Maybe you’re headed out on the town tonight, in which case I say: Good for you. For me, my days of elegant New Year’s Eve soirées ended with the birth of my first child. I know it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way, but the truth is that I don’t really miss being out amongst a lot of drunk people. Staying home suits me just fine.

It can be a challenge, though, to make it a memorable night when you have kids. When they’re very little, it’s easy enough to put them to bed and then toast the new year in front of the television. The only problem with that is that such young children generally rise at the crack of dawn… making it a very early (and grumpy) morning to greet the new year.

So how can the whole family enjoy the night? Well, we’ve done various things with our kids. I’m a big fan of the New Year’s Eve movie marathon—the kids relish the opportunity to stay up late, and after a couple of movies back-to-back are usually amenable to shuffling off to bed following a quick ginger ale toast. We’ve also done a late-night (and in our family, that doesn’t need to be any later than about 9:30 or so) family game night to bid the year farewell.

I went looking for some new ideas this year, and of course there’s no shortage of brilliant suggestions out there. This article has numerous tips, including setting a clock ahead to make kids feel like they’ve stayed up until midnight. (I’ve never done that, and don’t think I probably would, but for very young children it would be a doable ruse, I think.)

Family Fun magazine highlights some great ideas, including various twists on family albums (asking the same questions each year, for example, and recording the answers for posterity) and spending New Year’s Day doing something new.

And over at Disney’s Family.com they’re talking New Year’s Resolutions. Reading through their lists made me think that I should be thinking less about what I want for the coming year and more about what we as a family should be striving towards together.

Whatever you decide to do with your kids to ring in the new year, I hope it’s a wonderful one. See you in 2008!

My kids have been watching the commercials for The Water Horse for weeks (months?) now, and begging to go see it. But I have a rule about what movies we choose to see—I never pick something based on the commercials alone.

(Sometimes a really lousy movie has a really great commercial, you know.)

Anyway, I generally wait for the movie to come out and the reviews to come around, and then I make a decision. It saves us the annoyance of trooping all the way to the cinema and paying too much money for something we would’ve changed the channel on, at home.

So The Water Horse opened on Christmas Day and I checked it out over at Rotten Tomatoes with much trepidation. How was it?

Well, the good news is that the last time I checked, the Tomatometer stood at a very respectable 71% favorable. The more interesting news is that reviewers seemed to love it or hate it—there was very little in-between.

So you have the props like this:

The best kiddie picture of the season — and, along with Ratatouille, of the year.
Ella Taylor, L.A. WEEKLY

And pans like this:

Nessie lays an egg literally and figuratively in this inoffensive, visually attractive but highly derivative family movie about a boy and his beastie.
Frank Swietek, ONE GUY’S OPINION

I liked Christy Lemire’s review the best, and she—like many others—draws a comparison to E.T., which seems apt. She also points out parts of the movie that very small children may find too scary, which I always find useful to know before deciding whether or not to let my kids see something.

Overall, I’m left with the impression that this will be a fun movie. And if it’s not, I guess Frank Swietek can tell me that he told me so.

Happy day-after-Christmas! I hope that if your family celebrated the holiday, you had a good one. My children went positively out of their minds with the overwhelming glee of a day spent wearing matching pajamas and playing with new toys.

We tried to get my son to tell anyone who asked, this year, to respond that all he wanted for Christmas was his two front teeth (they are still MIA). He—being rather a bit too literal for his own good—was game enough to play along, but not to lie. So if you asked, he would tell you “Well, I would really like my two front teeth, but I am also hoping to get maybe some other things, like maybe some Legos or a video game or something!”

That kid just doesn’t understand the importance of holding back a little bit for comedic effect.

I had the opportunity to play with a wii for the very first time (not ours) this week, and I finally understand what all the fuss is about. (It’s true, it’s a lot of fun.) But I’m still (grudgingly) glad that we don’t have one at home. Maybe I’m just an old curmudgeon (ya think?), but I always prefer to watch my kids using their imaginations with a toy rather than just plugging into a video game. Even a really, really, really cool video game.

My son’s non-teeth wishes were granted, and he busied himself building things and vrooming some vehicles around. My daughter is reaching the age where she’ll soon have outgrown dolls altogether, but this year, Santa brought her a special new doll and she was thrilled. Oh sure, later on in the day she was back to being a normal kid (translation: whining about something), but for a few magical hours, all really was calm and bright.

For those of you parents celebrating Christmas tomorrow, if your life is anything like mine, the notion of a silent night is sounding pretty good right about now. But today… well, you’re probably having a crazy day, whether it’s last-minute planning or kids all excited or whatever.

Take a moment. Breeeeeeeeeathe. Doesn’t that feel better?

No?

Hey, I tried.

While you count down to the big day, here are a few distractions my family has enjoyed. I share them because I care. And also because I need to go finish baking cookies. Details.

My favorite Christmas performance this season, bar none:

(Watch it even if you’re Jewish. I promise it’s worth it.)

If you haven’t done this already, there’s still time to go elf yourself!

And don’t forget that tonight you can gather round ye olde laptop and track Santa’s progress. My kids still look forward to this one every year.

Merry Christmas from everyone here at Ty’s Toy Box! I would give each of you a cookie, if I could. Truly. (And then I’d tell you to go clean your room or Santa isn’t coming. My kids are so lucky to have me!)

The swell of passion for all things Transformers continues unabated, and Cartoon Network is hoping to get a piece of the pie—the brand new Transformers: Animated show will premiere on Wednesday, December 26th. This is great news, right? I mean, there was a popular Transformers cartoon on when I was a kid, and a new one would have to be even better. Right?

Ummm….

Look; I have to tell you right up front that some of this is lost on me. It could be because Transformers have never really intrigued me all that much or because it annoyed me that a kids’ show was made into something for adults or because I don’t possess the Y chromosome necessary to really “get” them, but I read this stuff and it all sounds like Charlie Browns teacher to me. (”Wah wah wah wah wah.”) Regardless, for the fans out there this stuff is important, and I will try to summarize as best I can.

If you want to read a great rundown of the debate and the fallout go here for Steve Fritz’s account and lots of interesting comments.

Seriously, wars have been fought with less passion and vigor than what Transformer fans exhibit in the defense of their favorite incarnations of the robots in disguise.

So, you think Marty Isenberg isn’t getting ready for this? Actually, as the former Story Editor of Beast Machines he’s more than aware of what’s to come.

“T-fans are clearly very passionate. I found that out the hard way,” says the current story editor of Transformers: Animated, which makes its debut on Cartoon Network on Wednesday, December 26 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. “While I don’t think we’ll make them all happy, I’m encouraged by the early largely positive response to the various clips that have gotten out there. I fully expect the inevitable backlash to come as the series progresses. While I’m happy when fans like my work, ultimately it’s more important what kids 6-11 think of it.”

Fritz runs down the story changes, then ends with:

As for what I think of the show? Based on the pilot movie and first true episode, I liked what I saw. Fans of Isenberg’s work should remember the man can put together intricate and well-conceived story arcs. Yes, I don’t truly cotton to Wyatt’s character design, it’s too round and loose for me, but it doesn’t offend me either. The voice cast is truly up to the job though, and I can’t wait to see what characters are introduced as the show moves through its first 26 episodes.

So let the old timers wail, drape themselves in ash and sackcloth. This Transformers, as Isenberg noted, is not for them. And I get the feeling it will do quite well with its own generation of fans.

In summary: Kids will like it. Rabid adult fans probably won’t. Also: Wah wah wah wah wah. (That was for my fellow moms. You’re welcome.)

I just love the stuff they come up with over at RetroCrush, because—even though it makes me feel old, to read over there and laugh my butt off at the memories—I just mind being old less when I’m laughing about it. And there’s some very funny stuff over there.

So yesterday when I saw the RetroCrush Box of Glory Inaugural Inductees title, I was eager to read on, even though I wasn’t sure what I would find. But it turns out to just be a great compilation of greatest childhood toys (phew!) along with some hilarious commentary.

At first glance I thought the list contained all of the usual suspects—the Etch-a-Sketch, the Slinky, cap guns, Barbies, Legos, the Magic 8 Ball… it’s a long list, and most of the entries caused me to nod along in agreement. Some of them reminded me of things I hadn’t thought of in years; for example, I used to own the cloth Holly Hobby doll they show. (I wonder what happened to her.)

The list’s author, Robert Berry, claims at the end that you can write in with anything he’s missed, though it’s not clear whether he’ll add them to the list. And this, of course, got me thinking about what I, personally, would’ve added that I didn’t see there. (Several of the toys he did list either predate my childhood or I was just raised in a bubble. That milking cow looked like something I would’ve begged for as a kid, so I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen it before.)

Berry’s list tops over 60 entries; nevertheless, I submit that he overlooked the following:

• Barbie Fashion Head. These come in about a million varieties, nowadays, and I’ve even seen one with hands (which, frankly, frighten me) so that you can do their nails. But back in my day, there was but one Barbie Fashion Head. You could do her hair and make-up. And then when you got a little older, you and your brother could give her a mohawk.
• Jacks. Dude. You include jump ropes and the lemon twist but leave out jacks? Clearly you were never a girl at summer camp on a rainy day. Which I suppose is a good thing, seeing as how you’re a guy. Still. Jacks! They’re a classic.
• Sea monkeys. No room in the box of glory for brine shrimp? C’mon. Every kid I know had a coming-of-age moment when they realized that those little buggers did not, in fact, wear little pink crowns the way the ad in the back of the comic books always depicted them. It’s a sad right of passage, that.
• Walkie-talkies. I have a set of two-way radios that my kids sometimes play with, but they get bored with them easily… possibly because they work. The set that I grew up with sometimes worked, and sometimes just made a lot of static. That was part of the challenge. It made our Secret Agent games more exciting.
• Topps baseball cards. I didn’t even like baseball, and I collected these along with everyone else. Because that’s just what you did.
• Merlin. Yeah, I know he’s got Simon on there. Merlin was different, and equally (or more) popular. I always wanted a Merlin. I never got one, and had to keep using the one my best friend (who got everything she ever wanted) had. I’m still bitter.

What would go into your toy box of glory?

Ever since last summer when it was announced that Noggin and The N would be splitting up at the end of this year, folks have been waiting to see how the two networks will change up their programming to fill the new slots.

Because, after all, they’ll each have twelve more hours—twice as much time—to fill.

Well, wonder no more! The new plans have been announced, and it will all kick off on New Year’s Eve:

To kick off the split, Noggin and the N will each air marathons on New Year’s Eve. Noggin will air a primetime movie marathon from 6-11 p.m. Dec. 31, featuring the premiere of “Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure” as well as “Dora Saves the Mermaids,” “Save the Wonder Pets!” and “Great Jaguar Rescue.”

I can think of little that would make most small children happier than getting to stay up on New Year’s Eve and watch the Wonder Pets. Who needs Dick Clark when you have Turtle Tuck?

There’s new goodies headed to Noggin in the new year, too:

Among the offerings from the preschooler-targeted Noggin, which becomes a stand-alone network at 6 p.m. ET Dec. 31, is “Pinky Dinky Doo,” which has been greenlighted for a 26-episode second season. Based on the book series by Jim Jinkins, “Pinky” is Noggin’s first original animated series dedicated to enhancing early literacy.

The channel also is set to premiere the 26-episode animated preschool series “Toot & Puddle,” based on the books by Holly Hobbie, in fall 2008.

(Get a sneak peak at Pinky Dinky Doo here if you want to learn more.)

I’m actually more excited about Toot & Puddle than is probably normal, but we’ve been fans of the books for a long time. I think a series would be awesome. (And not just because they’re written by Holly Hobbie. Yes, that Holly Hobbie. I wonder how weird it must be to have an iconic cartoon character sharing your name? So weird it causes you to go write stories about two pigs who are best friends, apparently.)

Anyway, I don’t think Noggin is going to have any trouble filling up that extra time. And if you find yourself at a boring party on New Year’s Eve, you can always flip it on for some old favorites!

I have been a huge fan of The Princess Bride ever since I saw it for the first time as a teenager. (Yes, I’m old. Hush.) It’s still one of my very favorite movies, and if you’ve never read the William Goldman book on which it is based, you really should.

[In the movie, you get the occasional cutaway scene with the kid and his grandfather, which is amusing, sure; but in the book you get interjecting passages like “What followed next can only be described as an 87-page-long list of packing supplies. He skipped that part when he was reading to me, because the description of all the skirts and shoes and stuff was just boring.”]

Anyway, it turns out that someone got the bright idea to make The Princess Bride into a computer game. It looks like it will stay pretty true to the story—check out the trailer:

Part of me wants to be horrified, in the defense of an untouchable classic.

But most of me can’t wait to see how it looks. It’s not available yet (and doesn’t say when it will be available, other than “Spring ‘08″), but you can pre-order it for a discount, if you’re willing to gamble on it being worthwhile.

(It’s possible I’d be willing to pay $16.99 to hear a little cartoon Vizzini saying “inconceivable!” on my computer.)

[Hat tip: Pop Candy]

As if it isn’t enough that this is the season when all of the old favorite holiday specials are on television, the regular programming schedule is getting a little jolt of the holiday spirit, as well. I am especially loving this on account of my family’s recent relocation to warmer climes.

(Those of you who’ve always lived where it’s still arcing into the 70s in December may be used to this, but we aren’t. A few holiday television shows featuring plenty of yuletide glee along with some snow are just what the doctor ordered.)

Anyway, Nickelodeon is running all sorts of great stuff this month. Tomorrow (that’s Friday, December 14th, 2007) your preschooler can get into the spirit all afternoon long:

December 14 (12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

12:00 p.m. The Wonder Pets! “Save the Reindeer”
12:30 p.m. Blue’s Clues “Blue’s First Holiday”
1:00 p.m. Go, Diego, Go! “Diego Saves Christmas”
1:30 p.m. Wow Wow Wubbzy! “O Figgity-Fig Tree/Snow Day” (PREMIERE)

The winter holidays are here, and the kids are building a winter festival, Madame Zabinga is rehearsing the Nutty-Nutcracker, and Walden is waiting for the arrival of blue snow. Best of all is the lighting of the Figgity-Fig Tree, and this year Wubbzy wants to make it the best tree ever! But as usual, he overdoes it by adding too many lights and blows out the generator. Without any lights, the Wuzzleburg townspeople must come up with novel ways of decorating the tree. In “Snow Day,” Wubbzy goes sledding and Widget brings out his snow-shoveling machine. Walden begins building a snow sculpture of a Woly-Polar Bear, but soon Wubbzy sleds right into it, knocks it down and buries Widget’s machine in the snow. Now Wubbzy and Widget scramble frantically to fix the sculpture before Walden finds out.

Later on in the day, Christmas comes to the Wayside School:

Friday, December 14 – Wayside “Sideways Christmas” (PREMIERE)

“Extra-Curricular Ridicular”
All the kids are forming bizarre after-school clubs, except for Todd, who creates a plain old “Science Club.” Myron laughs at him, believing his club will be better, until he sees Todd’s club has managed to build a functioning rocket. Jealous Myron tries to form a “Science Club” and build a rocket of his own.

“Sideways Christmas”
A series of haphazard events confuse Myron into thinking he’s actually stuck in his own version of “The Christmas Carol.” The other kids are baffled as he mistakes them for Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and in the end, Myron learns his lesson.

On Sunday you’ll find a holiday-themed marathon taking place on Nick in the afternoon (featuring Spongebob, Jimmy Neutron, Danny Phantom, and others), and of course there’s plenty more holiday cartoon goodness as we move closer in towards Christmas. See the entire schedule here if you need to plan around your favorite shows.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

So, you may remember that Ty’s was doing a little Miffy-themed shout-out to some blogging parents—we held some giveaways to give folks the opportunity to get a giant plush Miffy doll for free. At long last, the results are in, and a veritable fleet of giant Miffy goodness is headed out to spread joy, good cheer, and, um, deep love of bunnies. Yes.

(If you didn’t win and still need a Miffy fix, be sure to go visit the Ty’s Toy Box Miffy Store. It’s not the same as a free giant Miffy, but there you go.)

Without further ado, I present our winners!

• Sophie at A Hole in the Fence awarded Lauren of Full Hands Mom.
• All Adither gave Miffy to Mama’s Got Moxie.
• Over at Suburban Turmoil Reviews, Lindsay selected Jen H. (who appears to be blogless, but will soon not be Miffyless!)
• The Madame Queen awarded Burgh Baby’s Mom, and if you look at those pictures of said Burgh Baby on her blog, I think you’ll agree that such adorableness definitely deserves a giant Miffy.
• The winner at Lipstick to Crayons is Eliza Valentine.
• Ben at Hey, You! selected Katie from Ramblings of a SAHM.
• Right before Kathryn at Daring Young Mom got busy digging out flooded houses, she picked Veronica from Toddled Dredge as her lucky Miffy winner.
• Christina from A Mommy Story pointed the lucky Miffy finger (okay, wait… that sounded a lot dirtier than I meant…) at Steph of A Mother’s Musings.
• The lovely Jennie at Preteens, Toddlers, and Newborns, Oh My! gave Miffy to Mamalang.
• At Mom Writes, Mary handed over a Miffy to Zoe (another blogless soul).
• Rita from Surrender, Dorothy: Reviews let her coworker select someone named fweetieb for a Miffy. (I really, really hope that’s a handle and not a real name.)
• Juliness of Fresh and Sassy gave Miffy to an adorable little girl named Megan and her mom Jenny.

Everyone reported having a lot of fun with the contests, and we hope the winners enjoy their prizes. Stay tuned for more fun like this in the future. (Though how we’re going to top giant stuffed animals, I’m not sure….)