Why Buy Toys?

I really feel like I could post something every single day that we play with that is NOT a toy. I really think that our kids have less actual toys than any other kids that live in families with the same economic status that we have! They just like household stuff so much more. Here's what a gave each of the girls today:
a small container of those flat marbles (that you use in vases and around candles)
an ice cube tray (well, Haley got an egg carton)
a spoon

They seriously played so nicely for over twenty minutes. That's a really long time for a two year old. They would scoop up a spoonful of marbles and dumb it into the ice cube tray. They arranged the marbles in each little compartment of the trays. They stirred the marbles. They enjoyed the sound they made when they would pick up a handful and drop it. It was just such a fun activity. Who knew? I was a little worried that it might end with someone choking on one of the little things, but thankfully they never put one in their mouth!