once they grow and my son plays with it for 5 minutes it goes right into the trash.
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 25, 2010 at 4:43 pm
That’s part of the beauty though, Rob. A chotchkie drawer is filled with chotchkie stuff to be thrown out after using!
Heather, this is too cute. What a neat idea. Thanks for the tip!!! I laughed the entire time I read the post. Love how you put things!!!
Love ya,
Jasmine
Twitter: StrollerBallet
January 25, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Oh I used to LOVE those little grow things when I was a little girl.
Sounds like you guys ended up having a nice day, event hough it didn’t start out so nice!
Oh I just love it!! I need one of those drawers
Thanks for sharing. I had to give myself a mommy time out today. Maybe I needed something silly like this to remind me to chill out and watch in wonder. I forget little sprouts still have so much they have yet to see, learn and experience.
I’m going to get myself a “chotchkie drawer”
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 25, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Oh yeah Rebecca – Do yourself a favor and make one!
Ha! Yes, we have tried these before… they are fun.. and of so weird, no? Haha!
Twitter: MyFavEverything
January 25, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Brilliant! The drawer sounds like a best friend for when those moments strike!!
We definitely have one of those. Why is it that kids love dollar toys so much? We have tons of those grow capsules set aside!
Chotchkie is so much more sophisticated than “junk.” But I have those drawers, none the less. Since my kids are grown, mine are filled with, hmm…
well, it’s better I don’t tell, since one of the things I do is help people get organized!
Brilliant! I need to get a drawer started.
Twitter: ThetaMom
January 26, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Unknown Mami, you will be so glad you did!
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