What a good idea! I'm going to do this with my Ethan (2 years old) tomorrow! And I'm a teacher-you would've thought I would think of this!

A most excellent idea...you can freeze a bunch of toys and have a heyday melting them away - a good birthday party idea, too - melt out your party favor!

Awww...ice. Good idea - teaching Trixie about ice and its natural composition and inheritant reaction to water (can substitute heat for water if you want). I accused my Dad of stealing the ice from my glass of water. And a 4 yr old doesn't have the attention span to wait while Dad proves that it just melted and it wasn't him who took it. Apparently, I insisted upon it.

Judy: Went to a baby shower and they froze little plastic toy bears (they looked exactly like Gummy Bears). The game was that whoever's "baby" defrosted or melted away won and got a little gift. The catch was you couldn't break the ice with anything (ie teeth) but you could put it in your mouth or warm it up in your hands....okay, sounds weird now that I've explained it, but at the time it was new & a fun baby shower game to me. (Tip: If you try this, give people a little plastic cup and a napkin for their wet, drippy hands.)

Hi Ben -

What type of container did you use to put the "little toy guy" in the freezer?

It's one of those little, shallow, plastic gerber bowls.

Seems kinda weird. When I first read that you froze her little toy guy I thought...why? were you drunk or something and thought it would be funny?? But now that I read other people's comment I guess it is a good way to teach kids about ice. I dunno. Hm... I'll give it more thought. :P

Great idea. I think I'll be freezing a tiny plastic Elmo tonight. You don't think it'll traumatize her, do you? Naaaaahhhh....

Okay -- I think Trixie has a career as a "mad scientist" in her future! Remember this one and this one?!?!

I'm just sayin. . .

:o)

Nina: can't it be both? Isn't it possible I was drunk and trying to find a new activity for Trixie to do?

I guess the truth is that I used to freeze the crap out of Han Solo, Luke and his Tauntaun back around 1980. It was fun then, and it's fun now. Ice is a classic toy.

Steph: You could be onto something. And those are just the ones benmac is willing to let us see. Who knows how many others are out there in the digital abyss???

Love this idea! Except that out here in the Northwest it's too cold at the moment to be playing with ice. Waiting for another warm period but then definitely trying out this one. That and watering his fig tree (rather: pouring the water all over himself) should keep him busy for five minutes!

On another note: have you come across some more good books lately? At the moment we're big into lifting flaps and discovering where Maisy's panda is or where Spot is hiding. But a while ago you showed us the books Trixie is reading and I always enjoy getting some more ideas. We're regulars at the public library but sometimes it's good to buy a new book!