Oh my goodness, did we luck out. My friend, Michelle (hi Michelle) is cleaning out her empty nest. Her son went off to college and said she was free to give away anything in his room. Imagine a lifetime's accumulation of magic kits, tinker toys, dinosaur statues and books, books, books.

Rose's top pick: The Guinness Book of World Records 2002. She regaled us with disgusting facts over dinner.

David immediately made the styrofoam airplane. And John and I had to weed our bookshelves to make room for the complete set of E. Nesbit, the Indian in the Cupboard, and every last Magic School Bus.

I can't wait to try the how to draw books, not to mention the weird science, and the games to play in the car. What a bonanza!