We’ve been quite blessed this holiday season, despite the negative economy.  If you are one of the 20 people behind the Google searches for toys for a 2 1/2  year old girl, this post is for you. 

11. Ava liked the little backpack, stickers and DVD combo.  The video is engaging and fun, yet educational.  Picture taken from here.

10.

She has Rosie, Thomas, Percy and about 5 others.  She liked this one especially because it plays music.  Photo taken from this site.

9.

Photo taken from here.

8.

The food and pots sets complemented her pretend kitchen nicely.  Prior to these gifts, the kitchen set just took up space in our room.  Now it’s being used daily.  When I wash dishes, she’s either helping me or she’s washing her own dishes.  When I cook, she’s cooking.  Photo taken from here.

7.

Hers is a red-head named Baby Sami Ava, and she loves her so.  She’s taken her for walks in the stroller, to her kitchen to cook, and everywhere else.  Photo taken from here.

6. 

She loves them, and they are practical!  Photo taken from here.

5.

Each night before bed, we read 3 books.  I found 2 Dora books–one about dentists and the other doctors–and she’s loved them.  But then again, she loves anything with “My Dora.”  Photo taken from this site.

4.

Ava loves this toy.  She’s learning to read, matching magnetic letters with the letters on the card, and learning vocabulary on the cards.  Photo taken from here.

3.

Ava’s isn’t actually Barbie brand, but it’s such a great gift for her.  She sits down to play it.  As soon as she got it, she saw that it had a microphone that could record her singing.  She immediately sang “Old McDonald” and ABCs.  Photo taken from here.

2. I love love love this present because it totally pays for itself! She brings it to us to “give stickers.”  Now she’s making her bed, putting away her toys, and even taking her medicine (we created a line for that).  Photo taken from here.

1.

We loved this new acquisition because it channels her creativity.  The no-spill cups are great–just watch for the paint dripping on the floor.  Photo taken from here.