We ran a lot of errands today trying to sneak in as many of our favorite things in Tokyo before we leave on Monday. Our first stop was Kiddyland, a mega toy store devoted to all things Hello Kitty and Disney as well as many hilarious gag gifts and inventive toys for kids. We always used pick up these amazing birthday candles that include a single sparkler, moving parts, and an electronic musical version of the "Happy Birthday" song. These candles are showstoppers and have made an appearance at two good friends' thirtieth birthdays, but unfortunately Kiddyland no longer carries them.

[1. Brian Daniel]

I love these crayon rocks that I picked up for my friend's daughter H to play with when they visit for the housewarming. I think that they will fit in her hand nicely. I'm going to spread out some Kraft paper for her to go wild.

[1. c. lynn]

When I was a kid we used to work on puzzles with my grandparents each time we came for a visit. It was a nice thing to have set up in a spare room like my grandmother's screened porch on the east end of Long Island, New York or her condominium in Florida. 

I've loved Charley Harper since I discovered his work via subway tile. It'd be fun to work on any one of these 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles: Mystery of the Missing Migrants puzzle, Rocky Mountains puzzle, and Glacier Bay, Alaska puzzle.