tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post2910604653363771220..comments2024-01-18T04:43:21.565-06:00Comments on Ethiopian Tripletland: Triplets find zero uses for the BiliboCindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10142069245960848781noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-45088134927586694852010-04-17T04:29:23.963-05:002010-04-17T04:29:23.963-05:00Well, first of all, the thing pictured above is Sw...Well, first of all, the thing pictured above is Swiss made, not Swedish. :) The second - Swedes make great foodies ...the kind that keep you healthy, strong and very slim till your late seventies. :) Sounds like something good to try on? - Man, oh yeah. :)<br /><br />And getting back to that Bilibo - perhaps your kiddies were simply too little to enjoy the toy. Maybe it's worth to wait a wail and give it one more try later. Not sure if you've come across this demo in the past, but if not, here you have it - lots of inspiring things you make up using this toy:<br />http://www.bilibo.com/de/intro/default.aspx?<br />(You just go click the blue frame with the lil girl in it.)kursyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04284438518000270507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-61219981234902713082009-01-11T22:48:00.000-06:002009-01-11T22:48:00.000-06:00P.S. Just read Jayme's comment (love you, Jayme!),...P.S. Just read Jayme's comment (love you, Jayme!), and I think this is precisely why I'm so disappointed in this toy! I am all about imagination fosterification, so when this object that, apparently, breaks open the doors of other kids' creative potential goes completely unbothered by my own child, I start thinking, uh-oh, have I totally stifled my kid's imagination? Is that why he can't think of a SINGLE use for it? Like, he can't even figure out that he can sit in it? Or spin it (even after I've shown him)? Or put stuff in it, or put it on his head, or … anything? Ack! What's wrong with my linear-thinking kid???<BR/><BR/>So there's my rant. :-)Deirdrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11302374456833324866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-24500514334945295872009-01-11T22:36:00.000-06:002009-01-11T22:36:00.000-06:00I was just thinking the same thing as I tripped ov...I was just thinking the same thing as I tripped over the one Santa brought us. Big flop here, too. Then I thought, "Well, at least we can use it for sledding." Until I read the "Don't, under any circumstances, use this for sledding" warning. <BR/><BR/>Now what?Deirdrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11302374456833324866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-61045336451791740052009-01-08T14:28:00.000-06:002009-01-08T14:28:00.000-06:00$27.00????!!!! Cindy why dont we go and invent so...$27.00????!!!! Cindy why dont we go and invent something tonight shouldnt take long at all from the looks of that thing and give it a silly name ,slap a price tag on it and become wealthy overnite and then i want to do some traveling whatcha think??Kerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565195333919724917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-81329445460363878102009-01-08T13:09:00.000-06:002009-01-08T13:09:00.000-06:00Oh Jayme (aka Anon Blogger #1), always the serious...Oh Jayme (aka Anon Blogger #1), always the serious one. :) I knew you would write back with the 1 million uses your twins have derived from the toy. We can't all be E and I and Figgies. I guess crawling around the floor roaring is creative enough for me--even if they don't incorporate The Bilibo into jungle play. <BR/><BR/>And you should see what Tsega can do with a spatula and a plastic tiger. Amazing. <BR/><BR/>Hehe. ;)<BR/><BR/>Someday I'll blog about how terrible I am at providing structure and planned activities for my kids and then you'll see that I am the last one to stomp out creative freedom. But you know that about me. <BR/><BR/>Silly goose. 8-)Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10142069245960848781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-32086663614716219602009-01-08T12:23:00.000-06:002009-01-08T12:23:00.000-06:00We've had ours for 2 weeks as well, and the potent...We've had ours for 2 weeks as well, and the potential for these is unlimited. So far the twins have:<BR/><BR/>-spun around endlessly in them<BR/>-created bassinets for baby dolls<BR/>-made tunnels for our toy trains<BR/>-drummed on them<BR/>-practiced balancing on top of them<BR/>-cleaned up toys by putting them inside the bilibo and carrying them across the room<BR/>-used them as helmets on a "rocket ship ride"<BR/>-used them as caves for their schleich animals<BR/><BR/>We haven't taken them outside yet, but I'm excited to try them out while sledding, building a snow fort, making igloos, and playing with sand, water and dirt in the summertime.<BR/><BR/>I'm always concerned when I hear people ask what a toy is "supposed" to do. The whole point is that single function objects limit creativity whereas toys like this encourage children to "think outside the box". <BR/><BR/>As someone with a lot of background in both child development and psychology/sociology, I cannot stress enough how important it is for our kids to learn to think creatively on their own. <BR/><BR/>As a society we're trending more and more toward standardized testing as the standard for recognizing achievement, and, as a result, we are creating an entire generation of people who have no idea how to think for themselves. <BR/><BR/>Multiple business associates of mine have commented that each year it seems like college graduates become paralyzed when it comes to making decisions on their own -- they've always been told exactly what to do, and so they only understand how to take direction.<BR/><BR/>But I digress. My point is that not everything needs to have an express purpose. Granted, if you don't want to spend the $27 for a Bilibo, a few cardboard boxes and some art supplies would probably serve (sort of) similar purposes. There are definitely other ways to feed creativity, but this has been a great toy for that purpose.<BR/><BR/>And Cindy, I'm definitely *not* trying to say that any of this applies to you or your household, or your parenting style (absolutely not!), but some of the other comments clearly hit a nerve for me... I actually agree that the triplets will probably find tons of things to do with these when they get a little bit older.<BR/><BR/>anyway, sorry for the rant, happy new year and all that jazz.jaymehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09090979914568630927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-73785877397388382682009-01-07T22:14:00.000-06:002009-01-07T22:14:00.000-06:00The Swedes don't do music? Did you forget about Ab...The Swedes don't do music? Did you forget about Abba? Just call me Dancing Queen :)Diannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03456570127329082692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-4001425241270994032009-01-07T20:49:00.000-06:002009-01-07T20:49:00.000-06:00Your post echoes my thought exactly. Our 2 1/2 ye...Your post echoes my thought exactly. Our 2 1/2 year old uses her bilibo as a potty chair for her dolls:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-61878913157538637992009-01-07T20:18:00.000-06:002009-01-07T20:18:00.000-06:00Ummm....it looks like a bedpan. I am with Emily. ...Ummm....it looks like a bedpan. I am with Emily. What is is supposed to do?Jennifer and Tyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05436525728755440523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-77643209949734776932009-01-07T12:40:00.000-06:002009-01-07T12:40:00.000-06:00I almost got it for my Sunshine this year, but bou...I almost got it for my Sunshine this year, but bought it for my nephew instead since it seemed more his thing. Now I'll have to check with his mom and see if he found any uses for it.FrogMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16009384356863311547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-7452722765353612262009-01-07T09:00:00.000-06:002009-01-07T09:00:00.000-06:00Hi Cindy, my name is Heather Antoine. We are trave...Hi Cindy, my name is Heather Antoine. We are traveling to Ethiopianext Friday, and are hoping to stay at the Afar Village Lodge, and it was mentioned to us that you took a trip there when you traveled. Can you tell me how you got there from Addis? By the way, your kids are beautiful!<BR/>Thanks!<BR/>heather_antoine@hotmail.comHeatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14956832592552661991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-85207908861448921652009-01-07T08:59:00.000-06:002009-01-07T08:59:00.000-06:00Wow-- how clueless am I??? What's it *supposed* t...Wow-- how clueless am I??? What's it *supposed* to do?Emily B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08356629496671448820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-21989924128164571272009-01-06T19:16:00.000-06:002009-01-06T19:16:00.000-06:00I think it would make a nice salad bowl.I think it would make a nice salad bowl.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-8157443670557172642009-01-06T17:58:00.000-06:002009-01-06T17:58:00.000-06:00Just wanted to say that I've found that kids don't...Just wanted to say that I've found that kids don't usually start really enjoying the Bilibo until they are a bit older than your kiddos. From the testimony of others I know who have one, plus my own observation of how my kids play with it, they're more likely to really "get" it when they're 3 or 4. So keep it around and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised in six months to a year.<BR/><BR/>P.S. My brother and his wife are adopting from Ethiopia too, and we are so excited!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08603420364898547499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-56432915800030503272009-01-06T17:19:00.000-06:002009-01-06T17:19:00.000-06:00I feel out of touch as I've never heard of or seen...I feel out of touch as I've never heard of or seen such a thing before! Of course I just recently entered the world of buying toys as Nadia is 6 months old and has only recently begun to play with a wider variety of toys. Well I guess not every toy purchase can be a winner like the plasma cars. Happy New Year! ;-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07294312184321261946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-21923911876030519422009-01-06T15:58:00.000-06:002009-01-06T15:58:00.000-06:00And let's not forget, Carrie, the triplets have a ...And let's not forget, Carrie, the triplets have a free, in-house obsessive complusive spinner, namely Jerry...recall the crazy, mad spinning video of a few months ago? I don't think a Bilibo can do THAT!Mark and Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15092529758375734896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-30195732573663334832009-01-06T15:33:00.000-06:002009-01-06T15:33:00.000-06:00Haha!!!!! I swear its on my wish list. Its the du...Haha!!!!! I swear its on my wish list. Its the dumbest gift ever...... <BR/><BR/>RobbinRobbin Hopkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05955974399106425304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-89553736025198843672009-01-06T14:14:00.000-06:002009-01-06T14:14:00.000-06:00Makena spins herself and her baby around in hers.T...Makena spins herself and her baby around in hers.<BR/><BR/>They are fun to pack snow into.<BR/><BR/>She has on occasion thrown bean bags into it.<BR/><BR/>She uses the little Bilibos to play with sand, water and rice. <BR/><BR/>Personally, I think the big ones make for an ideal sized serving bowl for banana splits :)Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00191734621026102200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-68713704350558192482009-01-06T13:05:00.000-06:002009-01-06T13:05:00.000-06:00Anon #2- We tried it, it looked like fun, but my b...Anon #2- We tried it, it looked like fun, but my boys flunk physics so far. They just kept toppling over before they could get a good spin going. Remember, unlike Figs, my boys are shaped like weeble wobbles except they do fall down. (And surpisingly, their new sit and spin isn't getting much spin action either). <BR/><BR/>Oh, boys. Pile them with cars upon cars except for Tsega who only plays with running water and spatulas.Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10142069245960848781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-63679685185958981202009-01-06T12:57:00.000-06:002009-01-06T12:57:00.000-06:00hehe Carrie ~ as if we didn't know it was you. Ma...hehe Carrie ~ as if we didn't know it was you. Maybe we can all play a game of count-the-number-of-pictures-on-MP's-blog-that-feature-the-bilibo? :)Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15084685082646700474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-33348887578402219922009-01-06T12:56:00.000-06:002009-01-06T12:56:00.000-06:00Thank you, thank you. I was JUST ABOUT to go buy ...Thank you, thank you. I was JUST ABOUT to go buy one of these, b/c all these blogs raved about it and I thought maybe I was depriving my son. Perhaps I can hang on to my $30 a while longer until D has a chance to test drive one at a store.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15084685082646700474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172947028115531994.post-66549870857949182362009-01-06T12:55:00.000-06:002009-01-06T12:55:00.000-06:00Well now technically throwing it across the room a...Well now technically throwing it across the room and distressing the fir floors both count as found uses my friend. Just saying. <BR/><BR/>Throw it outside in the summer. The things that can be done with sand and water are amazing. And disgusting. Oh and it does make a remarkably good sled. <BR/><BR/>Sorry they were a flop. At least you have some hip buckets to dust now. But seriously, they haven't started the obsessive compulsive spinning yet? <BR/><BR/>Carrie<BR/>Anonymous Blogger #2Mama Papayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08928718208052597051noreply@blogger.com