The Daiso Japanese Light Up Wand Gift my Niece Loved

 What's been so much fun watching my little nieces and nephew grow up is seeing how their personalities develop over time.  Seeing how they change.

They're all growing up too fast!

My youngest nieces are starting to show their personalities a little more.  My toddler niece is more open and likes to giggle, but can be quiet at times.  She's an observer, it seems, and likes a good joke.  My youngest niece loves to explore, but can be really bashful and shy.  This youngest niece I haven't quite connected with yet, because I don't think it's good to force any relationship, but we took a huge step together last week!  And it's all thanks to a little wand from a Japanese Daiso (100 yen store).

I helped babysat her a few weeks ago, and every now and then she would glare at me!  Apparently it's her thinking face, so I'm not taking it personally, but it did have me worried.  She did cuddle with me for a few moments when she needed help with a snack, then she was off playing again.  I kinda laughed and sighed at the same time.

During my recent trip to Japan I went into a Daiso store while in Harajuku.  You can find so many great things at good prices!  They're worth tracking down if you're visiting Japan.  I bought all my Niece and Nephew gifts there, combined under $10.

For my two little nieces I got them a wand that actually lights up, Sailor Moon style.

So cool.

My little niece was so excited!

And in her little way said thank you.

On the way home my sister-in-law texted me: "So on the drive home [my niece] was jabbering and I heard 're-rah jabber jabber wight jabber re-rah'. Translation, she was talking about Sarah and the light, aka the wand, and Sarah.  She's over the moon with it and didn't want to put it away."

That's sweet.

And I saw her a couple days ago, and my little niece didn't hide her head from me and stood next to me while showing me the book she's looking through.

Small steps.  But good steps. :0)

And I haven't given my other nieces and nephew their Daiso finds.

Hope they like them!

Practical and fun.

 This bottom one came from DisneySea. :0)

Sailor Moon Wand, the Gift That Keeps on Giving

Back in 1999 or so, I honestly can't remember, the Sailor Moon craze was going full steam.  I watched it on Toonami with my brothers.  In the late 90's it was hard to get toys from the anime, unless you found them online.  I found one of her wands on Ebay with a bid getting ready to close.  I convinced my Dad to buy it, which he did, in disbelief  . . . and I never gave him the money!!!  (Heh, not one of my proudest moments.  I should pay him back.)  Since then we've had many good laughs over it.

 What's fun is that each of my nieces have really enjoyed it.  It's one of their favorite toys to play with when they come over.  And now I have a little niece that isn't quite walking yet, but as she was crawling around she found the wand and figured out how to push the button to light it up and make the wand sound.  So cute!

I have four nieces now!  My poor nephew.  I remember Krista asking him a month or so ago if he wanted a brother, and I swear I saw him shake his head no.  The next time he's over I'm going to ask him.  He's entered the "why" phase.  Had quite the conversation the other day.  He was very pleased at getting the bar-stool to turn, and then getting on it to spin.  I have three brothers, always wanting a sister, and it seems like my lack of sisters is being made up in nieces.

Sailor Moon's wand with Sailor Neptune's Mirror (a greater treasure).

My nieces are not allowed to play with the mirror.  It's not a toy.